Reason Morning Links: Congress' Legislative Blitz, GM Asset Sale Approved, Taxes Hit Tourists

Radley Balko | July 6, 2009

• Congress prepares for frantic five weeks, tackling Sotomayor hearings, health care . . . and lots and lots of spending.

• Federal bankruptcy judge approves sale of GM assets to new government-run company.

• States look to address budget woes with politically palatable travel taxes; wonder why tourism is down.

• Obama in Moscow to discuss a possible new weapons treaty.

• Death in an immigration jail.

Comments

Richard Hoste http://hbdbooks.|7.6.09 @ 8:11AM|#

Death in an immigration jail.

When will Reason link to a story of one of the thousands of Americans killed by illegal immigrants each year? That's right, you won't because the invaders are your victim group and traditional America what you want to destroy.

|7.6.09 @ 8:14AM|#

They don't write much about the thousands of people who die from car accidents either, but I doubt that really concerns you much. Unless it's a Mexican car.

Richard Hoste www.hbdbooks.com|7.6.09 @ 8:26AM|#

Such selective outrage.

The dead immigrant was a Muslim who seems to have married a black welfare queen to get his citizenship before he could bring his other wife and other potential Islamists into the country.

|7.6.09 @ 8:33AM|#

When will Reason link to a story of one of the thousands of Americans killed by illegal immigrants each year?

Am I missing all the leaf blowing murders or something? Maybe you can link to these murders for us instead of reason.

Kyle Jordan|7.6.09 @ 8:37AM|#

Well, a group of illegals did murder a woman here recently.

Though, I would like to see these numbers since supposedly there are "thousands" every year.

|7.6.09 @ 8:43AM|#

But G.M.'s chief bankruptcy counsel, Harvey R. Miller, said Thursday that none of the 850 objectors to the sale of assets presented a credible alternative. The only other option would be liquidation, a process that he said would benefit no one.

Yeah, no one of any importance. Only that lower-class of society known as the American public. The fat cats and the politicians needed this bankruptcy to go through just like this.

Art-P.O.G.|7.6.09 @ 8:53AM|#

Hey, Richard Hoste, you need a tissue, man? To wipe away those tears with?

Radley Balko|7.6.09 @ 8:54AM|#

re: Richard Hoste www.hbdbooks.com

I have a piece on illegal immigrants and violent crime going up a bit later.

Although something tells me you aren't going to agree with its conclusions.

|7.6.09 @ 8:54AM|#

leaf blowing murders

Epi, you forgot "death by taco stand."

Xeones|7.6.09 @ 8:56AM|#

No no, you guys, Dick Hoste is right -- if we let the Mexicans in they'll rape us to death, eat our flesh on tortillas, and sew our skins into their ponchos. And if we're very, very lucky, they'll do it in that order.

Art-P.O.G.|7.6.09 @ 9:01AM|#

Epi, you forgot "death by taco stand."

I almost spit up my drink on this one.

|7.6.09 @ 9:04AM|#

I almost spit up my drink on this one.

Another death by leaf-blowing drowning. I guess Richard is right.

|7.6.09 @ 9:16AM|#

I hope Republicans don't waste their time fighting the immigration bill. There may have been a slight chance to woo blacks away from the Democratic side pre-Obama, but that is a hopeless cause now. And pandering to the ugly side of the Republicans looks bad, even if the law and order appeal has some merit.

Rimfax|7.6.09 @ 9:16AM|#

Robert McNamara is dead. He was president of Ford while they were being eclipsed by Chevy. He made Sun Tzu spin in his grave for a few years. Then he was president of the World Bank during the 70s. Was there anything that this guy didn't royally screw up? Why did people keep putting him in positions of authority? Is he proof of the Dilbert Principle?

Richard Hoste http://hbdbooks.|7.6.09 @ 9:28AM|#

Well, a group of illegals did murder a woman here recently.

Though, I would like to see these numbers since supposedly there are "thousands" every year.

Here you are

Illegal aliens murder 12 Americans daily

While the military "quagmire" in Iraq was said to tip the scales of power in the U.S. midterm elections, most Americans have no idea more of their fellow citizens - men, women and children - were murdered this year by illegal aliens than the combined death toll of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan since those military campaigns began.

Though no federal statistics are kept on murders or any other crimes committed by illegal aliens, a number of groups have produced estimates based on data collected from prisons, news reports and independent research.

Twelve Americans are murdered every day by illegal aliens, according to statistics released by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. If those numbers are correct, it translates to 4,380 Americans murdered annually by illegal aliens. That's 21,900 since Sept. 11, 2001.

While no one - in or out of government - tracks all U.S. accidents caused by illegal aliens, the statistical and anecdotal evidence suggests many of last year's 42,636 road deaths involved illegal aliens.

