Thursday, May 31, 2007

If it's not amnesty....

...Then give me another word for it.

Proponents of the immigration bill making its way through Congress are constantly claiming "it's not amnesty". For example:

Amnesty is forgiveness for being here without any penalties — that's what amnesty is. I oppose it.

President Bush.


OK, if "amnesty" means forgiveness without any penalties, then we need another word for what's happening. Maybe "retroactive decriminalization"?

Seriously – If I stole your car, and someone passed a law reducing my penalty to a $100 fine, and I got to keep the car, I might find the difference between that and "amnesty" not worth talking about.

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