FAR, FAR BEYOND STUPIDITY!
Far, Far Beyond Stupidity!
I think the focus on, and attention being paid to the issue of immigration is undeserved when one considers the other massive very urgent problems the nation is facing.
The fact is, it is impossible to close the border. One only has to consider that period in our recent history when Germany was divided into two parts, East and West, and there was a flood of refugees who wished to reach West Germany.
Many obstacles were put in their way, they had to traverse a minefield, then an area which was patrolled by soldiers with savage dogs, and lastly, they had to scale a barbed wire fence with sentries in watchtowers strategically placed so that monitor a specific area of that barrier. Yet, many individuals overcame these difficulties and made it through.
They made it through because they were driven by the need to escape the totalitarian regime in the Communist controlled portion of Germany, a motivation no less intense than that which drives the hungry, poverty stricken members of the Mexican community.
They will continue to find ways around whatever obstacles are put in their way, obstacles which are unlikely to ever attain the difficulty and severity of those that obstructed passage from East to West Germany. These refugees; like those in Germany two decades ago, like drug dealers and criminals everywhere, have one overwhelming advantage, those who would prevent them attaining their objective are in a static, defensive position while they are mobile and will always have the initiative.
Any rational consideration of this situation will lead to the conclusion that, with the best will in the world and the most valiant effort, it will be impossible to close this border.
As I write this I remember when I concluded three years ago that the occupation of Iraq would fail miserably, and alluded to the failure of the Soviet Union to be successful in the occupation of Afghanistan unrestrained as that military force was by even a semblance of a free press and any inhibitions about applying unlimited coercion. I say again, there is nothing new under the sun, we keep repeating the past, over, and over again.
The question also arises whether there is a genuine concern about illegal immigration or whether this is another ploy, whether there exists in government the resolution to see this issue through?
I would suggest this is another rabbit loosed by the spin doctors in Washington for miniscule minds to chase. I can see in my mind’s eye a conference which considered how to drop the real problems this nation faces beneath the radar of public perception, and contrive and create an issue likely to allow Republicans to make the best possible showing in the October elections, and it was decided that Immigration is the button that should be pushed.
I think such a strategy meeting was held before the last Presidential elections and produced such successful rabbits as the Swift Boat advertisements, the brouhaha over gay marriages, to name a few of the more successful Republican ploys.
Of course, I have personal experiences to serve as a guide, that demonstrate how committed the US government is to preventing illegal immigration.
I once had a boss who was made a Senator in the Jamaican Parliament. Shortly thereafter I saw on the desk of his secretary a large pile of passports. I know, beyond doubt, that one ‘perk’ of Parliamentarians in Jamaica is that they get submit the passports to the American Consulate to be stamped with entry visas into the USA, the intent is to make these worthy gentlemen amenable to being influenced in their decision making by the American Ambassador, who provided this service. I am not claiming here that money changed hands from those who received this benefit to any Parliamentarian for I have no direct knowledge of this, what I do suggest is this practice had certain negative consequences.
One such, which I have tried for many years to interest American media in investigating, documenting and verifying, is that it allowed Jamaican posses to establish a beachhead on the American continent. When a posse member become ‘hot’ from performing illegal tasks for this politician or that, in this island paradise, he is given a entry visa into the USA that allows him a sabbatical during which he cools off in USA.
One such denizen from the concrete jungles of Jamaica who was afforded this benefit was “Jim Brown,” another was “Red Tony” who operated a restaurant in Sunrise, Florida, an eatery that I unsuspectingly visited, and hastily left – as soon as I became aware of who the proprietor of this establishment was.
So I know how committed the American Government is to the Immigration, how much it cares in precept about securing its borders. In fact I know how much politicians in Washington care about the common good, in my view, they care not at all, and that is the problem.
Those within the Beltway have been taken over by power, this has become an end in itself, they have become absolutely corrupted and will do anything to acquire and sustain political power.
That is not the question. The question is how can they cause the print and electronic media, and the general public to share their preoccupation with these rabbits that are contrived for them to chase?
How has Immigration become the most urgent and much debated on talk shows, and news commentaries?
