Finger-pointing over handling of illegal immigrant in fatal crash
By Judi Villa, Rocky Mountain News
Published September 9, 2008 at 11:58 a.m.
Updated September 10, 2008 at 2:22 p.m.
Photo by Javier Manzano © The Rocky
Family and friends gather at the funeral services for 3-year-old Marten Kudlis. Francis Hernandez, the driver of the vehicle has never had a license in his life, Aurora police Lt. John Sopranuk said.
Photo by Chris Schneider
Alberto Riveros walks in front of a makeshift memorial of stuffed animals, candles and messages today at the Baskin-Robbins store near East Mississippi Avenue and South Havana Street. Three people were killed after a collision there last week.
Colorado is supposed to have some of the toughest immigration laws in the country.
Yet an illegal immigrant managed to be arrested nearly 20 times over the past five years and remain free until he allegedly caused a car crash last week that killed two innocent women and a toddler.
Now, the governor says the system failed, and local police are pointing the finger at federal immigration officials.
But officials with Immigration and Customs Enforcement say it may just be that Francis Hernandez, 23, had masqueraded as a U.S. citizen for so long that he flew under the radar.
Both police and immigration officials insist they are doing their part to enforce a 2006 state law designed to identify and deport illegal immigrants.
Statewide, Colorado law enforcement agencies forwarded the names of 16,000 suspected illegal immigrants to ICE last year.
In fiscal year 2007, which ended last Sept. 30, ICE identified 4,545 illegal immigrants in Colorado's jails and prisons, said ICE spokesman Tim Counts. Nearly 5,600 illegal immigrants were deported. The number deported is higher because it includes some illegal immigrants identified in earlier years.
This fiscal year, through Aug. 4, ICE has deported 4,792 illegal immigrants from Colorado, Counts said.
"We are working very hard. We are being very responsive," Counts said. "I understand some law enforcement may feel frustrated if we're not there when they snap their fingers. But like all law enforcement, we have finite resources."
The Center for Immigration Studies estimates Colorado's immigrant population at 435,000. Nearly one-third of those people are believed to be illegal.
Across the country, crimes involving illegal immigrants have become a lightning rod for criticism and fiery rhetoric, and it's no different in Colorado.
The arrest of Hernandez and subsequent revelation that he is an illegal immigrant from Guatemala has renewed a long-simmering and often acrimonious debate about immigration reform.
Hernandez is accused of broadsiding a pickup truck Thursday in Aurora, sending both vehicles careening into a Baskin Robbins ice-cream shop.
Two women in the pickup, Debra Serecky, 51, of Aurora, and Patricia Guntharp, 49, of Centennial, were killed as was Marten Kudlis, 3, of Aurora, who was in Baskin Robbins with his mother.
Aurora police said Arapahoe County sheriff's officials referred Hernandez to ICE on their behalf after Hernandez was arrested for speeding and driving without a valid license on April 25.
Counts said Tuesday that officials could find no record of an April referral. In fact, Counts said Hernandez was never referred to ICE before last week's triple-fatal crash.
Aurora police spokesman Bob Friel said Tuesday he stands by his department's assertion.
"He never got deported as a result of being arrested a lot of different times over a few years, and that's a failure of the system," Gov. Bill Ritter said Tuesday on 850 KOA News radio.
Ritter later said, "This is something we clearly have to fix. This is a problem."
Hernandez may have slipped through the cracks because most of his offenses stemmed from traffic-related misdemeanors and because he used numerous aliases and dates of birth. When he was arrested in Aurora in April, he had a recent pay stub on him, and officers noted that he spoke English. Hernandez said he was born in California.
State Republican Sen. Tom Wiens, the author of the 2006 bill, said the law, for the most part, has worked as it has supposed to because it has been able to hold law enforcement agencies accountable for making referrals when they come into contact with suspected illegal immigrants.
Still, law enforcement officials say they are taking people like Hernandez off the streets every day.
Jefferson County officials said they hold about five illegal immigrants a day for ICE. In Adams County, sheriff's officials made 1,915 queries to ICE last year. This year, they have made 1,625. Aurora police said they referred about 2,500 suspected illegal immigrants to ICE last year.
At the Colorado Department of Public Safety, 23 troopers were specially trained last year to enforce immigration laws during routine traffic stops.
In its first year, the unit processed about 920 undocumented foreign nationals, said spokesman Lance Clem. Among those were 21 wanted felons and 188 foreign nationals with criminal backgrounds that ranged from multiple felonies to drug charges to DUIs. During that time, 367 detainers were issued for suspects in custody.
September 9, 2008
12:08 p.m.
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esarem writes:
The "system" is BS. It didn't fail. It works just like they want it to. I'm sure they regret the collateral damage but the "master plan" continues.
September 9, 2008
12:17 p.m.
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samsmargolis writes:
"This is something we clearly have to fix," Ritter said. "This is a problem."
Apparently agricultural trespass for illegals committing felonies wasn't a problem back-in-the-day, though - right Bill?
September 9, 2008
12:17 p.m.
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T1anda writes:
Ritter fails everyday when it concerns illegals!! Lame excuse Ritter!!
September 9, 2008
12:18 p.m.
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Radar writes:
BS system, just some lazy paper pusher that did not want to do his/her job and fill out the paper work.
September 9, 2008
12:19 p.m.
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reddog writes:
Fix my A$$, notice no politician wants to deal with this problem in any way, they may lose a few precious votes.
September 9, 2008
12:21 p.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
Ritter allowed illegal aliens to plea bargain down their felonies, which resulted in them being able to escape deportation.
And then the scumbag prosecuted law enforcement officers who revealed that fact to the public.
And now the scumbag has the nerve to whine about the "system"?
The scumbag and every idiot who voted for the scumbag should be deported along with they beloved illegal aliens.
The country, state, and communities would be a much better place the minute Ritter, his idiot supporters, and their illegal aliens depart.
September 9, 2008
12:31 p.m.
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RBN writes:
It seems like it fails more then it works. If you get arrested 16 times you should be in jail. Legal or illegal.
September 9, 2008
12:31 p.m.
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opinionatedcolo writes:
Quick quiz rickg, what agency prosecuted the ICE agent for revealing information? Denver DA, State Attorney General or U.S. Department of Justice admittedly packed with card carrying Republicans? If you guessed C, you are right.
Ritter had nothing to do with this guy, but your obsessive hate for him leads you to post your moronic rants on every story. Really dude, get some meds.
September 9, 2008
12:32 p.m.
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Mayor_Quimby writes:
Ritter should stand on trial for this crime. Anything this moron Hernandez gets, Ritter should get the same. Esarem is correct. This is just collateral damage to him and "will go away" in a few weeks. Then, its business as usual for this idiot. Impeach him!
September 9, 2008
12:35 p.m.
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gary writes:
Ritter "the system failed"..HA he is the system and he is failing.
Why does illegal migration hit the top issue for Colorado? Recent estimates show 500,000 illegal aliens residing in Colorado. They bankrupt us with education costs at $564.1 million annually, $38.4 million for medical costs and $20 million for prison costs—year in and year out. All told with free breakfasts, lunches, ************, lost taxes from illegals working under the table, unemployment for Coloradans without jobs because of Mexicans—illegal immigration costs Colorado taxpayers $1 billion annually. That doesn’t include the tragedies to Coloradans from drunken driving deaths, rapes and murders via illegals.
