Reader comments
Chaffetz, California Demo butt heads

110 comments   |   Read story

California Resident | 8:42 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
Comparing the internment of American Citizens (which was very wrong) with detainment of illegal aliens who have broken U.S. law and have NO business being here are the doltish ramblings of one of the most liberal men in California politics.

The Mexican (MS 13) gang problems in Rep. Honda's own district are a perfect example of why we need to deport illegal aliens.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Jynx | 8:43 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
I have spoken with Chaffetz personally on this issue. His position is totally intended as a response to people who enter the country illegally. Race or ethnicity have no bearing on the matter. He has accurately identified illegal immigration as one of the major problems of our time, and he has stated plainly his ideas for solving the problem. He has not demeaned any one for their racial heritage, their social status, or their wealth or lack of wealth. Frankly, I agree that a serious consequence needs to face those who come to our country illegally and sap resources from those who are citizens or those have "played by the rules" in coming to the United States. Honda didn't get this one right, at all. Jason did.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
CA? | 8:54 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
Yeah- California is such a stellar example of positive immigration. Let's take a page from their book!
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Ling Ling | 8:59 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
So Bennion Spencer and Mike Honda do not want us to enforce the law against illegal immigrants who commit crimes?

What about American citizens who commit crimes? Should we only let certain ethnicities off the hook? Or should we just stop incarcerating people altogether - so we won't be racist?
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
CJ | 9:16 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
It's too bad the congressman from California has not looked into what Jason actually supports. Jason only supports the use of tent facilities when the federal government refuses to build a prison for fugitive aliens. Those are illegal immigrants who commit crimes that need to be held by federal facilities.

If the federal government does not build a prison, or refund the states costs for holding person who commit crimes than this type of a facility would hold those person for a day until federal agents are able to pick them up.

This does not include those who are thought or suspected of being in this country illegally. This type of facility would be used for criminal acts. (fraud, violence, etc).
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Utah Man | 9:25 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
Why doesn't Honda keep his nose out of it? Let Utah elect the man we want. I don't need some California blowhard telling me what to do. Honda, you have no jurisdiction over us, so keep your trap shut.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Chaffetz's Temper | 9:33 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
It is only a matter of time until he loses it. Chaffetz is a hot head and can't stand criticism.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Republican leader | 9:35 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
McCain of McCain-Feingold? Chaffetz had better start his own party.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Use the FORCE | 9:56 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
Use the force Jason...listen to the message not your hate.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Leidig | 9:56 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
This article proves just how much ignorance spews from Chaffetz mouth. I completely agree with Congressman Honda. Having listened to Chaffetz flatulence of the mouth while debating against Chris Cannon, I too feel that he is not ready to represent Utah. If ignorance is bliss, then Chaffetz floating on cloud 9. It'll be a sad day for Utah if Chaffetz represents us.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Jason pandering | 10:03 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
From what I've learned of Jason Chaffetz, it is clear that this guy loves to look at himself in the mirror, and accordingly will say anything he can to pander and win an election.

I really think Utah might of made a mistake by picking this bozo of Cannon... Chaffetz did not have a good reputation among BYU football players when he was a kicker in the 90s
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Brittanicus | 10:06 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
Don't let Mike Honda turn the beautiful state of Utah into a growing tiolet bowl like California? As a California resident I have watched a once great state deteriorate into a place of violence from unhindered gangs through obnoxious 'Sanctuary city' laws. Right now we have a massive budget meltdown of $17.billion dollars, which $11 billion is directly related to giving illegal alien families 'CARTE BLANCHE' welfare. Go & Read Uncensored Facts and news at NUMBERSUSA, CAPSWEB, JUDICIAL WATCH. Thanks to the state Liberal Democrats and Socialist, California is importing poverty on a grand scale. Unless we stop illegal immigration our nation will be OVERPOPULATED within twenty years. You Decide your families future?
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Anonymous | 10:10 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
Honda is right. Chaffetz ideas are radical and inane. Only he could make Chris Cannon not seem so bad. Vote Democrat
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Miyagi San still remembers | 10:16 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
those painful days in Delta Utah and has been wanting to unload on somebody for 40 years. Jason would make a good whipping boy though.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Chaffing | 10:24 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
Jynx, it doesn't make a difference if you've spoken with him "personally" or not. Nice try though. Did you get his autograph by any chance? This Chaffetzz character is really proving to be a political pro. He has a bright future. Putting people in tent cities is brilliant idea. Absolutely fabulous. I can't wait to see what other bright ideas he'll come up with.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Give Me A Break | 10:35 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
Honda is clueless, as are most Congressmen and Congresswomen from Pelosiville (aka California). There is a world of difference between arresting and imprisoning illegal immigrants and detaining legal citizens. The first is necessary and expected to sustain the rule of law. The latter is an abuse of constitutional rights of citizens.

Perhaps Honda could actually take a break from his vacation and fix the broken and misguided immigration system.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Jason's Naive | 10:38 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
What Jason doesn't say is the tent city is for people detained who are only SUSPECTED of being illegal aliens. Those that we determine to be illegal are deported, usually in a matter of days. Who are the people that get detained? People that don't look like us.
Ask yourself this: do you carry your passport or birth certificate with you at all times so you can prove you're here legally? Why not? Is it because you'd never have the need to prove citizenship because of the way you look or sound? How long would YOU be willing to spend in Jason's tent city while you wait for someone to bring your proof of citizenship?
This is nothing but sound bite politics; intended solely to snag a few votes from the uninformed. Illegal immigration is a serious problem and we need serious answers. The resource devoted to create and maintain Jason's tent city would be far better spent toward prevention, enforcement, apprehension and adjudication. Detention is simply not the problem, Jason. But then, Jason isn't interested in solving the problem, he just wants to win an election.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Madden | 10:39 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
Enforcing immigration is NOTHING like what happened to US citizens during WWII. Throwing out a quote about tent cities makes for a great headline, but totally misses the point.

Who knows where the concept came from? Oh yeah, the Maricopa County Sheriff has been using these types of "camps" for lawbreakers who otherwise would be overcrowding Arizona prisons. If we ever (good luck!) decided to enforce immigration laws, those who continue to break the law would need fines followed by prison. And since we cannot fit many more folks into high-security prisons, guess where they would end up for their sentencing? Tent camps. This isn't rocket science.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Anonymous | 10:43 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
The families I know along the Wasatch Front that were impacted by the Japanese internment camps don't wish to let those memories die. As to recent immigration matters, most "public" and political commentary re immigration in Utah relates to one group - Hispanics from Mexico. One wonders where the energy and passion against this one group comes from and so when the "tent" metaphor is hoisted, it's no wonder some folk in some corners get defensive.

Politicians, some anyway, and some supporters, are so single minded on the immigration issue, when nuance and diversity might be better handles. What prism to view immigration through? As a business person supposedly impacted or a politician that wants to beat the drum and gain attention.

I love it every time I hear the mantra, illegal immigrants are criminals. I'd like to hear more discussion re how much in taxpayer money has been spent on the war in Iraq; when is a more viable and widespread heath care system going to exist and how will politicians ever jump start the economy (fuel costs, bankruptcy, foreclosure)? Lot's of serious issues bearing down on us.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Defeat Chaffetz | 10:49 p.m. Sept. 5, 2008
Chaffetz is a disgrace. Cannon was bad, Chaffetz is a whole lot worse. What a conservative fool.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
In News Across Site

No. Utah sees a major earthquake every 350 years. Last one? 350 years ago.