Blog @ MoreWhat.com

Let’s just take a simple tour of the websites of Senate Republicans from the list of 24. In case you missed it, this blog suggests there are 24 members of the GOP in the US Senate who favor amnesty and illegal immigration. As a brief review, seven GOP Senators had voted for cloture with most Dems on S.1348 and yet cloture failed. That was a good thing because S.1348 also failed. Magically, when Sinister Harry Reid directed an S.1348 clone to the Senate and another cloture vote was held, another 17 members of the GOP voted for cloture. And thus we have the GOP 24.

A person might naturally think that a leader is someone who leads. Someone with the skills and intelligence necessary to direct the successful performance of a group. Especially if the leader is officially designated the leader by some authority or the rest of the group. A simple adjective can further define this leader’s role within the group. The word minority in this case would complete the leader’s role and the word Senate if the final piece of the designation. So Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Rino-KY) is the first subject of the tour.

Their is reference to the majority and minority leaders as ‘floor leaders’ at senate.gov. The idea being their leadership role includes leading members of their party in a planned direction on the floor when considering legislation. At Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s website was found no leadership information on illegal immigration. The first thing found on immigration and last thing looked for was this pathetic brief press release that says nothing.

Bipartisan Proposal for Border Security, Immigration Reform
from the Office of Senator Mitch McConnell
Thursday, May 17, 2007
‘Secure borders, real security infrastructure are required for my support of any legislation’

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement Thursday regarding the bipartisan proposal on border security and immigration reform:

“It’s encouraging to see a group of Senators from such a wide arc of the political spectrum reach an agreement on one of the most difficult issues facing our nation. The need to secure our borders, and to have a real security infrastructure in place is critical; it’s a requirement for my support of any legislation. I believe the agreement is far stronger than the bill the Senate produced last year. I will review the text of the bill and I hope to be able to support it when the Senate turns to this issue next week.”

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By the date this was issued on the arrival of the Bush/Kyl/Kennedy/McCain Amnesty Sellout of 2007 bill. Nothing is found after that. But the fine Senator, like many, makes sure he displays all the PORK he captured for his home state. By this brief research and Mr McConnell’s votes on cloture the determination here is that he too, like Bush et al are in favor of amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants that disgrace rather than honor the immigrant heritage of this nation.

To complete the GOP Minority Leadership tour is a brief analysis of Senator Trent Lott’s website information. You may think visiting a politician’s website is of limited value or even meaningless. If you are a politician and you have a website then the only accessible location for your views to be displayed for constituents and the public at large is the website. If you fail to make known your ‘honest’ stand or position on issues or if what you release is a lie, again, the website is the best place for that.

One press release from last year’s BS Senate debate on illegal immigration finds the Senator from the great state of Mississippi and Minority Whip of the Senate standing firmly against amnesty. Another expresses the opposition to amnesty in an explanation of his vote against cloture on S.1348. And then like sixteen others he magically changed his cloture vote on S.1639 to favor amnesty. Either Trent Lott is real stupid or he thinks the public is.

For now, reviewing the strangeness of the GOP 24 in the Senate will stop with McConnell and Lott. The next post will continue in alphabetical order through the other 22, including two Presidential candidates. Your reactions, opinions, Yeas or Nays on this topic are welcome and encouraged. Public debate on issues is important. Before you head off to Washington to address the Senate in person you can practice here.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

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   Hillary’s got a secret « Nuke’s NEWS & VIEWS

   Says:
   June 27th, 2007 at 4:36 am […] Trackposted to …. thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe. […]

2. 
   

   Committees of Correspondence

   Says:
   June 27th, 2007 at 11:46 am A Phoenix From the Ashes…

   The USS New York. built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center .It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. The ship’s motto? “Never Forget” I have another u…

3. 
   

   The Florida Masochist

   Says:
   June 27th, 2007 at 12:10 pm The Knucklehead of the Day award…

   Today’s winner is Sally Quinn….

4. 
   

   The Amboy Times

   Says:
   June 27th, 2007 at 1:18 pm Amnesty Cloture Passes…

   By a wide margin, 64-35. Coincidently, that is almost exactly the opposite of how America feels about this bill. According to a Zogby poll, 65% are opposed. But just 3 percent of Americans approved of Congress’s handling of the immigration…

5. 
   

   Right Truth

   Says:
   June 27th, 2007 at 1:31 pm Ismail Haniyeh has no intention of stepping down…

   Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas dismissed the Hamas government after the take over of Gaza. However it seems that Ismail Haniyeh intends to keep his position, with a few changes… “Hamas prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, has no intention of steppi…

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   DeMediacratic Nation

   Says:
   June 27th, 2007 at 1:52 pm Iran Beano Use Up; Gas Shortage…

   No links available, but two major Iranian newspapers regarding gas station torchings: ** E’TEMAD-E MELLI- Gasoline rationed unexpectedly** AFTAB-E YAZD- Gasoline ration ……

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   Big Dogs Weblog

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   The Democratic Senatorial Committee has a new spokesperson and that person is none other than the has been actor and current food aficionado, Paul Newman. In the recent beg for money email, Newman discusses how he was proud to be involved with Democra…

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   Adeline and Hazel

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   WWE Pro Wrestler, Chris Benoit, his wife and 7-year-old son were found dead in their Fayetteville, Georgia home on Monday afternoon. The deaths have been rules a double murder suicide….

