Posted on 05/16/2006 9:13:07 PM PDT by kellynla
I've always found that avoiding insanity is useful in life -- which in American politics sometimes puts one in the minority. As a second proposition I would argue that when in negotiations, if he with whom you are negotiating is moving in your direction -- don't walk out of the room. As a final proposition: In politics, as in life, you can't always get what you want, but sometimes you can get what you need (with apologies to a detestable rock group who wrote those words, more or less.)
I have in mind the immigration issue and the response of some conservatives to President Bush's speech Monday night. As a proud and outspoken member of the movement that opposes illegal immigration and residence in America, I believe the time has come to decide whether anything useful to the cause can be accomplished this year, and whether we are likely to get more by waiting until after the November election. My answer to those questions are maybe and no.
For me, the single highest strategic objective is to secure the border for two equally important reasons. First, because in its current condition, the border is an open door for terrorists into America. It is almost inconceivable that the terrorism threat has almost completely dropped out of public consideration. The president mentioned it in one word after mentioning drug smugglers and criminals. The media seems to have ignored the topic entirely. Secondly, the border must be secured to reduce the flow of illegal immigrants to at most a trickle.
Guess he missed this part of the speech
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/05/20060515-8.html
(snip)
First, the United States must secure its borders. This is a basic responsibility of a sovereign nation. It is also an urgent requirement of our national security. Our objective is straightforward: The border should be open to trade and lawful immigration, and shut to illegal immigrants, as well as criminals, drug dealers, and terrorists.
(snip)
At the same time, we're launching the most technologically advanced border security initiative in American history. We will construct high-tech fences in urban corridors, and build new patrol roads and barriers in rural areas. We'll employ motion sensors, infrared cameras, and unmanned aerial vehicles to prevent illegal crossings. America has the best technology in the world, and we will ensure that the Border Patrol has the technology they need to do their job and secure our border
We can have secure borders without needing to import 190,000,000 people from the Third World in the next 20 years.
---"The president has moved measurably, but insufficiently, toward that position. He has offered about 6,000 new Border Patrol agents. That number is insufficient by a factor of about four -- the probable need is between 20,000-30,000 agents."---
I've posted this before, but it helps put things in perspective. There are about 12,000 total border patrol personel for both borders. By comparison there are 40,000 NYPD officers.
my suggestion for years has been for the military to conduct their training on the borders but nobody appears to be listening or they don't like the idea. LOL
You get a prize for the "asinine word of the day."
Calling the President a "traitor" for his proposal is truly asinine.
You are right---20K is more like the number needed---NOW!
When the president holds secure borders hostage the demands of the cheap labor lobby, the label of "traitor" becomes quite apt.
Since this is not true, the rest of your post is nugatory.
It's perfectly true. The president made clear on Monday that he would accept nothing short of a "comprehensive" bill.
That means he won't give us enforcement unless he gets amnesty + guestworkers.
He's giving you enforcement right now, with no bill.
Has Bush considered hiring guestworkers to guard the border?
You need a fence. A big one. End of story.
LOL. With 6,000 national guardsman? What a joke! Boob bait for the bubbas. Six years into his presidency no less. If he really cares about enforcement, why such a token gesture, and why so late?
Besides, without interior enforcement against employers of illegals, border enforcement won't work, and we can't have that without legislation.
Hmmm...I have thought lately that the better way to get there....and this may be a bitter pill for many to swallow...is to reduce the potential gain for an employer to cheat. That may mean that the employee has to pick up 100% of social security (of course you correctly point out that ultimately, this is what the employee must do)....
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