Immigration

I don't really want to talk about anyone bad, and I don't want to talk about anyone good, in fear they'll take it bad.

I really don't want to say the good things in my life, because isn't that bragging? I really don't want to tell you the bad things in my life, because that isn't who I really am.

It is really hard for me to think of things that I want to tell the whole world, so that is why the posts are tapering off like a cow path 15 miles into the wilderness.

The easiest thing to write about is politics. So let's rock out.

Immigration is the number one issue that should be on your mind. Let's start with facts. The number of illegals in the country exceeds 10 million, and there is nothing that is going to stop that number from rising. Hospitals across the South are having to shut down because they hand out so much free medical attention to illegals. One hospital gave away over $2 billion to illegals in the emergency room. Service can not be refused there. There are many problems they cause, but the main one is that they are criminals. America is a land of laws and they are simply not being followed.

These criminals are taking chances away from law abiding Mexicans. It is not fair to the people in Mexico who are waiting in line legally. We can not raise the number of green cards or guest worker permits we give out because the illegals have taken their spots. This is why I do not support amnesty. We can not give these people status, because that creates an incentive to cross the border illegally, and it isn't fair to the followers of the law.

I do not support any legislation or any argument centered around what to do with the illegals here. We can not do anything about those here until we secure the border. Reagan tried amnesty in 1986 and it didn't work. We have a bigger problem today. The argument should be whether to secure the border or not! After that argument is solved, then we can talk about what to do with the criminals that are already here.

I support a wall for a number of reasons. It would stop illegal immigration. It would stop the flow of drugs (which were recently decriminalized in Mexico). It would heighten national security. How can we worry about terrorists half a world away when any number of them could waltz across the border whenever they wanted? A wall would have a high initial cost, but in the long run it would be cheaper because we won't have to pay thousands of border patrol workers.

A wall is a humane solution because it will stop the poor Mexicans from dieing from heat and exposure as they try to cross the desert. I feel bad because there are plenty of people dieing as they run across.

If we build a wall, we can increase the number of legals we let in. Our economy does need immigrants, and they should be allowed to come here, legally. We need to increase the number of legals we let in.

I also support sending the National Guard to the border immediately. They should be stationed on the border until the wall is finished.

I applaud the private citizens who are attempting to build a private wall.

Here is the future of America at the Missoula County Lincoln-Reagan Day Banquet. Allie, David, Ashlee, Jennifer, and Bill. There are some others missing, of course. I'd like to thank Mom for the wonderfully chosen shirt and tie I'm wearing. I will spend the rest of my life dressing like this and going to events like this and hanging out with people like this. 

Networking

I'm in the mood to update you on my life. I know you've been sad without knowing what in the world I'm doing. It's pretty intense, so let's begin with Spring Break.

Four cities, 3500 miles, $500, five states, one high school buddy, Cristina, Erik, and most importantly my mom's former car. We stopped in Las Vegas on the way to Los Angeles and walked up and down the strip, ate at the Venetian. Drove through the night to Bryce's. Had to buy a map when we got there because Bryce wouldn't answer his phone. Went to the Santa Monica Pier, drove around Los Angeles, got a good look at the resident Mexican population. We were there when the immigration protests were going on, but didn't get to see them. I'll talk more about immigration farther down. We drove to San Diego, went to the beach, and ate in the Gas Lamp District. Probably my favorite city is San Diego and my favorite district is the Gas Lamp. We ate at this place called Jimmy Love's, which was a jazz club/bar that served good Italian. Again, my most enjoyable night of the trip was here. The very authentic jazz band was just what I wanted to hear. Cristina and I went to Six Flags in Santa Clarita, where Bryce lives. It was fun, except the freezing cold water ride we went on. We drove up to San Francisco, only stopping there to cruise over the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate. From what I saw, I liked it. We cut across the Sierra Nevada range at about two in the morning. There was a huge storm and it was mandatory chain-up. I passed plenty of Californians driving through it.

So that was that. It was good to get back to Missoula. I've taken a few tests since, so you can imagine what that was like.

Last weekend was comparable to BPA State. I can't believe I just said that, but it's true. Last weekend was the College Republican State Convention, and we here in Missoula were lucky enough to host it. Josh came to visit me that weekend, and we had a great time. When we weren't hanging with the Republicans we were biking around the beautiful city of Missoula. He will vouch for the quality of the weekend. Saturday we started with a little Voter Identification work on the phone. This is a great program that is helping win elections. After that we went to the UC to socialize, eat, and meet some speakers. Dinner was catered. We had some local candidates speak along with Justice Jim Rice. I got a chance to meet and network with some important people. After that fun, we all headed to Seth's house (UM CR President). Now Carrol was the only other school with people here for the State Convention, but they brough a bunch. It was a pleasure meeting all of them, and hope to see them soon at another Republican event. It was so much fun to be with other CRs. Its just better to party with people who have a brain in their heads. Sunday we had state elections. I am in full support of the entire state board.

Tonight was the Missoula County Lincoln-Reagan Day Banquet. I'm not sure who, but some nice Republican lady sponsored the 8 or 10 College Republicans that went. A suit was required. I got a chance, again, to network with other Republicans around the state, which I took full advantage of. I had the opportunity to sit and dine with Montana's Secretary of State Brad Johnson. Senator Burns and Representative Rehberg both gave keynote addresses. Both were outstanding.

Both Congressmen talked about immigration, and I agree with both. Securing the borders is the first and most important thing that needs to be done. We can't talk about what to do with the ones that are here until the borders are secure. Does it make sense to give guest worker status or deport illegal immigrants until the border is secure? No it doesn't.

comedy

This would be ideal for a war of resistance, Mr Chavez said, a reference to his often repeated concerns that the US may want to invade Venezuela to seize its oil reserves.

-BBC, Today

He was talking about the 15 helicopters he just purchased. I think its hilarious how paranoid he is!