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Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > Periscope > President Obama’s finest day in the White House was today -- Showing true compassion for those brought to the US as children

Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

President Obama’s finest day in the White House was today -- Showing true compassion for those brought to the US as children

Posted on Friday, June 15, 2012 at 12:50 PM

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US President Barack Obama

President Obama’s decision to legitimize up to 800,000 immigrants who came here with their parents and who will now be able to work legally is the greatest act of his presidency.

It shows a compassion and an understanding that is in the best interests of the people concerned and of the country they live in.

It reminds people why this country is so great, able to take bold steps, and react compassionately to what in the end of the day is a real crisis for millions of young immigrants.

These are people who have been brought here by their parents, crossing borders from Mexico to start a new life in America.

They are kids brought by parents from Ireland who will also fit into this category.

Most are too young to remember life anywhere else and the notion of returning them to the country of origin which they no longer know or recognize was always a completely cruel policy.

They are Americans in every meaningful sense of the word and have much to contribute to this country in the coming years. Now they will be able to, instead of living lives of real fear waiting for that midnight knock.

It is one thing to deport someone who came here willingly, knowing they were breaking the law to live illegally.

It is quite another to recognize that millions of children, who had no choice in the matter, are victims of an unfeeling and uncaring system.

The greatness of this country is not its military might or its over emphasis on its toughness in a fight.

It is the words on the Statue of Liberty written by Emma Lazarus that state:

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

As an immigrant myself I have never been prouder of this country or this president than I am today. It is a huge achievement in the best and noblest traditions of America.

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DevilsAdvoKate | Jul 25, 2012, 01:09 PM EDT

So much negativity in the posts... sad, but not all that unexpected; it seems to permiate every opportunity to state one's views. I choose to look to see if any positive aspects are there. I don't ignore the negative, but I certainly don't want to dwell on it either. That being said, I think it's a great thing that the US President chose not to punish the children for the sins of the parents. From that vantage point, it sounds like a fair and logical decision. Whether those who ever-so-frequently choose to employ the term, "real Americans" want to accept it or not; America's strength has always been in her diversity. If you do not agree with my position; not a problem. You are entitled to your opinion, as I am to mine; however, don't expect a retort to any barbs thrown my way. This is my "opinion", as such it belongs solely to me, so in that regard, it is "never" wrong (just as yours is never wrong). I accept your opinion, but never, ever, think I need to "justify" it to you. One last comment... I loved the writeup, and felt (or at least hoped) it would touch the heart-strings of any population group who went in search of their dream. We are all citizens of the world; national borders can never take that away from us. Enjoy your day, and try not to be negative... it really weakens your opportunity to persuade someone sitting on the fence to your position (those adamently opposed to you will rarely change their position anyway).

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peterson | Jun 20, 2012, 06:02 PM EDT

Obama's "Dream Act" will probably turn into a financial nightmare for the USA ! It will encourage more illegals to flow across their border.

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stanJames | Jun 19, 2012, 10:14 PM EDT

I remember the storyies from my wifes parents , who were Jewish. Her grandfather lived in Belarus, emigrated to Argentina, emigrated back to Belarus, then to England and then america. It was only in America that they found a reasonably accepting society in which to live. Very similar re my wifes grand mother. Lithuania, Latvia, England , then finally america............America has been the beacon of hope for so many. Yes this was a great thing by the president.

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hooligan6a | Jun 18, 2012, 06:26 PM EDT

Harry, I live in Alaska. We did not confiscate the land we bought it from RUssia. If you have a beef please take it up with the Russians. Maybe some one should take them to court for selling land that did not belong to them.

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BrianO | Jun 18, 2012, 03:31 PM EDT

Harrybyrnes, what confiscated land do you inhabit?

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hooligan6a | Jun 18, 2012, 10:25 AM EDT

You people don't understand. The illegals and their children do not identify with the US, they are Mexicans, not Norte Americano's. They want to live in the US and work there but they do not want to be US citizens. Ask any one of them what they are and they will tell you "Mexican" not American. Some second generation illegals still cannot speak. english.

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harrybyrnes | Jun 18, 2012, 10:21 AM EDT

the so called borders, they illegaly cross, only existed after america illeagly invaded their country and annexed half of it

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Bythebay | Jun 17, 2012, 02:09 PM EDT

If this is considered Obama's finest day then the US is in worse trouble than those outside the US thought. He subverted the will of the people by subverting Congressional approval, refused to address the entire immigration issue and move forward and deport illegals. Sorry, sorry excuse for a President.

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BrianO | Jun 17, 2012, 11:46 AM EDT

After some reflection, this may have been Obama's finest day in the white house, he only effected a few families in his selfish campaign maneuver, as opposed to his larger statist moves.

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Portia777 | Jun 17, 2012, 11:35 AM EDT

irishbob What kerry214 does not seem to realize is that, for the most part, our Irish ancestors came to America legally as opposed to sneaking across the border."Hmmmm NO. most Irish ancestors were brought to USA AS SLAVES, sold by the British.THE IRISH SLAVE TRADE ~ THE FORGOTTEN “WHITE” SLAVES ~ THE SLAVES THAT TIME FORGOT “Ireland’s population fell from about 1,500,000 to 600,000 in one single decade.”

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Portia777 | Jun 17, 2012, 11:28 AM EDT

IrishAndProud Don't break and enter into another country, not your own! DUUUUHHHHH!How do you conclude that it is Obama's country? USA native peoples are the only true GUARDIANS OF that continent. The rest are all legally aliens.

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Portia777 | Jun 17, 2012, 11:26 AM EDT

The truth of the matter is This planet Mother Earth never intended for humans to create borders/countries when She allowed us to live off Her. So Obama or any other human being never had a legal right to create prisons- called countries to keep desirables in and deemed undesirables out. Most of the Irish there in the beginning were slaves sold by the British to populate the continent, having murdered millions of natives. The only non aliens are in fact the Native Americans- yes, you know the ones mentally imprisoned in placed called reservations. So I cannot understand people saluting Obama for this.

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dev4 | Jun 17, 2012, 10:28 AM EDT

just another Chicago thug buying votes.

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IrishAndProud | Jun 16, 2012, 11:35 PM EDT

The children of illegal aliens are just as illegitimately present in the USA as their parents. No, it's not the kids' fault, but their parents' illegal actions have consequences...and having their kids caught in the middle is but one of them. Don't want your kids in this kind of situation? Don't break and enter into another country, not your own! DUUUUHHHHH! As for Barack Obama, the most anti-white, non-Irish and non-mainstream person EVER to sit in the White House, this is but one more nail in his political coffin, this November. The man has NO majority support on anything whatsoever, anymore -- and will soon be the USA's first half-white, one-term ex-president. And I'm ready to help him make history, once again (like most Americans are).

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McNamara31 | Jun 16, 2012, 08:31 PM EDT

kerry214 Well said and true

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