Lott Bombshell: Put Troops on U.S. Borders

NewsMax.com ^ | 11/08/02 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Soon-to-be Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., shook up the homeland security debate Thursday afternoon by saying his supported deploying the U.S. military to guard America's borders.

Lott dropped the border bombshell during an interview with Fox News Channel host Bill O'Reilly on O'Reilly's nationally syndicated "Radio Factor" program.

O'REILLY: Why not back up the Border Patrol with military, whether it's National Guard or straight troops - why not do it?

LOTT: Well, I think we should do it. And I would be for....

O'REILLY: Do you really?

LOTT: Oh, absolutely.

O'REILLY: You're the first politician I've heard....

LOTT: Well, look. Most politicians run around worried about civil libertarians and being sued by the ACLU. This is not only a porous border in terms of illegal aliens. It's also a porous border in terms of crime and drugs. (End of Excerpt)

O'Reilly noted later on his TV broadcast that 79 percent of Americans told a recent Fox News survey that they supported military deployment along U.S. borders, though leaders on both sides of the political fence - including President Bush - oppose the idea.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

Homeland/Civil Defense
Immigration/Borders
War on Terrorism

[gubamyster]

Has Lott grown a spine? Or will we see a "I was quoted out of context" retraction soon?

[bybybill]

Wow, maybe Trent has found a little backbone. However it turns out[troops or beefed up bosder patrol], sounds like he is going to make border security an issue.

[VaBthang4]

The first time I have heard [read] Lott say anything competent.

[Brad’s Gramma]

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWWW!!!

[goldstategop]

Is this Trent "Gutless Wonder" Lott?? I'll be ready to take back the sobriquet if he grows a real spine next year. We'll see.

[I'm ALL Right!]

Isn't this an OBVIOUS need? Shouldn't OUR safety and OUR rights as American citizens come before the politically correct open border garbage? I am beyond frustrated with these politicians who are more worried about the hopes and dreams of illegal aliens than they are concerned for our country and our protection. Let's see if this really happens. (hahahahaha)

[goody2shooz]

Words are cheap. I'm not gonna hold my breath for Senator Lott's action on this issue.

[Brad’s Gramma]

THIS one!

[redrock]

"Has Lott grown a spine?"

..and if he has...can he show the rest of the Republicans in the Senate and House HOW its done??

redrock

[Dialup Llama]

>Has Lott grown a spine?

Not really. Al-Queda is going to focus on soft targets in the US and infiltrate from Mexico and South America (according to cnn.com).

[Sabertooth]

Trent Lott is a dumbass.

He gave us his childhood chum, James "No Enforcement" Ziglar as INS Chief. Now he wants to compound that asininity by calling for troops on the border? It's shallow posturing at best, and a reckless and dangerous policy if implemented. I have no interest in seeing the Posse Comitatus Act screwed up so that some future Democrat can make it our worst nightmare.

Troops on the borders won't do a damned thing about Illegals, but will erode freedoms for the rest of us.

Deport a few hundred thousand Illegals from the American interior and heavily fine their employers, and we can solve this problem.

"Troops on the Borders?" Bah!

[MissAmericanPie]

Well? What are we doing sitting here with our eyes bugging out of our heads? Call Lott and thank him tomorrow.

[rightofrush]

You have my respect. Your posts are always worthy of consideration.

However, it is my opinion, that if we were serious about our troops being given the means and the authority to do the job assigned to them, the border could be sealed. Fear is the best enforcer.

[The Other Harry]

You folks posting in favor of this are nuts. The military are not for partoling the border.

[TheLion]

Obviously, Daschle has been blocking everything. The Republicans can only stand to gain more ground should they do something substantial here. It is time to act!

[John Lenin]

Can anybody verify this, did he really say it on air ?

[John Lenin]

How about the national guard ?

[aardvark1]

I believe that if Lott actually becomes Majority Leader AGAIN, the bubble will burst just like the first time. As Minority Leader he has not shown any more ability to lead than when in the majority.

[Lancey Howard]

BTW, did you see the thread re: Lott?????????????????

Thanks for the heads up.
Amazing stuff.