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
Richmond is one of the places in Virgina that I've never been to and want to go. Hollywood cemetery and Petersburg in particular. On another board I've heard people say not to plan to stay in Petersburg - although they didn't say why. Perhaps when we head up that way again, can I shoot you a PM and ask a few questions? It's always good to have the input of a local. Same thing goes if you ever want to enjoy our beautiful South Padre Island, White Wing hunt or bass fish out on Falcon Lake. Shoot me a PM. I'll hook you right up.
I believe there was a time when my extended family was the Border Patrol in South Texas. Way back when restaurants used to have signs that said, "No dogs or Border Patrolmen." But it didn't dissuade the next generation from joining.
Did Bill Jordan ever ever tell a story like this? Because this is flat out silly but true. My father-in-law once deported one 'wet' three times in one day. Finally he got disgusted and threatened to put the guy in a Federal penitentiary. The 'wet' said, "Oh good - Now I don't have to kick you!" My FIL said, "Let me get this straight - you want to go to the Federal pen?" The 'wet' said "Senor - I'm only half way through my welding program, I need to go back to get the certificate." My FIL said, "Back over the brige, Hombre." The little guy kicked the ever loving heck out of his legs. He got his trip to the Federal pen.
Today my FIL (RIP) would have been in the Federal pen with him. There's Obama's PC policies for you.
So in state tuition is not the magnet people make it out to be. The real magnets are the Federal programs that have been insidiously propagated by the liberals and liberal Repubs. Give them any nine digit number and you're in. (Or you can kick a Border Patrolman and eat and live better in the pen than you do in Mexico - plus get free vocational training!)
But back to Gov. Perry. I agree in the debates he had a difficult start. I suspect the in-state tuition question was a well thought out Hobson's choice type question coordinated by the moderators with the assistance of a Rove or someone of his ilk. Any answer without the benefit of further explanation is going to appear bad.
If he said the legislature passed it and he signed it and fully backed it - they were going to shout "Pro-Amnesty" from the tree tops. (He is decidedly not pro-amnesty.)
The other side of the question is the interesting one that most people are missing. Latinos are drawing away from the Democrats because of their liberalism/socialism - and believe me, the Democratic party big wigs are quaking in their boots down here. If Perry had said something to marginalize Latinos - which would have satisfied the vocal conservatives - he would have validated what the Democrats are saying about Conservatives. Perry has proven he has the ability to get Latinos to cross party lines in Texas.
My impression was that the "heartless" remark that he shot at the moderators was really directed at the question writers. He knew exactly what was going on and got a little peeved. When he gets peeved - it's a lot of fun, as long as it's not directed at you. Pelosi will soon find out. If my prayers are answered and he becomes our next President - Congress will find out. I see tonight Obama has already set the DOJ on Gov. Perry's voter ID. I fully expect the Governor to get peeved. Anyone who thinks he can't debate Obama never saw the footage of him meeting AF1 in Austin.
As for the other communication foul ups - I believe his back was really bothering him. But I'm also not going to make excuses for him. He must be able to articulate his positions.
Gov. Perry is decidedly not tied in with the Bush/Rove faction. When people say Gov. Perry reminds them of George Bush - you have to laugh. Rick Perry is pure Paint Creek. On the way from Connecticut it seems President Bush picked up a Paint Creek accent and even Rick Perry's laugh.
It's my opinion there is some family down here putting a good deal of effort into opposing him. You know about it if you followed KBH. I think someone told me the mother of the family even said something to the effect that Sarah Palin should stay in Alaska. I guess they might be imagining a political dynasty of some sort. They can say who goes where and who runs for what - and even tell Rush Limbaugh who to speak for. Guess who? Some say Karl Rove's only job is to service them.
Thanks for your kind wishes re: the cartels and Zetas. In some respects it is not as bad as some make it out to be, however, in others ways it's much worse. They are finding middle easterners with ties to terrorism, having learned Spanish, slipped in among the illegals the coyotes are crossing. They won't stay down here - they're headed in your direction. For every one they catch - who knows how many have gotten through? Throwing up a fence won't solve that problem.
Here's hoping the Conservative nominee - whoever that may be, becomes our next President and may G-d bless them. Whoever it is they are going to have a tough row to hoe. They'll need every ounce of our support. That's why I'll talk my candidate up, but not tear someone else's down. Your reasoned approach was great and a breath of fresh air. FReegards.