US Politics - 2008 Election

New Hampshire Day 2 - Immigration Reformers and Gladhanding McCain

By Andrew C. Bome
Published January 06, 2008

(Editor's Note: Andrew C. Bome is in New Hampshire for the US presidential primaries and agreed to write a journal for those Raise the Hammer readers who are interested in following US politics. -Ed.)

On Saturday evening, Alan and I decided to hang out in the demonstration zone at the site of the debates. These zones are euphemistically called "free speech zones".

For many reasons we decided to hang out with the Fred Thompson supporters - we made the right choice. Me being me, talking politics with people is fun; talking politics to people who are bat guano crazy is unforgettable.

One guy we talked to was keen on immigration reform. He pretty much hated immigrants and wanted to send the illegals home. At on point in his screed, he told us that he had studied history and asked us if we were familiar with the "reconquista" because that was what the Mexicans were doing. I resisted asking who was the Mexican "El Cid".

The other crazy was this lovely woman from Framingham, Massachusetts. She was of Irish decent and looked it - fair skin, red hair, green eyes.

She was also a complete lunatic. She had similar views on immigration to Mr. History Buff. She told us how Framingham had lots of Brazilians who would not talk to you if you did not talk to them in perfect "Brazilian" (I did not correct her).

She talked about seeing Ann Coulter once and that she thought Ms. Coulter was awesome; she was half right. She talked about her views on Deval Patrick, the African American (and Liberal) governor of Massachusets. Alan asked her in his innocent way whether Mr. Patrick was Irish; she said no in such a way that made it clear that she was offended by the notion that you could think that Governor Patrick was Irish.

We went to see the post debate McCain rally. It was at a bar and we could not get in to see Senator McCain as the bar was fussy about overcrowding (darn fire code regulations). We waited outside the door of the bar for Senator McCain to appear. He arrived an did some glad handing. I got to shake Senator McCain's hand. Made my day.

I my view I met the future president of the United States today. Either Barack Obama or John McCain will be the candidate and I met both of them today. Mind you, I met Senator Obama with about 3,000 others.

Andrew C. Bome is a lawyer practicing in Hamilton with McQuesten Legal & Community Services. He is a self-described trivia and political geek. He traveled to New Hampshire to observe the 2008 Presidential Primary taking place in the 'Granite State'.

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By yoowho (anonymous) | Posted January 06, 2008 at 20:06:44

This man is a lawyer?

What wouldn't a lawyer understand about the word illegal????......

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By Recon-what? (anonymous) | Posted January 06, 2008 at 20:51:45

Are people getting the idea that there is some sort of reconquista plan for the American southwest from right-wing nuts, or from one or more of the following:
a) the Summer of 2006 demonstrators, some of whom carried signs claiming that this was their country?
b) certain radical university professors who rejoice at lower American birthrates as a harbinger of our becoming supplanted?
c) certain activist websites claiming part or all of North America for the 'people of the sun'?
d) all of the above?
Really, the people who are worried about a reconquista did not make any of this up. It may seem to be a laughable notion, but it's not to its followers.

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By Recon-what? (anonymous) | Posted January 06, 2008 at 20:54:48

If you call people you disagree with 'bat guano crazy' then I wonder how they're describing you? Obviously you don't want a real discussion of immigration. That can't take place without civil discourse. Enjoy the bars.

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By Recon-what? (anonymous) | Posted January 06, 2008 at 20:57:36

If you call people you disagree with 'bat guano crazy' then I wonder how they're describing you? Obviously you don't want a real discussion of immigration. That can't take place without civil discourse. Enjoy the bars.

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By AprilB (anonymous) | Posted January 06, 2008 at 21:53:36

Mr Bome evidently does not know the meaning of illegal alien! He must not know about the thousands of American who would be alive if illegals had not been in the United States to kill them. He must not be aware that wages have been driven down because illegal aliens will work for cheaper than Americans and have taken jobs that American would and could fill. He must now realize that America is in crisis because of illegal immigration. The majority of Americans want ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION stopped and the LAWS enforced, so it is not just the "crazies!" Mr Bome.....WAKE UP AND DO SOME RESEARCH on illegal immigration and the MANY AMERICANS victimized by it before you write and article that shows your lack of knowledge!!!

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By scratching head (anonymous) | Posted January 06, 2008 at 22:50:47

"11/15/03 News Report -- The Globe and Mail (Canada) 200,000 illegal immigrants toiling in Canada's underground economy"

Can't wait to see how Bome feels once the number gets up to 30 million.

