Who’s building our bridges?
Yup, you guessed it (via the Sun Herald):
The owner of Tarrasco Steel, a company that supplied workers on the Biloxi Bay Bridge, was arrested and charged with hiring illegal immigrants on projects in three states. Some had improper welding certification.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Jose S. Gonzalez, 32, at his office in Greenville Thursday, according to a news release. Tarrasco Steel was hired as a subcontractor for rebar installation services to major bridge projects in Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee. The federal government considers those bridges as critical infrastructure, and they were part of routine inspections of facilities that if damaged could pose a threat to national security and public safety.
“There is a serious public safety concern when illegal aliens, who are not authorized to work in the country legally, and who do not possess valid welding certifications, are employed in the construction of bridges in our communities,” said Michael A. Holt, special agent in charge of the Customs Office of Investigations in New Orleans, in a news release.
On inspections of several construction sites March 29, representatives of several federal agencies confirmed the majority of Tarrasco Steel employees were using bogus Social Security numbers, and 77 immigrants were arrested. Twenty-six of them worked for Tarrasco Steel. Some of them worked on the Biloxi bridge, the Huey P. Long bridge in New Orleans, and a project on Interstate 40 in Memphis, among others, the news release said.
Lonewacko weighs in:
[B]oth the GOP and the Democrats have consistently looked the other way on the hiring of illegal aliens, setting the stage for cases like this. There are probably many similar cases that will never be discovered or prosecuted, until it’s too late.
Three cheers for bipartisan, open-borders endangerment.
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Categories: Employer Sanctions
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To correct Homer Simpson: “Money – the cause of and the solution to all of life’s problems.”
Most of these contracts go to the lowest bidder. Gee, I wonder how they were the lowest bidder? Companies that hire illegals can do contracts for less money because they are paying their unqualified, illegal workers much less than a law abiding company pays its skilled American workers a decent wage. So, this in turn forces the law abiding companies to either lay off its workers because they can’t successfully bid on contracts or to lower the wages of its employees. Either way, the American worker suffers as does the safety of our citizens.
Michelle … thanks …
this simply verifies what many of us have been saying all along …
those are “jobs Americans won’t do” … right? …
tell me that there are not enough properly certified welders in this country who would gladly have taken the jobs these illegals were doing …
I would be willing to bet they were hiring 2 or maybe even 3 illegals for the same amount of money they would have had to pay one legal welder …
is there any way to check that out?
it’s not jobs Americans won’t do … it’s jobs Americans won’t do for the depressed wages that the illegal worker influx has caused … illegals are willing to do the job for much less … and the unscrupulous employers will hire them all day … bet some of them were being paid under the table as well as those with the false SSN’s …
What a shock? MM blaming illegal aliens for decades of government neglect of our infrastucture.
And just so everyone reads this: As a host last night, MM could not have been more biased and unfair. She lobbed softball questions to Mr. Moran who didn’t take her rabid right wing bait and asking stupid, inane questions to Juan Williams. Who’s she modeling herseelf on, Sean Hannity?
Mike, I only caught the South Korea and Michael Vick segments, but I thought MM was more than fair. Certainly a huge improvement over O’Reilly.
The point that she and the commenters are making here is solid. Lower bids are encouraged by hiring illegal workers. This costs American citizens jobs and it cripples unions. This leads to a decrease in the wages, benefits, and protections that American workers deserve. And hiring less experienced workers does indeed put our infrastructure at risk.
*snikers*
Trolls are out early today…
Dolt. She is claiming that PART of that neglect is the hiring of illegal immigrants – some of who
You don’t even come close to understanding what that’s a bad thing, do you…
Although everyone has a right to their own opinion, these attacks on Michelle are getting so old. I sure wish mikeb you would take time and see the good in all people and end these tiresome rants.
Our politicians have starved infrastructure in the great search for votes. Bridges and roads don’t vote, people do — and the politicians are always on the lookout for short term political gain by appeasing people with every type of goodie imaginable. America’s politicians are now reduced to reaction rather than proaction when it comes to infrastructure. When they are forced to do something because of a disaster, they raise taxes or the debt rather than cut social services. Here in Virginia, the State politicians passed legislation that created an unelected taxing authority so that they did not have to directly face the public and account for their excesses. (Virginia politicians have been on a spending spree, and the voters are more than a little upset at their arrogance and greed.)
Frankly, because of the way the national and state budgets have evolved over the past century, there is really very little discretionary funds available. Take the federal government. Entitlements are over 50% of the budget and they are not discretionary. Interest on the debt is the second largest expense and it is not discretionary. You have to pay it to protect the value of the dollar. Defense is the third largest expense – and it has some discretionary aspects to it — and is often raided for politically correct items (For example, the environment or civil rights enforcement issues) . By the time you get to roads and bridges, there just isn’t enough money left.
