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The president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association has sent a blistering letter to Barack Obama castigating him for a remark he made that the organization says equates its members with “terrorists.”
Speaking at the National Council of La Raza convention in San Diego on July 13, Obama told the largely Hispanic audience that the nation’s immigration system "isn't working." According to Obama, the problem with the system is that "communities are terrorized by ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] immigration raids" and "nursing mothers are torn from their babies."
The letter from the Association’s National President Art Gordon states: “On behalf of the 26,000 members of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), I take great exception to your disparaging remark, ‘…communities are terrorized by ICE immigration raids.’
“While the dedicated men and women of ICE endeavor to carry out their dangerous and noble missions, you somehow felt compelled to characterize their efforts as something akin to terrorizing…
“It’s one thing to remark intelligently on the need for immigration reform, but it’s quite another to berate ICE law enforcement officers who are risking their lives to enforce the laws passed by Congress.”
Charging that Obama and his fellow members of Congress have not passed any “meaningful legislations” on immigration reform, Gordon goes on to say: “Your bi-partisan fumble should not translate into labeling our members as terrorists by implication…
“ICE employs patriotic men and women who are outstanding law enforcement officers, not rampaging home-wreckers.”
Gordon concludes by inviting Obama to meet with FLEOA officers, saying he would come away with an understanding “that those carrying the ICE shield are heroes, and not terrorists.”
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__________________
“So I became a newspaperman. I hated to do it but I couldn’t find honest employment.” —Mark Twain
There IS a difference between people who do some terrifying things and actual terrorists.
Can anyone argue with the two main points of Obama's statements? 1. The immigration system isn't working effectively (implied is that the enforcement of illegal immigration falls under this label and 2. It's a scary thing for illegal immigrants that get raided and are separated from their families.
Even McCain is talking about changes to the system.
__________________ America cannot have an empire abroad and a Republic at home.
Charging that Obama and his fellow members of Congress have not passed any “meaningful legislations” on immigration reform, Gordon goes on to say: “Your bi-partisan fumble should not translate into labeling our members as terrorists by implication…
What a sham. Here is a sample of Obama's Senate voting record on immigration issues:
Voted in favor of amendment to S. 1348 to increase H-1B visa fees in 2007 Sen. Obama voted in favor of the Sanders Amendment (S. 1223) to S. 1348. The Sanders Amendment would raise the fees employers who wish to import H-1B high-skill nonimmigrant workers from $1,500 to $10,000, with the funds going to scholarships for American high tech students. The Sanders Amendment passed by a vote of 59 to 35. (McCain did not vote)
Voted on Senate floor for amendment to sunset proposed guestworker program in 2007 Sen. Obama voted in favor of the Dorgan Amendment> (SA 1181) to S. 1348 to sunset the bill's guestworker provisions in five years. The Dorgan Amendment failed by a vote of 48 to 49. (McCain voted nay)
Voted in favor of amendment to cut proposed guestworker program in half in 2007 Sen. Obama voted in favor of the Bingaman Amendment (SA 1169) to S. 1348, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007. The Bingaman Amendment would reduce the annual importation of workers under the new guestworker programs proposed by S. 1348 from 400,000 to 200,000 workers per year. The Bingaman Amendment passed by a vote 74 of 24. (McCain did not vote)
Voted to authorize National Guard to assist in border patrol efforts in 2006 Sen. Obama voted in favor of the Ensign Amendment (SA 4076) to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. The Ensign Amendment authorizes the Governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas - with Defense Department approval – to order their state's National Guard units or personnel to assist in border patrol efforts (with certain restrictions) along the United States' southern land border. Even though the National Guard would not be directly participating in the apprehension of illegal aliens, they would facilitate the work of the Border Patrol. The Ensign Amendment passed by a vote of 83-10. (McCain did not vote)
Voted in favor of amendment to increase funding for local and state law enforcement in 2006 Sen. Obama voted in favor of the Bingamen Amendment to S. 2454. The Bingaman Amendment authorizes DHS to award grants to a state, local, or tribal law enforcement agency located in a county within 100 miles of a U.S. border with Canada or Mexico, or in a county beyond 100 miles that has been certified by DHS as a "high impact area," to provide assistance in addressing: (1) criminal activity that occurs by virtue of proximity to the border; and (2) the Federal government's failure to adequately secure its borders. Authorizes appropriations of $50 million annually, for fiscal years 2007 through 2011, to implement this grant program. Although this amendment does not require the establishment of the grant program and caps the amount available for implementation of the program it could, potentially, bring these agencies more into the enforcement fold. The Bingaman Amendment passed by a vote of 84 to 6. (McCain did not vote)
Cosponsoring bill to reduce illegal immigration by requiring employment eligibility verification in 2005-2006 Sen. Obama is a cosponsor of S. 1917, the Employment Verification Act of 2005. S. 1917 would establish a mandatory electronic worker verification system that would be phased in on a two to five year basis. Requiring employers to use an electronic employment eligibility verification system is an important component of preventing illegal aliens from taking jobs from those who have the legal right to work in this country.
