Marisa

Immigration bills to lose felony proviso Pelosi's office: Republicans 'feeling the heat' after protests WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Republican leaders of the House and Senate have agreed to drop efforts to make entering the United States illegally a felony, hoping to jump-start legislation to overhaul the U.S. immigration system. The provision has become a lightning rod for protesters in massive demonstrations against illegal immigration restrictions, like those Monday that drew hundreds of thousands of people in dozens of American cities large and small. The felony measure is part of an immigration reform bill the GOP-controlled House of Representatives passed in December. In a joint statement issued Tuesday evening, House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist tried to blame House Democrats for the felony provision, noting that Democrats voted overwhelmingly against an amendment that would have reduced minimum sentences for illegal entry to 6 months. "Instead, they voted to make felons out of all of those who remain in our country illegally," said Hastert, an Illinois Republican, and Frist, a Tennessee Republican. The final bill passed the House 239-182, with only 36 Democrats supporting the measure. (Watch the politics of immigration -- 2:28) Jennifer Crider, a spokeswoman for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, said Republicans "are feeling the heat" after demonstrations that brought out hundreds of thousands of protesters in 39 states on Monday. Organizers said 500,000 attended a protest in Washington and 200,000 turned out in Phoenix, Arizona, though police provided no official crowd estimates. (Full story) "No amount of spin can change the fact that Republicans wrote and passed the Sensenbrenner bill, which criminalizes an entire population," Crider said. "The bill is beyond repair." Republican Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, a leading advocate of cracking down on illegal immigration, said Monday that Democrats wanted to keep the felony provision as a "poison pill." But Sen. Edward Kennedy on Tuesday dismissed such characterizations. "Actions speak louder than words, and there's no running away from the fact that the Republican House passed a bill and Senator Frist offered one that criminalizes immigrants," the Massachusetts Democrat said. "This debate shouldn't be about making criminals out of hard-working families ... but rather about strengthening our national security and enacting a law that reflects our best values and our humanity," he said in a written statement. The House bill, pushed by Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, a Wisconsin Democrat, also calls for building 700 miles of security fence along the Mexican border and would make assisting illegal immigrants a felony, as well. It does not include a temporary guest-worker provision, as President Bush has called for, or language that would offer a legalization process for people already in the United States illegally. Critics dismiss that idea as "amnesty," while supporters call it "earned citizenship." Senate attempts to pass a bill stalled last week when a measure establishing a guest-worker program and a mechanism for legalization failed to overcome opposition from conservative Republicans. As protests against the House bill mounted in late March, the White House and the Republican National Committee raised concerns that the anti-immigration sentiment coming from some corners of the GOP would turn off Latino voters that Bush and his political team have worked hard to court. But Republican leaders must also contend with a growing chorus within their conservative base to crack down on illegal immigration. (Watch importance of Latino vote questioned -- 2:07) Sensenbrenner sponsored the amendment that Frist and Hastert cited Tuesday, and he signaled last week that he would be willing to drop the felony language if the House and Senate have to come up with a compromise bill. House GOP aides, meanwhile, said Tuesday that language aimed at punishing people who help illegal immigrants was aimed at smugglers who bring people across the border, not at charities who assist the migrants.

Hi! Welcome!

Hmm I was going to suggest the same song TLo said. IT sounds just like that! I'll put a spell on you, You'll fall asleep, I'll put a spell on you, And when I wake you, I'll be the first thing you see, And you'll realise that you love me.

DEEEP. But here's short and sweet answer: I hope to survive this whirlwind of life. And in the process improve someone else's life in return. but after it's all over. I anticipate the inner peace. And I know the world will go on without me. But hopefully someone somewhere out there will remember me.

SEXYYY AVATAR! Happy Birthday Guy! :beatnik::pimp2::cool3: Enjoy the day and keep looking FINE.

yikes, thats hard, Beatles. Whipped Cream or Chocolate mousse?

I can't wait to be old and have my kids bring to me the grandkids that go off and come to tell me of their adventures. And I want to be wise.

I like them. I am a lurker on a photography one. And registered at 5 all together. And only post on here, the official (occasionally) , and allmsu boards ( something for school).

I wanna hear you laugh like you really mean it Collapse into me tired with joy Snow Patrol-Hands Open

I'm buying it. :rolleyes:

Rapper Proof Shot, Killed At Detroit Club Police Search For Gunman POSTED: 8:19 am EDT April 11, 2006 UPDATED: 4:47 pm EDT April 11, 2006 DETROIT -- A prominent member of Detroit's hip-hop community was killed in a shooting at a Detroit night club early Tuesday morning.Rapper and producer Proof, whose real name is DeShaun Holton (pictured), was one of two shooting victims at the CCC Club on east Eight Mile Road, near Gratiot Avenue, according to Detroit police.When police arrived at the scene, the club was empty, Local 4 reported. Both victims had been taken to a hospital, according to police.Proof was taken to St. John Holy Cross Hospital, and the second victim was taken to St. John Hospital, police said.Both victims suffered a gunshot wound to the head, police said. Local 4 initially reported the second victim also died but has learned the 35-year-old man remains hospitalized in critical condition at St. John Hospital, according to police. His name was not released.The rapper is a long-time friend of rap star Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, and is a member of his protege group D-12. Proof appeared in Eminem's movie "Eight Mile" as Li'l Tic, the station learned.Police are searching for a gunman. A description was not available.A witness was being questioned by police.The shooting remains under investigation. Fans Remember Proof Hip-hop fans were saddened Tuesday when they heard the news of rapper Proof's death.A makeshift memorial of stuffed animals and letters were posted outside the night club where the shooting occurred.Fan Javohnnie Rogan said he enjoys the music of Proof, D-12 and Eminem. He called Proof "somebody who represented Detroit.""I want to show my respect back," said Rogan.The following message regarding Proof's death was posted on D-12's Web site:Deshaun Holton (aka Proof), founding member of D-12, was killed last night in a shooting at a Detroit night club. Memorial service arrangements are still being made, and his family and friends would appreciate privacy during this difficult time. Arrangements for fan remembrances are being planned, the details will be posted on Proof's official site.Stay with Local 4 News and ClickOnDetroit.com for the latest developments. :sick: I hate bad news.

I really need to get more familiar with the band as well! I can only find pics, but not captioned with names and part in the band. Anyone get me up to date? Did they recently have members added.

I think it's the lighting! But I hope it's not. :smug:

I like it too! It's so useful for when I take long road trips. I just look up the place and become familiar before driving out there.

I will be naming my children, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Please direct all negativity about my children's names directly to me. k? thanks.

Snow Patrol-Ways and Means

:o! errrrr.....

That last pic looks like it could have been taken at a shopping mall. WHEN AND WHERE WAS THAT TAKEN? Coldplay at a shopping mall? I wish it would have been near me!

One I Love.

Excellent! His name just keeps getting better and more sentimental!

haha. I wish! Maybe more dates will show up, if not I can look forward to your review!

I am surprised he wasn't skipping.

awww Glad you had a great time!

REally? ^^ that is news to me. Pssshhh Daniel Radcliffe take me to a show with you and then I will believe you. damn I checked the tour dates and I don't think I can make it over to see them live. Hopefully a Michigan or Ohio show will surface!

awesome! wooo hooo!