Dems locked out of debate on sweeping and controversial REAL ID Act

[Roland99]

http://rawstory.com/exclusives/alexandrovna/dems_locked_out_real_id_428.htm

The controversial legislation, which supporters say is needed to protect the nation from illegal immigrants, may be be passed in conference as early as Friday. Both chambers of Congress have already passed their versions of the bill; the Senate version does not contain REAL ID but it is expected to be added during negotiations. Senate Democrats say they are being out of discussions in much the same way that the House Democrats were kept out of negotiations in late 2004.

<...>

As RAW STORY reported in February, some members of the Republican caucus were split on many of 418’s controversial provisions. In an effort to soothe Republican dissent, Sensenbrenner held a series of secretive closed door meetings, along with a leading conservative Republican member with ties to Jerry Falwell and James Dobson, in order to convince the members of his delegation to support the bill by suggesting that the far Christian right would “rain down fire and brimstone.”

Sensenbrenner is said to have cut a deal; the bill would be attached as a rider to another bill in 2005. He then pulled it from the Intel bill, which then passed late last year.

REAL ID was then attached to the Iraq and Afghan military appropriations bill, which also includes money for tsunami aid. The Senate version of the appropriations bill did not include REAL ID, but Republicans are re-adding it in conference.

[UCLA Dem]

1. We have got to get them out of there!!! NOW!!!!

[Roland99]

5. I'm feeling it's time for a 10-Million Dissenter March upon Washington!

[rodeodance]

6. hell, why stop at 10 million!!

[Roland99]

8. Good point.

Nationwide walkout for EVERY person able to form a cogent thought and disgusted at this move!

[Just Me]

2. What a bunch of freakin' tyrants!!! This is ridiculous!!!!

I am simply disgusted that this form of dictatorial BS is happening.

YACK! :puke:

[bushisanidiot]

3. The cheap labor repukes want the immigrants to STAY ILLEGAL!!

and they are fighting the pro-gun racist repukes who want the browned skinned people out of the country.

who's gonna win the smack down? who's more evil? cheap labor greed filled repukes, or the gun totin' "minute men" repukes? heh..

pass the popcorn!

[slaveplanet]

11. ANSWER

cheap labor Repukes...the greater evil always wins without formidible $$$ challenge.

[EC]

4. Sensenbrenner is a real embassament to

us here in Wi. just cannot figure out how this sweating old man keeps getting elected. He looks so dirty and smelly...

[rodeodance]

7. you bet he is!!-- He seems to using the Christian Right to get his way.

.....along with a leading conservative Republican member with ties to Jerry Falwell and James Dobson, in order to convince the members of his delegation to support the bill by suggesting that the far Christian right would “rain down fire and brimstone.”

[pop goes the weasel]

9. This bill will be bad news for asylum-seekers

I posted elsewhere about this.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=250x1230

[sweetheart]

10. They should simply attach a Dem rider and let it go

The rider they should put on, in return for letting the bill pass,
is:
"All persons with these ID's will have the right to vote, unquestioned
at their specified polling place without any other requirement for
identity or proof of address. (not a provisional ballot, a real one!)"

The ID card thing is an inevitable reality of a modernizing nation, as
the wild west is not wild anymore... rather we have identity theft and
the need for digitial certificates underwritten by the authorities... so
then just get the right to vote in there dammit!!