A strange thing happened on the way to deciding who the Republican nominee is going to be, and that strange thing was Perry’s inexplicable refusal to recant his support for a Texas tuition waiver for illegal aliens.  No matter how you slice it, his ongoing defense of giving nearly $100,000 (over four years) to pay for an illegal alien to go to college is an albatross around his neck that’s so big even McRomney can see it.  Perry is good man, and in my opinion, has been one of the greatest governors to ever hold the office in Texas.  But all that gets overshadowed when his response to criticism about using taxpayer monies to pay tuition for illegals is:  “If you say that we should not educate children who have come into our state for no other reason than that they’ve been brought there, through no fault of their own, I don’t think you have a heart.”

First, somebody on Perry’s team needs to understand that illegals who go to college aren’t “children” – they’re 18 years old or older (that’s why they’re going into college instead of pre-K).

Secondly, even if they were children, on a matter of principle the whole idea is wrong (and it’s definitely not indicative of conservatism).

Think about it this way:  What if someone breaks into my house and their kid tags along because it’s too hot for the kid to wait in the car.  The argument could then be made that the kid ended up in my house “through no fault of [his] own.”  Now, does the fact that the kid had no choice obligate me to provide him with a cool drink and a snack while my house is pillaged by his father?

No, no, no.

And this is why Congresswoman Michele Bachmann was right on the money when she said the program needs to stop because it is a “magnet” for illegals.

Perhaps Perry will correct himself here and we’ll get to watch his inauguration in 2013 with smiles on our faces and pride in our hearts.  But until he does, the door is wide open for someone else to step in and ride a conservative wave all the way to the White House.


A. Hawkins

Did the title get your attention?  I hope so!

Governor Rick Perry remains at or near the the top of the pile in the continuing GOP candidate food-fight.  As I read the comments, pro and con about Perry in several discussions, the anti-Perry crowd seems largely composed of supporters of another Texas candidate and some who complain about all the candidates.  The negatives seem to center around a few issues.

These issues largely center around a highway construction, school girls getting Gardasil injections, his mediocre border stance and a few other odds and ends.  The  highway seems to be a wash, people on both sides.  Girl's cancer he  agrees is not his problem. He's neither the best or worst on illegal alien issues, either.

Boring, boring.  Feel free to beat each other up on these issues! I hope he's not too damaged to garner our support, should he become our hope to beat Obama in 2012.  One of the best rebuttals remains Seventeen (17) things that critics are saying about Rick Perry.  It's rather lengthy, so I'll just provide a link.  Worth reading though, I think!  Provides a lot,to both sides.

Nope, I don't want to talk about that stuff!  I want to talk about Perry and the Bilderberg Group!

For those unfamiliar, the  Bilderberg conference is an annual, unofficial, invitation-only conference of approximately 120 to 140 guests from around the world, most of whom are people of significant influence.  A great honor to be invited, really,  Less than one in 20 million people around the world are invited to share their views, whatever they may be!  An additional prerequisite for attendance is trust in the invitee's honor:  that all that is discussed shall be held in total confidence.  That all may speak candidly within this tiny, select group.

The secrecy is the crux of the matter, really!   Various conspiracy groups and arm-chair conspiracy theorists cannot stand the fact that it's a private meeting!  Speculation abounds on various conspiracy websites.  That's all about global dominance.  Or, turning the entire world into a prison, with a few elite jailors.  Whatever. It goes on and on...

Without any information to the contrary, those who suffer from schizophrenia, depression and various persecution complexes can dream up an unending series of atrocities!  Some are really fun to read....  I like the occasional fictional novel to while away a few hours.

In summation, I find Perry's Bilderberg attendance to be a net positive, because:

1.   His views and thoughts are held in high regard by these most powerful people.  You would prefer one who's views are held in
      low regard?
2.   He is entrusted with important secrets, whatever they may be!  You prefer one who cannot be entrusted with secrets, or
      invades the privacy of others?
3,   He holds influence that can affect the world at large, inside and outside of  this country!  Or, do you prefer the Great American
      Apologist's approach?

Perry may, or may not, be my favorite candidate.  But even the Bilderburg thing has another, positive side!


Vern Shotwell

Rick Perry has weighed in on illegal immigration and the border again.  He said no to a border fence.  Who says no to a border fence?  Perry was campaigning in New Hampshire when a voter asked him about the issue of a border fence.  Perry, who many critics have said favors amnesty and is soft on illegal immigration, said he opposed the border fence.  He said, “If you build a thirty foot fence, the 35 foot ladder business gets real good.”

What?

If you enforce the criminal laws, the criminal defense lawyer business gets real good too.  Does that mean we should not enforce our criminal laws?  This is one of the most ridiculous things a major candidate has said in a while.  Perry has a long history of weakness on illegal immigration.  He helped illegals obtain in-state tuition at Texas colleges.  Furthermore, many conservatives in Texas have expressed their disappointment because Perry refused to help get a law passed that would make it illegal for Texas cities to declare themselves “sanctuary cities” and refuse to cooperate with Federal Immigration authorities.

Many in the GOP believe they have to pander on this issue otherwise they will never get the Hispanic vote. 

That is non-sense.

The border is not a Hispanic issue;  it is a national security issue.  A nation that does not control its borders ceases to exist.  It  simply is beyond belief that groups like Al-Qaeda have not smuggled terrorists through our southern border and probably smuggled weapons.  We can only hope they have not smuggled a weapon of mass destruction through the border already.

Rick Perry has been a "breakthrough" candidate for the GOP.   He announced and immediately he shot to the top.  But there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed.    Illegal immigration is one of them.  Even Mitt Romney has come out stronger in opposition to illegal immigration. 

Many people like Perry.  He is very charismatic and offers some down home Texas solutions.  But illegal immigration is a huge issue for conservatives, and Perry’s softness on this topic could be his undoing.

He certainly has some explaining to do.

I love everything he says!  This man understands!  I really believe this man may be our next President.

Watch:  Rick Perry at the RLC 

Bill Cochrane