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May Day: El Gran Boicot

posted at 1:58 am on May 1, 2006 by Allahpundit
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*Michelle is updating throughout the day right here.*

*Watch live video of the huge rallies in Los Angeles. Click the link at the top of the L.A. Times homepage.*

*Michelle debates the head of USF’s chapter of MEChA on Sean Hannity’s radio show. Click for audio. (Note: edited for brevity.)*

It’s moonbat Christmas, the perfect day for millions of illegals to take to the streets, bring their best friend — American business — to its knees, and do their level best to alienate most of the rest of us. Unsurprisingly, the Times and WaPo both report a split among immigration advocates over the wisdom of staging a boycott while legislation is pending in Congress — not to mention doing it on May Day. WaPo:

Carlos Castro, a leader in two local business groups and owner of the Todos Supermarkets in Northern Virginia, said he was wary of some advocates’ attempts to link immigrants’ rights with leftist causes.

“They want to create instability in the community,” he said. “It is kind of scary, because I lived through the metamorphosis of the Civil War [in El Salvador], and I know leadership and I know instigators. I want to make sure that we get the leaders of the Hispanic community out front. I’m not accusing anyone, but that’s certainly how it looks.”

Juan Jose Gutierrez, director of the California-based Latino Movement USA and a representative of ANSWER, called opponents of the boycott “rather paternalistic.”

But of course he did. PJM notes, importantly, that some Latino groups want no part of this, but in L.A. alone the police are preparing for 500,000 marchers. “It’s highly unpredictable what’s going to happen,” says the director of Berkeley’s Center for Latin American studies. Not so unpredictable: Tom Tancredo’s got an op-ed ready for the occasion and is raring to go.

The boycott is on today in Mexico, too. “Nothing gringo on May 1st” runs the slogan; Mexican lawmakers weigh the pros and cons and give it a thumbs up. Turns out the joke’s on them, though:

Mexicans’ refusal to “buy American” on May 1 could further polarize the debate and make reform supporters seem anti-American at the very moment that lobbyists are trying to persuade lawmakers in Washington to pass a bill that would benefit migrants, worries Larry Rubin, the chamber’s president.

“This is like shooting oneself in the foot,” Rubin said. “U.S. companies have been the first to lobby, launching a huge lobbying effort for immigration reform. … Why hurt something that is helping you?”…

South of the border, Mexicans are targeting American stores and chain restaurants - “That means no Dunkin’ Donuts, no McDonald’s, Burger King, Starbucks, Sears, Krispy Kreme or Wal-Mart,” reads one e-mail making the rounds.

But even activists are confused about which companies are U.S.-owned. Sears is cited by boycott organizers, despite the fact that Sears’ Mexico stores were bought by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim in 1997. And few organizers mention Vips - the chain of ubiquitous Mexican diners - even though they are owned by Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

We’ll be updating this post throughout the day with links to articles, blog posts, and assorted multimedia related to the protests. If you see or hear something interesting, e-mail us. In the meantime, check out this sampler of Marxist bottom-feeders looking to exploit illegal immigrants for their own ends, as well as their fellow travelers, NoHR4437 and 1Mayo. Note the fliers, too. A group with the stones to demand “No Increased Enforcement” is worthy of a certain perverse admiration.

Also for your reading pleasure: John & Ken of KFI 640 AM in L.A. (which we’ll be monitoring) have organized an anti-boycott promotion. A contributor to World Net Daily offers an illegal-immigration fact sheet which, she claims, is drawn entirely from articles in the L.A. Times. An anonymous tool at Indymedia trumpets his success in organizing a walk-out at a Brooklyn bakery. Punchline:

I heard him on the phone and although the owners were all pretty upset by it, he made it sound so concrete and matter of fact that they couldn’t really do anything other than figure out how to cancel some orders for Monday and make sure things didn’t go to waste while the store was closed. We won’t see them until after Monday so I’m not sure if there will be a backlash or some serious questioning.

And finally, Jihad Cindy tips her hand in the immigration debate — and to the surprise of no one, it turns out she’s only holding one card.

Update 2:21 a.m.: New poll from NBC News and the Wall Street Journal shows most Americans are willing to cut illegals a break. But note well:

Update 7:21 a.m.: Already a few op-eds on the wires. John Fund has a worthwhile column this morning on immigration supporters (especially Spanish-language radio hosts) turning a cold shoulder to the boycott. Read it if only for his background on demagogic ringleader Nativo Lopez. Carol Platt Liebau weighs in at the American Spectator to explain why a boycott places illegals in a no-win situation. And here’s Hot Air’s own contribution to the subject, a new Vent on the subject of the May Day mayday.

Update 8:02 a.m.: Bloggers are already weighing in this morning, too. Iowa Voice will be doing a round-up of his own. He points to, among others, Jay Tea discussing lowered expectations and Captain Ed noting the P.R. disaster involved in protesting on May Day and wondering why illegals didn’t choose Friday — Cinco de Mayo — instead.

Update 8:33 a.m.: Busy day ahead for the L.A. Times. Top story right now is the city’s attempts to batten down the hatches along Wilshire Boulevard. Says L.A. Cardinal Roger Mahony:

“I just simply ask them [boycotters], whatever they do, to do it in a way that is peaceful and that helps change the hearts and minds of Americans in a positive way,” he said.

This Reuters report states that Mahony, head of the largest Catholic diocese in the United States, is opposed to the boycott (as Ted Kennedy is). Has he backed off that position or does someone have their facts wrong? Either way, Mahony says he’ll be marching through the barrio later this afternoon.

Back in Washington, WaPo reports that House Republicans are the center of gravity with respect to pending immigration legislation. Sensenbrenner, Tancredo, and Blunt are trying to hold the line against amnesty, but the Post says Senate leaders are close to a compromise, and Hastert reportedly is “willing to look at” what they have to say. Note this bit from Blunt, though, especially in light of the NBC News poll mentioned above:

With passage in December of the House’s get-tough immigration law, Republican leadership aides say the GOP has done its part to insulate its members from growing anger over illegal immigration. Large immigrant rallies against the House bill have done nothing to shake that belief, Blunt said. If anything, the images of a sea of immigrants, many of them illegal and many waving foreign flags, have bolstered the get-tough views of most Republican constituents.

“I think they’re hardening positions,” Blunt said of the rallies, with another round planned for today. “It just convinces the people we work for that the problem is bigger than they knew.”

The article also notes that the NBC poll shows Hispanics prefer Democrats in the Congressional elections, 55-22. We’ll see how tough Blunt really is soon enough.

Update 9:51 a.m.: Possible sign that the protests in L.A. will be much bigger than expected: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has postponed his trip to Texas and is thinking about attending. For more on Villaraigosa’s radical roots, including his stint as head of the UCLA chapter of MEChA, see Lowell Ponte’s behind the scenes look at the boycott at FrontPage.

