Leadership and the Border Chaos

American Thinker ^ | January 28, 2007 | Chad Kent

[neverdem]

One thread in today's culture is a certain horror of any kind of conflict or confrontation.  It is a norm passionately held by some, and they demand deference to it as the price of political correctness. Some people may receive a pass, but not conservatives, who are vilified when they play hardball. One reason President Bush is so deeply reviled by some is his disregard for this delicate sensibility with regard to war.

In domestic politics, the need to attend to touchy-feely concepts like "consensus" and "bi-partisanship" created a void of leadership even when the GOP controlled Congress and the presidency.  The compromise strategy does not work out so well for bold leadership - ever. Anyone with a little common sense knows that trying to please everyone is a great recipe for ensuring that no one is happy in the end. 

For an example of a problem that needs bold leadership, but which is locked into a keep-em-happy coalition of powerful interest groups, look no farther than the chaos on our southern border. We may not be able to control who comes into our country, but employers got their cheap labor, minorities were mollified, the upper middle clas got nannies and gardeners. Meanwhile the problem was allowed to grow and grow. Everybody wins. Except for our sovereignty and security. 

Only real leadership, determined to fight the political battles and prevail, could fix our border mess. The others need to understand that the leader means it.  

There is a story that is often told about Andrew Jackson that demonstrates this perfectly.  Long before Jackson became our nation's 7^th president, he served as a judge on the Tennessee Supreme Court.  One day, Jackson was presiding over a trial that was disrupted by a local hooligan who was yelling out threats against everyone in the courtroom.  

Judge Jackson sent the sheriff out to arrest the thug, who was armed and clearly violent.  After a few minutes had passed, the sheriff returned to tell Jackson that the man was so belligerent that he couldn't be apprehended.  Irritated, Jackson told him to "summon a posse" and bring the man into the courtroom.

It wasn't long before the sheriff returned again and explained to Judge Jackson that the posse was unable to take the man into custody because he was threatening to "shoot the first skunk that come within ten feet of him."  Visibly upset at this point, Jackson demanded that the sheriff summon him to be a part of the posse as well.

After the sheriff agreed to make him a member of the posse, Jackson recessed the trial for 10 minutes, stood up to take off his robe, grabbed his pistol and abruptly walked out of the court.  Judge Jackson walked directly up to the hooligan and looked him right in the eye before saying:

"Now, surrender you infernal villain, this very instant, or I'll blow you through!"

After a short hesitation, the man peacefully allowed himself to be taken into custody.

After everything was said and done, someone asked the trouble-maker why he surrendered to Judge Jackson after holding off an entire posse of men.  His response was very instructive:

"Why, when he came up, I looked him in the eye, and I saw shoot, and there wasn't shoot in nary other eye in the crowd [...]"

In other words, this guy knew that if he resisted, Jackson would not hesitate to shoot him.

It's tough to know exactly how much of this anecdote is true and how much has been embellished after being told year after year.  However, the core of the story is accurate and that core shows that a strong reputation of backing up your words with action will cause even fanatic men to back down from challenging you.  Jackson was well known for making good on his promises and, as a result, people were very hesitant to call his bluff.

Until we begin backing up our immigration laws with actions, criminals on our southern border will only get more and more outrageous in the ways that they violate our national sovereignty.  On the other hand, if the United States establishes a reputation of strictly enforcing our borders and following through with swift punishment, very few people will be willing to take the risk of illegally entering the United States.        

Unfortunately, Congress refuses to show any leadership whatsoever in cleaning up the problems on our southern border.  If our representatives in Washington D.C. would simply show enough courage to take the situation seriously, that alone would be enough to deter a lot of people from violating our borders.  Nonetheless, in today's political climate that forbids confrontation, politicians will continue talking out of both sides of their mouths while doing nothing - and average Americans will be put in serious danger because of Congress' inaction.

The information for this column can be found in "Life of Andrew Jackson, Vol. 1" (1860) by James Parton and "Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times" (2005) by H.W. Brands.

Chad Kent is a freelance writer and political commentator who lives in central Illinois.  He can be contacted at kentchad@gmail.com.

[neverdem]

I wouldn't restrict it to just the southern border, although it's a good place to start.

Weasels, here's some cover. One out of three in the world is thought to have TB.

To control and beyond: moving towards eliminating the global tuberculosis threat (World 1/3 have TB)

[claptrap]

Try entering Mexico illegally.

[raybbr]

Unfortunately, Congress refuses to show any leadership whatsoever in cleaning up the problems on our southern border.

It's interesting that the author uses an historical figure consisting of a man who became president and then proceeds to blame Congress for this mess. He gives Bush and other presidents before him a complete pass.

There is so much blame to go around. Leaving Bush out of this, as it is Bush who is the ultimate "leader" of our country, is a farce.

Bush has never had any intention of closing or securing our southern border. Even after 9-11 it remained open. In a twist of fate 9-11 was the one thing that caused a temporary cessation of Bush's push for amnesty followed by his "new America".

THE "NEW AMERICAN".....

We are now one of the largest Spanish-speaking nations in the world. We're a major source of Latin music, journalism and culture.

Just go to Miami, or San Antonio, Los Angeles, Chicago or West New York, New Jersey ... and close your eyes and listen. You could just as easily be in Santo Domingo or Santiago, or San Miguel de Allende.

For years our nation has debated this change -- some have praised it and others have resented it. By nominating me, my party has made a choice to welcome the new America.

As I speak, we are celebrating the success of democracy in Mexico.

