immigrants- well US citizens- but...

[ihaveworms]

this is just a conversation i had with my old man tonight... we don't talk much politics these days as i think there is to much corruption within, but got to talking about the stand with the immigrants and if they are given their citizenship here in the US...

so i brought this up to my old man (army for 20 years.. and worked for the gov't for the past 15.. but had cancer and was sent home 6 months ago from afghan- and beat both forms of the cancer ;) )

that if these people are so for the american way, and at one time were illegal (well soon to c) ... that they do a couple years in the military- which would better their lifestyle with a good pay, benefits for his/her whole family (which most are here to make a few dollars and take care of their family) and at the same time fight for their newly found home

IMO (and yes, in My own opinion) that would be great- and allow some leverage with the many who are in the guard etc... to be with their families as they have done their duty and time- and have been a citizen since birth

that is a way to kill several birds with one stone----- in most cases------ good pay, citizenship, benefits, career, etc. etc...

i would like to hear thoughts from others as i had stumped my old man.. which is hard to do... the only thing he said was "i don't want to command or be leading soilders who don't believe in what they are doing or want to be their" ... which you can't say all the ones there now do... and he understood that.. but he said the soilders morale was high.. and they feel they are doing great things..

what are your thoughts??

worms

[capt carnuba]

I think you hit the nail on the head. In the early days of Iraq there were constant reports of 'illegals' in the military, the suggestion being that citizenship would be given to anyone doing service. Also,in the conspiratorial vein, it was seen as an easy way to mitigate KIA numbers of friendlies. Couple that with use of mercenaries/contractors and Iraq's tolls could/can be easily spun. However, Immigration without Indoctrination or naturalization if you prefer will always cause ensuing Tribalism.

[mace]

that is a way to kill several birds with one stone
What, using illegals as cannonfooder?

Seriously worms, i know you didn't mean it that way, but thats how it would work out imo.

[ihaveworms]

correct, sorry, i didn't mean for it to sound like that...

was just pointing out that for the free ticket they got into america... they should be able to fight in its stead... just as others do here ..

worms

[ntstephenson]

Anyone who has served on a ship can tell you that this is already done for a few nationalities, notably for Philipinos. Easily 80% of the food service personnel on the ships I was on were Philipinos that enlisted for two years in order to get citizenship.

I would think that this is at least as good of a program as enlistment in order to avoid jail time.

[BilboBaggins]

Let me put on my flame-proof undies before I say this...there, nice and snug.

I would like to go through one day in this fucking country hearing nothing but well-spoken English.

BB

[capt carnuba]

Money speaks BB. And corporatism only speaks greed.

[Roscoe]

Let me put on my flame-proof undies before I say this...there, nice and snug.

I would like to go through one day in this fucking country hearing nothing but well-spoken English.

BB


LOL...you won't be flamed by me on this one. I think I'll scream the next time I hear someone pepper their language with the word "actually" one more time.

[suzy cremecheese]

Operation Latin Sheild?

[capt carnuba]

Operation We need more Bodies. It ain't going so good.

[Genghis Bong]

it might look something like this

http://www.funny-videos.co.uk/videosouthpark.html

[Slarty]

Like the Irish getting off the boats and being sent to fight for Lincoln.

I think it's a bad idea. I might not have a problem with some kind of community service obligation but not military service.

There is already a total disconnect between those who make the decision to go to war and those who fight. If the Bush twins and other children of decision makers were going to be on the line getting blown to bits by IED's I guarantee Iraq would have been handled very differently. Now imagine the disconnect if even those who vote for the decision makers had no pound of flesh at stake?

America would get totally "Roman", not a good thing at all.

[phlegmbae]

I love the idea of wetbacks showing thier love for this country by proving it by putting thier lifes on the line for it! I'm sure many of them are very sincere, and willing to do just that with pride!

[mace]

I doubt that serving on the frontline makes any migrant a better migrant.

What you need is migrants willing to adapt to their new environment and a country that is willing to appreciate that and integrate migrants.
First step is to learn the language.

I would like to go through one day in this fucking country hearing nothing but well-spoken English.
There is english and then there is english...

[Batman]

I think that mandatory military service for all american citizens of a certain age is a good all around idea. Many countries have compulsory military service laws. Russia, Israel, et cetera.

My father immigrated from Ireland, joined the US navy and served 22 years on submarines. he only retired after reaching the rank of e-9, master chief. they were going to take him off the boats and put him behind a desk.

I don't think that requiring a gesture of allegance, such as having to serve a mandatory 3 or 4 year hitch in the service is too much to ask for the priviledge of becomming a legal citizen of this country and absorbing it's resources and services. is it too much to ask of someone who wants to come here and live forever..? I really don't think so.

there are some rules however that should apply prior to being granted permanent status here...

-the ability to fluently speak the english language.
-the ability to support yourself.
-no prison time for offenses that would also get you time in this country, (this eliminates political prisoners, they could be granted waivers for this rule).
-a sponsor who is a current citizen in the event that the immigrany can't currently support himself.
-a willingness to serve a mandatory 4 year stint in the military.

I don't see it as "cannon fodder", but rather giving them an opportunity to put up or shut up.

http://www.my-smileys.de/smileys2/batman_2.gif

[Slarty]

If they are in the same foxhole with the Bush twins then yes, if not... then no.:blast: