Immigration . . . .

As a fast food manager in my pre-journalism life, I've been watching this week's immigration debate crescendo with more than mild interest.

In the late 1980's, I can remember the stern admonitions from Marriott human relations reps that we managers needed to make sure that we had copies of green cards for any alien applicants/employees lest INS inspectors levy stiff fines and we have to sell more Double R-Bar burgers to make up for the loss.

Fast forward to 2006.

Now we have a presidential administration citing corporate America's desperation for people to fill the jobs that Americans won't take.

And we have another segment of conservatives who counter with the argument that we're opening the gates to the barbarians.

And we have yet another segment of society arguing that we should treat our fellow man with compassion and not as border-crossing, welfare-stealing illegals.

And . . . . another segment argues that those illegals who have been here for years should be given a chance at applying for citizenship after paying fines and back taxes.

And then there's the Mexican government taking basically the position that we should act as a relief valve for Mexico's socio-economic problems.

Who's right?