The President Has Kept Us Safe

Wall Street Journal ^ | May 30, 2008 | THANE ROSENBAUM

[FocusNexus]

With President Bush-bashing still a national pastime, it's notable how much international terrorism has been forgotten, and how little credit the president has received for keeping Americans safe.

....

We all waited for terrorism's second shoe to drop, and, seven years later . . . nothing has happened.

Other cities around the world became targets: Madrid, Glasgow, London and Bali; the entire nation of Denmark; and, of course, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Here in America, however, the focus moved from concerns over counterterrorism measures and the abuse of presidential authority to the war in Iraq, the subprime mortgage crisis, the failing economy, the public meltdown of Britney Spears, and now, the presidential elections.

All this time Americans have been safe from suicide bombers, biological warfare and collapsing skyscrapers, while the rest of the world has been on red alert. And yet President Bush is regarded as the worst president in American history? Sorry, I must be missing something here.

Terrorism is now largely off the table in the minds of most Americans.

But in gearing up to elect a new president, we are left to wonder how, in spite of numerous failed policies and poor judgement, President Bush's greatest achievement was denied to him by people who ungratefully availed themselves of the protection that his administration provided.

[DoughtyOne]

There are tens of millions of illegal immigrants here. They came over many, many years, through every administration. No, there was no 9-ll during those long years of neglect and malfeasance by every US administration and every Congress, but there was no more excuse then than there is the past 8 years. But you in your over the top anti-everything Bush - even the entire Bush family - say President Bush alone has allowed tens of millions of illegal border crossings in his 7 years.

The slate was clean in 1990 as the 1986 amnesty program wrapped up.  It had been approximately thirty years since the immigration situation had been addressed, when Reagan did it in 1986.   They had only expected 1.5 million to sign up, but by the time they were done, 3.5 million people took advantage of the situation to become U.S. Citizens.  For the record, 3.5 million divided by 30 years is about 116,000 per year.

By the 2000 census, it was claimed there were around ten million illegal immigrants inside our nation.  Around 2005 Time magazine ran an extensive article on illegal immigration.  In the article it claimed it's staff had determined 3.5 million illegal immigrants were entering the United States each year.  I strongly disagree with that figure.

I believe there were somewhere between 1.5 and 2.5 million illegal immigrants entering our nation during the 2000 to 2008 time frame.  Nobody knows for sure.  All we have are best guesses.  The fact that these people are undocumented makes it clear we just don't know how many are coming across.

If we take the low number of 1.5 million per year, in eight years that comes to 12 million.  If we use the higher number, it comes to 20 million.  Add the approximate ten million that came over in the 90s, and you have somewhere between 22 million and 30 million.  It is interesting to note, thought not reliable IMO, that one hispanic leader claimed that the illegals had a lot of clout due to their numbers, which he estimated at about 50 million.  Well, I don't agree with that.  I do agree we have somewhere between 20 and 35 million illegals in the nation today.  I believe that there have been Middle-Easterners coming over the border as well as some Chinese and of course Central and South American people.  People from other nations are smuggled in via ships and some aircraft.  And still others overstay their visas.

We can dismiss the climate we live in today if you like, but I don't believe you think we live in the same world as we did in the 70s through the 90s.  We have a terrorist threat in our homeland today, that simply wasn't there before.  Look, I took Clinton to task on this matter constantly in the 90s.  I have taken Bush to task for it since 2000.  I have been even-handed with both.

[XR7]

The Lord has kept us safe.

And we sho 'nuff better not forget it!

[1035rep]

Great post, Southack!

[american_ranger]

He lost us the house.
He lost us the Senate.
He allowed rumsfelt to run the war and thus the war ran on and on and on with no change except that Americans continued to lose their lives.
He allowed the dems and the rinos to stop American drilling for oil and thus allowed $4 a gallon oil.
He allowed the US$ to fall and fall and fall.
He has enabled the open southern border thus allowing thousands of foreign criminals into the US and allowed thousands of American citizens to be victims of horrible crimes by their hands.
He has allowed innocent American citizens to be jailed for non-crimes (Ramos and the other border agent.)

He is a lousy president and he deserves jail time for his actions.

[1035rep]

Thank God for President Bush. He was the right man at the right time. Lefty and DNC talking points will never change that fact.

