I have to wonder just what Perry, as a leader, could be expected to do; given that the Federal government continues to not enforce our borders and to place obstacles in the paths of states that attempt to do so.
That's exactly what is happening.
If past behavior can be used as a prediction of future behavior - then my belief is Gov. Perry would jump on the border with both feet and have it shut down quickly.
We actually live in south Texas on the border. The cartels regularly take a run at us - and are quite sophisticated in both their tactics and personnel. Perry can't explain what he's done in a sixty second sound bite. He's put together a similarly sophisticated team in his Ranger Recon that draws on various assets throughout Texas. He consulted with experienced military people for assistance in tactical and strategic planning.
Can he as Governor stop all the drugs and the illegal aliens? No. Can he focus like a laser beam on the 'bad guys?' Yes. His mission is to protect the citizens of Texas. He's done it and we're thankful for him.
I can only surmise that if he had command of Federal assets he would do the same.
I think a whole lot of this controversial situation is more understandable when it is put in the perspective of the long history that Texans have w/their friends and neighbors who are of Mexican descent.
Again, you are exactly right. Most Texans have Latinos that are friends and neighbors. The Latino population, especially in the area we live in are very prone to serve in the Military. The ones who were born in Mexico and became US citizens legally are mostly entrepreneurs and have seen socialism in Mexico first hand and despise it. They recognize it in Obama et. al. Their voting demographic has been predominantly Democrat. I keep repeating this hoping it will sink in with the flamers.
Liberalism is no longer a good fit for the Latinos I know. They don't like Obama and it's opened their eyes to the increasing socialist direction of the democratic party. Politically they are looking for a place to land. Our county went predictably straight democrat - except for voting for Gov. Perry. When I talk to my Latino friends as to why they voted for Perry - they usually say they don't 'hate' him. (Bush didn't carry this or the surrounding counties.)
This is an opportunity for conservatism to pick up some fine people. Confusing a Latino who is a US citizen, served in the Military and is a productive citizen with a 'wet' shows that the poster has no handle on the situation. BTW Gov. Perry was able to get through voter ID.
I live in VA and I think many of us non-Texans are too quick to condemn Perry's stand on allowing “illegals” to attend Texas colleges/universities at in-state rates.
Well, a big howdy up there to you in G-d's country. Virginia is a great state. The beauty and history overwhelm me every time I visit.
In 1975 Texas went all the way to the US Supreme Court on whether it was obligated to educate illegal aliens. The answer was yes. The result is Texas must educate these kids - not asking about immigration status K through 12. We're stuck with them and it's a drain on the State's resources.
Here's what most people don't realize. Years ago, before GHW Bush started his "War on Drugs," the Border Patrol and Immigration actually used to try to catch illegal aliens. Imagine that! Now their focus is on drugs.
It was easy to obtain a permit to cross onto this side for shopping. Most of these kid's mothers got shopping permits and never went back. They headed north to become live-in maids and took their kids with them.
So the usual scenario is a woman took her two year old to Dallas to become an affluent couple's live in maid and she's been there 15 years. Her child is now 17 - did well in High School, hasn't been in trouble with law enforcement and has made application on the pathway to citizenship. That is part of the requirement.
I can't presume to speak for Gov. Perry, but I believe when he referenced "heartless," he was referring to picking up that 17 year old - who's Spanish is weak and doesn't remember Mexico - and dropping him without his family in a Country that is as foreign to him as it is to you and I.
The question for Texas is this: Do we allow that child to pay in state tuition or not? He's probably not going to be able to afford out of state tuition. Do we want Zetas-in-training or future educated tax payers? The quickest way for the cartels to recruit these kids is to have them hit a brick wall after high school.
Remember in this scenario Texas has no power to deport. On the other hand, the Federal government could deport the entire family, including the child at any time during the entire process. They don't do it.
Thanks for your well reasoned post.
I do remember the time when the Border Patrol was not hobbled by the PC Pols in D.C. A couple of decades ago I used to enjoy reading the late Bill Jordan's column (in Guns & Ammo, I think; but, not sure) and accounts of his Border Patrol days.
It is a shame that Gov Perry got off to such a difficult start. The debate format was not the best place for him to try to explain his position on the tuition situation and the “heartless” remark only compounded the problem; because it caused many people to stop listening to what he had to say. He really needs a more lengthy format to fully explain the current situation as well as the background; as there is such a huge difference between the history and demographics of the southern border states and most of the rest of the US.
I also think many folks outside Texas think that Gov Perry is tied in w/the Bush/Rove faction; however, my guess is that is not the case based upon what I saw of Perry's race against Kay Bailey Hutchinson. I also remember Rush Limbaugh mentioning at that time he had gone down to Texas to give a campaign speech for Gov Perry and someone tried to dissuade him from going ...he wouldn't say who; but, he mentioned it was a Republican "insider" operative that everyone would have heard of ...my first thought was Karl Rove and that's still my suspicion. Rove is a snake and is very unpopular w/many Conservatives after he torpedoed several or the Tea Party candidates in the last election.
It sounds like the Zeta's and other Mexican drug cartels are really causing a lot of strife down your way; not to mention all the bloodshed in Mexico ...sure hope whomever the next President is he or she will take the border issues seriously and make a concerted effort to fix that problem before things get any worse down your way!
Stay safe!
FReegards,
-Geoff