Martin O'Malley: 'We Can't Send Children Back to Death' - Says 'Get Them Out Of These Kennels'

[bigtree]

Last edited Sat Jul 12, 2014, 12:56 AM - Edit history (1)

Jack Bohrer @JRBoh · 2h
Martin O'Malley: We Can't 'Send Children Back to Death' http://ti.me/W4Uyi0


Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley broke publicly with President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Friday, calling for a more humane policy toward the tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors who have illegally crossed into the United States.

“It is contrary to everything we stand for to try to summarily send children back to death,” the Democratic lawmaker told reporters. O’Malley also criticized the “kennels” in which those who have been detained are being kept and calling for the children to be placed in “the least restrictive” locations, including foster homes or with family members in the U.S.

“Through all of the great world religions we are told that hospitality to strangers is an essential human dignity,” O’Malley said. “It is a belief that unites all of us. And I have watched the pictures of young kids who have traveled for thousands of miles. I can only imagine, as a father of four, the heartbreak that those parents must have felt in sending their children across a desert where they can be muled and trafficked or used or killed or tortured. But with the hope, the hope, that they would reach the United States and that their children would be protected from what they were facing at home, which was the likelihood of being recruited into gangs and dying a violent death.”

O’Malley went so far as to call the children “refugees,” a term with legal weight that would allow most of them to remain in the U.S. He called on Congress and the President to avoid modifying the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008. That measure requires that children who are not from Canada or Mexico who have crossed the border to be given an opportunity to see an immigration judge to make their case for amnesty. Lawmakers on both sides, as well as the White House, are reviewing ways to amend that law to ease deportations of the tens of thousands of migrant children, who are largely from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

O’Malley said “the whole world is watching” how the U.S. responds to the humanitarian crisis.

“We have to do right not just by these kids but by our kids and protect the children who are here, put them in the least restrictive settings, get them out of these detention centers and these kennels where they are being cooped up, and operate as the good and generous people that we have always been,” he added. “That’s what’s at stake here, as well as the lives of these kids.”

read more: http://time.com/2978026/martin-omalley-minors-immigration/


Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley speaks during a general session at the California Democrats State Convention, March 8, 2014, in Los Angeles. Jae C. Hong—AP


Martin O'Malley ‏@GovernorOMalley 1h
The greatest power we have is power of our principles. We're not a country that should send children away & send them back to certain death

*listen*: https://soundcloud.com/americarising/martin-omalley-we-are-not-a-country-that-should-turn-children-away

[montanacowboy]

1. I smell Presidential Timber

go Martin

[elleng]

2. He's got it, imo,

but maybe not enough 'noise' around him.

Biden/O'Malley! (but for Delaware/Maryland proximity.)

[bigtree]

3. I couldn't be more proud of my governor right now

. . . if this is his idea of a presidential bid, then I'm thoroughly impressed.

[cali]

34. really courageous stuff. I have real respect for your guv- and long have

I don't agree with him on everything, but he's got some guts.

[yeoman6987]

10. Lol. Better talk with your Mayor in Baltimore

Who said "no" to accepting the children.

[Kingofalldems]

13. What does that have to do with O'Malley?

[yeoman6987]

20. Are you kidding?

He runs MY state and he goes and says that we better do something but yet won't even allow HIS state to accept children in Baltimore of all places just because he Mayor says so. Last time I checked, the Governor is senior to the Mayor unless she doesn't want any funding then she is free to do as she pleases.

[Kingofalldems]

57. He doesn't run Baltimore. And I live in Md. too.

Nice try. I see where you are coming from.

[bigtree]

59. you're not accurate on that

. . . .the federal government is looking at sites in Md.. Some they're looking at have been rejected because they were deemed by local officials and legislators as inappropriate to house children. However, as the governor has expressed his desire to house them, it would seem inevitable that our state will receive some of these children. It is a mistake to think that our state isn't going to form some positive collective response to the crisis, as evidenced by the governor's words. Local complaints are to be expected and the governor is correct in remaining sensitive to legitimate ones from those officials; not satisfied with just forcing something through. It will happen. Wait for it.

[Agschmid]

22. Yup!

[WinkyDink]

35. My first thought even just looking at his determined face!

[whistler162]

38. As in falling down.....TIMBER!!!!!!

[joshcryer]

40. Oh let it be.

[Cha]

4. Mahalo bigtree! Oh I like him. He stands up for what is right.. not expedient.

What was Hillary's take?

[bigtree]

6. her take is in the article

. . .which frames this stand by Gov. O'Malley as a direct challenge to Hillary's position.

[Cha]

8. Okay.. I'll go to the link.. thanks!

[bigtree]

42. I hope you found what you were looking for, Cha

. . . I would have posted it here, I didn't want to spark another Hillary debate on this thread

[Cha]

58. No worries, bigtree.. I was

thinking about it this morning. Telling myself again.. "Must go to link before I comment on thread".

