 Port Security: Left of Center View Immigration and port security are two issues that should not be joined together. U.S. corporations and the current opportunistic administration are the folks trying to combine them simply because the fear of terrorists wasn't enough for them to bully the American people into giving them what they want. Time and time again we see the War on Terror being used to frighten public funds into the pockets of those who could afford the $10,000 a plate dinners. An investment in fear is an investment in their futures. So it has become a common practice to link that which we fear most and least understand so that the fleecing of the public can continue unabated. Seriously, think about it, if we can't secure the land crossings into the country what chance do we have against the sea? When you are talking about small groups coming ashore there really isn’t much more you can do to police the coastlines than is already being done. The only place where large ships can dock and unload is in our ports, and there is enough security already in place at us ports to stop the perceived threat of illegal immigration through them. Everything on board a ship entering into us waters is supposed to be documented and must pass through customs. This system was beefed up during our War on Drugs, so if you it’s good enough to find a kilo of powder, it should be able to turn up a whole person. So when it comes to stopping illegal immigration through the most obvious entry points, everything we need to be successful is in place, we just have to figure out how to use it. That said, it’s also true that our ports are not completely secure. Contraband gets through all the time. But that is due to corruption and complacency. But really, when it comes to matters of immigration, why go to all that trouble. All it takes is a guy and a rowboat willing to meet you off shore and you can get around the port authority. Just land a mile or two up or down shore and you can walk into the U.S. uncontested. And in doing so bring with you all kinds of nasty goodies. That's what we should really be worried about, the hazardous materials, not the people. Of course there should be some level of security in place at all ports of entry. Of course every person wishing to enter the country should have to go through customs. But isn't that what they're already required to do, or did the Saudi Arabian company the bush administration wanted to award the contract to secure our ports to do away with that requirement? Separately port security and immigration are viable issues. The only reason to combine them is to grab bigger headlines and distract the public from the real issues, like why are we spending a billion dollars a month to “liberate” the people of Iraq while at the same time vetoing health care funs for impoverished American children? Think that bill would have passed if Halliburton was a health care provider. Kyle Pesonen - Staff Writer | E-mail Comments on this column. Got a liberal viewpoint? We want to know what you think. Next week's subject: Americans Immigrating Abroad Send in your view from the Left to be our featured Left of Center View for the week. Click here to submit your article. Last Week's View from the Left: Setting Standards for Legal Immigration Previous Weeks Views from the Left: Diplomacy And Immigration Gangs; Importing Criminals Cultural Migration Tariffs and Fair Trade Open Borders and the American Worker ICE Raids Detain Thousands of Innocent People Political Activism and Illegal Immigration Integrating Other Cultures Into the American Dream Employing Undocumented Workers Bilingual Education The Minutemen Driver's Licenses For Undocumented Immigrants Open Borders Sanctuary Cities Common Sense Laws Rise & Fall Outsourcing & Insourcing English Amnesty vs. Reality Defining Immigration |
|
Do Elements Within the La Raza Movement Pose a Threat to America?
La Raza means literally “The Race” in Spanish. The movement was formed in 1968 to promote the interests of the Mexican-American community. Like the NAACP and other affirmative-action minded organizations, La Raza has many members that are interested in being part of America and promoting equality for all Americans. The fundamental goals as stated by the movement are benign and represent the ideals of American diversity and cultural pride.
There is another movement affiliated with La Raza that has historically been more militant and still maintains documents within their organization that point to isolationistic views Read More
A Plan
The one major thing that seems to be lacking in the immigration debate is a real plan that addresses the legitimate concerns with illegal immigration. There are strong opinions on both sides and a lot of rhetoric but there isn’t really any solid plan being promoted to address the illegal immigration issue in a way that is both fair and logical.
So, that being said here is my idea:Read More
Trucking Cross Borders
This is mainly a concern for the trucking business. If we allow these people to come into our country, bringing cargo that we in America have, and can supply, then we are saying that the American working people are not needed, and have lost all say to legally enforced DOT (Department of Transportation) laws.Read More