Now we have the Congress appropriating $260M to replace the Minnesota bridge. And that is only one bridge out of tens of thousands in need of repair or replacement. When you don’t have a long term interest in keeping your infrastructure current, and you function on a pay as you go basis, you have disasters.
weeellll… that’s the part right there that would keep me up at night…
I’m sure that these people feel justified in hiring ‘undocumented americans’ because of the ‘lowest bidder’ situation. But to hire those with ‘improper’ welder certifications is criminal.
Companies use the ‘subcontractor’ routine to get around minor details like this all the time. ‘Plausible deniability’.. wasn’t us.. was the subcontractor.
Or, if he dislikes her so much, he could always leave. No one is forcing him to click the links, or tune his TV to FOX News.
MikeB – I’m pretty sure MM didn’t write the original article and I’m also confident that she wasn’t there to investigate Terrasco Steel and make the arrest. Additionaly, there was absolutely no mention of illegals as the cause of whatever problems we may have with our current aging infrastructure. With a single post you’ve done a really good job of exposing your “hidden” bias against MM. This post was about the enforcement of US immigration laws and employer sanctions, nothing more. Care to shove your foot a little deeper in your mouth?
Or his head any further up his…
Can illegal aliens get health insurance, worker’s comp, etc.?
This isn’t a leading question. I’m honestly curious.
Well, MM did post a picture of a collapsed bridge with this story so MikeB isn’t making a total jump (although I disagree with him).
Hopefully this disaster will influence the 2008 elections enough where we have candidates pledging to spend more money on infrastructure at the expense of pork. Congress will fight that tooth and nail (pork = votes), but we can dream, can’t we?
What a shock! MikeB ignoring all facts in front of him and changing the subject. Isn’t that like rule #1 in the liberal playbook?
Rule #1. Ignore all facts that are presented that do not support your view or agenda.
Rule #2. If facts are presented that do not support your view or agenda, quickly change the subject.
Rule #3. Shout down any and all people that have an opposing view before you can actually hear what they have to say.
Rule #4. If rule #3 doesn’t work, always resort to name calling and mud slinging. This is very effective because the MSM shields the left from any blowback.
And so on and so forth…
Wow MikeB. She supplies a link to an article and you decided that she is blaming illegals for all the bridge problem all across the county. Care enlighten us to how you got that out of this?
The picture is of the Biloxi Bridge.
Wow! I grew up in New Orleans and used to travel over the Huey P. Long bridge quite a bit. It was always so narrow! I was happy to hear that it was being widened, but now I’m not so sure I’d want to be crossing that bridge.
If that thing fell into the Mississippi River, as well travelled as it is, the death toll would be staggering.
I just missed a story on fox news and they gave a link to info regarding all U.S. Bridges, did anyone happen to catch this? if so please share.
Someone mentioned that the low bidder got the contract. I have not facts but based upon the surname of the owner, Gonzales, this contract may have been a minority set aside.
Mike B – a question:
Why are you so dead-set against jobs for your fellow Americans? If the jobs are being filled by illegal aliens, then American workers aren’t working – no income to support their families and one more problem for them that should be close to your heart – they are UNINSURED! Seems like you would be all gung-ho FOR employment for your fellow citizens.
The illegal aliens I’ve come in contact with work with the same benefits as other employees under phony IDs. Many have their own businesses and bring in a stream of new illegals.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_29/b3943001_mz001.htm
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1036630388099
Also, fyi – re: “lowest bidder”. In most governmental jurisdictions, the lowest bidder does not necessarily get the contract. The contract will go to the lowest bidder whose bid proposal claims that he can meet the project requirements. The requests for proposal for these bids are very very detailed, and any bid proposal that does not adequately address each detail will be thrown out. The bidder’s cost proposal is just one factor taken into consideration. Just wanted to clarify this.
MikeB, what are you talking about? MM wrote “Who’s Building Our Bridges” and “You Guessed It”, not an entire indictment of illegal immigrants and how every bridge in the US built by illegals will probably collapse. But, as I like to say, never let the facts get in the way of a good argument.
Also, my parents just finished building a house. There first contractor hired illegals to do the sheetrock(which they found out later), and they had to go back and have the job done again because the quality was so poor.
Not the sort of quality control we need on major construction projects throughout North America.
Reine, I am not against my fellow Americans getting jobs. Did I ever say that? My point was and is that MM distorts the facts so as to blame illegals for all our social problems: crime, broken infrastructure, etc. For example, there have been no reports that illegals had anything to do with the collapse of the Minnesota bridge.
The point is that illegals shouldn’t have any job here. They’re illegal!
