86 Responses to:
THE TRUTH ABOUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

# 1. 7/21/10 12:09 AM
Hmm...another Utah column not located inside the Utah tab. Announcement soon?

# 2. 7/21/10 12:12 AM
My mother, who immigrated legally a few years before I was born, agrees with you wholeheartedly. We love the idea and recognize the need for immigration to America. Just do it the right way. Is that too much to ask.

# 3. 7/21/10 12:17 AM
RE the poll question: Not just yes, but HELL yes!!!

And Bob, you are a DA_N good writer!!! I would have stated that more forcefully, but the hell yes was already pushing it for me.

# 4. 7/21/10 12:31 AM
Seriously if our own attorney general doesn't believe in upholding and enforcing the LAW what the crud are we supposed to do?

The only problem with elections is they don's seem to come early enough. I can't wait to vote all these pathetic excuses of leaders OUT!

I hope after this MS couldn't be elected dog catcher.

# 5. 7/21/10 12:59 AM by Sherry - SLC, UT
Very clear!

# 6. 7/21/10 1:08 AM by Pete
Bob,

This is just a continuation of yesterdays Column that "Politicians SUCK"........

Politicians will put themselves before GOD, Our Constitution, Rights, Country and Our People to simply appease those who will continue to support their party or get them elected.

My opinion, truthfully, the Federal Government, State Governments have no clue, idea or rational thought of how Illegal Immigration depletes our Country of resources or OUR Heritage.

They are so SELF absorbed with their own agenda, they are BLIND.

I have so much trepidation where it comes to our "Governments", better said, the People in Charge of our Country that I have no faith other than in God!

# 7. 7/21/10 1:12 AM by DJ - West Bountiful, UT
While I agree mostly with your column, Bob, enforcement talk is irrelevant until the border is secure. There's no point in bailing out the water until you fix the gaping hole in the boat. Once that is done, I believe there is still room for negotiation and compassion for some, such as those who were brought here as small children and did not knowingly break the law.

# 8. 7/21/10 1:14 AM by Mike - north salt lake, UT
Right on the money.. As usual. Sire miss ya on the radio.

# 9. 7/21/10 2:05 AM by Jeremy - Magna , UT
I don't understand how Mark doesn't see the correlation between illegal immigration and identity theft/fraud one of his key crime targets. He will prosecute polygamists for welfare abuse but hold illegals to a different standard. It's just shameful.

# 10. 7/21/10 2:10 AM by Philip - Tooele
I was a big supporter of AG Shurtlef (sp?) before he took this stand. Now, I am not. Too bad, as he is a good man in many respects, but this crap about immigration has got to stop. These are the laws of OUR land, not some general guidelines. Funny, but those we esteem most from our past as the greatest of the greats (Washington, Lincoln) were of the same mind. Does Mr. AG want to disavow those who gave life and liberty for our country, just to support a group who decides they are above OUR law? Funny, yet sad...

# 11. 7/21/10 4:14 AM by Lori - Ogden, UT
And while they were having their little kumbaya summit police officers (federal, county and local) and federal immigration officers were risking their lives in Garfield county where the Mexican cartel had set up a marijuana grow. These armed illegal aliens come to our country, grow their illegal crops, terrorize anyone who stumbles onto their activities. People live in fear of being murdered, raped, or otherwise assaulted. They trash the area leaving their waste, destroy the environment, kill the wildlife. The drugs they grow fund everything from rape and murder to prostitution and child porn. But the elitists at the "summit" today think people like me (who dare not go for a short hike unarmed) are racists. There is a special place in hell for them.

# 12. 7/21/10 5:06 AM by Jim - R
You realize of course that the founding fathers were descendants of illegal immigrants.

Early immigrants brought disease, spoiled the land and water, murdered the native Americans, stole their land, and forever changed their culture, replacing it with their own.

Editor's Note: and thank goodness for that. walking south from new york to north carolina to genocide cherokee villages with a seneca raiding party, in order to steal goods and women to rape, is not the way i want to live.

# 13. 7/21/10 6:07 AM by Jennifer - Nunda, NY
Amazing! My son and I had this same discussion last night. We talked about liberty and the fact that the existing laws should be upheld, not only for illegal immigration, but all laws, for everybody. Good column.

