Ted Kennedy Died

[aadimanav]

Ted Kennedy Died - Bad day for America.

[imm_pro]

And with him goes the magic filibuster proof number (60)..this is bad for us..

[la_guy]

magic 60 number doesnt go away... some one else will be appointed, who will be a democrat.... its not like india... by elections every now and then, for mla death, resign, etc....:)

[gcisadawg]

magic 60 number doesnt go away... some one else will be appointed, who will be a democrat.... its not like india... by elections every now and then, for mla death, resign, etc....:)

Based on state's law, a special election will be held. Governor can not appoint one.
I'm not sure if special election should be conducted only on traditional election day or any day of the year.

[MCQ]

Actually in Massachusetts, it will be an election, that's the law there (unlike Illinois) - and not less than 140 days after the seat becomes vacant, unless a General Election (either state or Federal) comes first - then the seat will be filled at that election.
Basically this means that the seat WILL be vacant until at least end of November, so there is no 60th Democrat vote in the Senate now.

His passing is particularly unhelpful to the entire immigrant community as Senator Kennedy was a great friend and supporter of Immigrants - especially given his own Irish Catholic background and upbringing.
We will have no idea until the election whether his successor will have that same conviction and dedication to CIR which many on the forum still waiting for their GC's would hope for, or given the state of the economy and disillusionment of many folk about the new administration on healthcare etc that it will even be a Democrat elected (although chances are it will be - New England is a strongly Democrat area).

the legal immigration forum has lost great voice and friend in Ted Kennedy's passing and we will be the worse for it.

May he rest in peace.
McQ

[immieb2]

especially a Bad day for Immigrants

[kittu1991]

the legal immigration forum has lost great voice and friend in Ted Kennedy's passing and we will be the worse for it.

From what I can recollect he was a champion for family based immigration and not for employment based. Correct me if not.:confused:

[khodalmd]

I should not speak any negative for him today. He is the great person. He is champion for Illegal immigrants and family based immigrant. However, he was not big fan for employment based immigrant (He made injustice to EB community for CIR 2007). only due to he though these people are well educated and better take care by themselves. socialist always taxing heavily on rich and help poor. Mahatma Gandhi always favored poor and minorities and that doesn't mean he hate rich of majority.
May God give him peace.

From what I can recollect he was a champion for family based immigration and not for employment based. Correct me if not.:confused:

[gc28262]

Please pay due respects to this great man. Senator Ted Kennedy.

Many of us are here today because of the legislation he passed in 1965.
Prior to 1965 USA was a white majority country. INA 1965 changed all that.

Read it here

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act_of_1965)

[sunny1000]

May God rest his soul. He was a great fighter for liberal causes but, at the same time, he never hesitated to reach across the aisle when it was needed (eg., no child left behind).

[kris04]

Ted Kennedy Died - Bad day for America.

Its a great loss not only to America, but also to aspiring immigrant community, he was instrumental in coming up with CIR during Bush regime along with McCain, though his effort failed.

kris

[sunny1000]

I should not speak any negative for him today. He is the great person. He is champion for Illegal immigrants and family based immigrant. However, he was not big fan for employment based immigrant (He made injustice to EB community for CIR 2007). only due to he though these people are well educated and better take care by themselves. socialist always taxing heavily on rich and help poor. Mahatma Gandhi always favored poor and minorities and that doesn't mean he hate rich of majority.
May God give him piece.

I usually refrain from pointing out mistakes but, I guess the word in red should be "peace" and not "piece", which totally changes the meaning of the sentence.

[alterego]

Please pay due respects to this great man. Senator Ted Kennedy.

Many of us are here today because of the legislation he passed in 1965.
Prior to 1965 USA was a white majority country. INA 1965 changed all that.

Read it here

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act_of_1965)

Absolutely correct. While we may have small issue with whether he may have favored FB or EB or Lottery or asylum or whatever category of Immigration. Sen. Kennedy was instrumental in the passage of the INS act of 1965 which gave opportunity for any Asian Immigration at all to the USA. Prior to that time there were specific country exclusions. OF course it was an especially racist time in US history and US citizen Blacks also had to deal with all sorts of discrimination. Nonetheless immigration to the US for those outside of northern Europe was basically virtually impossible. There are still some regressive forces that would like to see it revert to that and we still see shades of it in discussions over this topic. However, that the argument can be over what form of immigration, the benefits of immigration and so on an not about whether there should be any at all from a non white country, and that those racist forces are reduced to fringe elements who try to shade it, afraid to state their vitriolic views openly, is certainly in large part due to this great legislator. He certainly fought discrimination (in whatever form it took) very hard.

[mmk123]

Condolences for this true american leader.. Really a sad news.

A supporter of 1965 immigration act and leader on healthcare and immigration reform.

MA governor Patrick said that he is willing to sign a law that would bring governor appointment person to serve on senate till elections are held (~ 5 months). Gov Romney (R) did it few yrs back and now dems will do it.

But this shd get passed in MA house... hopefully it will.

[Devils_Advocate]

R.I.P to a Great human being, the champion of the Immigration cause, truly the Lion of the Senate. He will be missed.

[GC_dd]

R.I.P he was a great leader.

[bmoni]

Ted Kennedy truly an inspiration. He consistently raised voice for the voiceless. His legacy will live on.

May his soul rest in peace.

[khodalmd]

I am sorry. my bad. I corrected. Thanks for correction.

I usually refrain from pointing out mistakes but, I guess the word in red should be "peace" and not "piece", which totally changes the meaning of the sentence.

[ebizash]

R.I.P. Ted!!