when is amnesty not?

supporters of a proposal to let undocumented/illegal immigrants stay in this country insist it's not an amnesty.

why? so da prez can save face. he's said he won't give amnesty, and he never backs down from a stated position. that would take maturity.

it's not really that unusual. face-saving has altered the course of history too many times to count. a number of wars began when leaders of small countries refused to submit to ultimata issued by far more powerful foes. think ww1. or think saddam hussein. conversely, diplomats have resolved many tense confrontations by finding language acceptable to all sides so leaders could change positions without losing face by admitting they'd changed.

that's how we get phrases like "the art of compromise."

so senators use a little creative hypocrisy so a president with a fragile ego can let needed workers stay here yet "stay the course" and not lose face by acting like a grown man.

think of them as enablers.