More op-eds coming out now. Mark Krikorian launches the newly redesigned NRO by explaining why comparisons between today’s rallies and those of the civil rights movement — especially MLK’s speech at the Lincoln Memorial — are off base. The proper analogy, says Krikorian, is to Vietnam protests. He also reports that Lamar Alexander is set to introduce a resolution in the Senate today affirming that the national anthem, as well the pledge of allegiance and various oaths, should be recited by immigrants in English. (Listen to a snippet of the new Spanish-language version here.) The resolution will presumably be offered in connection with Alexander’s “Strengthening American Citizenship Act.”

Elsewhere, Neal Boortz offers a six-point plan for stopping illegal immigration, pays proper tribute to a reconquistador professor at the University of New Mexico, and sounds a common refrain about the news coverage of the protests:

I’m listening to CNN this morning as I prepare these program notes. Time after time I hear the word “immigrants.” Only once thus far have I heard any derivative of the word “illegal” used in a story.

And back at the Corner, John Derbyshire is ready for the debate and advises illegals to just bring it on already.

Update 10:12 am: New Jersey’s Attorney General, you know, the Garden State’s top law enforcer, will be attending an illegal alien rally with Sen. Jon Corzine.

Update 10:20 a.m.: Ay Dios mio. Rasmussen:

Update 11:39 a.m.: More polls: Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Polling Institute, reads the tea leaves and sees peligro for los illegales. So does the Chicago Tribune, whose editorial inexplicably concludes with a go-get-’em-tiger cheer after echoing Carol Platt Liebau’s point about a no-win situation:

[T]he “day without immigrants” strategy has two inherent risks. One is that it won’t inflict enough pain to make its point. The other is that it will.

Maybe citizens will get by for a day without immigrants. Or maybe they’ll get mad.

The only certainty is that those who walk off the job will be out a day’s pay.

Still more op-eds to read. Michelle highlights this incisive piece by Heather MacDonald from NRO a few weeks ago as a complement to today’s Vent. MacDonald looks at the relationship between the individual and the state as understood by illegal-immigration advocates; Mickey Kaus uses a throwaway line in a news article to do the very same thing over at Kausfiles.

The blogosphere is starting to hum. My pal Patterico demonstrates the strangeness of the day by linking favorably to an anti-illegal piece … in the L.A. Times. Confederate Yankee doesn’t mince words: “This May Day protest is a celebration of the illegal importation of poverty, and an attempt to legitimize the violation of this nation’s sovereignty.” Over at Fidel Castro’s least-favorite blog, Cuban-American George Moneo isn’t mincing his words, either. Tammy Bruce — who’ll be interviewing Hot Air’s own video wizard, Bryan Preston, at 12:30 EST on her radio show — notes that she’ll be joining KABC radio’s live coverage of the L.A. protests when her show ends at 3 p.m. Listen live over the web here. And Nathan Tabor at Human Events Online offers three words of advice to American citizens: buy, buy, buy.

Update 11:47 a.m.: Se va! “If I lose my job, it’s worth it.”

Update 11:58 a.m.: Excellent live video feed round-up from Shawn Wasson at Bare Knuckle Politics.

Update 12:35 p.m.: The boycott is on in Mexico, too. The first casualties? Innocent Mexican business owners.

Marina Serna, deputy manager for Burger King in downtown Mexico City, said she believed it had an effect. The restaurant had only one client during the first 90 minutes it was open, even though it is owned by Mexicans.

“I’d say that this is bad because even if we work in a company with an international brand, the owners are not from the United States, they are Mexicans,” Serna said.

Update 12:41 p.m.: The first protest photos are hitting the wires; click for larger size. The flags are flying in Homestead, Florida….

…and check this one out. You make the call: is the last word in the second line “proud” or “prouder”?

Update 1:09 p.m.: Just heard someone on Fox say that a new poll of Houstonians shows, for the first time in ten years, that they support building a fence. Can’t find it on Google News; if anyone has it, e-mail me.

Update 1:21 p.m.: Look who turned out to celebrate the boycott in Chicago.

Update 1:25 p.m.: Hot Air reader “dwagyak” offers this comment:

It is 10:02 am - PST. I’m an elementary specialist and see classes every half hour - so far, over 20% of the kids at my school are “absent”. I am FURIOYS at the slap in the face to the education system, but shouldn’t be suprised. I’m having video parties with candies for all the kids who are here - I’m not saying why, but why should I teach to classes with 8-10 kids missing? (And our school will have accept any parent-written excuse, so NONE of these kids will be considered truant!)

Update 1:35 p.m.: Fox asks the wrong question. The right question: does America have the will?

Update 2:25 p.m.: The boss sends along video of Fox’s interview with Indiana Congressman John Hostettler, who’s putting two and two together vis-a-vis the companies that had to shut down today due to understaffing. (The clip has been edited for brevity.) Memo to Tyson’s, Perdue, and McDonald’s: call your lawyers.

Also on the hot seat: Mayor Villaraigosa, whom PJM reports was left squirming during a radio interview this morning when asked whether there isn’t an important distinction between legal and illegal immigrants. Elsewhere, Amy Welborn notes that not all higher-ups in the U.S. Catholic Church are following Roger Mahony’s lead.

Update 2:36 p.m.: Have cooler heads prevailed? Perhaps so in D.C., says WaPo:

In the Washington region, leaders of immigrant groups said the real impact of the boycott would not be fully known until later this afternoon or evening. But anecdotal accounts — and earlier interviews with advocates who were divided over whether immigrants should participate in the boycott — suggested that while some were staying home from work, their action was not widespread….

Some local activists had predicted that thousands would participate in today’s boycott, which asks immigrants to refrain from buying goods and to stay home from work and school. But immigrant groups who have spoken out against the action said they fear that the immigration reform movement is being commandeered to promote political causes beyond immigration….

Some local Latino leaders said they worry about being associated with a Los Angeles-based group, Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER), that has been active in promotion of the boycott. They said they fear that the group’s broad-based opposition to Bush administration policies could hinder attempts to win allies for immigration reform on Capitol Hill.

Update 2:42 p.m.: Co-opting King. See Krikorian’s piece (linked above) for a response.

Update 2:58 p.m.: Gran boicot, gran backlash. Scenes from counter-protests in Boston and Las Vegas, respectively.

Update 3:26 p.m.: Chicago PD puts the turnout at 300,000. They’re marching in Mexico City, too — on the U.S. embassy. Emerging from his secret hideout to join in the fun: masked Marxist hearthrob/anti-globalization icon Subcomandante Marcos of the separatist Zapatista national army.

Update 3:37 p.m.: The L.A. Times has two photo series up on their website, one local and the other national.

Update 3:53 p.m.: Added a link at the top of the page to live video of the L.A. protests. Lots of folks in white shirts, per the organizers’ request. PJM says a spot check of the crowd shows 60% Mexican flags, and KABC radio reports seeing no signs demanding guest-worker status and lots of signs demanding amnesty.

Update 4:05 p.m.: The fallout begins:

Congressional strategists in both parties say the boycotts and work stoppages across the country Monday are likely to hurt chances of persuading conservative lawmakers to go along with an immigration bill this year. Key aides still hold out hope for sending one to President Bush’s desk before midterm elections, but were shaking their heads as they watched television coverage of small businesses that had to shut down and suburban work sites that were empty because of a national demonstration that proponents call a “Day Without Immigrants.”