Really do like Gov O'Malley and speaking of Maryland.. the Prez is playing golf on a private course in that neck of the woods today.. I should say "played". Much needed R&R

Mark Knoller ✔ @markknoller
Follow
Pres Obama playing golf today for first time at TPC Potomac at Avenal, one of leading private courses in Maryland. http://www.tpc.com/potomac/home

8:44 AM - 12 Jul 2014 27 Retweets 6 favorites

TOD

[Uncle Joe]

5. Hear hear! or if you prefer Here here!

We're a much bigger nation than some people would have you believe.


Thanks for the thread, bigtree.

[bigtree]

7. Yes, Yes!

. . . such a gratifying response after a week of worrying about these children.

[littlemissmartypants]

15. Truly. eom

[Vattel]

9. O'Malley: "Let's release these children now and then find any excuse to arrest them later."

He didn't really say that, but given his "arrest them all" policies in Baltimore, he may as well have. I totally agree with what O'Malley said, but given that it is coming from O'Malley, I have no reason to believe that it is sincere. It might be, or it might be a ploy to make himself look better than Clinton.

[bigtree]

12. his 'ploy' as you call it is the ONLY bold embrace of these children

. . . by ANY of the potential presidential candidates.

He DOES look better than Clinton here. But, more importantly, he's provided the most prominent voice out there in unequivocal defense of these children. That's what I'm focused on. The election two years from now will take care of itself.

[Vattel]

19. well, I am glad that he is saying it. I guess I should give him the benefit of the doubt on motives

[MohRokTah]

11. Wow, this guy is good.

Right now, I'm for Hillary.

This guy could sway me.

[bigtree]

14. this is what leadership is all about

. . . he's going to take some heat for this.

[phleshdef]

16. I've already decided that O'Malley will be my candidate in the primary if he runs.

Unless Al Gore decides to jump, but I don't see that happening.

[Ikonoklast]

44. Move over, I'm doing the same.

I want O'Malley to run, really, really badly.

[Samantha]

17. That is my governor, and I continue to be proud of him

I would love to see him on the ticket in 2016. I am so proud to live in the blue State of Maryland.

Sam

[bigtree]

45. I can get behind a candidate who takes stands like this

. . . I hope he's taking notice of the wave of visceral expressions of approval for his blunt, compassionate, and progressive words.

[Louisiana1976]

52. I can, too. Would that President Obama and Hillary were so compassionate.

[bigtree]

56. agreed

. . . this is a direct challenge to their stands on this issue.

[mountain grammy]

18. Governor O'Malley is speaking for me and many more who want these children treated as refugees

because that's what they are!

[bigtree]

60. I'm going to help change the terminology of this, along with the governor

. . . refugees, not migrants.

[mountain grammy]

61. Good, it's really important and Americans need to understand the difference.

The fool Republicans are behaving like heartless idiots because they are.

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/calls-are-growing-consider-border-kids-refugees

[TheKentuckian]

21. That is what is right.

[davidthegnome]

23. Absolutely right.

Thank you, Mr. O'Malley. If only we had more like you.

[Cracklin Charlie]

24. Did we not do something similar with the Vietnamese?

I lived next door to a Vietnamese family who came through Fort Chaffee. They were wonderful neighbors.

I think I love this O'Malley.

[morningfog]

25. Fantastic! Stark contrast to Hillary.

Hope he keeps this up.

[PeteSelman]

26. Hyperbole much?

"Certain death" is a little dramatic isn't it? If it was all that bad they'd be dead already wouldn't they?

[bigtree]

27. well, that's just as good an illustration as any

. . . that they're caught between a rock and a hard place.

Sounds more like a refugee problem (as Gov. O'Malley stated) than a migrant question.

[TheKentuckian]

28. No, they wouldn't. There have been refugees from heinous situations you sound well short of reasoned

here and it isn't funny or cute would you like to be a child or have your child come through many dangers and seeing the worst to be punted right back into it?

Is their no time where there can be some decency? Does everything ever just have to be snark and callousness.

I mean hellfire, some of might make it it is only 82.71% chance they eat it. Send Em on back, it'll build character!

Awww horsepucky! From what I understand it is only really like a 26.25%. Not bad at all, you can't save everyone for crying out loud!

Yeah, 26% is low, you might as well say 25% or even say around 20%, it's not that bad!

[bigtree]

29. update: soundcloud of remarks in op

https://soundcloud.com/americarising/martin-omalley-we-are-not-a-country-that-should-turn-children-away (right-wing source)




Children sleep in a holding cell at a US Customs and Border Protection processing facility in Brownsville, Texas. (Reuters/Eric Gay/Pool)


( oh, for christ sakes, says my wife upon seeing this image)

[ReRe]

30. K&R

FINALLY! A Democrat stands up and tries to jerk us out of our terd-way malaise.
Thank you Governor O'Malley!

[flamingdem]

31. This begs the question: if we take those who are here why not

take a few hundred thousand more?

I like him but it's not steady ground due to the logic of volume.

[one_voice]

32. I like him very much..

I've been following him. I hope to see & hear more from him.

