you are confusing criminality with terrorism.
I am not disputing your points, yes, illegal immigration and related crimes is a serious problem, but
as Conservatives we should remember that words do mean things, and if we redefine terrorism do be something other than what it is, we lose its meaning.
Lettuce pickers coming across to make a higher wage are not terrorists. Even car-jackers and thiefs are not terrorists.
And comparing numbers is a bit apples v oranges . More people are killed by drowning in swimming pools than by terrorists ... but that doesnt make swimming pools a greater threat than Al Qaeda.
Things wrt immigration can and should be addressed at state, local and Congressional level. It doesnt all fall in the President's lap, and surely you understand that this problem existed *well before* Bush became President. I dont expect it is Bush's job to do what the police should do in keeping neighborhoods safe, and if you want to fix LA, ask their police chief why *THEY REFUSE* to cooperate in any way with the INS and *THEY* refuse to enforce any sort of immigration laws. They won't even *ask* that question of people in custody! That's *THEIR* fault, not anyone elses, and we could be deporting criminals left and right if *THEY* changed in LA. (Certainly President Kerry wont change that policy.)
Agree. Inanimate objects cannot be swimming pools. Accidents are not acts of terrorism.
Premeditated acts of violence by non-american humans, against americans humans, would fit MY definition of terrorism. Remember, the word means different things to different people.
The "innocent lettuce picker" arguement is only as good as the "most islamists aren't terrorist" arguement. The question is, do enough of them threaten the U.S. to become a legitimate target of US anti-terrism attention.
As far as asking the police to do the job, that is rather difficult when the numbers of people coming across the border dwarf the number of police, when such people are awarded amnesty or "guest worker" status.
You can make the arguement that it is the job of the border patrol and local municipalities, but when you have a president that is actively working against those goals, and all but garenteeing to make the numbers larger - it is a rather unreasonable task to request.
The President must lead by example. Not promise amnesty, then shift the blame to a 5,000 person police force to stop the flow of millions he has practically invited.
No, I would have to say that the President dropped the ball on this one all by himself. He needs to support the border patrol 100%, and absolutely and positively refuse to give out rewards for those who knowingly break our immigration laws.
If that doesn't happen, localities don't even have a shot.