Compassionate Conservatism

Future deportees?

Via Jeralyn on H.R. 4437: A Bad, Bad Border Bill, we see that the latest inhumane effort to throw out the immigrants is well-underway. This has already passed the House. Contact your Senator. Consideration apparently begins on Monday in the Judiciary Committee chaired by my Senator, Arlen Specter.

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name,
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

- Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus (1883)

With thanks to Digby for the link to the L.A. Times article where the picture at the top, and several others, may be found.

Update: In addition to the principles involved, Nathan Newman has more on why the Dems had better not blow this issue. David Neiwert at Orcinus delves into progessive immigration reform proposals. And if you must, from the Right, Glenn Reynolds explains why immigrants shouldn't gather in crowds (with "thanks" to Scott Lemieux at Lawyers, Guns & Money for that link).