Meanwhile, at City Journal, Heather MacDonald says fear is good:

But even if it were true that illegals lived in the shadows, why is that unfair? The bargain they chose was clear: if you come here illegally, the law says that you should face deportation. It is a measure of how surreal our immigration practice has become that it is now “mean-spirited” simply to raise the possibility in an illegal’s mind that his deportation risk is real, much less actually to deport him.

An excellent piece all the way through. RTWT.

Update 4:19 p.m.: C-SPAN has video of the “You Don’t Speak for Me” press conference held earlier today in Los Angeles by the Hispanic Coalition. (I linked to the group’s press release at the beginning of this post.) Click here and look for the item, “Hispanic-Americans Speaking Out About Immigration.”

Update 4:29 p.m.: Reuters seconds WaPo in reporting minimal damage to the restaurant industry from today’s walkout.

Update 5:03 p.m.: Why Patterico Will Never Run Out of Content, Reason #1,347: Here’s the headline the LAT’s running today in lieu of “Criminals Use Economic Extortion to Move to the Head of the Naturalization Line”:

Update 5:52 p.m.: Grabbed five minutes of the Big M’s debate this afternoon with Maria Vivanco, founder of the University of San Francisco’s chapter of MEChA, on Sean Hannity’s radio show. Click to listen. Note: the segment has been edited for brevity.

As you’ve probably seen on Drudge, the economic extortion is working in L.A.

Update 6:13 p.m.: A reporter at one of the rallies in L.A. tells 640 KFI-AM that the speeches are all in Spanish. He has no idea what’s being said. He adds that the crowd looks smaller to him than the one at the gran marcha in early April.

Update 6:25 p.m.: No numbers yet, but AP says the illegals have made their point:

While the full impact of the one-day Day Without Immigrants boycott was hard to immediately gauge, it was palpable in some industries with a heavily Hispanic work force. On-the-job turnout was dramatically lower at some locales in the meat-packing, masonry, restaurant and landscaping businesses, and numerous firms closed for the day as immigrants, legal and illegal, took the day off for rallies and marches….

Low attendance also was the story at hotels in Indianapolis, construction sites in Miami and plant nurseries and landscapers across a wide area.

Update 6:29 p.m.: A correspondent in Phoenix tells John and Ken of KFI that the turnout today was much lower than at last month’s rally.

Update 7:25 p.m.: The second L.A. rally, which is expected to be larger than the first, is getting started now. KFI reports Cardinal Mahony leading the march in a white t-shirt to express his solidarity, as well as protesters flying American flags upside down. Supposedly Geraldo Rivera is there too, zipping around on a Harley Davidson. Of note: the KFI reporter says the focus seems not to be on defeating the Sensenbrenner bill, as it has been at previous rallies, but on demanding full citizenship rights.

The Times and WaPo have each filed afternoon reports. Consensus verdict on economic impact? Too soon to tell.

The San Francisco Chronicle has a verdict of its own: mistake.

Update 7:38 p.m.: “Our hard work deserves a reward.”

Update 7:42 p.m.: Roger L. Simon is back from the first rally in L.A. with original photos. Spot the reconquistador.

Update 8:27 p.m.: According to KFI, the LAPD is reporting shockingly low numbers for today’s rallies — only 250,000 or so at the first protest this afternoon (half a million were expected) and a mere 75,000 at the evening event. Radio hosts John and Ken are incredulous and believe the numbers are low. A reporter on the scene agrees.

Investor’s Business Daily connects the boycott to the new Spanish “Star-Spangled Banner”:

Monday’s strike and the co-opting of the national anthem both convey a level of presumption that is bound to rub American citizens (and maybe naturalized citizens most of all) the wrong way. They suggest that millions of people not even legally in this country believe that they entitled to the rights of citizens.

The sad thing for the illegal immigrants is that, over the years, they had built up considerable political support for their eventual legalization simply by doing their jobs and quietly proving their value. Now they and their fair-weather activist friends are busy squandering that goodwill.

Back at KFI, John and Ken have an interesting theory about why the media is focused on L.A. today, and offer their own anecdotal evidence about the practical effect of the boycott on Angelenos. Click to listen.

Meanwhile in San Ysidro, the reconquistadores are out in force, replete with “Aztlan” banner to lead the way.

Update 9:35 p.m.: KFI fills out two unresolved stories: (1) Villaraigosa did end up attending the rallies, and did address the crowd — in English and Spanish; and (2) the initial LAPD crowd estimates for the evening rally were far too conservative. New estimate is 400,000.

Time magazine wraps up the day’s events with public school attendance stats: 70-90% AWOL in Chicago, 72,000 missing in L.A.

Tancredo surveys the scene and pronounces himself very pleased indeed:

“I couldn’t be happier (with the protests) because every single time this kind of thing happens, the polls show that more and more Americans turn against the protesters and whatever it is they are trying to advance,” Tancredo told Reuters in an interview.

“My guess is that Americans are going to say ‘What are those people doing waving all those other flags and what’s this about changing the national anthem into Spanish?” he said, a reference to a furor by the release of a Spanish-language version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Update 9:44 p.m.: A perfect ending: KFI reports that L.A. has decided to allow free admission to city buses for the 400,000 criminals rallying in the city tonight.

Update 9:51 p.m.: Hold the phone. KFI says now that the offer of free busing is being “modified.”

Update 10:22 p.m.: I’ll wrap things up with one last piece of audio which the big M in particular is bound to love. It’s from John and Ken again, but this time someone else is doing the talking — specifically, Fox 11 TV reporter Tony Valdez, delivering what John (or is it Ken?) later describes as “the report from Aztlan.” Don’t miss it. And have a great night.

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Allah, you’re good with all that artsy-craftsy stuff I’m too klutsy to learn. Think you could make a printable sign that says “¡Mi país no es su país!”? It’s the opposite, only bigger, of “Mi casa es su casa,” or “My home is your home.” If I wasn’t so old and tired I’d see about having CafePress make bumper stickers or something.

bdfaith on May 1, 2006 at 3:49 AM

Has anyone done the math to show today what we’d save if these same illegal immigrants weren’t clogging our public schools, emergency rooms and jails? Whatever we lose in convenience and income would contrast interestingly in dollars spent to have them here. I’m guessing it’s a figure they’d rather us not realize.

Skyfrog on May 1, 2006 at 6:57 AM

Today may as well be called “the 1st of Mexico”.

The Latino (Bowel) Movement for immigration reform.

Now, y’all go spend some money.

doingwhatican on May 1, 2006 at 7:07 AM

May 1st – Demonstrations that our government has failed

Tomorrow on May 1st, a day synonymous with communism and communist movements we’ll reportedly have millions of illegals marching in the streets of major cities to show us their strength. Today I heard that not only will it be Hispanics but Muslims as well. The demonstrations are supported by state governments (California), churches (my own church, in California of course) and silly-assed feel good liberals of all stripes.

