Geraldo Rivera

Geraldo welcome -- WRKO in Boston this is Tom Finneran and I am joined by -- friend Wendy Murphy. Hey good morning have some. Now you know your answer -- television it's all the matters you don't have to be Hanson on radio that's true but that drew hey we wanted to welcome you to the RKO audience -- morale though. And Wendy's said you had a couple of topics that you thought there would be worth while exploring and a nice fast moving discussion. Immigration Iraq and Anna Nicole Smith I don't know if there are other things I don't mean to limit you but you pick it Jews because you Iraq gassed in in my house. Yes get the I get to make the call.

A great -- let's start with immigration is it's like having have a situation. They -- you know -- This for many years -- Go back -- 1980. In. But -- there beautiful and added him often lovely cute connections schools there in there's a lot of time there and -- having. You know what have a great. Cultural. Aspects of this happens. Mystery often. You've got a huge population of of Irish people who come -- student visas or. Well one other tourist visas. And stage and they gradually. Find their way you know it certainly doesn't -- right realizing. Advertising. That it of one way or another as a whole underground where of the work it was very welfare never over the years of heard any complaints about it because. The community is very welcoming him. In sync with people coming in to kind of both the an ad hoc informal. Process. To that it is almost the shadow kind of immigration procedure. That has existed for many many decades generations. In the at least the early part of the nineteenth century.

You know RO -- when it was talking about the shadow aspect and then the difficulty of actually trying to integrate. Any of the people from -- away when they can't whatever their country of origin. As you know in other news. All of a country President Bush actually had a respond to a to a to a question on a while he's in South America this big raid. Don and a new dad -- Factory more than 300 illegal aliens rounded up these the Massachusetts public is. Is really stirring on this one there's those two that boiling about this one only because they feel as if the hasn't been a legitimate. Enforcement effort made by the federal government in that our borders are entirely too porous.

I think -- I think the you know berated him in the Bedford the kind of classic. They handed operation Lee's single at a single operation and you. You bring them to -- and suddenly say the laws can. Count even though. You know wink and nod or fool the where -- saying about the Irish. Is that. You know things have worked out wonderfully. It. Half the president we've ever had -- iris then. All the rest of it in intensity. What's happening now though what you've never had with. This kind of rapid. Racist. Got it in the phobic. Oh my god these the browns are taking over country and in the last election. That really. Swelled up that ugly racist. Oh my god if there are a month that this round side -- so shocking. And and anti American is that Homeland Security agencies. Flailing around going from you know meat packing company in Iowa where there is another in the fifty years suddenly they upper it's illegal because in the Bedford. We. Companies provide a vital for the vital function in the community at some point. And it.

People were critical of this company for exploiting these people that the conditions were inhumane and it's. I hear you saying that we're not gathering up all the white skinned Irish illegals were only gathering up the dark skinned. And illegals or whatever. Ethnicity including. Virtually anybody as a critic.

The minutemen activities album how many minutes then the law and the Canadian border you know I agree the situation but having activities center for. -- you know. I think the emotional occasion. Very quickly I think the Republicans lost the election last November. Because they sold their 40000 votes racist -- phobic at that they sold their forty the minute and they abandoned President Bush abandoned moderate Republicans services like Arlen Specter. They abandoned the whole concept. Of keeping people who've been giving basically a wink and a -- Invitation into the country -- You know -- their country as a selfless support -- country in the nineteenth century and then you know with all of the suddenly oh my god they're here they're speaking Spanish there're. Speaking Portuguese. Pledge allegiance to the you know prime minister of Portugal of these. You know Hugo Chavez in Venezuela -- it's really it is so.

So some horror let me help me with -- help me understand this we -- is we -- is the reboot the racists. Dimension of this is it I wasn't sure if I heard you say that exists here in Boston and Massachusetts in this.