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By AE (anonymous) | Posted January 06, 2008 at 23:32:09

Well call me bat guano crazy, but I have lived amongst illegal aliens for over four years now, and they do firmly believe they are here to breed and take over not only the SW U.S., but as much of the U.S. as they can. They are not shy about saying so either. Mr. Bome, I suggest you get down and live in the trenches in one of the Southwestern U.S. states on the border, and live in a good run down complex where you are the only American there, and stay for four years (if you can stand the heat of reverse discrimination for that long, and mind you, I live in the Northwest, think how bad it is in places like AZ?) and then, truthfully tell people what you have experienced, and see how "bat guano crazy" those so called right wing extremists are.

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By Louis Riel (anonymous) | Posted January 06, 2008 at 23:39:31

Wow, the Republican bloggers must be scouring cyberspace to pounce on any posts that appear to question their doctrine on illegal immigration... I knew Mitt Romney had a lot of money, but seriously. Otherwise, I'd hate to think there were Canadians who were quite this insular in their thinking... Ralph Klein excluded.

Um April, if you ever met some of the people driving taxis and flipping pizzas in Hamilton, you would understand many are doctors and engineers. Many aren't allowed to "take our jobs" (usually because of arcane rules of professional associations)- even though they have top notch professional training oftentimes. Whether they're on a secret mission to kill us all is a topic for another discussion.

You know when somebody has four year old Globe and Mail quote on illegal immigration to pull out from their wallet that they probably don't have quite enough hobbies.

I'm pretty sure Bome's comments were meant in humour - as ironic. I've enjoyed his posts.

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By Debbydee (anonymous) | Posted January 06, 2008 at 23:57:49

Mr.Riel,

You obviously are as out of touch with reality as Mr. Bome and perhaps have never seen the damage illegal aliens can do. Gosh perhaps you have never heard of the illegal alien gangs and the havoc they are causing either? Maybe you and Mr. Bome can get together and research together. There is tons of evidence on what illegal immigration is doing to destroy America, sane and thinking people do not find it funny. Save your wit for someone who appeciates pompous stupidity.It is obvious that you and Mr Bome live in your own "little" world.

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By scratching head (anonymous) | Posted January 07, 2008 at 00:15:57

"Um April, if you ever met some of the people driving taxis and flipping pizzas in Hamilton, you would understand many are doctors and engineers."

Um Louis, the article's about US illegal immigration isn't it?

BTW, how many illegals are in Canada today?

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By Another One (anonymous) | Posted January 07, 2008 at 00:24:06

Tisk! Tisk! Pathetic personal attacks on people you don't agree with. Intellectual and factual rebuttal is preferential to ineffective insults.

This political guru has just picked the next president of illegal immigrants. Just because he "met" two politicians today, he can predict one of them will become president. I'm so amazed! Call the Pope and notify him that Andrew C. Bome is a prophet!

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By Debbydee (anonymous) | Posted January 07, 2008 at 00:36:14

UMMMM Louis, you might be surprised to know there is a world outside of Hamilton. I was speaking in reference to illegal immigration nationwide. Your comments seem to show that you are lacking in the deep thought department. Read a paper or two and get informed. OH or even better watch Lou Dobbs.:)Get in touch with WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON!

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By Yoda (anonymous) | Posted January 07, 2008 at 00:37:16

Roving bands of illegal alien gangs? Oh my God! What if they prod us with their alien probes or implant us with their alien mind tracking devices? Oh wait...different aliens...never mind.

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By Yoda (anonymous) | Posted January 07, 2008 at 00:48:52

Thanks Debbydee, that's right, I forgot that Hamilton is the third highest receiving point for new immigation and the highest secondary immigration centre in OUR COUNTRY...which is CANADA by the way...
I forgot that there are more than 70 languages spoken in this City as a result of the rich and diverse nature of this City. I also seem to have forgotten that one third of people in this City were born elsewhere... thanks for the lessons on perils of immigration, but I suspect if I need counsel on immigration Lou Dobbs will not be the one I will go to.

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By El Cid (anonymous) | Posted January 07, 2008 at 09:16:28

Some of your comments amaze me. Of course calling your Southwest a reconquista is crazy. Do you know what I did during the reconquista? How many pitched battles have been fought with the latest in armoured cavalry down in Arizona? I don't recall hearing that the walls of Dallas had fallen after a 6-month siege. And you certainly don't have independent warlords like me carving out their own fiefs after being betrayed by their lords. Well, you do in Mexico. But not in Texas.

Where's the slaughter?