If the activities of May 1st do not move you to call your congressional representatives and take a stand, then: you, your grandchildren and all future generations deserve the results.

What are the results?

There is anarchy, a total disrespect for our laws and our sovereignty. We have no borders, certainly no national language (press 1 for English) and no national leaders willing to enforce the laws they have sworn to up hold.

Should our inept national leaders decide to implement the so called “compromise” that hasbeen discussed, those inept leaders will extend a form of citizenship to law breakers. You will hear statements in the current debate that these illegals are not law breakers, they’re simply people looking for a better life. Well, both statements are true but if a legal status is extended, the result will be horrific. Think not? Well, do the math.

Estimates tell us that there are 11,000,000 to 20,000,000 illegals currently in the country. Few of these are here with their families.

If we compromise and say it is 15,000,000 and the Senate and the president have their way, these 15,000,000 will be bestowed a legal status, the immediate impact will be twofold. First they’ll be able to lay claim on the entire range of social services, forcing higher taxes (property, income and sales) to support. Second they’ll be able to bring their families into the country. Now we can multiply the 15,000,000 by as much as 5, adding 60,000,000 to the population. That 60,000,000 would be on the lower end of the economic scale and ultimately be able to VOTE.

Get the picture?

60,000,000 new citizens or legal residents, considering a current population of 300,000,000 means the new population would represent 16% to 15% of our population, a dramatic shift in the demographics of our country. If you consider that more than half of our current population pays exactly no incomes tax, then in the future envisioned by the senate and silly-assed liberals, something like 65% of the population will pay no taxes and be able to vote. Guess how our professional politicians get elected. Here’s a hint, they promise the masses something for nothing. Here’s another question. How to they pay for the promise? Here’s a hint, if you pay taxes then the politicians are promising your money away and will be doing so on far more dramatic terms because they will have a larger, non-tax paying group to cater too.

Mad yet? Probably not. If you are, then what can be done?

Let me repeat. Call your legislatures. Call your representative. Call your senators. Call the Whitehouse.

For my money, what needs be done:

First:
Build a real fence on the southern border.

Second:
Actually enforce the law against both the illegals and the businesses that hire them

Third
One and two above are a start. I do realize that there is a need for foreign labor so we need a guest worker program. To do that correctly and in a manner that allows our laws to be enforced, we need to support the guest worker program with state of the art identification cards. Those cards would be issued not here but in countries where the workers (should) live. That includes many South American countries. Those cards would be issued by a US Government agency and be encoded with biometrics that identify the worker and possibly a GPS signal capability. Once a worker is qualified and issued a card that worker could then contact US employers via web-site that matched business needs to worker capabilities. Once the card is issued and an employer accepts the worker, then and only then can he come to the USA.

Fourth
Once the engagement between employer and worker is completed, the worker must leave. I believe the employer should fund transportation costs, something as simple as bus fare. If the ID card is GPS enabled then we’d know the location of the worker.

Fifth
Any illegal caught violating the law / rules would then lose all privileges of entry into the USA for all times.

What should be done if our government continues to fail us? Ultimately it is the citizens of the country who must be in control, after all our form of government is democratic and the people must speak and be heard.

How can we make them listen if they refuse?

A set of simple steps:
First
On January 1, submit a W-4 claiming 99 dependents. That will squeeze the nation’s coffers since virtually no tax revenue will be collected.

Second
On January 1, cash in any and all government bonds, further squeezing the federal government.

Third
Cease any and all political contributions and when asked why, explain.

Fourth
On January 1, contact your mortgage company and get the paperwork you need to fill out that says you no longer want them to escrow for your property taxes. Then refuse to pay those property taxes – that will squeeze local governments just as we did with the federal government. It will takes years of action for the local government to do anything significant in the way of collection activity. The minute they take action pay the minimum necessary to get them off your back.

Fifth
On April 15th of the following year fill out the federal tax form that requests an automatic 4 month extension for your federal income taxes.

Sixth
On August 15th of that same year make your personal decision whether or not you’ll pay. My guess is that by that time the federal government will have gotten the message or the country would have imploded.

I’m not sure which is worse. An imploded national government or a country that has been handed over to an invading army, which is what is now taking place.

Summary
I believe our country is committing national suicide, for corporate greed and silly-assed liberal feel good notions. The next time someone explains to you that these people just want a better life, remember that they got here illegally and achieved employment by using falsified social security numbers and utilizing other falsified papers – so, extending a legal status to these people is extending a legal status to people who have already proven they have no respect for our laws.

The point is, we lose and lose big if you don’t do something. The “something” today is as difficult as making a couple of phone calls and making your voice heard. Later it gets much much worse.

MikeG on May 1, 2006 at 7:58 AM

Rowe v Wade created the vacuum in the job market which these illegals filled. If we don’t produce our own steady supply of entry level workers, this problem won’t go away.

As for MikeG’s recommendations:

1. I don’t intend to leave my government un-funded in a time of war.
2. I don’t intend to deny my pitful contributions to my party with the ‘06 elections looming because I’m sure Soros won’t go along either.

right ascension on May 1, 2006 at 8:49 AM

I think every person that marches today is basically crapping on every soldier grave that fought for this country. Why did they go to foreign lands to fight? To kept the enemy from coming here, to protect our borders and our sovereignty. If they are granted any type of amnesty - what was it all for? It’s almost like it means nothing.

lmcclean on May 1, 2006 at 9:31 AM

May First can now be officially observed in the United States as “End of America Day.” It’s the day the violent communists finally defeated the United States. Pretty smart of them for how they did it too! Be very proud Republicans, you’re timidness didn’t help one %@&$#*& bit!

Khyber Pass on May 1, 2006 at 9:36 AM

If this group of “immigrants” can enter the country without going through the legal immigration process, why should any other group of immigrants have to go through the process?

This is the beginning of yet another round of entitlements. Only this time we are expected to extend the entitlement to everyone everywhere in the world.

Why don’t we just dissolve the country and declare it unincorporated territory open to settlement by anyone who can take and hold a piece of it?

withoutfeathers on May 1, 2006 at 9:48 AM

The best comment yet on this subject is in an essay about illegal immigration on the Claremont Institute web site:

“Illegals now want to take back California and the rest of the West that they consider theirs, and make it part of a country they don’t want to live in.”

Hello?

If that’s the case, why did they ever leave?

clyde on May 1, 2006 at 10:06 AM

“A Day Without Immigrants” such a success that we need to expand it to “A Decade Without Immigrants”!

Yogurt on May 1, 2006 at 10:10 AM

Hey frustrated communists; way to focus (as usual). Check out the poster at Ms. Malkin’s site promoting the supposed “Immigrants’ Rights” rally: “No…racism,” “Yes to family unity,” “Jobs for all - not war,” “Housing is a right,” “Stop layofs [sic]“, “Justice [?] for Hurricane Katrina/Rita survivors,” “Reclaim May Day,” ad naseum.