That's not counting the children of illegals. Hispanic women have 3 children each and Steve Sailer has shown that the first generation is the LEAST crime prone..

|7.6.09 @ 9:34AM|#

Listen, X-man, I don't wanna hear it unless you look like Gina Torres.

Richard Hoste|7.6.09 @ 9:34AM|#

I have a piece on illegal immigrants and violent crime going up a bit later.

Although something tells me you aren't going to agree with its conclusions.

I'll be looking forward to it. If you can convince me that increasing the population of a people that is 3-5 times more violent than the general population reduces crime I'll be impressed.

Maybe it's sort of like how our country being on its way to having a majority that benefits from affirmative action and has off the charts welfare dependency is leading to small government.

Joel|7.6.09 @ 9:39AM|#

Clearly, then, since "we" can't keep illegal aliens out of the country, the only viable alternative is to slaughter them. For the children.

Keep us posted on how that's going for you, Dick.

|7.6.09 @ 9:39AM|#

BHO is not nego-ing or discussing any treaty. Some deal is already in place and he will simply show up and shake the other tyrant's hand on it.

NYC had once reduced its hotel taxes after recognizing a drop in convention business; it now heads in the other direction, viva lost wages!

Fluffy|7.6.09 @ 9:43AM|#

Dick hates Mexicans because he's racist scum.

But he at least has the courtesy to sign his name to it, so you have to give him that.

Fluffy|7.6.09 @ 9:46AM|#

That's not counting the children of illegals. Hispanic women have 3 children each and Steve Sailer has shown that the first generation is the LEAST crime prone..

Right, but the children of illegals are US citizens.

This is one of the many things that betrays that your animus here is about race. [The fact that Hispanics are white doesn't stop you from hating them.]

Since the subsequent generations aren't illegal aliens and are US citizens every bit as legitimately as you are, your real complaint is that the number of US citizens of Mexican descent has increased.

Fluffy|7.6.09 @ 9:50AM|#

More evidence that Dick is a racist:

Although the linked article is about the death of a Pakistani Muslim, Dick is outraged that the column inches devoted to this story weren't used to alert Americans about the birth rates of Hispanics.

When every time you see a Pakistani, you think to yourself, "Why won't people wake up to the Mexican threat?" the odds are that you're a racist.

Hugh Akston|7.6.09 @ 9:57AM|#

While no one - in or out of government - tracks all U.S. accidents caused by illegal aliens, the statistical and anecdotal evidence suggests many of last year's 42,636 road deaths involved illegal aliens.

Dick, to someone in your delicate state of mind, I'm sure there are lots of things that "suggest" the sinister involvement of illegal aliens.

Abner MacGillicuddy|7.6.09 @ 10:02AM|#

It's interesting that the phenomenon of children being born to Mexicans in the US is partly due to the immigration laws that make it harder for itinerant workers to cross the border.

Most Mexicans have little or no interest in moving permanently to the US and even less in bringing their families here. If it wasn't so hard to get across the border they'd be quite happy to come for a few months go back home for a visit, rinse and repeat until they'd saved enough money to build a house and maybe start a little business back home.

Xeones|7.6.09 @ 10:06AM|#

Listen, X-man, I don't wanna hear it unless you look like Gina Torres.

Torres? Sounds Mexican. You one a' them?!?

Atanarjuat|7.6.09 @ 10:12AM|#

The fact that Hispanics are white doesn't stop you from hating them.

Hispanics whose ancestry can be traced to Spain and other parts of Europe could be called white, but the term is probably not accurate for those who have indigenous/Indian or African ancestry.

GG|7.6.09 @ 10:14AM|#

Congress Shifts Into High Gear to Tackle Full Agenda

"Shifts into high gear?" The 111th Clown Car has been in warp drive since Feb.!

I need a drink.

A second flood, a simple famine
Plagues of locusts everywhere
Or a cataclysmic earthquake
I'd accept with some despair
But, no, you sent us Congress.
Good God, sir, was that fair?

|7.6.09 @ 10:22AM|#

Most Mexicans have little or no interest in moving permanently to the US and even less in bringing their families here. If it wasn't so hard to get across the border they'd be quite happy to come for a few months go back home for a visit, rinse and repeat until they'd saved enough money to build a house and maybe start a little business back home.

Why don't more people get this?

|7.6.09 @ 10:24AM|#

because the invaders are your victim group and traditional America what you want to destroy.

[T]reason!

DRINK!

Cabeza de Vaca|7.6.09 @ 10:29AM|#

Steve King is your source. Here is something else Rep. Steve King has said.

5. King says Iraq is safer than Washington, D.C.

In the summer of 2006, on the floor of the U.S. House, King said it's more perilous for civilians in Washington, D.C., than in Iraq. He made the argument at least twice.

