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The Borderline Spectator

Marco Grows in Office

By on 1.30.13 @ 6:08AM

Is this what comes of defeating Charlie Crist?

O’Sullivan’s Law, propounded by the prescient British journalist John O’Sullivan, teaches us that “any organization or enterprise that is not expressly right-wing will become left-wing over time.”

Exactly so. We see this in our foundations, corporations (especially large ones), schools, universities, churches, news media, entertainments, even military services. My shorthand term for the animating driver of this is leftrifigal force. It is everywhere and all-powerful in the West. Most everything falls before it (save a few obstinate remnants like TAS). The force has been too much with us, and growing stronger since the sixties.

The law and the force apply to individuals as well. The latest victim of the force, and a particularly sad case, is Marco Rubio. I had the privilege in 2010 of covering the three-way U.S. Senate race in Florida for TAS, the one Marco Rubio won by 20 points over a Democrat and that political shape-changer Charlie Crist (who was first a Republican then an independent during that race, is now a Democrat, and doubtless one day, if he sees a political advantage in it, will announce that he’s a Druid). So I know how smart, knowledgeable, and articulate Rubio is, three qualities few politicians have, and which Marco is richly blessed with.

But to be a conservative and to count on politicians is to invite heartache, headaches, tremors, night sweats, panic attacks, and large bowel complaints. I’ve learned not to do it. So Rubio’s accommodating the Left on women in combat, and becoming a co-conspirator with them on immigration, is a disappointment but hardly a surprise.

After the Joint Chiefs caved to the political Left on women in combat, Rubio threw his support to this cultural disfigurement, saying that we ought to send the “best soldiers” into combat “regardless of gender.” This statement is high-minded, beside the point, and silly on the face of it. I’ve had enough face time with Marco to know that he knows this, and is simply, like so many others in his party, accommodating what they consider inevitable. (Since November, the Republican creed seems to be, “Where do we go to surrender?”)

But the most serious charge and specification against Rubio concerns his putting forward the “We Don’t Need No Stinking Borders Act of 2007 — 2.0,” a capitulation to the Left on immigration (though with millions having walked and driven across our southern border, invasion is a better word than immigration). No surprise that the gang of eight pushing this frontal assault on American sovereignty contains a guy name Flake. We’re all flakes if we let them get away with it.

High sounding principles aside, giving even provisional status to the 11 million (or is it 15 million or 20 million?) citizens of other countries illegally here, most from south of the border, would put an end to such little deportation as in going on now, and would act as a magnet for millions more to come to El Norte, adding to our burden of government-service-sucking unemployables. We don’t have enough administrative capacity to keep up with the people here now on tourist and student visas. To administer all the hoops Rubio says he wants illegals to jump through as part of his “comprehensive” plan would require hiring thousands more federal bureaucrats, whose high-priced document stamping would not lead to anyone being obliged to return to the country he is a citizen of.

It’s particularly pointless – other than as a craven attempt to attract the votes of people with Spanish last names – to float this very bad legislation now. Our current president has made it clear that he has no intention of enforcing current immigration laws. No reason to believe he would do anything but bob and weave around any new laws. 

As on all days, there were plenty of hustles being run in Las Vegas Tuesday. But none bigger than President Obama’s knee-slapper of a claim that his administration is doing a swell job on border security and just wants to get better at it. This one would give Pinocchio whiplash. Anyone who believes Obama and the folks in his party are the least interested in staunching the flow of undocumented Democrats into the United States would believe that Lucy will hold the football so Charlie Brown can kick it.

One can have compassion for people who wish to leave a poor and corrupt country for a better life, without concluding that the United State should accommodate the tens, perhaps hundreds of millions of people who fit this description. Compassion becomes us all. But as G.W. Bush proved, it’s not a policy.

Obama tried to grease his hustle by suggesting yesterday that comprehensive immigration reform would bless America will all manner of high-contributing citizens. The sad fact is that for every engineer, scientist, or entrepreneur Obama’s open borders approach would net us, we would also be on the hook for the support of a large multiple of unskilled and unemployable people, many illiterate in two languages. Prosecution stipulates that America is a “nation of immigrants.” But earlier waves of immigrants came to a country in need of their labor. Today we are more than topped out with superfluous pool cleaners and leaf-blower operators.

The policies Rubio and his colleagues are ginning up – essentially the same ones American voters made clear they wanted no part of in 2007 – would, if enacted, not even benefit Republicans politically. Every poll shows that people with Spanish last names aren’t that different from people who don’t have Spanish last names on immigration policy. (I use this longer form because I so dislike that horse-pucky word “Hispanic,” which describes a universe of people with more differences than similarities.) Democrats looking for votes and voters, indignation groups, and general left-geeks want open borders. I can’t see that walking-around Americans with Spanish last names are keen to give all the line-cutters get-into-America-free cards.

We’ll be hearing a great deal more about this emotional issue over the next weeks and months. Obama says he’s in a hurry on this one; Rubio says he’s not. Smart money says Obama knows nothing much will come of this and he just wants the issue as a continuing excuse to call Republicans heartless meanies. On the other side, Republicans will natter on about how they just love folks with Spanish last names. The traffic will be noisy, but, sadly, on both sides of the aisle, mostly fraudulent. Including the slight-of-hand nonsense we’re getting from Marco Rubio, a very smart guy who is having us on a bit just now, and hoping his conservative supporters won’t notice.

Photo: UPI

About the Author

Larry Thornberry is a writer in Tampa.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (101) |

BobSledd| 1.30.13 @ 6:47AM

Here is a crazy idea for our politicians... Instead of educating foreign students at our best Universities, why don't we educate AMERICAN Born kids from those seats.. Why in the world do we fee l a need to use our best facilities for education at the expense of our own kids? green cards stapled to diplomas... Good grief we are insane as a country and society.

MelvinNC| 1.30.13 @ 7:11AM

It is the money Bob, Chinese have nice big fat checkbooks, flush with cash. And their is one thing that academia likes better than pedophilia, and that is money, lots and lots of money, because as you may have read yesterday, someone has to pay for these professors to teach female students to have better orgasms.
"What did you learn in college today Feng Shui?" "Honored father, I learned how to have a better orgasm." "Whats an orgasm?" (old school male Chinese.)

