Friday, May 21, 2010

Congressmen insulted by Mexican president's 'lecture'



The Mexican president said the Arizona law "ignores a reality that cannot be erased by decree."

Several Republican congressmen thought Mexican President Felipe Calderon violated accepted rules of international diplomacy when he criticized U.S. policy following an invitation to speak in congressional chambers.

Calderon criticized Arizona's new immigration law and called on Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

Arizona's new law requires law enforcement to question people they reasonably suspect are here illegally.

While Calderon received cheers mainly from Democrats, some Republicans criticized the Mexican president for inappropriately intruding on U.S. policy.

Arizona Senator John McCain said in a statement that it was "unfortunate and disappointing the president of Mexico chose to criticize the state of Arizona by weighing in on a U.S. domestic policy issue during a trip that was meant to reaffirm the unique relationship between our two countries."


The video above is the response of Rep. Tom McClintock of California who took “strong exception” to Calderon’s speech to Congress.

“It’s highly inappropriate for the president of Mexico to lecture Americans on American immigration law,” he said. “Just as it would be for Americans to lecture Mexico on its own laws. It’s obvious President Calderon doesn’t understand the nature of America or the purpose of our immigration law.”

“Unlike Mexico’s immigration law which is brutally exclusionary, the purpose of America’s law is not to keep people out. It is to assure as people come to the United States, they do so with the intention of becoming Americans and raising their children as Americans.”

“Unlike Mexico our nation embraces legal immigration and what’s make that possible is assimilation.”

77 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

The shame is that President Calderon's statements.. in Congress did nothing to help the situation..he just added fuel to the fire

Anonymous said...

Your really asking for it Guerrez. Just quit opening doors that dont need to be.If you're not careful you be back in mexico in no time. Just in time for sus abuelitas crappy tortillas.

Anonymous said...

The real shame is that our president agreed with the president of another country over one of the United States. The man is an international embarassment. Come quickly, 2012!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Dear Mexican President,

Why don't you focus on making your OWN COUNTRY a place where people want to stay and live?

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I can't wait until 2012 as well when the economy will be robust and Sara Palin and the republicans will get their butts kicked AGAIN!!

Anonymous said...

I bet that illegal who gropes woman through south charlotte agrees with the mexican prez. Remember he drives a white pick up truck with workman ladders on the side.

Anonymous said...

This is the change I voted for. I am sad I got tricked by obama. He has made this country North Mexico

JT Lancer said...

Ths US govt dictates foreign policy to Mexico, especially in regard to drug policy.

This is a hypocritical case of 'do as I say, not as I do'.

Larry said...

Yes we have let this problem exist and made the best of it when times were good.

However I find it fascinating that the fact we are now even attempting to correct the problem, it is laid open like a study in racism, civil rights, slavery, international intrigue/relations, family values, caring for others and lot of other attributes which have very little to do the with the main point.

Are those who you are discussing American citizens. Yes or No?

So starting a program which address a problem is not that off center.

However having the media behind only one view point is a problem.

The Observer needs a Conservative Writer and Member of the Editorial Staff. Call or write them today.

704-358-5000

Anonymous said...

Isn't the President of the United States supposed to protect and defend our country? Obama failed. This is a sickening event and a sad day for the USA.

Anonymous said...

No surprise here ... it's to be expected that Republicans would be "insulted." Unfortunately, being Republican has become synonymous with never being able to accept any view other than ones which mirror their selfish, me-first, elitist attitudes.

Anonymous said...

Stoking the flames of outrage is exactly what this administration wants. They would love for American citizens to act out on their anger over this issue. There is a template in place to paint the average law abiding American as racists. This is what Marxist revolutionaries are good at doing.
You local newspaper is the propoganda arm of this effort.

Larry said...

"No surprise here ... it's to be expected that Republicans would be "insulted." Unfortunately, being Republican has become synonymous with never being able to accept any view other than ones which mirror their selfish, me-first, elitist attitudes. May 21, 2010 12:07 PM"

Oh not don't look now but it looks like what you say has spread to both parties.

Just wanted to make you aware of how we Independents view both parties both of which only seem to live and survive on their hatred of one another.

Maybe if both the parties would start working on an agenda that did not get them all the spending rights and actually helped the citizens that would be nice.

Hey we vote for the person. Not the party so go on with your hatred we are voting for problem solvers.

nccanuck said...

