Bush declines to meet with border officials

San Bernardino Sun ^ | 06/16/2006 | Sara A. Carter

[Small-L]

President Bush has refused to meet with border law-enforcement officials from Texas for a second time. His response to their request came in the form of a letter Monday, angering both lawmakers and sheriffs.

In fact, some Republican members of the House, upset by what they call the administration's seeming lack of concern for border security, are preparing to hold investigative hearings in San Diego and Laredo, Texas, early next month.

Members of the House Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation hope to expose serious security flaws that could potentially lead to terrorist attacks in the country, said Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, who is a member of the panel and has pushed for the hearings.

"The next terrorist is not going to come in through (Transportation Security Administration) screening at Kennedy airport," Poe said. "We already have information that people from the Middle East have come through the border from Mexico. They assimilate in Mexico learning to speak Spanish and adopt customs and then they cross the border into the United States."

Poe requested the meeting for members of the Southwestern Sheriffs' Border Coalition a group that includes all 26 border-county sheriffs from California, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. The sheriffs wanted to speak to the president about the increasing dangers in their communities and along the border.

"The president is the busiest man in the world but he needs to take the time to talk to the border sheriffs and learn what's happening in the real world from them," Poe said. "We can't understand why he refuses to meet with them."

In May, all of the Republican House members from Texas traveled to Washington to meet the president regarding border security. Bush did not meet with them, however, and former White House spokesman Scott McClellan was sent in his stead.

Poe said the White House letter dated Monday showed the disconnect between the administration and the American people who want the border secured.

"The president would appreciate the opportunity to visit with border sheriffs," said the White House letter written by La Rhonda M. Houston, deputy director of the Office of Appointments and Scheduling. "Regrettably, it will not be possible for us to arrange such a meeting. I know that you understand with the tremendous demands of the president's time, he must often miss special opportunities, as is the case this time."

Rick Glancey, spokesman for the sheriffs coalition, said its members are angry and disappointed in the president's response. Glancey said Bush's recent tour of the border with Border Patrol spokesmen did not reflect the reality of what locals live with every day.

"It's a slap in the face to the hardworking men and women on the front lines of rural America who every day engage in border-security issues," Glancey said. "He missed the opportunity to take off his White House cowboy boots and put some real cowboy boots on and walk in our shoes for a few minutes."

The border hearings will expose the truth to the American public and force the administration to take a serious look at the border, said Allan Knapp, Poe's legislative director.

Knapp and Poe have traveled twice to the border this year, spending time along barren stretches where they witnessed no security and numerous migrants crossing into the United States, they said.

"We need to expose the lack of border security before it is too late," Poe said. "We're fighting a war on terror in Iraq and we're winning, but we're losing our own border war. These hearings will be a necessary step in the right direction."

Andy Ramirez, chairman of the Chino-based Friends of the Border Patrol, said he has been called to testify before the panel in San Diego. Ramirez said he has turned in two years of Border Patrol documents and memos, which he will discuss before the committee.

"The president has basically pushed his whole administration's agenda toward the war on terror, yet he can't find the time to meet with law-enforcement leaders responsible for border security," Ramirez said. "It is appalling and outrageous that the war on terror and border security does not extend to the U.S. border."

[Bikers4Bush]

One more excellent reason to cut Puerto Rico loose.

[A Troop 1-14 Cav]

(not the Border Patrol,
which falls under the auspices of the
STATE GOVERNORS)


That is a flat out lie.

[dirtboy]

He is curtailed from doing more LEGALLY.

Wrong again. The Constitution empowers the federal government to protect this country from invasion. When foreign troops come into this country to support drug smuggling, it sure as heck fits my definition of an invasion, and should be met with all due force.

[Wolfstar]

In May, all of the Republican House members from Texas traveled to Washington to meet the president regarding border security. Bush did not meet with them, however, and former White House spokesman Scott McClellan was sent in his stead.

Something here doesn't compute with this story. Members of the House of Representatives are in Washington every day when Congress is in session. Members of Congress can call the White House any time. They don't need to make a special trip from Texas or any other state. In fact, the President hosts an Annual Congressional Picnic at the White House. This year's picnic was just yesterday, and here's a couple of photos:

I post the weekend "Day in the life of President Bush" threads, and every Saturday I include information about the President's upcoming schedule. His schedule is planned months in advance.