What does that have to do with Governor Ritter?Â
While other governors enforce their laws against illegals in Georgia,Oklahoma and Arizona—Governor Ritter sits in his big, fat leather chair at the capitol daily without enforcing H.B. 1023.Â
Nuff Said!
September 9, 2008
12:36 p.m.
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LiverDude writes:
Even if you take ICE and deportation out of the equation this scumbag has been arrested 15 times previously and remained on the street. The failure was not due to ICE, but a failed criminal justice system.
September 9, 2008
12:37 p.m.
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coarizona writes:
Time for a recall for Ritter and Mayor Hick. They both have failed the taxpayers rights and protection of our citizens. How many more times do we have to read stories like this? Perhaps, a lawsuit would force them to react and follow the illegal immigration laws.
September 9, 2008
12:42 p.m.
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justme1977 writes:
What I want to know is are they going to prosecute this guy for killing 3 people or is ICE going to deport this clown so he can sneak back and destroy more pepoles lives? As a taxpayer I personally don't want to pay for him to be housed in a prison for the rest of his life but he certainly does not deserve to be set free & deported to Guatemala or Mexico or where ever he is from.
September 9, 2008
12:45 p.m.
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arby writes:
rickg19611
A question. What country do you deport an American citizen to?
Go wash the foam off the corners of your mouth.
September 9, 2008
12:48 p.m.
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666 writes:
I am morbidly fascinated with the way that Republicans use horrific tragedy to make political gains and increase their influence. Whether it's innocent bystanders killed by an illegal immigrant or the 2,700-odd people that died in the WTC, you can count on the right wing to build their political platforms over the graves of unfortunate innocents.
September 9, 2008
1 p.m.
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davies writes:
You probably want to vote McCain if this issue is a priority for you.
September 9, 2008
1:02 p.m.
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gary writes:
666
Yep, folks according to 666 all of your dead families and kin, are "unfortunate innocents". That clears up the matter.
Wait...they all must have been killed by unfortunate people that
"the system failed".
Nuff Said!
September 9, 2008
1:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
Shaggy writes:
Did he also say the same thing when Chandler died?
I know there were a couple more kids that have died because of "system" failure.
Did everyone noticed how Ritter and Hickenlooper have both refused to take any responsibility?
Remember that next time you go to the booth!
September 9, 2008
1:05 p.m.
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paperboy writes:
My friends, what this case exposes is the little acknowledged but rather obvious fact that when it comes to "serve and protect," most police departments are fundamentally incompetent.
The police prevent very few crimes by means of incisive investigative police work; that sort of competence is reserved for television programs, including the quasi-documentaries that spin real cases in favor of the police, crime labs and courts. No doubt visible police presence prevents much crime, but this is accomplished with a passive display of the symbols of power.
So what do the cops really do? They clean up and make excuses and point fingers after the crime has been committed. Cases where the police actually prevent some terrible crime are in fact so rare that they are typically given front page treatment in the media.
I'm not sure it gets any better without insituting cures that are worse than the disease. Better educated and higher paid and more competent police sounds like a good idea, but they already have far too much power.
What I'm saying here is that all of this post-tragedy hand-wringing and finger-pointing denies the reality that the cops just aren't geared up to to prevent crimes in the first place. You may want to try to change this, but I'd give it some more thought before taking action that that might cause more harm.
Of course this guy should have been in jail or deported, and the authorities are holding the blame for this. What I'm saying is that this case is not unusual or in conflict with business as usual in our criminal justice bureaucracy. That is the real story here.
September 9, 2008
1:06 p.m.
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Campbell writes:
The comments on this article are right on. Ritter is an incredible hypocrite. Hernandez would have been one of his favorite customers he would have gotten off on agricultural trespass while he was DA. Cory Voorhis blew the whistle on Ritter getting illegals off so they would not have to face deportation and Ritter went after Voorhis and his family. Talk about being two faced. Ritter's the one that should be deported.
September 9, 2008
1:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
Cowboy63 writes:
It is ALWAYS another agency's problem. What a convenient excuse, so now... "ICE is understaffed". Grow a spine Ritter and tell us what YOU are going to do about it. If ICE isn't going to get it done, what are you as head of the State going to do? Are you going to be eternally hamstrung because "ICE is understaffed"?
Not ONE politician has lost his job over this yet. It is an ongoing game of pushing the issues down the line for the next guy. Once these issues start happening in Cherry Hills Village - THEN you'll see some action!
September 9, 2008
1:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
ssqured writes:
The hypocrisy of Ritter.
If the system failed and Ritter is a part of the system, then I do believe he just admitted his own failure. Same old finger pointing and buck shuffling we've come to expect from ALL of our elected representatives whenever they're called to accountability. Ritter blames ICE and ICE says they were never alerted. Hernandez's citizenship aside, why wasn't he serving a 'habitual' sentence long ago? That's not an ICE issue ... it's a Colorado, Denver, Broomfield, Jefferson County, Adams County, Aurora and Arapahoe County issue. Hernandez didn't need to be a citizen to serve time ... and ICE has nothing to do with convictions for local crimes. Ritter is responsible ... every one of these municipal subdivisions is within the boundries of the state he governs. And, it all went down on his watch.
Politics may be his issue, but it's not mine! I could care less whether he's a republican democrat or if he dropped in from the planet Melmac. He's a finger pointing, blame them for everything hypocrite. Ritter wanted the job. Now that he has it he's blaming the feds for his failure to take responsibility for what is state and local business. It's ICE's fault Hernandez wasn't deported, but it's sure as hell not ICE's fault Hernandez was a habitual criminal and was released time and time again ... all of it in the state of COLORADO!
September 9, 2008
1:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
Cowboy63 writes:
arby writes: "What country do you deport an American citizen to?"
One like this punk?..
Hell. After an abrupt snap of a hemp rope.
(arby - this guy ain't no citizen)
September 9, 2008
1:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
Citizen21 writes:
666:
For those who want to make this a partisan issue, Obama is soft on crime.
Obama voted against one measure in 2006 that would have denied citizenship or other legal status to illegal immigrants.
<b>And he voted against another last year (2007) that would have allowed police to question individuals about their immigration status if the officers had probable cause to believe that the person was not lawfully present in the United States.<b>
Illinois legislative records shows Obama was the only member of the state Senate to vote against a bill to prohibit the early release of convicted criminal sexual abusers; was among only four who voted against bills to toughen criminal sentences and to increase penalties for "gangbangers" and dealers of Ecstasy; and voted "present" on a bill making it harder for abusive parents to regain custody of their children.
Obama's refused in 2001, while a state senator, to support extending the death penalty in Illinois for murders connected to gang activity. Obama voted against it because he said it unfairly targeted minorities and the poor.
In fact, the only crime legislation that Obama has been a consistent and strong supporter of is hate-crime legislation.