As an immigrant who came to this country LEGALLY and became an AMERICAN citizen in 1995,I am disgusted by my govt's lack of spine by letting the Mexican dictator lecture our country on immigration policies.To the President & those who stood & clapped for this dictator when he complained about one of our own states,you all should be ashamed of yourselves.This president and congress' need to remember who pays their check,WE THE PEOPLE,not Mexico.The response from our sad govt and this dictator only further harden my resolve to stand up against ANY immigration reform that caters to hispanics,time to hit them in the pocketbooks,employers of illegals,harborers of illegals need to face prison time and huge fines.

heavymetal said...

If Federal immigration policy is different for those coming from Mexico than any other county, that's wrong.
But if immigration law is applied fairly for everyone, those people here illegally just need to deal with it and try to immigrate legally.
Franco? How about a comparison of the United States immigration policy & laws versus that of Canada or the UK? How do ours measure up-- are they generally stricter, or less so?

Anonymous said...

How about that Wolf Blitzer-Calderon interview wher Calderon admitted that Mexico has intolerance of anyone entering Mexico illegally? The man is a hypocritical idiot. The democrats standing to applaud this man are traitors to the United States and will be held accountable in November. Obama needs the votes of illegals to retain power. Obama is a radical Marxist and will destroy America as you know it.

Anonymous said...

Why did the Mexican prez not apologize and grovel about their law being tougher than AZ law om immigration?

Why does this black prez hate America so bad? Is he trying to take the white race down to the non-white races levels? Isnt that always the plan? Get over on whitey?

DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Anonymous said...

Tea Party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Why did the Mexican prez not apologize and grovel about their law being tougher than AZ law om immigration?

Why does this black prez hate America so bad? Is he trying to take the white race down to the non-white races levels? Isnt that always the plan? Get over on whitey?

DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

May 21, 2010 1:01 PM

_

Half a year ago I would not agree with you.

Now that is the only thing that makes any sense with that guy.

Anonymous said...
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Cedar Posts said...

It was our own James K. Polk who sent Zachary Taylor into southern Texas, to claim the area all the way to the Rio Grande river.

When the US won the war against Mexico 3 years later the entire country was ours for the taking. But as the senator from Michigan Lewis Cass remarked "We do not want the people of Mexico, either as citizens or subjects...all we want is a part of the territory."

That part of the territory is now South Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California.

John Calhoun of South Carolina: "We have never dreamt of incorporating into our Union any but the Caucasian race..... Ours, sir, is the Government of a white race".

And so were the feelings of 100 years ago. We did the same to the American Indians and blacks.

So maybe Calderon's statement is not so much a punch at Arizona as it is a claim that "we Mexicans belong here", this is our land.

Anonymous said...

I stand with the Congressman, we don't need no scum from South of the Border coming up here telling us our business. Obama should hand that bum a mower, an edger, and a rake and send him (and his wife)out on the South Lawn of the White House

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Hey Franco Ordoñez, why don't you read THE US LAW which is much broader than the ARIZONA LAW and get over yourself along with the rest of your Socialist Democrat cronies:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TITLE 8 > CHAPTER 12 > SUBCHAPTER II > Part IX > § 1357
Prev | Next § 1357. Powers of immigration officers and employees

(a) Powers without warrant
Any officer or employee of the Service authorized under regulations prescribed by the Attorney General shall have power without warrant—
(1) to interrogate any alien or person believed to be an alien as to his right to be or to remain in the United States;
(2) to arrest any alien who in his presence or view is entering or attempting to enter the United States in violation of any law or regulation made in pursuance of law regulating the admission, exclusion, expulsion, or removal of aliens, or to arrest any alien in the United States, if he has reason to believe that the alien so arrested is in the United States in violation of any such law or regulation and is likely to escape before a warrant can be obtained for his arrest, but the alien arrested shall be taken without unnecessary delay for examination before an officer of the Service having authority to examine aliens as to their right to enter or remain in the United States;

Anonymous said...

(cont)

Read the law....

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/search/display.html?terms=search&url=/uscode/html/uscode08/usc_sec_08_00001357----000-.html

GStanton said...

Why is the "Blog Administrator" removing so many posts?

Anonymous said...

What I want to know what is "reasonable suspicion" that someone is here illegally? Is it simply looking Mexican? Is the thickness of the accent taken in to account?

Franco Ordonez said...

Posts that violate our policy will be removed.

It's pretty simple. Please "refrain from profanity, obscenity, spam, name-calling or attacking others for their views."

Anonymous said...

removing them due to political correctness I would say.

I love people who spout the "diversity mantra" yet exclude those views - contrary or very negative to theirs.

Anonymous said...