Voted in favor of amendment to provide funding for additional Border Patrol and ICE agents in 2005 Sen. Obama voted in favor of the Byrd Amendment (S. Amdt. 516) to H.R. 1268, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief of 2005. The Byrd Amendment provides $390 million to hire 650 more border patrol agents, 250 new immigration investigators, and 168 new immigration enforcement agents and deportation officers. The Byrd amendment also provides funds for 2,000 additional detention beds as well as funding to train the new personnel. Passage of the Byrd Amendment sent a strong signal from the Senate in favor of increased Border Patrol and Interior Enforcement. The Byrd Amendment passed by a vote of 65 to 34. (McCain voted Nay)
Last edited by Louis; August 8th, 2008 at 08:41 AM.
I thought it was a recap of an opinionated letter from a 3rd party. Easy peasy for Meyers.
Either way, the guy is wrong IMO. Obama has voted for and cosponsored legislation to try to improve and change immigration policies and law. Unlike the other major candidate for President, Obama has actually voted to add ICE employees.
40 what is your opinion on this particular subject, since you haven't given yours?
I thought it was a recap of an opinionated letter from a 3rd party. Easy peasy for Meyers.
Either way, the guy is wrong IMO. Obama has voted for and cosponsored legislation to try to improve and change immigration policies and law. Unlike the other major candidate for President, Obama has actually voted to add ICE employees.
40 what is your opinion on this particular subject, since you haven't given yours?
So Louis are you saying the letter wasn't written? Are you saying Obama didn't say what he is quoted as saying? Obama screwed up. He shouldn't have implied that the ICE officers are bungling their job. These guys risk their lives every day, just like regular police and firemen. There is no need to beat them up just to make political hay with voters.
I was in favor of the McCain policy and still am.
__________________
“So I became a newspaperman. I hated to do it but I couldn’t find honest employment.” —Mark Twain
I am saying that it isnt' a report. Just a recap of a letter some other guy wrote. Easy job for Meyers. And like you he is avoiding offering any opinion on the matter or checking the facts. Though I've got to give to it you in both articles you posted today you are baiting responses and then mocking those who do respond. Good job.
There is nothing wrong with what Obama said. If for one second you don't think that ICE has occasionally terrorized families while carrying out their duties, you've got some reality checking to do.
Just do a simple internet search of their alledged misconduct and you'll find lawsuits and complaints about their conduct. Undoubtedly there is more to be done.
The guy who wrote the letter being recapped is wrong in stating that Obama has failed to do anything. As in my first post in this thread I posted numerous votes by Obama on immigration that has helped to restructure immigration policies and strengthen them. There plenty more like those if you do a simple internet search.
Last edited by Louis; August 8th, 2008 at 11:40 AM.
He shouldn't have implied that the ICE officers are bungling their job.
I don't think he was implying he bungled their jobs. I think he implied that their mission is misguided. McCain believes that, too.
He maybe should have said it differently, though. But I think the response of "hey, don't call us terrorists!" is equally misphrased--and intended for people to draw inaccurate conclusions. He didn't call them terrorists.
__________________ America cannot have an empire abroad and a Republic at home.
So Louis are you saying the letter wasn't written? Are you saying Obama didn't say what he is quoted as saying? Obama screwed up. He shouldn't have implied that the ICE officers are bungling their job. These guys risk their lives every day, just like regular police and firemen. There is no need to beat them up just to make political hay with voters.
I was in favor of the McCain policy and still am.
I find this quite entertaining 40 as in this case I have personal experience that you and few others her have
Unlike most of you I have had to deal with our immigration services myself and can am more than willing to pass on a few choice nuggets.
The most important nugget is that they are by far the most incompetent and abusive federal agency that has ever been my misfortune to interact with.
You all think the veterans admins is bad, or the IRS is abusive, let me tell you that you have no idea what you are talking about. Our immigration service makes every other branch of the government look like A+ services.
I have some much longer and systemic stories [ie not anecdotal but enduring and long term] but I'll give you a tiny view of one day at the office downtown, unless you want a long discussion just take my word for it that this is typical not anecdotal.
Standing in a very long line waiting .... waitng ... waiting .... waiting .... nice young girl from INS was walking past so I asked her what the hold up was [yeah I know expect longs lines as possible immigrents are scum, which is how they think trust me but this was different].
I asked her what the hold up was as there was zero movent. She looked around to see who was listening [which puzzled me]. The quietly told me "The computers in DC are down and we don't expect them back up today". I was like "Oh great, but why are we still here ?" the answer was "Because we aren't allowed to tell you and if I get caught telling you I'll be in trouble"
Next the only reason I became a citezen is because of Shadeck's office. INS DOES NOT follow their own procedures and the consider any applications as scum. According to his staff, most of the work in their office is sorting out messes that INS created.
So if somebody suggests that ICE is not the best run organization in the country, you know what .... THEY ARE RIGHT. I've been there I know
The only stuff I can find online about this are just attacks on Obama from some really hate-filled sites.
What do we know about this Art Gordon? This reminds me of FEMA's Mike Brown, for some reason.
Art Gordon is currently the Assistant Federal Security Director for Law Enforcement with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at BWI Airport in Maryland.
Mr. Gordons behavior here doesn't represent the claim of the association his is supposedly representing. The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) is the largest nonpartisan, professional association, representing exclusively federal law enforcement officers.
It seems he took it upon himself to write the response to Obama and it is certainly partisan, full of misrepresentation of Obama's use of the word. Just plain ignorance and bias.
Like most criticisms I see thrown at Obama, spin spin spin. The story is of course from a conservative outlet, Newsmax.
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