masterrig

Holy crap! That is too cool! I like that. How was the landing? Chuck

I swear, I've heard that story a thousand times! Chuck

______________________________________ I think, this is a way that grandparents get back at their kids! When my daughter was 4, she stayed with her grandmother for a month, one summer. When she got back, I had to make her stand in a corner with her nose to the wall for what seemed a week(to her)! The little 'angel' was a menace! I understand. Chuck

#2- I finally saw the 'other' container! Chuck

___________________________________ We see a lot of that here. Every 9-months, 15-minutes! In-between those events are the body repairs from the fights and drive-by's! The gunshot wounds from the drug deals gone bad. Chuck

_______________________________________ Why, don't you look into sponsorship. I don't think, sponsors went looking for 4-way teams. You might have to get out there and 'beat the bushes'. Write letters to the big companies. Knock on some 'big' doors. The energy drink companies, for instance. You never know... you might get a nibble. Chuck

______________________________ Aw geeze! Listen to him! Chuck

I disagree. I can show you at least one trailer park and probably more, well within the Houston city limits where there are chickens freely roaming around. Many illegals DO bring their third-world lifestyles here. I still don't see how trashy neighborhoods are a major issue when compared to the economic and social problems stemming from illegal immigration, but I don't think his claim is bigoted--it's an ugly reality. Another ugly reality is that many of the illegals have a habit of spending their pay on binge drinking and end up getting into violent confrontations. It may be a stereotype, but stereotypes are not necessarily devoid of truth. On any given Monday morning here in Houston, the morning TV news has details of the body count at the local cantinas for the weekend. Walt ___________________________________ Sad but, in many cases... true. It's a lot like that here in West Texas... I live in the city limits. A guy, 2-blocks away, raises fighting roosters. (I don't need an alarm clock!) We call the police... the roosters go bye-bye. Couple days later... you guessed it! The roosters are back. Grrrrrr! Chuck

________________________ Hee, hee! Who' he tryin' to fool here? Chuck

_______________________ Ahem... 'Tigress' Chuck

The fact is illegal immigrants aren't taking our jobs. They do jobs nobody wants because the pay is too cheap by US standards. They also contribute to our economy indirectly by working for cheap, thereby reducing the costs of production. We can keep them out and reduce our social spending, but that will be offset by much higher prices. I think I saw a study somewhere that said the annual cost of each illegal was roughly $2,700 per taxpayer. That's $51 a week. Higher food prices caused by restricting illegals from entering the country would probably eat up (pardon the pun) that cost, and we'd end up paying more. _________________________________ Everyone who is 'pro' illegals beats the same damned drum! The part they don't understand is, they 'will' take any job they can get. From the border of Texas & Mexico, they go straight to the Northern States to the high paying factory, assembly-line, truck driving and construction jobs. Hell-fire! They don't want the lettuce, avocado pickin' jobs either. Those here 'legally', 2nd., 3rd. generation, complain about the illegals getting on the welfare rolls and all the other govt. 'gimme's. They are able to purchase the documents ie SS cards, driver's license & birth cirtificates. Nobody checks these! Chuck

_______________________ Pretty sad, ain't it? Chuck

But that implies they have a Social Security number, which, if they are here illegally, has to be fake/stolen. ___________________________ Bingo! You got it! Most of them are fake. I do not know what the going price is right now, for sure but, I've heard that $1200.00 - $1500.00 to a smuggler will buy those documents. Depends on the smuggler. Chuck

... and those who do pay taxes and pay the tax increases. Meanwhile, we get laughed at! Chuck

Very true, not only in Mexico all throughout central america. It's bad on the local economy too (whole other subject). Guess what they are spending that money on though: American made appliances, clothes, music, movies etc. Bottom line is illegal immigration=mega bucks for some industries. _____________________________________ Not to mention in many cases, the drug-lords, also. As I said before... it's all about the money. Somebody somewhere is gettin' rich off the whole mess. Chuck

I do not deny that. But I gather that about 80% of the money they make remains in the US. 20% is huge, but still a minor amount compared to the total spent locally. _______________________________ You're correct. They spend money locally which in turn benefits the community. I have been told by Mexican-Americans that 'they' get up-set when they see 'il-legals' living 2 or 3 families in a small house and brand new SUV's and pick-ups parked out front. These things bother those folks too. Those are folks complaining about their own. So, We aren't the only one's it bothers. Chuck

