Border Security…NOW!
Although the task of physically closing the border would seem to be insurmountable, what about those U.S. security fears following 9-11 which led to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the passage of the Patriot Act? We sacrificed many of our freedoms to have those fears alleviated (which I thought was a bad idea from the get-go…just ask my husband about my tirades at the time)? What about that incredible power over our lives that we willingly turned over to so few people in our government on the promise that they would give us that security in exchange for the liberty we were abrogating? Well, here’s what’s happening with at least part of that promise:
This is part 2 of a 4 part series that aired in December of 2007…well worth your time to watch. The links to parts 1, 3, and 4 are as follows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3PpaY-Gx5Q&feature=related Part I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0ZdJqOkxfg&feature=related Part III
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8ZuFChoINI&feature=related Part IV
We most often speak of our porous Southern border in terms of multitudes of illegal unskilled workers, gangs, and drugs being smuggled into our country…but how about those folks?
This may be a part of the same smuggling ring, coming through New Mexico. This report was from July, 2007 and might well have been at the beginning of the investigation. If it was, then their operations proceeded unimpeded through December of that year. If not, it just started up elsewhere:
The following excerpt is from the International Analyst Network, described as “an online portal for analysts in the areas of Counter-Terrorism, the Middle East, Geopolitics and Energy Security,” the article entitled “Terror Incorporated – Hezbollah’s Global Islamic Web, February 15, 2008:”
http://www.analyst-network.com/article.php?art_id=1719
“Hezbollah operatives have already entered the U.S. through our southern border and according to recent reports have scoped twenty targets that Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad boasts could “end Anglo-Saxon civilization.” Hezbollah spokesman Mojtaba Bigdeli went further in a Reuters interview: “We have 2,000 volunteers (read: “suicide bombers”)……… They have been trained and they can become fully armed. We are ready to dispatch them to every corner of the world to jeopardize Israel and America’s interests. We are only waiting for the supreme leader’s green light to take action. If America wants to ignite World War III … we welcome it…”
and…
“Today, American law enforcement officials are concerned the terrorist group, which has so far focused on fund-raising and other support activities inside the United States, could activate its American sleeper cells in solidarity with Iran and rein havoc in this country.”
It is for THIS that American citizens endured the convoluted reorganization of their federal government (consolidation of law enforcement and security agencies into “Homeland Security”) and gave up some of their precious liberty, all in the name of fear? Benjamin Franklin said, ” Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.” Are you any less afraid?
18 Comments »
Leave a reply to rebelreggie Cancel reply
RSS
AWCheney's Forum On Immigration 
I think once the incentive has been removed, by fining employers, not just 10,000 dollars, but 10,00 per per day per ILLEGAL employee, will begin to make a difference. We also need to make sure the loop hole of, “I didn’t know they were ILLEGAL” is closed. It needs to be an easy process of determining if they are legal or not. They can say I didn’t know and if they were provided with false documentation or forged documents, then they still have to pay, possibly a lower amount, but there is still a consequence for their actions. Until consequences for the employers actions is put into place, we are not going to be able to stem the tide of ILLEGAL alien invasion.
Comment by /\/\3|)iç 64 | July 7, 2008 11:21 am |
Unfortunately, Medic, most of the illegal aliens referenced in this particular post are not coming here for the jobs…they have quite a different incentive. Supposedly, this was precisely why we were told it was necessary to create the Department of Homeland Security and pass the Patriot Acts. The cost (in liberty) was high, but the return would seem to be minimal.
Comment by AWCheney | July 7, 2008 11:45 am |
Now this is a scary story, what if some of these Muslims coming into the US via our southern boarder are part of a terrorist cell. Ill tell you what, if some terrorist act occurs in the US and it’s found that they entered the US thru our southern boarder you might see something actually done to secure the boarder. It’ gotten harder and harder for terrorist to enter our country via the way the 9-11 terrorist did so I see this as a natural progression. If your a terrorist why tip off the government you are coming into the US when you can just walk over the boarder and nobody will even know your here (until it’s too late).