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   Right Voices

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    Pursuing Holiness » Blog Archive » Great Moments In Conservative Hypocrisy

    Says:
    June 27th, 2007 at 4:15 pm […] Trackposted to ….. thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe. Filed under Other Blogs, Politics | | Trackback URI […]

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    Woman Honor Thyself

    Says:
    June 27th, 2007 at 7:56 pm Occupational hazard?…

    Since when are there Ham-asses that aren’t “militant”?..

    ……

Michelle Malkin has a reference to the Amnesty 8 from NRO today. This has been one busy day and I did not have time to look into everything. However, bear with me, possible errors and all, to see if there is some sense to be made here.

I am making the assumption that the Amnesty 8 is the latest _ _ _ _ list of the Senate members favoring amnesty. So why did they bother placing Democrats on it? How many Dems could possibly be against amnesty? It should be a conservative principle to be against amnesty for millions of law breakers. There are plenty of other conservative principles at play here but certainly opposing amnesty is central. The only hit list should be on GOP candidates that favor amnesty. And the following is the way I see it.

Obviously the Dems have a slim majority and want amnesty to pass. The GOP should be against amnesty. And being in the minority they need more than one Dem to vote with them. There is a great risk in bringing a bad bill to a vote on passage. Therefore you should want to kill it before then. If a cloture vote is only for limiting or ending debate and moving to consider the bill for passage through a vote, then the GOP should want to defeat a cloture and continue debate and let the bill die without going to a vote on passage. That is what happened with S.1348. And that is why Senator Harry Reid had S.1639 introduced. So losing the cloture vote on S.1639 was a bad thing.

What I find interesting is if what I just described is accurate, the list of GOP Senate members favoring amnesty should be 24. On both cloture votes, for S.1348 and S.1639, seven Republican Senators voted for cloture. Here they are:

Graham (R-SC)
Hagel (R-NE)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
Specter (R-PA)
Voinovich (R-OH)

That was survivable based on the outcome that the cloture vote for S.1348 failed. On the cloture vote for S.1639 the previous list of GOP members also voted for cloture. In addition to those Senators the following GOP members also voted for cloture this time:

Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Burr (R-NC)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Craig (R-ID)
Domenici (R-NM)
Ensign (R-NV)
Gregg (R-NH)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lott (R-MS)
McConnell (R-KY)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Snowe (R-ME)
Stevens (R-AK)
Warner (R-VA)

Both pieces of legislation would be a mistake to pass and should be killed. So what happened? I’ll tell you what happened. Two of the additions to the list on the 2nd cloture vote are Mitch McConnell and Trent Lott, the two Senate majority leaders. And don’t forget that President Bush is for amnesty. Are you beginning to understand the Republican problem? Not only did they get their butts kicked in the last election for being stupid but they have not yet learned their lesson. And the sad fact is they did not even need all 24 to vote no to defeat the last cloture vote. Ok, there are two sad facts. The second one is both bills are bad. So why kill one only to allow the next to survive?

Tell me if this makes sense to you or not. I do not pretend to be an expert on these matters. This post is my read on how things are in the Senate on amnesty. I’ll have more incentive to use this as ammunition on Senators in the next calls and emails.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Michelle Malkin

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Perri Nelson’s Website, DeMediacratic Nation, Right Truth, Big Dog’s Weblog, The Pet Haven Blog, Stuck On Stupid, Webloggin, Leaning Straight Up, Cao’s Blog, The Bullwinkle Blog, The Amboy Times, Conservative Cat, Pursuing Holiness, Right Celebrity, third world county, Planck’s Constant, The Pink Flamingo, Right Voices, CatSynth.com, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Sean Hannity had Senator George Voinovich on his show today. As of writing this post, I’m still listening to it. Here is the short version. Sean Hannity was brilliant. Voinovich is an idiot. Yes, I know, that is mean-spirited. But dammit he deserves it. He wants to debate the amnesty bill. Hey, George, kill it don’t let it live. There is no way amendments will fix it. It will be 1986 all over again.

crossposted at:
Reject the UN

Sometimes justice is slow and chasing down the large cast of characters in the UN oil for food scandal is no exception. The public outcry, outrage and continued criticism can soften greatly over time. That is why periodic reminders are helpful and needed to keep more than politically correct government pressure on the source of the scandal. That source would be the United Nations, no doubt.

Also sometimes, the public suggestions for a potential solution to the world’s problems are not necessarily slow, but exceptionally mindless. Not only is the following suggestion ridiculous but it is more a suggestion of how to keep China happy satisfying its thirst for oil than how to solve the crisis in Darfur. Not to mention the unsupported claim that just because an oil for food program was responsible for massive corruption in Iraq does not mean that will happen again.