Jack in Wi| 1.30.13 @ 7:50AM

Rubio has been a bought and paid for Judas goat of the elites and Neocons his whole career. He is no surprise to me. I don't see any leaders in the Republicans right now. That is what 25 years of the Bush's and their gang has led too. They destroyed the Republican Party and conservative movement and we let them.

BobSledd| 1.30.13 @ 8:41AM

Yeah, I did see that Melvin...U Minn yes? We are completely unhinged and in moored from the country we grew up in..yes..it is the money...The Saudis (remember them?? They supplied the 19 hijackers) fund Chairs at Harvard and Georgetown I think it isfor Islamic Studies... We are being slowly eaten alive from the inside by countries and people that mean us no good..

MelvinNC| 1.30.13 @ 6:56AM

We need to look at this beyond our own foreheads. The Joint Chief's, and Marco Rubio. After Panettta announced that women would be eligible for combat, a short time later it was lauded in various news sources that the United States allowing women into combat elements would have ramifications globally.
Then Amnesty is being forced down our throats and this has global ramifications as well because it just isn't people from the Southern Hemisphere we're talking about this Amnesty also covers anyone else who is here illegally most notably Chinese, Russians, and citizens from the various countries in the Balkans, and Eastern Europeans.
Most of the decisions that the government is fomenting now either have the United Nations fingerprints all over it, or a global governance.
Progressives want their, "Global Village," so bad they will do anything to make that dream come true.
Progressivism is choking the life out of us. And from many sources I least expected this to come from is are now saying, "Armed rebellion is now our last chance."

Purp| 1.30.13 @ 7:39AM

You can move to ... let's see - where? Just get used to it.
You screwed up, you lost again and again and your Repies have no b***s, so caving is their way now.
It's 30 years of Lefty rule and you might as well enjoy the prosperity of the Middle Class to come - we have taken our country back from the rich, connected and powerful.
Rush Loudmouth has no power here. Ha!

chuck| 1.30.13 @ 8:02AM

Kind of like that 70 years of prosperity in the old USSR.

FORWARD!

chuck| 1.30.13 @ 8:03AM

You're a stupid asshole, twerp.

GobBluthe| 1.30.13 @ 8:17AM

You've taken it back from the rich? The rich voted for Obama.

CJW| 1.30.13 @ 8:17AM

Purpie/arnie the Village Idiot

Purpie "thinks" that Romney's plan to cut the tax rate would have increased Purpie's 0% rate to 8%:

"Purp| 8.9.12 @ 2:13PM

Did you pass Math in school?
If I pay no income tax today, but by Romney's plan, 10% goes to 8%, but I pay nothing today - how do I not pay 8% more than I do today?
8% Romney - 0% today = 8% tax on my income, whatever it is.
Reply to this

CJW| 8.9.12 @ 4:02PM

Listen slowly idiot, 10% goes to 8% only if you area at 10%.
If you are at 0%, like you because you are too stupid to work, then you remain at 0% . You do not go to 8%
I am going to save this for a purpie screen shot. You actually believe that your rate goes from 0 to 8 because there is a reduction from 10 to 8."

Purpie the idiot will lie and say he meant to say that the tax base would be "broadened." But Romney never said he would increase 0 to 8%.

This is irrefutable evidence of Purpie's stupidity.

Doctor Right| 1.30.13 @ 11:08AM

"It's 30 years of Lefty rule and you might as well enjoy the prosperity of the Middle Class to come"

BWAH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH!!!!!

Yeah, unfettered leftism has always resulted in prosperity wherever and whenever it's been tried, right???

Enjoy that while it lasts, Slurp!

Al Adab| 1.30.13 @ 11:35AM

Guys, the real issue in the "immigration" debate is illegal migration. Why are all the "solutions" such as the current Senate proposal based on the assumption that citizenship is so greatly desired by the illegal migrants? What most of them want judging by my experience is what we might call the American Dream ie to be productive, working, settled in and left alone. Citizenship is not a particular consideration. Given the fees and fines proposed in the plan, where is the incentive to come forward? My opposition to the proposal is that it overstates the perception of a desire for citizenship. Legal status perhaps but actual citizenship, which many of the children already have, is something else.

Gary B| 1.30.13 @ 11:41AM

Purp said, "we have taken our country back from the rich, connected and powerful."

What do you mean, "we," white man?

Muldoon1| 1.31.13 @ 12:22PM

Purp, you idiot, what makes you so sure that you will have a seat at the table? Communism consumes everybody and everything!

Sean| 1.30.13 @ 6:58AM

This position by Rubio on amnesty has been known since the beginning. You got commentators here that continually push him for President. You got people in Arizona of all places electing McCain and Flake. Americans are going to get what they vote for.

Purp| 1.30.13 @ 7:40AM

You are correct. America wants what you don't. So get over it and move on.
Try taking some nice pills... it might help. lol

GobBluthe| 1.30.13 @ 8:52AM

Move on? I am sure you would have had the same advice for Thatcher and Reagan in the 1970s or for that matter Natan Sharansky and Andre Shakarov as well. Being in the majority doesnt mean youre right.

Doctor Right| 1.30.13 @ 11:09AM

No, "America" - meaning you and your leftist rabble buddies - wants what I have in my wallet.

I can't wait for the revolution to come...I want to find out if revenge really is a dish that's "best served cold."

MelvinNC| 1.30.13 @ 7:19AM

Rubio isn't stupid, he has read the writing on the wall, in which we have as well, but don't really want to admit it. Especially if we are old enough to remember amnesty under Reagan.
Just like Europe and England decades ago switched to socilism, but the problem was that there wasn't enough warm bodies to keep it afloat. So what did Europe do, they opened their borders up to Eastern Europeans, and Eastern Africans. This flooded the system with new workers, that keep the social services afloat until these very same people of whom are now coming of age and Europeans and England are now right back where they started broke, and having now millions more people wanting to retire.

