The Nation's Pulse
Eyes Shut at Homeland Security
Janet Napolitano has forgotten where she came from.
In an interview on PBS’s “NewsHour” recently, the newly appointed Secretary of Homeland Security said with a straight face that there was no need for a security fence along the Mexican-United States border. According to Janet Napolitano, what was needed was enhanced surveillance cameras and more Border Patrol agents. In other words, she listed all those things that a wall would assist in controlling illegal immigration.
Why would a former Arizona governor and federal prosecutor take such an illogical position? Certainly it’s not for budget reasons. The Obama Administration has been searching frantically for labor-intensive projects to lavish with funding. The completion of the advanced high tech fence fits this bill perfectly. The trouble is that to the Hispanic immigrant population the border security fence is a symbol of efforts to discriminate against it.
Whether or not such a view is valid, it is nonetheless a politically exploitable feeling. And this is exactly what the Obama Administration is doing. Its loyal adjutant at DHS, Janet Napolitano, knows better, but she is a newly commissioned officer in the Obama “politics first” battalion to whom pleasing Hispanic voters is a top priority.
To add to this current game playing, Secretary Napolitano denied that the violence in the northern Mexican border areas was “spilling” over into the U.S. This obvious falsity was stated despite full knowledge that the Mexican cartel drug wars has for some time been creeping north into the southwest U.S. and even more generally throughout the United States.
Political organizations within the American Hispanic community perceive — perhaps correctly — that any acceptance of the fact that Mexican drug wars are being extended to the U.S. carries a pejorative connotation for those residents of Spanish-speaking heritage as a whole. This has created a state of denial of Hispanic gang activity that has been made into a litmus test for Hispanic support of political candidates.
Playing to this fear of ethnic discrimination as a political device was a favored tactic of the Obama electoral campaign and continues today. Secretary Napolitano does just that by down playing violence within the Spanish-heritage American community. To do so, however, she has to shut her eyes to some obvious and well-known facts.
A recent Associated Press report stated: “Murder, kidnapping and other violent crimes related to Mexican drug cartels are hitting cities like Phoenix and Atlanta as well as the border region.…Mexican cartels are believed to have set up operations across the U.S., even in Anchorage.…’The violence follows the drugs,’ said FBI agent-in-charge David Cuthbertson.” More than 700 drug cartel-related kidnappings were reported in the Phoenix region over the past two years and 19 confirmed Mexican cartel-directed murders nationwide.
ATF estimates that 90% of the weapons recovered in Mexico came from the U.S. The bureau calculates tens of thousands of assault weapons, grenades, etc. have been smuggled into Mexico across the U.S. border accounting for 5,630 deaths in Mexico’s northern provinces in 2008. No spillover there!
The FBI has reported that the wholesale drug business, which brings in several billion dollars to Mexico, connects with street gangs — predominantly Hispanic — that operate the first bridge of retail drug sales throughout the Southwest. Gang wars are often directly related to the deadly Mexican cartel competition.
Maricopa County in the Phoenix area is under the jurisdiction of a hard-hitting sheriff, Joe Arpaio. Sheriff Arpaio spent 25 years in the DEA before entering local law enforcement. He has brought his knowledge of Mexican criminal activity into play when intervening in local crime. For this, he is repeatedly attacked by various political organizations that charge his ICE-trained deputies with discriminating against men of Hispanic ethnicity. Where else would one look for Mexican drug connections?
All this is well known to former Arizona Governor Napolitano, and nonetheless ignored. That the Obama Administration is so willing to play ethnic politics in such an important area of law enforcement is the most cynical exploitation. Commercial interests cannot be excluded from this condemnation. Business interests have worked to preserve the corridor of cheap labor that flows from Mexico and now provides an additional ready income in human smuggling for the drug cartels and their American gang connections.
By not recognizing and acting on the interrelation and interdependence of the Mexican drug cartels, their U.S. distributors and commercially driven illegal immigration, Secretary Janet Napolitano and the Obama White House deny security to the American homeland.
About the Author
George H. Wittman writes a weekly column on international affairs for The American Spectator online. He was the founding chairman of the National Institute for Public Policy.
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Robert Rosencrans| 3.13.09 @ 7:49AM
Apparently the only project shovel ready at the Department of Homeland Security is to clean the manure out of the barn.
Pingback| 3.13.09 @ 9:17AM
The American Spectator : Eyes Shut at Homeland bSecurity/b | Softwares & Technology R links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Crusader| 3.13.09 @ 10:03AM
New nickname for Napolitane: Officer Barbrady (from South Park).
"Nothing to see here, move along, nothing to see here."
If Hispanics living in the USA feel discriminated against because of a fence then they should be rounded up and deported right back to whatever 3rd world Central American Hell-Hole they crawled out of. Obviously they are not Americans if their loyalty is to their race or country of origin rather than these United States of America. Don't need them. Don't want them. I'll pick my own beans, thankyouverymuch.