One more thing, what was the headline of this article “Who’s building our bridges?” What conclusion does MM want us draw? That illegals are lining up to provide substandard work on our decaying infrastructure. To say she isn’t doing so, is to say “black is white.” And, as some have asked, why do I keep pointing these things out, it is to keep michellemalkin.com fair and balanced.
Sure you did, just like you said Michelle is blaming our whole infrastructure problems on illegal aliens and the Minn bridge collapse. See how that works?
Again, please explain how simple LINKING AN ARTICLE is a distortion of the facts and please explain how you got the Minn bridge from a link about one in LA? All she did in this case is link an article to let you educate yourself, because you might not have know the FACTS about what was happening in LA.
*Ignoring troll*
Many illegals were hired on the Mississippi Coast after Katrina as they were in Florida after the 2004 hurricanes.–
Trent Lott’s legacy is to rebuild using illegals, which is why I believe he supported the amnesty bill that many Mississippians opposed.
If illegals or people are hired that are not trained or certified in welding, then the worry of shoddy workmanship and possible tampering are a huge concern.
Some of the bridges on the Mississippi Gulf were completely destroyed and are scheduled to re-open soon.
This hiring of illegals is done nationwide these days as we all know. I doubt the Minn. bridge was built by illegals so I don’t think old infrastructure is a problem related to illegals—and, certainly, Michelle was not implying that. However newer construction of bridges, roads and buildings could become a problem in the future due to poor construction (often due to not speaking English well enough to understand instructions).
Regardless, illegals nation wide are replacing union welders and American citizens for jobs. The reason many don’t want the jobs to the lowest bidder is that big business often hire these illegals for below minimum wage and don’t care of the workmanship is shoddy.
MikeB, no one says there have been reports of illegals working on the Minnesota bridge!
The point is, a fallen bridge brings up questions of quality control. I don’t care if the person is illegal or legal in the country, if they don’t have proper welding certification, they shouldn’t be welding the bridge together.
Instead of criticizing MM for bringing up this article, why don’t you criticize the owners of the steel company that put the lives of your fellow Americans in danger by hiring unqualified workers on major construction projects in order to save a little bit of money.
Oh, and btw, this also encourages the use of identity theft and identity fraud, but I suppose that is ok with you too. I mean, hey, there only trying to get by, so what if they break hundreds of laws to do it.
This sounds like UNION work. Did the union look the other ways and forfiet their dues? Or were these union members?
You mean biased and unfair like your post?
I see the illegals lining up every morning for construction work and construction work is not a “job Americans won’t do.” What else are you going to turn a blind eye to?
reine, more American workers who are unemployed and more people without insurance is just more bad news for Bush and America. And whatever is bad for Bush and America is always good news for a liberal.
let’s not make any crazy assumptions that mikeB cares about his “fellow American citizens” Democrats are going to use the fallen bridge situation as a way to support raising taxes to fix deteriorating infrastructure. They are certainly not going to let the fact that they support allowing unqualified or underqualified and illegal workers ( or at the very least turn their heads ) engage in the construction of bridges which are vital to national security get in their way. Emotions are high and Democrats feed off of this. For them, now is the time to tax, tax, tax and spend, spend, spend. Let’s not let something as insignificant as a welding certificate get in the way.
If you have not learned Spanish and if you’re not learning Spanish right now, you are in danger of being left behind.
When Mexico is running this place, all our bridges will be like Mexican bridges. What are Mexican bridges like? Well, they are kinda like Minneapolis except worse.
It is also an issue of security. I know a large county in the Washington metro area (Fairfax) does security background checks for new employees that deal with construction records, permits, inspections, and plan reviews, which makes sense.
I don’t know if this is common practice but it should be. It should also be done for construction workers on bridges and other infrastructure projects. We have no idea the background of illegals. It will be interesting to see if illegals were working on the Minneapolis bridge.
I wonder if mikeb listens to music he doesn’t like? I’ve listened to Jazz,didn’t like it,so I don’t listen to it. I’ve also tried different sources for news and commentary. I found that many things that concern and interest me,MM covers. That’s why I made her site my home page. mikeb insults all of us by implying that MM has us under some sort of mind control. So mikeb,keep giving us your platitudes and we will continue to find you irrelevant.Try to use some facts every once in a while,just to throw us off a little.
What’s the “Date MikeB is Banned” pool up to? $500? $1,000?
The countdown has begun, Mike. I suggest you apologize for your intemperate slur of Michelle in your comment #4 above.
That is beyond the pale. If you want to keep posting here, you’ll rein in your insults now.
not only the bridges. Our residential home building market as well as commercial construction is where the practice of hiring illegals is very common, and very scary.
Often times they will have translators specifically hired to translate the building instructions, specs and safety.
we won’t go into their use of several social security numbers to get hired and paid on the jobsites several times and maybe even have a few workers’ compensation claims going while still working.
