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House Republicans Name California’s Rep. Elton Gallegly to Lead Immigration Subcommittee
California GOP delegation could have sway on immigration issues in Congress
This is a good appointment for my Congressional district and for California.Signaling their approach to immigration reform this year will be hawkish but not rhetorically extreme, House Republicans have chosen a Southern California congressman to head the group of lawmakers that drafts and introduces immigration policy.
The solidly pro-enforcement Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Simi Valley, was named Friday morning to lead the immigration subcommittee in the House of Representatives, which falls under the judiciary committee. House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, surprised many when he chose Gallegly over outspoken Iowa Republican Steve King, who was widely considered to have the job. King will instead be vice chairman.
Groups that work to halt illegal immigration praised news of the duo’s leadership, but liberal groups interpreted Gallegly’s higher position as a snubbing of King’s harsh tone.
“The answer to illegal immigration is fairly simple,” Gallegly said in a news release Friday. “First, we must enforce our laws and secure the border. Second, we must remove the magnets that encourage illegal immigration. Finally, we must remove the benefits that make it easy for them to stay.”
Gallegly said he would oppose any form of amnesty, and he pledged to quickly hold hearings to scrutinize the Obama administration’s approach to work site enforcement and to expand the use of E-Verify, a program for employer screening of workers’ immigration status.Missing from Gallegly’s statements Friday was any mention of revoking birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants, a hot-button cause that has been a pet issue for King and other immigration hawks. King introduced a bill earlier in the week that would end automatic citizenship for children born in the United States to illegal immigrant parents.
I am glad Elton has been appointed to this chairmanship. He is tough, but fair on illegal immigration.
And, he will actually get something done, meaning legislation will be written in the Congress. Getting it through the U.S. Senate will probably be difficult and past President Obama’s veto pen more than difficult – but that is another story.
Look for movement on E-Verify, employer sanctions and Congressional hearings if the Justice Department will NOT enforce existing immigration law.
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The Obligatory Cher is a Moron: Republican Rule Almost KILLED ME
Cher talking to CNS NewsFunny that when Flap saw Cher at Caesar’s in Las Vegas last summer that she didnm’t mind taking this Republican’s money. She did make a crack at the beginning of her show about right-wing Christians though.
I am sure the folks at Harrah’s who own Caesar’s Palace told her to keep it on the downlow so that there would not be a walk out like Linda Ronstadt had a year ago or so.
Grammy award-winning singer and Academy award-winning actress Cher told CNSNews.com that living under Republican rule almost “killed” her, and she does not understand why anyone would want to be a Republican.
She also said that President Barack Obama’s “intelligence†and “spirit†are “so great†he will be able to do “more than anyone could possibly do.â€
“His intelligence is so great and his spirit is so great, I believe he will be able to do as much if not more than anyone could possibly do,†Cher told CNSNews.com at the “Declare Yourself†inaugural ball.
“I just think he’s totally the right person at this time in our history,” she said. “He brings something more in his spirit than maybe another president could be even with the same intelligence. There’s something about him that brings more with his spirit, and that’s what Americans need right now. Republicans almost killed me.â€
When asked to explain how Republicans somehow “killed†her, Cher was not specific.
“You know what? I have so – I try to be charitable and there are some really good Republicans, but I just don’t understand how anyone would want to be a Republican. I just can’t figure it. I don’t understand,†she said. “If you’re poor, if you’re any kind of minority – gay, black, Latino, anything. If you’re not a rich – I don’t know. If you’re not a rich born-again-Christian, I don’t get it.â€
You know, Cher’s show was actually pretty good despite her “UNHINGED” politics and Flap enjoyed it. But, Elton John’s was better and he certainly stayed away from any political commnentary during his show.
But, then again, Elton John endorsed Hillary Clinton and not the Obamessiah like Cher.