[DoughtyOne]

I’m not sure what the build Bush up effort is worth. The guy is indefensible. You can take just about any subject that he is lauded for, and see light on the other side, the defense is so flimsey.

On the ICC for instance, he sat on his hands for something like 15 months until there were nearly all the nations signed on that needed to, before he came out against the plan and cancelled out Clinton’s signature to join. What did that do to convince other nations not to sign on.

He should have been working on this from day one, trying to keep our allies from joining. He didn’t.

He supposedly made a lot of noise after he finally noticed what was going on, but that was woefully inadequate. He abdicated any leadership role whatsoever until after the fact.

This is the way it goes. You’ll see folks say Bush kept us out. Actually Clinton signed us on in 2001, the last day or so he was in office. That’s all the ICC required.

In 2005 McCain stated he wanted us to join the ICC. Now that it’s a reality, we’ll sooner or later join. The way you stop this stuff is by nipping it in the bud. At least that’s what a real leader would do.

[DoughtyOne]

I could rattle off a long list of problems he has created. It’s pointless. The damage is done, the history is being rewritten as we speak. His little minions scurry around with an extra pair of clothes for the emporer at all times. It makes them happy, even if dumb and happy. Who cares.

I don’t think he belongs in jail, but I am about as disgusted with him as I can be.

[txrangerette]

Your blue writing doesn’t impact ME...don’t know about others.

You cannot seriously argue that Reagan’s amnesty made the issue a clean slate for Bush.

All THAT did was ratify all of those that came here prior, and it set the stage for “boatloads” more to think they could do it and one day get amnesty, too. Hence it was a green light for many, many more to come...

Yes, there is terrorism today. However, the terrorism has been ongoing since the 70s. And as Hannity loves to say - although he didn’t originate it - THEY were at war with us though we weren’t at war with them.

Terrorism from the Middle East and other Islamic countries aside, there is still no valid excuse for a great nation to allow its borders to be invaded. You and I can agree on that, surely. So in any era and with or without terrorism from the ME, there’s no valid excuse.

Our government is massive. There are seperate but equal branches with powers and responsibilities. There is perpetual politics. To blame it strictly on Bush or any one individual is wrong.

What I think ticks off so many is that when Bush speaks on the subject he riles them up. They hate his words when he says certain things about illegal immigrants. They feel he sympathizes with blatant lawbreakers. They feel he suggests that Americans who are against his comprehensive reform ideas are prejudiced and uncaring. They are angry enough just at the problem, then Bush’s words rub salt in their wounds.

I know where he’s coming from. I’m a Texan, born and bred. I’ve grown up around Hispanics. Plenty of them are not here illegally. They are decendents of familys here for hundreds of years. Others have gone though proper channels to get permission to come here and work. There are some lovely people who are good citizens. They have mostly an admirable culture and impact upon culture, with the exception of that language barrier. Yet, many of them are poorer than dirt, many, but by no means all. Bush is a man of deep personal sympathies, and once they are stirred in him, he never forgets.

I’m convinced his personal, emotional biases have kept him from viewing this as a terrorism issue, in the main. Contrary to popular perception, this man is not stupid. I’m sure he knows terrorists could sneak in over the border. He’s said as much. But the big picture guy, which he is, still looks at this primarily as a humanitarian and economic and cultural issue, based on his formative years dealing with the matter as a Texan and as a governor and professed Christian.

I’m not excusing him or anyone else. Or anyone else. Or anyone else.

[txrangerette]

I’m not dumb, friend. And you know it.

[txrangerette]

Bush does not have the dictatorial power you seem to think he does.

He cannot drill if it is illegal by law to drill.

His Justice Dept people told him what was what about Ramos and Compean. They are the prosecutors and he believed them. No less a good and decent man that Tony Snow believed them, too. Tony sincerely and energetically defended the case handling and the President. Rightly or wrongly, you could tell he believed what he was saying.

Bush and Tony also went by what a jury decided. Later we learned important information wasn’t shared with the jury.

Bush isn’t a prosecutor. He doesn’t have his hands on every detail of government and sit there and pull all the levers. No President does. There are hundreds of thousands of people and decentralized agencies that work in connection with the executive branch.