[bigtree]

33. kick

[Scuba]

36. "The greatest power we have is power of our principles." Obviously he's not a Third Wayer.

[bigtree]

37. kick

[whistler162]

39. Well Governor how many is your state willing

to take in and ensure that they remain safe from predators. What type of temporary facilities do you have in Maryland? Put up Governor instead of blathering for yourself.

[bigtree]

41. you should know that the federal govt. is considering sites in Md. to house the children

. . . there's been some pushback from local officials and congressmen, but you can see for yourself what the attitude of the governor is. He's obviously in favor of providing adequate shelter. Sen. Mikulski and Cardin in my state have objected to a particular site, but Mikulski says she's open to placing them somewhere else in Md. I'd expect that they'd find a way, given the governor's stance.

I mean, why do you think he'd have objections to housing them here after making such a statement? Why wouldn't he approve of sheltering them in my state? I'm not getting your complaint. The governor, just last month, signed a bill which expands opportunities for abused, undocumented children.

Earlier this year, he announced that a jail in Baltimore would not necessarily cooperate with feds on deportations, as most jails do.

Besides, our state is already housing some of the children . . .


Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski said she opposes the proposal for the former Social Security Administration buildings, and has asked the federal government to consider other buildings in the state.

"I am concerned about the health and safety consequences of putting hundreds and possibly thousands of children in a closed down Social Security Administration office building while we work through language barriers to ascertain their legal status and locate their parents," the Maryland Democrat said in a statement.

"Federal agencies must work closely with local communities and nonprofits to select sites that meet the unique needs of these vulnerable children," the Maryland Democrat said. "We must be careful to select sites that are kid-friendly. Being empty and available cannot be the only criteria we use."

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats — led by Mikulski — have proposed an additional $1 billion to deal with the spike in child immigrants.

In a related development, the Board of Child Care of the United Methodist Church said Monday that it recently won a federal grant to care for some of the children, and is housing more than a dozen at a facility in western Baltimore County.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-children-immigrants-20140609,0,3035488.story
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2014-06-17/news/bs-md-new-shelters-20140617_1_sites-children-health-and-human-services

[riversedge]

43. agree.

[butterfly77]

46. I like O'Malley but..

I notice politicians and others speak up for homeless from other countries but don't say a damn thing about children and adults already living in America living on the streets. Affordable housing for Americans!

I can see in these children and there families living better than Americans who have been here for decades and catching hell! Have at it..I live in Detroit.

Don't send them here everytime there is a problem this is the drop off spot seen it throughout the Clinton years,after Katrina. Nothing against the people but send them to Idaho,Wyoming,New York,North Dakota,South Dakota, Oklahoma we have enough problems.

[bigtree]

47. well, this is a progressive-minded state

. . . and our governor does not neglect the needs of our state's children so that's just not something you're going to be able to argue far against.

I don't know where you live, so I'm in no position to argue that, but I would say that responsibility for these children does need to be shared out as equitably as possible, but they are our responsibility.

[butterfly77]

49. Americans are our responsibility..

Why don't I see as many arguing so hardily for Americans on the street,they seem to think that is just fine. By the way my governor is a rotten,stinking,piece of shit!

[bigtree]

55. I wouldn't send them to Detroit

[bigtree]

48. »

[unapatriciated]

50. Thanks for the OP bigtree

My family and I feel the same about this. My parents live a few miles from Murrieta, Ca. As a family we so disgusted by what took place there. My sister started a petition regarding this subject. I ask that any one who feels the same to please sign.

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/america-does-not-turn.fb51?source=s.icn.fb&r_by=1209208

[Hekate]

51. THANK YOU GOV. O'MALLEY! "Get them out of these kennels."

"We're not a country that should send children away & send them back to certain death."

I hope to Gods we hear more from him, soon and frequently.

[Louisiana1976]

53. Regarding the refugees that are placed in Maryland, what's keeping O'Malley from

placing the children in foster homes or with family members who live in that state? I think placing them in less restrictive settings would be a good idea.

[bigtree]

54. our state officials say they want to find appropriate shelter in our state

. . . and I believe they will. Several sites are under consideration, and several others have been rejected as inappropriate for housing children.

We do already have some of the children receiving shelter from the United Methodist Church which has obtained a federal grant to make that happen. As you might imagine, there's no easy solution, but I believe our legislators and local officials will find a way.

Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski said she opposes the proposal for the former Social Security Administration buildings, and has asked the federal government to consider other buildings in the state.

Mikulski, for one made this statement yesterday, "Federal agencies must work closely with local communities and nonprofits to select sites that meet the unique needs of these vulnerable children . . . We must be careful to select sites that are kid-friendly. Being empty and available cannot be the only criteria we use."

I'll gladly post the success of that pledge when it happens.

[bigtree]

62. »

[TBF]

63. Bumping this up -

Saw a meme for this today and posted it in Socialist Progressives. I don't always read GD so I don't know if it's been up in here as well. I think it's ok for public use (I found it on the MoveOn Facebook page):