George Bush from a campaign speech in Miami, August 2000.

You can read the speech here.

Here is an excerpt of a good critique of that speech:

In equating our intimate historic bonds to our mother country and to Canada with our ties to Mexico, W. shows a staggering ignorance of the civilizational facts of life. The reason we are so close to Britain and Canada is that we share with them a common historical culture, language, literature, and legal system, as well as similar standards of behavior, expectations of public officials, and so on. My Bush Epiphany By Lawrence Auster

[B4Ranch]

>>Unfortunately, Congress refuses to show any leadership whatsoever in cleaning up the problems on our southern border.<<

We didn't elect Congress to lead us. That position is held by President Bush .......... who is leading us down the trail to disaster.

[LowCountryJoe]

If you look at this analogy (from the piece) to its fullest extent, you will see that it is symbolic for no one really wanting to carry the immigration legislation to its letter of the law. Perhaps, because, many people realize that the vast majority of illegal immigrants are just human beings trying to improve their lots in life. Not only that, but many other people realize that these hard working illegals actually create a net benefit to society. I, understand, though, that xenophobia is quite fashionable with the "take up your pitchforks and build the wall" Republicans. Strangely, it's fashionable with may Christians, too, who seem to have forgotten the second commandment.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

...many people realize that the vast majority of illegal immigrants are just human beings trying to improve their lots in life.

So are thieves and bank robbers...

---

Strangely, it's fashionable with may Christians, too, who seem to have forgotten the second commandment.

Thou shalt not steal?

[gubamyster]

ping

[taxed2death]

"Not only that, but many other people realize that these hard working illegals actually create a net benefit to society..."


Nice try.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1767956/posts

[stevie_d_64]

But hang on a second...They are only over here for a better life, and handouts...And healthcare...

And if they feel like it, do the jobs Americans won't do...

I don't see what the problem is???

/sarcasm

[wolfcreek]

Thank You La Raza Joe! There was so many lies and mis-conceptions and lies about mis-conceptions in that one paragraph, I don't know where to start scolding you.

[LowCountryJoe]

And just what is being stolen again?

[LowCountryJoe]

Let's agree then, we should do away with the handouts, right?

[LowCountryJoe]

Then let's cover those lies and misconceptions, shall we.

If you look at this analogy (from the piece) to its fullest extent, you will see that it is symbolic for no one really wanting to carry the immigration legislation to its letter of the law.

OK, not "no one", there are several angry people who want heads on a pike over this but is there really a tremendous push to get something done legislatively by a majority of legislators?

Perhaps, because, many people realize that the vast majority of illegal immigrants are just human beings trying to improve their lots in life.

Do you take issue with my insistence that they're human beings or, do you take issue with the fact that I wrote that they are trying to improve their lots?

Not only that, but many other people realize that these hard working illegals actually create a net benefit to society.

So, is it because I wrote that they were hard working or that they cause a net gain on the economy, that you protest. Answer that question and I will provide the anecdotal evidence of the former -- which should not need an explanation -- or the empirical evidence of the later.

I, understand, though, that xenophobia is quite fashionable with the "take up your pitchforks and build the wall" Republicans.

If not xenophobia, then what would you call it amongst your crowd? I never hear the same kind of vitriol spewing forth regarding immigrants that look more Anglican, regardless of their resident status. You know, many of the immigrants from south of the border are here legally, initially, on work permits. Got problem with these folks, too, initially?

Strangely, it's fashionable with may Christians, too, who seem to have forgotten the second commandment.

Gotcha! If you really did love you neighbor but yet also enjoy having your country's laws enforced, you would push for easier, legal avenues these people to migrate here, wouldn't you?

[LowCountryJoe]

Interesting studies and data. Tell me, how do these numbers shake out after the initial immigrant generations? Like, say, what happens to those descendent of immigrants who were the grandchildren of these illegals? Do you suppose that they don't add to America's prosperity, too?

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

And just what is being stolen again?

You are as dumb as a post...

[LowCountryJoe]

Enlighten me then. Or are you now stumped on how you are going to defend your own hyperbole, and just decided to resort to name calling, instead?

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

I shouldn't have to tell a grown man what stealing is. Burglary, robbery, theft, tresspass, (add adjective here)...

[taxed2death]

Your question is pointless, here's why....

Never in the history of our country have so many people "migrated" (legally or illegally) here in such a short period of time.

These people by and large do not want to assimilate into our culture.

By our own governments admission, 10 million strolled across our border just last year alone!

(homeland security???........LOL...effing joke)

See this link>>> http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1768750/posts?page=1

By our own governments admission, there are at least 20 million illegals in country right now. I can't fathom the "real" numbers as our own governments "estimates" have been notoriously low in the past.....

So yes, let's extrapolate what happens when 20 million people start sucking down taxpayer services....

Lets see what happens when GWB waves his magic wand and they become eligible for US citizenship.

Let's see when what happens when each new citizen petitions for 6 family members to come over and get on the government gravy train......

What say does the US taxpayer have in all of this?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1769610/posts

We will be long since "broke" before your Utopian view of things even gets a chance of happening.

Mexico's population is about 110 million.

We have almost 20% of her population here illegally.

Do the math.

[LowCountryJoe]

[add adjective here]

"reaching"...sorry, but a verb is more appropriate in this instance.

[LowCountryJoe]

In absolute numbers, no. But in proportional numbers relative to current population, it has happened on an even larger scale. Now, as to government goodies, why don't you lobby just as hard to get rid of those? Clearly, the growth of government is a much worthier issue to attack.