You are over the top. Whatever valid points you may have are lost on me and should be lost on anyone that isn’t hopelessly biased against this one man.

Bush should be in jail? I don’t think so. But rant on, fella. It just makes me suspect you of being from DU or being a Soros operative or of being just plain ignorant.

[DoughtyOne]

Your blue writing doesn’t impact ME...don’t know about others.  It's not intended to do anything more than differentiate who made the comments a little differently.  I prefer it, but it's not mean to offend you.

You cannot seriously argue that Reagan’s amnesty made the issue a clean slate for Bush.  I did not argue that, so why would you say this?  I mentioned Clinton prominantly in my post.

All THAT did was ratify all of those that came here prior, and it set the stage for “boatloads” more to think they could do it and one day get amnesty, too. Hence it was a green light for many, many more to come...  Yes and no.  The Reagan plan involved new rules governing employers.  It set penalties and discouraged employers from hiring illegal immigrants.  There were some other issues covered, but I don't remember what they were right now.  The plan was to clean the slate and start over with new laws.  Reagan didn't know that any attempt at enforcement would be abandoned under Bush.

Yes, there is terrorism today. However, the terrorism has been ongoing since the 70s. And as Hannity loves to say - although he didn’t originate it - THEY were at war with us though we weren’t at war with them.  Yes there has been some terrorism directed at us since the 1960s.  I do think you'll admit that until the Trade Center was attacked in the 90s, there weren't serious attacks taking place on U.S. soil.

Terrorism from the Middle East and other Islamic countries aside, there is still no valid excuse for a great nation to allow its borders to be invaded. You and I can agree on that, surely. So in any era and with or without terrorism from the ME, there’s no valid excuse.  I agree with that.

Our government is massive. There are seperate but equal branches with powers and responsibilities. There is perpetual politics. To blame it strictly on Bush or any one individual is wrong.  While I agree with that while legislation is being drafted, voted into being and signed, once it's the law the enforcement becomes the perview of the Executive Branch.  Congress doesn't decide to enforce or not.  The Executive Branch chooses to make this a priority, or to look the other way.  Bush isn't the only one to have done so.  His dad did, Clinton did, and now he has.  Those are the three Presidents who are resposible for the illegal immigrants who are here today.

What I think ticks off so many is that when Bush speaks on the subject he riles them up. They hate his words when he says certain things about illegal immigrants. They feel he sympathizes with blatant lawbreakers. They feel he suggests that Americans who are against his comprehensive reform ideas are prejudiced and uncaring. They are angry enough just at the problem, then Bush’s words rub salt in their wounds.  I think that pretty well sums it up.  There is a jaded sense that we cannot trust him or others at this point to be honest about the subject.  I find myself not believing much of what he says on the subject.  I wait to verify if what he has said has been followed thorough on.  And that's something that has really destroyed my trust in the office.  I say this even after Clinton, because I don't look at Bush like Clinton.  He is a guy who is supposed to be honest and forthright, and I am never quite confident he is anymore.

I know where he’s coming from. I’m a Texan, born and bred. I’ve grown up around Hispanics. Plenty of them are not here illegally. They are decendents of familys here for hundreds of years. Others have gone though proper channels to get permission to come here and work. There are some lovely people who are good citizens. They have mostly an admirable culture and impact upon culture, with the exception of that language barrier. Yet, many of them are poorer than dirt, many, but by no means all. Bush is a man of deep personal sympathies, and once they are stirred in him, he never forgets.  Look, are we talking about folks who have been here hundreds of years?  Are we talking about folks who are not here illegaly?  Are we talking about folks who have gone through the proper channels?  Are we talking about folks who are lovely people and good CITIZENS?  Are we talking about the culture?  We are talking about people who are flooding across our borders and by the very fact they are here, they are changing the make-up of our nation.  In Los Angeles for instance, less than 50% of the working age men can write or speak functional English.  Is that our goal?  I don't believe that you think it is.  It isn't right for our citizens to have their hard earned salaries stripped from them to be used to pay for these poor immigrants who should not be here.  It's flat out robbery.  It costs us in so many ways, it's just a pain to try to mention them all.  It just isn't right.  As for Bush's sympathies, where's the sympathy for us?  Where's the sympathy for the U.S. Citizens who have to pull their kids out of the public school system and pay very expensive tuitions on top of the taxes they already pay for a school system their kids can't use?