--->>>Will said...
What I want to know what is "reasonable suspicion" that someone is here illegally? Is it simply looking Mexican? Is the thickness of the accent taken in to account?<<<----

If someone is stopped at a drug or alcohol checkpoint and they have no license or registration, maybe there is a huge fight and police are called and when asked they cannot produce any identification or if the officer's suspect false documents, etc.

Why is that so difficult to understand and accept?

Anonymous said...

Why is the president of a country whose own citizens want out of it, telling us how to treat them here? If he knows so much about the law, and how we need to run our country, then why is he such a failure in his own?

Anonymous said...

Mexico will lose to much money from us if we stop illegal immigration. Fees from money wired to Mexico from the USA is one of the highest incomes they receive. If people really think this is about human lives then they are really clueless.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Franco, I'm curious - what's the criteria for having one's comment removed?

heavymetal said...

Seriously? He's already posted that! Go look for it.

Anonymous said...

nccanuck, you weren't barred from applying for a visa through the lottery.

Most of the Latino undocumented immigrants who are here aren't eligible to apply for a visa in the first place.

It's apples vs. oranges. You came here legally because there was a legal option for you. They have no legal options.

Anonymous said...

Franco removes any comments that takes from his pinko opinions.

Anonymous said...

heavymetal said...
If Federal immigration policy is different for those coming from Mexico than any other county, that's wrong.

Heavymetal, rules ARE different for those coming from Mexico.

Here are the main types of visas that allow you to immigrate. Let's assume someone from Mexico doesn't have a relative here, and hasn't found an employer who is willing to pay for a costly employer-sponsored visa:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1326.html

As you can see, this immigrant's only option is the Diversity Visa (which is a lottery):

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1322.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa

And as a Mexican, this immigrant would be INELIGIBLE:

"For DV-2011, natives of the following nations are ineligible: Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam [1]. "

Anonymous said...

Why dont America send Mexico a bill for about a trillion to pay for all the damages inflicted on taxpayers such as millions of babies born for free plus all the other expenses like education food stamps welfare housing etc?

You can spend years running up their tab but a trillion would be a compromise.

Or America could accept Alcapulco, Cancun or Cabo San Lucas resort cities in exchange.

A more radical idea would be to annex Mexico and break it up into 5 states so we would have all the sweat back labor ever needed and the taxes taken out of their pay.

That would stop immigration dead in its tracks. Sic the military on the drug dealers.

Cedar Posts said...

Franco,

Your blog do what you like, but at Cedar Posts, I let all comments stand, even those that personally attack me. Since I slam our police chief a lot I get my fair share of hate.

I'd suggest that if you really feel the need to remove comments you might click the remove forever button so as the "I am the god of this blog" comment doesn't appear.

I'm just saying....

Anonymous said...

I think McClintock should run for President. Not because because he is white, not because he is republican, not because of his religious views, but for the views that he expressed in his address AS AN AMERICAN!!!! The only way to change America if for Americans to stand up and take action to make changes. Demand that your representatives work for you as they are elected to do. I don't care if you are republican, democrat, independent or what, get together and show these people where they came from. Don't complain that the government is running rough shot over it's citizens. You got to be willing to work and get your hands dirty!

Anonymous said...

Not Franco's fault if some people can't express themselves in a civilized manner. No profanity, no slurs, no personal attacks. Is it really that hard to follow those rules?

I don't know that President Calderon was out of line by speaking - he has the right to voice an opinion. But I do think he's wrong about the Arizona law. From what I read, this state law just enforces the existing federal immigration laws.

And as others have pointed out, Mexico is much tougher on illegal immigrants than the U.S. So maybe President Calderon should get off his high horse.

Anonymous said...

Franco Ordoñez looks like a pipe smoker!

heavymetal said...

Anonymous 3:07, while I appreciate your input, I still do not see how current policy specifically singles out those from Mexico that wish to become American citizens.
People from a lot of different nations might not have relatives here or an employer to sponsor them, and might also be ineligible for a diversity visa.
The main difference is that those people from other nations can't just walk across the desert to get here.

Franco Ordonez said...

Cedar Post,
I appreciate the feedback. I think if you look through the comments you'll see plenty of posts that attack me professionally and personally. I don't delete those unless they use profanity.

And you'll also see criticism on all sides of the immigration debate. Posts are not removed because of the views they reflect.

This is an emotional issue, but I think most people can agree that you can have an educated and spirited debate without cursing and personal attacks.

I end up having to delete a lot of comments that use profanity, threats, and personal attacks. That's our policy.

The delete forever button is an option that I'll raise with the people here. But I'm afraid eventually I'm going to have to turn off anonymous comments.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad Rep. McClintock had the nads to speak the truth.

Karl said...

