Posted on 12/03/2001 7:21:59 PM PST by abigail2
Close the Borders – If Not Now, When?
Commentary by Patrick Rooney
Director of Special Projects
B.O.N.D.
Dec 3, 2001
September 11th changed the way the American people think about a range of issues, from the role of God and family in our lives, to personal and national security, to the role of government, to the reestablishment of real heroes such as police and fireman, replacing phony heroes like rock stars and Hollywood actors. We can be grateful for this “silver lining” in the midst of unspeakable tragedy, which has acted to increase our national clarity. Our values have been adrift, our rational minds made temporarily lazy from too much political correctness and cynicism. Many are regaining their footing, many of those perhaps temporarily, some I believe forever.
The one issue which may have undergone the most transformation in Americans’ minds is immigration. After all, three of the terrorists personally responsible for the 9-1-1 massacre carried expired visas. And untold numbers of terrorists are likely perched in the United States even now due to lax visa enforcement and porous borders.
Illegal immigration has been an issue close to my heart and mind for some time. I grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles. I personally witnessed the gradual degradation of my neighborhood, much of it due to illegal immigration from the south. I began to support organizations like F.A.I.R. (Federation for American Immigration Reform). I saw firsthand what those in Washington, D.C. do not see. I’m sure this is one reason so many people, even conservatives, are so swayed by the pro-mass immigration rhetoric – they don’t see the day-to-day negative reality of unchecked immigration. Let me let you in on a not-so-well-kept secret: Illegal aliens generally do not assimilate well, and many have no intention of ever assimilating. They do not respect America, and they have no allegiance to America.
The demeanor of illegals has changed over the years. Once they were happy to have work, and quietly went about their business. Now their swelling numbers, particularly in border states; the length of time they have been in America; and the vastly increased number of Mexican politicians and cultural “leaders” has emboldened them. There exists an entire movement called “reconquista” (Spanish for reconquest) in the United States. This “reconquista” describes the desire to have California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas acquired by Mexico and named the new country of Aztlan. Members of this movement make Jesse Jackson look like Michael Jackson, in regards to their hatred of America, particularly “white America”.
On July 4th, 1996, “reconquista” types and other pro-illegal alien supporters were involved in an infamous protest of a pro-America rally at the Federal Building in Los Angeles. Stalwart immigration control organizations such as Voices of Citizens Together and the California Coalition for Immigration Reform were represented, as was our organization, BOND, the Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny. The event was marred by wanton violence from the illegal supporters’ side. These thugs attacked and injured elderly people, and used frozen soda cans as weapons, hurling them at the pro-American side. One member of BOND, Martin Francis, had his face bloodied by one of these cans. Attacks such as these are not uncommon in California and other border states. This is the ugly side of immigration those in the heartland do not see.
Politicians (for votes), business (for cheap labor), foundations, the media, universities, and various anti-America types have long held an unholy alliance which once appeared unstoppable. September 11th changed all that. Now there’s a new element which has entered the equation – it’s called survival.
The political courting of culture, color, and nationality blocks cannot be of uppermost import anymore. Weighing amnesties for illegals, as we were doing before September 11 (and may do again) should be considered outrageous. And Attorney General Ashcroft’s offer to defer deportation indefinitely to “qualifying” illegals for providing “information that is reliable and useful in the apprehension of terrorists or prevention of acts of terrorism” also slaps the face of American citizens. I’ve got another offer for illegals and visa violators – pack up your things and don’t let the door slap you on the way out!
Don’t misunderstand my point – I believe that President Bush is doing an excellent job overall in fighting terrorists. He’s focused, determined, and patient – good qualities all. Further, I believe he is a decent man who wants to do right. And I am aware that the Administration has plans to get tougher on immigration. But I am also aware that the Administration entertained the idea of amnesty for illegals, when Mexican President Vicente Fox visited the president prior to September 11th. When Fox came to the U.S., he stated that “the Mexican nation extends beyond the territory enclosed by its borders”. Vicente Fox is not a supporter of the integrity of U.S. borders. And he is not our friend.
The climate has never been more ripe to secure our borders. Americans want it: In a recent Fox/Opinion Dynamics poll, 90 percent of Americans want tougher limits on immigration from countries “thought to be connected to terrorists”, and 65 percent are in favor of “temporarily sealing U.S. borders and stopping all immigration in the United States during the war on terrorism”. The Border Patrol has confirmed an increase in illegal alien traffic from Middle Eastern countries via our southern border. And many of us have heard the story of the Iraqi smuggler who brought in over 1,000 Middle East illegals through Mexico. It’s time to act.
While I sincerely hope the Administration does the right thing, I also understand political realities and pressures. Therefore it is incumbent upon the American people to lead: Demand our borders are sealed – pronto; and that visa violators are expelled. Playtime is over.
Patrick Rooney is the Director of Special Projects at BOND, the Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny, a nonprofit organization dedicated to “Rebuilding the Family By Rebuilding the Man.” </>
For more information, please visit www.bondinfo.org , call 1-800-411-BOND (2663), or write to bond@bondinfo.org.
Do you REALLY think he would be happy visiting Miami or for that matter, Washington DC? He always did say we couldn't risk a Spanish-speaking, Catholic population under our governance...
P.S. GO, PAT, GO!!!
;-)
Probably about the time the last few remaining Americans try to use it to escape.
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