Reduce Crime Recidivism by Providing Ex-Offender Supports: Obama will work to ensure that ex-offenders have access to job training, substance abuse and mental health counseling, and employment op-portunities. Obama will also create a prison-to-work incentive program and reduce barriers to employment. Source: Campaign booklet, "Blueprint for Change", p. 42 Feb 2, 2008
September 9, 2008
1:21 p.m.
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Cwillyrun1 writes:
Thanks for stating what was already so obvious to the rest of us Ritter. You're late to the game there........ now tell us what you plan on doing about it. That's what you were voted in for, right? To lead and not to follow.......
Ritter = failure
September 9, 2008
1:24 p.m.
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Fred1 writes:
Ritter will be out soon........it is your privilage as a citizen to vote how you feel.
September 9, 2008
1:26 p.m.
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Cwillyrun1 writes:
paperboy, I really think that motto means: "To 'serve' as many drivers as possible with a ticket and to 'protect' the criminal".
September 9, 2008
1:27 p.m.
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whatsupjay writes:
We're anxiously awaiting a column by Tina G. defending Senor Hernandez, and explaining why we should feel sorry for HIM, the poor Hispanic guy. Don't you people get it? HE'S the victim in all of this, not the young kid (son of legal immigrants) killed in the ice cream store, or the two white American women in that truck..
September 9, 2008
1:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
ssqured writes:
Everyone just remember how Ritter has insulted the intelligence of each of us with his lame and unaccepting of any responsibility mentality concerning the Francis Hernandez issue. Remember this the next time you see his name on a ballot. I'm certain he has higher political aspirations - let's do for him the same he's done for us. Nothing.
Stop the Madness!
Don't vote for indumbents.
September 9, 2008
1:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
enginerd writes:
Ritter is the typical worthless politician, blamely "the system" rather than the people who make up the system. Ritter was and is the system. He abused it by plea-bargaining felonies to agricultural trespassing. It was his campaign that went after the man who blew the whistle on him. There is no excuse for anybody with 15 arrests being out on the street, whether they are here legally or not. It is people like ex-DA Bill Ritter that allowed this felon and others like him to walk, rather than doing their jobs and putting them away to protect the good people of the community.
We need a good "three strikes and you're out" law, and prosecutors who are willing to back it up.
September 9, 2008
1:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
tiero writes:
TAX CRITTER, AMNESTY KEN & SANCTUARY HICKLOPER HAS FAILED THE STATE AND CITY..
WE DON'T NEED MORE OF THE SAME
September 9, 2008
1:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
RockyMtnMac writes:
Ritter:
THERE
IS
NO
SYSTEM!
YOU run this state. The BUCK STOPS with YOU!
September 9, 2008
1:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
HopiMedicineMan writes:
Ritter: Worst governor in my lifetime.
Beauprez: Worst campaigner in my lifetime, but he had a special plan for illegals, not unlike Joe Arpaio's.
September 9, 2008
1:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
ldestampin writes:
Oh please please let's not hurt Governor Ritter's feelings with all this hate speech. We all know what a great man he is. Don't we???? Why just ask all the people he gave Ag. Trespassing to for all their crimes....HE IS A GREAT MAN. I say Ritter for LEADER OF THE UNIVERSE. HE IS THE GREATEST. Who wants to make up the signs. We'll put one on everybody's lawn.
Now seriously....why is he the governor of this state? We are better than that aren't we?
September 9, 2008
1:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
paperboy writes:
Intrepid writes, "The reason so many latin american governments are corrupt is due to their cultural ties to Spanish culture, and colonialism, in general."
Wow Intrepid! The nuance and subtlety of your observation reminds me of the way the Jews contaminated the Aryan Europeans, African Americans were not sufficiently human to share facilities with whites, Irish Americans, Jews, and at various times all other ethnic immigrants, were a threat to our health and morals.
It's good to know people like you are standing up for the traditional values upon which our nation was founded!
Atta boy, Intrepid! What we need in this country is more law and order. Let's bring back lynching, only this time we will only target those Latino's who have been corrupted by the Spanish. Brilliant!!!
September 9, 2008
1:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
hoopoe36 writes:
So here's a question. I was down at the anti-war demo at the DNC and there were hundreds of cops and special vehicles on hand to intimidate peaceful protesters attempting to exercise free speech. The Ritter and Hickenlooper administrations had no problem in putting on a police-state show of force to protect presumably liberal DNC attendees from free speech by peaceful protesters. Why can't these same sleazoids enforce actual laws against tens or hundreds of thousands of illegals in their jurisdiction?
The answer is what Ed Abbey said over 20 years ago. The Democrats love their cheap cause and the Republicans love their cheap labor. As long as illegal labor keeps down wages for the working poor in this state and thereby keeps our lawn care, home construction and hamburgers cheap, businesses will support non-enforcement of immigration law. And those same businesses will contribute to politacal campaigns and fight or ignore immigration law on the books. As for liberals, they are beneath contempt in there obsession with identity politics and inability to appreciate the economic, worker's rights, environmental, health care and ultimately, quality of life impacts caused by perpetual immigration into a country growing more overcrowded every year. Except for Native Americans, we're all descended from immigrants, granted. However, tradition is not binding and no one wants to see this country as crowded as India, or do they? The US is the only developed country still robustly adding population and the net growth is entirely due to immigration. When is enough enough?
We traditionally had slaves and didn't allow women to vote but I don't hear pro-illegal advocates sayiing those 'traditions' should be continued or reinstated.
And why is the US still the only developed country in the world to permit automatic citizenship to any baby dropped within national boundaries. No EU country allows this. Hell, when my pregnant wife passed through Singapore years ago in her 8th month of pregnancy she had to sign a waiver of citizenship rights should the baby be born while she was in Singapore. The inability of a nation to control its own borders and grant residence to those it chooses is a fundamental violaton of sovereignty. Our problem is due to a wilful misreading of the 14th amendent to the Constitution which granted citizenship to all born in this country in order to enfranchise slaves born in the US and emancipated after birth. They had no legal status as citizens if they had been born before emancipation. The amendment had no intent to grant automatic citizenship to children of illegal immigrants.
September 9, 2008
1:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
Cowboy63 writes:
C'mon Ritter! Start using those executive powers for something more than getting a good table at "The Palm".
Start direct deporting from Colorado and use some executive emergency powers to cutoff the tidalwave of lawsuits that would immediately follow.
You are the #1 elected official in the State! Pull up your boots, grab your "package" and start acting like it! The LEGAL citizens of Colorado would be behind you!
September 9, 2008
2:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
wyhammertime writes:
Ten to one the ol Gov. will do something else to draw everybody off of this subject so then he can back burner this issue just wait it should happen soon !!!!!
September 9, 2008
2:14 p.m.
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paperboy writes:
Hoopoe, I think your opinions are fairly well founded, but I'm not sure immigration, legal or otherwise, is as big a problem as the play it gets. I think we're stuck with it and the goal should be to make it work. Twelve years of a Republican Congress did more to keep wages down than any immigrant factor.