# 14. 7/21/10 6:30 AM by Liberty Tom - Rochester, NY
Go to Mark Shurtleff's website - it's a hoot. He talks about how he's so strong in "enforcing the law to protect our communities." (Guess that federal immigration laws are exempted from his purview.) Why, a woman even narrates his on-line bio so that us common, unedumacated peoples can understand !! Utah - take these damned corrupt politicians to task before it's too late and you turn into New York State.

# 15. 7/21/10 6:31 AM by Rick G. - Spencerport, NY
But who will pick our fruit and make our hotel beds if we don’t let them in? Why are you such a hater, Bob?

(I hope the dripping sarcasm doesn’t gum up the keyboard).

If the next election doesn't reflect what I think is a growing dissatisfaction with the direction our country is going, I don't know what will.

# 16. 7/21/10 6:31 AM by A Patriot - Lockport, NY
Well, scratch Utah off my list of places to retire to...

# 17. 7/21/10 6:55 AM
Hmmm, the Mayor wants to curb youth violence? Gee, how ya gonna do that? Even a new ES&L building ain't gonna solve the problems with downtown, because when 5:00PM comes, their outta here. Let's be clear, suburban folks have no reason to go downtown other than to work. If they can't adhere to the rules of society, put them in jail and throw away the key, sad to say, but what other option is there. Until children continue to be born to unwed parents, the trickle down effect will continue for years to come.

# 18. 7/21/10 7:00 AM by ex-pansy
Something our pastor said last Sunday:

"The word 'NO' is a complete sentence".

Simply point to the law, point to the big hole in the ground at Ground Zero, say "NO", and move on. We don't owe anybody explanations. Say NO in the VOTING BOOTH. Say NO with your WALLET. Say NO with your MOUTH. And KEEP saying it. This isn't a game show, it's gonna take more than 30 minutes. WEAR THEM DOWN with the water torture of NO directed smack at the center of their heads.

They call you a racist? Keep saying NO.

They call you a an extremist? Keep saying NO.

They say you are outnumbered? Keep saying NO

Brevity is the soul of wit, and you can't get more brief than "NO"

Respect your own personal and family's borders for time, money, and emotion, and you will be refreshed enough to help protect our physical borders. Our enemies won't have the wisdom to do this, and at some point they will simply get tired. And join US.

WE are SO MUCH moreUNSTOPPABLE than we THINK we are...

# 19. 7/21/10 7:11 AM by Joe - Rochester, N.Y.
1,000,000% ON THE MONEY!!!!!!!

# 20. 7/21/10 7:19 AM by MIKE
95% agree with this column. Wish the president and AG realized that's the deal across the nation. seal the border and keep them out.

so, if you are racist for wanting that law to be upheld, then are you also racist if you stop at a stop sign?

# 21. 7/21/10 7:22 AM by Grandma Taxpayer - Greece,NY
Double Thumbs up Bob! You are soooooo correct! Thanks for writing a column in which most Americans agree with regarding illigal immigration. Listen up elected officals of every party!!!!

# 22. 7/21/10 7:59 AM by gww - rochester, ny
"Obey the law.

That’s what we ask".

You mean, obey the immigration law.

Heaven forbid that those who hire these people obey the law. I wish you'd rail against the employers as much as you do against the Mexicans.

Editor's Note: 1. mexicans are 60 percent of illegals, there are plenty of non-mexicans who are illegal. 2. as i've written and said many times, people who employ illegal aliens should be fined and jailed.

# 23. 7/21/10 8:01 AM by MIKE
I hate when people say that we took the land from the Indians...sure, it's true, but we did it by force and by the fact that they couldn't defend themselves. Sure, maybe it was mean, but it was done and now we are here and now we have law. so, if Mexicans want our land, let them try to take it by force, the way we did it. Let's not just lay down and give it up to them. The Indians didn't just welcome us into camp to rape their women and eat their food...they fought to the death to defend what was theirs. Why, do these idiots think we should be less than the Indians and just give up. Freaking idiots, we are as good if not better than the Indians and we need to fight to stop the invasion!

# 24. 7/21/10 8:14 AM by GEORGE ( THE OTHER ONE!) - Gananoque Ontario CANADA
*

The one thing that you left out of the column was the answer to the question "WHY?"

Why are all of these political hacks trying to protect the river of illegal immigration that cascades across your southern border?