Couldn’t they have slipped a pro-abortion poster in there somewhere too?

saint kansas on May 1, 2006 at 10:13 AM

This is absolutely ridiculous. Put your foot down. Use force. Kick these ungrateful assess out, close the border. Once the money stops flowing into mexico people will revolt against vincente fox. These bastards want change and revolution? Let’s give it to them.

darwin on May 1, 2006 at 10:17 AM

Ah yes . . . a May celebration in the true spirit of the Communist Workers Party. This entire “immigrant boycott” fiasco is a disgusting farce.

rplat on May 1, 2006 at 10:27 AM

‘Immigrants Rights?’ Immigrants don’t have rights. I hope this includes no hospital visits and other emergency services…

foreign_devil on May 1, 2006 at 10:49 AM

MikeG you are so right. It is obvious that you have really thought this out and I agree with your solution 100%. We are at a turning point right now. Our survival as a nation depends on what we choose to do about this problem and how quickly we can get things together.

I’m certain if White American citizens held a rally we would be firehosed and arrested by the thousands. Is this country worth saving for us? Some days I wonder.

UnEasyRider on May 1, 2006 at 11:02 AM

Maybe I’m being obtuse, but I actually am all for these massive protests, the bigger spectacle they make the better. It is enlightening to see where the politicians stand, and as a disgusted citizen trapped in the ex-urbs of Portland OR, it is heartening to see the justified American outrage… outrage that wouldn’t be channeled were it not for these idiotic moonbats.

The higher numbers they turn out in, the more Americans notice, the more we Americans make the people who continue to allow our country to be UNSECURED and UNPROTECTED…pay at the polls.

I guess in other words: Give them all the rope they need?

By the way: My husband works as a school counselor in a high immigrant district, and there are two kinds of latino immigrants: legal and illegal. The legals are hardworking family-oriented, polite, well dressed, clean and for the most part speak English well. The illegals have problems with gangs, lice, drugs and crime, and often their children go unfed, unwashed, their clothes even unlaundered to the point of being wearable garbage. Now this is a generalization so there are, of course, exceptions… but I have to believe that there’s something about EARNING and WORKING for citizenship that must make someone more productive and maybe more participatory in American life in a constructive way…

rightallthetime on May 1, 2006 at 11:06 AM

Without feathers - exactly. What do we say to the millions of legal intending immigrants (suckers) from China, India, the Philippines, and yes, Mexico, who filed their applications years ago and who have been patiently waiting in line for their turn at the American dream? Sorry folks, you were stupid enough to follow the immigrations laws, and now 11 million people just cut in front of you in line - and not only will the politicians in the country you so desperately want to come to not call them on it - they appear intent upon bending over backwards to grant them benefits ahead of you! USCIS is currently backlogged to the tune of more than a million applications, and this is the same agency that our politicians expect to handle the 11 million new applications and background checks? Why in the world would anyone EVER decide to follow our immigration laws in the future if the politicians decide to grant benefits to this group of illegals?

Leave aside the fact that as MikeG pointed out, once they have been granted legal permanent residence status or citizenship, they will be immediately eligible to apply for family members, thus increasing the application backlog by a factor of five. Leave aside also their immediate eligibility for social services. Its not as if the US has not had a long history and tradition of extending a helping hand to the less fortunate in the world - buts its the difference between asking and telling. If I ask you for a dollar, its charity, and most are glad to give if the cause is right. If I demand a dollar, its robbery, and most would be inclined to call the police. Which is what we should be doing here.

The impact of any demonstrations or boycotts today on the economy will be negligible. However, if all of the citizens and LEGAL permanent residents who are concerned about this issue decide to boycott the businesses who knowingly employ illegal aliens, and withhold political contributions to ANY politician who supports this unjust amnesty, then it will have a REAL impact!

I can’t imagine that any person who was granted legal permanent residency or citizenship over the last twenty years, and who had to pay all of the fees and jump through all of the immigration hoops, would not be in the streets, yelling themselves silly, protesting this “line-jumping” by millions of illegal aliens! Somos ladrones! (We are robbers) Papi! Ladrones….Papi..yee-ah

Con Ky on May 1, 2006 at 11:10 AM

immclean &khyber: You are so right.

dhimwit on May 1, 2006 at 11:24 AM

“‘Immigrants Rights?’ Immigrants don’t have rights.” Absolutely correct, foreign_devil.

Immigration is a legally defined procedure.

They are criminals, illegal aliens. They are NOT immigrants.

Build that damn wall.

doingwhatican on May 1, 2006 at 11:52 AM

I saw the guy carrying the sign at the top of this page and if he’s “prouder” to be a Mexican then why is he hanging around this country?

rplat on May 1, 2006 at 12:50 PM

May 1: A DAY OF SHAME!

sharinlite on May 1, 2006 at 12:58 PM

It is 10:02 am - PST. I’m an elementary specialist and see classes every half hour - so far, over 20% of the kids at my school are “absent”. I am FURIOYS at the slap in the face to the education system, but shouldn’t be suprised. I’m having video parties with candies for all the kids who are here - I’m not saying why, but why should I teach to classes with 8-10 kids missing? (And our school will have accept any parent-written excuse, so NONE of these kids will be considered truant!)

dwagyak on May 1, 2006 at 1:09 PM

Time to impeach Bush who has aided and abetting this illegal behavior and has called real Americans Vigilantes.

I am sorry that I voted for this traitor in chief.

Tancredo for President and ship George Bush to Mexico where he seems to have more Loyalty to Mexicans than law abiding American Citizens.

ScottyDog on May 1, 2006 at 1:12 PM

Tancredo for President !!!!!!!!

Build the Wall !!!!!!!!!!!!!

No more free services for Illegals !!!!!!!!

No welfare, food stamps, medical care, housing !!!!!!!!

And especially NO MORE school for their children !!!!!!!!!

darwin on May 1, 2006 at 1:18 PM

Mexicans living across the border from Texas are considered legal residents of Texas, and can go to the University of Texas system of colleges without paying out of state tuition. Saves them THOUSANDS of dollars every year, which has to be made up by Texas taxpayers. Citizens of New Mexico and any other state nearby, or anywhere in the USA for that matter, pay out-of-state tuition period. Legal residency is not required for in-state tuition rates in the U of Texas system, or any college in the U of Illinois system or the U of Kansas. Think about it. We are paying for Mexican kids to go to our colleges, and they take the place of legal taxpaying citizens’ kids.

clyde on May 1, 2006 at 2:13 PM

You may be right, right ascension. I’ve suspected that one reason Predident Bush has acted brain-dead on illegal immigration is the same answer as to: How do we replace the 40 million member tax base we’ve aborted over the last few years to salvage social security?

If that were true, IMO, it would be the only half-way reasonable answer. Why would he want to lie about it if it were true? Afraid of alienating Pro Choicers? I think he needs to level with us and quit the “jobs we won’t do” crap. That’s just not credible.

Also have a problem with his statement the other day paraphrased only slightly, “Well, they’ve been coming here for years, we waited too long, now we couldn’t possibly deport 11 million people. The job is just too enormous.”

Duh……We didn’t do diddly @$%# for so long that we now have a problem we can’t solve? That’s really presidential!