Your complaint about the 14th Amendment suggests an unworkable alternative for a nation of immigrants. If place of birth is not the line of citizenship, then where should the line be placed? This leads to a slippery slope of racist discrimination. It's why we have a Constitution, to provide guidance in handling issues that don't have clear, non-offensive solutions.
September 9, 2008
2:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
hoopoe36 writes:
Why is my comment about the 14th amendment unworkable? It works for the EU, Japan, China, Canada, just about every large and/or developed nation on earth. Or is this just more American exceptionalism? We're different, we're number one!
We have great diversity and non-discrimination in our legal immigration syste. Witness the large numbers of Chinese, Indians, Pakistanis, Somalis, etc. in our midst. Banning illegals won't change that. In fact, when illegal immigration changes the basic ethnic makeup of a nation in a few short decades, impacting the nation's basic values, then it could be argued that's more discriminatory to the citizens and legal immigrants of the nation. Because we're getting a change we didn't ask for. Your argument is one more variant of 'It happened this way in the past so it won't change and shouldn't change.' Seriously, do you want 400 million or more people in this country? And every new immigrant who aspires to the American standard of living impacts the environment to the tune of 1-30 times as much as the impact in their country of origin, if they came from an undeveloped country. Do we Americans have no right to determine the ultimate population of our country and thus, no right to determine our level of crowding and quality of life? Do American workers have to be subjected to the importation of yet another wave of indentured labor to be exploited by businessman, used to hold down wages for working class Americans (many of them minorities imported in previous waves of cheap labor)? Buying into the free immigration model is to buy into a national myth based on lies rather than hard facts. Immigration has always been used to expand business, extend empire and enrich the upper class. It's was always dressed up in inspiring rhetoric though.
The Republican congress of 1994-1996 did not suppress labor wages. Unless you think wages at the bottom are set by congressional fiat in the form of minimum wages. The minimum wage is a sop to guilty consciences to ensure people don't march in the streets and end up discomfiting business and politicians. Real wages are set by supply and demand and would be much higher if labor was in shorter supply. Unions can't negotiate in the face of continous labor surplus and scab workers and Taft-Hartley. Real wages would be higher than minimum wage and I'd be happy to pay more for a hamburger to make it so.
We're only stuck with what we don't have the resolve to change.
September 9, 2008
2:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
Quagmate writes:
Legal immigrants are hard working, have no criminal record and often times are here looking to be a contributing memeber of society.
Like it or not, Mexico/Guatemala, etc. is not sending the United States their best or their brightest, instead we are getting people desperate enough to break into this country to begin with.
From point one (coming to the United States undocumented and illegally) they are breaking the law and there is no getting around it. They are ALL criminals to begin the moment they step into the United States, whether they are cleaning your trophy home in Cherry Hills or doing you landscaping in Parker. Criminals. Think about that for a minute.
September 9, 2008
2:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
nanbede writes:
Governor Ritter - you need to take COMPLETE responsibilty for this unfortunate situation. YOU are the one who plea bargained MANY ILLEGAL ALIENS who comitted violent crimes down to an AGRICULTURAL violation and then they were allowed to stay in the country - you didn't even notify ICE; YOU are the one who decided to look the other way when this man violated the law time after time; YOU are the one who has to bear the burden of 3 lives lost to an illegal alien because, if I read it correctly, YOU were the District Attorney at the time this man was racking up a nice rap sheet on crime, failure to appears, speeding, etc. It's time YOU own up to YOUR bad judgments and come clean instead of pushing it on the system.
September 9, 2008
2:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
cfk writes:
A vote for Obama will result in many more problems like this.....
September 9, 2008
3 p.m.
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hoopoe36 writes:
all of these comments need to be forwarded on to Ritter's and Hick's offices:
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/...
http://www.denvergov.org/Mayor/Contac...
September 9, 2008
3:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
timeandagain writes:
MAYOR HICKENLOOPER PLEASE BEGIN ENFORCEMENT OF INITIATIVE 100 (IMPOUND CARS OF UNLICENSED DRIVERS!) IMMEDIATELY! STOP IGNORING THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE!!
THE DENVER VOTERS PASSED IT ON AUGUST 12!! WHERE IS THE ENFORCEMENT MAYOR?? CITY COUNCIL?? DENVER PD??
BY CODE, YOU HAVE 7 DAYS to certify AND begin enforcement!!!!
The most vocal opponents of Initiative 100 were:
Mayor John Hickenlooper - 720-913-1311
Councilman Rick Garcia - 303-458-4792
Councilwoman Judy Montero - 303-458-8960
Councilman Paul Lopez - 303-935-1274
Denver's elected officials MUST ENFORCE THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE!!! Please take a minute to call each of these shills and DEMAND ENFORCEMENT OF INITIATIVE 100!!
WHERE IS THE NEWS COVERAGE OF THE NON-ENFORCEMENT ROCKY and POST??
Denver Post Newsroom - 303-954-1201
Rocky Mtn. News Newsroom - 303-954-5201
September 9, 2008
3:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
trinidad writes:
If ICE would've deported him or any illegal, the "left-wing" would complain that ICE is violating their human rights. I'm sure the families of the deceased appreciate Ritter and organizations like the A.C.L.U. for making sure illegal immigrants,like Mr. Hernandez, get to stay in this country.
September 9, 2008
3:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
youme writes:
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
IMPEACH RITTER!
September 9, 2008
3:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
ssqured writes:
Cowboy63 -
Grab what package? Perhaps it slipped your mind ... Ritter has no nutz. (lol)
The only public official I've seen who's evolved some ballz on this issue is Sheriff Joe Arpaio (sp?) Maricopa County, AZ. Of course, no elected representative wants to follow Sheriff Joes lead because he actually isn't afraid of hard work or fading all of the bull crap heat from all the bleeding hearts. Sheriff 'Joe' does the job he gets paid to do ... and he's not intimidated by politicans or the fed's. He enforces the laws ... all of them.
Does anyone believe Hernandez would have been on the street if he had been in Maricopa County, Arizona. Hell, Hernandez would never have made it to 16 arrests ... he would have been wearing a pink jumpsuit in the 110 degree Arizona desert after the first time he drove "undocumented". Then, Sheriff Joe would have held his @ss until ICE came to get him. Sheriff Joe doesn't settle for ICE not returning his calls.
September 9, 2008
3:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
ssqured writes:
Youme -
Superb use of white space ... and most outstanding comment of the day. Obviously a man of few words you are!
September 9, 2008
3:38 p.m.
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PolksGhost writes:
Re: Ritter: System failed in Hernandez case, YOU ARE THE SYSTEM GOVERNOR BILL!!!
I’m tired of hearing Ritter and the rest of these Democrats point the finger of blame at someone else. Of course it is the fault of the Federal Government that Illegal Aliens are allowed to cross into our country but once they enter a Sovereign State it becomes that States problem.
The good Governor will not take responsibility for this or the other Illegals he has made life easier in the City of Denver as a D.A. or the State of Colorado as a Governor.
He says State Democrats passed the toughest Immigration laws in the country, what a joke! I was at the hearings to pass these laws and the Democrats did every thing they could to gut the proposals from then House Rep Dave Schultheis. They shot down real, tough illegal Immigration proposals. Rep. Terrance Carroll was instrumental in this action along with the other 5 legislators.