Technorati Tags: Cher, Elton John
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Elton John Criticizes California Proposition 8 for Focusing on Marriage
“I don’t want to be married. I’m very happy with a civil partnership. If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership,” said Elton John, who cemented his relationship with David Furnish in 2005. “The word marriage, I think, puts a lot of people off. ”
Singer, composer, entertainer, gay rights/AIDS activist, Elton John has criticized California’s Proposition 8 which reinstated California’s traditional definition of marriage last week.In December 2005, John and Furnish tied the knot in a civil partnership ceremony in Windsor, England. But, clarified the singer, “We’re not married. Let’s get that right. We have a civil partnership. What is wrong with Proposition 8 is that they went for marriage. Marriage is going to put a lot of people off, the word marriage.”
John and Furnish, and their two cocker spaniels Marilyn and Arthur, were in town for Monday’s annual benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
“I don’t want to be married. I’m very happy with a civil partnership. If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership,” said John. “The word marriage, I think, puts a lot of people off. You get the same equal rights that we do when we have a civil partnership. Heterosexual people get married. We can have civil partnerships.”
Isn’t this the same argument that the YES on 8 supporters were arguing?
Here is a pre-election video that says the same thing:
Proposition 8 Made SimpleBut, Elton John is NOT the only gay activist who is criticizing gay leaders for emphasizing marriage versus expanding gay rights in other areas.
Longtime gay rights advocate Dean Trantalis of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and others on the conference call expressed concern that the gay rights movement had become too focused on marriage, and is now paying the price in other more critical areas. “Marriage was never our issue,” Trantalis said. “It was thrust upon us by the other side, and they’ve done a very good job of beating us up over it.”
In the meantime, California Proposition 8 opponents continue street demonstrations and protests directed at churches which supported the traditional definition of marriage.
Winning hearts and minds for homosexuals and their lifestyle?
Not so much.
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Technorati Tags: Gay Marriage, California Proposition 8, Elton John
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Hillary Clinton Watch: Elton John Fundraiser Nets Hillary $2.5 Million
Singer Elton John (L) greets Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and former President Bill Clinton (R) as he takes the stage before performing a fundraising concert for Clinton’s campaign at New York’s Radio City Music Hall April 9, 2008.
Does anyone think that this fundraiser by Elton John for Hillary Clinton will NET Hillary any more support or votes in her quest for the Presidency?
Elton John used Hillary Clinton’s $2.5 million fund-raiser at Radio City Music Hall Wednesday night to stand up for women’s rights.
“I never cease to be amazed at the misogynistic attitude of some of the people of this country, and I say to hell with it,” said John, clad in a sequined black dinner jacket, red silk shirt and red sunglasses. “I love you, Hillary, and I’ll be there for you just like all the times you were there for me. Hillary should be the next President of America.”
The concert, billed as “Elton-Hillary: One Night Only” sold out just this week, with 6,000 tickets ranging in price from $125 to $2,300, according to a spokesman for the Clinton campaign.
But, Barack Obama has Oprah Winfrey’s support even though apparently SHE has backed off her support because of a fall-out over her partisan activity.
Writing at Politico.com, he suggests the aging empress of TV has paid a price for getting into the dirty business of politics with and for her man Barack. By August last year, a CBS poll found her favorable rating had plunged from 74% to 61%, still twice as good as the president but nearly a 20% drop.
MM suggests the FEC look at John’s activities since he is a foreign national (albeit our UK ally) and she may be correct.
Hillary does have a history with soliciting and collecting from foreign interests .
Flap does NOT think Elton John’s support for Hillary Clinton will translate into much more than a cash infusion to pay Mark Penn’s consulting bill.
American voters are more sophisticated than to accept a rock stars insistence that by NOT supporting Hillary Clinton that you are anti-woman and/or anti-women politicos.
But, the Federal elections Commission should look into this foreign national contribution business anyway.
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Norman Hsu Watch: INDICTED on 15 Counts
Hillary Clinton Watch: Unlikely Chinatown Campaign Contributions Raise More Questions