Don’t ask me how I know…i just do.
Olblueyes – or something as insignificant as citizenship or LEGAL residency.
MIKE B – I read Michelle’s post as an open borders post, not a bridge collapse post. And the open borders problem leads to – other problems, such as general lack of security in all things as well as illegal employees without proper certification to do the job, which leads to – lots of other things, including unemployment for American citizens. And no employment = no insurance, which I thought was a big issue for folks with your mind set.
Rick: Yes!!! Hurrah!
I offer another solution: ignore, don’t comment and rise to the bait, and maybe, maybe *it*, the annoying gnat who derails off topic each post for his own agenda, will go away…
MikeB wants only to keep MM “fair and balanced”. He should recognize that others are not afforded that same opportunity on left-leaning blogs and the MSM. And why does he spend so much time obsessing over MM?
Mike B,
Don’t get so worked up about a headline. The headline didn’t say ALL. It asked who’s building our bridges. It’s PROVOCATIVE. Gets you to read the text underneath.
What part of the posting was inaccurate? Can you point out something that was inaccurate?
Maybe MM will pay you to be a provocative headline writer…
What would’ve been your attempt Mr. Critic?
ummm..
Not 100% of bridge builders are working legally…
Wait! You might not have written that headline either!! Would you have!!
Yep, another part of the problem is us.
We have an addiction to cheap labor. Always have, and always will. We are a capitalistic society. As long as we want lower prices, the providers of goods and services will continue to look for the lowest cost method to provide them. Of course, this is in order to maximize profits.
I am glad the law (passed under Pres Reagan) is being enforced with regard to Tarrasco Steel, it’s owner, and the illegals that worked there.
Mike B wrote, “My point was and is that MM distorts the facts so as to blame illegals for all our social problems: crime, broken infrastructure, etc.”
At the risk of making this look so easy – you either have logic or not….
1) Which facts did “MM distort”?
2) Pointing out that illegal immigrants contribute to problems is not the same as blaming illegals for “ALL” our social problems. Mike – where did MM blame illegal immigrants for ALL our social problems?
3) Do you recognize Mike that illegal immigrants are a contribution to problems. Just like people who choose to not diet and exercise contribute to our health care costs….
Surely you don’t think MM believes that any bridge problem is the fault of illegal immigrants. Do you actually believe that logic of yours or do you recognize that the facts she presented do contribute to bridges having issues?
Why the heck SHOULD MM be ‘fair and balanced’?
It’s her blog. She can write what she wants. She generally reports facts that the MSM would prefer to keep hidden. But that is what she likes to do.
She could post poetry from the guards at Gitmo… Or artwork from her children.
It’s her blog.
As far as the bridge pic being misleading? Nope. Only if you are looking for it to be. All bridges have been the topic of discussion around the country and in DC… not just the one in MN as we have potential MN disasters all around us. The post specifically states Mississippi, Louisianna and Tennesse… not Minnisota.
MikeB… Did you not eat your organic raisin bran this morning??? You’ve been on the rampage for a couple of days now. Grow up and quit with the personal attacks on our hostess. You want to argue facts? Then argue them. You want to just be a jerk? Go back to KOS.
The point that liberals fail to understand is simple: Illegal Aliens shouldn’t hold ANY job in the US. If they wish to work, there are procedures to do so.
Many times the discussion turns to, as noted above, that they do the jobs American’s don’t want to do. Also, as noted above, this story blows that right out of the water. How much do welders make an hour????? More than I do, I’m pretty sure.
And if you feel the headline is a provocative question, here’s another one for you to answer as you see fit:
“Who’s plotting to attack our country?”
( Answer: Islamic Extremist Terrorists … pass this on to the Democratic Presidential Candidates – they seem to not be able to say those words )
Rick,
Re Mike B.: you’re the moderator and as such it’s your turf here as Michelle’s guy at the helm, but I’ll bet if you described this situation to anyone on the street 9 out of 10 would ask you why Mike B is still here. You’re giving him a chance to apologize? Remember the old saying, “no good deed goes unpunished” and it isn’t Christmas. If you haven’t been reading all the posts (and I sure haven’t) he’s been saying the same kind of thing alot here with seeming immunity. Listen to those 9 out of 10 hypothetical street-wise people, and show this arrogantly insulting guest to the door. Differing opinions are one thing, but he’s been upsetting the rest of Michelle’s guests for a while now by insulting the host.
Incidentally, while and if I have your ear by the way, you comported yourself very well on TV last night. Good job.
Michelle,
From a media perspective, if this illegal worker issue can be tied in a legit way to that massive bridge collapse in any shape or form, it will be as explosively an effective illustration with which to frame the debate as is imaginable. Great work at connecting the dots on that if a follow-through on the concept can be established. A brilliant illustration unimaginably effective in its plain and understandible simplicity even to those who abhorr political discussion. Terrific.