Is it to 'buy' the so called Latino vote when they are all given the right to vote?

Is it a signal that these politicians have already surrendered to the idea that there will be twelve million new voters up for grabs in the near future?

Is it because that in the political world, in order to be deemed 'enlightened' you must embrace the 'one world' concept or be cast out into the land of the damned where the rest of us live?

Why?

# 25. 7/21/10 8:15 AM by eh Rod - CANADA`
"Obey the law." So you'll be protesting just as stridently the next time the U.S. illegally invades and/or occupies another country, even if it's allegedly in "defense of freedom"? Good news!

# 26. 7/21/10 8:24 AM
Bob, this problem can be solved very easily.

Start a campaign asking Americans to take these back-breaking, difficult jobs at very, very low wages and these illegal aliens won't have jobs to come her for.

That's all you have to do, ask your fellow conservatives to take away these horrible jobs at horrible pay by taking over the jobs themselves. That should do it. Problem solved.

That'll kick these poor people right where it hurts, huh?

Editor's Note: simple solution: abolish welfare. then america will have plenty of entry-level workers. and i'm not sure salting the fries is particularly back breaking.

# 27. 7/21/10 8:46 AM
Bob,

Do you watch this in your home?

'Jersey' $core 'Shore' cast triples salaries for Season 3

Four "Jersey Shore" stars have gotten huge raises to return for next season.

Editor's Note: never seen it. not much time for tv, sadly.

# 28. 7/21/10 8:49 AM by GB
I have personally talked with a lot of Mexicans who after some friendly chiding admit that they think Americans are stupid and ripe for plundering. One lady showed me a 4" x 6" professionally printed card, advertising in spanish, where illegals can buy a fake ID, Driver license, SS card, Passport or Visa.

They mock Americans because of our stupidity.

Andrew Klavan has some really good satire on Arizona trying to enforce federal law. It can be found on PJTV or youtube.

Editor's Note: http://www.fubowear.com/servlet/the-140/Defend-America%2C-Deport-Illegals/Detail

check out that shirt, gringo.

# 29. 7/21/10 8:52 AM by DD
If these illegals were white Europeans, would the left be defending their invasion with such vigor?

Those who stand opposed would still stand opposed, because we're standing on principal and law.

# 30. 7/21/10 8:55 AM by Shaun - Provo
What is so hard to understand...enforce the laws we have. We cannot accept and financially support every person in the world looking for a better place to live. This is not about Mexicans...if it were, it would not be so urgent. Anyone, from anywhere, can walk in and receive public services. It is not possible to do so without bankrupting the nation.

That aside, security is impossible when the place you are trying to defend has an infinite number of doors, a few of which lock.

# 31. 7/21/10 8:57 AM by Big Mc - Sebastian, Fl
I am confused. How did a conservative state, like Utah, get a liberal NY politician?

# 32. 7/21/10 9:00 AM
Editor's Note: simple solution: abolish welfare. then america will have plenty of entry-level workers. and i'm not sure salting the fries is particularly back breaking.

Ever notice the people that don't really have to work are hard asses to those that do. Running your mouth 3 hours a day doesn't really qualify as work.

Another point to consider is the humanitarian question which is difficult for the heartless anti christian to grasp. Maybe where they come from is so bad they have nothing to loose. More and more illegal immigrants crossing in to the U.S. from Mexico are dying from heat-related illnesses in the scorching Arizona desert. This July could be the deadliest month ever recorded, beating out 68 in July of 2005.

# 33. 7/21/10 9:01 AM by S J - Rochester, NY
The USA is now just a few points behind France in the contest to see who can allow their nation to be invaded with the greatest ease.

# 34. 7/21/10 9:06 AM by Susan Pollock - Layton Utah
this was a great column Bob. From now on I will vote against Shrutleff.

# 35. 7/21/10 9:07 AM by Mark
I think we should open our borders wide-open and let all those hard working lawbiding people from around the world in. (let's not stop with Mexico) Then in a few years, when we are a 3rd world nation, going bankrupt, overpopulated and in ruins people will stop wanting to come here. Wait, that's Obama's vision.

# 36. 7/21/10 9:16 AM by Liam's Dad - Rochester
MEGA - SUPER - UBER - FUBO

I've always wondered how they could save money to send back home... this explains it.

You have two families: “Joe Legal” and “Jose Illegal”.