‘Oil for food’ in Sudan proposed

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Kenya - Jun 14, 2007
Written By:Muthoni Kariuki/bbc , Posted: Thu, Jun 14, 2007

The creation of an “oil for food” programme has been proposed as a way of ending Sudan’s conflict in Darfur by South African judge Richard Goldstone.

The former war crimes prosecutor said his proposal was a peaceful means to put pressure on the Sudan government.

He said it would enable China to continue buying oil, while supporting global efforts to end Darfur’s crisis.

Lessons had been learned from the UN oil-for-food programme for Iraq, which was tainted by corruption, he said.

“Because an idea was flawed to an extent in its execution should not, in my view, be the basis for excluding it under all circumstances in the future,” he told the BBC’s Newshour programme.

In the past, China has used its veto at the UN Security Council to block moves to impose sanctions on Sudan.

The typical resistance to UN-sponsored weak-kneed sanctions and empty promises of compliance by the target country again highlight the futility of the international organization’s largely public relations stunts commonly employed to provide the appearance of concern.

“Oil for food” in Sudan proposed

BBC News, UK - Jun 13, 2007Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council gave its unanimous support to the report on human rights in Darfur and is expected to adopt it within a few days.

The BBC’s Imogen Foulkes in Geneva, where the council is currently meeting, says Sudan has said it is ready to implement some of the recommendations.

African countries have blocked previous attempts to censure Sudan and for years the UN’s human rights watchdog has wrestled with what to do about Darfur, our correspondent says.

Another source is heard from on the same story who indicates involvement with the IIC and an apparent recommendation of an oil for food program also. The author does this as if merely by participating in the investigation qualifies as convincing proof that another UN fiasco-producing initiative is a reasonable idea.

An ‘oil-for-food’ program for Darfur

By Richard Goldstone
Published: June 12, 2007
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts:
Memories of the UN Oil for Food Program in Iraq may cause some to dismiss this idea, but that would be a mistake. The International Inquiry Committee into the program, on which I served, uncovered several serious weaknesses in the program.

There is some comfort in the convictions of those involved in the oil for food scandal that appear from time to time. Just this month there was a PR from DOJ indicating the convictions of Sanjaya Bahel and Nishan Kohli. Earlier this year Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexander Yakovlev were also convicted as well as Tongsun Park.

But the size of the list of offenders as published by Al-Mada and translated from Arabic indicates an overwhelming task that may never be completely finished. Another trio of offenders were recently apprehended in Britain and are in the process of extradition to the US. But it still leaves the burning questions over such notables as Kofi Annan and his son Kojo as well as relatives in NY still profiting by the family involvement with the UN and the fact that Kofi is still an ambassador. And last but not least are the remaining allegations of scandal involvement by officials at the highest levels in the UN and a laundry list of offenses by many UN individuals for a wide variety of crimes. Yet the UN lives on as evidence of world-wide complicity by all member nations in failing to correct this madness.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

crossposted at:
Conservative Thoughts

Why is it that some people have such difficulty understanding the fact that those who refuse to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them? That’s right, this is a commentary on the war in Iraq and other issues facing the United States. It applies to illegal immigration, terrorism, ethics, the rule of law and other critical topics as well. But this commentary is limited to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan in light of another irresponsible statement by a member of the US Senate.

One may be able to forgive such a statement from a freshman politician but that is not the case with a Senator who may have just exposed the fact he has been there too long. That would be an excessively generous appraisal of the reason for this Senator’s improper use of his office. Senator Richard Lugar (R–IN) is the latest in a small group of GOP legislators without the sense to understand what should be said publicly and what should be reserved for private discussions.

No matter how it is dressed up, whether as ‘redeployment’ or ‘changing the course’ or ‘a new strategy’, that is surrender. Any reservations one may have had in regard to war should have been considered before authorizing the US to use military force in Iraq. That most Senators did not even bother to read the intel reports before voting to go to war is a clear indication of their incompetence. But to compound that failure by suggesting surrender is totally irresponsible.

The US reluctance to enter both World Wars early on is one historic fact that should enlighten these same Senators to the folly of poor decision making. What advantage went to the enemy by delaying the inevitable confrontation? How many lives could have been saved if the combined effort of allies were present at the beginning? Why was the late entry to WWI not understood before WWII was underway? Why have we consistently allowed our military readiness to be less than adequate leading up to each worldwide conflict? And why have we not learned the lessons yet in dealing with a world faced by terrorism?