Comment by hello | July 7, 2008 11:57 am |
Hello, you’re absolutely correct…and although a real threat, THAT is the worst side of it all…and on the other side, an equal threat in the long-term, we have people who want what we have (and who can blame them for that) but quite simply, we can not give to all who want what we have. Should we try, no one will have anything.
Comment by freedom | July 7, 2008 8:51 pm |
“we have people who want what we have (and who can blame them for that) but quite simply, we can not give to all who want what we have.”
They want what we have but seem unwilling or unable to work to build it in their own countries.
Comment by BrianL703 | July 8, 2008 11:19 am |
That’s a good point Brian703, I’ve always wondered why people from Mexico (just an example) who are so fed up with their home country don’t try to do something about it. Instead they come here illegally and spend the rest of their time here hoping they don’t get caught and deported. Why not take a stand in your home country and try to make a difference instead of just leaving.
[Editor’s Note: I made the correction. I know how aggravating typos and other errors can be when one submits a comment without noticing it so, if you note a correction in the following comment as hello did, I’ll be happy to edit it for you.]
Comment by hello | July 8, 2008 5:43 pm |
If you look at the social structure in countries like Mexico you will get your answer, Hello. The America Revolution was a perfect conversion of many different factors. Many have said the fact that it was won by the Colonists was truly a miracle.
Revolution in any country in the western hemisphere would be very destabilizing. I believe it is a case of be careful what you wish for.
Comment by Dolph | July 9, 2008 12:43 am |
Hi Dolph, I’m not suggesting Mexican citizens start something like the American Revolution, maybe they can start out by pointing out corruption or voting people into government who will change Mexico for the poor, not people who will only harass the U.S. to loosen immigration laws or grant amnesty.
Comment by hello | July 9, 2008 4:51 pm |
Again AW you have focused on the real “truth” of the “illegal” immigration problem. It is not about what race, gender, ethnic or religious group gets into the country illegally, but about the “GIGANTIC” failure of local, state, and law enforcement officials to enforce the current immigration law, that protects 360 Million Americans from the “illegal” activities of 12-20 “illegal” aliens. Imagine how easy if would be for ANY of those “individuals” to bring “fissionable” Uranium 235/236 into the country from IRAN who refuses to stop making it because of their HATRED for the Western world. Someday that material will get here the same way these terrorists easily do today, and with the finances they are raising and the slow length of time they are taking to to it SECRETLY and QUIETLY in YOU LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD (FAIFAX, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, ARLINGTON, etc), they will wait for the right moment to strike when you least expect it and way too late to do anything about it. The people are SHOPPING TODAY in your local WALL-MART. You are afraid to say anything bad about who is here illegally that might result in a socialst, or radical racial, gender, religious or ethnic group rights advocate calling you a racist, simply for wanting those people checked out for legality and the law enforced in your local neighborhood. The American people have no IDEA, it takes an ARMY (500,000 strong or more WITH FUNDING) of law enforcement officers and LOCAL police to track down and locate these “illegals” right in your local neighborhoods, ALL 12-20 million of them, not just the FEW who get across the border. The problem will be when one of these “super-bombs” explodes in Arlington, DC, New York, Fairfax, etc. and everyone will then ask (no DEMAND) WHY did we not sufficiently FUND ENOUGH law enforcement people to screen EVERY person in the county for legal status, screen EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD, for terrorists cells and Illegal people, with LOCAL law enforcement? Why do we trust just the pitiful resources at the border to do the job when they clearly so they are only capable of discovering only 1/100 of the number of people who cross freely without intervention and detention. Those of you who do not support the 287g program and further law enforcement efforts (complete and accurate citizen and “legal” documentation presented on demand to local police), will think 9-11 was “trivial” compared to what will eventually happen next with NO LAW ENFORCEMENT of our local neighborhoods from people who would do us grave harm.
Comment by Michael | July 9, 2008 10:40 pm |
Well, as for preventing terrorists from entering our country, I don’t see the southern border as a particular threat. Of course, it’s a potential avenue, but the point is that it’s totally unnecessary.