Both families have two parents, two children, and live in California .

Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.

Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash “under the table”.

Ready? Now pay attention…

Joe Legal: $25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week, or $52,000.00 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax; Joe Legal now has $31,231.00.

Jose Illegal: $15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600.00 per week, or $31,200.00 per year.

Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose Illegal now has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for his family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year.

Joe Legal now has $24,031.00.

Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year.

Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible for food stamps or welfare. Joe Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or $6,000.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $18,031.00.

Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps and welfare.

Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or $14,400.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $9,631.00.

Jose Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal rent subsidy. Jose Illegal pays out that $500.00 per month, or $6,000.00 per year.

Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for insurance. Joe Legal now has $7,231.00.

Jose Illegal says, “We don’t need no stinkin’ insurance!” and still has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal has to make his $7,231.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc.

Jose Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month.

Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after work.

Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.

Joe Legal’s and Jose Illegal’s children both attend the same school.

Joe Legal pays for his children’s lunches while José Illegal’s children get a government sponsored lunch.

Jose Illegal’s children have an after school ESL program. Joe Legal’s children go home.

Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services, but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.

Do you get it, now?

If you vote for or support any politician that supports illegal aliens…You are part of the problem!

It’s way PAST time to take a stand for America and Americans!

# 37. 7/21/10 9:20 AM
Being an illegal alien is like owning an illegal gun. The only logical reason for doing so is to do things that are illegal.

# 38. 7/21/10 9:20 AM by Classic Rock - Utah
Why are we dancing around this subject? Elected officials are there to enforce laws not come up with new ways to get around them. The Utah people don't want Utah to turn into a welfare state. I read the article about free lunches in parks for school kids on lunch assistance in Utah and that program takes away from the responsibility of the parents. It attracted people, proving once again, that didn't need it abusing it because they are too dang lazy to make their kid a lunch. More welfare attracts people who don't want to conform to what we all conform to, taking responsibility for our own lives legally. There are millions of dollars supporting this type of people and it needs to stop.

# 39. 7/21/10 9:22 AM by Calvin Pitzrick - Rochester, NY
Bob, another great column! This illegal immigrant situation just shows how lawless our present administration has become! Then we have the top news story last night! Glenn Beck started out defending the black gal Obama appointee who had just been fired by Obama, like there has to be more to the story! Then we were told that she was fired because she was going to appear on the Glen Beck show yesterday! In fact she was told to pull over, on her long trip home, and forced to submit her resignation! There was a charge that this woman was racist vs whites! So because of Glenn Beck the administration panicked and fired her when it looked like she was anti white! After she had told the rest of the story it turned out she was not racist and was peace loving toward her white "victim" farmer and had actually had helped him to save his forecosed farm by getting an attorney for the farmer and drove him immediately to this attorney who saved his farm! So now the aministration says that they were "snookered" by Fox News and are reconsidering hiring her back! I`m now eagerly awaiting hearing what Glenn Beck has to say about all of this!

GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS!

Cal Pitzrick

# 40. 7/21/10 9:30 AM by Penny - Mesa, AZ
I live in the midst of this issue and I suggest that ANYONE who has doubts that SB1070 is needed, come to the area for a visit. We have public lands being closed because the illegals are so violent! Imagine if Letchworth State Park or any other park in another state were closed because of this. They would have the Marines in there!

# 41. 7/21/10 9:33 AM by Ultra Bob - salt lake city Utah
YEA BOB LONSBERRY.

The only part you left out is the WHY.

The reason that so many of our government officials support and promote illegal immigration is for the support and promotion of their personal welfare from the businesses who want the cheap labor.

I believe that business interests own and operate our state and local governments as if government was just an extension of business itself.

We need to change the way we choose our government representatives by prohibiting business from buying elections and candidates with their huge bankrolls.

Many conservatives fear and fight democracy, but many of us also know that the opposite of democracy is the rule of the tyrannical few.

# 42. 7/21/10 9:52 AM
i dunt have the strength to say no. the devil is running the show when i walk out the door. the devil is two strong for me to say no to him (or her). the dirty politician is too strong for me. there is no fighting the force of corruption. there is no way to stop the violence in rochester or anywhere else on the planet. australia had the greatest idea when it was a prison. but now, it is the hardened criminals who are in managerial positions. it is the best way to run a store or office or government. you gotta be tough. you gotta have someone who isn't afwaid of anybody.

