Give the Border Patrol the basic tools, like a simple, effective fence, and they can do their job.
Posted on 04/08/2005 1:46:00 AM PDT by BurbankKarl
President Bush has called the Minutemen, who are now patrolling the U.S.-Mexican border:"vigilantes." I suppose that Bush believes anyone who wishes to help enforce our laws and maintain U.S. sovereignty is a vigilante. If our president had not abdicated his responsibility in this matter, the Minuteman Project would not exist. However, he did and they are doing a great job!
Despite the erroneous propaganda perpetuated by the liberal media, the ACLU, the Mexican government, and even our president, the Minutemen are not a group of wild-eyed racists--with bloodlust in their hearts. They are retired police officers, former military men, laborers, businessmen, moms, and dads, in short--they are a cross section of America. The only difference between these Americans and most of us, is the fact that they are willing to sacrifice their time and are even willing to put themselves in harm's way. They like most of us, are fed up with our government's lack of interest in enforcing our borders.
Much has been made of the fact that many of the Minutemen volunteers carry firearms.They do not chase down illegals with guns drawn. They are carrying weapons for self-defense purposes only. They do not apprehend suspects. They are simply operating as the eyes and ears of the incredibly under-staffed U.S. Border Patrol. The area along the Arizona border with Mexico (where the Minutemen are stationed) has become a very violent sector, filled with Latin American drug smugglers. Perhaps, we should remind the left that we as U.S. citizens, still have the right to bear arms.
The Minutemen have taken on the responsibility of spotting and reporting anyone seen, illegally crossing the border. Period.
The Project's duties were well described by Minuteman spokesman Mike McGarry this weekend, he said : "You observe them, report them, and get out of the way."
This past weekend saw the first patrols of the Minutemen, which yielded several arrests of illegal aliens. On Saturday, volunteers spotted and reported sightings of illegal crossings. Their actions resulted in 18 arrests.
As of Tuesday (three days after patrols began), the Minutemen were responsible for aiding in the arrest of 176 illegal aliens. These numbers will continue to rise and by the end of April, this dedicated group of men and women will have done their country a great service. With every illegal alien who is apprehended, President Bush looks a bit more foolish and impotent.
My post was not meant to be argumentative but rather augmentive of your position. Sorry about the confusion. I probably did not make that clear. I agree we are on the same side and I am as far right on this issue as anyone except those who are advocating machine gunning the illegals at the border.
But the desire to control our borders cuts across the political spectrum with the American people. You don't have to be a conservative to want border control. Lots of Labor Union types who traditionally vote Democrat understand that illegal immigration is not doing them any favors. The open borders Republicans like to say that it will be a hard liner on immigration that will put Hillary in office but in fact, a moderate Republican could run on a border control platform and he would be in sync with the thinking of the vast majority of Americans on that issue of both the left and right varieties.
The same would hold true for Hillary. If she runs on a close the borders platform she won't be offending very many grassroots Democrats and she may attract a few cross-over Republicans and some independents. She would only need to swing a couple of percent in a State like Ohio where jobs are a huge issue. (No matter what comes out of that lying witch's mouth, I do not believe Hillary would actually do anything about the borders.)
It may not be enough to get the Law and or so-called "Law Enforcment" to act, but it is more than enough to someone who passes a "reasonable man" test.
I'm going to face this same attitude myself, when I talk to people in my church. How do I answer it ("they're just hardworking people who want a better life for their families") without appearing "mean spirited?"
Title is spot on.
The Prez could have avoided it, tho'.
True. It is a misdemeanor.
If they gain entry via fraud, then it raises it to a felony. If they steal someone elses ID while here to obtain work, that is a felony.
Yes because they have violated Natural law (thou shalt not steal or bear false witness)
If, however they have NO documentation, or in some cases too much documentation (multiple names on licenses, etc) They are released because they cannot be identified.
The government has the enumerated authority to secure our borders, and it COULD stop the illegals there.
Since it hasn't, once an illegal is INSIDE the country, he has ALL the rights and freedoms we are SUPPOSED to have.
Which, BTW is a lot more freedom that most Americans even realize.
Bump and FYI !
"Unfortunately, you are completely wrong and I am a good example of why. I'm quite the conservative Christian type but I'm here in Cedar Rapids Iowa and have absolutely no knowledge of the situation at the borders. My impression, as with so many of my conservative friends, has been that they are just nice folks that want to work her in the USA. And that we would be faithless Christians not to be willing to share the wealth. "
If that degree of rank ignorance persists, then yes, I agree with you. We're in for major trouble.
>>Private citizens have no business bearing arms...<<
Your tagline: Mindless Bushbot
You said it.
Give the Border Patrol the basic tools, like a simple, effective fence, and they can do their job.
I agree.
SPECIFIC to this issue, what would you have those of us who care passionately about border security do?
Blame the employers (large & small) who are hiring illegals. How many of the Mexicans would come if there were no jobs for them to send UNTAXED $$$ back to the hellhole called Mexico?
This story and the thread about the behavior of the people crossing the lines and breaking into houses and stealing are a very good start. These are things that you just aren't aware of if you don't live right there. A point I have tried to express here with some difficulty.
We can't take two steps forward and three steps back. I will be voting Republican in the next election.
Do you know everything going on in Cedar Rapids rankly ignorant guy? Dint think so. I bet your ignorance persists.
"What you do is as important as anything government does. I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort; to defend needed reforms against easy attacks; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbor. I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character."
I think he has since amended that statement to be: "What you do is as important as anything government does. I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort; to defend needed reforms against easy attacks; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbor. I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character. But if you advocate for secure borders and enforcement of U.S. immigration laws, or in any way interfere with 'our' plans for a United North America of CAFTA/FTAA, I will label you as irrational vigilantes."
Well .. I don't agree with you.
This is ONE ISSUE. And .. while I might agree with you that it has been handled badly - and even if I understand the President's heart on the issue - and while I might disagree with the President on THIS ISSUE .. you're saying your disappointment in him as a President - is based ON ONE ISSUE.
Not very realistic.
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