"Well, by now, I have a feel for the rhythm of this place called Washington, D.C., and my wife lives here with me," King said. "I can tell you, she is in far greater risk being a civilian in Washington, D.C., than the average civilian in Iraq." (In fact, an estimated 21,000 civilians died violent deaths in Iraq in 2006. That same year there were 169 homicides in the nation's capital.)

Check out Steve Kings greatest hits. He ranks about even with Biden for saying stupid things.

http://iowaindependent.com/2156/congressman-steve-kings-greatest-hits

Hugh Akston|7.6.09 @ 10:40AM|#

Vaca,

Great link. That picture of King in Saddam's throne is priceless.

Art-P.O.G.|7.6.09 @ 10:40AM|#

King said it's more perilous for civilians in Washington, D.C., than in Iraq.

Yup. Idiot.

|7.6.09 @ 10:41AM|#

"Richard Hoste www.hbdbooks.com | July 6, 2009, 8:26am | #

Such selective outrage.

The dead immigrant was a Muslim who seems to have married a black welfare queen to get his citizenship before he could bring his other wife and other potential Islamists into the country."


OMG OMG MORE ISLAMS MORE ISLAMS!!!

this has it all. an illegal aliem and a Black welfare queen conspiring to bring more islams to 'merica. And we all know evry one of them dirty islams is a terrist.
God Bless America!

Radley Balko|7.6.09 @ 10:43AM|#

The "illegals kill 12 Americans per day" stat is a figure Rep. Steve King essentially made up.

He took a GAO report on the percentage of non-citizens in federal prison (about 27 percent), then assumed that meant 27 percent of all homicides in the U.S. are committed by illegals.

Never mind that most murderers are in state prison, not federal prison. Or that even if the 27 percent figure were applicable to state prison (it isn't, it's more like 4 percent), it doesn't follow that because 27 percent of all inmates are illegal, 27 percent of the inmates in for murder are illegal, too.

King's figure is complete nonsense. I'm sure illegals have murdered American citizens. I'm sure it's happened a non-trivial number of times. But it's nowhere near 12 per day.

Leftard|7.6.09 @ 10:48AM|#

If you oppose immigration you are a racist and hate Mexicans. If you oppose affirmative action you are a racist and hate black people. If you oppose the Welfare State you hate poor people.

Straw men are so much fun, and intellectually effortless! Excuse me while I go look in the mirror and repeat "you are better than those other people who dare to question your beliefs" over and over again.

|7.6.09 @ 10:48AM|#

Wouldn't illegals, because of immigration status, be more likely to do their time in a federal facility?

|7.6.09 @ 10:55AM|#

He took a GAO report on the percentage of non-citizens in federal prison

Are non-citizens illegal immigrants in his definition? I would assume that some of the non-citizens are here legally, making the number to start inventing figures with even less than 27%.

robc|7.6.09 @ 10:56AM|#

brotherben,

Wouldn't illegals, because of immigration status, be more likely to do their time in a federal facility?

Not for murder. I cant see any reason* a state would turn over a convicted murderer to the feds.

*except to save money

Art-P.O.G.|7.6.09 @ 10:59AM|#

Leftard | July 6, 2009, 10:48am | #

Yes, because libertarians are the first to throw out those canards. Do the world a favor and punch yourself in the crotch really, really hard.

|7.6.09 @ 11:00AM|#

Does the LoneWacko have minions?

Xeones|7.6.09 @ 11:03AM|#

Does the LoneWacko have minions?

I'm sorry, you'll have to post that question in the form of a YouTube video.

Xeones|7.6.09 @ 11:04AM|#

Argh stupid open tag.

phalkor|7.6.09 @ 11:04AM|#

Wait, I'm confused.

Why do libertarians hate poor people?
Particularly poor mexican immigrants?

I'm beginning to think that you're not libertarians at all!

|7.6.09 @ 11:04AM|#

Does the LoneWacko have minions?

I think this is really more of a match.com situation. I wonder if any of us will be invited to the weddings. They could have a border wall wedding cake! Squee!

|7.6.09 @ 11:07AM|#

Wouldn't illegals, because of immigration status, be more likely to do their time in a federal facility?

It's quite possible that the disproportionate number of non-citizens in federal prisons immigration status (per Radley's quote of 4% in state pokey), but as robc and Radley points out murderers are doing state time regardless of immigration status.

King's figure is complete nonsense.

No kidding. Talk about you "Lies, damned lies, and statistics".

|7.6.09 @ 11:08AM|#

robc and Isaac Bartram, thanks.

|7.6.09 @ 11:10AM|#

Correction:

"It's quite possible that the disproportionate number of non-citizens in federal prisons [is due to] immigration status (per Radley's quote of 4% in state pokey), but as robc and Radley points out murderers are doing state time regardless of immigration status."

ie, people facing deportation are waiting in federal facilities.