Not providing universal and complete support of the troops once the decision to go to war is made is another huge mistake. It is clear that this fundamental flaw within the US Congress has spread to the general public and may well explain this country’s inability to successfully attend to a daunting list of critical issues. The historic ability of this country to rise to greatness when presented with the long odds of crisis situations has apparently diminished. The need to set aside partisan politics, eliminate public apathy and support what is best for this country without consideration of what may be in our own personal best interests is long overdue. It is time to respond to national issues based on what is best for this country overall and not what addresses the selfish interest of individuals. The dedication and commitment of the United States military in service to this country should be ample proof of that. They have set aside personal preference to honorably provide what is needed. The rest of this country should do the same.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

GOP support for Iraq war slips

June 26, 2007
By ANNE FLAHERTY -AP
Lugar and Voinovich are not the first GOP members to call for U.S. troops to leave Iraq. Sens. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, Olympia Snowe of Maine and Gordon Smith of Oregon made similar remarks earlier this year. But their public break is significant because it raises the possibility that Senate Democrats could muster the 60 votes needed to pass legislation that would call for Bush to bring troops home.

crossposted at:
Maggie’s Notebook | Conservative Blog
FaultlineUSA

The following statement is from the office of Congressman Walter B. Jones (R-NC) and I am quickly becoming a fan of this man. Not only has he taken up the cause against illegal immigration but he has been acting on behalf of Border Agents Ramos and Compean. It is a good press release. Take some time and give it a read. You might also consider contacting the Congressman’s office to extend a thank you. Some tough poitical times make this Congressman’s efforts a larger than normal blast of fresh air. I’ve been fooled before but I think we have a winner here.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

JONES CONTINUES EFFORT FOR BORDER SECURITY
Judiciary Committee Heeds Jones’ Call to Review Prosecution of Border Agents

Washington, D.C. – Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) continued an effort to protect our nation’s borders when he was asked to speak today before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on the issue of U.S. Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean. Jones applauded the Subcommittee’s inclusion of the agents’ case in its review of mandatory minimum sentencing laws.

Congressman Jones had requested that the Committee schedule a hearing to examine the prosecution of agents Ramos and Compean in a February 23rd letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers. The two men entered federal prison on January 17, 2007 to begin serving sentences of 11 and 12 years respectively for wounding a Mexican drug smuggler who brought 743 pounds of marijuana across the U.S. border in 2005. “Because delaying justice in this case undermines the U.S. Border Patrol’s critical mission of enforcing our immigration laws, I believe the House Judiciary Committee should investigate all matters involved in the prosecution and sentencing of these two men,” the letter stated.

“I hope that this hearing will not only bring sunshine to the misapplication of mandatory minimum sentencing laws, but also to the fact that these agents never should have been prosecuted,” Congressman Jones said.

The agents were each charged with violating 18 United States Code Section 924 (c), which carries a 10-year minimum mandatory sentence. The law, as enacted by Congress, requires a defendant to be indicted and convicted either of “using” or “carrying” a firearm during & in relation to the commission of a crime of violence … or “possessing” a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Because agents Ramos and Compean were carrying their guns in relation to their duties as U.S. Border Patrol agents, many have questioned the U.S. Attorney’s decision to apply the statute in their case.

“The disturbing details of this case strongly call into question whether justice was served,” Jones said today. “I am hopeful that the House Judiciary Committee will take the time to thoroughly investigate the lack of fairness in the proceedings against these two men – including the prosecution’s efforts to seek out and offer immunity to a habitual illegal alien Mexican drug smuggler for his testimony against two law enforcement officers.”

For additional information or to schedule an interview with Congressman Walter B. Jones please contact Kathleen Joyce at (202) 225-3415.

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Secure the Borders Linkfest

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Senator Addresses Montanans, Chinese Delegation Live From Washington, D.C.

May 23, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) - Live from his Senate office in Washington, D.C., Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus today welcomed a Chinese buying delegation to Billings, saying the Treasure State is a solid place to do business.

As a direct result of Baucus’ recent Montana Economic Development Summit in Butte, more than 40 Chinese investors and government officials today attended a “Business Expo” organized by Baucus at MSU-Billings. The expo gave Montana companies a chance to pitch their products to the Chinese, who represented a wide swath of private sector officials from several industry sectors in that country.

The visit was the first of its kind in Montana’s history, Baucus said. And it was slightly different from other foreign delegations that have visited Montana, because the group includes primarily private-sector decision makers.

The Chinese delegation, which is composed of government and private sector senior management, is designed to buy U.S. goods and services, foster investment, and strengthen economic ties. The group has been touring several U.S. cities, including a recent stop in San Francisco, where the delegation inked deals worth more than $4 billion. The group changed its schedule at Baucus’ request in order to visit Billings.

Baucus was unable to make it to the Magic City because the U.S. Senate is in session. But he addressed the Business Expo live via a video conferencing system from his Washington, D.C. office.

“Throughout Montana’s history, when a newcomer arrives, they have been welcomed by a generous spirit,” said Baucus during his live via video conferencing address. “We will show you the lay of the land. We will introduce you to how we do things. We will listen to your ideas. And we will promise to work together where we can. This is what today’s event is about. Working together. Learning from each other. Identifying opportunities.”

Baucus said the Chinese are interested in buying goods and services from a host of economic sectors, including foodstuffs, agricultural, the automobile industry, software, IT, telecommunications, mining, oils, chemicals, transportation, tourism and construction, as well as many others.

The Business Expo was split into two portions. During the morning, Montana businesses made presentations to the delegation highlighting the benefits of doing business in Montana and with Montana companies. In the afternoon, Baucus’ office arranged individual one-on-one meetings between interested parties to help foster direct business relationships.

