Monday
Aug102009
In Mexico, Obama Addresses Critics, Critical Issues
In a news conference Monday in Guadalajara, President Barack Obama issued a direct response to those who have criticized him for not doing enough to ensure that ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya is allowed to return to power.
"The same critics who say the U.S. has not intervened enough in Honduras are the same people who say that we're always intervening and Yankees need to get out of Latin America....you can't have it both ways."
Aside from that, Obama's remarks, which addressed a range of issues, both domestically and internationally, from healthcare, to immigration to Mexico's security, were fairly nonconfrontational.
Joined by President Felipe Calderon of Mexico and Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada, Obama shared his view that North America is becoming defined less by its borders and more by its bonds, and vowed to support expanded trade between the neighboring nations in lieu of a more protectionist policy.
On immigration, Obama insisted that his administration is exploring ways of enhancing the nation's border security as well as creating pathways to citizenship for the millions of illegal immigrants already inside the U.S. He divulged that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is currently spearheading discussions with members of Congress in an attempt to make reforming the nation's immigration policy a top priority in 2010.
"We have a broken immigration system, nobody denies it," said Obama. He argued that the U.S. desperately needs reform in order to protect immigrant workers from being exploited and to subside political tensions with Mexico. The President assured that he will sign legislation only if the public deems it fair.
However, Obama did concede that immigration will most likely have to take a backseat to healthcare, energy and financial regulatory reform; components of an agenda he referred to as a "pretty big stack of bills."
On healthcare, Obama called the current debate between supporters and opponents of reform a "healthy thing." Although recent reports have placed the number of uninsured Americans at roughly 45 million, Obama estimated the number to be around 46 to 47 million.
When asked by a Canadian journalist to address comparisons between his plan and the system currently used by his neighbors to the north, Obama replied that "the Canadian model works for Canada, it would not work for the United States...we've got to develop a uniquely American approach to this problem."
Obama further disqualified the notion that his healthcare plan is modeled after Canada's publicly financed system.
"I suspect that you Canadians will continue to get dragged in [to the debate] by those who oppose reform even though I've said nothing about Canadian healthcare reform." Obama joked that "I don't find Canadians particulary scary, but I guess some of the opponents of reform think they make a good boogie man. I think that's a mistake."
Later, Obama praised the Mexican government for its efforts combatting violence caused by drug cartels, and promised continued support from the U.S. in aiding the fight.
"I have great confidence in President Calderon's administration applying the law enforcement techniques that are necessary to curb the power of the cartels, but doing so in a way that's consistent with human rights," said Obama. He reiterated his belief that the U.S. must reduce its demand for illegal drugs that enter the country through its southern border.
"The same critics who say the U.S. has not intervened enough in Honduras are the same people who say that we're always intervening and Yankees need to get out of Latin America....you can't have it both ways."
Aside from that, Obama's remarks, which addressed a range of issues, both domestically and internationally, from healthcare, to immigration to Mexico's security, were fairly nonconfrontational.
Joined by President Felipe Calderon of Mexico and Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada, Obama shared his view that North America is becoming defined less by its borders and more by its bonds, and vowed to support expanded trade between the neighboring nations in lieu of a more protectionist policy.
On immigration, Obama insisted that his administration is exploring ways of enhancing the nation's border security as well as creating pathways to citizenship for the millions of illegal immigrants already inside the U.S. He divulged that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is currently spearheading discussions with members of Congress in an attempt to make reforming the nation's immigration policy a top priority in 2010.
"We have a broken immigration system, nobody denies it," said Obama. He argued that the U.S. desperately needs reform in order to protect immigrant workers from being exploited and to subside political tensions with Mexico. The President assured that he will sign legislation only if the public deems it fair.
However, Obama did concede that immigration will most likely have to take a backseat to healthcare, energy and financial regulatory reform; components of an agenda he referred to as a "pretty big stack of bills."
On healthcare, Obama called the current debate between supporters and opponents of reform a "healthy thing." Although recent reports have placed the number of uninsured Americans at roughly 45 million, Obama estimated the number to be around 46 to 47 million.
When asked by a Canadian journalist to address comparisons between his plan and the system currently used by his neighbors to the north, Obama replied that "the Canadian model works for Canada, it would not work for the United States...we've got to develop a uniquely American approach to this problem."