Purp| 1.30.13 @ 7:42AM

Rubio is a whore for votes ... but it won't work.
Nice theory you have. Maybe you shouldn't have re-elected idiotboy Bush Baby, hmmmm? Avoid Katrina. Or maybe not even the first time, even better - avoid Iraq and Afghanistan... hmmm?

GobBluthe| 1.30.13 @ 8:42AM

Avoid Afghanistan? The war that 99.8% of Congress voted to authorize? The war endorsed by both NATO and the UN? The war that began when 3000 Americans were murdered on 9-11-2001? Youre proof of my contention that to the left 9-11-2001 was really no big deal.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.30.13 @ 9:23AM

...and not to forget, the Good War about which Obama campaigned in 2008 that he wished to expand...

Matthew Quigley| 1.30.13 @ 7:21AM

California and the Northeast have polluted the rest of the country. I see it here in New Mexico with all the freakazoids from California who have moved here and turned northern New Mexico and much of Colorado into "Berkeley East," and you can see it in Florida, where the scum from New York, New Jersey and the other slime pits in that part of the continent have polluted what was once a good state. Listen to the accents of some of their House delegation sometime...Alan Grayson, if you can stand the sound of his voice, speaks with a New York/New Jersey accent! The socialist cesspits have overflowed into the rest of the country, and REAL Americans are paying for it!

The rest of us would be better off to kick New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California and the other states that inflict their leftist trash on the rest of us out of the Union. Just because people in New York are STUPID enough to elect dirtbags like Schumer or Bloomberg to ANY kind of office doesn't give them the right to inflict their mental illness on the country as a whole!

Purp| 1.30.13 @ 7:43AM

Says the guy who's a loser and in total denial....

Do you have a mirror at home? Use it. ...

CJW| 1.30.13 @ 8:21AM

Purpie/arnie the Village Idiot posted:

"Purp| 11.8.12 @ 10:35AM

"Hurricane Sandy and Chris Christie was the Lord's way of pressing his thumb on the scale to tilt in the direction of President Obama. It was His punishment of Republicans for their lying and trying to cheat (Voter Suppression) their way to political victory, while espousing faith, freedom and constitutional credentials."

purpie believes God killed over 100 persons and destroyed millions of dollars of property to help Obama win.

In Sept Purpie wrote that Amassador Stevens was at fault and caused his death.

Purpie also wrote that the unborn are biological entities not deserving of protection until God allows them to be born. (What does this mean?)

Purpie represents the Loon Left that should be mocked and ridiculed, and not engaged in conversation

loulou| 1.30.13 @ 11:04AM

CJW: Ignore the losers. You're casting pearls before swine.

CJW| 1.30.13 @ 11:24AM

loulou

You and Von and Al Adab are correct, I have no intention to debate or talk to the Village Idiot, just mock him with his own words.

Maxwell| 1.30.13 @ 8:35AM

Mathew, with all due respect, please don't include me in the mix. While I may be from Jersey I feel my position is a tad to the right of Attila the Hun. When my family & me get to Florida I hope to balance out the mix a little. I'll do the best as I can.

Tell you what, I'll allow you to show me to a few of the best ranges in Fla. if you would be so kind.

Joellen| 1.30.13 @ 7:28AM

Part III of Pro Life March - one of the 3 dem/liberal women got on the bus and before we all even settled in she informed all on the bus by her loud voice "Yeah, My Daughter can now fight in combat", and went on and on.

I must admit, I was silent on that one - it was only 7AM, I didnt know her from Adam, and I just didnt want to get into it with her.

Later on, when she again brought it up, I turned around so her friends could see me, and I said "BAD IDEA to women in combat". She ignored the comment, but quieted down.

How do you come out and tell someone like this mother, who obviously is proud of her daughter, that she not only is putting her daughter in jeopardy, but those who are in combat with her daughter?

It is truly impossible to reason with liberals, it is always their way or "the Republicans are the true terrorists like those in North Africa", just the latest quote from the most smartest woman in the world, who literally then claims she never knows what is going on,
Hillary Clinton.

mike 3/505| 1.30.13 @ 11:00PM

I have seen combat...up close and personal. No way I would want my daughters involved in that. There's a few other Dad's on this that most likely believe the same way.

Joellen| 1.30.13 @ 7:30AM

As to Senator Rubio, I always compared him to Congressman Allen West, and I always stated, West is the man; Rubio the young boy in training.

Unfortunately I pray he isnt being trained by the likes of McCain and the rest of the RINO's who just dont have the courage to fight for the Republic.

Purp| 1.30.13 @ 7:35AM

Too late ... Rubio isn't the darling you yearn for. He's Hispanic ... good move right-wing.

nathan| 1.30.13 @ 10:16AM

I'm sorry but much as I didn't want to say anything I'm going to say this. Once and for bloody all, West was by his own statements, a self confessed war criminal. He allowed his men to beat that Iraqi policeman up. That folks is torture and contrary to all the conventions and American military law. PERIOD. (His men knew beating the guy up was wrong but did it anyway. They had an affirmative obligation to say no and if West persisted, to place him under arrest. And yes, they really did.) But he also admitted to carrying out a mock execution on the man by actually firing his handgun allowing the policeman to think he was going to be killed. THAT FOLKS IS TORTURE. And strictly prohibited. And he got nothing actionable from it. NOTHING. Torture sometimes, once in awhile gets useful information, but it tends to be grossly unreliable as West found out. Again read Torture and Impunity folks. And until you do you can't really discuss this issue intelligently. You simply can't. But West should never have been allowed on any republican ticket. NEVER And frankly Sean having him on as a welcome guest is just one of many things that raises serious issues about Sean's credibility.

We're better than this or should be. I don't care what other guys do, we're bound by those conventions, by the Constitution by American law (Judge Napolitano explains this very well) and we do ourselves no favors by defending this nonsense or the people who do it.

loulou| 1.30.13 @ 11:07AM

Joellen: Rubio is attractive and acceptable--after all he did beat Charlie Crist. But beware, he's prone to go wobbly. If only he had Col West's spine and courage.

