Tuesday Open Thread [6.24.14]

Filed in National by on June 24, 2014

Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) warned Monday of a deadly ‘trail of tears’ in the unforgiving Rio Grande Valley if the federal government doesn’t act.

“More than 52,000 unaccompanied youths have been caught along the Southwest border this fiscal year, almost double last year’s total. The influx is fueled by danger at home, experts say, and by false rumors that minors and women with young children will be welcomed.”

I agree Governor. Unfortunately, your party has made any other option impossible. We have to send them back. It is your party that wanted stricter immigration controls and more border security. Well, this is the result. You must embrace it because it is what you wanted. If you do not want to embrace it, then come out loud and proud for immigration reform and convince your party to pass it now. You have nothing to lose, Governor. You are finishing up your term as Texas Governor, and while you fancy yourself a President, you ain’t winning it, or the nomination of your party. In fact, your compassionate concern for these immigrant children has most likely disqualified you already.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court yesterday basically upheld the EPA’s power to regulate pollution emitted from factories, power plants and the like. So the Republicans have decided to shut down the Federal Government in the fall unless the Obama Administration surrenders and repeals the EPA’s recent regulations. Mind you, this government shutdown would be on the eve of the midterm elections, and there can be no greater gift to the Democrats should the GOP do that. The White House, for its part, is not backing down.

The White House fired a warning shot to Republican senators on Wednesday after several of them expressed interest in using a must-pass government funding bill to block the Obama administration’s environmental regulations.

“If Republicans want to repeat their government shutdown play to protect the profits of big polluters, they’re placing a pretty risky bet,” a White House official, who wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter on the record, told TPM.

About the Author ()

Comments (41)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. SussexAnon says:

    Its the GOPs fault that Mexico can’t get it’s shit together so it dumps all its kids on us in hopes of a better life?

    It certainly couldn’t have anything to do with the rumored Dream Act now could it?

    Both countries (and both parties in America) have no interest in actually tackling the immigration problem. Embrace it like NAFTA.

  2. Liberal Elite says:

    @SA “Its the GOPs fault that Mexico can’t get it’s shit together so it dumps all its kids on us in hopes of a better life?”

    Few are from Mexico. Try again…

  3. kavips says:

    It is unfortunate that we have gone through so much stalemate that anything that obliterates the Republican party, despite collateral cost, would be deemed by future American history to be a good thing…. Alas, if there were a virus that killed only Republicans, i’d urge it’s immediate introduction in order to save our country…. I’d lose many good friends, but, my nation would survive… (lol. No, I don’t have a virus that only kills Republicans. I’m just using it as a humorous example to illustrate the point that everything wrong in America, is absolutely, unequivocally, and undeniably because of the GOP… )

    (You would think someone would try to prove me wrong… But wait, they can’t…. I’m absolutely, unequivocally, and undeniably…. right…. ) That’s sad.

  4. Delaware Dem says:

    No, it is the GOP’s fault that the only thing we can do for these kids is to give them a bottle of water and send them back into the desert from whence they came. And what has irritated me is that now a Republican Governor is complaining about THAT outcome, when it is precisely what their policies (DETENTION, DEPORTATION, MORE BORDER SECURITY, NO DREAM ACT) provide for.

    Further, the proposed Dream Act would have only applied to kids already here as of 2012 so as to prevent precisely this.

  5. puck says:

    Marty Moss-Coane had some excellent guests today discussing the child immigrants. Try to catch the show if you can, I think it is rebroadcast at night.

    The kids aren’t from Mexico; they are from other Central American states and are traversing Mexico to get to the US. Typically they are trying to reach a parent or relative already in the US illegally, and are brought to the border by smugglers. Ironically, tighter US border security has contributed to this situation – illegal immigrants who used to count on crossing the border at will are no longer able to do so easily, and thus are sending for their kids to join them in the US. The claim was also put forth that due to crime in their home states, these kids (or their parents) fear for their safety in their home states and thus should be recognized as refugees under international law. That means they could apply for asylum in any state that is party to treaties on refugees Unfortunately the Central American states do not have a strong asylum system, so everybody heads for the US.

  6. SussexAnon says:

    So its the GOPs fault that Mexico cant get its shit together and try to guard their northern border while letting central and south american countries that can’t get their shit together dump their kids on the U.S. border.

    Sound better LE? Yeah, big difference. Wherever the kids are from, its not the GOPs fault.