The delete forever button is an option that I'll raise with the people here. But I'm afraid eventually I'm going to have to turn off anonymous comments.

And then your blog will be the same sterilized wasteland that Mary Newsom's is. If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

Franco Ordonez said...

THE OBSERVER'S COMMENT POLICY...

The Charlotte Observer welcomes your comments on news of the day. The more voices engaged in conversation, the better for us all, but do keep it civil. Please refrain from profanity, obscenity, spam, name-calling or attacking others for their views. Read moreRead less

The Charlotte region is vast and diverse. The more voices engaged in conversation, the better for us all. The Charlotte Observer welcomes your comments on news of the day, but we ask that you keep the discourse civil.

* Do not use profanity or obscenities. Talk of violence won't be tolerated.
* No racial, gender or sexual-orientation name-calling.
* Do not attack other commenters for their views.
* Spam is not welcome here.
* And finally, as Mark Twain said: "Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."

We do not monitor each and every posting, but we reserve the right to delete comments that violate these rules. You can help: Notify us of violations by hitting the "Report Abuse" button. Action will be taken against users who repeatedly or flagrantly violate the rules.

Anonymous said...

North American Madness.... maybe we can depend on Canada to bail us all out, just passing it up the line......

Maybe the media will point out the immigration laws set by the Mexican government, so we can duplicate them, yeah, right!!

Anonymous said...

So, how many of you who were against the "Illegal Invasion of Iraq" also support the Illegal invasion of the USA? Guess you don't value the lives of Americans, especially those ranchers who have been wounded and murdered by illegall drug trafficers. I suppose you also support the illegal status of the 9-11 terrorists, as well?

Anonymous said...

We've told Mexico what to do for years and years.

I'm an ex-Californian who knows perfectly well that Tom McClintock, is a hypocrite.

That said. Mexicans come to the US for a better life-much better than they can have in their own country.

Presidente Calderon should mind his own business first.

Anonymous said...

Charlotte Observer, your support of the illegal invasion of the USA is sedition, just sayin'.

Anonymous said...

If Mexico did not have oil we would secure the boarders.

Anonymous said...

Great point, 4:47, Mexico does have a lot of oil. What is the reason why they are so poor? Could it be Socialism, corruption, the disregard for the rule of law, etc.....

Anonymous said...

Of course the President of Mexico derides the Arizona law-he's happy to get rid of all those drug dealers and gang criminals-he doesn't want them sent back. And Obama is always bedding down with the wrong people-Mexico's President, various communists and dictators, Palestine over Israel, Muslims over non-Muslims and Christians, Socialist Europe over once free America whose liberties were protected by the Constitution and where capitalism and free enterprise-based economy meant that America was self-sufficient, productive, and debt free.

Job Counselor said...

Well, there you have it folks...

After getting home from a long week of helping many US citizens cope with losing the only jobs they've ever had, which were low income jobs at that, all I wanted to see was hope that we, the people who grew up in this country, are willing to help our own.

Instead, I see that the people of this nation are still bickering about Immigration, and about who should be setting what laws.

I will gladly invite the hundreds of US citizens that I counsel and console to get on stage at a stadium while ALL of you people who think that illegal immigration doesn't hurt US citizens APOLOGIZE for the jobs that OUR OWN people have lost to illegal immigrants.

I had to try to tell these people that there is some ray of sunshine in this country... a country that many of them fought for... a country of people who have completely turned its backs on their OWN citizens!

And, before you try to criticize my statement in this blog, BE AWARE OF THIS:

OVER 250 of the people that I am writing about have lost their low-wage jobs to illegal immigrants. Many of these immigrants have been arrested in employment raids on the same companies that employed US citizens to do the same jobs only 6 months ago... which is the same time frame that these so called undocumented laborers were hired at these companies.

When you are ready to offer these US citizens their jobs back, THEN you are ready to critisize Arizona's new law, and any other immigration law.

Until then, all of you people who are fighting against illegal immigration owe our own citizens your apologies!

This is a sign of the times to be sure. There is no longer a United States of America, because its own citizens have turned against eachother.

Consider that!

Job Counselor said...

Correction from previous post:

In response to the statement:
Until then, all of you people who are fighting against illegal immigration owe our own citizens your apologies!

It should read:
Until then, all of you people who are fighting against illegal immigration LAWS owe our own citizens your apologies!

(Sorry about the typo.)

heavymetal said...

"Until then, all of you people who are fighting against illegal immigration LAWS owe our own citizens your apologies!"

Job Counselor, you said it!

