As you know, the House has passed a new tough immigration bill that would, among other things, build a wall on parts of the Mexico border, detain illegal aliens caught on U.S. soil, and prosecute Americans who help illegals enter the USA and evade the authorities once they get here.
Cardinal Mahoney of Los Angeles has misread the legislation and believes it would target people who treat illegals humanely. The law would not.
It is clearly designed to punish people operating inside the illegal alien industry. Anyway, Senator Hillary Clinton is siding with the cardinal and, she says, with Jesus.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON, D-N.Y.: And it is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the scriptures, because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself. We want the outcome to be that they're on the wrong side of the politics, as well as on the wrong side as history and American values.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
So the senator is opposing the tough law and favors business as usual. Her Web site says she wants more cooperation with Mexico, more high tech for border patrol agents, the usual jibber Irish with all due respect.
Why is Mrs. Clinton taking the stand? Well, her shift to the political center is no longer necessary. That's number one. With President Bush declining in popularity, the senator understands that moderates are more likely to vote for Democrats. So she doesn't need the full court moderate press.
Also, Mrs. Clinton has little opposition here in New York, so her reelection to the Senate is assured. So it's time for her to energize her base, liberals and minorities less her dovish illegal immigration stance, which belies what she said in 2003.
"I am adamantly against illegal immigrants. If we're going to let people in for the work that otherwise would not be done, let's have a system that keeps track of them."
A flip-flop? Well, you make the call. But there is no question the senator is trying to get her street cred back among the committed left, which doesn't like her stance on Iraq.
Getting elected president is, of course, Senator Clinton's obsession. And it is fascinating to watch her strategy. Even Jesus might be amused, especially now that he's entered the debate.
And that's "The Memo."
The Most Ridiculous Item of the Day
As you may have heard, U.S. and British troops rescued three hostages today in Baghdad. The men were members of a Christian peace group and disappeared four months ago. Their colleague, an American, was murdered.
Now the leader of the peace group immediately thanked God for their rescue and then promptly blamed the United States and Britain for everything, saying, "We believe that the illegal occupation of Iraq by multinational forces is the root cause of the insecurity that led to this kidnapping."
So let me get this straight: The terrorists get a pass from this guy, but the rescuers are blamed.
Ridiculous? You bet it is.
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