  7. SussexAnon says:

    So what are we supposed to do with these kids, Delaware Dem? Let them stay here by some defacto Dream Act? Give them asylum based on a reason that only applies to kids but no one else?

  8. SussexAnon says:

    I am pretty sure the bar is set a little higher than “fearing for our safety” as a reason for granting asylum.

  9. Geezer says:

    It’s actually set much lower if you’re from Cuba.

  10. puck says:

    Or, we could help the parents return home to take care of their kids in their home country.

  11. Geezer says:

    “Wherever the kids are from, it’s not the GOP’s fault.”

    Diagnosis before examination is seldom convincing.

  12. SussexAnon says:

    “It is your party that wanted stricter immigration controls and more border security. Well, this is the result.”

    Diagnosis before examination is seldom convincing.

  13. Liberal Elite says:

    @SA “Wherever the kids are from, its not the GOPs fault.”

    B.S. Pure B.S.

    Which party is promoting illegal immigration in the US? Really… Who is asking them to come to our borders????

    Which party limits family planning support for Latin American countries.

    Which party prevents abortion support services in Latin American countries?

    Which party refuses to help Mexico with its own immigration problems?

    Which party is willing to lets thousands of children starve to death in the shadow of our border fences?

    Really??? You GOPers feel no blame? Maybe it’s because you have no souls.

  14. fightingbluehen says:

    Quite possibly the best footballer in the world right now , and he can’t stop biting people…. Louie Suarez.

    I feel sorry for the boy. I don’t think he is trying to hurt anybody, he just can’t help but to put the bite on people when he gets exited. Like my dog when I am playing with him.

  15. fightingbluehen says:

    Oh, and thousands of kids don’t just show up at the border by coincidence.

  16. SussexAnon says:

    So more abortions paid for by the US Gov’t would have solved this crisis?

    Wow.

    Again, The US and Mexico have no interest in controlling the border. And US politicians have no interest in doing anything about it. Lack of action/half-assed action on the part of the US and Mexico should be an indication.

  17. AQC says:

    I don’t care where they’re from or how they got here, they’re kids! Help them!

  18. Liberal Elite says:

    @SA “So more abortions paid for by the US Gov’t would have solved this crisis?”

    And you think it wouldn’t help??

    Oh yea… The GOP insists on punishing naughty girls. That’ll teach ’em… Right?

  19. SussexAnon says:

    And the GOP insists that Liberals are the culture of death by promoting abortion on demand under the guise of “a woman’s right to choose.” Interesting that you are proving their point.

    Again, wow.

  20. Aint's Taking it Any More says:

    “@SA “So more abortions paid for by the US Gov’t would have solved this crisis?”

    And you think it wouldn’t help??”

    Utterly inhumane, inexcusable, disgusting and despicable to even suggest abortion as a solution to a social /political problem. Modern day Nazi you are.

  21. pandora says:

    Reproductive rights are part of the solution to social, political and economic problems. And calling someone a Nazi while advocating forced birth is kinda amazing.

  22. cassandra_m says:

    The US and Mexico have no interest in controlling the border.

    Said by someone who has not been to this border. This is the most militarized place in the country. And most of these kids are crossing the border and directly surrendering to the Border Patrol. Because the people their parents pay to get them to the border tell them to do that.

  23. Aint's Taking it Any More says:

    Not advocating anything.

    Am reviled at the thought that abortion might be a public policy tool to, of all things, address immigration of children.

    Stick by the Nazi remark. It is deserved.

  24. SussexAnon says:

    “Said by someone who has not been to this border.” I have been to the border. Please stick to what you know.

    Despite your claim that it is the most militarized place in the country, the border is still not secure. Otherwise, truckloads of kids wouldn’t be making it here.

  25. pandora says:

    Access to affordable birth control and safe, legal abortions is a public policy tool. It directly affects the economics of a woman/family and a country. Your feelings about abortion don’t change that reality.

  26. SussexAnon says:

    And in nations that are largely Roman Catholic that, as a matter of faith, do not believe in birth control or abortions?

    Central America has some of the most restrictive abortion laws (outright bans).

  27. cassandra_m says:

    I have been to the border.

    I really doubt it. Because if you had you’d know that there are sections of that border they are never going to control. 100% border control simply isn’t possible in some parts of that landscape. Besides, the Obama Administration has achieved a level of control that no other administration has. At this point, you are throwing money at incremental improvements. A thing that the Military Industrial Complex that has built much of the footprint down there is happy to have you advocate for. Besides, it doesn’t take much to get to the border and surrender yourself to the nearest office. Which is what those kids are doing.

