SNTP Judges Give Pombo A Zero

I had this vision of how I wanted to write this post:

Richard Pombo is in the middle of his performance. The crowd is hushed as he starts into the technical portion of his routine. In low tones, the announcer says, “Ladies and gentlemen, Richard Pombo is now going to attempt the extremely challenging and seldom-performed triple flip-flop. This maneuver is so phenomenonally difficult to execute that politicians almost never risk it in a championship performance.”

Pombo picks up speed — and then he launches himself forward into the flip-flop-flip. But as he twists into the final turn of the last flip, he loses momentum, and he lands with a sickening thud. “Oh, noooo,” says the announcer, “he just didn’t get quite enough lift going into that first flip.”

But in the end, I just couldn’t be that flip (pardon the pun). The matter at hand is too serious and has the potential to ruin the lives of too many people.

On December 16, 2005, Richard Pombo cast his vote in favor of H.R. 4437, the draconian House immigration reform bill that would make felons out of illegal immigrants and anyone, including clergy, who assisted them.

FLIP.

On May 1 of this year, Mexican immigrants took to the streets in a massive protest. Politicians took notice:

"I think they're having a huge effect," said Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Alamo, of the wave of demonstrations, "not only on members of Congress and the Senate, but on the American people." […]

The growing numbers of highly charged protests has killed any chance that Congress will reach a compromise on immigration reform, said Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy.

"It's become too politicized and too polarized," Pombo said. "Neither side is going to give in at this point. And frankly, any politically acceptable solution would probably not be good policy."

Pombo favors a guest-worker program and disagrees with those that want to criminalize illegal immigrants and the people that help them.

The nation needs the workers, he says, and the criminal prosecution of the nation's 11 million or more illegal immigrants would be physically impractical and politically unpalatable.

FLOP.

Fast forward to the Labor Day weekend. On Labor Day, there was another round of protests by immigrants and their supporters.

Thousands of people sacrificed Labor Day picnics Monday to march for immigrant rights, hoping that Congress would listen. But the nationwide marches — including gatherings in Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose — seem to have had little impact on those who will decide millions of undocumented immigrants' fate. […]

"Obviously, any member of Congress needs to pay close attention to what constituents have to say. And when they say it in large numbers, they pay even more attention," said Lynne Weil, spokeswoman for Rep. Tom Lantos, D-San Mateo, who voted against the House bill. […]

One mind unchanged is Rep. Richard Pombo's.

"He stands by his vote on the House bill," said Pombo's spokesman, Lucas Frances. Pombo, R-Tracy, voted for the bill.

FLIP. Oof. Right on his head.

Dazed from his clumsy landing, Pombo had only this to say on his campaign website:

Few would argue that every nation has a right to secure its own borders. That must be our first priority, not only to enforce our immigration laws, but to protect American security.

We are a nation of immigrants, but it is patently wrong to let those who break our laws cut in line ahead of those who seek to come legally.

Let us secure our borders, and then provide the opportunity for guest workers to work legally and pay taxes. I also believe those who enter the country legally, pay taxes and learn English should have the opportunity someday to earn their U.S. citizenship.

Well, now, THAT’S a solution. And after all, Pombo knows all about solutions. Last May, he was quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle talking about Republic chances on November 7:

"[Republicans] have to produce," said Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, whose district extends into the East Bay, making him the only GOP House member with Bay Area constituents. […]

"What have we done on immigration that solves the immigration problem?”

Sorry. This judge gives him a zero.

Tags: CA-11, Richard Pombo, flip-flop, immigration, H.R. 4437, Jerry McNerney