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By Guano (anonymous) | Posted January 07, 2008 at 09:46:39

I enjoy the posts and the fact that Bome is using colorful language only makes the reading more interesting. He is obviously a 'liberal' but at least he is a polite liberal. I'm looking forward to the Hillary post.

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By Andrew (registered) | Posted January 07, 2008 at 20:02:31

I would like to thank all of you for reading my entries and for taking the time out to comment on my post.

I recognize that many (or most) conservative political types would think that my views were "bat guano crazy". I accept that; just don't hurt me.

I understand many of the arguments that conservative commentators make about immigration. I would be convince about the arguments if hadn't heard them before made about prior immigrant groups. Millard Filmore made many of these arguments in the 1850's about Germans. Just like Millard Filmore was wrong then conservative talk about immigration is wrong now.

Foreign Affairs did an article on immigration reform in either their February or March issue. Pretty much debunked all of the myths of illegal aliens; they don't depress wages, they don't use more government resources than they pay taxes, and crime is not more prevalent in the immigrant community than it is in the non-immigrant community. I recommend it highly.

I will start making the distinction between illegal immigrants and legal immigrants when the anti-immigrant crowd starts believing in the distinction.

Think of the the woman I met from Framingham; she talked with utter contempt of the brazilian immigrants in Framingham. Considering that you have to fly or take a commercial boat to get from Brazil to the United states, I am willing to bet that most of the Brazilian immigrants in Farmingham were legal immigrants.

Think also of the conspiracy theories around the reconquista. Is the fear here really about the 12 million illegal immigrants. Or is the fear the 40 million landed immigrants and U.S. Citizens of Hispanic origin. I am willing to bet the latter.

Finally I would like to extend a special thanks to El Cid for his response. It is not every day that a blogger gets a response from a 964 year old guy. Hey Rodrigo what is your secret.

Cheers Andrew C. Bome

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By GP (anonymous) | Posted January 08, 2008 at 02:23:38

Illegal Immigration and illegal aliens have led to increased drunk driving deaths and accidents. It has led to deadly gangs, such as MS 13, the most dangerous gang in America, It has destroyed cities and communities with overcrowded homes and apartments, overcrowded schools and wasted education dollars, it has caused financial ruin and near financial ruin at many hospitals and ER centers. Illegal immigration and illegal aliens have led to the theft of taxpayer dollars to those who have no legal right to be in the United States. Illegal aliens break into the United States to deliver "Anchor Babies" and suck up the resources and benefits of Americans. Illegal aliens believe they are deserving of some special status, stepping ahead of the millions waiting in line to come to the United States legally. They steal our identities, they steal our jobs with willing employers, they rape, they kill, they drink and drive, they have little education and skill levels and they destroy neighborhoods with their lack of assimilation. This is reality in the world of illegal immigration and no American or their family should have to endure the disaster and devastation from the invasion of illegal aliens. Secure the border, enforce the law, and illegal aliens self deport before you are deported. Businesses and Politicians may have looked the other way on purpose for the last 20 years, but We the People did not ask for, nor do we want the illegal alien invasion to continue. No benefits, no services paid by the American people. Take your families and return home and try to change your countries from within. Please exit our nation.

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By GP (anonymous) | Posted January 08, 2008 at 02:35:37

How silly to imply that the Brazilians were legal simply because they could fly or come by boat. 40 percent of illegal aliens overstay their visas. They are probably illegal and they just did not simply slide across the border with the help of an unscrupulous coyote to further financially rape America.

Illegal alien pregnant women from around the world (Korea for example) come to have their babies born here and declared citizens so they will have an advantage to citizenship. The Amendment to end Birthright Citizenship needs to be supported (HJ Res 46 - Ron Paul) and the bill to end Birthright Citizenship (HR 1940 - Nathan Deal) needs to be supported also.

Knock on the door to America, identify yourself, ask to enter, give your reason to enter, and then wait in line patiently. We can never know the true identities of these law breakers. They have multiple identities, or your identity.

There is no way to convince Americans to excuse illegal immigration and the more illegal aliens demand in our faces with their foreign flags and foreign tongues, the more the anger grows.

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By deeply affected (anonymous) | Posted January 08, 2008 at 07:52:27

He is a lawyer of community services...enough said...bleeding liberal...

He can come live in my town for a week which is deeply affected by the thousands of illegal aliens (as reported by the paper and police) that live here. Would he put his children in our schools? Would he go to the hospital? Oh, wait it was shut down because of the high cost of servicing illegal aliens. Would he live next to a home with 21 single illegal aliens, mattresses and cars everywhere? Oh, I could go on...

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