Short attention span musing...

...In some of the most meaningless *big* news of the year, a bipartisan group of senators and the White House negotiated a compromise immigration reform plan that would grant legal status to previously illegal immigrants based on "skills, education levels and job experience" while devaluing family status in immigration decisions.

A couple of the kickers (emphasis mine) -

The proposed agreement would allow illegal immigrants to come forward and obtain a "Z visa" and — after paying fees and a $5,000 fine...Heads of households would have to return to their home countries first.

{snip}

A new crop of low-skilled guest workers would have to return home after stints of two years. They could renew their visas twice, but would be required to leave for a year in between each time.

Ignoring for the moment the likelihood of passage thru a Congress full of nativist Republicans and progressive Democrats laying in wait for this one (at first blush, I'd rate the chances of passage at less than 50%) but the practical implications of this if passed would render it unworkable.

Fees and fines of more than $5000? Leaving the country voluntarily on the off chance that the government will let them back in?

From what I understand, the average illegal immigrant is uneducated.

'Uneducated' doesn't mean 'stupid'.

Most will figure out quickly that this doesn't benefit them at all.

...In what is perhaps related news, a private defense contractor, DynCorp International, is recruiting Border Patrol officers for a one-year contract in Iraq. Price: $134K salary, $25K signing bonus. (courtesy the AZ Rep's Plugged In)

Evidently the Bush admin feels that the new plan will pass and the Border Patrol can be downsized and privatized. And the new privatized force will escape notice as part of a continued buildup of US forces in Iraq.

...In news that surprised no one, Paul Wolfowitz resigned as head of the World Bank. However, in a rumor that is sure to hearten loyal Bushies the world over, soon-to-be unemployed British Prime Minister Tony Blair is being mentioned as a possible replacement.

That would work out nicely - Wolfowitz's resignation becomes effective on June 30; Blair's time as PM ends June 27.

I bet that time off would be so short that Tony wouldn't have to go on the dole, even for a little while.

Later!