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Bush's Make-or-Break Border Speech
guardian.blogdrive ^ | (05/14/2006) | Joe Mariani

Posted on 05/14/2006 3:28:45 PM PDT by Icelander

The remainder of George W. Bush's presidency may well hinge on the speech he plans to give on Monday. If Bush has somehow come to realise this, and why it is so, he may be able to turn things around for himself. If not, then the Republican party is likely to lose big this November... and if the Democrats regain a majority in Congress, the last two years of Bush's term will be scarred by a massive recession, not to mention the vindictive and very personal impeachment of the President while we are at war.

The Democrats' plan, should they gain control, has already been laid out by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). They will try to reverse pretty much every law written in the past six years, especially those passed to keep the nation safe in the wake of 9/11. They will raise taxes as well as the minimum wage, both of which will cause the economy to reverse its great gains. Democrats will launch a series of trumped-up hearings and investigations aimed at finding some way to support their pre-planned impeachment of President Bush. Meanwhile, Iran will gain nuclear capability unopposed, and we Americans will get to watch our military run away from yet another war we are actually winning. Of course, the border with Mexico will remain just as open as it is today. After all, the Democrats won't want to stop the flow of new voters and new government dependents once they've regained power.

Insiders say that the President plans to put the National Guard on the border, to show the American people he's serious about border security. If that's all he does, however, the vast majority of us are not going to buy it. First of all, merely sending them to the border is no guarantee they'll be doing anything to stop illegal immigration. Arizona's Democratic Governor, Janet Napolitano, tried to fool the voters with that ruse not long ago. She claimed she had deployed the Guard to reinforce security on the Arizona border, but it turned out they were performing vehicle inspections at checkpoints, not stopping illegal crossings between those checkpoints.

Unless the President plans to stand them shoulder-to-shoulder along the entire length of the border 24 hours a day, humans alone cannot take the place of a wall. Walls don't sleep, they don't look the wrong way at the wrong time and they don't leave. If the President's only security proposal is augmented border patrols, even with UAVs and other electronic detection capabilities, it'll be just a temporary sop to our anger over loose security. As quickly as they can be deployed to the border, the National Guard can be withdrawn. An actual wall, on the other hand, would be harder to remove.

If the President wants us to believe he's finally heard our demands for a secure border, he won't waste the entire speech talking about "jobs Americans won't do" -- a crock if there ever was one. It's "wages Americans won't pay" that creates a market for illegal labor in the first place. He won't waste time cadging support for amnesty by telling us how illegal immigrants are good-hearted people who just want to feed their families. By that measure, if I steal a car in order to go to work to feed my family, not only should I be forgiven, but allowed to keep the car.

President Bush wants to keep his amnesty hopes alive, without losing Congress to the Democrats in the upcoming election. His only hope for doing so is to abandon his support for a "comprehensive" immigration reform bill until we see a more secure border. The majority of Americans are not willing to even discuss amnesty -- whatever it's called -- while the borders are still wide open to more lawbreakers.

The House passed a law enforcement and border control package that left the problem of how to deal with the12 million or so illegal immigrants for a later bill. The Senate verges on passing a bill that provides almost no law enforcement whatsoever, while giving illegals a slap on the wrist and a way to gain US citizenship. Guess which one Americans prefer by a 2-to-1 margin? "81 percent of Republicans, 72 percent of independents, 57 percent of Democrats, and 53 percent of Hispanics" thought the House bill was a "good or very good idea."

That same bill was reviled by hordes of foreign criminals brazenly marching in our streets, waving Mexican flags and Spanish signs ordering us to leave "their" land. There are so many of them that they feel they can tell us what laws to pass. We must stop the influx of new criminals before we can discuss how to deal with those already here. And merely beefing up the woefully undermanned Border Patrol with a few National Guard troops until the furor subsides isn't going to do that. We need a three-pronged approach: more border patrol agents, a real barrier and increased law enforcement against employers who hire illegals.

It's all up to President Bush. If he gets this right, the Republicans will surely retain a majority in both House and Senate, if not gain control. (Control would require a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, which is unlikely to happen.) If he gets it wrong, it could be the beginning of a long, slow-motion disaster for all of us.


TOPICS: Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: aliens; buckstopshere; bush; georgeorjorge; highexpectations; nationalguard; speech
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1 posted on 05/14/2006 3:28:47 PM PDT by Icelander
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To: Icelander

"The remainder of George W. Bush's presidency may well hinge on the speech he plans to give on Monday."

I think it will hinge on what the President DOES.


