What a joke....

I read an article by Douglas S. Massey, a professor of sociology and public policy at Princeton today where he provides some ideas for immigration reform. I agree with some of them and have proposed similar ideas, but I chortle at his either ignorance of border policy or his spin. His first idea is to create a visa that allows migrants to live in the U.S. and then return home. Like magic, it is done. Of course there has been this type of visa since prior to the Ellis Island days. People who migrate to this country can visit their homeland any time they choose. The problem with Massey's idea is that he is speaking of illegal aliens, not migrants. Some with less than even passing knowledge may think that the term illegal alien is derogatory. It is not, it is the proper legal term for someone who enters the country illegally. If you have doubts, read Title 8 of the U.S. Code, 8CFR, and any pertinent immigration law cases.

Beyond this Professor Massey refers to the militarization of the border. He needs to get out more, while troops have been used on the border in very small numbers, they are normally not used. When U.S. troops are used on the border, Mexico normally raises quite a fuss and makes similar statements. On the other hand, if you sit on the Rio Grande River bank some day or night, you will quite often see Mexican military moving along the border in humvees carrying G3 assault rifles, real assault rifles-not the media definition-black. They have made incursions into the U.S. on many occassions and have shot a number of people on the Mexican side.

I wish our agencies on the border would promote a more forceful image. A few years back something became apparent to U.S. Customs Inspectors. They had been working down South in very hot conditions, so they began to wear BDUs and T-shirts displaying the agency's name. Things went along very well, then came a change in uniform policy and they went back to the regular uniform. Traveler complaints went up immediately. When you promote the smile and welcome everyone to America image, hand out pamphlets outlining why they may have been subjected to scrutiny, and in general encourage the concept that being inspected at the border is an exception instead of the rule, you may as well just let everyone in for all the trouble it causes. The law is quite clear on the subject, everything and everyone crossing the border into this country is subject to inspection. This has been the law since 1789, it is not a new phenomenon. That is the image to promote, tell people the truth, when you cross the border, everyone is subject to inspection. It doesn't matter if you are White, Black, or Green. It doesn't matter if your are a citizen or visitor, EVERYONE. You are coming into the country and we are going to scrutinize you before we let you in, we aren't going to do random inspections, we do threat assessment. We choose who we want to look at based on how they behave, intell, where they are coming from, where they are going, and many other factors. That is how professionals work. Isn't that better than having a wand shoved up to you know where or your bags being searched while you are trying to go to work. I hope you think so, because I believe in the 4th amendment and think random searches are unprofessional and a poor way to secure the public. What ever happened to Terry stops, geez.

Anyway, I know I took off on a tangent, but back to the Professor's musings. His ideas aren't all bad and like I said, I agree with some of them. The problem is that his spin or lack of knowledge hurts him in the credibility department, you know "gravitas". So who can take him serious?


BT

Why even have a 4th amendment....

I find it sad and amazing that as a result of the second round of bombings in London that New York City wants to toss the 4th amendment rules regarding search and seizure. Even worse, they are not going to target suspicious individuals and develop at least reasonable suspicion, they are going to do random searches... you know like TSA. The least effective method of inspection is going to be implemented. The knee jerk reaction is to trample on the Constitution. My friends, the terrorists win when we trade our freedoms for false security. If America is not willing to stand up for the principles past generations have given us, we don't deserve them. NYC stand up and tell Ray Kelly to take a walk. He was the commissioner of Customs, he above all should know about effective searches and targeting. Random means no suspicion at all, not some or mere, not reasonable, not probable cause to search... none. You know, like in China or the Soviet Union and that is not an overstatement. The pretense is and was for state security. NYC sacrificed 3,000 people because they represented America, don't let the people you put in office show those people such disrespect. Tell them to shove it...

BT

London and now what....

I am back in the East and spent my first day back at work. Tried to play catch up in the afternoon, sifting through hundreds of emails. Some good stuff, at the moment unshareable, but none the less good. I have had the chance to reflect on the London bombings and this is what I will offer. The Brittish knew it was coming. They have done a good job of detering or scaring off several attacks in the recent past including at least one aimed at Heathrow, but the truth of the matter is that in a free country, you can not eliminate the threat completely. The Finsbury Park Mosque is a good example of the tolerance permitted in England, unfortunately it is also an example of the recruiting that goes on in such places. If you think we are exempt, you are mistaken. It will happen here. I continue to push to reimpliment some pertinent training, but doing battle with the bureaucrats has proven to be a waste of time and those who have the ability to make changes come from a pale background and don't understand. It really is quite amazing that we have gone backwards and I wonder what dramatic event will stop the retreat. Fortunately we do have our successes even when they don't grab the headlines.

La Playa

I just left South Padre Island, TX where I spent a week. It was just as beautiful as always and makes me wonder why I leave Texas. I will remain in South Texas for the rest of the week, recharging on all the good things before I return to the East Coast. Thanks for checking in.

BT