I voted for him twice and would again against the same opponents, and I support him 1000% on nearly everything he’s done. But he really does need a labotomy on the immigration side of his brain.

JodyBlonde on May 1, 2006 at 2:27 PM

Hey, I was incorrect about the percentage gone in our school in my original post - it is 35%!!!! Over a third of the school gone. Do you think anyone will have the spine to say, “Fine, you don’t want our schooling - no more for you!” and close the door tomorrow to these kids? Heck, no.

dwagyak on May 1, 2006 at 2:36 PM

(D)emocrats want Illegals to provide the votes American’s Won’t!

DANEgerus on May 1, 2006 at 2:44 PM

I intend to contribute in my own small way. I will now boycott Mexican products and Mexican run businesses. There is a Mexican restaurant chain here locally, owned by Mexican nationals, that will never see another red cent from me.

Patrap on May 1, 2006 at 2:53 PM

“South of the border, Mexicans are targeting American stores and chain restaurants - “That means no Dunkin’ Donuts, no McDonald’s, Burger King, Starbucks, Sears, Krispy Kreme or Wal-Mart,” reads one e-mail making the rounds…”

email?

Unless that machine is running Linux, email should be off limits today as well, right?

Last time I checked, Microsoft and Apple were American products…

sighkobabl on May 1, 2006 at 3:03 PM

This day without an illegal has been a great day. I shopped and drove for hours and everyone was American and spoke English. No large groups of fat mamas with the usual 12 kids slouching around in the stores chattering in their native tongue. No creepy looking guys walking around in packs, eyeing up the much taller blonde American girls. I loved today. Wish it could be the same way tomorrow. This wasn’t a good idea because we had a taste of heaven and will want more.

UnEasyRider on May 1, 2006 at 3:08 PM

Hmmmmmm, this whole situation is so frustrating and stressful. Why can’t people just sit back a minute look at what is going around and realize that this is about ILLEGAL immigrants and not legal ones. I have voted at every election that I could since I was 18 now 42 (22yrs in the Navy, retired, I wasn’t able to vote in some), I have voted republican because I am mostly inline with that forum. Over the past 2yrs I have just gotten so fed up with the whole government political machine. Why is it that “they” seem to be so out of touch with the majority of society when it comes to all the issues.
1. We need to build a fence and secure it.
2. We need to enforce the laws ,already on the books,
against illegal immigration.
3. Do not give amnesty
4. Remember that this is America. Our laws and constitution
govern all.

Excuse my ranting.

V/R

br8veheart on May 1, 2006 at 3:18 PM

How about an illegal mass exodus to Mexico?? that would be nice. Instead of it happening on Christmas, let it happen today. That would show Tyson Foods just how powerful they (illegals)are.
And George Bush is Right…Americans won’t do the jobs that illegals do (for the paltry sums the illegals are paid, while living twenty to a house).
Stop the Illegal Immigration Now!!

gary on May 1, 2006 at 4:09 PM

We were, on a guess, 100 people short today at the plant where I work.

2 of 5 assembly lines weren’t operating.

Actually, in our case, it’s no big deal. I suspect that management will just schedule a couple of lines for Saturday, and bring in all the folks who weren’t there today to run them. At straight time, since they don’t have their 40 hours in for the week. Which I find humorous.

Now if we’d shut down, and I’d had to go work Saturday for straight time because of some illegal demonstrators, I might have been more than a little put out about it all.

Rumor has it that those who didn’t show up have the option of either producing an excuse from a physician or getting written up, but that’s rumor, and HR doesn’t typically confide in me, or consult me.

I’d have fired them. There are still people around who want to work, and at least half of them are probably even U.S. Citizens.

For the record, I’m not absolutely opposed to letting at least some of them stay here. We can’t find enough people willing to work for $9 to $10/hour on our assembly lines to meet our demand if they all left, I don’t imagine. And I like my job, and would kind of like to keep it.

But I want to see border enforcement in a big way first and foremost. It’s kind of like New Orleans. They had to patch the levee before they got worried about pumping the water in the city out, now didn’t they?

jefferson101 on May 1, 2006 at 4:55 PM

br8veheart–

“Why can’t people just sit back a minute look at what is going around and realize that this is about ILLEGAL immigrants and not legal ones.”

The main reason I think is because it *is* about legal ones, as well as illegals. The main problems of immigration today are that most immigrants (whether actual legal immigrants or illegal aliens) cost more in social services than they put in as taxes, take jobs and drive down wages, and are assimilating the U.S. rather than assimilating *to* the U.S. The largely illegal criminal gangs, such as Mara Salvatrucha, have many legal and native-born members…later generations have higher crime rates than their immigrant parents or grandparents.

None of these problems change when the immigrants are legal rather than illegal. Some, like access to social services, become worse. The illegal angle is still significant, but much less so than the issue of sheer *numbers*.

The opposition to what should be no-brainer border and law enforcement is tied directly to the support for mass, indiscriminate immigration. This debate will be muddy, frustrating, dishonest, and weird as long as the issue of numbers is not at the forefront.

Alex K on May 1, 2006 at 5:02 PM

Jefferson; sounds like you plant needs a visit from the INS, possibly regularly. Some fines, too. Gee, then your managmenet might have to pony up the $12-$14/hour for the line work that would attract LEGAL workers.

Folks, it’s all about cheap labor. Until we all commit to going after the employers (AND paying the extra personal costs associated with it), there is little that will be effective. Kill of the demand and the supply will go elsewhere.

Mike O on May 1, 2006 at 5:14 PM

The Heather MacDonald article touches on the somewhat overlooked truth that there will really be no solution to this until there is someone in the executive branch that is deeply committed to reducing immigration…not just respectful of the law or wary of the polls indicating discontent, but willing to make it the priority of his job and fight for it daily. No major ‘08 figure is even remotely close.

The only way the U.S. will get control of immigration again is through a massive battle in which the press and courts (along with the obvious forces) will fight tooth and nail to prevent even occasional and indirect deportation (indirect–interior enforcement that gives aliens no motive to be here). MacDonald described how the press will play any kind of enforcement that results in people leaving, but the immigration debate will, when it gets serious, have to incorporate the already-brutal courts debate because the courts will be (and already have been) discovering rights that override basic enforcement measures.

Alex K on May 1, 2006 at 5:26 PM

According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, meatpacking jobs paid $19 an hour in 1980. Today, they pay $9.

Now, who do you think is responsible for driving those wages down?

If you account for inflation, the $9 an hour is probably closer to $4.

Hola.

clyde on May 1, 2006 at 5:30 PM

First MSM won’t use the T word, Osama is a “Dissident”

Now they don’t use the I word, ILLEGAL.

MSM “news” is nothing but a way to sell advertising.

Reality Check on May 1, 2006 at 5:44 PM

I’m sorry but these folks aren’t “immigrants”. My grandfather was an immigrant from Italy. He came through Ellis Island and became a US citizen. My wife and her family are immigrants from Chile. They were naturalized into our system and became US citizens. Anyone who wants to be in America, and take advantage of our way of life without becoming American is a thief and a usurper. My family and my wife’s family did it the right way. It was no harder then than it is now to become a citizen. So what exactly are they protesting again?

