Here's a link to an outstanding article -- especially by media standards -- regarding the interrelated topics of immigration reform, border control, the war on terror, public policies, labor economics and partisan politics.
As they say, read the whole thing. The entire article is a fountain of information and is food for thought.
The key quote:
When you look at the series of events that have happened over the last five, six years ... our mission changed,' said Victor Manjarrez, Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol's El Paso Sector. 'Our primary mission changed from our traditional focus [of preventing economic migrants from illegally crossing the border]. Our primary mission now is terrorists and weapons of mass destruction. That's what we should be focused on. We can't focus on that as much as we would like because of all the other [border-related] issues that we deal with.'
Morals of the story:
1. Cracking down on employers of illegals and building better fences certainly are necessary and appropriate measures; but they're not panaceas. We need comprehensive and legislated immigration reforms.
2. Public policy is not a zero-sum game. By the same token, however, politics is about compromise. There's no such thing as getting 100% of what you want.
3. Conservative talk radio is a thick and detached cocoon. If the above-linked article doesn't convince you of that fact, well, ask Tom Tancredo and Duncan Hunter.
4. Pluralistic Republics are not fertile grounds for single-issue politics.
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Filed under:
Business, Economics, Elections, Illegal Aliens, Immigration, Law, Politics
Comments (7)
I don't think so.You... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Ken in Camarillo | April 30, 2008 4:01 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
I don't think so.
You can't tell whether an illegal border crosser is a terrorist or economic immigrant until after you catch them. Catching them is the same task regardless.
Nice try. Come back and play often.
1. Posted by Ken in Camarillo | April 30, 2008 4:01 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on April 30, 2008 16:01
2. Posted by NoMoreBlatherDotCom | April 30, 2008 4:49 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Actually, the article is just a long-winded version of the same blather we've heard from BHO, Bush, Chertoff, and more. Details here, with links to several similar examples. This site also didn't consider the extremely strong possibility that he was simply ordered to give this interview by higher-ups, such as Chertoff.
2. Posted by NoMoreBlatherDotCom | April 30, 2008 4:49 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on April 30, 2008 16:49
3. Posted by jpm100 | April 30, 2008 6:12 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I can't believe that statement was actually made.
What is practical may be one thing. I'd like to see it actually tried first before we pass judgment in that respect.
But to compromise with my own representative government? Seriously? What planet did I wake up on?
3. Posted by jpm100 | April 30, 2008 6:12 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on April 30, 2008 18:12
4. Posted by Brad | April 30, 2008 6:30 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
This post assumes that the border patrol is accomplishing any objective at all.
-Brad
www.ClashofCulture.com
4. Posted by Brad | April 30, 2008 6:30 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 30, 2008 18:30
5. Posted by tyree | April 30, 2008 7:45 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Stopping Weapons of Mass Destruction is NOT the purpose of the Border Patrol. Keeping this country safe from foreign enemies is the job our our military. If this guy thinks 8 US Army divisions need to be deployed to the border he should just say so.
And this close to April 15th, if he thinks Americans are going to approve of "comprehensive immigration reform" that forgives illegals for not paying back taxes he is smoking some of the contraband he confiscated. And Westly Snipes is going to be pissed.
5. Posted by tyree | April 30, 2008 7:45 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 30, 2008 19:45
6. Posted by Paul | May 1, 2008 10:32 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hispanics are the most ethnocentric people on the fact of the earth. If one looks at the congressman who are always outraged when someone tells the truth they almost always have Hispanic last names. www.goodoleboybumperstickers.com
6. Posted by Paul | May 1, 2008 10:32 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 1, 2008 10:32
7. Posted by ketrout | May 2, 2008 1:14 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I personally don't agree with this article. I am one that sees it differently.
We need to STOP the INVASION of ILLEGAL ALIENS and ILLEGAL DRUGS from crossing our southern border. Our government should have been doing what was called for since 1986 when we gave amnesty to 3 million ILLEGAL ALIENS. We should have learned from it.
Our government needs to stop given automatic citizenship to new born in this country of ILLEGAL ALIENS! We need to STOP giving ILLEGAL ALIENS government identification cards or driver licenses! We need to STOP giving ILLEGAL ALIENS free medical treatment, Welfare, Medical or any other free benefits!
Our federal government needs to start enforcing our immigration laws and put a STOP to allowing big businesses from hiring ILLEGAL ALIENS and driving our wages down!
THE ILLEGAL ALIENS SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY AND FIGHT FOR THEIR RIGHTS IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY. SELF DEPORTATION!
WAKE UP AMERICA! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
7. Posted by ketrout | May 2, 2008 1:14 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 2, 2008 13:14