It doesn't it pointed it depends on who -- illegals are. You'd have a certain minutemen. You know -- mobilizing to get the Irish. Out of often it's if it's the thing that's happening I believe. That it -- I bet that this whole concept of the Soviet. -- at a bait and switch we've allowed illegals that come into this country. And it is varies depending on the -- need Weber agricultural. Or industry Latin acting like we let them com and fine and some of them have laid down route in the 2000. In formal underground railroad they come and there're thousands and there are hundreds of thousands -- millions. Year of the year the year and then the issue becomes a political football one year old one group -- one segment of the political sector and suddenly. The the enforcement powers of the federal government have brought to bear and lives sort disrupted and everyone is you know how -- got out of these. If the I was 350 guys it's who work here is that the that they need in and there are you bet your bottom dollar that. The old official government structure of these -- effort knew it was there you know I'm sure that the the representative. Federal let -- Of the commonwealth of that -- like that. Aaron and myself and what you what you need now is that. What you saw with Hugo Chavez is counter. Demonstrations to President -- and that there is a tremendous resentment. In Latin America now again. The the newfound urgency to build a war -- Mexican border. You know you really cracked down have called on illegal immigration. To. You know he -- people saw is a confidence. Which should be and has since the Monroe doctrine in and out corner -- saying hey wait a second you don't want not then why should we want you. The president gets the cold shoulder -- hot -- down here in part because people say. You know. After all this time now you're saying we can't come at the old -- talk about building a 2000 mile long wall.

lot of added Greeley the Bush Administration has been schizophrenic on this bush is our honor and and you can't figure out where we re really stands on it. But you're not suggesting that our our immigration policy has to be. Dictated or determined by sentiments in South America hate we have fifty million people doubt he'll want to come up the -- because it's a much better. And it just because he has a simmering desire on the pot of millions of people the company of America that we just have to open up border -- not exactly.

I thought that simmering desire has been says by of the races the man -- does these we have unemployment in the country that's under four point 5%. It almost virtually total domestic employment. -- You can't. Have a hysterical overreacting immigration and expect the people who were being overreacted again. To appreciate. And especially at a time when you have a Hugo Chavez and these other socialist who were trying to re invent that kind of radical. Area for -- seems to prosper that are counter to double it you --

Here's where I think some of the resistance comes from and -- just remind our audience were talking Geraldo Rivera been kind -- to call and Tom Finneran Wendy Murphy Iran on finesse for a I think some of what you describe business racist reaction or overreaction riled up is driven -- first of -- I don't agree that it's racist in origin of all. But it's driven in part by a couple of levels of frustration. One is this. That the is a resistance to trying to -- tool oneself or assimilate oneself into American society. Both in terms of language and culture --

That's wrong Tom I think that that brought I don't know a single second generation Latino -- he did not want. Not one. They they come they listen to their Spanish radio stations the moms and as an -- soul go to a pop and rock at all. It is absolutely a 100% but -- met my father is one was one of nineteen children from -- when they all came here they all -- that they have all it all the kids ended up like -- speaking -- and -- legal because words of organizer but my point is that is the process. And.

I realize you know I mean I'll I'll agree with that that is the historical process that the parents who came over. Atalanta -- sure that it is I do. Yet that route if you haven't Chelsea. The average repeatedly. People who read bilingual education as kids duty 1415 is all the Chelsea high school they were in bilingual. Kids today -- bilingual that insane anyway I guess I somebody. Who doesn't have English I. An extra clearance Upton went just just one minute -- I love the fact that people with Ian and I will be fluent in two global languages I think that's a great thing. But the sense that. If I came over from name a country doesn't matter and I needed bilingual assistance. My kids 1520 years later get it and the reason resistance to it. I don't know I don't see it -- IC is a pattern I don't know if I don't see it here at a.

Isn't any huge increase in. The role of the Hispanic population in this country we now have. Tons of Hispanic television which are incredible. -- I think it's a sign of assimilation which is a good thing and I I don't really.

