Getting Lectured on Human Rights by Mexico

· Friday, May 21, 2010

The Obama administration is deeply embarrassed by the legislators of Arizona. Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner, in discussions with representatives from China (China!), cited the Arizona law as evidence of human rights failures in the U.S. Doubling down, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley agreed that the law could pose a "fundamental challenge to human rights around the world."

At a joint press conference with Mexico's president, Felipe Calderon, who recently described the Arizona law as "violating the human rights of all people," President Obama delivered a message to "the American people and to the Mexican people" that his administration was taking a hard look at the "troubling" law. Calderon has issued a travel advisory to Mexicans, warning them to avoid Arizona lest they be, well, what exactly? Grabbed, hooded, hustled into a dark cell and never heard from again? Um, no, asked a few questions.

You might think Obama would find a way to make that point, tactfully of course, to our Mexican guest, rather than agreeing that the law amounts to "discrimination." But no, as on so many other occasions on the world stage, Obama finds himself in general agreement with our critics. If we embarrass him, the feeling is mutual.

Is the president aware that in Mexico, police are "required to demand that foreigners prove their legal presence in the country before attending to any issues"?

While the administration was fulminating about the horrific human rights violation the Arizona law represents, Amnesty International was issuing a report about Mexico's mistreatment of its own illegal migrants. "Migrants in Mexico are facing a major human rights crisis leaving them with virtually no access to justice, fearing reprisals and deportation if they complain of abuses," said Rupert Knox, Mexico Researcher at Amnesty International. "Persistent failure by the authorities to tackle abuses carried out against irregular migrants has made their journey through Mexico one of the most dangerous in the world."

The migrants, who are usually attempting to make their way through Mexico to the United States, suffer kidnappings for ransom, robbery, and rape. Mexico's National Human Rights Commission reports that nearly 10,000 were abducted over six months in 2009. Almost 50 percent of victims said that public officials were involved in their kidnapping. Amnesty estimates that six out of 10 migrant women and girls experience sexual violence.

It suits Democrats to treat immigration as an issue of "race" and discrimination because it permits them to frighten Hispanic Americans and secure that important voting bloc. But it's a fiction. We have an immigration problem because the U.S. is an incredibly desirable place to live and work. Immigrants continue to enrich our society, not least because they are often more appreciative of our institutions and liberties than are the native born. If it were feasible, millions of people worldwide would come here. And millions wait patiently, sometimes for decades, for the chance to do so. Democrats worry ostentatiously about the unfairness of asking people to prove their legal status. What about the unfairness of giving an advantage to line jumpers over those who abide by the law and wait their turn?

Obama proposed that "undocumented" workers be required to go to the "back of the line" before being considered for citizenship. But how could that work? Those waiting abroad for green cards frequently wait for a decade or more. Where exactly would the end of the line be?

The U.S. needs many different kinds of legal immigrants -- particularly those who are job creators. As Ben Wildavsky outlines in "The Great Brain Race," "Between 1995 and 2005, 25 percent of all American engineering and technology companies were founded by immigrants -- including half of those in Silicon Valley. Nearly one-quarter of all international patent applications filed from the United States in 2006 named foreign nationals as inventors ... While immigrants made up just 12 percent of workforce in 2000, they accounted for fully 47 percent of scientists and engineers with PhDs. (And) two-thirds of those who entered science and engineering fields between 1995 and 2006 were, yes, immigrants."

But our current immigration law makes it difficult for these Ph.D.s, trained with considerable investment from U.S. taxpayers, to remain in the United States. They are returning to their countries and taking their job-creating skills with them.

These are the sort of immigration questions that serious leaders should consider -- rather than demonizing the people of Arizona.

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Comments

John Q Citizen

Demonizing the American public is what President Owebowma does best. Why would there be any thoughtful consideration of what Mexico's laws are in comparison to what Arizona has just recently passed that reaffirms what the Federal Law states. Nah, lets just make vitriolic statements and talk out of our hind end.

Posted May 21, 2010 at 10:33:49 AM


Ellen

I want a man in the White House who will talk of the American Way of Life with pride. I am sick and tired of his bashing my -- and maybe his own -- country. This latest stand on the Arizona Law is what you would expect from a foreigner -- not the President. Also, it was disgusting and disturbing to see Pelosi and Biden clapping when Calderone make his remarks. Also, The "rising to the feet" and applause coming from the Democrats in Congress was outrageous.