This is in response to Rick Moran’s #37 comment. First, I was happy to see him on the air.
I hereby apologize because you asked me to, but I don’t think I made a personal attack on our host, although I agree likening her to Hannity is hardly complementary.
To me saying “MM is [fill in insulting adjective]” or “MM is a [fill in insulting noun]” is a personal attack. (You know the kind of things she and others call liberals.) I never did that, I just critiqued her appearance in an objective fashion.
Frank Stallone?
(with apologies to Norm MacDonald)
Hiring unqualified workers is bad. These contractors are willing to put my life in danger for a few bucks. I’m disgusted.
Competition in the labor market is good. But hiring illegals subverts the labor market because it allows the contractors to pass off some of their costs to the taxpayers in the form of health care, education, etc. in a way that would not happen if they were hiring legal labor.
I don’t know, but I hope it’s a crime to hire unqualified workers, and also a crime to hire illegal workers. I’d like to see these contractors in prison.
Mike B,
It seems clear that you’re apologizing because you know it’s only minutes before you’re gone and unable to confuse this board so as to please your left-wing masters.
Reality check:
“She lobbed softball questions to Mr. Moran who didn’t take her rabid right wing bait and asking stupid, inane questions to Juan Williams.”
These remarks are insults. Any person on the street knows they’re insults especially when said in the presence of the person about whom you are speaking. This is insane. You’re an arrogant, insulting troublemaker who lends nothing to the proceedings but endless intellectually dishonest remarks with a focus toward upsetting and insulting the conervative members of what is essentially a clearly conservative board. It’s time for you to go. That’s me exerizing my first amendment right.
Mike B writes, “but I don’t think I made a personal attack on our host”
Maybe “rabid” is your book means something else.
This one @ answers.com seems to be what you are saying, “Holding especially political views that deviate drastically and fundamentally from conventional or traditional beliefs”
or is it this one? “Full of or marked by extreme anger”
Whatever the characterization you choose. It’d be better if you chose to respond to the substance than the titles of her posts and opinions. The substance if refuted could then alter our opinions and we might be able to say Mike. “Hey you are right man”. But we don’t. Why? Because you didn’t say anything with respect to the substance. Are there illegal immigrants building bridges? Yes. Should they be Mike? Is your answer “No”?
We hope so.
Mike wrote, “I just critiqued her appearance in an objective fashion.”
Logic issues… and now English language issues… What does objective mean to you?
I laugh because this is too easy.
#48: master of the non-apology.
You insult Michelle Malkin on a daily basis.
I don’t see pointing out that illegal aliens who don’t have proper welding cerifications are working on our bridges as saying all our bridge troubles are the fault of illegals. I am glad to see this fact pointed out, and hope making it well known will help stop illegals from being hired, whether or not they have “proper welding certification.”
Here, my friends is a personal attack: “O’Rourke was as flat as Lara Flynn Boyle’s chest.” -Michelle Malkin, 6/24/04 9:22 am
MikeB: What you do here, regularly, is attack the messenger. There are times when MM injects her opinions into an introduction to a story – but others, like this – where 98% of this thread’s content is an article someone else wrote. The only comments attributable to MM are:
Who’s building our bridges?
By Michelle Malkin • August 7, 2007 09:37 AM Yup, you guessed it (via the Sun Herald):
Lonewacko weighs in:
&
Three cheers for bipartisan, open-borders endangerment.
NOWHERE does she state that she feels that all our bridge collapses are due to illegals. You made that leap in logic.
As stated by others – let’s debate facts, not sling mud at the messenger who delivers them.
Wow, MikeB…2004… talk about reaching into the dustbin to try and make your point….
jrl, The 2004 quote was the best I could do on short notice, plus for her size Lara Flynn is not flat.
Wasting time here, let’s talk over him about the post, ok?
Rick–your call, but it does not ever get any better with this “lawyer.” Thanks. I think he has used up all his chances with most of the people here who try to read the comments.
I skip his disertations into the liberal mind, but know he is there like a fugue–in a disturbed state of consciousness in which the one affected seems to perform acts in full awareness but upon recovery cannot recollect the acts performed– or a foul emanation of swamp gas.
Lindsay for someone who skips my posts, you seem to know a lot about them.
They lack any persuasiveness….
Why let a retarded troll hijack the thread?
Don’t forget “flat chested” troll tyrion.
Last communication with troll-boy, I don’t have to read them as they repeat.repeat.repeat. liberal talking points ad nauseam.
I agree, tyrion.
As opposed to all the totally new stuff I read on here Lindsay?
Thanks, Michelle, for posting this as it looks as if the illegal immigration laws are finally being enforced. Senator Trent Lott, take notice.
