Giffords' TV ad addresses America's safety (NOT)

The Arizona (Red) Daily Star ^ | 1 October 2006 | Josh Brodesky

[axes_of_weezles]

Tucson Region

AdWatch: The Star's ongoing evaluation of the record versus the rhetoric in campaign ads

Giffords' TV ad addresses America's safety

By Josh Brodesky

arizona daily star

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.01.2006

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Today: We look at an ad for Democrat Gabrielle Giffords.

The Race: Congress, District 8.

Medium: A 30-second television ad.

The Message: The ad begins with an image of cargo containers as a narrator says, "our ports uninspected." The message is re-emphasized by a graphic stating "one in 20 ports inspected."

It then cuts to an image of a dirt road slicing across the desert as the narrator says, "our border unprotected." A graphic then states that illegal immigration has risen 45 percent.

The next scene shows an image of President Bush with an Arab. The narrator says, "We are still dependent on Mideast oil."

It then cuts to a series of mug shots of the terrorists involved in the Sept. 11 attacks, followed by an image of Washington, D.C.

The narrator says, "Five years after 9/11, Washington's failed to make us safe."

The commercial then turns upbeat, as Giffords appears working at a desk.

The commercial cites Giffords' co-sponsorship of security legislation in 2002. A series of quick-cutting images follows:

In the first, Giffords is with a child in a playground as the narrator says, "She'll demand real security for families."

Next, an image of a solar panel appears, as the narrator states Giffords will "make America energy-independent."

This is followed by an image of cargo containers and a pledge for 100 percent inspections.

The last image is of a border road lined by a fence, coupled with a pledge for "tough, new border security."

The Intent: To portray Giffords as a candidate who will improve public safety and anti-terrorism measures.

Fact check: Giffords' claim that one in 20 ports are inspected is in reference to cargo inspections by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

In 2004, Customs reported that it had only inspected 6 percent of cargo containers entering through U.S. ports. In a fact sheet, Customs defends the low number of inspections, saying it uses intelligence to review information on all cargo.

The nonprofit think tank Rand Corp. confirmed a 5 percent number for cargo inspections, but noted that "100 percent scanning of containers is not feasible with current technology."

Illegal immigration has increased by 45 percent in Arizona from 2000-2005, according to a Department of Homeland Security study.

As for U.S. dependency on foreign oil, in 2005 the nation imported 13,527,000 barrels of crude oil a day, according to the Energy Information Administration. Of that, 5,508,000 barrels came from OPEC countries.

The reference to the country not being safer five years after Sept. 11 cites the 9/11 commission's report card on how the federal government responded to the commission's suggestions. The report's grades were largely negative, but ranged from failure to improve airplane passenger screening to an A- for limiting terrorists' financing.

The claim that the country is "not safer" five years after Sept. 11 isn't backed up by the 9/11 commission.

In 2004, the commission wrote this in its final report: "Because of offensive actions against al Qaedasince 9/11, and defensive actions to improve homeland security, we believe we are safer today. But we are not safe."

As a state senator in 2002, Giffords did co-sponsor legislation to bring state law in line with the USA Patriot Act and create new crimes in regard to terrorism.

● Sources: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Web site, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Web site, New York Times archives, Energy Information Administration, the 9/11 commission report, final report on 9/11 commission recommendations, Rand Corp. Web site, Arizona Legislature archives.

[axes_of_weezles]

All bark and no plan. Pelosi's Poodle. Typical Democrat.

[Valin]

I didn't not study this very carefuly so I must have missed the part where she said what she would do.

[mthom]

Its disgusting that a small minority of Freepers seem to be rooting for a Giffords win.

[axes_of_weezles]

She will make America "Energy Independent" and "Economically Secure" with socialist benefit plans, all from the savings of "cutting and running" from Iraq. It's the standard Rat plan for this year.

[axes_of_weezles]

Not me, by any chance.

Hold everyone's feet to the fire.

[SandRat]

The Graff Sign is in the yard.

Giffords is a GOOF-BALL of the first order.

[axes_of_weezles]

Another one, if you have not seen it.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1711698/posts

[mthom]

I wasnt suggesting you were. Sorry if it seemed that way.

[axes_of_weezles]

I did not take it as such. Have seen your posts on the other threads.

[Valin]

And a fine plan it is! All it needs now, to get me on board is a guarantee of free donuts every morning.

[HiJinx]

a guarantee of free donuts every morning

Don't forget the complimentary hot cup of 100% Kona Coffee...

[SandRat]

I want Aloha Island Coffee.

[colors]

I know folks riding on the border October 22-2006 will NOT be cheering for NO-WAY Gabrielle Giffords NO WAY.....
_________________________________________________
Local 2544 Endorses Randy Graf - 09-08-06 The text of the endorsement letter follows:

"Local 2544 of the National Border Patrol Council represents over 2,500 front-line Border Patrol agents in Arizona. We proudly endorse Randy Graf’s election bid for the Congressional District 8 seat in Arizona. As a legislator for the state of Arizona, Mr. Graf has proven time and again that he supports the efforts of United States Border Patrol agents in securing this country’s borders, and that he is truly dedicated to seeing that the immigration laws of this country are enforced.

http://www.local2544.org/

American Freedom Riders is Sponsoring a Bike Rally Against Illegal Immigration

Sunday, October 22, 2006 - 100 Mile Ride Begins in Benson, Arizona - Border Patrol Agents from Arizona Will Be Participating

This is an effort to support Border Patrol agents Ramos and Compean, and to raise awareness of the illegal immigration problem. Access the Freedom Riders' Website here for more information.

http://www.americanfreedomriders.com/

http://borderconsensus.com/

[Valin]

And a pony.