Bauer References Manhattan Project in Attacking Immigration

[ck4829]

In a recent anti-immigration e-mail rant to his supporters, Gary Bauer assailed the federal government for failing to protect the border against a supposed “invasion”:

"My friends, this is not the hallmark of a serious nation at war, intent on defending its homeland. If these same bureaucrats were running the government during World War II, America would not have developed the atomic bomb until the 1970s."

Bauer’s position on border enforcement notwithstanding, his remark curiously alludes to one of the greatest immigration success stories in American history. Many of the principal scientists involved in the Manhattan Project and the building of the atomic bomb were foreign-born immigrants, including the Italian Enrico Fermi, German-born Hans Bethe, and Hungary-native Edward Teller. The famous Danish physicist Niels Bohr was here under what one could call a “temporary worker program.”

As Bauer’s own example points out, those born outside of America have made valuable contributions to U.S. society. Who knows, maybe without immigrants, the U.S. might not have developed the atomic bomb until the 1970s.

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/2007/06/bauer_reference.html

[rfranklin]

1. No, the bomb was developed under a "Commie!"

The right wing thanked Robert Oppenheimer by attacking him and smearing him. His security clearance was revoked in 1954 thanks to idiots like Gary Bauer. Besides, science is all B.S., the bible is the truth and the earth is 6,000 years old, so please don't try to tell us that the half life of plutonium 239 is 24,000 years.

[lurky]

2. Do those guys even believe in atoms?

I mean, they're not in the Bible and you can't see 'em, even with a microscope. Could be another hoax from those nasty "scientists"...
;-)

[Ian David]

5. You godless heretic. It's 5,000 years, not 6,000. You will burn in Hell for your blasphemy! n/t

[shenmue]

3. That's kind of 'weasel words,' isn't it...

Yes, those born outside of America have made contributions to it. That wasn't the question. There aren't just immigrants, there are illegal immigrants. There is a difference. Don't try to conflate the two. It's just smarmy.

Those who are in favor of illegal immigration ought to explain why it's so important that it be illegal.

Stop with the chip on your shoulder.

[pampango]

8. I think it would be better if they were legal.

Perhaps we could agree on legislation that would deport the 12 million illegal immigrants here now, in exchange for greatly expanded immigrant quotas, so that a similar number can come here legally. This way we would achieve the benefits that immigrants bring to society, according to some at DU, and they would all be legal reducing the chances of being exploited and keeping the "rule of law" folks at DU happy, as well.

[JVS]

4. OMG Mexicans are going to build some kind of Supernuke in Amurika! This is HUGH!!!1!!111!!

:sarcasm:

[Hubert Flottz]

6. Gary Bauer looks like a god damned alien from another planet.

[rfranklin]

7. His mom mated with one of the those dinosaurs....

I saw it at the Creation Museum.