Baucus said he will direct his office to follow up with both the Montana and Chinese companies after the expo in an effort to ink deals.

“Today’s Expo is a great opportunity to showcase the Big Sky state and all that we have to offer,” Baucus said. “It’s a great opportunity to create more good-paying jobs and to boost our state’s economy.”

Baucus teamed up with the Big Sky EDA and the Billings-area Chamber of Commerce to host the event.

“Montana has a champion in Senator Max Baucus,” said Joe McClure, Big Sky EDA-EDC Executive Director. “As Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, his seniority brings our state, the city of Billings, to the global marketplace. Economic development knows no borders, only mutual opportunity. Thank you Senator Baucus for your commitment to growing our economy.”

“This is an amazing opportunity for Montana businesses,” Brewer said. “Chances like this don’t come around every day - we have to grab hold of it and make the best pitch we can. Many thanks to Max for using his seniority to bring this high-profile delegation to Billings.”

Before the Economic Development Summit in Butte on April 30 and May 1, Baucus played host to ambassadors from six foreign countries on a tour of several Montana companies, including Wood’s Powr Grip in Laurel. Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Zhou Wenzhong, participated in the tour and attended Baucus’ Jobs Summit.

-Baucus’ prepared remarks are attached-

Remarks to the Montana-China Expo (As Prepared) By Senator Max Baucus May 23, 2007 via VisionNet

Greetings from Washington, D.C. I wish that I could be in Billings with you today.

But even from this distance, it is a pleasure to welcome Mr. Jin, his Ministry of Commerce colleagues, and so many exciting Chinese businesses to Montana.

As many of you know, this delegation was already in the United States traveling to major cities, when I asked that they come to Montana. They changed their plans, turned on a dime, and came to the Big Sky State.

You have shown real flexibility and generosity to come to Billings on such short notice. On behalf of all Montanans, I thank you very much. I want to personally thank Madam Ma Xiuhong (” Mah Shoe-HONG”), the Vice-Minister of MOFCOM for her dedicated efforts to make this mission a reality. We also have a great showing of Montanans who have changed their plans in the middle of the week to be here. I know you are all giving Chinese guests a warm Montana welcome.

Distinguished Chinese visitors are becoming a familiar sight in Montana. Just three weeks ago, I welcomed your esteemed Ambassador Zhou (”JOE”) to Billings, Bozeman, and Butte. I plan on asking him to return. I also hope that your trip is also the first of many.

For my part, I will continue bringing Montanans to China, as I have for the past ten years.

You have traveled to Montana on a well-worn path. For centuries, the ambitious and optimistic have been coming to our state from around the world.

Two hundred years ago, fur trappers came in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark to hunt and trade. Then Dutch, German, and Norwegian homesteaders came to work the land. Irish, Chinese, and Eastern European miners followed. Today, west coast entrepreneurs are incubating biotechnology and high tech start-ups here.

Each group came from a different place, for a unique reason, on their own path. But every one of these groups saw the same thing in Montana. They saw opportunity.

Opportunity in Montana’s land, in Montana’s resources, and in Montana’s ingenuity. That is why all of you are in Montana today. Looking for opportunity. Looking for opportunity for your economy and for Montana’s economy. Looking for opportunity in cooperation and in mutual prosperity. And looking for opportunity to create good-paying jobs.

Let me tell you, today, like one hundred years ago, opportunity is out there. It may not be easy to find. But it never has been. It was not easy for homesteaders one hundred years ago. It is not always simple today.

But throughout Montana’s history, when a newcomer arrives, they have been welcomed by a generous spirit. We will show you the lay of the land. We will introduce you to how we do things. We will listen to your ideas. And we will promise to work together where we can.

This is what today’s event is about. Working together. Learning from each other. Identifying opportunities.

I know that Prof. Polzin already sketched a picture of Montana’s economy for you. Some of our dynamic companies - Ligocyte, Liquid Engineering, Montana Resources, MRL Equipment, and ORIgen - added color and texture to that picture.

Now you get to the most exciting part - identifying opportunities. Next door Montana companies have set up tables to help you learn what they do.

You will quickly see what I already know - whatever Montanans do, they do it well. Then all of you - our Chinese guests and Montana companies - are invited to sit down, and get to know each other one-on-one, and turn these new contacts into business opportunities.

Again, welcome to Montana. I wish all of you an exciting and productive afternoon.

###

###

from MoreWhat.com:
In addition to the other questionable actions of Senator Baucus getting cozy with China may not be in the best interest of this country or Montana. The jury is still out on China but much evidence is leaning toward a guilty verdict. Pick an issue of international significance and you will probably find China on the wrong side of it. While their monetary policy may simply be an annoyance to the US it is possible their actions artificially favor their own country over all others in international trade. They are reported to have outpaced the US on being the king of carbon emissions and are bringing dirty coal fired power plants online at alarming rates. They are an environmental accident that is not waiting to happen.

