McClintock took full advantage of the Auburn Journal editorial page on Tuesday to publish a speech (probably given to an empty House chamber) purportedly in response to what McClintock characterizes as a "lecture" given by Mexican President Calderon on May 20.

McClintock must have assumed that his audience had not actually heard what Calderon had to say. Mc Clintock accused Calderon of holding "American sovereignty in contempt." McClintock invites his audience to join him in outrage at the arrogance of this man from Mexico, who would presume to "lecture" the U.S. Congress.

The trouble with McClintock's little exercise is that his speech is a response to a lecture Calderon never gave. Calderon, at the invitation of Congress, gave a 25 minute talk which touched on a number of areas of mutual concern to the United States and Mexico. Only about 300 words of the speech dealt with immigration, and most of those words were used to articulate Calderon's recognition that illegal emmigration is as much a problem for Mexico as illegal immigration is for the US. The language is the mild and measured language of diplomacy:

""Meanwhile, Mexico is determined to take responsibility. For us, migration is not only a problem for you. We see it as our problem too. My Government does not help to break the rules. Fully respect the right of any country to set and enforce their own laws, but what we need today is to fix a broken and inefficient system. We favor the establishment of laws that work, and that works for everyone.

"It is time that the United States and Mexico work together on this issue. It is time to reduce the causes of migration and the transformation of this phenomenon in a now characterized by a legal, orderly and safe for workers and visitors.

"We want to provide opportunities for Mexicans who are looking for. That is our goal. That is our mission as a government: to transform Mexico into a land of opportunity. Providing our people jobs and opportunities for them to live in peace and be happy.

"I want to acknowledge the hard work and leadership of many of you in the Senate and House of Representatives, and President Obama, determined to find those responsible and objective responses to this issue.

"I am convinced that comprehensive immigration reform is also crucial to secure a common border. However, I completely disagree with the recent adoption of the law in Arizona. It is a law that not only ignores a reality that can not be erased by decree, but also introduces a terrible idea: using racial features as a basis for applying the law. And so I agree, I agree with the President when he says that this new law carries a high risk when they violate the basic values we all matter. I do not want to deepen the divide in feelings and emotions between our countries and between our peoples.

"I believe in bridges. I believe in communication. I believe in cooperation and together we must find better ways to confront and overcome this common problem."

I challenge anyone to identify anything in Calderon's talk that was disrespectful to Congress or to the United States.

Immigration is a difficult issue and many people have honest disagreements on the subject. It does nothing, to advance the debate for our elected Congressman to vilify a foreign head of state for things he did not say or do.

McClintock's speech and its publication are brazen acts of political chicanery. Do not be afraid to call him on it.