# 43. 7/21/10 9:54 AM by JT - Rochester
The lady doth protest too much.

# 44. 7/21/10 10:01 AM by Edward
"You tyrant, why do you boast of wickedness against the godly all day long? You plot ruin; your tongue is like a sharpened razor, O worker of deception. You love evil more than good and lying more that speaking the truth. You love all words that hurt, O youm deceitfil tongue. O, that God would demolish you utterly, topple you, and snatch you from your dwelling, and root you out of the sland of the living! The righteous shall see and tremble, and they shall laugh at him, saying 'This is the one who did not take God as a refuge, but trusted in great wealth and relied upon wickedness.'" Psalm 52

Something for you, Rush, Sarah, Rev. Glenn, Hanity, and all the others who "trusted in great wealth and relied upon wickedness."

# 45. 7/21/10 10:03 AM by Mike - Greece
Number 36 "Liam's Dad" should be Secretary of the Treasury.

# 46. 7/21/10 10:04 AM by Jon - Murray, Utah
Could you please send a copy to our state AG's office, attention Mark Shurtleff. Don't bother with Burbank, He wouldn't have the ba_ls to back down from his stand now.

# 47. 7/21/10 10:09 AM by Sherry - SLC UTAH
In reference to, # 32. 7/21/10 9:00 AM, No one is pointing a gun to their heads to make them cross the border. They know the risk. Why don't they stay home and work to make their own country better. Or, NEWS FLASH, they could go the legal route, like plenty of people of all races have done. Why do many Americans move to Mexico part time to retire. It can't be all that bad. I know you are going to say, well, the retired American is rich and they are poor. Mmm they can get a job from that rich guy trimming his bushes or something, but that is not as exciting as crossing the border illegally. By the way, I've heard that Socialized medicine in Mexico is only $500 a year. Is that true?

# 48. 7/21/10 10:36 AM by Jolene
I'm beginning to think there is absolutely nothing I can do about it. What does the word "illegal" stand for anymore? It should just be "almost legal", or "by the hair of my chinny, chin,chin, legal." Or better yet, watch me in "3D " legal. Nothing means what it's supposed to mean anymore. BTW...have you actually lifted a big bag of salt that goes into those enormous salt shakers??????????

# 49. 7/21/10 11:09 AM
I didn't know Jolene worked at McDonalds. Hey Jolene - yes, I want fries with that - with extra salt! Now go fill the shakers!!! Dumbass.

# 50. 7/21/10 11:15 AM by Liz - SLC, UT
Bob,

1. What’s with the constant disdain of Kumbaya by the right? I get the summer camp warm fuzzy quality of it as a source of ridicule, but at its core it is a summons to God to be present in one’s life. Isn’t that what conservatives have been seeking?

2. With respect to Mr. Shurtleff, I suspect his Nazi reference was comparing the current “propagandistic vilification” of Mexican immigrants as an undesirable Other to the Nazi treatment of Jews in the 1930s rather than to the Holocaust. I call a Godwin on both sides. Find a better metaphor. The Nazi trope is tired and signals the end of meaningful discussion.

3. “We don’t hate people because of the color of their skin or the language of their birth, and we are tired of slanderous lies that we do.” Then why is Michael Savage’s mantra “Borders, LANGUAGE, Culture”? Why did a talk show host at your former roost complain (incorrectly) that immigrants don’t learn English yesterday? Where are all the Millers, Joneses, Andersons, Hansens, Petersens, O’Conners, Jablonskis, and Schmidts on The List? It’s anecdotal, I know, but of the three undocumented immigrants I know personally, one is a blond, blue-eyed LDS Canadian. I know the majority of illegal immigrants are Latino, but until the activists broaden their scope to all, they will be vulnerable to charges of ethnic bias and nativism.

4. As to respect for and obedience to the law, aren’t you the same guy who advocated cutting down a tree with a nesting red-tailed hawk, a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act? What about the two state employees who released The List? Patriotic whistle-blowers violating the law for a greater good, or un-American identity thieves?

I don’t claim to have all (or any) answers to immigration issues, but I can see that the anti-illegal crowd, rightly or wrongly, has an image problem that interferes with communicating their message. Columns like today’s and last Friday’s do little to improve it.

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