Unfortunately, I can not quote (or even guess at) the statistics, but a day or two ago, there was a special on the number (huge number) of American citizens who were attending Islamic schools in the middle east…schools that teach, “hate America.” Therefore, after “graduation,” all they need to do is reenter their “home country” and prepare.
My point is not that we shouldn’t secure our border, that border should be shut down NOW…but for a different cause, to keep the illegal aliens out.
Comment by freedom | July 10, 2008 8:55 am |
Well, am I scared? You bet I am…I’m not scared for myself; I’ve lived a wonderful life already, but I’m scared to death for my children and grandchildren!! I have had better; I have worked hard so they could have better, and they deserve better.
Today however, we are faced with an international enemy that wants to kill us. For a time, this enemy was pretty much isolated to the middle east, but that enemy is now worldwide and has even infiltrated our own country — the magnitude of which, we have no idea. Life, even their own life is unimportant, and a faction of the enemy has vowed to totally obliterate an entire country.
We call these people Islamic extremists or Islamic fundamentalists. In our political correctness, we insist that the Islamic people are a peaceful people, and peaceful they may be. However, I sure do wish that these peaceful Muslims would get busy and rein in some of their extremist brothers and sisters, but that hasn’t happened. Will it? I doubt it.
Our southern border needs to be secured, that is for sure, but compared to this Islamic threat, illegal aliens from the south are a cake-walk. It’s true, all kinds of evil materials could be smuggled across that border into America, but if that route were eliminated, they would find (or have found) other methods.
So, this threat is not a “maybe,” it’s a definite. It’s a threat to the entire western civilization; England and France have already been essentially overrun. Just what are we to do? Negotiate? …and just what do we have to negotiate, our mere lives?
All of a sudden a few million illegal aliens just don’t seem quite so important as they did about an hour ago…:(
AWC, I hope I have not violated your blog rules…
Comment by freedom | July 11, 2008 2:57 pm |
Hello said, “…what if some of these Muslims coming into the US via our southern boarder are part of a terrorist cell.”
Hello, they’re already here! …but maybe if we negotiate with them…and ask really, really nice, they might not hurt us. 😦
Comment by freedom | July 11, 2008 8:29 pm |
“AWC, I hope I have not violated your blog rules…”
Not at all Freedom, you’re well within the lines. As a matter of fact, your comment might actually lead to a debate…now wouldn’t that be fun! 🙂
Comment by AWCheney | July 11, 2008 11:55 pm |
A debate?? I can not imagine a single point that an American who loves his/her country would take issue with.
I don’t debate. However, I discuss issues, but won’t even do that with those who in my opinion, want to see this country fail…and there are those out there.
Comment by freedom | July 12, 2008 7:45 am |
freedom,
I’m inclined to agree with you. This will be a problem for our children and grandchildren if it’s not nipped in the bud now. Border security then immigration reform, it cannot happen the other way around. I dont want my family living in a third-world country, it’s just not the place they deserve to live. Our government has truly failed us on the immigration side, You figure we would have learned lessons from september 11th but it appears not. You dont also have islamic extremists but what about the mexican drug cartels? they freely operate over the border and dont care about anything. the mexican law even is scared of them and routinely asks for asylum in the U.S. to prevent execution by drug dealer death squads. We really need to protect ourselves from those elements. Some of the criminals in mexico and south america are pretty nasty folks that really belong buried in jail, not crossing our border with impunity. we even have plenty of them in our own Prince william county, that’s something that the illegal immigrant apologists fail to mention in their speeches and billboards.
Comment by josh | July 12, 2008 9:37 am |
No question Josh, I agree with every point you make. We must secure the border to stop the drug cartels, the human traffickers, and the horde (not a few million, but many more million)of impoverished social misfits with no desire to assimilate or become Americans but are interested only in taking for free, what you and I have worked for all of our lives. This MUST happen, absolutely MUST happen — there is no choice John McCain or Osama Obama.
As serious as this issue is however, my even greater concern is the Islamic threat — they’re everywhere.