To see these bills go to:( http://www.sovereigntycolorado.com/ ) click on the Colorado Flag at the left. Compare them to the current laws and you will see the power of the Democrat controlled State Government.
The buck stops with you Governor Bill, until Coloradans are willing to run these scumbags out of office, or quit using the services of people that hire Illegal labor we will have more murders, rapes, robberies, disease, etc.
Watch your back if you are a free person or legal citizen of this country, most States have sold their Sovereignty to the Federal Government and we have seen where that leaves us. Remember, Article 4 section 4 of the U. S. Constitution.
September 9, 2008
3:48 p.m.
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hottopic2999 writes:
He was allowed to go free after all of that? Oh, I know why: he probably just got some agricultural trespass charges from Ritter! Twitter should be tried for his role in this. Then, he should have to share the same jail cell with this worthless greaser.
September 9, 2008
3:50 p.m.
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Scott writes:
PolksGhost sez: "Remember, Article 4 section 4 of the U. S. Constitution."
U.S. Constitution? Oh, that document that the U.S. Alcoholic Pedophiles (congress) and the Supreme Pimps (court) uses as toilet paper! That's what I thought you were talking about.
Remember that the U.S. Civil War terminated States Rights. It's too darn bad that the war that ended the despicable practice of slavery also terminated the U.S. Constitution.
Scott
September 9, 2008
4:10 p.m.
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paperboy writes:
I like to think I am a realist, and certainly I lay little claim to any American exceptionalism, Hoopoe.
To answer your question, the reason is the same as the reason we needed a 14th Amendment to begin with. Despite our diversity, America is and always has been essentially a racist country. If you want to debate this point, waste the electrons on someone who will listen to your fantasies. The history is vivid.
Making your suggestion about citizenship the law would result in all kinds of cases involving subjective judgement that is influenced by public opinion, which, as I have demonstrated, is often fickle or just wrong. Residency, parentage and patriation are frequently far more complicated than your solution allows for. I'm sure you can think of examples. If you cannot, then you aren't really thinking about the problem.
This is why I don't usually offer solutions for these kind of dilemmas. It's much easier and probably ultimately more beneficial to make sure the problems are accurately stated, with all the terms inserted in the equations. We have a sad history of taking stabs at big problems and then acting like they are solved.
None of this is new.
September 9, 2008
4:23 p.m.
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ssqured writes:
Hottopic2229 -
I hope you do understand we're talking about Mexican immigrants who are here illegaly and not OUR Mexican American Citizens, whom we all should all respect. The issue is legal vs illegal ... not race. The word 'greaser' sounds a bit racist.
We're all impassioned on this issue. I'm sure it was not your intention to use that word. :-)
Stop the Madness!
Don't vote for indumbents.
September 9, 2008
4:30 p.m.
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MBR693 writes:
666 writes:
"I am morbidly fascinated with the way that Republicans use horrific tragedy to make political gains and increase their influence."
If by "increasing their influence" you mean that we want an end to the two-tiered justice system, and believe in rule of law, then I guess you could say we are trying to increase our influence.
Feel free to increase your influence by standing for the opposite, if it suits you.
September 9, 2008
4:33 p.m.
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Scott writes:
Because this country is made up of immigrants, heck even the American Indians immigrated from Siberia, I am all for the 14th Amendment. Yes, I know that the illegal aliens will use "anchor babies" to try and stay here. Just because the parent(s) is(are) criminals, DON'T TAKE IT OUT ON THE KID!
I completely reject the view of, "But, but ... Europe does it some other way!" Let the Europeans do whatever they want. We are Americans, hence we will do it our way over here.
As an aside, a former coworker, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Mexico, told me that Mexico also follows the same idea as we do for determining citizenship. If you are born there, then you are a Mexican citizen by birth. Does anyone know how Canada handles citizenship for someone born on their soil?
Scott
September 9, 2008
4:35 p.m.
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redwhiteandBLUE writes:
NICE TRY GOV....TO CYA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT'S AN OUTRAGE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 9, 2008
4:48 p.m.
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hoopoe36 writes:
paperboy-
"To answer your question, the reason is the same as the reason we needed a 14th Amendment to begin with. Despite our diversity, America is and always has been essentially a racist country. If you want to debate this point, waste the electrons on someone who will listen to your fantasies. The history is vivid."
since we're now stooping to calling names i'll say I think your mental processes are a little deficient. How does denying illegal immigrants the right to anchor babies compare to granting citizenship to former slaves? I guess trying to discuss things rationally with an ill-educated ideologue is a waste of time. So by stating America is essentially a racist country (which I may actually agree with) relieves you of any obligation to consider other points of view or actually do any heavy lifting like thinking?
Not even worthy sophistry. Are you a flunked-out philosophy major?
September 9, 2008
4:55 p.m.
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18Zwife writes:
Mark my words, Hernandez’ alleged anchor baby will be used to benefit his case. You can’t break up the family! You can’t punish the erroneous anchor kid(s) for what the POS illegal alien parents do! Yada. Yada. Yada. As long as, we don’t insult that “Hispanic pride”… by enforcing existing U.S. laws. We certainly wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings; even at the cost of law abiding citizens lives.
September 9, 2008
5:11 p.m.
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diggtbks writes:
"This is something we clearly have to fix," Ritter said. "This is a problem."
Brilliant!
Ritter and Hick are circling the wagons and pointing fingers. Coloradans need to remember, The Dems in leadership can not keep you and your families safe. Not even at an ice cream parlor.
September 9, 2008
5:19 p.m.
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paperboy writes:
What about my answer, Hoopoe? Do you really want me to embarrass you with an example of the inefficacy of your facile solution to a complex problem?
Name calling? Kinda testy when the facts don't match your opinions, eh Hoopoe?
I'm not, but "flunked out philosophy major" sounds like carping from a guy who is insecure about his own academic achievments. Sorry pal, but I don't have that problem.
Go ahead, ask for examples and then cringe when I expose you for lack of imagination and forethought. I'll say it again, you haven't thought this through in sufficient detail.
I tried to tell you that you were not completely off base, there is a rationale for your points, in general. But on two points, you're just wrong.
September 9, 2008
5:19 p.m.
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SierraStorm writes:
Tax Ritter is to blame as much as any other politician but, who is really to blame? I will say it again and I believe that this is the answer to that question.
Let's ask a question that nobody wants to hear! "Who is to blame for the Baskin Robbins Carnage?"
The answer is a simple one. Ans. All those persons, Americans, either naturalized or native borne; not just the Indians, but every American regardless of color, ethnicity, or origin. All those persons who have felt sorry for the illegal alien coming here to do the work that Americans will not do :-)). All those person's who would not stand on the street in organized protest, all those person's who would not support those who stand on the border {Vigilante's :-)} either monetarily or with a warm body, all those who either will not or did not contact their elected representatives demanding that the existing laws be upheld and enforced, and all those who have said, "well, it doesn't affect me". We the people, the apathetic, indifferent, and uninvolved are the cause or fault. That includes those who have lost a loved one to the deeds of an unnecessary, unwanted illegal alien. Those people, probably including the ones who have lost loved ones at Baskin Robbins were not bothered by the illegal immigration issue until it has slapped them in the face.
