Posted on 08/21/2005 1:00:59 PM PDT by TERMINATTOR
No demonstrations held despite concerns from city of Moorpark
An activist criticized the way President Bush and other Republicans are handling the divisive border-security issues and called on party members to put away their checkbooks.
"There is a major split," Andy Ramirez, chairman of the Friends of the Border Patrol, said Saturday. "Don't give one more penny to a Republican officer until they go on TV to demand they secure our borders."
Ramirez spoke at a rally in Moorpark hosted by the Simi Valley/Moorpark Republican Assembly.
Moorpark officials had worried earlier in the week that the rally at City Hall might have attracted protesters, but the meeting was peaceful.
Ramirez called on the audience of about 85 people to send a message to Republicans in Washington.
The Bush administration knows what's going on at the borders, Ramirez said, and chooses to turn a blind eye.
"Everybody in Washington, D.C., knows," he said. "We're on their radar and they don't care."
Ramirez said he's offended that Bush ran for his current term in office on a platform that likened him to Ronald Reagan, whom Ramirez said was an altogether different kind of Republican.
"We cannot just take it for granted that a person's a Republican anymore," he said.
Some Republicans deny that the party is fracturing over the border issue.
"I think the Republican Party is united on this issue," said Steve Frank, a district director of the California Republican Assembly.
"The problem is to get the bureaucracy to enforce the law."
Darin Henry, president of the Simi Valley/Moorpark Republican Assembly, said there is concern in the party that there is a lack of attention being paid to the issue, but "wouldn't say it's a fracturing issue. Not at this point, from what I can tell."
The Moorpark rally comes as Democratic governors in New Mexico and Arizona declare states of emergency and move to tighten border security, decisions that some experts say can only boost their political profile as the Republican Party hesitates to act.
The rally was held at the Moorpark City Hall and did not draw the protests that Moorpark officials thought it could.
City officials had asked -- and later withdrew their request -- for a $5,000 deposit after learning that Ramirez would speak because he'd attracted a large crowd of protesters at a similar event in Carlsbad.
At least five sheriff's deputies were present at the event, and Ramirez wore a bullet-proof vest under his shirt.
Georgi Rice of Santa Barbara listens to Andy Ramirez speak on Saturday.
Ramirez says that President Bush needs to do more to stop illegal immigration into the country. Andy Ramirez, chairman of Friends of the Border Patrol, says there is a division growing among Republicans.
Like I've posted so many times here, if anyone in this debate is making "racist" assumptions, it's those who believe that Hispanic Americans are lock-step in favor of Open Borders and illegal immigration. They are not, and any party that thinks ignoring border security and immigration law enforcement is the key to the "Hispanic vote" is either stupid or dishonest, or both.
LMFAO!!!!!!!!
Surf's up in VC!
There's plenty of blame to go around, so don't leave out the Democrats, employers, etc.
"Everybody in Washington, D.C., knows," he said. "We're on their radar and they don't care."
They are beholden to others. They're loyal to those that be holdin' the biggest wad o' cash.
Ramirez said he's offended that Bush ran for his current term in office on a platform that likened him to Ronald Reagan, whom Ramirez said was an altogether different kind of Republican.
Bush never ran on a "stop the illegal aliens" platform.
Naaah, he just took the oath of office to "uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States." A mere formality. At least as far as he's concerned.
BTTT
LOL. :)
Yes indeed. It would have been just SOOOOO much better under John Kerry or Al Gore. Let's make sure that the Democrats will get elected next time. After all, they have always been so strong on illegal immigration.
(Major sarcasm)
ping
Take a look at sex offenders in California.....is this unbelievable or what? pages and pages...i would venture to say 85% or more are hispanic.
http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/cgi/prosoma.dll?searchby=CityList&City2=LOS%20ANGELES&SB=0&PageNo=1
Half of the problems of this country are
due to lockstep republican voters.
The other half, are due to democrat lockstepers.
Keep doing what you've always done, and you'll keep getting what you've always got (tyranny).
Gitter Done.
Sorry....but freepers like fair opinion make me what to rant and get banned on FR.....I'm sick of these republican koolaid drinkers on this site.....sorry...i had to say something ;)
I agree with you, but the people who thought GeeWhiz would do something about illegals must've had their heads buried in the sand.
Anyway, I think he's afraid to open his mouth about illegal immigration right now and will let others "lead" the way for the time being. There's only so many times the "willing worker willing employer" spiel can be dragged out.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.