I think -- I think as the president. They ever ever to things they are single family nationally at that and I think as the president does that people should. Be required to learn English if they want to be citizens of the United States regardless the with. That we have to exist and an English context when you look. Polish neighbors and Chicago. To you know what. Particular ethnic -- pick a region anywhere in the country there at the process of assimilation that -- like that couldn't speak -- now all the children between -- I think is that the experience the common experience. The these huge blow. Latin immigrants they want to be part of America they don't you know that they have -- in both countries is very that was every ethnic group.

If that's the case style -- sure that -- to mansion at the leaders and a spokespeople demand that the ballots that's the ultimate universal civil right that we all. Re -- here in the United States of America should ballots be in English and an English only -- that assimilation process.

I I think -- if you. Certificate issue like like the ballot which convenes in several languages depending on which of those jurisdictions mention I think it's entirely appropriate people. And there's nothing wrong with that but they are still -- this should be able figures citizenship test them. English artist you know English as the dominant language but when you start legislating against Sutherland was the department of.

My -- though I think actually in time of world crisis there's nothing more important. National unity and you -- yeah phobia I mean I really feel. Very strongly that we need to find a way to bond as Americans. And the worst thing in the world is the concept of illegal immigrants creating a divide. In and especially along specific ethnic or color lines it's so -- for the current.

At divided much more in the minds of the media isn't it we've talked of -- I think you have pockets of resistance to assimilation. In areas like east Los Angeles but it's not about we want to be Mexican this is we want to be alone we've you know -- kind of a I mean -- culture created and various pocket but. The overwhelming majority is the tens of millions. Of fastest growing minority in the country you know the biggest ethnic or national group in the country now in terms of a statistical. Increase the sizes the they want to assimilate they want the in my country they want the same things we've got some concrete ideas I think that -- there. And illegal. Immigrant who comes in this country and joined the United States -- forces. And Serbs are verbally. You know it just like the -- during the civil will be given that it should be asked if it is that it.

Okay you can earn citizenship.

You can edit it should be other ways you can earn citizenship should I think it should include the payment of that that. I think it should include. You know and and English education. It should include a regular relation. Kind of legitimate. That was this -- but you have to give yet to recognize that you are not going to be able to give. Fill those jobs and stock yards in the midwest without illegals they are in some areas of of the southwest every single babies -- for every on this vote -- issues lost -- that -- by you every every field and it is by -- there are vital part of the American economy right now I think you know you want ten dollar. Chicago you know that that -- that's one way.

Riled up to two questions point one. Under the Geraldo Rivera plan would use secure the borders so that the the the the tide if you will some people call the flawed but that I. Immigration of that illegals coming over the border is at least -- so we can begin to deal with what we already have a question.

Absolutely. Packed every country that ever existed is at order let's. Defended in. You know there are rules to cross the line. I think that as president Calderon of Mexico who really need your support remember just defeated. Very narrow lead the radical socialist opponent. -- hundreds of thousands of supporters are used to accept the results of the election and that it but it won't have to let the guy cal crises -- what -- around promising. Two. Crack down with the Mexican army and national police are crime along before. President Bush has promised that result in Mexico does that the United States will as even as we sit in the border. Increase the number of legitimate legal crossing areas bridges and support and so forth so that the ebb and flow of goods and services services coming in the formidable. People can be. Made efficient and and regular lives. Regulated and I think it's very very important aspect.

It's not secure the borders but question then you've got to give people alternative. Walking 45 miles to put the -- to work in the job that they -- in the last one for you.

I don't have a problem with give them a chance is the other specific question I had the anchor baby provision so called win out. If you know my wife or girlfriend gets across the border and she's pregnant with my child was on -- that child despondent Americans -- that child is a full American citizen people seemed to me Geraldo to be up in arms about that they just think it creates such a distortion in such an incentive for people to do what you said -- undertake any method or any means to get here simply because it gives his son -- From a human perspective I can understand it from eight the.

It's cross -- and he has the distinction the Irish immigration in virtually every other way of an immigration and it's not just the Irish are not saying this based upon. A country are urgent they came to -- through Ellis island there was a.