The population flows from the rural to urban settings are having a direct effect on agricultural output. Something the Chinese should be concerned about if they want to continue feeding the country with the world’s largest population. Their pursuit of world economic power coupled with reckless disregard for prudent safeguards could be a recipe for scorching the bottom of the pot from overheating segments of their economy while ignoring others. The sinister characterizations from the Red China history may still be alive and well. Suggesting they are not incapable of doing very nasty things for very selfish reasons. That part of the world leader home study course they have demonstrated.

Senator Baucus is certainly not the only individual or state or industry trying to make nice with China for the shallowest of reasons; money. That does not mean he is any less misguided or prodded by politics to make this happen. Another reason the current read on Senator Baucus should be negative.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

This just in…….

Senate cloture vote on S.1369 passes on a vote of 64 yeas to 35 nays and one not voting.

Sen Harry Reid will choose a seldom used ‘clay pigeon’ procedure to open debate on one amendment with many components.

Two things:

Vote out each Senator who voted yea in the their next election.

Understand this bill if passed must get through the House also.

It ain’t over ’til it’s over. Roll call results to be posted when available.
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 110th Congress - 1st Session

as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate

Vote Summary

Question: On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to Consider S.1639 )
Vote Number: 228 Vote Date: June 26, 2007, 12:16 PM
Required For Majority: 3/5 Vote Result: Cloture Motion Agreed to
Measure Number: S. 1639
Measure Title: A bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes.
Vote Counts: YEAs 64
NAYs 35
Not Voting 1
Vote Summary By Senator Name By Vote Position By Home State

Alphabetical by Senator Name
Akaka (D-HI), Yea
Alexander (R-TN), Nay
Allard (R-CO), Nay
Barrasso (R-WY), Nay
Baucus (D-MT), Nay
Bayh (D-IN), Nay
Bennett (R-UT), Yea
Biden (D-DE), Yea
Bingaman (D-NM), Yea
Bond (R-MO), Yea
Boxer (D-CA), Yea
Brown (D-OH), Yea
Brownback (R-KS), Yea
Bunning (R-KY), Nay
Burr (R-NC), Yea
Byrd (D-WV), Nay
Cantwell (D-WA), Yea
Cardin (D-MD), Yea
Carper (D-DE), Yea
Casey (D-PA), Yea
Chambliss (R-GA), Nay
Clinton (D-NY), Yea
Coburn (R-OK), Nay
Cochran (R-MS), Nay
Coleman (R-MN), Yea
Collins (R-ME), Yea
Conrad (D-ND), Yea
Corker (R-TN), Nay
Cornyn (R-TX), Nay
Craig (R-ID), Yea
Crapo (R-ID), Nay
DeMint (R-SC), Nay
Dodd (D-CT), Yea
Dole (R-NC), Nay
Domenici (R-NM), Yea
Dorgan (D-ND), Nay
Durbin (D-IL), Yea
Ensign (R-NV), Yea
Enzi (R-WY), Nay
Feingold (D-WI), Yea
Feinstein (D-CA), Yea
Graham (R-SC), Yea
Grassley (R-IA), Nay
Gregg (R-NH), Yea
Hagel (R-NE), Yea
Harkin (D-IA), Yea
Hatch (R-UT), Nay
Hutchison (R-TX), Nay
Inhofe (R-OK), Nay
Inouye (D-HI), Yea
Isakson (R-GA), Nay
Johnson (D-SD), Not Voting
Kennedy (D-MA), Yea
Kerry (D-MA), Yea
Klobuchar (D-MN), Yea
Kohl (D-WI), Yea
Kyl (R-AZ), Yea
Landrieu (D-LA), Nay
Lautenberg (D-NJ), Yea
Leahy (D-VT), Yea
Levin (D-MI), Yea
Lieberman (ID-CT), Yea
Lincoln (D-AR), Yea
Lott (R-MS), Yea
Lugar (R-IN), Yea
Martinez (R-FL), Yea
McCain (R-AZ), Yea
McCaskill (D-MO), Nay
McConnell (R-KY), Yea
Menendez (D-NJ), Yea
Mikulski (D-MD), Yea
Murkowski (R-AK), Yea
Murray (D-WA), Yea
Nelson (D-FL), Yea
Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Obama (D-IL), Yea
Pryor (D-AR), Yea
Reed (D-RI), Yea
Reid (D-NV), Yea
Roberts (R-KS), Nay
Rockefeller (D-WV), Nay
Salazar (D-CO), Yea
Sanders (I-VT), Nay
Schumer (D-NY), Yea
Sessions (R-AL), Nay
Shelby (R-AL), Nay
Smith (R-OR), Nay
Snowe (R-ME), Yea
Specter (R-PA), Yea
Stabenow (D-MI), Nay
Stevens (R-AK), Yea
Sununu (R-NH), Nay
Tester (D-MT), Nay
Thune (R-SD), Nay
Vitter (R-LA), Nay
Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
Warner (R-VA), Yea
Webb (D-VA), Yea
Whitehouse (D-RI), Yea
Wyden (D-OR), Yea
Vote Summary By Senator Name By Vote Position By Home State