Getting back on point:
““There is a serious public safety concern when illegal aliens, who are not authorized to work in the country legally, and who do not possess valid welding certifications, are employed in the construction of bridges in our communities,” said Michael A. Holt, special agent in charge of the Customs Office of Investigations in New Orleans, in a news release.”
THIS is the point of the story…not any of this other stuff. We have uncertified laborers constructing critical infrastructure in our country.
The tentacles for this argument abound:
Was this done to underbid another contractor?
Is the contractor pocketing extra taxpayer money he’s saving by paying sub-standard wages to illegal aliens?
How many qualified, legal laborers are in these areas that aren’t getting work due to this practice?
This ain’t pickin lettuce, people – this is ( from my knowledge ) good-paying jobs that someone who is entitled to get, ain’t getting.
Is this a union job? Are these illegals paying union dues and not getting benefits? Are unions looking the other way for a cut of the money?
There’s a lot of different roads to take on this one….
I noticed that Jose Gonzalez was arrested for hiring illegal workers, but I wonder if using unqualified workers for government projects is criminal. That would certainly be another way to go after the employers. That would apply to all raod an bridge work, defense contractors, etc.
If there was a law against hiring unqualified workers for government projects, would W. be arrested for hiring Alberto Gonzalez?
jrl, the investigation has been going on for several months. The DOT of Miss. stated that they don’t check ID “because they are not required to.” However, federal law states otherwise.
Here is an interesting quote and link:
“According to a written release from ICE on the March roundup, the probe was a Critical Infrastructure Protection investigation, which “are generally predicated on the threat to national security posed by unauthorized workers employed in critical infrastructure-related facilities.”
http://www.picayuneitem.com/local/local_story_188182439.html
I visit michellemalkin.com about 30 times a week. During some of those visits, I enjoy reading MikeB’s comments and the vibrant debate that they generate. I regret to see him use words like “stupid” and “inane” since they are needlessly insulting. Still those words are no more abusive than words like “gnat”, “dolt”, “retarded” which have been lobbed at MikeB in this thread alone.
I hope MikeB reins in his language a little and I hope he is not banned. If the comment section were to become exclusively an “amen chorus” for the main postings then the site would become less interesting. When there are multiple opinions on an issue I know my page views increase.
Page Views and Reach are important for the overall ranking (and revenue) of a site. Unfortunately, both numbers have been slipping a little over the past two years on mm.com. These are important political times and the core conservative base needs to be able to engage and persuade the middle 20% or wake up with Clinton 2.0 in 2009.
Hmmmmm…
Maybe the title of this story should have been;
“Whose Burning Their Bridges”
Well put dedalus and very amusing aj–maybe it should be “A Bridge to Nowhere”
Anyone else notice that when confronted with facts and real questions, all some people do the defect and change subject and refuse to respond?
These are the same people that no matter what the discussion, when shown how stupid they are with their arguement and lack of facts, then fall back on but “What about President Bush.”
Thanks MikeB for proving my point.
I read an article the other day in which an anonymous world bank official linked free markets to corruption. At first I thought he was just the typical loon from the left. But then it occurred to me that the reason we’re having this debate on illegal immigration is that corruption in the U.S. government has subverted the rule of law in the U.S. labor market. Free markets depend on the rule of law to function properly.
When a government looks the other way so that its friends can illegally enrich themselves at the expense of the taxpayers, common everyday corruption is the result.
We all know that the cost of building a bridge is what it is. If the government intentionally looks the other way while an employer passes some of his costs off to the government treasury in the form of education, heath care, food stamps, and EITC in an illegal transaction (hiring illegal workers), the free market for labor in this country is corrupted.
Glad to oblige Presto. What I don’t understand is this: Aren’t you conservatives constantly telling me that gvoernments can’t do anything right, so why are you surprised when they don’t do something right?
Dedalus, are you saying that I’m making money for this site? I think this troll deserves a piece of the action!
“Aren’t you conservatives constantly telling me that gvoernments can’t do anything right, so why are you surprised when they don’t do something right?”
Given all the recent uproar over illegal immigration, and all the constant rhetoric from the left about ‘jobs Americans won’t do’, the right is made up of racists, etc….
Here we have a story which shows,
a.) They’re doing jobs Americans WILL do
b.) Hiring illegal, unqualified workers can prove detrimental to this country, especially when said workers are asked to provide a service as critical as this
Government or private hires makes no difference in the grand scheme of the argument.
They don’t belong here – they shouldn’t be here – and we shouldn’t be giving them jobs if they can’t go about coming here legally.
Through N.S.A. wiretaps, the following phone call between Rick (RM) and MM was recorded:
MM: (phone rings). Hello.
