Thousands Protest Immigration Bills

[Sister Fracas 5]

tengo un gato en mis pantalones?

Soz...I have to do it....there isn't much call for this picture on a daily basis, so gotta use it when I can....

<----------- ????

[almaty 19]

tengo un gato en mis pantalones?

cat in my trousers???

Only on a good day

meeeeeooooow

damn straight merc., especially if it is a painted cat

Are you talking about the brownification of felines!

yeap..a cat blumpkin

[mercuryroad 0]

tengo un gato en mis pantalones?

cat in my trousers???

Only on a good day

meeeeeooooow

damn straight merc., especially if it is a painted cat

Are you talking about the brownification of felines!

yeap..a cat blumpkin

The blumpkin resurfaces.....

[almaty 19]

tengo un gato en mis pantalones?

cat in my trousers???

Only on a good day

meeeeeooooow

damn straight merc., especially if it is a painted cat

Are you talking about the brownification of felines!

yeap..a cat blumpkin

The blumpkin resurfaces.....

thought it was a good time merc...

[mercuryroad 0]

tengo un gato en mis pantalones?

cat in my trousers???

Only on a good day

meeeeeooooow

damn straight merc., especially if it is a painted cat

Are you talking about the brownification of felines!

yeap..a cat blumpkin

The blumpkin resurfaces.....

thought it was a good time merc...

Always a good time for a blumpkin

[almaty 19]

and if out in rural area..a country blumpkin

[mercuryroad 0]

and if out in rural area..a country blumpkin

Well played my friend, well played.

[Aymerlu 3]

I'm a little surprised at the lack of compassion here. I'm in favor of doing things by the book, but how many of us have been in such dire circumstances that we could even understand what these people go through?

The people that come here illegally are probably not affluent in their country. Perhaps we should do more work to make these countries more economically viable so people won't have to leave. Poverty is the issue.

The U.S sends millions of dollars to other countries every year, some of these countries who are not too fond of us. There are millions of people here in the U.S working their butts off and still cannot afford to put food on the table or food on their kids backs. I personally know what it's like to be down and out and not know how the heck I was going to feed my kids or get gas money to get too work, and even though I managed to put myself through nursing school, we still don't have a lot of those "extras" in life. I'm am not completely against in the U.S helping other countries, I just think taking care of it's own citizens before others.

[PsychoKat 0]

The U.S sends millions of dollars to other countries every year, some of these countries who are not too fond of us. There are millions of people here in the U.S working their butts off and still cannot afford to put food on the table or food on their kids backs.

I do realize your post was intended to be serious but I have to thank you for the typo. I had a rough day today and was browsing through this and burst out laughing when I thought of people trying to put food on their kids backs.

[Traviesa 0]

I'm a little surprised at the lack of compassion here. I'm in favor of doing things by the book, but how many of us have been in such dire circumstances that we could even understand what these people go through?

The people that come here illegally are probably not affluent in their country. Perhaps we should do more work to make these countries more economically viable so people won't have to leave. Poverty is the issue.

The U.S sends millions of dollars to other countries every year, some of these countries who are not too fond of us. There are millions of people here in the U.S working their butts off and still cannot afford to put food on the table or food on their kids backs. I personally know what it's like to be down and out and not know how the heck I was going to feed my kids or get gas money to get too work, and even though I managed to put myself through nursing school, we still don't have a lot of those "extras" in life. I'm am not completely against in the U.S helping other countries, I just think taking care of it's own citizens before others.

Let me just add this aspect to the conversation...when I got back from Mexico this past trip, I had 3 maxed out credit cards, less than $5 in my checking account, and no job. But I never once wondered whether or not I'd be able to find a job or eat my next meal. I can guarantee you that even with almost nothing left to my name, I was better off than a lot of the families I saw in Mexico. There are always jobs and there's always food. If I hadn't found the job I did, what the heck, I could've gone to work at McD's and gotten a free meal a day. No, it's not glamorous work, but it would have kept me fed and afloat. I can tell you right now that Javier would never get such a job in Mexico. McD's would be a glamor job and would more than likely require some education. Opportunities are not there. No matter how much we want to close our eyes and think they are.

[mercuryroad 0]

I'm a little surprised at the lack of compassion here. I'm in favor of doing things by the book, but how many of us have been in such dire circumstances that we could even understand what these people go through?

The people that come here illegally are probably not affluent in their country. Perhaps we should do more work to make these countries more economically viable so people won't have to leave. Poverty is the issue.