Seriously people, think about it. Illegal immigrants aren't really doing "the jobs no one else wants to." They are a cheap labor force exploited by American companies.

It isn't that Americans wouldn't work these jobs, it's that a legal American citizen, as an employee, would have to pay taxes on that money, thus they would take home much less pay. (Especially in this economy.)

Of course, an American worker would be guaranteed certain rights and better workplace safety at the same time... but that would also mean even more expenditures by the employer, and consequently less income for the employees.

Anonymous said...

A.) There are no such things as "fundamental rules of diplomacy." Calderon's statements, while perhaps different from custom and offensive to some members of Congress, violated no international laws at all. As a foreign head of state, particularly of a nation so closely associated with U.S. policy, he can and should comment on U.S. law.

B.) The major issue with AZ SB1070 is the fact that it completely undermines existing rules of criminal procedure. By allowing law enforcement officers to stop anyone based on merely a reasonable suspicion that they are illegal aliens, Arizona is opening the door wide open on potential cases of racial profiling against American citizens, as well as aliens legally in the country.

Anonymous said...

The tide is rising.

Folks are sick and tired of this country being turned into a third world nation.

The absorption of illegals and the socialized mentality of obama and minions is not going to last very long at all.

The tsunami will come, but who play Revere?


On a side note I always thought Franco does justice to this board, take sit like a man not like those
clueless newbies trying to make "social media" into the fourth coming.

Anonymous said...

Oh bicker bicker bicker..its all people want to do.

Maybe the Mexican president should have said something like...you Americans want and hire my country's people for low illegal wages cause you are traitors to own laws of your own country's wage laws. Or something like that.

Our country has too many people who are too arrogant and think they are above people and laws. Why quote McCain when he is a flaky as it gets and sways whatever way the wind is blowing.
Pride always goes before a fall and never think we are above anyone else.

heavymetal said...

I, too, agree that Franco does a great job moderating this blog, especially given the fact that illegal immigration has the potential to be much more of an emotionally explosive topic than even health care.

Anonymous said...

ATTA BOY CALDERON! YOU SIR, ARE A "MORON"! ONLY THAT MUSLIM IN THE WHITE HOUSE COULD HAVE PREPARED THAT STUPID SPEECH YOU MADE. YOUR
BRINGING A WAGGING TONGUE TO A "GUN FIGHT"! THIS BATTLE WILL GO TO THE STREETS!

Anonymous said...

After voting for Obama I am now ashamed i did.I cannot believe he let a foreign president come into our country and belittle out nation and laws.He needs to go back to his own country and take care of the thugs running it before trying to run our laws...

Anonymous said...

The oil money is not distributed to help the poor. Calderon's pockets are full of it.

Anonymous said...

Like during the Great Depression, The USA needs to reimplement Operation WetBack and pack them up and send them south.

Adrian DeVore said...

Thank you Mr. Ordonez for having the "This Land" blog.

Mexican President Calderon was right to "lecture" congress and the "offended" congressmen were right to dissent.

Everyone has a right to their opinions. However, it makes me wonder sometimes if these blog commentators actually bother to read a posting before responding or to simply ventilate instead of reading. Lacking a civil conversation between readers to symbolize insults over dialogue.

Anonymous said...

Anyone who has spent a fair amount of time in Arizona (or in any community with illegal immigrants -- whether from Mexico, Vietnam, Africa, etc) knows that it's not about racial profiling but "behavioral" profiling.

Hispanics who were born and raised here in the United States behave very differently from those who were born and raised in Mexico. It might be hard for people in Charlotte to understand because the hispanic community has become established here so recently, but after living in Arizona for 15 years, you could line up 5 hispanic males (my husband included) and just by observing them I could tell you with great certainty who is legal.

Kind of like anyone who grew up in the 'hood could line up 5 black teen males and tell which are the gangbangers.

It's not about race, it's about behavior. People not from this country don't do the same things, act the same way, wear the same things, speak the same way as those who are. Even with an accent, legal immigrants typically speak some English whereas illegals (from any country) won't at all. Legal immigrants will typically reflect American culture in ways that are observable, while illegals (from any country) will not.

Anonymous said...

People here legally don't typically wave Mexican flags when they feel like they are being discriminate against, either.

Anonymous said...

Obama promised change, he did that, he CHANGED THE PROMISE.

jodyroy said...

Lotta tinfoil hats in here today!

Anonymous said...

It is a shame the Republicans sat there and did not get up and walk out. Gutless!

Anonymous said...

It is interesting that the person 'controlling' what is appropriate and what is not has a hispanic name - Ordanez. This comment will probably be deleted since it is obviously profiling . . .