  28. SussexAnon says:

    Right, Cass, you got me, my trips to Texas, New Mexico and California were all an elaborate ruse.

    You know me all to well.

    Oh, thats right, you don’t know me at all.

  29. Liberal Elite says:

    @ATiAM “Stick by the Nazi remark. It is deserved.”

    If I was advocating forced abortions… then it would be deserved.

    How is empowering women a bad thing?
    How is having unwanted children starving at our border fences a better thing?

    In most places in this world, population is controlled by starvation, drought, disease, war,…
    Is this the world you really want to live in, and be proud of?
    The ONLY way to break this cycle is to educate and empower women, and when you come down to it, THAT is what really separates the 1st word from the 3rd world.

    If left to you, my friend, the USA would slide back to 3rd world status. That’s what the GOP has to offer.

  30. Liberal Elite says:

    @SA “Right, Cass, you got me, my trips to Texas, New Mexico and California were all an elaborate ruse.”

    The perhaps you do know that the border fence near San Diego is only about 15 miles long?
    And for large portions, there is simply nothing? Ever been to Big Bend?

    And if you did know, then why the ruse?

  31. puck says:

    Border control begins in the workplace. To be “comprehensive,” immigration reform must include business-ending penalties for hiring illegals.

  32. Geezer says:

    “It is your party that wanted stricter immigration controls and more border security. Well, this is the result.”

    Diagnosis before examination is seldom convincing.

    Except that this was diagnosis after examination.

    What were you doing on “the border”? Self-policing?

  33. cassandra_m says:

    Oh, thats right, you don’t know me at all.

    I know you well enough to know that you aren’t above repeating a wingnut talking point when you think it helps you. And in this case, these kids getting to the border and turning themselves in at the nearest BP office isn’t a demonstration that the border is too porous.

  34. pandora says:

    And in nations that are largely Roman Catholic that, as a matter of faith, do not believe in birth control or abortions?

    Central America has some of the most restrictive abortion laws (outright bans).

    That’s policy under the influence of religious patriarchy, but, don’t kid yourself, Catholic women all over the world use birth control and abortion when they can get their hands on it. Bans and restrictions merely take the procedures underground and make them dangerous.

    That said, what is your point? That we collectively shrug and keep inflicting policies and funding (or the withholding of funds) that prop up these restrictions and bans? That we keep pretending that access to family planning methods isn’t part of the solution? Seriously, what is your point. I’m not following your comment. Are you okay with these restrictions and bans because you’re “pro-life”?

    Or, like ATIAM, should we simply clutch our pearls and call people Nazis? 😉

  35. Aint's Taking it Any More says:

    LE

    If you’re telling me that I misunderstood your point and you were not advocating forced abortions, then I was wrong to equate the point to Nazi ideology. Apology offered.

  36. SussexAnon says:

    Cass, you really have no idea who I am.

    It was not a point, Pandoa, it was a question.

    “That’s policy under the influence of religious patriarchy,” Yeah, and if we just go in their with condoms and lube we will win the hearts and minds of all the drug lords and politicians. Or the druglord politicians.

    Geezer, the reason all these kids are showing up is not because of tighter border security or immigration policy (or the GOPs position on those issues). Its not like they are trying to escape gang violence, rape, drug muling, poverty or anything.

    The problem is way more complicated than immigration policy.

  37. pandora says:

    And people here pointed out that reproductive rights were part of that complicated policy, but, for some reason, you’re okay with dismissing that part and focusing on other parts. Why is that?

  38. Aint's Taking it Any More says:

    Run . . . this thread is about to go up into irrelevant flames

  39. pandora says:

    Yeah, and calling a person a Nazi was relevant.

  40. SussexAnon says:

    Pandora, Del Dems point was it was all the GOPs fault (on a very narrow point, immigration, detention, deportation, etc).

    “No, it is the GOP’s fault that the only thing we can do for these kids is to give them a bottle of water and send them back into the desert from whence they came. And what has irritated me is that now a Republican Governor is complaining about THAT outcome, when it is precisely what their policies (DETENTION, DEPORTATION, MORE BORDER SECURITY, NO DREAM ACT) provide for.” – Del Dem

    I disagree.

    Central America is as far away from reproductive rights as it is a cause for the exodus.

  41. Geezer says:

    I agree, the GOP is not the driver of any of this. But its refusal to entertain any solution other than an absolutely sealed border, damn the practical problems and expense, makes finding a solution damn near impossible.