When it comes to immigration policy, there isn't much difference between any of the main contenders for the presidency in 2008. Immigration is a "third rail" issue in election year politics, i.e. potentially deadly. These days, it is so contentious and so unresolved in the public domain that a common tactic is avoidance. Either that, or a safe, rehearsed answer that doesn't go much beyond predictable rhetoric. This is too bad, because immigration is among the top foreign policy and national security concerns mentioned by Americans in polls-- along with the economy, Iraq and healthcare.

Among the heartfelt Mother's Day tributes published all over the web this weekend, you might have come across this touching entry from BlogHer community member Rosemarie Pena:

In the analysis and anticipation of the primary votes leading up to Super Tuesday on February 5, one sees consistent references to the "Latino vote." Today's news reports credit Latinos and women with putting Hillary Clinton over the top in Nevada, for example.

Did you watch the CNN/Youtube Debate for the Republican candidates last week? More than 4,000 videotaped questions were submitted online; about three dozen made it to air. The result? Instead of a offering greater insights into the Republican candidates, CNN found itself dubbed the "Corrupt News Network" by LA Times columnist Tim Rutten.

“Today, in an effort to expand his base of political support, Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani announced that he will sell cocaine on his official online campaign store. In a speech today in New Hampshire, Giuliani explained "this product has helped me overcome my stupidity and allow me to pronounce absolutely insane things with confidence. I want to share this magic with the people. I do not allow anyone who passes a drug test to work on my campaign, nor should you. Also, we need to go to war with the moon, it is attempting to shift Daylight Savings Time and encroach on our glorious, edible soil." Campaign staff attempted to reach out to Bobby Brown for an endorsement, but Brown responded that "even I am not that insane...and I married Whitney Houston."

When I taught English composition in a Kansas City area community college a few years ago, I brought up the subject of immigration one night. My students were having trouble brainstorming topics for a persuasive essay, and I thought this one might touch a cord in my classroom mixed by age, race and educational level.