Why do minorites feel the need to play "The Biggest Victim?" The sad thing is in another generation they'll be the majority. If you think it is bad now having a minority of the population as lazy, unmotivated, self-segregationist, disloyal victims just imagine when it is 55 or 60%! How high do all you producers (i.e. White people) think your taxes will be then?
S.L. Toddard| 3.13.09 @ 11:59AM
JEREMIAH AND BOB: FYI - I haven't been posting here in over a month, since maybe Feb 2nd. There is a troll here who adopts other people's names and posts as them. I never called Bob "blow-bob" or whatever. I saw you also got into some scraps with him, Jeremiah. None of it was me. I don't use terms like "lib" or whatever else this clown said.
Imagine doing that - being that pathetic? Logging on and pretending to be someone else you only know through the internet? It's sad and the sort of thing one would expect of a stalker.
Anyway, none of the posts under my name - S.L. Toddard - have actually been me since the first couple days of February. It's been that same, sad, lonely troll.
JoePhll| 3.13.09 @ 12:53PM
What exactly is an assault weapon? Good article but don't use lend legitimacy to the other sides terminology.
Thomas| 3.13.09 @ 1:03PM
"ATF estimates that 90% of the weapons recovered in Mexico came from the U.S. The bureau calculates tens of thousands of assault weapons, grenades, etc. have been smuggled into Mexico across the U.S. border accounting for 5,630 deaths in Mexico's northern provinces in 2008. No spillover there!"
This statement, while accurate as to source, is completelymisleading. This report shows exactly what I mean:
"Nov 08, 2008
The Mexican army made the country's largest-ever weapons haul, seizing 540 items, from three suspected members of the powerful Gulf drug cartel, defense officials have said.
The haul, including 314 heavy duty arms, half a million cartridges and 164 grenades, was seized in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas and was "the biggest in Mexico's history," an official from the attorney general's office told journalists."
It is extremely difficult to acquire fully automatic weapons and especially hand grenades in the US. Semi-automatic weapons, yes: military grade fully automatic weapons and grenades, no. However, in the Corruptocracy of Mexico, supplies of military weapons are readily available from, wait for it, the Mexican Army. This is just a continued effort, by the US Government, to protect the Mexican government from negative public opinion and paint the poor Mexicanos as victims of evil Norte Americans from Los Estados Unidos.
There is undeniably cross border smuggling going on in both directions, but exactly why wouldn't closing the southern border benefit BOTH countries?
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Marc Jeric| 3.13.09 @ 3:18PM
It is incorrect to call our illegal aliens from Mexico as "Hispanics". The estimated 12 million of them (probably closer to 20 million by now) are in great majority Mexican Indians (Aztecas, Olmecas, Mayas, Toltecas, etc.) with some mestizos among them (mixture of Spanish and Indian), reflecting the fact that in Mexico's population we have 5% white, 45 % mixture, and 50% pure Indian. The hope that this mostly Indian population will "integrate" into the Anglo-saxon american population is quite unrealistic - they have not been able to integrate into the Spanish culture in Mexico over close to 500 years. In Mexico the political and economic power is totally concentrated in the Spanish and Mestizo hands since the revolution of 1917; the Indians have been confined since then up to the 1950's to "ejidos" - c0mmunal farms akin to Soviet kolkhozes. There the Indians were given 4 years of schooling in order to learn pidgeon Spanish and nothing more. Of course, now that they are no longer confined to these ejidos they are streaming north to free health care, welfare, "earned income tax credits", free schooling, food stamps, free or subsidized apartments, and cash economy without taxes.
JT| 3.13.09 @ 3:31PM
Perhaps Americans should stop smoking pot and snorting cocaine. Stop the demand and the supply will stop.
If the drug cartels are not making any money then they will stop buying American weapons.
Stop the ever increasing American appetite for drugs and the problem will go away. The only reason there is a drug war at your border is because the American drug market is so lucrative. The Mexican and American citizens are suffering the consequences of this drug demand.
Pioneer| 3.13.09 @ 3:33PM
Napolitano hasn't forgotten herself. Out here in Arizona we are grateful to Obama for ridding us of this duplicitous person. She talked a big tough game about illegal immigration but when the legislature passed the bill she requested funding the Natl Guard for the border she vetoed it. She used more vetos for political purposes than anyone we had ever seen. Then she blamed the legislature for failing to act. Our newspaper loved her so was constantly covered with puff pieces touting her glory. As sorry as we are to foist her on America, we are gladly rid of her.
newbee| 3.13.09 @ 3:51PM
Just look at what ICE is doing under this former Arizona governor against the Sherriff in Phoenix. Investigating him for enforcing the law. Just what is her policy or is it ideology?