Muldoon1| 1.31.13 @ 12:31PM

Rubio will never be fit to carry Col. West's water. He is a RINO, cast out of the same mold as McCain, Graham, and Boehner. Beware of the wolf in sheep's clothing!

Purp| 1.30.13 @ 7:34AM

You have already lost - the spineless wonders in the Republican party are whores for votes and caved again and again just since the election.
Scream, yell, hop and down - you can do nothing about it.
Gay Marriage, Amnesty, Gun Control ... it's all going to happen - Obama's in charge and has a steel spine - you will comply and resistance is futile.
You might as well lay back and enjoy it ... it's LEGITMATE...
Have a real nice day!

GobBluthe| 1.30.13 @ 7:40AM

Ill wager no serious gun control and gay marriage will be imposed by the SCOTUS , not passed by the congress. Oh btw the left 's ultimate goal is repeal of the American Revolution.

Doctor Right| 1.30.13 @ 11:11AM

Rapture, thy name is "Backlash"...

...and it's coming!

(Do you have a closet to crawl back into, Purp?)

GobBluthe| 1.30.13 @ 7:35AM

Rubio voted against the fiscal cliff deal. When he ran in 2010, he ran as someone in the center on immigration. Not sure what the authors's complaint is. Immigration is going to pass, period. The right can hold its breath until they turn blue. They can stand on the sidelines and scream and yell. Or they can make a bad bill less bad. Enforcement triggers are exactly that.

GobBluthe| 1.30.13 @ 7:45AM

Rubio faces a bit if the same situation GW Bush faced. Running in 2000, Bush clearly stated his support for expanding Medicare and was soft on immigration. Conservatives ignored him. They were too eager to move beyond the Clinton years. When Bush fufilled his 2000 campaign promises, conservatives screamed betrayal.

Drunken Sailor| 1.30.13 @ 11:45AM

Unfortunately I have to agree. Rubio sees we are being handed lemons and is doing his best to make Lemonade. Border enforcment should be the first part of the package and if not it should be a deal breaker.

Derek Leaberry| 1.30.13 @ 7:46AM

Rubio is carrying the water for the Democrats who want to ethnically transform the country and John McCain and Lindsey Graham, both of whom do things just to show their passionate hatred of conservatives. Rubio is now the enemy of conservatism and will never win my vote.

Jack in Wi| 1.30.13 @ 7:53AM

Derek: It is good he came out of the closet now. Of course he is what we always knew he was.

Derek Leaberry| 1.30.13 @ 9:58AM

He's a Jeb Bush clone who eats black bean soup instead of carnitas.

Mike W| 1.30.13 @ 7:54AM

Great post on the most important issue of the day - a demographic change that will end the GOP as we know it. If the Dems get their amnesty then the GOP will cease to exist by virtue of 20 million new Democrats, or the GOP's faithful, such as myself will just stop even trying.

Bob K| 1.30.13 @ 7:57AM

Mr. T.,

You have this guy pegged to a T!

He's a phoney and he is dumb to boot and a long way from Presidential timber.

I happened to hear him on Limbaugh's show yesterday. I tuned in late and did not know it was him talking. What I heard was a guy who had a chance to have a reasoned conversation with the voters about his views rattling off sound bytes and talking points as fast as he could like he was a second line guest on Sean Hannity's political shout show! He embarrassed himself in front of a nationwide audience.

This says even more about the ossification of the Republican leadership if they are grooming this obvious lightweight to be a leader of the party and possibly part of the Presidential ticket in 2016.

Bob K| 1.30.13 @ 9:30AM

I don't want to switch people away from AS but judging from the reader's comments on NRO Rubio is even less popular over there than he is here!

Let's all get together and throw him under the bus!

JimH| 1.30.13 @ 8:03AM

This year’s Strange New Respect award will be a race between Rubio and Christie.

Bob K| 1.30.13 @ 9:35AM

It will take a lot of effort for Republican's to throw lard butt Christie under the bus but if we organize it can be done.

Rubio should be easy.

McCain and Graham and Flake are already bad history.

loulou| 1.30.13 @ 11:09AM

You are aware that Rubio is not a "natural born citizen", right? He can not become President unless laws are disregarded.

RCV| 1.30.13 @ 12:25PM

Unless your interpretation of the laws -- shared by few others -- is disregarded. Rubio is eligible, as is Jindall. That's the law, loulou, and would be the ruling of any court that considers the issue.

MarkJeff| 1.30.13 @ 8:43AM

Enforce the current Immigration Laws, deport McCain, and seal the borders. Oh, if only the world were that perfect.

billinlv| 1.30.13 @ 9:37AM

I would also recommend that obama be deported along with mccain. It won't be long before Rubio takes a leadership role in finding out what obama is hiding in all those sealed records and fraudulent documents. I can tell from the crease in his pants that he is a guy who is focused on truth. And he made the big three yesterday so that must mean he's a true conservative.

cicero| 1.30.13 @ 8:53AM

Can't say that I disagree with most of the comments posted on this one. What is somewhat perplexing is that even the guys on the left, like Purp, acknowledge that the election has brought a slide that will end in dissaster. They just think it is fine, because they won this one. However, for some reason they thing they will be above the tide of disaster when it rolls in.
Rubio is only the latest "great hope" of the republican Party. Remember McCain, Christie, Romney . . . ? They all (both sides) look at this as if it were a sporting event. Who do we have, and what does he/she have to say to win? Seems neither party is considering the consequesnces of where gthey are taking the country. Will what they have to say get them reelected? The purpose of geting elected is getting their hands on the treasury, so they can plunder thee population for decades to come.
Maybe it has always been so. Maybe it is just that, with the arrival of the career politition, it has become like any other job. Make as much money for yourself as possible. If that requires you to salt the companies' money around, so be it.

CJW| 1.30.13 @ 9:04AM

cicero
The purpies/arnies are envious little parasites that see Obama as the One to take money from the "rich" and redistribute it. The have nothing of any value to offer, just resentment.

fmm| 1.30.13 @ 9:16AM

Nice sarcasm with the use of Grow in the title of this piece.

