Stephen Colbert To Testify Before Congress On Immigration

[pampango]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/22/stephen-colbert-testify-congress-immigration_n_735464.html

Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert will be testifying before Congress on Friday about immigration during a hearing called "Protecting America's Harvest."

Colbert will be appearing with United Farm Workers (UFW) President Arturo S. Rodriguez before the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. In August, the comedian spent a day working at a corn and vegetable farm in New York state after Rodriguez appeared on his show to discuss UFW's "Take Our Jobs" campaign.

The effort was intended to debunk the theory that undocumented immigrants are taking jobs away from American citizens and highlight the fact the nation's food supply is dependent on these farm workers. "Farm workers are ready to welcome citizens and legal residents who wish to replace them in the field," said the UFW site. "We will use our knowledge and staff to help connect the unemployed with farm employers."

According to a UFW press release, since the effort launched, "more than three million people have visited the campaign web site, www.takeourjobs.org. Of those visitors, 8,600 have expressed an interest in seeking employment as farm workers. Despite the numbers, only seven people have taken the UFW up on its offer to take a job in agriculture."

[Ian David]

1. Stephen Colbert to testify at House immigration hearing: report

Stephen Colbert to testify at House immigration hearing: report
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4549754

[Schema Thing]

2. well sure, if they're only paying 50 bucks an hour.

You have to find that magic number that will entice people to work. Just ask John McCain.

[Matariki]

3. "only seven people have taken the UFW up on its offer"

Probably because the job rarely pays even minimum wage. Perhaps minimum wage laws should cover farm work.

I picked apples for a day one summer. Made $8 for a whole day's labor. I guess I wasn't quite desperate enough to keep at it.

[treestar]

4. What use is his testimony?

He spent one day on a joke? Why don't they get people who are experts on the subject?