Harry Reid Was For It Before He Was Against It
The other day I posted this video of Harry Reid remarking that he couldn't fathom how Hispanics could vote for Republicans after seeing their attempts to enact immigration reform, including Lindsey Graham's call to end birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants. Lo and behold, it turns out the idea of ending birthright citizenship was first envisioned by none other than Harry Reid! From the Washington Times:
Mr. Reid introduced a bill to the Senate Judiciary Committee as the Immigration Stabilization Act of 1993. The bill, which died in committee after it was referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Refugee Affairs, includes tough immigration provisions that would make many wonder where Mr. Reid truly stands on the immigration and border debate.
Title X of the Reid introduced bill shows the Nevada Democrat took Senator Lindsey Graham's, South Carolina Republican, idea on the interpretation of the 14th Amendment and documented it into legislation:
"TITLE X—CITIZENSHIP 4 SEC. 1001. BASIS OF CITIZENSHIP CLARIFIED. In the exercise of its powers under section of the Fourteenth Article of Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the Congress has determined and hereby declares that any person born after the date of enactment of this title to a mother who is neither a citizen of the United States nor admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident, and which person is a national or citizen of another country of which either of his or her natural parents is a national or citizen, or is entitled upon application to become a national or citizen of such country, shall be considered as born subject to the jurisdiction of that foreign country and not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States within the meaning of section 1 of such Article and shall therefore not be a citizen of the United States or of any State solely by reason of physical presence within the United States at the moment of birth."
I don't know how anyone of Hispanic heritage could vote for Harry Reid. Do I need to say more?
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Jun '10
Re: Harry Reid Was For It Before He Was Against It
But after discussing it with demographers, and his pollster, Reid discovered that wanting to limit birthright citizenship is "just morally wrong," and you can quote him on that. "...and here's a translation for Spanish-language media."
Jun '10
Re: Harry Reid Was For It Before He Was Against It
Reid is the personification of gutless, unprincipled politics that is motivated solely by what sells politically at the moment (though many Republicans play the same game).
The thing I like most about the conservatism of Edmund Burke, Bill Buckley, Russell Kirk, and others is that is animated by a set of intellectually rigorous core principles that don't change with every shift in the wind.
How a man like Harry Reid (who can't even remember that he was for it before he was against it) became the leader of one of the nation's greatest institutions (the U. S. Senate) is a sad commentary on the state of our nation.
May '10
Re: Harry Reid Was For It Before He Was Against It
Certainly you don't expect Senators to know what's in the bills they sponsor?
And by-the-way, does this man ever smile? Even when he knows that he is being photographed? Perhaps we need to label him "Happy Harry". He's like a caricature of himself.
Jul '10
Re: Harry Reid Was For It Before He Was Against It
Reid is of that class of politician for whom principles are an afterthought. Expediency is the order of the day, and it leads to a policy built on a foundation of sand. So long as they can stay in office, they remain as fickle as the wind.
Re: Harry Reid Was For It Before He Was Against It
Whiskey Sam: ...So long as they can stay in office, they remain as fickle as the wind. · Aug 13 at 12:16pm
But isn't fickleness a characteristic of the American people as well? Perhaps not fickleness, but certainly Americans' attitudes toward topics like gay marriage change drastically over time. If one of the foremost duties of politicians and elected officials is to represent the attitudes and desires of their constituents, shouldn't we expect, if not applaud, the mutability of politicians' stances on topics like immigration, abortion, and gay marriage?
Jun '10
Re: Harry Reid Was For It Before He Was Against It
G.A. Dean: Certainly you don't expect Senators to know what's in the bills they sponsor?
And by-the-way, does this man ever smile? Even when he knows that he is being photographed? Perhaps we need to label him "Happy Harry". He's like a caricature of himself. · Aug 13 at 10:51am
Even when he smiles it looks painful. I've always wanted to use the word "rictus" ("a gaping grin or grimace"). Happy or sad, Harry is always in full rictus.
Jun '10
Re: Harry Reid Was For It Before He Was Against It
Diane Ellis, Ed.
But isn't fickleness a characteristic of the American people as well? Perhaps not fickleness, but certainly Americans' attitudes toward topics like gay marriage change drastically over time. If one of the foremost duties of politicians and elected officials is to represent the attitudes and desires of their constituents, shouldn't we expect, if not applaud, the mutability of politicians' stances on topics like immigration, abortion, and gay marriage? · Aug 13 at 12:39pm
Yes. We are fickle, and people do change attitudes over time. But I also believe that when a politican makes a 180 degree shift, he or she needs to disclose and explain it. I'm certain Harry was clueless: when everything is done out of expediency, it's really hard to remember what you did. If you're motivated by principle, it's a little easier.
Jul '10
Re: Harry Reid Was For It Before He Was Against It
Diane Ellis, Ed.
But isn't fickleness a characteristic of the American people as well? Perhaps not fickleness, but certainly Americans' attitudes toward topics like gay marriage change drastically over time. If one of the foremost duties of politicians and elected officials is to represent the attitudes and desires of their constituents, shouldn't we expect, if not applaud, the mutability of politicians' stances on topics like immigration, abortion, and gay marriage? · Aug 13 at 12:39pm
That depends on the motivation for the change. If someone is re-evaluating their position based on reflection or information showing their principles were wrong, that's not being fickle. That's being introspective and willing to change tack when proven wrong. Changing position as often as needed in a naked bid to stay in office is being fickle.
C S Lewis wrote, "We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive." Reid was trying to score debating points, not convey a new principled stance. I'll leave the American public to another discussion.
Jul '10
Re: Harry Reid Was For It Before He Was Against It
I wouldn't call all societal changes fickle. Opinion over gay marriage isn't swinging wildly back and forth. In any large group, over time, as the demographics change, you're going to see opinions change. As generations change, many of the same ideological battles are rehashed over philosophical, political, or religious grounds. When society is confronted daily by activists or media discussing something like gay marriage, it goes from being taboo to being mundane. Once it is no longer something alien but commonplace, acceptance is just a lateral move. Those who are raised in an environment where it is not beyond the pale of normal discussion are less likely to be reflexively opposed to it. As their generation increases proportionally, it's not surprising to see societal attitudes change. The opinions change because society itself is not a static population. Those who change because it's the chic thing to do are fickle, but the larger trend is not. That doesn't mean it's right, either. It's all the more reason for people to stand for principles against the prevailing tide of popular opinion or fashion. Principles should not change each season like a new wardrobe.
Re: Harry Reid Was For It Before He Was Against It
I'd only add that, under such circumstances, even bad law that goes with this flow is greeted with a more or less enthusiastic shrug.
Jun '10
Re: Harry Reid Was For It Before He Was Against It
I wouldn't use "fickle" for Happy Harry, I submit:
feck·less
/ˈfɛklɪs/ Show Spelled[fek-lis] Show IPA –adjective 1. ineffective; incompetent; futile: feckless attempts to repair the plumbing. 2. having no sense of responsibility; indifferent; lazy.