Hindsight & Foresight. Have we lost sight?
By Marty Lich
MichNews.com
Mar 28, 2005
http://www.michnews.com/artman/publish/ ... 7599.shtml

President Bush Addresses the Nation -- November 8th, 2001

“President Bush: I've created a task force to develop additional ways people can get directly involved in this war effort, by making our homes and neighborhoods and schools and workplaces safer. We're also a nation awakened to service, and citizenship…

“The government has a responsibility to protect our citizens -- and that starts with homeland security.

“The National Guard has increased -- an increased role in surveillance at our border.

“A new terrorism task force is tightening immigration controls to make sure no one enters or stays in our country who would harm us.


“In my inaugural address, I asked our citizens to serve their nation. You can participate in your Neighborhood Watch or Crime Stoppers

“Our government has a responsibility to hunt down our enemies -- and we will. Our government has a responsibility to put needless partisanship behind us and meet new challenges -- better security for our people, and help for those who have lost jobs and livelihoods.

“And I ask Congress to work hard and put a stimulus plan into law to help the American people.

“We will defend the values of our country, and we will live by them. We will persevere in this struggle, no matter how long it takes to prevail.

“We cannot know every turn this battle will take. Yet we know our cause is just and our ultimate victory is assured. We will, no doubt, face new challenges. But we have our marching orders: My fellow Americans, let's roll."
In review; our president spoke to our nation on November 8, 2001, speaking of the importance of citizenship and the responsibility of our government to protect American citizens. In addition, he addressed the nation regarding the need to tighten lax immigration policies, of the need to protect American citizens from persons who wish harm upon us. He also requested American citizens participate in Neighborhood Watch and Crime Stoppers, serving as additional eyes and ears for our law enforcement agencies. Much like the Minuteman Project will be doing for our law enforcement personnel in Arizona. Observing and reporting crime.

Move forward to March 23, 2005.

President Meets with Mexican President Fox and Canadian Prime Minister Martin

A question was asked during that meeting: “Mr. President Bush… on security, how difficult is it for you to keep your national security policy in place when you have a border where terrorists can go through that border, according to your Cabinet?�

President Bush responded:

“In terms of the border, listen, we've got a large border. We've got a large border with Canada, we've got a large border with Mexico. There are some million people a day crossing the border from Mexico to the United States, which presents a common issue, and that is, how do we make sure those crossing the border are not terrorists, or drug runners, or gun runners, or smugglers.

“I have told President (Fox) that we will -- I will continue to push for reasonable, common-sense immigration policy with the United States Congress.

“I will continue to call upon Congress to be commonsensical about this issue.

“And the basis of the policy is that if there is a job opening which an American won't do, in other words -- and there's a willing worker and a willing employer, that job ought to be filled on a legal basis, no matter where the person comes from.



“In other words, if this is in place, someone will be able to come and work from Mexico in the United States, and be able to go home -- back and forth across the border in a legal fashion.



“I think we ought to have a policy that does not jeopardize those who've stood in line trying to become legal citizens. We want to reward those who have been patient in the process. But there's a better way to enforce our border.



“You don't have my pledge that Congress will act, because I'm not a member of the legislative branch. But you will have my pledge that I will continue to push our Congress to come up with rational, common-sense immigration policy.



“I'm for enforcing law in a rational way. That's why you got a Border Patrol, and they ought to be in charge of enforcing the border.�



President Bush covered some important items this 23rd day of March. He acknowledged the need for willing workers to be allowed in the United States, while not punishing people who have respected our immigration laws and are waiting for legal admittance into our country. He reiterated it is critical for our Homeland Security to enforce our immigration laws and our borders. He stated all of this but in the same breath also stated he would push our Congress to allow for an open border revolving door “commonsensical� policy.



I will close with this question. Why are our vulnerably porous borders being further opened by our President? This, in spite of reports from our Federal Bureau of Investigation, recommendations from the 9-11 Commission, and experience from our own United States Border Patrol.



“The government has a responsibility to protect our citizens -- and that starts with homeland security.“ --George W. Bush, November 8, 2001



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Marty Lich may be contacted at Martyincol@Juno.com