That is how this vigilante See's it.
Citizen 21 posting on a previous article is correct in saying that it is not a Republican or Democrat issue of one or the other being at fault, it is not about race bashing; it is about sanity and the preservation of our national sovereignty.
Enough preaching to the choir. Contact your representatives with a little anger and disinchanment attached. To be silent is to be accepting.
September 9, 2008
5:36 p.m.
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ssqured writes:
SierraStorm -
Right on. Above any other, the most dangerous enemy this country faces is the apathy of it's citizens.
September 9, 2008
5:44 p.m.
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hoopoe36 writes:
Ha! paperboy, gotta love your SAT vocabulary. color me impressed. so now you're done calling names. taking the high road but still not making sense.
you didn't offer any facts. in fact, not even an opinion. all you did was say i was wrong. no ideas of your own. just name calling; me, the country, others who would listen to me.
your missives sound like they were created by a random word generator!
September 9, 2008
6:05 p.m.
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Aaron writes:
"Ritter said Tuesday that Colorado has some of the toughest immigration laws in the country, including a law that bans illegal immigrants from obtaining any public assistance."
Horse-doo-doo.
September 9, 2008
6:20 p.m.
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paperboy writes:
In his retrospective on civil liberties in wartime, former Chief Justice Rhenquist, commenting on the three famous Japanese internment cases from WWII, identifies the big fly in the legal ointment is the failure of the Court to differentiate between Issei and Nisei, Japanese citizens who emigrated and those born here, respectively. The significant point here, Hoopoe, is the legal distinction of citizenship based on birth, a distinction the Korematsu Court neglected to make that resulted in one of the most odious, racist periods in our history. But this is abstract, historical and irrelevant, right?
Yes, except countries wage wars, people move between countries, die without warning, get divorced, challenge paternity and custody and a whole host of convoluted and unavoidable human activities, and these situations, as I have been saying, under your suggestion for the 14th Amendment, will needlessly place people's lives and futures in the hands of the bureaucracy, which, as I also said, tends not to give a damn about people's rights or lives. You may not like the citizenship clause in the 14th Amendment, but you shouldn't be calling to abolish it without carefully considering the impact. When it is possible to identify a bright line distinction in the law, it is usually preferable to do so.
Remember Elian Gonzalez? A great example of things not being as simple as you'd like them.
Sorry if my prose intimidates you. Please quit b!^@#ing about it.
September 9, 2008
6:48 p.m.
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hoopoe36 writes:
paperboy. your prose intimidates no one. it's sophomoric and verbose. and regarding my education, i have a master's in science and write peer-reviewed articles. so neither your prose nor your garbled thought processes intimidate me or impress me. So stop the name-calling and stick to facts.
citizenship in most countries is based on Jus Sanguinis. US citizenship is based on Jus Soli. Look it up. It's not racist, just a matter of tradition practiced by different countries in different parts of the world. Most developed countries citizenship requirements are based on Jus Sanguinis. Most new world countries use Jus Soli. That's because colonies and empires needed populating, not because of some attachement to high-flying sentiment. We need to amend our Jus Soli laws to prevent abuse; the UK, Australia, Ireland, France, Germany and New Zealand have altered their laws in this regard in the last 20 years.
You're forgetting the Issei-Nissei distinction is a non-issue here since we're discussing illegal immigration and anchor babies. The Issei-Nissei were all legal immigrants. Please note. And it's not abstract, historical or irrelevant. You're just ignorant.
Amending the 14th Amendment only puts illegal immigrants lives in the hands of bureaucracy, which is where they should be since they've committed a crime in entering the country. Amending the 14th will have no impact on legal immigrants.
Sorry, I don't really remember the facts of the Gonzalez case; I was living in Indonesia at the time. Refresh me.
Are you willfully obstuse and combative or just really mentally unorganized?
September 9, 2008
6:49 p.m.
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paperboy writes:
Also, I'm not sure somebody just passing through can pop one out at DIA and claim citizenship. Bet it isn't that simple. Do you know?
September 9, 2008
7:15 p.m.
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paperboy writes:
Gosh Hoopoe, you should have told me about your degrees before this. Perhaps I would have known better than to challenge your judgment. Am I supposed to whip out my degrees and compare their size with yours?
Also, are you a Republican? The reason I ask is because you keep attacking me personally, calling me names (verbose and sophomoric, etc.) and justify it by claiming I am doing the name calling, something I have not yet done. This is classic conservative debate mode, drawn right out of Orwell. Doublethink, he called it.
But you know Hoopoe, I just can't stand the idea of you being maligned for not really lying, but rather just saying how you feel when I destroy your pedantic little attacks with annoying facts, so I am going to make an honest man out of you. You are an intellectual coward who will use any kind of personal attack you can think of to provide the illusion that you know what you are talking about, which, of course, you do not. I gave you a solid, fact based analysis of the issue and you started trying to destroy my credibility. You can do better than this, can't you? You can change, but only if you really want to. Am I being mean now? Must be the liberal in me...
Up till now, you have done all the name calling. I don't need to because I have a better (real) argument.
I also have a rule about not arguing with fools, so you get the last word.
September 9, 2008
7:21 p.m.
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Hola writes:
The system failed. Right. Ritter, your running the 'system'. Do your job if you want to keep illegal aliens from running over and murdering Colorado citizens.
September 9, 2008
7:32 p.m.
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paperboy writes:
It's a colloquialism that means "good job," but if you think atta-boy is calling you "boy," that's ok too. And who said culture was not relevant? Certainly not me.
Of course I'm afraid. Aren't we all told every day by the Republicans to be afraid? Who am I to argue...
September 9, 2008
7:39 p.m.
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Sixtysixdeuce writes:
"In order to solve this problem as best we can, we must fight it at the source! It will take many years, if ever, for many latin american countries to develope stable, prosperous economies. Furthermore, Latin america needs to take steps to control high birth rates. Over population is THE major cause for high unemployment, crime and poverty. And as a result, many emigrate. The second major cause is unstable and corrupt governments. The reason so many latin american governments are corrupt is due to their cultural ties to Spanish culture, and colonialism, in general. Spain didn't become a democracy until the late 70's."
Not our problem. Besides, every time we try to push our ideals and our system of government on a 3rd world nation, we end up fighting another war.
"However, pretty much every Latin American Country from Mexico to Chile is eager to recieve foreign investment from the United States. The more American companies invest in them, the faster the process becomes. Everybody wins."
Economics 101; send the jobs out of the country, the economy of that country goes to pot. Why do you think we're in the situation we have here today? Your pocket book is thinner now because the guy who used to buy whatever product or service you sell lost his job when his company outsourced to China, India, Korea, etc. You think Ford Motor Company, Diamler-Chrysler and GM having a substantial number of their vehicles made in Mexico has helped anyone here more than having those vehicles manufactured state-side would have? Only company executives and big-time stockholders benefit from outsourcing. The consumer benefits temporarily from the cheaper product, but in the end outsourcing leads to reduced income for the average American nationwide in darn near every career field. There is money being paid to companies all over the world to manufacture goods for, and provide services to, the American public; That money is NOT coming back.