Pecos Pete| 1.30.13 @ 9:21AM

We can give F-16 fighters and M1A1 tanks to Egypt, but there is not enough money to control our borders?

Congress is Stuck on Stupid.

The federal government will never control our borders. Rubio wants to be president. He will do what he has to do to achieve his goal. Including being a CINO (Conservative In Name Only).

CJW| 1.30.13 @ 11:26AM

Senor Pete

How many hungry Americans could we have fed with the 1.5 billion we are giving to Egypt?

Or, how many condoms could Obama have distributed to the Flukes?

Tina Trent | 1.30.13 @ 9:30AM

Rubio's in the pocket of NALEO. They said so, and why not believe them? In 2009, he said what he needed to say to win, which was no amnesty, unambiguously. In other words, he promised he had "grown" since his dishonest performance on the issue in the House, where he sat on legislation and refused to do his job.

He's deceptive, which is not surprising for someone who has advanced solely on the grounds of race politics. He would be nobody if he were white. And that speaks volumes -- none of it attractive -- about the pernicious willingness of conservatives to play the race game too. I'm glad to see people are finally waking up.

Showing Rubio real respect would be judging him on his actions, not his skin color or last name. So, throw the guy out. It's the only civil thing to do.

I don't see evidence of him being particularly intelligent. People who play the sorts of games he played, protecting the exceedingly sleazy underbelly of his party in the state house, aren't definitionally nice. He treated the public with contempt.

Much as the boyos at Nat Review desperately want their own pet Obama, Rubio has been a major detriment to conservatism.

Bob K| 1.30.13 @ 9:46AM

Go look at the reader's comments about Rubio on NRO today. He might be more unpopular there than he is here.

A bigger problem than politicians like Rubio are the genius's who publish, edit and (too many) who write for these so called "Conservative" journals of opinion. Republican politicians with weak character and poor focus beyond their own ambitions end up getting manipulated and confused by these people.

Bob K| 1.30.13 @ 10:01AM

I'd like to also point out that Rubio IS white!

He is an affirmative action baby with a hispanic surname. He is of Caucasian/European descent from the Iberian Peninsula of Europe out of Cuba. His parents came to America after Castro, another hispanic of Caucasian/European descent took over control of Cuba from Batista, who heritage was 1/2 Black. White hispanics of European descent still rule Cuba as they do most of the countries south of our border where they have exploited the native populations for 500 years.

The extension of Affirmative Action privileges to these people is one of the biggest frauds perpetrated on America in it's history.

sickofit5| 1.30.13 @ 10:15AM

Bob, the extension of Affirmative Action privileges to anyone, at this time in our history, is a fraud.

Bob K| 1.30.13 @ 1:20PM

No argument on that from me!

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.30.13 @ 10:01AM

In discussing the immigration issue, it is important to understand the distinction between citizenship and legal residency. When one becomes a citizen, one has almost all of the privileges of a native born son or daughter, with the exception of being able to run for the Presidency. A resident alien may be able to stay temporarily or indefinitely, and may or may not be able to work, depending on the conditions of entry.

I believe that everyone who has entered and / or remained illegally should never be allowed a path to citizenship, unless they leave and re-enter through legal means. This does not mean that they cannot be granted conditional legal residency, but we should not reward cheating.

In order to legally migrate here, a sponsor is required to submit an affidavit that you will not become a public charge (i.e. receive any government benefits ) for five years. Though these provisions are not enforced, this needs to be changed, and as a requirement for legalization of one's residency, anyone who has entered illegally should be required to reimburse taxpayers and others for any benefits received by them or their dependents (e.g.-anchor babies), as well as be ineligible for at least the same five years.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.30.13 @ 10:02AM

Those who have engaged in other criminal behavior (i.e. using the Social Security number of another person) should be punished and required to pay restitution, and never be eligible for citizenship.

Of course, until we begin to criminally punish and make ineligible for future residency those who enter and remain illegally, we will continue to see those willing to engage in this behavior. Likewise, if we do not sanction those non-citizens who register and vote or otherwise exceeds the legal limits of their residency (illegal or otherwise), the Constitutional and statutory distinctions will be largely meaningless.

loulou| 1.30.13 @ 11:12AM

"criminal behavior (i.e. using the Social Security number of another person) should be punished ..."

Uh-oh: Obama stole an SS# from someone in Connecticut.

CJW| 1.30.13 @ 11:59AM

The federal government did not protect the border with Mexico when it could have, and still can, build a border fence/wall, with sensors, that would have stopped the illegal immigration on our southern border.

The feds did not adequately enforce and monitor the visas that expired. As a result of the feds' negligence, we have an illegal immigrant population of at least 11 million, or more. It changes depending on the debate.

Now the feds who created the problem insist we have to grant them citizenship.
The Reps should insist the border be secured with a fence/wall, sensors, guards, etc, and the expired visa holders should be deported. Stop the illegality now.

The only reason for the amnesty issue is that the Reps believe this will gain some Hispanic votes, and the Dems, as ususal, will do anything for votes. Neither is concerned about the principle of upholding our laws, and punishing those that break the law.

My father came to the US legally, waited the five years, studied for the test, passed the test, and became a citizen. That is how it should be.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.30.13 @ 12:22PM

Similarly, I have sponsored and shepherded two through the legal immigration process, one of whom subsequently became a citizen. While onerous, there should be no reward for those who chose to disregard it.

sickofit5| 1.30.13 @ 10:12AM

Rubio almost had me. The problem with this bill is that it still does not take away the candy or "crack" that draws these people to our country. Regardless of what they do at the border they will find a way to get in so that they may be a part of the next amnesty. Until we remove the anchor baby citizenship they will still come. Until we deny any and all benefits to illegals they will still come. Most come here and work cash labor jobs and also take advantage of the social safety net. Lastly, no one, who comes here illegally, should be given access to citizenship. This is a vote grab, if it isn't neither side would have an issue with giving amnesty without a pathway to citizenship. The dream act kids would be different, but those who brought them here should not.