Never have I seen such a threat as we face now. …and the greatest threat is from within; apathy, complacency, trust of the untrustworthy, and the political correct, “we’ll negotiate with ’em and they’ll see reason.”
I suppose the American people will recognize that about the time negotiation becomes passe and we lose Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Washington or San Francisco.
Comment by freedom | July 12, 2008 10:27 am |
Illegal Immigrants Threaten Society
By JOHN NASH
Of Cabbages and Kings
Published: July 9, 2008
No one working with even a minimal amount of intelligence can really believe that allowing perhaps 20 million, largely illiterate, illegal immigrants to remain in this nation is a good thing: In fact, it is so bad that it seriously threatens our political stability, endangers national security and undermines our already wobbly economy.
We easily recognize the adverse impact that poverty-level persons have on our welfare, school, medical and law enforcement systems. We’re also able to see that, when those numbers are raised exponentially by hordes of illegal residents, the negative effect on our economy threatens all of us. But there’s one facet of that long-standing problem that may not have been obvious to you: A brain drain, wherein graduates of the most important courses taught in our colleges and universities are leaving the United States to apply their vital skills in other nations.
Many thoughtful sociologists and economists appear to agree that the more important workers in any industrialized nation are those who produce things (e.g., shoes, wheat, iron, coal, beef, tractors, ships and trains), rather than those providing services (e.g., consultants, lawyers, psychiatrists, television announcers, beauticians, managers, physical trainers, etc.). And, the most important courses taught in universities are those related to the more needed occupations: especially engineering and science, which includes medicine. But, by some estimates, more than two-thirds of our work force is employed in non-productive services, and less than 12 percent of our college graduates earn degrees in the science and/or engineering fields.
In recent years, another troubling statistic has emerged: Most of those receiving the higher science and engineering degrees from our universities are not U.S. citizens, instead coming from places such as India and Vietnam. One report recently had it that two-thirds of doctoral candidates in science and engineering programs are foreign-born. A related, and troubling, report said that only about a seventh of those highly trained and vitally-needed graduates would be allowed, by our own government, to remain and work in the U.S.; the large majority therefore takes their specialized U.S. educations out of the country, where they help others, rather than us.
We complain vigorously about U.S. businesses moving out of this nation. Many of them do so because they are then free to hire the highly educated scientists and engineers who aren’t permitted to stay in the U.S. following graduation. The giant software developer, Microsoft, for example, opened a new facility in Canada, rather than the “Lower 48,” for just that reason. Why then don’t we act to raise immigration quotas for such as those graduate students?
Almost unbelievably, the answer is found in the pervasive, illegal-immigration problem. Although it’s difficult to imagine, illegal immigrants, with the considerable help of ambitious, careless and dangerous politicians, have managed to become a powerful political force, even though they are unable to vote legally. An influential political action committee, representing what are variously, and curiously, referred to as “Latinos” or “Hispanics,” has been able to thwart action to raise immigration quotas for legal arrivals, by demanding sweeping, and concurrent, benefits for the hordes of illegals swarming across our insecure southern border with Mexico.
So, illegal residents of the U.S. are causing us to lose more than 60 percent of the more highly trained science and engineering graduates from our universities.
It’s bad enough that so few parents today encourage their children to study science and engineering, if and when they go to college, instead of allowing them to opt for the easiest courses, which are of little benefit to the nation. It becomes intolerable when we allow foreigners (illegal immigrants) to force many of the graduates of those vital science and engineering studies to leave the U.S., seeking employment elsewhere.
We have enough problems with our economy without this one. Neither of the current candidates for president appears to be concerned, because they both court that questionable, “Hispanic” vote.
So much for Sen. Barack Obama’s highly touted “change,” which is just more of the same (or worse), with a new name.
Comment by rebelreggie | July 15, 2008 7:02 pm |
Excellent post, rebelreggie! I’ve long said that the the huge numbers of uneducated and unskilled/marginally skilled illegal aliens in this country have made it impossible to properly reform our immigration policy, which most certainly does need reforming.
Comment by AWCheney | July 15, 2008 8:11 pm |