2 posted on 05/14/2006 3:31:17 PM PDT by SeaBiscuit (God Bless America and All who protect and preserve this Great Nation.)
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To: Icelander

That's about it folks. IMHO


3 posted on 05/14/2006 3:32:48 PM PDT by ncountylee (Dead terrorists smell like victory)
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To: Icelander

Exactly right - it's all up to him. Half-measures and phonied up shows ain't gonna cut it. And, unless I'm convinced that whatever is done doesn't piss Vicente Fox off immensely, I'll know it's all bull.


4 posted on 05/14/2006 3:33:49 PM PDT by Emmett McCarthy
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To: Icelander

Exactly right - it's all up to him. Half-measures and phonied up shows ain't gonna cut it. And, unless I'm convinced that whatever is done pisses Vicente Fox off immensely, I'll know it's all bull. There - corrected


5 posted on 05/14/2006 3:35:03 PM PDT by Emmett McCarthy
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To: Icelander

GW Bush has his moment. He will live or die with what he says. If he grants one of these scum that marched on May 1st a path to citizenship, he is done and over with!!! Protect our borders and send the illegals back, period!!! End of story!!! The handwriting of the American people is clearly on the wall. Screw the Democrat Party scum and the MSM traitor horse they rode in on!!!


6 posted on 05/14/2006 3:38:12 PM PDT by JLAGRAYFOX
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To: Icelander
Iran will gain nuclear capability unopposed

They will gain the time needed to complete a device that will hurt Israel and possibly launch a device to destroy America's electronic network by EMP.

God help us if the Dems get in power but if they do I think we can safely put the blame at the feet of the GOP for selling out conservative America.

7 posted on 05/14/2006 3:38:24 PM PDT by pctech
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To: ncountylee
Americans prefer by a 2-to-1 margin? "81 percent of Republicans, 72 percent of independents, 57 percent of Democrats, and 53 percent of Hispanics" thought the House bill was a "good or very good idea."

But don't you know that:

we can't deport these people that would be impossible that poll is flawed the people who conducted it are nuts and probably Dems or agents of Zogby those people just come here to build buildings and grow food what's your problem do you want Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House and Harry Reid as President of the Senate when did you become a Bush Hater a wall will cost too much money and it won't work you people are just a bunch of Mexican hating racists don't you know that lettuce will cost $40.00 a head if all those people go home most of those people just want to work hard and do the jobs Americans won't do didn't you hear the President say he was against illegal immigration this country was built by immigrants so who are you to deny them the chance to come here for a better life my parents and grandparents were all immigrants why can't you just leave these poor day laborers alone all they want to do is paint houses or build houses or live in houses or be around houses or be above houses but not below houses unless those houses have a finished basement finished basements are nice I like finished basements never mind about the basements don't you know those people pay taxes just like the rest of us they're not breaking any laws ok so they are breaking the law but just little itty bitty laws not great big laws that are serious laws just the laws that we passed when we were kidding or drunk or high or something so don't worry about those laws it's only a felony the second time they come here the first time its a misdemeanor so cut them some slack ok Michelle Malkin hates President Bush she's a nutcase who's never been right about anything ok she is really hot but she's still nuts Peggy Noonan is nuts too we used to like her but now she's criticized the President so she goes in the nuts column who really really wants to see Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House because she really wants to see Bush impeached and don't you know that Pat Buchanan is nuts too well we always knew that just thought I'd toss that in there even though he really hasn't said much about this illegal immigration thing maybe Peggy and Michelle have a secret plot to get Bush impeached so the Dems can crown them the first two women President and VP no way that would never happen and how could you possibly suspect the Chamber of Commerce they're just hardworking businessmen and women trying to make a buck who cares if they hire a few illegals what's the big deal I don't see why everyone here gets so worked up about it I mean like I said it's only little bitty laws they break not like the really important tax laws ok so they break tax laws but that doesn't really matter do you really want Hillary to be President that’s it I’m calling the mods.. Bueller…Bueller…what if you need Ferris Bueller someday then where will you be this stuff makes it’s own sauce when you add water you have to vote Republican no matter what and it doesn’t matter if the Republican is a pro-abortion, pro-gay rights, anti-2nd amendment RINO like Olympia Snowe because the majority is the most important thing of all and don’t you ever forget it mister don’t make me come over there I’ll turn this thread around and go home so fast it’ll make your head spin we haven’t talked about Ann Coulter yet she’s another one that criticized President Bush on this issue I think she’s too skinny but folks around here seem to like her at least they used to till she criticized President Bush on the illegal immigration issue now she’s just a skinny skank who probably hangs out at DU late at night all by herself posting curse words about Karl Rove and plotting the loss of the Republican majority in the House and the Senate because she really really wants Hillary to make her Secretary of State or something we never really liked her all that much anyway and besides it doesn’t matter that these illegal aliens are committing crimes just by being here and many of them go on to commit more serious crimes you can’t prove that ok well maybe you can prove that but it doesn’t matter because the Republican majority is the most important thing in the whole world ever and if you vote against one single Republican one single time well then you just don’t let the door hit you in the backside quick someone post a picture of Red from That 70’s Show calling everyone a Dumbass yea that’ll swing the undecided over to your side let’s see if we can get someone mad enough he or she will say something that’s really offensive then we can get the Mods to kick them out of here and a moose bit my sister once now she can’t eat any cheese at all beeber what beeber I just stuned it right over there a minute ago this is how FreeRepublic has always worked your mileage may very or it may vary whatever it takes Lou Dobbs is a nutcase he’s never been right about anything either and we can’t put the Guard on the border because they aren’t trained for it I mean we can send them to Iraq and let them keep terrorists out of Iraq but they can’t do the same thing in Texas or Arizona because it just wouldn’t work I know let’s all send Freepmails to each other talking about how the people who want illegal immigrants are deported are really, really stupid then we’ll send Freepmails to those people and tell them to stop posting to us on the illegal alien threads or well get huffy and call the Mods never mind that I don’t read your stupid Freepmails I just delete them as soon as I see who they’re from so how do you like them apples and Oh My God he hates these cans run Mr. Hartoonian run and now let’s throw in something that’s completely off the topic of illegal aliens so we can show how clever we are even though people just go wow that was really off topic and kind of dumb and those illegal aliens well they don’t murder rape rob stab shoot garrote or molest all that many people so cut ‘em a break will you there just here to do the jobs that all you folks who were born here or got naturalized the good old fashioned legal way are too lazy or stupid to do and how could you be so heartless and cruel and coldhearted as to expect people who come to this country to actually obey the law why that’s the dumbest thing I ever heard…..