Even local Sheriffs have come aboard, and there is a heated debate over the cost of illegal immigration.
I think the most important components of the American media have coalesced into a propaganda machine, toeing the Government line, marching in lock step to the beat of the drum of the Bush Administration.
One viewer sent an electronic mail to a news anchor who was traveling to the District of Columbia to cover the speech in which the President was to present his solution to the problem of illegal Immigration, he advised that journalist not to get too close to individuals who live within the Beltway for fear he might be infected by their stupidity.
I think it is much too late for that, the stupidity of the Bush Administration is like a cancer that has metastasized and is spreading at a rapid pace through the body politic to the degree where the illness is on the verge of becoming terminal, ordinary men and women have become willing accomplices in policies that will have the effect of destroying the hopes and aspirations of countless generations of Americans.
And what about the Democratic Party, this should be a situation tailor made for them – if they constituted a valid alternative to the party in power.
But they have no answers to the questions that should be asked today.
They have no answer to the question, why did the USA invade Iraq, because the major players in that party voted for that unjustified attack.
They have no answer to the question, why has the USA become a nation of drop outs.
They have no answer to the question, why is there no fiscal responsibility displayed in the formulation of the National Budget.
They have no answer to the question, why is this nation so far behind in the creation of alternatives to reliance on petroleum products.
So they are happy to chase the rabbit created by the Bush Administration, they are happy that Immigration is once again being made a scapegoat for the abject failure of democracy in this country.
They are happy to be given an issue that they can fulminate about, an issue that any policies that are implemented will not bear fruit and be exposed as palpably unworkable - in time to become an albatross around their necks in the October elections.
They are happy not to have to construct a solution to the out of control and rapidly worsening situate ion in Iraq, because they have no solution that would be popular and workable, and they have not the moral courage to take a stand.
They are happy not to have to focus on a solution for the problem with the education product, because this is a problem they have wrestled with in the past, without any notable success.
The same can be said of the issue of fiscal responsibility, so the Democratic Party is happy to chase the rabbit loosed by the Bush Administration.
But what of ordinary men and women, can they not see that the cost of the war in Iraq is such that the cost of illegal immigration is a pale shadow in comparison, that this is making sure that the legacy of this generation to next several generations will be a gargantuan national debt?
Can they not see that not only are they saddling their children with this massive burden, they are depriving them of the mental acuity to deal with this problem – if they do not take urgent action to correct the manifest problems in education?
Can they not see, even if belatedly, that the Sunnis formed the government in Iraq because of their military might, a fact that has not been changed by the unjustified invasion by Allied forces? That it is too late to deploy the forces necessary to successfully occupy this nation and overcome the insurgency; that in these circumstances the only likely result is a descent into chaos; that the continued occupation can only defer this future but cannot avoid?
Every day, every week, every month of prevarication only makes more likely that this conflict will result in an alliance between Iran and Iraq, because only with the help of Iran will the Shias be able to overcome the insurgency.
As I drove from South Florida through Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky I came to an appreciation of how beautiful and diverse the vegetation of this country is. As I crossed Lookout Mountain and saw the lakes of that area, as I drove through Bluegrass Country and my senses were assaulted by scenes that were so aesthetically pleasing and inspiring, I remembered lines from a poem that said:
Lives there a man with soul so dead,
That he never to himself has said,
This is my own, my native land.
The majesty and grandeur of this country that I witnessed on this journey was enough to awaken even a dead soul. And this is a time for patriots.
The ramparts that Americans must storm if this nation is to successfully traverse these perilous times are not external, but internal. These threats do not call for physical courage but moral courage; they do not call for blood lust of battle, but for rationality, objectivity and intelligence. Most of all it calls out for those who genuinely love this nation, it calls for patriots.
If we apply our determination and intelligence to even the massive social problems that confront this nation we shall overcome. What we cannot apply is our emotions, prejudices and opportunism they can only grow larger and larger.
The Bush Administration with its insensate mindlessness and boundless immorality has created a situation that is far, far beyond stupidity, a situation that can only be rectified by those who genuinely care, are you one such?
Have you the will and courage to say that it is time for manipulation and obfuscation to cease, it is time to confront and find solutions to the real problems.