Immortal 600| 1.30.13 @ 11:05AM

Why does anyone here respond to that idiot troll, Purp. He's here adding nothing but agitation to the mix. I would suggest not responding to the fag.

Drunken Sailor| 1.30.13 @ 11:50AM

Exactly. He used to at least attempt to debate. Now it's all just "You lost". His shallow mind is not worth more effort than it takes to use the scroll button.

loulou| 1.30.13 @ 11:14AM

Rubio is better than Crist so thank you Marco for defeating the tanned wonder who has a beard.

The real star and I mean brilliant star is Ted Cruz. Cruz has the brains AND the cojones. Furthermore, Cruz is eligible to be POTUS.

Rockabilly| 1.30.13 @ 11:31AM

If Republicans think caving on immigration will get them the precious Latino vote dream on. They will vote democratic. Why do you think the dems are so hot to trot on this? It will also lose them many anglo votes who will stay home disillusioned as I will probably do.

Who Knows?| 1.30.13 @ 11:36AM

People need to become completely familiar with the metric, “necessary and sufficient.”

Say you’re building a house. It is certainly necessary that you have building materials, but they ALONE are not sufficient.

Right now, as the really big news, politically, in the big dog country of America, continues to be the Chairman Ma-Obama Revolution, for freedom lovers, attention is drawn to the GOP---can it shed its “Stupid Party” image?

Well, it is ONLY necessary to KNOW and acknowledge that it is, by its actions correctly labeled thusly, but it is surely NOT sufficient. Say you have an alcoholic, who just found out, and agrees, he is one, AND still continues to drink away---that’s where the GOP is, today.

Here’s another thing---hubris abounds in the GOP, even as it continues to get its ass kicked!

Why, don’t you know---pace the GOP convention, it has a superb “bench” of dynamic up-and-comers, and, golly gee, there have never been so many Republican governors with GOP-controlled state legislatures. Chortle.

AA has a 12-step program that only STARTS with admitting being an alcoholic. The GOP has about 11 steps left to go---I don’t see any walking, do you?

I give you John McCain---need I say more?

Well—okay---South Carolina gives you another squishy senator. Yes, the GOP, led by McCain and the SC squish.

Losers!

JimP| 1.30.13 @ 11:48AM

Oops. You goofed Marco. Too clever by half I guess. We've noticed, we're POed, and we aren't going to forget. What makes it even worse is he's hanging out with McCain and on several things, not just amnesty. Can you say "I've been punked!", Marco?

Who Knows?| 1.30.13 @ 11:51AM

The Universe is conspiring to make “ME” happy!

Rubio, along with Cruz, Jindal and all the other new shooting stars recently arisen on the right aren’t important for their putative hoped-for ability to be the next Reagan. No No.

Take the big picture.

They are what the times call for---there is always a current Zeit Geist, or Weltanshauung, or conventional wisdom. The mass population of America ALWAYS tosses up individuals who are popular. Money talks, and so in the marketplace of ideas and entertainment there is always SOMEONE or OTHER who is hot. It seems to me only yesterday when Brad Pitt graced the covers of popular magazines as the most handsome man, and I’ll never forget Susan C, who I dated in 1963---she was gaga eyed over Paul Newman.

Yes---despite the “seriousness “ of the war between the socialists and the GOP in DC, when it all comes down to it, Rubio seems to be the current “most handsome man” for Republicans. Truly, though, given that this reality is merely a dream play of Light, a better way to grok the dude is as a court jester, working to make his “King” laugh.

Who is the “King”?

Why, public opinion. See---socialism works! The social disease, what popular culture truly is, these Dark Ages of America, must pop out in pimples and leprosy sores.

See Rubio run! Watch Dick and Jane play, kids.

BShep| 1.30.13 @ 12:31PM

When it comes to immigration I am a compassionate person.

I feel sorry for the poor people who live within walking or driving distance and who want something better in their life. I want to help these people improve their lives. I am sorry their countries do not provide them with opportunities to improve themselves.

The best way to help these people is to close our borders and enforce our laws and regulations. If we would do this we would force the people who have the gumption and intelligence to take the risks necessary to come to the United States to stay home and FIX IT THERE. As long as Mexico sends their best and brightest here things will never get better there.

So, let us all be compassionate and force the people of Mexico to stay in Mexico and fix their own country. You know, for the children!

By the way, don’t we have enough home-grown high school drop outs? Why in the world do we need to import more of them?

BShep| 1.30.13 @ 12:33PM

If you do not support the closing of the borders and the enforcement of our immigration laws then you are racist and hate all of the people of Mexico.

Let us do this. You know, for the children.

Santiago| 1.30.13 @ 2:21PM

Dude, be realistic. Close the borders? Imagine a future in, let's say, 10 years where you decide you want to immigrate to Canada, because the US is falling apart/restricting freedoms (hey it's starting to sound realistic already) and Canada tells you "Stay home and fix your own country." Somehow I don't think you would see that the same way.

Bob K| 1.30.13 @ 6:48PM

Forget 10 years from now. You can't do it now.

You can't immigrate to Canada and get citizenship now unless you have a job there or have $1 million dollars to put into a Canadian Bank. No job and you get out in 6 months. Somebody has to pay taxes for all that socialism!

Mainland Chinese take the bank route all the time through Vancouver banks and get citizenship status in 30 days after which they relocate to the west coast of the USA and apply for citizenship here. Since Canada got rid of the Anchor Baby citizenship which America still has it is better for them to relocate here for citizenship. They can then bring in their pregnant relatives.

AustinG| 1.30.13 @ 12:35PM

So suddenly Rubio is turncoat because you don't like his stance on two issues? Sorry, Larry you might want to expand the way you see things a bit.

As a conservative I am not against women in combat roles as much as I am against politicians dictating to the military who should fulfill what role or that X% should fill different roles. If the military thinks that a woman would do as good a job or better in a particular role than a man then so be it.