If we want to fix this country, we need to secure our borders and bring the jobs back home. Unfortunately, the only politicians who are bold enough to do anything about this are labeled as radicals and dismissed by most of the public as such.
September 9, 2008
7:48 p.m.
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paperboy writes:
AAGHHHH! Exposed by the intrepid Intrepid. Curses.
September 9, 2008
8:06 p.m.
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anya writes:
There's a system? I thought it was all based on someone's whim.
September 9, 2008
8:36 p.m.
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carbon05 writes:
Boy am I glad the Bill Ritter cleared up any confusion about illegal aliens in Colorado. Here all those years while he was handing out get out of jail free cards to child molesters and drug dealers, he was actually being tough on these guys. But he did teach Corey Voorheis a lesson not to screw with the system. But hey keep voting Dems like Ritter and the Looper and we will have a few more dead cops and dead citizens on the street. Thats ok they can just continue to blame it on ICE. Thanks Bill there is blood on your hands whether you know it or not.
September 9, 2008
8:38 p.m.
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Sixtysixdeuce writes:
"Thats funny! I guess illegal immigration isn't our problem either! Wait........"
So long as it's not in our country. I don't care if Mexicans, Guatemalans, Hondurans, Panamanians, or any other variety of latinos jump each other's borders.
But cross into the U.S. illegally, I will despise you and I will campaign for your removal.
Frankly, I think we need a much more decisive solution to our illegal immigration problem. I say when an illegal is caught here, they are branded on the forehead and sent back home. Anyone found in the U.S. with said brand is considered fair game by any and all U.S. citizens without fear of prosecution. I bet a solution like that would make the illegals here the most law abiding folks in the country. And the ones who were deported would stay gone.
September 9, 2008
8:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
ssqured writes:
Paperboy writes -
"Also, I'm not sure if somebody just passing through can pop one out at DIA and claim citizenship."
The answer is - Jus Soli (by place/soil) - or yes.
One need not make 'claim' to U.S. Citizenship if one is born on American soil. Just passing through DIA or not, that person becomes an American Citizen by virtue of the fact of their birth on American soil.
September 9, 2008
8:50 p.m.
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BacklashSchitzka writes:
ICE agency employees could care less. They are there to collect a paycheck. When United States citizens do their jobs for them, and report illegal aliens doing illegal activities, they look the other way for fear of having to do a day's work.
I reported the activities of a woman from Hong Kong who was bringing in gangsters (drugs, gambling, prostitution) from Beijing. I did so in writing and submitted it twice. I was ignored and she is still bringing in these illegals at about three-to-four men a year.
September 9, 2008
8:52 p.m.
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ssqured writes:
Paperboy -
It is just that simple my friend.
September 9, 2008
9:42 p.m.
BacklashSchitzka writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
September 9, 2008
10:59 p.m.
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555 writes:
what about the yellow cab driver that got kill 09/06/08
he was 33 years old.left behind two kids and their mom.
September 9, 2008
11:40 p.m.
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Videobarbs writes:
Every time something like this happens, the old pass the buck excuses surface and/or the blame game begins among our public servants.
These are the people who are supposed to be serving the greater good of our society and little boys eating ice cream. A society is only as strong as its weakest link!
No real leader with any backbone lamely states "The system failed". That's bunk! "Don't blame me" say our leaders, blame
the System (as if it's a living, breathing entity we should go after).
The laws are in place and only lack of inforcement and resolve
by our public servants and citizens banding together a demanding
enforcement.
We need strong local, state and lastly federal illegal immigration policy.
While we legal citizens are treated like terrorists and law-breakers by the TSA at airports across the nation, our borders remain,seven years after 9-11, unsecured and open to anyone to come in to our nation.
September 9, 2008
11:51 p.m.
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jamesdenver writes:
BacklashSchitzka: Good christ I hope you don't have kids, nor do I want you around me or mine. (Spoken from a caucasion)
September 10, 2008
12:01 a.m.
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paperboy writes:
ssqured writes: "One need not make 'claim' to U.S. Citizenship if one is born on American soil. Just passing through DIA or not, that person becomes an American Citizen by virtue of the fact of their birth on American soil."
So you say, and perhaps you're right, but it's counter-intuitive for practical reasons. For example, Dr. Yang and his wife Dr. Yin are from a country that does not permit dual citizenship, and does not allow non-citizens to reside in their country. The good doctors are in Chicago for a conference on what makes Americans so arrogant when Dr. Yang gives birth to baby Dee Lim It.
According to your statement, Drs. Yin and Yang have an American baby, have no choice in the matter, and consequently can't take baby Dee home because of their strict residency laws.
Maybe this is true. If it is, you should have a reference to a statute or regulation or case law that supports it. The example I gave will have happened if what you say is true.
September 10, 2008
12:57 a.m.
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bobthebigfatbovine writes:
One thing that I would like to mention is that this guy was driving with a revoked license. Regardless whether he is illegal or not, the law enforcement didn't do their jobs of keeping this guy off of the road and with as many crimes he has done, he shouldn't even be on the streets at the time. This incident shouldn't turn into illegal aliens; it should be about people who are still on the streets when they have proven many times that they can not follow local laws, let alone national laws.
September 10, 2008
5:34 a.m.
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STOPUSAGiveaway writes:
Gov Ritter: Y O U are the system and there isn't a religion on this planet that doesn't believe that Y O U will get what you have done unto others.....
September 10, 2008
6:07 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
Many people in power fail us, but none so much as the media, See, when mayors have police bodygaurds coming up stabbed and losing thier guns, the media reports it lightly but doesn't pursue it. When a charter school principle converts half a million dollars to private use, and no media pursuit is done to say if charges are brought or the outcome of this criminal act, the media doesn't pursue it. Used to be a time you could trust the media to be a champion of the people, and put the politicians under the microscope, not anymore. Thus mayors, governors and other politicians are acually in bed with the politicians; the media wants access to them, they need to shut thier mouths and do as thier told. Otherwise, no interviews or access will be granted by the politician. Nobody had /has more power over the media in muzzling them than mayor Webb and his wife. Thier power was recently seen with the Montbello charter school principle not being reported and investigated by the media for stealing 500,000 dollars of public money and starting thier own daycare. What was the deal, are there going to be criminal charges, whats the outcome of those charges, why weren't they filed? So why doesn't the media pursue these people, or treat stories like this with more indepth reporting on the politicians that set these situations up? There in bed together, one scratches the others back, One is to concerned with access to power being available that they are scared to stand up and shed light on the issues the people have. Instead they rely on sensationalism of the moment of the incident, then they let it peacefully go away. Corporations have taken over the papers, gone is the once proud champion of the people. It has been replaced with a powerful media conglomerate that doesn't want to rock the boat by keeping the politicians, of whom they have become reliant upon, honest to the people. Why not pursue Mr. Ritters plea bargains, all of them as they relate to illegals? Why must they sensationalize only after a whistle blower snitches, and then let it die? It's because the media and the politician have become wonderfully intangled in a loving reciprocal relationship. The media will report sensationalism of the moment, then immediately drop it off the radar so as not to offend the politicians they rely on. Maybe it's time the media returns to being the champion of the people, and pursue indepth investigations of these politicians once it surfaces something is not right. Just a thought I was listening to last night in a interview with none other than Gary Hart. Don't like Gary Hart, but it makes a lot of sense when I started thinking about it! Maybe it's the media we need to hold accoutable, we already know the politician's a snake oil salesman.
