“It’s harder and harder, and that’s the reason why people are dying in the desert, it makes no sense.” - Miguel Pérez, a 24-year-old migrant from GuerreroA New Class of Victim:
The quote above is from one of the misnomered "illegal" migrants not, as the Times would prefer to have you believe. I wonder if people would be "dying in the desert," if they were not in the desert? Miguel fits into the category of those described by the
"are indignant that the United States would treat them like enemies or criminals."Where is the World is Eduardo?
Did you know that:
"For 10 years, Eduardo Valenzuela has been crossing the border illegally near Yuma, Ariz., trekking over desert scrub and hopping a freight train to get back to his job with a construction company in Phoenix. The clandestine trip has become an annual ritual for him, as he goes home each winter to see his children."According to the paper of "mis-record" he and four travel companions (italics mine), had a little trouble this time around as:
"Border Patrol agents had caught them twice over three days, hounding them with helicopters and four-wheel-drive trucks."Can you imagine being "hounded" by the long arm of the law for breaking laws? It is galling to the Times and
This all according to NY Times reporter/journalist/editorialist, James C. McKinley, Jr.. Reading this article, one gets the impression that "enforcement" is looked down upon. I also find it interesting that "clandestine" activities are acceptable for border crossing law breakers; but not acceptable for a government attempting to protect itself and its citizens in a much wider puzzle; a puzzle of which the border is just a piece.
Tougher tactics may be leading to the recent success of the border agents, as Sector Chief Randy Hill said:
“Word is getting around out there that if you cross in this area and get apprehended you are probably going to go to jail, and that is a deterrent.”This border patrol "success," is based in part on the "zero tolerance" that began in December of '05, which allows for the prosecution of those caught by the border guards; quite a novel idea.
"Though it seems cruel to many migrants, the zero-tolerance policy appears to be working, Border Patrol commanders say. Along the river the Del Rio sector patrols, arrests are a third of what they were a year ago, only about 35 a day. In the meantime, drug seizures have doubled, as more agents have been freed up to patrol."This of course leads to reactions and subjective writing from "balanced," journalists like this (italics mine):
"On a recent morning, 78 immigrants shuffled into the federal courtroom of Judge Victor Roberto Garcia. The migrants were shackled around the feet and hands as if they were dangerous criminals."A balanced reader might think perhaps some may be "dangerous." As Mr. McKinley appears to know for sure, perhaps he could work with the courts in these cases and identify which, if any are "dangerous." Whether his words are appropriate to reporting, I don't know as I am not a member of the "elite media in the knows." The choice of words and mixed angle used in the article are at the very least distressing, as one needs to spend as much time removing the attempted "opinion implants," as one does to read the article.
An Interesting Quandary:
North of the border, most children are familiar with the saying, "ignorance is not above the law." South of it however, some may not:
"(Yet) across the river in Ciudad Acuña, where migrants arrive bewildered and penniless every afternoon after serving their prison sentences, several said they had no idea they ran the risk of jail. The smugglers they hired never told them."
Good reason to regulate and unionize the coyote industry, no? Perhaps the Mexican government can include this little tidbit in their pamphlets printed to assist those entering a country illegally.
A friend of mine, Benning (author extraordinaire of "Bennings War"), recently commented on one of my posts that:
"I never click on a link to head to the NYT. I refuse! They probably count all the hits, multiply by the number of Americans, double, because they like to, and then sit back and sip their bad wine. Why give them the satisfaction?"I can agree with him on this as I have begrudgingly read articles at the Times and other places after a much deserved respite from these sources. My recent spate of posts from the Times were in reaction to its further slide into subjectivity. I'll need a break shortly, but for now they can have my hits as I read with mouth agape.
Other Coalition members posts today:
“They’re At It Again!” From My Country - My View
“Is Border Control Working?” From Liberally Conservative
“Birthright Citizenship up for Debate in GA” From GA CRIME WATCH
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