Posted May 21, 2010 at 12:00:30 PM


Texan

First of all to Mr. Calderone. "Fu-que". I'd tell you to go to hell but telling you to go home does the same thing. And while you're at it, rent a few hundred thousand busses for all of those citizens or YOURS who're squatting here illegally and take them home with you. How dare you come here, as a guest, and ridicule our policies. Be thankfull we don't control your borders for you. Why don't you go back and fix your own "F"ed up country first you freakin' hippocryte.

Now "Mr. President". Stop appologizing for my country. The only thing we're sorrow about is having you as our "Leader" so speak for your self. If you want to display any personal repentance try pulling our support, whether miltary or financial, from every country we're subsizing. Use those resourses to secure our own shores and borders. Make it to where the last thing a person want is to be caught sneaking into our country. If a burgler broke into my home I'd shoot his sorry butt. You need to cop the same attitude. We're the only country in the world that puts up with this "anchor babies" garbage. End it. Build the dang fence already and quit playing politics with our soveriegnty. You are the sorriest excuse for a leader this country has ever seen. Your socialist dream will not happen here, believe me. Real Americans won't stand for it. If you were an intelligent man you would cut your losses and honor your oath. So what are you?

Posted May 21, 2010 at 2:09:24 PM


Peter G Jones

It was a truly disgusting display of US Presidential treason, but quite in line with what Acting Pres BHO has done since day one. He is the most powerful force our enemies of all stripes have in their shot-lockers.

Everyday that he is in office the US declines around the world.

What he has said and filed to say or do about Arizona and the border war in general bear his hallmark as "Leader" and-mark him as a failed human being.

The applause given for the "guestspeaker" was eloquent beyond words. We, the US, are indeed in the hands of nincompoops, spineless PC self-loathing

hyocrites,who, if left unchecked, will see US all the way from the top to the bottom of the world Pecking Order. Future historians will, if they bother to write of the rapid decline and failure of the US will marvel at the speed of the process. Self-confidence and the readiness to defend oneself are key to survival. We have chosen leaders

of a wretchedly consistent pettiness, fearful of every criticism from the world. And in the Acting President we have the very dregs of the worst-a "man" devoted to personal power and to destroying the US as we have known it. Bad cess to him, the very worst. He belongs in the bottom circle of Dante's Hell with the other Traitors there.

Just a thought.

Peter G Jones

LTC USA (ret)

Posted May 21, 2010 at 2:39:40 PM


Rod

Very nice. Texan, nice. I only take issue with one comment, the one about pulling back *all* support to foreign countries. While nice in concept, it is possible that American support (partnerships? generosity?) foster goodwill which in turn enhances security. However, I agree that we may spend too much given the perception that our generous support is under- (or un-) appreciated. Countries fail to reciprocate or say thanks only in private, while publicly condemning us.

So *scaling back* would be a good thing until we are recognized for the good that we do and see some tangible return on investments.

The opposite approach is BO's: apologize for our country's "mis-deeds" (as if there were any worth noting!) and hand out more and more money (as bribes) while misleading yourself and trying to convince the country that it is good and necessary.

Posted May 21, 2010 at 3:38:39 PM


JAC

While I agree with everything Peter G. Jones says, he'd better be careful or that idiot Obama may decide he is not worthy of his military retired pay and cut him off, or even recall him to active duty and send him into combat! He's already making noises about cutting the pay of active duty members while they are getting shot at, so what's a few more adverse decisions about the military going to hurt?

Posted May 21, 2010 at 3:52:12 PM


John Costley

Whomever cheered or liked this statement should be forced to go live in Mexico under its laws for 5 clender years with no visits to the USA. It would be quite a good lesson in Democracy. Mexico's laws are quite differently enforced.

Posted May 22, 2010 at 5:42:18 AM


TopBaxterUSMC

Our Appeaser-In-chief and Mexico's President Cabrone are the same "Breed of Maggot". Pull the plug(permantly)on Obowma's teleprompter and make ICE escort Prez Cabrone back to the border.

Posted May 23, 2010 at 10:03:46 AM


Marcus Publius Maximus

It was infuriating to see Calderon pompously criticizing the Ariz law with the POTUS sheepishly standing beside him and then joining him in the criticism. This is an insult to our sovereignty and national dignity. This definitely is Obama's only term as President.

Posted May 23, 2010 at 3:41:30 PM


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