If the border was secure what would we want to do with illegal immigrants? I don't see us being a country that would round them up and ship them back simply because they are here. We are a nation of cast offs. If they want to come here and work then they are a benefit to us and the country as a whole. The issue is giving them handouts, not creating a pathway to citizenship. Rubio's pathway puts them behind those already in line for legal citizenship. The proposal also reduces the handouts that they would be eligible for in regards to Obamacare.

As conservatives we need to stop having these knee jerk reactions. Understand more than what you are for and against. Understand WHY you are for or against things.

Santiago| 1.30.13 @ 2:11PM

Amen. The guy never hid his views, and as another commentator here stated, one could argue Rubio is being handed lemons and trying to make lemonade.

Santiago| 1.30.13 @ 2:18PM

Of course the current laws should be enforced, the border controlled, etc but there are ways that we can make this easier to do instead of more difficult. Since it's logical that many immigrants arrive in the US (legally or not) normally due to economics and come from a country that could be considered a "poor neighbor," the national economy naturally has an impact on the issue of border control. Worrying about an "invasion" is a stretch when the worse the economy gets, the less attractive a country becomes.
Conservatives are supposedly against big government, and favor "legal immigrantion," which as a concept is morally sound, but in practice (currently) means forcing potential immigrants to deal with a large, inefficient, expensive government agency that demands significant time, money, and the ability to weave through a complex legal system to do things "the right way" (as they should). Throw in a little contempt/condescension at times for potential foreign tourists ("you're not really going to go back to your home country, are you?") and it's no wonder that the temption is often overwhelming to just ignore all that and sneak across the border, it's the easier option (in fact our immigration system has made attracting the Olympics in a US city hard in recent years). We should focus on making immigrants culturally American, and then we won't feel "overwhelmed" or "invaded;" immigration naturally fluctuates over time anyway.

Bob K| 1.30.13 @ 6:56PM

Hey Santiago,

Is this how they have been doing it in Chile? Do you do this for Bolivians who want to relocate there? Do you focus on making those native americans from the altiplano culturally Chilean?

JmsA| 1.30.13 @ 2:22PM

Florida went blue during the last general election, and Rubio who's up for reelection in 2014, knows it. He knows he has to make friends in the so called "Hispanic" community, and in particular the Mexican community which comprises at least 7 out of each 10 s0-called Hispanics in the U.S. In other words, he's pandering as are McCain, Flake, etc. That said, Rubio did not give amnesty to the illegals in 1986, others did. Nor did he allow for the continued inflow of illegals through the southern border, others did. Be that as it may, his current efforts insofar as immigration is concerned, are folly: What happened before will happen again and again. The democrats and the chamber of commerce RINOs will find a way to circumvent any, if not all the enforcement provisions, at the expense of American workers and taxpayers.

JmsA| 1.30.13 @ 2:41PM

Yes, some if not the majority of these folks illegally entering and staying in the country are decent, hard working and trying to help their families; but they're not all thus, and ultimately they're all (immigration) law breakers. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of them have been not only been infused with socialist ideals (particularly through the efforts of Fidel Castro, and others who they see as a heroic figures). They also carry within themselves an overwhelming sense of conviction, if not outright revenge (see Reconquista), stemming from their irredentist beliefs that half their country, Mexico, was stolen from them. In short, they'll continue to come because they'll be given goodies, and illegal immigration to the U.S. serves the powers that be in Mexico as a socioeconomic pressure relief valve, as is also the continued and perverse, drug-related butchery.

Santiago| 1.30.13 @ 2:58PM

The ones who see Fidel Castro, Ernesto "Che" Guevara, and other socialist figures as "heroes" are typically American-born college kids, not the dishwasher cleaning up the back of a restaurant. I'm a US citizen living in Chile. Back in 2008, right before I came here for the first time, when I told some of my fellow coworkers at my restaurant job in Buena Park, CA, where I was going to be studying as an international student, one of the other bussers, Josué (born in Mexico) asked me if the people in Chile spoke French. I kid you not. Most poor, relatively uneducated immigrants from any given Latin American country don't know that much about their own country's history, much less about that of other Latin countries. The kids in the US that do know about "Che," are just grossly and intentionally misinformed.

JmsA| 1.30.13 @ 2:52PM

And to Santiago, and the rest of you who may find my comments grating: I don't care. I've heard what I've heard; I've seen what I've seen; I know what I know.

Just a sampling for you, Santiago, in reference to that above: The auditorium in UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico) did not only offer the first screening of the movie "Che" in Mexico, the auditorium where it was shown is named after "Che" Guevara proper. Why do think the democrats are so keen to keep them coming? "Hispanics" just voted at least 70% democrat, which coincidentally, as I previously mentioned, is the same percentage of Mexican "Hispanics" in this country. And before you get all indignant and self-righteous, why don't you ask how Mexicans, including the authorities in Mexico, treat immigrants from other points south on their way to the U.S. Hint: The one item women from central and South America make sure to have with them as they cross into Mexico, is birth control. They're also kidnapped and held for ransom, if not murdered and maimed when unable to pay those who assail them as they travel north to the U.S.

I don't dislike or hate Mexicans or anyone else for what they are. I just call it as I see it. There's legal immigration and there's illegal immigration, which in the case of the U.S. Southern Border amounts to nothing less than an invasion from a failed third world state.

Santiago| 1.30.13 @ 3:06PM

You mention a university, which we both know are bastions of leftist thought, so that basically proves my point.
I won't get "indignant and self-righteous" about treatment of Mexicans, because I'm fully aware of how they treat Central Americans. It's a sad situation all around. All I'm really saying is essentially that if we make it expensive and time consuming (if $1200 and a 12-18 months is rough for me, imagine for a potential migrant who can make only a few US dollars a day) to legally immigrate to the US, then we shouldn't be surprised that a lot of people prefer to do it the cheaper, quicker way.