I think the focus on, and attention being paid to the issue of immigration is undeserved when one considers the other massive very urgent problems the nation is facing.
The fact is, it is impossible to close the border. One only has to consider that period in our recent history when Germany was divided into two parts, East and West, and there was a flood of refugees who wished to reach West Germany.
Many obstacles were put in their way, they had to traverse a minefield, then an area which was patrolled by soldiers with savage dogs, and lastly, they had to scale a barbed wire fence with sentries in watchtowers strategically placed so that monitor a specific area of that barrier. Yet, many individuals overcame these difficulties and made it through.
They made it through because they were driven by the need to escape the totalitarian regime in the Communist controlled portion of Germany, a motivation no less intense than that which drives the hungry, poverty stricken members of the Mexican community.
They will continue to find ways around whatever obstacles are put in their way, obstacles which are unlikely to ever attain the difficulty and severity of those that obstructed passage from East to West Germany. These refugees; like those in Germany two decades ago, like drug dealers and criminals everywhere, have one overwhelming advantage, those who would prevent them attaining their objective are in a static, defensive position while they are mobile and will always have the initiative.
Any rational consideration of this situation will lead to the conclusion that, with the best will in the world and the most valiant effort, it will be impossible to close this border.
As I write this I remember when I concluded three years ago that the occupation of Iraq would fail miserably, and alluded to the failure of the Soviet Union to be successful in the occupation of Afghanistan unrestrained as that military force was by even a semblance of a free press and any inhibitions about applying unlimited coercion. I say again, there is nothing new under the sun, we keep repeating the past, over, and over again.
The question also arises whether there is a genuine concern about illegal immigration or whether this is another ploy, whether there exists in government the resolution to see this issue through?
I would suggest this is another rabbit loosed by the spin doctors in Washington for miniscule minds to chase. I can see in my mind’s eye a conference which considered how to drop the real problems this nation faces beneath the radar of public perception, and contrive and create an issue likely to allow Republicans to make the best possible showing in the October elections, and it was decided that Immigration is the button that should be pushed.
I think such a strategy meeting was held before the last Presidential elections and produced such successful rabbits as the Swift Boat advertisements, the brouhaha over gay marriages, to name a few of the more successful Republican ploys.
Of course, I have personal experiences to serve as a guide, that demonstrate how committed the US government is to preventing illegal immigration.
I once had a boss who was made a Senator in the Jamaican Parliament. Shortly thereafter I saw on the desk of his secretary a large pile of passports. I know, beyond doubt, that one ‘perk’ of Parliamentarians in Jamaica is that they get submit the passports to the American Consulate to be stamped with entry visas into the USA, the intent is to make these worthy gentlemen amenable to being influenced in their decision making by the American Ambassador, who provided this service. I am not claiming here that money changed hands from those who received this benefit to any Parliamentarian for I have no direct knowledge of this, what I do suggest is this practice had certain negative consequences.
One such, which I have tried for many years to interest American media in investigating, documenting and verifying, is that it allowed Jamaican posses to establish a beachhead on the American continent. When a posse member become ‘hot’ from performing illegal tasks for this politician or that, in this island paradise, he is given a entry visa into the USA that allows him a sabbatical during which he cools off in USA.
One such denizen from the concrete jungles of Jamaica who was afforded this benefit was “Jim Brown,” another was “Red Tony” who operated a restaurant in Sunrise, Florida, an eatery that I unsuspectingly visited, and hastily left – as soon as I became aware of who the proprietor of this establishment was.
So I know how committed the American Government is to the Immigration, how much it cares in precept about securing its borders. In fact I know how much politicians in Washington care about the common good, in my view, they care not at all, and that is the problem.
Those within the Beltway have been taken over by power, this has become an end in itself, they have become absolutely corrupted and will do anything to acquire and sustain political power.
That is not the question. The question is how can they cause the print and electronic media, and the general public to share their preoccupation with these rabbits that are contrived for them to chase?
How has Immigration become the most urgent and much debated on talk shows, and news commentaries?
Even local Sheriffs have come aboard, and there is a heated debate over the cost of illegal immigration.
