KFYI photographers caught ACLU volunteers smoking pot!!!
Posted on 04/20/2005 10:45:27 AM PDT by Bald Eagle777
After visiting southern Arizona to observe the beginning of a month-long effort to bring awareness to the international border, some legislators say they think the effort could generate change in border policy. Nine legislators went to Tombstone in early April, when the Minutemen Project began, to learn more about the controversial event and to help teach fellow legislators about it. The Minutemen Project is a month-long effort in which as many as 200 citizens from around the country have gone to southern Arizona to patrol and bring attention to what they believe to be the federal government's inadequate efforts to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. Sen. Jack Harper, R-Sun City West, said he believes national media attention is helping the Minutemen Project accomplish its goal: making people aware of the insecure border.
Sen. Karen Johnson, R-Mesa, said she also thought the media attention was more important than the number of border crossers the Minutemen spotted.
"I think the main objective was to really, really bring a sense of the humongous (border) crisis to the attention of the country and hopefully to get the attention of Congress and President Bush," Johnson said. "I think they've already shown they're effective. At least along the area they're patrolling there haven't been any crossings."
Legislators said even with the recent announcement that 500 additional border patrol officers will be assigned to the Arizona-Mexico border, the border is not as secure as it should be.
"I think it will make a difference but I'm not sure it's enough," said Rep. Chuck Gray, R-Mesa. "I think that 2,000 is what was needed and they've agreed to send 500. I think it will have positive impact, but if we keep pressure up they're going to see that we need (more) here."
Gray said the Minutemen Project has already been effective. First, he said the volunteers have identified 200 people trying to illegally cross the border and alerted U.S. Border Patrol. Second, they have given immigrants food and water when they needed it, he said.
Gray said the project also has gained national attention..
"On the East Coast, my guess is that they don't see the problem. But when you hear the stories of the ranchers and you see the photos of the trash, you realize that we really are having an invasion and it is damaging to our economy and to our desert," Gray said. "This raises the national interest in this."
In response to some, like Rep. Ted Downing, D-Tucson, who points out that undocumented immigrants help the economy because they pay taxes and social security but are not entitled to collect on their payments, Harper said, it's all the same in the eyes of the law.
"Regardless of what impact they have on the economy, positive or negative, they are still in this country illegally," Harper said.
But he said the problem doesn't stop there. "It's more than just illegal aliens, we have terrorists (and) drug smugglers coming across the border," he said.
Downing said he thought the Minutemen effort was "misdirected" and that to really solve the problem the Minutemen should be elsewhere.
"If they really understood it, they'd be lining up in Mexico City and Washington D.C.," Downing said. "They're standing in the wrong place... this really does nothing to resolve the problem."
He said the two federal governments need to work together to solve the international problem of undocumented immigrants.
Rep. Ben Miranda, D-Phoenix, agreed. "I think what's needed more than anything right now is dialogue between these groups. There are prospects for reaching common ground."
However, Miranda said, the border can't be closed and the common ground is in immigration policy.
"You're not going to stop it, you can't close that border," Miranda said. "I think what you're doing is you're certainly escalating the tension on this issue, that's helpful to get Congress to move on a solution."
The group who traveled to Tombstone also included Republican representatives Russell Pearce, of Mesa, Andy Biggs, of Gilbert, Trish Groe, of Lake Havasu City, and Sen. Thayer Verschoor R-Gilbert.
"One thing that it helped me understand is that all of the efforts that we're doing at a state level, it is resolved within me that it is well worth the effort," Gray said. "Even though it's a federal problem, the state can still do some things."
This legislative session 31 bills to combat illegal entrants have been introduced in the state House and Senate. They range from Proposition 200-type restrictions for those who cannot prove citizenship to crackdowns on those who make a profit from smuggling others into the country illegally.
One bill to make penalties for human smuggling tougher was signed into law March 14. The law targets those who illegally bring undocumented immigrants across the border or who bring people across against their will, charging them with a Class 4 felony. It also cracks down on those who bring people across the border and force them to work in the sex industry, making this crime a Class 2 felony.
Before the Minutemen Project started, there were publicized concerns that many participants would be armed, though the nine legislators said weapons were not a problem during their observation.
Gray said he thought everyone was conducting themselves safely.
"I'm a former police officer and everyone seemed to be purporting themselves in an appropriate manner," Gray said.
The legislators had different ideas for solving the border problems after their observations.
Harper said one border patrol agent every 500 feet would help stop people from trying to cross, but he said he knew that was unlikely. Miranda said work on the issue will continue after the project.
"We're looking to put a small forum together here at the Legislature, probably some time in mid-May, that would bring up some people from southern Arizona to address legislators on how effective (the project) was," he said.
Downing said he the border likely will return to "normal" levels of undocumented immigrants crossing into the United States after the Minutemen Project ends.
Miranda said, "The silver lining is that it's brought some dialogue, it can't help but move us closer to immigration reform."
This issue does need to be examined from a variety of standpoints (security, econimic costs to our infrastructure, drugs, drug running, crime, etc).
We should be using at least as much capital securing our borders as we are in South Korea, Iraq & Afghanistan.
A caller to Hannity yesterday had an excellent idea: Form a volunteer organization along the lines of the Civil Air Patrol. Call it the Civil Border Patrol. Almost no money required.
In effect we would be using the milita to defend our borders. The idea has much appeal to me.
One Claymore every 500 ft would do the trick quite well I would think.
But adjust that distance often.
Journalism student Andrea gets an "A" for her article. And our fine (mostly) Arizona legislators get the same grade for their attention to the matter.
"One Claymore every 500 ft would do the trick quite well I would think.?
oh you'd be leaving yourself open to one HUGE lawsuit!
No need for claymores, we can employ "Unmanned Aerial Vehicles" and more Border Patrol and/or National Guard and the problem on the borders would be solved. As has been proven by the MM this past month.
Not a bad idea, maybe the Boy Scouts could create a new Merit Badge for border observation. Just thinking out loud.
There reeeeeeely shouldn't be a need for us to do what the W administration has the funds to do but has failed to do!
We pay taxes so that the federal government protects our borders.
IT'S JUST TIME FOR BUSH TO DO HIS FRIGGIN' JOB THAT HE WAS ELECTED AND SWORN TO DO!!!
Secure the borders and deport the illegals, Mr. President!
Ike did it, so can you!!!
LOL!
Believe me, I agree. Sometimes, though, the people need to do more than just vote.
Agreed. Maybe we can draw down some of the USFK, maybe redeploy some to Japan, the rest tasked for perimeter security ops for mil bases along the Mex. border and rotated out with front line soldiers coming back from Iraq, etc.
To think that training on area bases is being interrupted or compromised is just another issue to add to the overall problem.
"Sometimes, though, the people need to do more than just vote"
And I couldn't agree with you more...
I was right out there with the best of them when we recalled the Dimwit Davis in CA...
and when and if the MM start patrolling here in CA I will be shoulder to shoulder with them!!
I've guarded my post before, I can certainly do it again! LOL
Semper Fi,
Kelly
So you think GW got elected by the people? No. He got elected by the elites & they do not wish a conservative agenda. Thus GW has delivered to these elites from both factions of this corrupted "Two-Party Cartel". As RUSH says again today these pols get to Washington & are more enthralled with acceptability than their constituents & their agenda. Why they are attacking & backing away from DeLay is because he represents true conservatism which most can't support due to their moneybacked elites that run them. With all conservatism gone they continue the double talk Potomac scuffle on the people. They know that you will continue to vote them in at a 98% rate. How Sad.
Good shot! ... Incarceration.
And to me.
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