[69nova]

The Mexican government is pissed at the Brits for a party of their navy divers getting stuck in a Mexican cave. The group is being detained while visas are being sorted out.
Doesn't this smack of one of those monster movies where some agency (usually working for a government) has created a monster (half man -half shark, half man-half wolf, whatever) that escapes and starts to eat the hapless villagers. And a secret team is sent out to rerieve it. in fact, this sounds so much like Arnold's Predator movie.
Kind of funny that the Navy group got stuck due to water. If anybody could dive in those pools, a seal-type team should.

 

[coolcaddy]

This story has an ironic twist to it for those of us living in SoCal. While the Mexican government is outraged by six Brits who are in their country under questionable circumstances, there are millions of Mexican citizens who live and work in California illegally and openly, and for which the Mexican government is demanding free schooling, health care, and even driver's licenses.

Obviously, the Mexican government should be concerned about those who may have entered their country illegally, especially since some of these folks in particular are members of a foreign military; but the outrage over this event is a little outrageous itself given the out-of-control state of illegal immigration in California.

I feel for these poor folks who pour in to California, and for all I know, I've likely employed some of them indirectly by giving business to them (i.e. gardeners, car washers, mechanics, etc.) Generally speaking, they're decent, hard-working folks who simply want to make a better life for themselves and their family. The difficult reality, however, is that their presence creates a huge net cost burden for California, and the Mexican government is essentially obligating California to subsidize their social programs.

...so, six Brits? Hey, President Vicente Fox, I'm sure Governor Schwarzeneggar will gladly exchange the cost of supporting the six foreign nationals who are in your country illegally for the millions of your citizens who are in our country illegally. How's that? <_<

 

[69nova]

CoolCaddy, you are in sensitive territory. Especially in an election year.
I do feel your pain since I watch the local Spanish channels of which my wife (Hispanic) interprets. Bustamante (spell?) runs for governor but belongs to a society whose tenet is to return California and New Mexico to Mexico?I Forget the young Hispanic candidate (Rosario) who was chastised by the Spanish press because she was running for office and stated "I'm an American first!". Funny what does not reach the newspapers and tv (ABC, NBC, CBS)news.

There is an arguement that must be brought up. Fighting persecution, Pilgrims, Quakers, Hugenotts, Irish, Poles, etc.. left their homeland for here. But what is not said is that by the 2nd generation, they assimilated into society. and, especially with the first group, they did not have a welfare program to fall upon. In fact, after the 2nd boatload of whitey, the Natives were more than willing to split their skulls and burn their boats. And their reasons were justified.

Bottomline, the California programs are going to crash (if not already).

AND WHO THE F--- IS VICENTE FOX THAT HE SHOULD DEMAND ANYTHING FROM THE UNITED STATES? 100 MILLION US DOLLARS PER YEAR BEING SENT TO MEXICO BY THESE HARD WORKING PEOPLE, IS PROPPING UP HIS GOVERNMENT. This is probably the most irksome part. But, then again, Bush is courting the Hispanic vote and this is an election year.

I'm still waiting for the fruits of NAFTA for the Mexican working people. Better environment, cleaner rivers, ...All the promises that were made when the money started to flow into the country.

 

[coolcaddy]

Yup, I realize that this is potential flame-bait in an election year, and that's a shame considering how important this issue is. Under normal circumstances, the idea of millions of people openly living and working in a country illegally, receiving taxpayer-paid benefits, and sending millions of dollars back to their country of origin would be thought of as outrageous. Instead, someone at the other end of the issue simply needs to deal the race card, and the argument is over.

I don't really have a problem with illegal immigrants themselves, as they are simply doing what any one of us would do under similar circumstances. I certainly have no problem with legal immigrants--my parents came here in 1964 from Italy and then Argentina, and I'm exceedingly grateful that the United States welcomed them with open arms.

I do, however, have a serious problem with the California state government's unwillingness to address the growing crisis of illegal immigration due to the socialist bent of most California lawmakers. I'm also troubled by the Federal government's unwillingness to take this on as well because of its election-year cow-towing to Hispanic groups, (I say this as a supporter of the current administration, although blame can also be extended to most legislators who are effectively doing the same thing).

Having said all that, I have no ideas for solving this problem. It sure would be nice if folks could talk about it, though; if we could just get past the race arguments and talk about how to solve the problem, maybe someone could come up with a good idea. (Obviously, I'm not saying this about you 69nova--I'm talking about public discourse in general on this topic.)

 

[69nova]

It is an issue that must be dealt with since it is the silent majority that takes the financial hit for such programs. A loud few start to control the issues. It is one thing to turn your shoulder to suffering but another to be taking advantage of.
And it is worse when the media plays yellow journalism- not reporting on these issues.
A fellow named Oberweis came in 2nd in the Illinois primary for senator and was chastised by the media because he dared to discuss illegal immigration. A local newspaper headlined how a woman stopped her milk (Oberwies owned Oberweis Dairy) subscription. Fine-some housewife who doesn't care about the real issues (and it is her privilege to act as such). But it is taboo to discuss anything related to what this country is going to do with the massive debt, terrible trade balance and illegal immigration.

Politicians receive a pension after serving 2 (maybe 1) term. Maybe this should be repealed since they are shooting to get re-elected once to fulfill the pension requirements.