Leftard|7.6.09 @ 11:25AM|#

Yes, because libertarians are the first to throw out those canards.

My comment made no mention of "libertarians".

Do the world a favor and punch yourself in the crotch really, really hard.

This is the comment of one who has no argument. I accept your surrender of this intellectual contest. Better luck next time!

|7.6.09 @ 11:28AM|#

[Insert self-refuting ad hominem]

phalkor|7.6.09 @ 11:30AM|#

"Do the world a favor and punch yourself in the crotch really, really hard."


Even I can tell that is bad advice.

|7.6.09 @ 11:32AM|#

States look to address budget woes with politically palatable travel taxes; wonder why tourism is down.

If you tax them, they won't come.

PantsFan|7.6.09 @ 11:37AM|#

Why does everyone conflate illegal immigration with regular immigration?

This is the comment of one who has no argument. I accept your surrender of this intellectual contest. Better luck next time!

Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya!

Abner MacGillicuddy|7.6.09 @ 11:55AM|#

Why does everyone conflate illegal immigration with regular immigration?

Who is this everyone?

Those of us who advocate liberalizing immigration do so because at this time it is all but impossible for a class of immigrant whose labor is in almost unlimited demand (or at least was until the downturn) to enter legally.

It is the restrictive immigration policies that cause "illegal immigration" and if anyone wants to end it it's the policies that have to change.

Restricting immigration is like restricting breathing. Good luck with that.

Art-P.O.G.|7.6.09 @ 11:58AM|#

My comment made no mention of "libertarians".

Oh, so it was a non-sequitur.

This is the comment of one who has no argument. I accept your surrender of this intellectual contest

Chris Kelly?

Fluffy|7.6.09 @ 12:12PM|#

If you oppose immigration you are a racist and hate Mexicans.

Straw men are so much fun, and intellectually effortless!

Right, because I throw out accusations of racism all the time. Yup. That's me.

There are plenty of ways that you can argue against immigration - both legal and illegal - where you won't press any of the buttons that reveal racism to me.

You might argue that the country is already overpopulated, and you were looking forward to our low fertility rates returning our population to the 150-200 million range.

You might argue that free movement across borders makes no sense outside the context of truly free economies.

But if you show up sputtering with rage about how we're being "invaded", or if you rant about the personal or cultural qualities of the immigrants involved, or worry about "how quickly they breed", I can fill in the blanks of the rest of your thought process and can pretty much know that you're a racist. Is it charitable of me to make assumptions? Nope. Is it arrogant of me to imagine that I can summarize someone's unspoken thinking based on a limited set of statements they make and the language they use? Yup. Guess what - I don't care. At this stage in the game there's no upside to my wasting my time playing twenty questions with someone to wade through the same old layers of obfuscation to find the same old racism hiding underneath. It's just too tedious.

Richard Hoste http://hbdbooks.|7.6.09 @ 12:17PM|#

Most Mexicans have little or no interest in moving permanently to the US and even less in bringing their families here. If it wasn't so hard to get across the border they'd be quite happy to come for a few months go back home for a visit, rinse and repeat until they'd saved enough money to build a house and maybe start a little business back home.

Yeah, because all those guest workers that came to Europe decades ago eventually went back to their third world countries and never bothered anybody again, right?

Restricting immigration is like restricting breathing. Good luck with that.

What a bunch of hooey. This country restricted immigration from 1924-1965 and many first world nations do so today.

|7.6.09 @ 12:29PM|#

This country was so much greater when there was nobody here but White Anglo-Saxon Protestants.

We should totally turn the clock back.

Richard Hoste http://hbdbooks.|7.6.09 @ 12:37PM|#

This country was so much greater when there was nobody here but White Anglo-Saxon Protestants.

Oh yeah. Crime at 1/5th of what it is, out-of-wedlock birth rates 1/4th of what they are, best schools in the Western world rather than the worst, the public school system not making heros out of communist scum because they were "anti-racist," actual first world cities fit for human habitation. What a hell that was!

We should totally turn the clock back.

When you're in a hole the first thing to do is stop digging.

|7.6.09 @ 1:07PM|#

"When you're in a hole the first thing to do is stop digging."

No. Hillary Clinton said, "I looked around our world and I thought, you know, we are in just so many deep holes that everybody had better grab a shovel and start digging out."

|7.6.09 @ 1:45PM|#

Dick Head..er sorry..Hoste, what fucking alternate universe United States have you come from that does not restrict immigration today?

Mike Laursen|7.6.09 @ 3:37PM|#

What a hell that was!

Richard, to which period of American history are you referring?

|7.6.09 @ 11:05PM|#

Richard, to which period of American history are you referring?

He seems to be referring to the time when all the darkies knew their place.

That's my guess anyway.