RM: Hi, Michelle
MM: Great job on Factor, last night, what’s up?
RM: It’s MikeB again, [groan heard in background] can you believe he found that Lara Flynn Boyle quote. Now it’d be hypocritical for us to cut him off for making a personal attack when you clearly did it–going after a woman’s breast size.
MM: Okay, keep him in, I have to deal with Geraldo, why not MikeB?
RM: You’re the boss. Regards to the family.
MM: Oh, wait, I got to go the FedEx guy Hewitt’s talking points finally got here.
RM: Later, bye.
MM: See ya.
hm. Mike B. after approximately 10 postings still has no inaccuracy to report about MM’s post.
Derailing the topic won’t cover for your inabilities….
Sure, Mike…I’m sure they spend HOURS worrying about you.
I heard you’re screenname is now in the CIA computer screening program and everytime you post alarms go off all over Langley….
It’s listed right in between ‘Marquis de Sade’ and ‘Mohammed’…..
So – watch your tail, buddy….
JB’s Hobbies: (phone rings) Hello
MB: Has my shipment of Model Glue come in?
JB’s Hobbies: yes
MB: Thank Goodness! I’m running low!
JB’s Hobbies: Later Bye
MB: See Ya
Through N.S.A. wiretaps which are legal to the dominant drive-by legacy media dismay, the following phone call between Mike B. and knows terrorist:
Mike B: (phone rings). Hello.
Osama: Hi, Mike
Mike B: Great job on that bridge collapse. It really showed the resources going to Iraq are being squandered. What’s up?
Osama: It’s you Mike. I’m really not sure this relationship is working out. Logic can’t be taught. You either have it or you don’t. And you don’t. Your misunderstanding of the word “objective” was the last straw. I’m not sure what I should do with you.
Mike B.: Hey man, please me in, I have to deal with such idiocy and rabid MM supporters….
Osama: I’ll give you some more time. Regards to the family.
Mike B.: Oh, wait, what is the latest screed you want me to go on with???
Osama: I’ll tell you next time.
Mike B: OK. See ya.
Mike:
That was pretty good. You oughta write for Stewart on the Daily Show.
Same goes for Baklava…
Sorry AJ – I liked yours too.
Cat #37:
MikeB receives special treatment only because he’s a liberal. I find him irritating at times. And I wish he’d respond directly to people’s arguments rather than, at times, setting up his own strawmen.
But this site needs the liberal perspective.
If only to shake our heads in wonderment at times.
Rick,
You mean the rest of us need to behave be he doesn’t have to because he’s a liberal, like the liberal media voice is a minority in the world?
Okay, I’ll do what he does and mean it:
“Cat #37:
MikeB receives special treatment only because he’s a liberal. I find him irritating at times. And I wish he’d respond directly to people’s arguments rather than, at times, setting up his own strawmen.
But this site needs the liberal perspective.
If only to shake our heads in wonderment at times.
This is the stupidest friggin set of remarks I have ever seen. For the sake of the lame and shallow excuses you make for him, above, you lieral premote the continuation of insults against michelle malkin on her own site, the continual frustration and insulting of her guests which basically allow for the number of hits necessary to keep the place well-funded via advertising, and tie up the site with endless posts all directed at a single, troublemaking voice as though no one has anything better to do, like have positive, pro-active discussions.
We need to listen to a liberal voice to remind us of what they sound like so we shake our heads at the content? You mean, someone dispensed with NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and 99% of all Hollywood celebrities who are on daytime talk shows all day long?
Yes, by all means, let him call Michelle whatever he wants so we can all shake our heads, chuckle chuckle.
In my opinion, you’re either a coward who is afraid of being called a “mean conservative”, or so stuck in a vacuum with your head in the motherboard of your desktop that you’ve lost all common sense persective.
Well, I’m a conservative, not a liberal, so I suppose you’ll be harsher on me.
By all means, Rick, lead the way oh great and grand moderator to the board, and do your best to see to it that the elections of 2008 lead to the defeat of all conservatives and everything they stand for….
… and shake your head and chuckle.
Rick -
On which topic are you unaware of the “liberal perspective”?
Rick,
Political correctness does not impress me.
I don’t need to read liberal talking points here–which is not why I read this blog– as I can easily read the New York Times.
As I said before, I can easily ignore MikeB’s blatant insults hurled at me, but I draw the line when they are towards Michelle.
This should be a discussion on the posts, not a literal hijacking of one person who baits people into an argument focused on his self-righteous self.
He loves the attention, folks, so don’t feed the troll if Rick keeps him here. And, after this, I will no longer notice him even though Rick seems to feel the need to have him present.
I also did not like the comment that he “receives special treatment.” I will act like a Dimmicrat and say I am disfranchised as a conservative!
