South Dakota State Representative Manny Steele (R-12/Sioux Falls) is not having a good session. HB 1199, his effort to repeal the 14th Amendment, got killed in the House Judiciary Committee Monday. In the process, he also managed to offend Hispanics and babies (well, at least some people who like babies) by using the term "anchor babies" in his committee testimony.
That term is sufficiently offensive that one national group of Republicans who just happen to be Hispanic are calling for Steele to resign from the House:
On Monday, February 7, 2011, Representative Manny Steele used the term "anchor babies" to describe children born on non-citizens during a hearing of the South Dakota legislature . This term is deeply offensive and should never be used to describe babies. Rep. Steele owes all babies and pro life Republicans an apology for his use of defamatory language. Rep. Steele recently introduced a birthright citizenship bill which would deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. of immigrants including some legal immigrants, in clear violation of the U.S Constitution.
...As a result of Steele trampling on our Constitution, and attacking baby rights, we believe he should resign from political office to prevent further embarrassment of our Party and the image of Abraham Lincoln [Somos Republicans, press release, 2011.02.08].
Now remember, this isn't me talking: this outraged call for Steele to resign comes from passionate pro-life, pro-gun Republicans who dig John McCain.
Gee, short of resignation, I'd be happy with Republican legislators who would simply reread the Constitution and stop embarrassing South Dakota with thoughtless comments and bad legislation.
Update: Manny, one easy guideline for avoiding stupid legislation: if Orly Taitz says do it, don't do it! Ms. Taitz also says I have an "Orly Taitz beating" coming... though I'm uncertain whether she intends to deliver said beating with her Tae Kwon Do skills or her Caps Lock key.
FACT: The majority of people claiming to be Right to Life are really just White to Life when it comes down to it.
It's also important to note that at during his effort to repeal the 14th Amendment, Rep. Steele quoted research from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).
According the South Poverty Law Center, FAIR is a hate group.
From SPLC:
Founded in 1978 by John H. Tanton, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) is one of the country's best-established anti-immigration groups — and the richest beneficiary among them of the largesse of the infamous Pioneer Fund.
The Fund, which has long subsidized dubious studies of the alleged links between race and intelligence, awarded FAIR $1.2 million between 1985 and 1994, according to the Institute for the Study of Academic Racism. FAIR now says that it has severed its links to the controversial Fund.
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2001/spring/blood-on-the-border/anti-immigration-
I just read this bill, and how would it deny citizenship to children born of legal immigrants?
Kelsey,
I am curious about your meaning of "white to life"?
Joseph G Thompson
Kelsey, you obviously support abortion per your statement above. Right to Life works to prevent abortion. Maybe you would like to reconsider your condemnation of Right to Life based on the following statistic. It seems to me that those who favor abortion are really the "white to life" people, not those who are working to end abortion. Those working to protect Black babies seem to be the Right to Life people.
"...although African Americans represent only 12% of the population of the United States, they account for 35% of the abortions performed in this country."
http://www.nbccongress.org/features/abortion_silent_no_more_01.asp
You are entitled to your opinion regarding Right to Life and abortion, but maybe you should look at the facts before criticizing an organization.
The National Right to Life has not come out with a position against Republicans who are trying to end birth rights. This is unfortunate.
I agree. Manny Steele should resign. If he won't, the party needs to inform him he can't be on the ticket next election (if the party doesnt' have this authority, it should). If they don't have this authority, they need to recruit primary opposition.
We can debate immigration and other issues without so nastily denigrating innocent babies. Watch for a thread on the war college. This has stimulated me to write one.
Sidenote: I consider Kelcey's comment as disgusting at Manny Steele's. Two opposite sides to the same coin. Unfortunately, Kelcey hides behind a psuedonym.
Nonnie, this bill and similar ones would designate whether a child is "subject to the jurisdiction of the United States" when the courts have long held anyone born in the U.S. except children born of diplomats (who have diplomatic immunity), are citizens. According to the 14th amendment, those born here and subject to U.S. jurisdiction are citizens. Next step would be for them to deny they are citizens because their birth certificate states they are not subject to U.S. jurisdiction. These bills are flagrantly unconstitutional, and that is why Somos Republicans called for Manny Steele's resignation for violating his oath to uphold the constitution.
This bill is actually not the worst one. One Texas bill by Leo Berman provides official birth certificates only to babies born of citizens and permanent residents, and a temporary document for "alien births." Anyone using the temporary document to claim U.S. citizenship would be committing a felony under Texas law, subject to 2-10 years in prison. Juan Crow laws anybody?
Wow. I know we've had our disagreements lately Cory, but getting personally called out by Orly Taitz (I think that is what is happening on her confusing website) is one of your greatest achievements. I hope you take a minute to bask in the glory of that one.
I'm already feeling tan from the basking, Brett. Now bring on Orly to tan my hide!
Be careful, not only does she know "tae kwan do", but she is also a dentist/lawyer/real estate agent. Who knows how many different cans of whoop @55 she would try to open on you.
**not a fan of hers, just joking**
Heard CA and AZ were reviewing her various licenses haven't cared enough to follow up on what has happened.
Nor should you care, Jim. The woman is a clown, a distraction. I mention her only because she demonstrates the ill-conceived intent of Steele's legislation and because she makes silly threats against me personally as she blatantly lifts my entire blog post on her sloppy blog.
How much more crazed can they get? I see your nutjobs and raise you a house full of nutcakes:
http://missoulanews.bigskypress.com/missoula/off-the-deep-end/Content?oid=1385456
The I'm not a racist BUT crowd is hard at work keeping South Dakota free from the mud people. Brain damaged stock. Thats my theory.
Paul Anderson from Lake Herman per chance?
That's Lake Madison and I'm Danish.
call me? 605-484-7288