Let Me In, Immigration Man!

The debate on immigration became a little more surreal last week with "border security" hearings in San Diego, CA and Laredo, TX. The hearings were organized by House Republicans as part of an effort to stall consideration of an immigration bill in the hopes of making it more anti-immigrant. No public testimony was allowed; instead, carefully-constructed panels of law enforcement officers described dire scenarios where Al-Queda terrorists learned to speak Spanish so they could sneak a dirty bomb into the country -- and, presumably, get a dishwashing job at the local Sirloin Stockade.

In Texas, People For the American Way organized a diverse coalition of business leaders, agricultural growers, religious groups, civil rights organizations and other activists to hold a press conference prior to the Laredo hearing. At the press conference, leaders called the hearings a "sham" and called on Congress to pass commonsense immigration reform this year. The press event received prominent coverage in the Dallas Morning News, the San Antonio Express-News, and the Rio Grande Guardian.

This was the first time such a diverse group has come together, and it bodes well for efforts to promote comprehensive immigration reform instead of the enforcement-only model being pushed by the Reactionary Right. And the good news is, the group wants to keep working together on a commonsense, mainstream messaging campaign for smart immigration reform.

R.I.P. Ken Lay; B.I.H., George Bush

The AP is reporting that Ken Lay has died. He was undoubtedly a crook, but he was also a pillar of Houston's philanthropic community during his heyday, and many people have good stories to tell about him. I am sure many of them will come out in the next days and weeks.

The most infuriating thing is Bush's reaction. George Bush the Elder was kind enough to mourn his passing, but Tony Snow's statement on behalf of Georgie Boy sets a new low:

But White House press secretary Tony Snow said Wednesday he hadn't discussed Lay's death with the president.
"The president has described Ken Lay as an acquaintance. And many of the president's acquaintances have passed on during his time in office," Snow said.

To describe Kenny Boy, who lavished more money on George Bush's political career than any other human being, as an "acquaintance" is, frankly, indecent. Perhaps the line was cleared through the Rove, McKinnon & Dowd Inc. spin machine, but it is callous and offensive. I cannot imagine anyone who considers GWB a "friend" who didn't shiver inside at the feckless venality of Snow's comment.

Rest in Peace, Kenny Boy. You deserved better than George Bush for a friend.