Newsweek gave no context to Sen. Clinton's criticism of "un-Christian" immigration proposal
SUMMARY: A Newsweek article regarding Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (D-NY) criticism of a recent immigration bill suggested that Clinton was seizing on the opportunity to inject religion into the debate. In fact, numerous religious leaders have leveled similar criticism at sponsors of legislation that would critics say would punish "good Samaritans."
In an article in the April 3 edition of Newsweek, White House correspondent Holly Bailey reported that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) was "elbowing for attention" and "whacked the GOP with the Bible" when she "impl[ied that] anti-immigration proposals were not only hardhearted, but un-Christian." Bailey's wording suggested that Clinton was seizing on the opportunity to inject religion into the debate. In fact, numerous religious leaders have leveled similar criticism at sponsors of legislation that would critics say would punish "good Samaritans."
Clinton, speaking about the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act (H.R. 4437) at a March 22 press conference, said: "It is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scripture, because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself." She was referring to a section of the bill, which passed the House of Representatives in 2005, that threatens up to five years of imprisonment to anyone who:
assists, encourages, directs, or induces a person to reside in or remain in the United States, or to attempt to reside in or remain in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such person is an alien who lacks lawful authority to reside in or remain in the United States.
From the April 3 edition of Newsweek:
Instead, the immigration debate has split the GOP, with many Republicans in the House and Senate, worried about alienating voters, openly opposing the president. In December, the House tossed aside the worker program and passed a bill that features tougher security at the Mexican border -- including Tancredo's cherished fence -- and crackdowns on illegals who are already here. "You can't ignore him," says a GOP leadership aide who wouldn't be named because he wanted to keep his job. "The administration doesn't want to hear this, but a lot of Americans think he's right."
In the Senate, Republicans, led by John McCain [R-AZ] and Arlen Specter [R-PA], have been working to come up with a compromise that would include border security, a guest-worker program and a way for illegal immigrants to "earn" citizenship. But Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist [R-TN], a presidential contender with one eye on the anti-immigration vote -- and the other one on outflanking McCain -- has threatened to put forward his own get-tough plan this week if the senators fail to come through.
It's not just Republicans elbowing for attention. Last week Sen. Hillary Clinton whacked the GOP with the Bible, implying anti-immigration proposals were not only hardhearted, but un-Christian. The bill, she said, "would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself."
As Media Matters for America noted, Clinton's argument is one also voiced by various religious organizations and leaders. In a March 1 statement issued on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which "strongly opposes H.R. 4437," Washington, D.C., archbishop Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick warned that the bill "would extend to U.S. citizens ... including those, such as our own parishioners, who offer, in an act of mercy, basic sustenance to an undocumented migrant." In a March 22 New York Times op-ed, Cardinal Roger Mahony, Catholic archbishop of Los Angeles, wrote: "As written, the proposed law is so broad that it would criminalize even minor acts of mercy like offering a meal or administering first aid."
To the religious right that's like the devil using the Lord's name in vain. Afterall, God is a Republican.
You can let me off the planet now. Tho is might explain how Jesus was a 'long haired, radical, socialist Jew' . . . you know how sons like to piss off their parents.
Clinton's comments were posed to illustrate the inherent hipocrisy in the GOP stance. The GOP -- as we all know -- has the corner on all that is pious and moral.
Senator Clinton did not imply that the House's bill was "hardhearted", she clearly said it.
Conversely, she did not imply that the bill was "un-Christian", she said the bill would "probably (criminalize) even Jesus himself" - because it make him guilty of a felony for practicing what he preached.
For the record, the terms "Christian" and "un-Christian" were not used by Senator Clinton and are purely a figment of 'Winger imagination.
If most of the democrats take this type of stance on immigration and most of the republicans are for tough immigration reform, I think it could give the mid-term elections to the republicans again. Yes, I think that this issue is that important and that devisive to most Americans. I am a liberal, but I may vote on this issue alone. If you could see what has happened to my state and town because of illegal immigration you would know why.
Failedbelle,
Please tell us what has happened in your town. I live in Chicago and can tell you that there are many illegal immigrants in this city. I realize that most of the people who have come here are hard working people who want their families to do better. I think we should do something about the problems but I really have a problem with the way people have been reacting to these problems.
Some people say that they want to build a fence due to security. But when you mention that more OTM (other than mexican) are caught at the Northern border they still want the security to be only on the Southern border.
On the other side I rarely hear people talk about the people from europe and asia that are coming here illegally.
So looking at the issue it seems people are really afraid of Mexicans and the Mexican culture moving into the US. It is that part of the Illegal Immigration movement that I am really worried about.
Now I'm not saying you are in either camp. I thought if you could talk about what has been happening in your state it could help spark discussion.
I mean if you're considering voting on one issue alone, that issue must be very important to you. Why on earth would you not explain why it's so important? What is going on in your state that is so vital, and why didn't you tell us?
Sorry. I wasn't able to get back on until now. Computer problems. Kinda long story.
Anyway, I don't know if anyone is still watching this thread but the problems in my area are just like any other fairly small town where illegals have moved in large numbers. Crime, drugs, 3 of 6 murders last year were by illegals (gang related I think). Wages have been driven down. I have worked with some of the hispanics in the past in the textile industry and I know that they illegally use our services and charities when they don't need to. And everyone know the story of Jose being deported only to come back to work in a few weeks as Raoul.
If you want to hear about any more problems that this has caused my town and area I am sure that I can think of more.
One more. My sister was involed in a hit and run accident with a hispanic. Her car was totaled. She only had liablility so she was put in a financial bind. This happens a lot because they drive with no insurance and maybe even no license (who knows)