I think the most important components of the American media have coalesced into a propaganda machine, toeing the Government line, marching in lock step to the beat of the drum of the Bush Administration.
One viewer sent an electronic mail to a news anchor who was traveling to the District of Columbia to cover the speech in which the President was to present his solution to the problem of illegal Immigration, he advised that journalist not to get too close to individuals who live within the Beltway for fear he might be infected by their stupidity.
I think it is much too late for that, the stupidity of the Bush Administration is like a cancer that has metastasized and is spreading at a rapid pace through the body politic to the degree where the illness is on the verge of becoming terminal, ordinary men and women have become willing accomplices in policies that will have the effect of destroying the hopes and aspirations of countless generations of Americans.
And what about the Democratic Party, this should be a situation tailor made for them – if they constituted a valid alternative to the party in power.
But they have no answers to the questions that should be asked today.
They have no answer to the question, why did the USA invade Iraq, because the major players in that party voted for that unjustified attack.
They have no answer to the question, why has the USA become a nation of drop outs.
They have no answer to the question, why is there no fiscal responsibility displayed in the formulation of the National Budget.
They have no answer to the question, why is this nation so far behind in the creation of alternatives to reliance on petroleum products.
So they are happy to chase the rabbit created by the Bush Administration, they are happy that Immigration is once again being made a scapegoat for the abject failure of democracy in this country.
They are happy to be given an issue that they can fulminate about, an issue that any policies that are implemented will not bear fruit and be exposed as palpably unworkable - in time to become an albatross around their necks in the October elections.
They are happy not to have to construct a solution to the out of control and rapidly worsening situate ion in Iraq, because they have no solution that would be popular and workable, and they have not the moral courage to take a stand.
They are happy not to have to focus on a solution for the problem with the education product, because this is a problem they have wrestled with in the past, without any notable success.
The same can be said of the issue of fiscal responsibility, so the Democratic Party is happy to chase the rabbit loosed by the Bush Administration.
But what of ordinary men and women, can they not see that the cost of the war in Iraq is such that the cost of illegal immigration is a pale shadow in comparison, that this is making sure that the legacy of this generation to next several generations will be a gargantuan national debt?
Can they not see that not only are they saddling their children with this massive burden, they are depriving them of the mental acuity to deal with this problem – if they do not take urgent action to correct the manifest problems in education?
Can they not see, even if belatedly, that the Sunnis formed the government in Iraq because of their military might, a fact that has not been changed by the unjustified invasion by Allied forces? That it is too late to deploy the forces necessary to successfully occupy this nation and overcome the insurgency; that in these circumstances the only likely result is a descent into chaos; that the continued occupation can only defer this future but cannot avoid?
Every day, every week, every month of prevarication only makes more likely that this conflict will result in an alliance between Iran and Iraq, because only with the help of Iran will the Shias be able to overcome the insurgency.
As I drove from South Florida through Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky I came to an appreciation of how beautiful and diverse the vegetation of this country is. As I crossed Lookout Mountain and saw the lakes of that area, as I drove through Bluegrass Country and my senses were assaulted by scenes that were so aesthetically pleasing and inspiring, I remembered lines from a poem that said:
Lives there a man with soul so dead,
That he never to himself has said,
This is my own, my native land.
The majesty and grandeur of this country that I witnessed on this journey was enough to awaken even a dead soul. And this is a time for patriots.
The ramparts that Americans must storm if this nation is to successfully traverse these perilous times are not external, but internal. These threats do not call for physical courage but moral courage; they do not call for blood lust of battle, but for rationality, objectivity and intelligence. Most of all it calls out for those who genuinely love this nation, it calls for patriots.
If we apply our determination and intelligence to even the massive social problems that confront this nation we shall overcome. What we cannot apply is our emotions, prejudices and opportunism they can only grow larger and larger.
The Bush Administration with its insensate mindlessness and boundless immorality has created a situation that is far, far beyond stupidity, a situation that can only be rectified by those who genuinely care, are you one such?
Have you the will and courage to say that it is time for manipulation and obfuscation to cease, it is time to confront and find solutions to the real problems.
posted by voiceofpeace at 3:21 PM
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