I shouldn't be surprised by the willingness of so many here on FR to instantly and uncritically believe the worst about President Bush, but this time I am. Scheduling for any President of the United States is incredibly controlled and tight, and it involves many moving parts in addition to the man, himself.

[PureTrouble]

"Um, because they are beneath him? I wonder if they were the leaders of La Raza or Mecha demanding a meeting he'd clear some time?"

Welcome to FR,

The Bush bashers are out on this thread with mostly new people posting so getting Zotted by your comments might be in order.

[TexasTaysor]

Did you see that report later in morning of FoxNews about the border security concerns via Puerto Rico?

No, I missed that segement. Thanks, just more great news.

[SweetCaroline]

BUMP

[Bikers4Bush]

In my opinion signing a totalization agreement is an act of treason.

[A Troop 1-14 Cav]

Thanks for the welcome, been here a little while now. You can get zotted for asking a simple question? I wasn't saying he WOULD meet with the pro-illegal goons, simply trying to find out what people thought...wether they believed he would or not.

[Not A Snowbird]

The President is the Commander=in=Chief of the ARMED FORCES...not the Border Patrol, which falls under the auspices of the STATE GOVERNORS.

The Border Patrol is federal, not state. They are part of Customs and Border Protection, under the Department of Homeland Security.

Did you mean to say the National Guard?

[CharlesWayneCT]

The may story was STATE house members, not federal house members.

But of course you are right about scheduling conflicts. When people show up in Washington without an appointment, it's to make a political point, not because they have ANY belief whatsoever that they will get to see the president.

[Marine Inspector]

Members of the House Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation hope to expose serious security flaws that could potentially lead to terrorist attacks in the country, said Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, who is a member of the panel and has pushed for the hearings.

Just talk to the BPA's and CBPO's along the border and "hope" won't be an issue.

[Bikers4Bush]

Months in advance huh? So the jaunt to Iraq the other day was planned months ago?

I sincerely doubt it.

[TexasTaysor]

In May, all of the Republican House members from Texas traveled to Washington to meet the president

I thought this was referring to the Texas House members, border patrol and sheriffs. Did I read that post wrong?

[TomGuy]

Republican House members

I didn't read that closely, but I took it to mean the State House Republicans, local politicians, area LEOs. I didn't take to be the ones in the US Congress.

[MineralMan]

Like athletes that have won championships - they are much more important than the people tasked with protecting the communities who bear the brunt of the illegal entries.

Well, you don't see those athletes criticizing the President's policies on immigration, now, do you? Athletes are very popular with the American People, and it's really, really important for the President to be seen with them. Are you now attacking our fine young athletes?

After all, why should President Bush meet with people who disagree sharply with his policies. It's just such a waste of time, right?

[Wolfstar]

Hi...pinging you to this thread in which some congressmen and sheriffs are supposedly complaining the President "refused" to meet with them. I don't trust honesty of the article due to a claim in it that the congressmen had to travel to Washington to try to meet with GWB. Makes no sense. The annual congressional picnic was yesterday. Not only that, but any member of Congress can pick up the phone and call the White House at any time. Plus they don't have to make a special trip from anywhere to go to DC when Congress is in session, which it is now.

I am so danged sick to death of people around here -- who supposedly are his supporters -- instantaneously leaping to dark conclusions about the man. That's why I'm pinging you.

[TexasTaysor]

I don't know about an act of treason, but it sure isn't what's good for America. And totally opposite what the majority of citizen want.

[MineralMan]

The President is the Commander=in=Chief of the ARMED FORCES...not the Border Patrol, which falls under the auspices of the STATE GOVERNORS.

You may be thinking of the National Guard, then, eh? The Border Patrol is under the control of the Homeland Security Administration...a federal body under the Exective department. The President is in command of the Border Patrol. A little attention to detail, please...

[RobbyS]

Nope. Bush has always made it clear that he is in favor of open borders. As said above, he is not going to do anything effective to slow immigration.