Friday, March 16, 2007

Just the facts


But Mayor Lou Barletta couldn't provide any in his testimony yesterday.
CV: But Barletta also admitted he lacked statistics, evidence or research to support his main reason for proposing the ordinance — that illegal immigrants are destroying the quality of life in Hazleton. He also conceded he does not know how many illegal immigrants live in Hazleton, using city services like fire protection, sanitation and code enforcement.
I guess this is the faith based approach to law making.
Morning Call: But Barletta admitted he had no idea how many illegal immigrants live in his city of about 32,000 and that he didn't rely on any data to conclude they are the root of its problems.
As I've said before this was a stunt to help Rick Santorum's reelection campaign that has taken a life of it's own. The local rags are trying to depict him as a local hero playing on the fear of people who look different. Bloggers call him out.
And the Hazleton Legal Defense fund is running out of money: Barletta has frequently said that the ordinance is meant to save the city the cost of providing city services, such as police protection, for those who are in the county illegally.Besides the cost of defending the suit, Hazleton taxpayers could be on the hook for more than $1 million in legal fees from the other side if the judge rules against the city. It’s unlikely the city’s insurance company will pay those fees, as the policy specifically states it does not pay out for these costs.When asked about how the city would pay for those possible expenses, Barletta has said he would make public appearances and solicit donations.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

With all due respect Gort, one cannot have it both ways. One of the arguments that the plaintiffs have made is that since the ordinance has gone into effect many businesses in the downtown have been forced to close. Why? I do not decry anyone who wishes to operate a business; I do, however, find it repugnant when people break the law. Govt. statistics put the amount of illegals in the US at several MILLION. Or am I just drinking too much wine from my personal vineyard here at the Vatican. Seriously, the entire reason for this fiasco in Scranton federal court is that the government is not enforcing immigration laws. In closing, if every immigrant living in Hazleton is legal---green card and all---then why are they getting so upset? Stealing and refining a line from Jerry McGuire, "just show me the green card." Bless You.

Anonymous said...

Gort, I am suing you for publishing a line from my film without paying the copyright costs. Go Scientology!!

PA progressive said...

That's because it's a race based approach to law making.

Hey, do you have permission to use that picture???

Poor guy Gort, you're never going to live this one down.

Anonymous said...

I haven't really sounded off on this issue but since it seems like it won't go away soon I will throw my opinion in the ring. Why do people have a problem with this ordinance, forget the race card, we are talking about people who entered this country illegally. That should be easy enough to figure out. Do these people have documentation? If not their illegal until they provide such information. Give them a certain time frame to produce the info.; if not you can't provide services or a place to live or anything else. A question is raised on how to police it. Simple, it is up to the proprietors and landlords to ask for ID; if it can't be provided they do without. What is so hard, people? Common sense. As far as going to court, I don't see how there can be two sides to the issue. I don't care if your English, Irish, Scottish, Spanish, etc...; if your here illegally then no service for you. If it just so happens that most of the people are hispanic that can't provide documentation too bad!!!! Please respond. I'd love to hear an arguement from the other side.

Anonymous said...

If there were more young men like Forrest in this great ol' country, the world would be a better place. Take that Liberals!!! Damn!!!