September 10, 2008
7:22 a.m.
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gary writes:
bobthebigfatbovine writes:
This incident shouldn't turn into illegal aliens; it should be about people who are still on the streets when they have proven many times that they can not follow local laws, let alone national laws.
Yes, it is about illegal aliens...why...because the sancutuary..cities, and state..allows illegals to go free..no matter what they do. Go ahead Bob, you go out and do what this guy did. See how long you are allowed to roam free to continue abusing the law. Try it, then report back to us...OK?
Nuff Said!
September 10, 2008
7:45 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
You know Gary your right, Americans have to not only pay for thier crimes as you mentioned; but in many instances are also having to pay for the illegals even if they commit no crime and abide by the law. Education, healthcare, and if they hit you without a driver's licence and no insurance as they often do, you really pay directly. Hinkenlooper, the city council, the governor, they are all the major reason we as citizens and residents pay for thier failure to enforce the law. I fully expect to see more draconian laws shoved down thier throats with manditory actions required by law, since they refuse to enforce the ones on the books. Now they all play the blame game, not one is going to say the buck stops here, and things are going to change starting today with the death of this child and two others. No, that would require a politician to be responsible, when has that ever happened? Soon the media will let it die and take them off the hook, and it will be business as usual, in the sanctuary city and state. Sad isn't it, we have to pass more restrictive laws just to get the politicians to act on behalf of the people. Just like the recent law in Denver approved by voters over the city council and mayors objections, it's going to happen if they keep refusing to stand up for the people who put them there. What's the name of the one councilman/woman who was in favor of the new law over the objections of the rest of the council members? We need to not omly commend her/him and keep her/him in office for sticking up for the people, we need to hold the others accountable for this sanctuary city in the next election!
September 10, 2008
8:18 a.m.
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wyhammertime writes:
Word of advice Ritter call the bank you might be putting your house up for morgage again !!! also Hick o looper ya might check into it also !!!!
September 10, 2008
8:29 a.m.
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Mtnsjohn writes:
Colorado passed what was then some of the strictest laws addressing illegal immigration in 2006 under a Republican governor. Shortly thereafter a Democrat governor assumed office bringing his philosophy of law enforcement with him.
"Guest worker, amnesty, doing jobs Americans don't want," was his mantra. He wholly bought the Democratic party line assuming and anticipating the illegals of today will be the voters of tomorrow.
Except for some highly visible troopers trained to detect illegals and their efforts, it appears that Ritter has swept the need for vigorous enforcement of other laws under his executive carpet.
Are illegals still getting state benefits?....no doubt. Have employers who openly hire illegals been investigated and fined? According to Ritter, "Not yet", claiming the laws are relatively new. These laws have been effective 21 months. Ritter wants to appear employer friendly
Ritter is violating the oath he swore to and cannot be trusted to take another one.
September 10, 2008
8:41 a.m.
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davies writes:
Ritter is trying to cover his political kiester here and blame ICE and the federal government. It is transparently hypocritical on his part, since he was and is part of The System. But unfortunately it is true that unless there is a switch to bona fide enforcement of immigration laws by the federal government, little is going to change.
We need a national ID card, and we need real consequences for those who are here that do not have one.
September 10, 2008
8:50 a.m.
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mark79trans writes:
RickyLee writes:
What a worthless hypocrite!!!!
Funny he doesn't mention the ILLEGAL-ALIEN-HEROIN-DEALER
that he (critter) let walk on "agricultural tresspass" to go to California and rape a young girl.
Nice job, guv. Do you really think we're all that stupid?
----------
His record on plea bargains for illegals was the first thing I thought of when I heard this story. His comments are pretty ridiculous given his record. Oh well, I guess we are stuck with this yahoo for another two years...maybe six.
September 10, 2008
8:53 a.m.
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12cal53 writes:
I got the easiest answer, “Put a wall around the whole United States”. We have Chinese illegal’s coming on sea containers from the west cost, terrorists with PROPER INS documentation coming in on the northern border, Jamaican drug users, Russian mob, Serbian and Cuban refugees’on the east coast. And of course the southern border with those pesty Mexican’s. We need a very big wall.
September 10, 2008
9:05 a.m.
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Heidi writes:
"When he was arrested in Aurora in April, he had a recent pay stub on him, and officers noted that he spoke English."
Who was his employer???????????
September 10, 2008
9:11 a.m.
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fiesty writes:
ssqured - hear, hear! Sheriff Joe has been my hero ever since I heard about him a few years ago. If it's good enough for our troops, why not convicts?? If we had more prison camps like this, more would think twice before committing a crime. We could also set up camps like these in the interim for illegal immigrants awaiting deportation.
September 10, 2008
9:17 a.m.
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Heidi writes:
Go Sheriff Joe! Go Sheriff Joe!!!
September 10, 2008
9:18 a.m.
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patchsl writes:
Enough is enough - please vote your conscience, but if you are as outraged as I am, please let your elected representatives know that you will not vote to give them another penny until they use current taxes to enforce existing laws, and that you will hold them accountable in the next election based on their resolution of this latest affront to our community. We need a governor and mayor that will step up, not run for cover.
September 10, 2008
9:18 a.m.
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ssqured writes:
paperboy -Most folks are of the belief the laws, qualifications and definitions surrounding United States Citizenship are complicated and difficult to understand. In fact, they're actually quite simple and straight forward. Where it gets a bit 'sticky' lies in how the Department of Immigration And Naturalization chooses to enforce the laws and interprit the regulations.As I stated previously, under the circumstance given, Drs. Yin and Yang have a child who is born on United States soil. Under the Fourteenth Amendment to The United States Constitution and U.S. Code, Title 8, Section 1401, the child is, by birth on United States soil (jus soli), a United States Citizen.In this particular situation, the child would have the following citizenship entitlements; a.) The mother and father could simply ignore the fact that, by birth, their child is automatically entitled to become a United States Citizen and allow the child to remain under their citizenship; 2.) Apply for United States Citizenship for the child (mom and dad aren't US Citizens) and give the child sole United States Citizenship or; 3.) The parents could apply for dual citizenship for the child. In the second case, the only reason the parents would have to apply for United States Citizenship, for the child, would be because the parents are not United States Citizens.In any case, the INS broadly accepts anyone born on United States Soil as an American Citizen. As with most laws and regulations, U.S. Code, Title 8, 1401 presents several tests or circumstances under which one is considered a United States Citizen ... and there are many. Over the past several decades the INS has broadly interprited the code when it comes to jus soli (soil) or jus sanguinis (blood).
September 10, 2008
9:25 a.m.
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ssqured writes:
feisty -
Ah