Joe on May 1, 2006 at 6:08 PM

Alex K –
Thanks, I didn’t think of that. You are right. Again all this is just so frustrating. I have wondered at times recently why even vote, but then I get real and say to myself because I must, it is the only way some “up there” will hear.

br8veheart on May 1, 2006 at 6:10 PM

shhhh!!!!!!!!!!!
let ‘em march, give ‘em coverage, plaster it on every TV and newspaper in The USA.
This has been a problem for over 20 years, and all the marches are doing is waking up the population to the danger that is here and growing.
a month ago only a few folks like the minutemen were talking of this problem, and they were easy for the MSM to ignore, but now? everybody and their uncle john is concerned and crying out for ACTION. If NOT for the marches a few weeks ago, the congress could have slipped another “phony” immigration bill thru ( not that they still could, but at least more folk are watching them now, just make sure you take note of who stands where on this, and why)

colorfulbeachpersona on May 1, 2006 at 6:17 PM

Okay guys, this is what you will have if you Impeach Bush:

Guaranteed they will go after Cheney in parallel, or impeach Cheney when he becomes President.

If we have a Dem controlled House, guess who becomes President if both Bush and Cheney are gone???

Nancy Pelosi (shudder)

If we still have a ‘Pub house, then Denny Hastert is President, unless they find a way to whack him as well.

My $0.02

geekrunner on May 1, 2006 at 6:19 PM

Had a lot of kids absent today…it was darn quiet in class. But they missed a lab, and unless they have an excused absence, they’re out of luck making it up.

I’m just that PO’d.

My son did take a bunch of great photos of the Berkeley protest though. Pathetic.

The protest, not the photos.

Bob's Kid on May 1, 2006 at 6:32 PM

How about, just for three months, instead of boycotting American goods and services, the illegals boycott the American support structure. Like our medical system, which is collapsing under the weight of caring for these uninsured illegals. Or our foodstamp system, which is growing exponentially with their expenses on the families that come here without any measurable skill.
Or our welfare systems, which keep growing, despite the ‘welfare to work’ programs, because these illegals merely go from one state to another and take advantage of the loopholes in the law.
When they boycott those American ‘goods and services’ then I’ll believe that they’re here to WORK, not to take advantage of the American taxpayer’s largesse.

webproze on May 1, 2006 at 6:37 PM

Remember ————This is election year

Small contributions sent to good candidates (like Tancredo) will do more good than pages of complaints sent to the majority of invertebrates in office.

And notify the RNC why you are contributing directly to qualified candidates rather than to them.

If you contribute like this chain with your friends to get them to do the same.

roydee43 on May 1, 2006 at 6:42 PM

I dunno…it would be so much fun to see Senators Clinton, Kerry, Biden, and whoever else in the Senate that wants to be President, agonizing over their votes to remove Bush and Cheney, knowing if they do they will be facing a President Pelosi in the primaries–who would be the hero of the moonbats for leading Democrats to victory in Congress and then over the Bush/Cheney monster. But if they voted to keep Bush on it would be transparently ambitious and they’d be traitors to the greater cause. So. Much. Fun.

Alex K on May 1, 2006 at 7:08 PM

Is this the beginning of the end for our country?
(Or did that start in the 60’s?)

jimmyb on May 1, 2006 at 7:45 PM

Memo to SoCal:
Ralph’s Markets SUPPORTS the boycott. Let’s give them a boycott to think about!

BeeCharmer on May 1, 2006 at 7:57 PM

ILLEGAL - let the Raids Begin
Email your congressional reps you want all our country’s borders protected and laws enforced. Let them know your vote depends on it. Or else wait for the Jihadis to start bombing and don’t expect the wetbacks to protect you.

Reality Check on May 1, 2006 at 8:46 PM

http://cogitoargentum.blogspot.com/2006/05/may-daymay-day.html

Ropera on May 2, 2006 at 2:01 AM

Most Immigration “news stories” are missing relevant facts: how many legal immigrants from Mexico, from Europe, from India, China, the rest of Asia, Africa; how many from Canada.

How many are on waiting lists for immigration, how many are waiting for green cards (visas that allow legal work)? How long does a Mexican have to wait to come to America legally?

Even without knowing how long the waits are (facts), it is possible to state some principles. Honest people willing to work should be able to come to America without waiting more than 5 years — I think 4 years is better, and even 2 years is a reasonable target.

How many people in the world have been on waiting lists for more than 5 years? — immigration reform should offer all of them some path to get to America, fast.
Justice in a trial requires a “speedy trial” — justice for immigration also requires lines that are reasonable; more than 5 years becomes “unjust”.

There is no fair or just way to solve the illegal Immigration mess. Enforcing the current laws, meaning forcibly sending the illegals all home, is not just. Continuing to tolerate their stay as illegals is not just. Granting them amnesty, rewarding their lawbreaking, is not just to those waiting for the legal process.
“Justice” is not an option — this is why immigration reform is so hard.
Continued toleration at least has the political fig leaf of not actively favoring enforcement of an unjust solution, like Michelle Malkin and other “nativists” do.

At least almost everybody agrees that “there is no free lunch” available on this issue, which is one of the two main economic points that must be followed. The other big point: incentives matter. A reasonable compromise must get the incentives right. To get the incentives right, the end-state goals must be clearly defined:
1) All workers in America are legal
2) Many illegals have become documented
3) Many illegals have left
4) Those who want to come to America prefer to wait in line rather than to come illegally.

It is ONLY if goal (4) is true that goal (1) is reasonable, as long as poor Mexicans would rather try to get in illegally, many workers will not be legal. T
he fence helps, but only a little bit, at making it better to wait than to cheat.
4b) The legal line wait must be less than 5 years.

But there need to be incentives for the employers, too:
5) It must be cheaper to hire more expensive legals than to pay lower wages to illegals.
At least most reform “talk” includes point (5) — higher fines on the firms who hire illegals.
The fine should start at a $1000 / per illegal, and increase by $1000 every quarter until there are 12 million new “documented” workers in the USA.

The issue of “guest workers,” which is highly addressed, has overshadowed the issue of increasing the number of legal immigrants. There should be 1.5 million/year; 1 million from the rest of the world, and 500 000 from Mexico. The number from Mexico should be scheduled to increase by 100 000/year until it reaches a level so that nobody on the waiting list has been waiting more than 5 years.

http://immigration.about.com/od/uscasestatusprocessing/i/BacklogIssues.htm

There are family members of green card holders who have been waiting for 17 years.

The USCIS receives approximately 6 million applications each year.
USCIS backlog at the end of FY 2003 (September 2002) was 3.7 million cases, however, backlog since then has been reduced by 212,000.

The USA should allow 500 000 guest workers, based on 1/3 waiting time plus 2/3 English language ability — so Indians and Pakistanis who speak English will get preference over Mexicans who don’t. Such Guest Workers should also be contributing to their “return fund”, at the same 5, 10, 20, 30% rates. With an additional number of spots so that Mexicans total at least 100 000 GWs.