I’m convinced his personal, emotional biases have kept him from viewing this as a terrorism issue, in the main. Contrary to popular perception, this man is not stupid. I’m sure he knows terrorists could sneak in over the border. He’s said as much. But the big picture guy, which he is, still looks at this primarily as a humanitarian and economic and cultural issue, based on his formative years dealing with the matter as a Texan and as a governor and professed Christian.  This is a period of time when we can't be the big picture guy.  09/11 was pulled off by 19 individuals.  We can't afford to adopt a policy that says most of the illegal immigrants won't cause us a problem.  It doesn't take more than a few. That's the main reason why I have said that we have been fortunate, and may continue to be.  Then again, one terrorist cell that may have slipped in could cost us dearly.  It's certainly not going to give me any pleasure to point back and say, see, I was right!  No.  The point is to avoid this possibility.  And you do that by getting your border under control.

I’m not excusing him or anyone else. Or anyone else. Or anyone else.

The way to help poor Mexican nationals, is to demand that Mexico put policies into place that will raise the standard of living for it's people.  Widespread investment would be good.  Corporate influx into the Mexican markets would be good.  Fast food, automotive centers, CD sales, clothing stores, a broad spectrum of economic concerns would help employ the citizens and raise their standard of living.  If some creative policies were put in place along these lines, there would soon be no need for Mexicans to come here.  And that's what we want.  It's sortof analgious to the fish line of reasoning.  Do you give a guy a fish to eat, or do you teach him to fish.  We need to teach the Mexican populace to fish.

I can't believe that more U.S. corporations haven't seen Mexico as a great place to expand their markets.  The same things that make our communities run, could be helping Mexican communites run.

I don't have a problem with the Mexican people.  I want their standard of living to be brought up to scale and have said so ever since I started addressing this issue.  I am also tired of them being exploited, and placed in danger as they cross the border.

This whole thing needs to be rethought, but who is driving it?  It's as if our government prefers to have these problems rather than actually contribute to making the Mexican people's lives better.  That really bothers me.  It has for a long time.

[DoughtyOne]

Where did that come from?

[1035rep]

Well done.

[AHerald]

The Lord has kept us safe.

It takes no glory from God to say that President Bush has kept us safe. And it gives no glory to God to deny giving just honor and gratitude to those through whom He works His will.

I thank God for those people, like George W. Bush, among us who use their God-given gift of free will to protect us from those who their God-given gift of free will to kill us.

[Coldwater Creek]

For a stupid, do nothing cowboy, looks like to me that George has been pretty busy getting it done!

History will be very kind to President Bush 43!

Thanks

[Coldwater Creek]

Not only is it possible that we have been saved from further attacks, but you can take it to the bank.

Makes me furious that there are so many Bushbashers on FR. I guess that they just are ignorant of the facts.

[Grut]

Repealed Gun Controls Against Active, Retired, and Off-Duty Law Enforcement Personnel Carrying Weapons Into Local and State Prohibited Zones (7/28/2004)

Thereby establishing the police as an Order of Nobility.

Most of the rest of this is post hoc ergo propter hoc. Even aimless thrashing about can make your enemies duck if you do it wildly enough.

[WVKayaker]

Makes me furious that there are so many Bushbashers on FR. I guess that they just are ignorant of the facts.

I guess we should all be sycophants.

I voted for GWB twice. I voted for others,in the primaries. As a result of his fiscal disappointments, I am no longer a Republican contributor. I made it clear to them why.

It is possible we have been saved from further attacks... but my bank won't give the same credit! I think he has done an OK job as CIC, but lagged as a President. He is a good person, compassionate, and caring. BUT...

..GWB is not a messiah, and will never measure up to the likes of RR or even another of my faves...Tricky Dick!

That is just my opinion. Your mileage obviously varies, but that shouldn't make us enemies!

...and now we have McPain!

[Coldwater Creek]

Actually, Nixon has always been a favorite of mine as well.

I must say though, I am really disappointed in his daughter Julie and her husband David Eisenhower. They are very liberal.

[ishabibble]

Beautiful! That’s a keeper!

From the article:

>>Terrorism is now largely off the table in the minds of most Americans.<<

“Most” Americans should be required to read your post.