L

8 posted on 05/14/2006 3:39:18 PM PDT by Lurker (50% of the country is not fit to run a convenience store.)
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To: Icelander

I'm sure the Democrats will send more troops to the border. After they cut and run out of Iraq, they can use those troops on the border.


9 posted on 05/14/2006 3:39:32 PM PDT by Muleteam1
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To: Icelander

Great Artical.My thoughts exactly.

I guess will see if the President is up to the challenge.I hope he is for the sake of the United States of America.


10 posted on 05/14/2006 3:40:01 PM PDT by puppypusher
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To: Icelander

They will try to reverse pretty much every law written in the past six years, especially those passed to keep the nation safe in the wake of 9/11.

No, not at all, they will want to use them against their
political enemies.(That would be us by the way.)


11 posted on 05/14/2006 3:40:53 PM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: Lurker

Now THAT is an impressive rant!


12 posted on 05/14/2006 3:41:16 PM PDT by NittanyLion
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To: Icelander

GW Bush may very well go down in history as the president who gave the American southwest back to Mexico.


13 posted on 05/14/2006 3:42:16 PM PDT by Buffettfan (VIVA LA MIGRA! - LONG LIVE THE MINUTEMEN!)
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To: Icelander
The speech doesn't make or break the Presidency.

The immigration issue doesn't even make or break the President.

The immigration issue and the actions that follow this speech are a very important issue that along with Iraq, the Patriot act and the economy will define this administration for history.
14 posted on 05/14/2006 3:43:21 PM PDT by gondramB (He who angers you, in part, controls you. But he may not enjoy what the rest of you does about it.)
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To: Buffettfan
GW Bush may very well go down in history as the president who gave the American southwest back to Mexico

Scary thought

15 posted on 05/14/2006 3:43:32 PM PDT by MaineVoter2002 (http://jednet207.tripod.com/PoliticalLinks.html)
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Comment #16 Removed by Moderator

To: Icelander
My guess is it's "Break."

However wrong he may be, no matter whether it destroys the country, the man believes in what he's doing.

17 posted on 05/14/2006 3:44:23 PM PDT by Carry_Okie (There are people in power who are REALLY stupid.)
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To: Icelander
If he gets it wrong, it could be the beginning of a long, slow-motion disaster for all of us.

And a revolving door for not only the socialist/democratic party but for millions more illegal aliens and terrorists. Wise up..BUSH...do your job!You could become the last freely elected POTUS.

18 posted on 05/14/2006 3:44:49 PM PDT by Don Corleone (Leave the gun..take the cannoli)
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To: Icelander

19 posted on 05/14/2006 3:45:15 PM PDT by Buffettfan (VIVA LA MIGRA! - LONG LIVE THE MINUTEMEN!)
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To: Icelander
If not, then the Republican party is likely to lose big this November...

It's not just the RATS who will lose seats, all incumbants will be under the gun.
20 posted on 05/14/2006 3:45:17 PM PDT by John Lenin
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