That's not true man you fell out of -- I'm -- I don't -- on in chips sent the ball that offer a lot of them walked over from Canada a lot of them. You know came in in great they came every which way the.

Is there was at least something happening -- legitimate place where the processing of immigration process and immigrants occurred. So there was a sense that we where at least. You know on board with -- I think right the blinders put it. Are creating this kind of -- tree you know what happened in New York recently with that horrific fire the raid in Massachusetts. Is racing other kinds of questions which is that we can toppled and about how illegal immigrants are good for our economy because they're doing their jobs that nobody wants in serving us in ways that we care about. And and and port but the but the point is every time something blows there's that argument these people are being exploited -- slave trade children are dying.

Hiring New York get absolutely nothing to do with immigrants.

I don't disagree you as a as a question of constitution around so I don't disagree too but I'm saying is every time something like Safire or that the raid. And effort every time that happens people are going to say look the problem is the subculture the secrecy. And we don't have anything remotely -- related to legitimizing process right now for people who do deserve. Citizenship who have the kinds of backgrounds that we should be celebrate.

President Bush as governor has the right idea President Bush in his first term before it was distracted by not -- at the right idea this you know all of the relationship with Latin America and the rest of the world but primarily Latin America because since the Monroe's got in the -- world. Our sphere of influence there -- neighbors and natural or should -- It happened between this is confident. He would but it then. Congressmen like JD Hayworth of Arizona. The radical right wing Republican extremists seized the Republican agenda. Force the president to start talking about -- what the president is is -- symbolic of ridiculous. Deployment of the national portal on the border that is absolutely nothing other -- make some headlines for a -- And made him abandon is. Is very reason evolutionary approach to solving the problem as a result the 44% of -- but for the Republicans dropped to 27%. Heisman like JD Hayworth of Arizona got thrown out on their -- and the Republicans -- what -- been a permanent majority with most you know you'd think about the immigrant population socially conservative that are anti abortion. They're very family oriented they -- People who might. Like the Cubans said have. Assimilated to become you know kind of conservative traditional people -- secular humanist who --

Haven't properly -- he's going to have to be the last one when Andy went back and Geraldo Rivera he went even if yes question Geraldo by the way before Wendy pose a question we just wanted to say thanks given a summit.

I love I'm glad that Wendy has the technical partner in those articulated. You know wonderful -- we are wrong way to level.

She's about to throw fastballs. Great and I know you worked late nights I'm glad. You've got -- early for a really appreciate it I want to make sure everybody knows you have this wonderful show in the weakens at Fox News Channel. I'm give us the time again around 8 o'clock that Saturday and -- excellent way you're the best was about to watch you. At but you know that. -- so it actually you know you you order it the for a lot of people were doing my job right it. -- Wendy Wendy Murphy's law I --

I wonder if -- just a -- not at this as the election is coming up in 08 is going to be such an important election do you have a sense of how much difference if Fannie.

The so called immigration votes will will will effect. In other words I start to see. Real organized efforts you know that that political action around both Hispanic.

And sort of generic immigration issues do sense that that's likely to manner in the in the election.

I think it'll -- both sides I think it'll help mobilize. That minuteman I think it's a very real segment of the population problem. 25%. And I and I know for sure has already happened November vote that will motivate. Latin Americans. You know. Hispanic Americans. Into voting also you know in -- will be disproportionately. In favor of those who advocates. You know reform for him reformers impressionable -- I really do believe that I think that as I said the republicans' -- As much that it was obviously the dominant issue but among Hispanic American immigration was the dominant issue let the last cycle and anyone -- you remember Florida Florida went President Bush in 2000. Largely because of the Cuban American population. In the in the -- unanimously voted for it.

good point I think this issue might be dispositive and Republican primary Entergy have McCain. And Giuliani with acoustic in the hot hot about reproach and I am sorry you have Romney and Giuliani -- that our approach McCain taking them with the approach that's more. More tolerant to blow. Welcome. An -- we've been had a great conversation you know there are -- are going to go to -- thank you so much that's the irony of 680 WRKO.