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He was specifically talking about Mexicans crossing the border illegally. Are you saying majority of people who cross the border illegally are good people? Mos

He was specifically talking about Mexicans crossing the border illegally. Are you saying majority of people who cross the border illegally are good people? Most "good people" don't have to cross the border illegally. They can get a U.S. visa and never leave. The people who will definitely not get a U.S. visa to do that is those have a criminal record in their own country, so their only option is to cross the border illegally.

pjc50 6y ago
Very few people can get US visas without work sponsorship. The green cards are rationed, aren't they? Similarly, there is little proof that a significant fraction of the people crossing the border have criminal records for things other than immigration law.
- AntiImperialist 6y ago
  You don't need a long term visa to come in legally. You only need one to stay legally long-term.
  - pjc50 6y ago
    Well, yes. That's the difference between a tourist and an immigrant. Working requires visas. Being a legal immigrant is heavily rationed.
    - AntiImperialist 6y ago
      I agree with that. Now, let's get back to what Trump said. Right after he said what you quoted in that speech, he said: "I speak to border guards and they tell us what we're getting. And it only makes common sense. It only makes common sense. They're sending us not the right people." He's constantly repeating how good the Mexicans and Japanese and everyone else is... (as opposed to the American leaders back then)... but the best ones among the Mexicans are not the ones coming in to the U.S. by crossing the border illegally. If you look at the context, he is clearly saying that Mexico has great people in general, the leaders are smarter and they have some terrible people who they're sending across the border illegally. His opponents, which were all of the media back then, because he was neither liked by either party, attacked him for it. It was even a part of the attack strategy by Jeb Bush's campaign because he has a Mexican wife. They did it by taking the quote out of context, as anybody would do. If I was a political strategist, I would happily do the same. It was a easy hand to play and would potentially sway voters away from him. Since the election is over, I'm assuming you're not one of Media Matters bots and I think, like a lot of people, you genuinely believe that those remarks were what the media told you they were... which is why I'm having this conversation. Have a nice day!
n4r9 6y ago
I'm not from the US so may interpret differently, but when Trump says "Mexico sends" it has a strong implication that the government and/or the general collective people of Mexico are deliberately transporting criminals to the US.
alphabettsy 6y ago
Yes, I’m saying the vast majority are good people and regardless of how they cross the border demonizing people with lies or exaggerations is unacceptable.

pjc50 6y ago

Very few people can get US visas without work sponsorship. The green cards are rationed, aren't they? Similarly, there is little proof that a significant fraction of the people crossing the border have criminal records for things other than immigration law.

AntiImperialist 6y ago
You don't need a long term visa to come in legally. You only need one to stay legally long-term.
- pjc50 6y ago
  Well, yes. That's the difference between a tourist and an immigrant. Working requires visas. Being a legal immigrant is heavily rationed.
  - AntiImperialist 6y ago
    I agree with that. Now, let's get back to what Trump said. Right after he said what you quoted in that speech, he said: "I speak to border guards and they tell us what we're getting. And it only makes common sense. It only makes common sense. They're sending us not the right people." He's constantly repeating how good the Mexicans and Japanese and everyone else is... (as opposed to the American leaders back then)... but the best ones among the Mexicans are not the ones coming in to the U.S. by crossing the border illegally. If you look at the context, he is clearly saying that Mexico has great people in general, the leaders are smarter and they have some terrible people who they're sending across the border illegally. His opponents, which were all of the media back then, because he was neither liked by either party, attacked him for it. It was even a part of the attack strategy by Jeb Bush's campaign because he has a Mexican wife. They did it by taking the quote out of context, as anybody would do. If I was a political strategist, I would happily do the same. It was a easy hand to play and would potentially sway voters away from him. Since the election is over, I'm assuming you're not one of Media Matters bots and I think, like a lot of people, you genuinely believe that those remarks were what the media told you they were... which is why I'm having this conversation. Have a nice day!

n4r9 6y ago

I'm not from the US so may interpret differently, but when Trump says "Mexico sends" it has a strong implication that the government and/or the general collective people of Mexico are deliberately transporting criminals to the US.

alphabettsy 6y ago

Yes, I’m saying the vast majority are good people and regardless of how they cross the border demonizing people with lies or exaggerations is unacceptable.