Pingback| 3.13.09 @ 5:30PM
The American Spectator : Eyes Shut at Homeland Security « Security links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Kathy| 3.13.09 @ 8:16PM
Napolitano did NOT forget where she came from! She is doing the exact same thing @ Homeland Security that she did in AZ - NOTHING! She has been after Sheriff Joe for years, in fact, she took $ 1 million funding away from him trying to get him to stop enforcing our immigration laws. She sent the Nat'l Guard to the border in an administrative role - no enforcement! She was our head in the sand Governor & we are SOOOOOO HAPPY she is gone. Though, he appointment is a tragedy for our Country's security. McCain, Kyl, Shadegg & Flake supported her - why?, because they are all pushing for amnesty behind closed doors!
Buz Ozburn| 3.13.09 @ 8:28PM
I'm about to fall outta my seat laughing... when I read this headline. The irony is just too much.
Just yesterday, I received a "security alert" notice through my "professional association" (OOIDA) from Homeland Security about the dangers of operating near the Mexico border, titled "Southwest Border Violence".
(see PDF file at http://www.congressweb.com/t/a/?CVFRUNXTDZDPHTI)
So is she incompetent ... or just schizoid?
I'm not sure which is more frightening.
Buz Ozburn
Alan Brooks| 3.13.09 @ 8:57PM
the only hope is to not dislike or hate America's enemies, such as islamofascists and border jumpers, but to smarm them to death.
like send Jimmuh in the guise of an ambassador to bore them for a few hours and then Ahmad or Jose will say: " 'scuse me, Jim; I have to go out to the garden to blow my brains out".
Patricia A. Helvenston| 3.14.09 @ 4:20AM
Napolitano knows exactly what is going on with the Mexican drug gangs and for 8 years she did absolutely nothing whatsoever about it. She criticized G.B.Bush for not sending federal troops only because she wanted to embarrass him. She sent National Guard to the border where they were forced to watch and do nothing to intercept illegals from coming into the USA. All Arizonans knew what Homeland security would be with her in "charge" - an outright, inescapable, expensive, do-nothing disaster. Arizonans are arming themselves heavily and soon I expect to see more news about border wars as Americans are simply not going to lie down and take this s--t much longer.
Rick Josey | 3.14.09 @ 9:21AM
1. Build the fence. Electrify the fence, if possible.
2. Station our military or national guard along the border.
3. Anyone caught making it through, over, or around that fence...thus breaking our national laws to enter our country illegally...shoot them on sight.
This is WAR.
Just ask the border patrol, who are risking their lives daily to fight the drug lords.
Just ask American citizens, who are fed up with the situation that has helped BANKRUPT this nation.
As one former U.S. Ambassador says, the solution to this illegal immigration mess is to ENFORCE THE LAW.
Get real about our national security, Napolitano.
www.PatriotHangout.com
stmichrick| 3.14.09 @ 9:34AM
I smell impeachment.
Failure to protect and defend.
Pingback| 3.14.09 @ 1:00PM
Eyes Shut at Homeland Security « Depravity links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
S.L. Toddard| 3.14.09 @ 5:54PM
Sorry to be insensitive; but how big was the ugly stick that beat the hell out of Janet Napolitano? Good God, woman, do you own a mirror?
John Donner| 3.15.09 @ 10:01AM
Napolitano hasn't changed her position. She is the same open borders and illegal immitrant advocate she has always been. This is why she got the job at Homeland Security. Fifty three per cent of violant crime in Maricopa County is comitted by illegals. Last year they killed two police officers in Maricopa County.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 3.15.09 @ 7:01PM
Apparently, the Star Trek look is making a comeback.
S.L. Toddard| 3.15.09 @ 9:40PM
No, Jabba the Hut is back in town, didn't you hear?
D. Dodd| 3.16.09 @ 2:32AM
More manure from the ATF: "ATF estimates that 90% of the weapons recovered in Mexico came from the U.S. The bureau calculates tens of thousands of assault weapons, grenades, etc. have been smuggled into Mexico across the U.S. border accounting for 5,630 deaths in Mexico's northern provinces in 2008."
Good ol' Wesley Clark, interviewed by Geraldo on Fox, added even more manure when he converted the much maligned "assault weapon" term directly into "machine guns." Hand grenades and machine guns are banned in the US, except to individuals obtaining a special license from BATF (correct acronym). Mexico's source of such items is more likely from her own Southern neighbors. Ms. Neopolitano was a better Governor than the cadre of Dims which preceded her (can you say Ev Meachem?) , but she has obviously been sucking down the Kool-Aid!
denialator | 3.20.09 @ 7:31PM
Ms. Neopalitano's main objection to the fence is centered upon her lack of control over such inanimate fixtures as fences. It can't be manipulated or submit votes in any elections. It cannot falsify media reports or create propaganda scenarios whereby one might exploit political capital for personal / special interest gains and favor.
hgjgh| 11.26.09 @ 9:41PM
Mac TOD Converter,
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Trackback| 1.6.10 @ 12:25AM
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