Grouped By Vote Position

YEAs —64

Akaka (D-HI)
Bennett (R-UT)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Bond (R-MO)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Brownback (R-KS)
Burr (R-NC)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Craig (R-ID)
Dodd (D-CT)
Domenici (R-NM)
Durbin (D-IL)
Ensign (R-NV)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Graham (R-SC)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Kohl (D-WI)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lott (R-MS)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Obama (D-IL)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Schumer (D-NY)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

NAYs —35

Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bunning (R-KY)
Byrd (D-WV)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dole (R-NC)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Enzi (R-WY)
Grassley (R-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Landrieu (D-LA)
McCaskill (D-MO)
Roberts (R-KS)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sanders (I-VT)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Sununu (R-NH)
Tester (D-MT)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Not Voting - 1
Johnson (D-SD)

WEDNESDAY - June 20, 2007

ILLEGAL ALIENS INDICTED

RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E. B. Holding announced that a federal grand jury has returned true bills of indictment against RICARDO CONTRERAS-DE LA TORRE, BAUDEL ALVAREZ-CASTANEDA, and HECTOR MEJIA-OCAMPO.

RICARDO CONTRERAS-DE LA TORRE has been charged with being found illegally present in the United States on June 5, 2007, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1325(a)(2). According to the Indictment, CONTRERAS-DE LA TORRE had attempted to illegally enter the United States on two prior occasions in 2004. If proven, these previous alleged attempts at illegal entry into the U.S. would enhance the maximum sentence to 2 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

BAUDEL ALVAREZ-CASTANEDA has been charged with illegal entry into the United States after having been deported, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326. According to the Indictment, ALVAREZ-CASTANEDA was previously deported from the United States on October 28, 2000, at Laredo, Texas to Mexico, then re-entered the country without knowledge or permission of United States authorities at an unknown time and place, and was found here on June 5, 2007. If found guilty, ALVAREZ-CASTANEDA faces a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

According to previous news accounts, on June 4, 2007, CONTRERAS-DE LA TORRE and ALVAREZ-CASTANEDA were the driver and passenger, respectively, of a vehicle that crossed the median of Interstate 40 and collided with two other vehicles resulting in the death of a Cary man. ALVAREZ-CASTANEDA was apprehended by ICE agents the following day at Wake Med North Healthplex in Raleigh. According to previous news accounts, CONTRERAS-DE LA TORRE has been charged by State authorities with several offenses related to the accident.

Investigation of the case was conducted by Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney John Bowler will be prosecuting the case for the government.

In an unrelated case, MEJIA-OCAMPO, is charged with being an illegal alien in possession of firearms, in violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 922(g). According to the Indictment, MEJIA-OCAMPO possessed a Smith and Wesson .357 revolver and a Mossberg 20-gauge shotgun.

According to the Criminal Complaint previously filed, on May 10, 2007, an undercover agent with the Duplin County Sheriff’s Department went to 1179 West Charity Road, Rose Hill, North Carolina to investigate the activities of a possible prostitution ring that employed illegal aliens at that location. The undercover agent met with MEJIA-OCAMPO, the keeper of the house, and negotiated the price for prostitution services.

The undercover agent then gave MEJIA-OCAMPO a pretextual reason for leaving the residence. On May 11, 2007, the Duplin County Sheriff’s Department and agents with the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement executed a search warrant at 1179 West Charity Road, Rose Hill, North Carolina. During the search MEJIA-OCAMPO was at the residence. Several items relating to prostitution activities were discovered and seized at the residence. In MEJIA-OCAMPO’S bedroom, agents found a loaded Smith and Wesson .357 revolver and a pistol grip Mossberg 20 gauge shotgun. The Complaint further alleges that, MEJIA-OCAMPO advised agents that he was a citizen of Honduras, that he was in the United States illegally, and had entered the United States in 1991.

Investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Duplin County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jane Jackson is prosecuting the case for the government.

U.S. Attorney Holding stated, “The United States Attorney’s Office will vigorously prosecute immigration law violators.”

An Indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A trial date has not yet been set.

# # #

There was nothing to be found on Senator Evan Bayh’s website with regard to immigration. If there is something there it wsa not out in the open. With the report from an Indiana paper below one can understand why these Senators would not be publicizing the fact they are for amnesty. One more reason to be glad Bayh dropped out early in the Presidential race for 2008.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

June 17, 2007

Indiana senators out of touch on immigration

Sens. Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh both voted for the bill that would have given the 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants in America legal status.

If President Bush had signed that bill (and he supported it), nearly all of those people would be exempt from deportation. Included in the amnesty bill would be gang members and those who used other people’s identity to gain employment and social services while in our country. As a union member, I have always been told that the Democrats were the party of the working people.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Isakson, Chambliss Send a Message on Immigration to President Bush: Show Commitment to Border Security
Senators Call on President to Immediately Fund Border Security Through Emergency Supplemental

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) today sent a letter to President Bush urging him to send an emergency supplemental spending bill to Congress to fund border security. Isakson and Chambliss believe emergency supplemental funds to secure the border will go a long way towards restoring the confidence of the American people in the federal government’s commitment to border security.

