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Students get scoop on Tom Tancredo

Contributed by: Jennifer Adams on 4/13/2007

What was supposed to be a casual discussion with an EHS business class turned into an intimate conference with Republican Tom Tancredo on April 10.
Students were sitting in chairs, sitting on the floor and standing all along the walls to hear the presidential candidate speak.

Both supporters and dissenters of his controversial policies took the opportunity to ask him about such issues as illegal immigration, the situation in Iran and the war in Iraq.

He began talking about his political views by saying, "My issues are controversial," the most infamous of these being illegal immigration.

Tancredo talked to students about the common remark that 'they take jobs Americans don't want." He mentioned the chicken processing plant in Georgia and the meat packing plant in Greeley, both of which were raided by the ICE because of illegal employees.

Tancredo mentioned that both plants had an excess amount of applications in just a few days after the raid, all of which were from legal citizens.

As for current immigration policies, Tancredo said, "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig," meaning that the Bush administration can call immigration policies different names, but it is still the same ineffective policy.

After Tancredo discussed immigration, he offered the students the opportunity to ask questions.

EHS Senior John Anderson asked the first question concerning the current diplomatic conflicts with Iran, asking, "Would you talk to Iran?"

Tancredo responded that yes, he would communicate with Iran, but with other nations in six party talks. However, he also commented that "talking to them doesn't actually accomplish in demolishing the regime."

When asked, "Well, what would you do?" Tancredo suggested using and helping the many Iranians wishing to return to Iran to reform the government.

As for the war in Iraq, Tancredo first corrected students who referred to it as the War on Terror. He said that "Terror is a tactic," not a thing to declare war on.

The first question, blurted out by one student, was a blunt one: "Are we winning?"

Tancredo responded by saying that Al Qaeda has changed from one group to many and that this is more dangerous and harder to combat. Another student then boldly asked, "So basically, you don't think we're winning?"

He replied that America is winning the war of arms, but not the war of ideas. He believes that in order for Iraq to be successful, "Iraq has to be turned over to Iraq," but also said, "I think it would be best to [...] disengage but not withdrawal from Iraq."

Tancredo commented that the ultimate question is "Can a democracy actually work in a government supporting theocracy?"

Tancredo's visit to EHS was very educational and ultimately well received. Students paid rapt attention while he spoke, even if they disagreed with his politics. He talked to students like adults and even made fun of himself, quoting Conan O'Brien, who joked, " Clinton's raised $30 million, Obama's raised $25 million, and Tancredo's raised two children."

Junior Josie Marshall said, "Even though I don't totally agree with him, now I know he's a really nice guy."

Students and faculty were equally impressed with the questions asked. There was intelligent discussion and a politically aware crowd. The presentation offered more than just an educational opportunity. Student reporters were the only press allowed in the classroom, meaning that they were the only journalists to get first hand information.

In response to the Courier's article (April 11 Canyon Courier) discussing how their reporter was denied access to the classroom in which Tancredo spoke, both teachers and students were glad the administration let only the community's student journalists get the scoop.

One EHS teacher said, "It was a great thing for student writers to have the opportunity to report on such an important event. I mean, Tancredo is running for President."

Jennifer Adams is a student at Evergreen High School.


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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
Submitted By: David Oliver
posted on 4/13/2007 @ 10:07:07 PM
Rated Story
Tancredo is a patriot. Hopefully, these students learned that patriotism is a good fit on a nice guy. Please visit the following petition site and register your support for TOM TANCREDO FOR PRESIDENT: www.petitionspot.com/petitions/tancredo
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Karen Groves
posted on 4/13/2007 @ 4:11:25 PM
Rated Story
Good story Jen.
[Report as objectionable]
Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Jennifer Adams

Evergreen , CO

Jennifer Adams has posted 6 stories and 0 comments since joining on 3/15/2007. Jennifer Adams 's average story rating is 5.
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