The U.S sends millions of dollars to other countries every year, some of these countries who are not too fond of us. There are millions of people here in the U.S working their butts off and still cannot afford to put food on the table or food on their kids backs. I personally know what it's like to be down and out and not know how the heck I was going to feed my kids or get gas money to get too work, and even though I managed to put myself through nursing school, we still don't have a lot of those "extras" in life. I'm am not completely against in the U.S helping other countries, I just think taking care of it's own citizens before others.

I don't disagree.....for me I think it is different because I am able to put faces and stories behind the words illegal immigrant.

I've seen people work for next to nothing....live in the equivalent of a box, sending money back home to support their family......all the while being grateful and not complaining. It's easy to label them as criminals, but that word has connotations that I don't think accurately reflect their true character. In the truest sense, yes laws were broken....I understand that.

Those summers I worked on the farm with some illegal immigrants was a lesson in life and sacrifice that I will not soon forget. I learned an appreciation of what we have here and how fortunate we really are. The people I worked with loved their country and would prefer not to have to do things this way but felt there were no choices at their disposal. Some risked death for these jobs.......not many of us can say we've been in that situation or would have the courage to do the same.

This issue is very complicated and there are very valid arguments to be made. My only point is that when we are forming these opinions and making our judgements.....let's keep in mind the entire picture and not be too quick and indiscriminate in our conclusions.

[Traviesa 0]

Merc, that is exactly how I feel about illegal immigration. I know it's wrong but I can understand it, and I don't hate those who do it, because I realize that in most cases, they were out of options.

By the way, I support the immigration reform because it may make it easier and shorter for Javier to get his Visa. It still won't be instant as if he were normal, but we may only have to file one Waiver and wait only a few months-that is, if we get past the Advisory Opinion.

[mercuryroad 0]

Merc, that is exactly how I feel about illegal immigration. I know it's wrong but I can understand it, and I don't hate those who do it, because I realize that in most cases, they were out of options.

I think there is a greater sensitivity here because of the whole visa process that we have to go through and I totally understand that. People feel like they are being cheated by having to go through this process and waiting while others enter illegally.

I have experiences that change my perspective and I don't really expect people to understand that either but I feel like I have to at least share it.

No easy answers for sure......as evident by the debate and valid points on both sides. This is really a tough one.

[babybunny 2]

time for someone to write something totally ######.

how managed to use that word

[MUY SOLO 0]

I'm not one to jump into political threads, or even ones with *touchy* topics. But I am so angry by what's going on in my neighborhood that I have to say something.

I live in California... Southern California to be exact. Our state is going to sh*t. If I discuss this openly, I run the risk of being called a "racist". Funny thing is, my sister-in-law is from Mexico. She came here legally and has followed all "the rules". She works legally, and she's ticked off too.

I am not a racist. I do not hate mexicans.

I just don't find it at all fair, that rules apply one place and not another. If we're going to make it ok for every illegal to stay here in California, work, get driver's licenses, etc. then I should be able to do the same in any other country. YES, I'm going to ask that we abolish visas and immigration laws completely! Why have rules? I should be able to go to Canada next weekend to join my husband. Demand a job without a permit, and get a driver's license. I also want them to take care of me, give me free medical, and fun stuff like that.

I have no objection to people wanting a better life. But rules are not rules if they don't apply to everyone. California is supposed to accept every illegal alien from Mexico with open arms, yet Mexico themselves deport Guatamalens all day. (Actually, the US pays for their deportation; we figure it'll save us money because most of them are just using Mexico as their expressway to get to the US). If we deport, we're racists... so why don't they accept the Guatamalens based on that theory with open arms too?

We have a country that was attacked in 2001. We have Al Queda's living in Mexico, learning the language, blending in - because they know how damn ez it is to come here.

We have banks in So. Cal handing out mexican flag souveniers to get new customers, allowing Matricula Consular cards as formal ID to open accounts. No SS# needed.

My best friend is a science teacher in the LA school district. He loves to teach. His kids love him too. His students walked out Friday, didn't come in Monday, were locked in on Tuesday (only half there). Why? Most of the kids interviewed DIDN'T KNOW WHY they were protesting. The saw it on myspace, it prolly sounded like a fun day off from school. Anyone want to take a guess at how much it cost the State to pay all the teachers for those days?

Again, rules for one group of people, but not for another. I'm sick of it. Go ahead and tell me how much i suck. I don't care.

i agree. abolish all immigration laws everywhere in the world and just let people live, love laugh and be happy. let the governments spend thier resources on passing out new id's and taking photos. sure, bar the terror-types and the real criminal bad-asses but, let the others come and go freely. amen.