____________________________________ Fox is helping them to a better life... by telling his people the ins and outs of getting into this country. The Mexican Govt. publishes pamphlets with 'advice' in such matters. Chuck

Maybe it's just my perception here, but the vast majority of illegals I know do spend most of their income into the local economy. Do they send money back home? Yes, lots of them do. Do they pay taxes? No, they can't. But the huge majority of them do not get (or get very little) help from local governments. They are, for the most part, hard working people (most of them making below minimum wage). Of course, there are exceptions. And once again, I do not encourage illegal immigration in any way. ________________________________ A lot of the money made in this country by illegals is sent back to their families in Mexico. That, is a multi billion dollar a year operation. U.S. Banks, advertise 'low fees' to send money to Mexico. Chuck

I agree with you - legal way is the best way. But, you have to understand and appreciate (as i'm sure you do) the legal means to now enter your country for a low skilled migrant worker is next to impossible. There is no way (from my understanding of the immigration laws there) they will be eligible to enter the country legally. I think the misconception is poeple are doing this illegally because they have the option to do it legally, but for whatever reason are not taking that option. Given the immigration laws there, i would assume that you see so many illegals enter because frankly, they don't have the option to work there legally, unlike those who arrived even 50 years ago, who were able to enter the US far more easily and remain there. ______________________________________ It's so easy for them to blend-in. They get to areas of this country where they have friends or relatives and become acclimated and with help, find a job and that's about it. Seems to me if, Mexico would help do something but, they won't! They want us to take care of their problems of making jobs available as well as education for their people who live in the poor areas of their country. They don't want to be bothered. They want to un-load their problems on us. Check-out some of the statements made by Mexico's president Fox! Chuck

I agree on this wholeheartedly. But, how are people meant to legally settle somewhere that won't legally accept them as citizens in the first place? Am i missing something in US immigration law which says any Mexican citizen can legally come and settle in the US, they just have to mail in a form etc? (i'm asking seriously, because i do know a bit about US immigration law, but i can't believe it would allow for this, but then i could be completely wrong) _______________________________________ Many of them cannot pass the 'health' portion of the requirements as well as the 'knowledge' portion. Concerning our Constitution and etc. Besides, why do that when they can just cut a hole in the fence or wade the Rio Grande? This country has been a big 'Welcome' mat for so long. Chuck

Absolutely, just take a look at university professors in engineering and science - at least 50% of them are foreign, because Americans just won't take the rotten job. Same is true of scientists in the National Labs. Medical doctors too, just see how many of them are Indian or Chinese. _________________________ Right-on and Amen! Sorry, I'm getting back to you late... I broke for lunch. Chuck

Hey! My ancestry is from England. You wanna take me back? I guess, I could ask that of Scotland, Germany and so-on. My ancestors came through Ellis Island. I was born here as were my parents. I love this country, very much. I don't mind other folks coming here to live either. As long as they go through the process of becoming citizens of this country. They are entitled to the same rights and priviliges as those of us born here. I just don't like the idea of anyone 'sneaking' into this country and setting-up house-keeping. Especially those whose president, of the country they came from is demanding the same rights and priviliges as natural born or legalized citizens of this country. As for claiming benefits by illegal immigrants... it's done every day inthis country. If, it is so easy for them to enter this country... who els? Chuck

Yes, things have changed, but motivations and desires of people are still the same. _________________________________ I agree! But dammit. We can't afford it. I wish I had the answers but, I don't. The world is getting smaller. It all goes back to the original point of this thread. We welcome the hell out of folks who want to live here and make a better life for themselves and their families. Just go through the friggin' legal process for cryin' out loud! It has nothing to do with racism or Native Americans or the Mayflower. It's about the law. Then too, we have terrorism to be concerned with. Chuck

I'm not trying to make that point (at least intentionally). All i'm saying is he states that "our" country is being overrun (when referring to the US). The simple fact is, it was never his to begin with. He has a claim to be a citizen of that place because of a generational move on the part of an ancestor, and that people are always going to want to make a better life for themselves, hence we still see movement and migration of people. He has carved out a slice of life for himself there based on what he now owns, but does he own America? No, he owns a plot of land (i presume), you know, house, yard, maybe business premises etc, but the land itself has been taken from the original inhabitants in the first place anyway. _____________________________________ Ya' know, in all actuality, there were folks here before us and after the Native Americans. What about the French, Spanish, the Norse. California, was settled by the Spanish, long before us. They weren't too kind to the Native Americans either. We can't take all the blame! Chuck Chuck