DeLay urges national gang initiative - include terrorism and immigration

Houston Chronicle ^ | July 8, 2005 | ERIC HANSON

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thank you for a well thought out post.

Everyone wants to protect their turf.

I whole heartedly agree about sharing information.

Knowledge is power and too often agencies (Fed and State) closely guard what they know and politicians obstruct for political advantage, without thought or concern that their actions are a detriment to U.S.citizens and our national defense.

[Drammach]

It seems that defending our borders from the invading hordes of illegals is a controversial position. Who knew?

I don't think that is what's being said here..

Some quotes from the article:
"DeLay, who supported the bill, said federal involvement is a good way to tackle the problem.
He said a national gang strategy could overlap other federal initiatives such as anti-terrorism."

" He (Fort Bend County Sheriff Milton Wright) said the creation of a multiagency task force would also be useful in fighting gangs."
"Federal resources would be key in launching those efforts, authorities said."

" He (Delay) said an anti-gang effort should be combined with other federal initiatives such as immigration reform, border security and anti-terrorism."

With "federal involvement" comes federal intervention, federal demands for cooperation, federal oversight, federal control..

The federal government already has the responsibility of protecting our borders..
The American Military has the power (and responsibility) to do so..
The individual states could easily handle the few illegal immigrants found within their borders as they see fit, if the borders were properly controlled..
Illegal immigrants would become, defacto, those that failed to leave when their visas run out, or those who fail to register with the INS ( ICE ? ) on a yearly basis..

As for Gangs, that is not the provence of the federal government.. although I am sure the DOJ and congress can find numerous "interstate commerce" violations to justify a Gang Taskforce... Not to mention RICO violations..
Oh... They already have.. National Major Gang Task Force as noted in post #5, by endthematrix..
So what do they need a "new" program for?
The feds already have one, don't they??

So, as it stands, this will not be a "Local LEO Assistance Program"..
You will have FBI, DEA, DOJ, INS, U.S.Customs, Border Patrol, BATF(E), Homeland Security, etc., etc., ...
ALL VYING FOR JURISDICTION AND "CREDIT" for making seizures, arrests, indictments, getting convictions,....
All claiming responsibility for and credit for the great acheivements, and using them to justify greater allocations of funding to "their" particular organisation..
Shall I go on?

As if we haven't seen enough interagency rivalry between the FBI, DOJ and CIA in the last 5 to 10 years, now we will have all these agencies vying for "top dog" on immigration, gangs, drugs, and terrorism ... ( looks like Homeland Security will lose any powers they may have to the other, established agencies before they can even get their "feet wet".. )

[Drammach]

Knowledge is power and too often agencies (Fed and State) closely guard what they know and politicians obstruct for political advantage, without thought or concern that their actions are a detriment to U.S.citizens and our national defense.

Great minds think alike.. ;o)
My post #21 sort of re-iterates that thought, (although at length..LOL)

[Drammach]

Errr.. Post #22... (can't count)

[Cincinatus' Wife]

If the cities and states drop the ball, then what?

Check it out:No photos of immigrants, chief tells officers

[Drammach]

If the cities and states drop the ball, then what?

Just need enough people to get "fed up" and vote the suckers out.. City and State..

It is the people that determine who their city government is composed of.. with the vote..
Likewise, it is the people and their vote that determines the composition of the state legislature..

If the people don't like the way the city/state is running things, get rid of them..
Put people in office that will do what needs to be done..

Democrats / Liberals understand this concept...
It's called "getting involved at the Local Level"..
They have used it in the past to great effect..
(granted, for the wrong reasons, but to great effect, nonetheless..)

Just remember, when looking for "more aggressive law enforcement", be careful..
You may just get what you asked for..

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I agree but that takes an informed electorate and honest government.

[Drammach]

Agreed..

And that takes a lot of hard work..
Just "informing the electorate" is an almost insurmountable task.. similar to "deprogramming"..

[TexasCajun]

It seems that defending our borders from the invading hordes of illegals is a controversial position.

...for librarians it seems.