Obama further disqualified the notion that his healthcare plan is modeled after Canada's publicly financed system.
"I suspect that you Canadians will continue to get dragged in [to the debate] by those who oppose reform even though I've said nothing about Canadian healthcare reform." Obama joked that "I don't find Canadians particulary scary, but I guess some of the opponents of reform think they make a good boogie man. I think that's a mistake."
Later, Obama praised the Mexican government for its efforts combatting violence caused by drug cartels, and promised continued support from the U.S. in aiding the fight.
"I have great confidence in President Calderon's administration applying the law enforcement techniques that are necessary to curb the power of the cartels, but doing so in a way that's consistent with human rights," said Obama. He reiterated his belief that the U.S. must reduce its demand for illegal drugs that enter the country through its southern border.
tagged 
geoff holtzman in Frontpage 1, News/Commentary, White House
geoff holtzman in Frontpage 1, News/Commentary, White House
Reader Comments (3)
[...] In Mexico, Obama Addresses Critics, Critical Issues – Talk Radio … [...]
Why is the word enforcement so hard for these folks to say? Why are Americans heartless when we enforce the laws of our country? Every other country can enforce their immigration policies, but when WE do it, it's cruel and unusual.
The American people won't allow another amnesty. We have been lied to before, and we're just not believing the politicians anymore.
We must see real enforcement before we'll believe that our needs come before those of every third world country south of our border.
But we don't see that at all. Instead, we see social services being given away, our states raising taxes while going bankrupt. We see overcrowded schools and hospitals, but we're not supposed to notice that the folks aren't citizens. Don't notice that thousands of people in your neighborhood facilities are suddenly Mexican and only speaks Spanish. That wouldn't be nice.
Now we see healthcare reform legislation that doesn't require citizenship to qualify for benefits..... and we know that every illegal immigrant will be in line in front of us for the services it would offer. Again, citizens aren't considered at all..... but the needs of every illegal immigrant will be considered FIRST. As the heart bleeds.
US citizens are getting pretty tired of this treatment. We need enforcement of existing immigration laws, at the border and the workplace. No more excuses and sympathetic stories of the poor downtrodden immigrant....
or should I say undocumented worker.
Obama is just plain Wrong: A Citizen’s View. He is guilty of meddling in other countries
affairs and being “stupidly” uninformed.
It was interesting to see the reaction to Heads of State of the countries around the world when the corrupt President,
supported by illegal drugs from Hugo Chaves, was Legally removed from office according to the Honduran Constitution.
Again, the President of the United States has spoken without understanding the facts as he has done quite frequently.
President Obama has again stated that the removal of Zelaya was illegal. Not quite so.
The President, Manuel Zelaya, was removed and replaced by the President of the congress in accordance with the
Honduran Constitution. President Obama might well be advised to read articles 42, 239, 244, 272, 278, 373, 374 of the Honduran Constitution. Possibly, the world is now beginning to understand that U.S. Politicians can read. They don't read the legislation they
pass, and they don't take the time to become informed before they react and comment
He once again has acted “STUPIDLY”, without knowing the facts. Not only was the removal justified, but done in strict accord to the
Honduran Constitution. Zelaya, in effect, removed himself from office by his illegal, unconstitutional actions and lost his rights as
a citizen, and therefore lost his eligibility to be President.
“The rights of any citizen is lost if the citizen incites, promotes, or supports the continuance or re-election of the president of the
Republic.” Article 42. (Note: They have a one-term restriction as constitutional law)
The obvious reason this is so upsetting to the Heads of State like President Obama is that he, too, on examination of his statements
and actions has, in my opinion, usurped his constitutional authority, has violated his oath of office both as a U.S. Senator and as
President to uphold and defend the constitution, and has infringed on the Peoples and States rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.
If we had a congress that represented the people, like Honduras, rather than one engaged in name calling and labeling the people “un-
American” we might be impeaching President Obama and President Bush before him. Unfortunately, our self-serving congress is too busy
wasting taxpayers money for their own benefit. Our “Bill of Rights” has been and is being trampled on. The problem is that many or most
of congressional members on both sides of the ideological isle are equally guilty.
So it appears that Honduras is more of a ‘republic’ and a ‘democracy’ than the United States. The Congress of Honduras deserves the praise of the U.S. Citizens and all free and liberty loving people, and I apologize to them for the Uninformed comments of President Obama..