Cat:
First of all, get a grip. And I want you to read over your last post and tell me that it isn’t the most ridiculous, over the top, insulting, and just plain dumb thing you’ve ever put on this site.
If you are testing my patience, you’re doing a damn fine job. The only reason your not banned is because I chalk up what you said to being rightly upset at the double standard involved.
I would also like you to go over some of your other posts and see how tolerant I have been of YOU. Perhaps you should not be so quick to urge banning when your own behavior has been less than stellar.
Look – there are a couple of liberals who post on this site. Mike B happens to be the most annoying. I predict he will be gone very soon. But if I had banned him last night, people could have said it was because he insulted ME – which while against the rules, I grant him a little leeway because I regularly insult HIM.
And Lordy Peep, it’s a question of the liberal perspective on specific things Michelle writes. Unless you’re a mind reader, I suggest you wait for MikeB to comment.
Ditto Lindsey.
Most of the time…when he goes off on his tangents…. MikeB’s comments are like that teacher on all the Charlie Brown specials…..
“Wah-wah, wah-wah-wah-wah”…..
With that said – I agree that having a liberal perspective here is a good thing.
However, it’s important that the perspective is delivered in a respectful, focused manner – and not served with a side-dish of off-topic jabs at our gracious host or other posters.
People please, lighten up. Just for your amusement, I got my hands on another tape:
[cell phone rings}
MM: Hello.
BO: Hi, Michelle, thanks for subbing for me. Great job--I guess I better watch my back. On that note, what did I tell you, Kasich is history, in fact, I think he'll be on milk cartons soon.
MM: [chuckles] Ok, Bill, my kids are home…
BO: Hey, what are you wearing?
MM: Bill, don’t go there, remember what happened the last time…
BO: You’re right again, Michelle. Watch me tonight, will you. And, remember I’m looking out for you.
Rick,
The other people who have a liberal bent I read. I don’t read boring comments by someone who has no imagination and is predictable. You are giving this sad excuse a reason for living–to insult us with special privileges.
I did just read his comment above (have not read the others due to somnolence, and I find it offensive). Does that matter?
In my humble opinion, I just think his Brain is Mush, thus the Glue Sniffing Inuendo….
One last tidbit and I’m going to settle in to the Factor then an Angel game.
With all the Postings from all of us today I just hope Michelle doesn’t get fed up completely and take “Comments” out entirely from her Site… Have a great evening all (yes even you MB) and I am out…
Rick,
It seems you’re view about Mike B is going against the grain of the board.
I see….
“I would also like you to go over some of your other posts and see how tolerant I have been of YOU. Perhaps you should not be so quick to urge banning when your own behavior has been less than stellar.”
The only thing I can think of Rick is that I dared to disagree with you on the issue of Democrat Presidential candidates being called on refusing to debate on Fox News. Please quote me elsewhere and demonstrate to me and the rest of the board how I have so taxed you, at least in relation to Mike B, (addendum: or anything else for that matter). I recall my tough talk to you being in response to you being a bit uncivil first – certainly sarcastic in a way that was uncalled for. Check the threads or please prove me wrong. That seems like a fair request.
“But if I had banned him last night, people could have said it was because he insulted ME – which while against the rules, I grant him a little leeway because I regularly insult HIM”
I see, and you’re talking to me about stellar behavior. I think that most people would agree that any board would be ever-so-much better without any insults at all? I find this “it’s okay for him to insult me because I insult him” talk from a moderator on what is supposed to be an intelligent message board for adults surprising. Especially since he’s also repeatedly insulting Michelle. Are you sure you aren’t working for the other side? As conservatives we should indeed put on a good face. However, I don’t call responding to harsh retorts or insults to the host in kind the sort of thing demanding of a polite response unless we want to continue the left wing perception that conservatives are too gentlemanly to fight back.
“The only reason your not banned is because I chalk up what you said to being rightly upset at the double standard involved.”
Well, thank God there’s an acknowledgement of a double standard. The question is, and I’ll bet others would like to know this: with that same double standard everywhere conservatives turn, why continue that unholy tradition here? It’s not a rhetorical question: what purpose does it serve?
No petty intent here, and all due respect all around, but for the sake of continuity for anyone reading this thread in the future, Mike B was banned by the host the following day, and rightfully so.
A proper lesson learned the hard way: conservatives may be tolerant, but we’re not chumps.
It would really be nice to know that, when I drive on a Mississippi River Bridge, I can be sure that it has been built by people who know what they are doing (i.e. certified). Those bridges are VERY TALL. It’s quite a long way down to ground level should the bridge collapse.
The only way to have any control over whether or not the bridge builders know what they are doing is to employ only those allowed to be here. In this way, all of the legal protections are “up and running”. Otherwise, everything is “under the table”, including whether or not the workers are certified.