The text of the letter is below:

Dear Mr. President:

Although the Senate’s effort to reform our nation’s immigration laws through the Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 is stalled, illegal immigration remains our nation’s number one domestic issue. We therefore believe it is incumbent upon us and our colleagues to tackle this issue and not leave this problem for future generations to solve.

As we travel around Georgia and continue to hear from our constituents, the message from a majority of Georgians is that they have no trust that the United States Government will enforce the laws contained in this new legislation and secure the border first. This lack of trust is rooted in the mistakes made in 1986 and the continued chaos surrounding our immigration laws. Understandably, the lack of credibility the federal government has on this issue gives merit to the skepticism of many about future immigration reform.

We believe the way to build greater support for immigration reform in the United States Senate and among the American public is to regain the trust in the ability of the federal government to responsibly administer immigration programs and enforce immigration laws. There is bipartisan agreement that we need to secure our borders first, and we believe this approach will serve as a platform towards addressing the other issues surrounding immigration reform.

To that end, we believe that you and your administration could alleviate many of the fears of our constituents by calling for an emergency supplemental bill to fully fund the border and interior security initiatives contained in legislation currently pending in the Senate, as well as any outstanding existing authorizations. Such a move would show your commitment to securing the border first and to stopping the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into our nation. It will also work towards restoring the credibility of the federal government on this critical issue.

We urge you to carefully consider this request, and thank you for the opportunity to express the views of the people of Georgia on this matter.

Sincerely,
Saxby Chambliss
United States Senator

Johnny Isakson
United States Senator

###

June 22nd, 2007

Senator Chuck Grassley released the following statement regarding the immigration reform bill that is expected to come before the Senate next week. The Senate debated the bill in late May and early June, but the bill was pulled from the floor because it could not garner enough votes to continue debate.

Grassley has said that he will not vote for an immigration reform bill as long as it contains amnesty.

“As long as amnesty remains in the bill that comes before the Senate next week, there is no question that I will vote against it. I’ve learned my lesson. I voted for amnesty in 1986 and I’m not about to do it again. Despite my opposition to the bill, I will be offering a number of amendments to make sure that the same mistakes aren’t repeated. Iowans can be certain that I will be working on their behalf to ensure that our borders are secured and employers are held accountable for their actions.”

-30-

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

KENNEDY’S HISTORY OF BROKEN PROMISES ON AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS UNDERMINES SENATE BILL’S CREDIBILITY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the Senate renewed its push for an immigration bill that would offer amnesty to illegal immigrants in the United States, Third District Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) responded this week by highlighting the true cost of amnesty and its history of broken promises.

“The much-exulted Senate ‘compromise’ on immigration is a compromise alright: a compromise of our laws and a compromise of our sovereignty,” Jones said. “The record is clear: If we give amnesty to millions who came here illegally, inevitably, millions more will follow suit. Ten years from now we will be in the same position, with a whole new generation of lawbreakers seeking amnesty.”

“This has happened before. That anyone in Washington believes this is a credible approach to solving our immigration crisis suggests just how out of touch our political elites really are.”

In 1965, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), as chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration and Naturalization, ushered through the immigration policy of President Lyndon B. Johnson. Senator Kennedy promised: “The bill will not flood our cities with immigrants. It will not upset the ethnic mix of our society. It will not relax the standards of admission. It will not cause American workers to lose their jobs.”

In 1986, Congress passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act, giving amnesty to all illegal aliens who had been in the country four years or more or were illegally working in agriculture. Senator Kennedy pledged: “This amnesty will give citizenship to only 1.3 million illegal aliens. We will secure the borders henceforth. We will never again bring forth an amnesty bill like this.”

“As a result of the 1986 amnesty, 2.8 million illegal aliens were admitted as legal immigrants to the United States. Right now, there are at least 12 million illegal aliens residing in this country. Obviously, amnesty programs do not work,” Jones said. “Because these flawed immigration policies have created more problems than they have solved, our nation’s illegal immigration crisis is causing higher taxes for social services, higher costs for health insurance, and it costs our public schools millions every year.”

“The only credible approach to solving the problem of illegal immigration is to put border security first,” Jones said. “Regaining respect for our nation’s immigration laws and real national security cannot be achieved until our borders are physically secured.”

To improve our nation’s border security, Congressman Jones has consistently voted in favor of legislation to:

- Fund the construction of reinforced fencing along critical areas of the U.S.–Mexico border,

- Increase penalties for alien smuggling,

- Stiffen penalties for aliens who re-enter the United States after having been removed,

- Bar refugees and asylees with aggravated felony convictions from receiving green cards,

- Reaffirm the authority of state and local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws,

- Provide for cooperation between border sheriffs and federal law enforcement,

- Provide funding for the recruiting and training of new border agents, and

- Enact criminal penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment for individuals who construct or finance an unauthorized tunnel across a U.S. international border.

For additional information please contact Kathleen Joyce at (202) 225-3415.

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