JmsA| 1.30.13 @ 3:20PM

I appreciate the humanistic or socioeconomic basis for your cause and effect argument, but I believe the law should be respected, everywhere and in every instance, including immigration law. Anyone who wishes to come here to the U.S. should do it legally. Mexico ought to get itself together for the benefit of its citizens, who should not face having to leave their place of birth and families because of the failures of their government and other ruling elites. Americans should not be bearing the cost of massive illegal immigration, which in this case serves the political purposes of the left in this country. And yes, I know: RINOs and chamber of commerce types also like them to keep on coming for lower wage purposes. Ultimately though, Republicans get no love for their efforts, no matter what-- which ultimately further renders the argument moot as far as I'm concerned. Regards.

Santiago| 1.30.13 @ 3:52PM

Ok, well I agree with just about everything you posted just now, except "......which ultimately further renders the argument moot as far as I'm concerned." So Republicans are only supposed to support laws if they are politically advantageous? That's how to decide arguments? Not if something's the right thing to do?
Anyway you just put up a straw man ("but I believe the law should be respected"). I think so too. I didn't say otherwise. I don't want people to immigrate illegaly. You have a lot of "shoulds" and "oughts" in your response, which I agree with. But they don't address the main point. My question is WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE SO EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING TO IMMIGRATE LEGALLY??? Why do we have a policy that essentially says "sorry the front door is locked and you don't have the right key, and you're a bad person if you go through the back door, but we won't try that hard to stop you if you do"? Of course Mexico "ought to get itself together," no one should feel so desperate as to have to abandon their homeland, but this is a "should," not REALITY. Why can't our policy reflect reality and try to make incorporate these people as responsible new Americans and not keep them separate in some sort of subculture?

Job| 1.30.13 @ 5:08PM

I've said it before but if the Atlantic was as narrow as the Rio Grande, between Europe and America this discussion would have a different flavor. Interesting points.

Another irony is Mexico a place which is 60% Mestizo (60/40 Europe/Native American Mix) and 10% Indian (Native American) is the core of this migration.

JmsA| 1.30.13 @ 5:58PM

They don't want to integrate, and when they do because of their growing up here, they do so linguistically, though they retain their heritage, customs, and allegiance to Mexico. In point of fact, I was doing some consultant clinic in L.A., and suddenly one of the Mexican-American employees came into the lunch room and changed the channel to one of the Spanish television stations at that time televising the swearing in of President Calderón. Less than five minutes later the lunch room was bursting at the seams with mostly young but also older Mexicans, indifferently fluent in both Spanish and English, repeatedly and loudly screaming: "Viva Mexico".

Bob K| 1.30.13 @ 7:04PM

Santiago,

You say you live in Chile.

OK. Tell us how easy it is to become a citizen of Chile. OK? Tell us who qualifies and who is turned away and what the government policies are.

Kingofthenet| 1.30.13 @ 4:17PM

As soon as Republicans stop deluding themselves that some day there is going to be mass deportations of illegal immigrants, we can come up with doable solutions. There NEVER will be the political will to deport people who have been here a long time. Now here is the problem the longer we do NOTHING the longer 'New' illegals get a foothold and on the path to 'established' and untouchable. If we come to a solution that deals with the current problem, it puts a ceiling on how many are going to get to stay, every year we delay MORE will be added to the total. After the current people are dealt with any NEW people jump the border, get a quick repatriation and no tears or outrage from anyone.

JmsA| 1.30.13 @ 4:43PM

You're arguments are naive. You're way past the time of the right thing to do, other than killing this latest effort at amnesty outright, not making it easier or cheaper to come to the U.S. Your concerns as to cost have nothing to do with what we're talking here: illegal immigration, the largest segment not only from Mexico, but also that of criminal elements therefrom. Mexico happens also to enjoy one of the largest (legal) immigration quotas into the U.S. What has to be done, it's not to make it cheaper, but to adhere to and enforce the immigration laws of this country, crassly and selfishly exploited by Mexican elites, at the expense and suffering of the American taxpayer and poor Mexican immigrants, respectively.

JmsA| 1.30.13 @ 4:45PM

The above, as well as that which follows, is in response to Santiago:

You posit it should be less costly or easier to immigrate to this country as some sort of salve to cure the ill that is illegal immigration. That's something akin to: Don't arrest any criminals for they're not committing crimes, they're just helping themselves. That's a leftist argument whether you see it or not, as well as the argument made by those on the other side of the aisle who profit from cheap, illegal alien labor, and pass on the resulting social safety net costs onto the taxpayers--while speeding along an unnatural and unfair electoral advantage to the democrats, which somehow, I suspect, and forgive me if I'm wrong, won't bother you much.

JmsA| 1.30.13 @ 4:58PM

We don't need anymore illegal immigration, particularly from Mexico. That's a broken society, soon to be run like feudal states of old, only though by drug cartels.

As to your point regarding universities being leftists centers of thought, they're are so because a large segment of the population is socialist, not just their intellectuals; and their history, which you'll have to learn on your own, clearly reflects it. The only reason you don't see it is because the elites and their media hide it well. Mexico was the only country that voted against Cuba being kicked off the OAS (Organization of American States) when Castro imposed his Marxist/Leninist dictatorship in Cuba. Mexico has maintained not only normal, but extremely close and warm relations with the Marxists ever since 1959.

I've not only met and dealt with Mexicans here in the U.S., but I have also worked in Mexico, as well as other Central and South American countries, as technical (Spanish) writer, and interpreter/translator for American and European entities. I know of what I speak (or write). Nowhere, except of late, such as in Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, and Nicaragua, does any population adhere to a socialist ideology as a model to follow than that of Mexico's.

JmsA| 1.30.13 @ 5:15PM

Just a little taste for you, Santiago:

Ever heard of the La Raza Unida?

http://www.themexicobureau.com.....e-guevara/


http://foro.univision.com/t5/W...../452450104

Third Army| 1.30.13 @ 7:28PM

Rubio showed his true colors and lack of balls during Hilary's testimony on Benghazi. What a disappointment. I actually thought he'd be different. I was naive. Another dud.

sameth| 1.31.13 @ 3:16AM

Im making over $7k a month working part time. I kept hearing other people tell me how much money they can make online so I decided to look into it. Well, it was all true and has totally changed my life. This is what I do, Great70Dotcom

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