The system needs: incentives to register and become legal, either in America or in Mexico (or home country; but the real problem is Mexico).

A good compromise should have the following features: it will be economically less comfortable for the illegals to stay, so there is some real incentive for them to leave — there will be some big fines.
Employers will face big fines.

Allowing illegals to register, pay a big fine, and get in line behind everybody who is waiting in Mexico, for legal immigration, seems the most reasonable compromise. A big fine — like $20 000, payable on an progressive, affordability basis: 5% of all wages plus 10% of middle class level (33rd percentile? 80% of prior year’s median?) plus 20% of above average wages plus 30% of above twice average.

LA Times has some personal stories:
“A cleaning woman who earns $70 a day, she said it was worth losing a day’s wages to make her case. She clutched a small poster that summed up the sentiments of many: “We Just Want a Taste of the American Dream.” “

“Abrego came in July to do construction work so he could save money to build his own house back home, where he earned about $100 a week driving trucks. Here he earns about $400 a week. “We are asking the rich of the United States to respect us.””

$70/day = 350/week ~ 17 500/yr. So the cleaning woman would pay ~$3.50/day, the construction worker would pay ~$20/week (for 1000 weeks). Only after their fine is paid would they be eligible to apply for full, legal immigrant status, the path towards citizenship.
Illegals who are willing to return home should get a social security tax refund — the number they used should be checked to see how much of the $7 billion in overpayments they paid; and this should be a return fund nest egg.

My new twist — firms that are caught hiring illegals will pay a big fine AND be required to accept legal GWs, so their internal workforce is rapidly “legalized”. As more firms face this “fine plus legalization” process, other firms will try to avoid the fines by pre-emptive legalization. There should be a greatly reduced fine, perhaps only 10%, for those firms who admit to “not knowing” their status, and requesting a UCIS/ INS background check (thus, only $100/ worker in the first quarter). Such “uncertain status” firms would NOT need to accept legal GWs, if many were found to be illegal

TomGrey on May 2, 2006 at 7:48 AM

Our school district saved some money on free lunches and breakfasts. The line for free breakfasts especially was much shorter,Monday,in our school.
You know,they talk about what hard workers they are–but our neighbors(12 packed in a 3 bedroom house),let the grass grow long and the beer bottles pile up–rarely take the garbage down to the street. Fun to live next to, especially with the loud parties/music all night Fridays and Saturdays..
Their kids are as round as beachballs and learning how to milk the system. Expect an entire generation of Soap Opera afficionados,on welfare REAL soon-ala new Orleans.Nice future our politicians have given us.

lizzee on May 2, 2006 at 8:02 AM

Putting aside the obvious that the laws are not anti-IMMIGRANT, but anti-ILLEGAL, there was a more troubling aspect of the demonstrations which was struck my in the face as I walked out my office in Union Square yesterday.

1. The abundance of Che Guevara signs. I don’t recall ever hearing him referred to as a champion of immigrant rights. And for those that are so mentally challenged as to mention his name in the context of human rights, perhaps we’re thinking of two different Che Guevaras. Unfortunately, the only one I’m familiar with was Castro’s chief executioner who brutally murdered dissidents and created an empire of gulags to imprison those politically opposed that weren’t murdered, as well as gays and women and children with aids.

2. The Mumia signs, provided courtesy of the America-haters at A.N.S.W.E.R. Another connection I’m obviously missing is how a racist cop-killer can be an icon of immigrant rights. Yes, that the same group run by Ramsey Clark, who rushed to the defense of Saddam, eager to “bitch slap” America at every chance he has.

3. Finally, the lead banner with the anarchists logo. So, they want to be recognized by a government that they prefer be completely abolished. (They were also part of the group that continued their march past Foley Square and tried to take over the roadway at the Brooklyn Bridge, and then made charges of police brutality when they were restrained from inciting chaos.

If I were trying to convince the American people that I should be a fellow citizen, I’d certainly distance myself from as many of these people as I could.

BrunoMitchell on May 2, 2006 at 8:29 AM

2. The Mumia signs, provided courtesy of the America-haters at A.N.S.W.E.R. Another connection I’m obviously missing is how a racist cop-killer can be an icon of immigrant rights. Yes, that’s the same group run by Ramsey Clark, who rushed to the defense of Saddam, eager to “bitch slap” America at every chance he has.

If I were trying to convince the American people that I should be a fellow citizen, I’d certainly distance myself from as many of these people as I could.

BrunoMitchell on May 2, 2006 at 8:32 AM

Did I just see one of those illegals holding up a sign that said “NO COMPROMISE! Citizenship NOW!!”
Uh..listen honey…you are in MY country…learn the language..sing MY ANTHEM and say MY Pledge in ENGLISH and then perhaps you will become one of us. As i am seeing it right now these people have no idea what freedom is about. Getting here in a box car and living in an abandoned garage does not give you the right to MY goodies. Yes, I said goodies, which my hard earned money paid for. Get your sorry lazy behinds back to your own God forsaken country and demand rights there. I am sure your Vincente Fox is just so very anxious to grant you whatever you want.

Sandys Beach on May 2, 2006 at 8:40 AM

Correction to my comment about the Mumia posters at the protest in NYC. They were not provided by A.N.S.W.E.R. but by IAC, the Marxist-Leninist also founded by Ramsey Clark.

BrunoMitchell on May 2, 2006 at 9:16 AM

Welcome everyone to the US, now get in line!!! You want to be a part of this country? earn it, like everyone else.

Brian on May 2, 2006 at 9:16 AM

Dear Mexies:

Well….made it through the day without ‘ya, and never even missed ‘ya!

So, before you head back to the dog pound (…just head south from wherever you are and just keep go’in), just wanted to thank you for all that the Mexican heritage and culture has contributed toward the enrichment of civilization ….lets see …science?….medicine?…. literature?….technology?……ok, GOT IT!….hey, THANKS FOR THE TACOS AND CHALUPAS…LOVE THOSE!!. Ok, bye-bye now!

Headstick on May 2, 2006 at 9:59 AM

Dear Mexican/American wannabe’s,

Are you willing to sign up for military duty? Are you willing to go over to Iraq (or wherever) to fight as an AMERICAN soldier does, no questions asked? Are you willing to lay down your life for your friend laying in that ditch beside you, who will not see his newborn son, ever? Are you willing to be part of a team who saves the life of a young man whose legs were blown off in a war that is the very essence of what we call FREEDOM? Are you willing to show your red white and blue colors in this way???? I think not. Your idea of freedom is to demand free health care, free food, freedom to breed you offspring and make us pay for it, all the while demanding free education for your children while we pay through the nose for our kids to get an education. Let’s just see who flees to Canada or back to Mexico when the next draft becomes law. HA!!!!

Sandys Beach on May 2, 2006 at 11:04 AM

…and one more thing before I cool down. Do you even know or care what the definition of the word “Freedom” is. Here is a hint.: It does not mean that everything is free!!! MORONS!!!!!

Sandys Beach on May 2, 2006 at 11:17 AM

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May Day: El Gran Boicot

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