Comments on: While I’m At It, Let’s Talk Immigration

By: stephen colbert: stonewalling ~open thread : NO QUARTER

stephen colbert: stonewalling ~open thread : NO QUARTER — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:20:03 +0000

[...] “Would require stroke pf pen.” ouch Ani and Amy wrote a couple of great stories that touch on Stonewall, and what is (or not) going on in Washington right now wrt gay rights, in case you missed them: Cheney Two, Obama Nothing, Clinton – a Thousand, While I’m At It, Let’s Talk Immigration [...]

By: bart

bart — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:01:53 +0000

I’m still amazed anyone in the LGBT community could have thought BO would support them in any meaningful way. He spent 20 years at Rev Wright’s church.

By: Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:08:09 +0000

Oops – I should read all of the comments first before I jump in – my bad!

Micheal hits the nail on the head. Well said!

And Glen, you are too right abt that whole secret agenda of Obama’s crapola. When Joe Solmonese of HRC came out with his letter to Obama regarding DOMA, I just had to shake my head in disgust. The HRC NEVER should have endorsed Obama over Clinton in the FIRST place, and now he is getting exactly what WE knew he would get – thrown under the bus. (http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2009/06/a-letter-to-the-president-from-joe-solmonese/) And he’s all upset by Obama doing this. He should have paid attention BEFORE, then maybe he and his entire organization wouldn’t have supported this man in the first place.

Again, WE are reaping what organizations like the HRC have sown.

By: Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:59:54 +0000

Iorac, I get your point, but ya know, sometimes the heart just rules the head in spite of all logic to the contrary. I would certainly HOPE that this is true love for this man, especially since he gave up so much. Hey, it happens!

Teak, it IS a complicated issue since it is one of illegal immigration, too. But, that is not always the case. Often, people come over on student visas, or work visas, whatever, meet someone, and fall in love. When their visas expire, if they cannot get them renewed, back to their countries they go. The difference with heterosexual couples, though, is that they have the option to get married and keep their loved one in the country.

But you are right, it is complicated when the illegal immigrant aspect is thrown in (though extenuating circumstances were operative in this case as you pointed out). Whew…

By: Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:53:27 +0000

Craig – that’s incredible! What an experience that must have been for you. Did you happen to write anything abt it at the time? I’d love to see it, or read your recollections from that time…

By: Glennmcgahee

Glennmcgahee — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:39:40 +0000

This is just another angle that shows the discriminitory nature of this country toward the last people to get their civil rights. All based on who you fall in love with. I still read many glbt blogs that insist Obama has some secret plan to grant us our rights. I’m beating my head against a brick wall. The legal brief filed to prevent the challenge to DOMA by the Attorney General was/should be enough to convince everybody that the Obama administration views us as untouchable. But this is the party that attempted to remove GLBT rights from the Democratic Platform last year stating that gay civil rights diminished the struggle for civil rights of African Americans. This disreagrded the civil rights of other minorities in this country as well. The party has sunk to a new low. I don’t even recognize it. BTW, it was Donna Brazille and Howard Dean that tried to remove the gays rights statement from the Democratic Platform. Never forget it.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:16:34 +0000

Thanks good comments

The majority of the GLB bi-national ~36,000 couples that are caught in this immigration limbo have been in a relationship for years – enduring the separation from their countries and loves ones.

The immigration laws can be ammended to allow permanent partners of American Citizens to be sponsored to immigrate into the USA.
Immigration Officials will scrutinize each application very deligently (as it is done with ALL heterosexual couples)- Proof of a long-lasting relationship will have to be presented : such as finacial records, photos, testimony of friends and families, ect.
In addition, as with heterosexual couples, the American partner will have to pledge to support his partner financialy for the next 10 years !

This is a no brainer.
The Uniting American Families Act MUST be supported by ALL AMERICANS – it is in our nature, it is in our Constitution : we are fair, honest and dignified people.

By: TexasMirth

TexasMirth — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 06:42:04 +0000

Now is when I interject that my sister married some guy from the other side of the world whom she met in a Star Trek chat-room. I am not kidding you (and yes, we were all so proud). Oh, he is now an American citizen – BECAUSE HE CAN BE.

Rev. Amy – Thanks for sharing your sister’s Star-Trek love story. I am smiling because of it. By the way, San Angelo is a wonderful community. I hope Mr. Lown and his partner can return there together.

By: SoCalDem

SoCalDem — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:59:41 +0000

The Mayor of an American city has a Mother of Mexican citizenship, not dual but Mexican. How did he get to be mayor? I understand most of the folks on this blog are being defensive of this mayor because hes in love, ok fine he broke the law by harboring an illegal as long as he did for his own sexual pleasure. He seems to have no problem leaving his homeland, so whats the problem? He broke his word and his commitment to the people of that Texas town where he ran for mayor. That seems to be a man thing, a mans word is his bond unless he has a stiff johnson, then all bets are off.

By: TeakWoodKite

TeakWoodKite — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 04:29:33 +0000

Spam monstor got my post, thanks Rev Amy for an thoughtful post.

By: ScottVA

ScottVA — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:25:29 +0000

I’m gay and while I will say I support equal representation for gays and their Int’l partners (who are here legally)…I DON’T support illegal immigration AT ALL!
I travel the World and if I were illegal in another country… I’d expect to get booted too!

By: lorac

lorac — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:13:00 +0000

I agree that things should be equal, whether someone is gay or straight. But when I got to the part in the article where the mayor said the relationship was only two months old – that was kind of weird to me. I don’t think someone should get a green card for a two-month old relationship, gay or straight. That’s where marriage could provide a good solid demarcation – although you can get married no matter how long you’ve been together, the marriage step itself is a kind of indication of commitment.

I sure hope this mayor doesn’t come to regret leaving his country, job, and ranch, for a two month relationship with someone 12 years his junior – it just strikes me as a bit premature and risky.

By: TeakWoodKite

TeakWoodKite — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:05:50 +0000

As a rule, I believe that if you came here illegally, you broke the law. If you don’t like the laws on the books (not that they will ever be enforced) work to change them. If you can not respect the laws of this country off the bat..then why should I excuse the actions of those that choose not to do so?

Amy, I must thank you for challenging my position with a very different twist on an issue that is in constant turmoil.

As his partner came here as a child, it presents another dilemma separate from their relationship.

Chances are that the child had no choice in being a lawbreaker and some measure of dispensation should be granted to the many children that are brought into this country illegally.

I am not in favor “anchor babies” ;of a person coming to this country for the sole purpose of having a child born here unless there are medical or humanitarian circumstances.

Do you not think the issue of civil union / marrage must be decided as the law of the land before this issue can be resolved?

By: Craig Della Penna

Craig Della Penna — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:55:13 +0000

Sad to see that homophobia lives on in the White House and sad to see that not much has changed in 40 years. I was in the Lion’s Den (the writers pub next door to the Stonewall Inn) when the riots started. As they say – it was a sight to see.
I never would have thought this would still be an issue today.

By: politicalidentitycrisis

politicalidentitycrisis — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:48:59 +0000

Sad to have a democrat finally in the White House, but you can’t get any democratic issues addressed by the usurper. Ugh. I just can’t believe that this democratic control was a dream come true a couple of years ago and now it is just a friggin’ nightmare! I want Hillary. Damn you Obama, you f*cker and the rest of you f*sckers who gave us this BS masquerading as Democrats!!!!