Editorial Comment
Border security. Security along the US/Mexican border is deteriorating. The post 9-11 era has meant little, except a modest increase in the number of border agents, who were soon overwhelmed. The current surge is apparently brought on by the combination of high Latino population growth, lousy economies and the belief that Bush's policy means everyone's welcome – if you make it a few miles inland, you're home free. Stolen automobiles, illegal drugs, vigilante groups and medical services are just a few of the many problems that are reaching the breaking point. Ever notice how much effort President Bush puts into trying to speak correct Spanish, but not that other language? He is courting the Latino vote. And don't expect John Kerry to do anything about it either. The candidates will trip over each other trying to get another 1% of the vote. It is perversely, politically more acceptable to allow terrorists in, say, to blow up Houston, than it is to spend the billions necessary to seal off the border. The President's more lenient immigration policy seems to be accelerating the trend. Don't misunderstand, I'm not against immigration. Far from it. As important as immigrant labor needs are, Americans also need immigrants because most of us, especially gringos like me, are not producing enough children to provide social security income for future retirees. If necessary, one can double or even triple the number of legal immigrants, but make them come in through the front door, so we can know who they are. It's the unknown nature of the illegal entrants that bothers me. Of those caught illegally entering the US, about 10,000 a year have criminal records. Even before 9-11, there was the terror of criminals, such as Houston's own serial murderer, Rafael Resendez-Ramirez, a.k.a. Angel, who came and went across the South Texas border at will, resting between murder sprees. And there have been many other murderers and criminals like him. According to a recent Time article (Sept. 20), “Of the 400,000 in the US that have been ordered deported, 80,000 have criminal records – and the agency in charge, Homeland Security, doesn't have a clue as to the whereabouts of any of them, criminal or noncriminal, including those from countries that support terrorism.” The best guess is that there are 15 million illegal aliens in the US. Three million more illegal aliens will enter the US this year. Roughly a million will be caught and allowed to try again another day. About 60,000 of those caught will not be Mexicans. That's double the 28,000 non-Mexicans apprehended in 2002. Among those not caught, an estimated 200,000 will be from somewhere other than Mexico. The Border Patrol is reportedly on the lookout for Saudi native Adnan G. El Shukrijumah, an Al-Qaeda operative with various Latin American passports. Indicted Hezbollah member and fund-raiser Mahmoud Youssef Kourani came through Mexico illegally. There are many more men of this ilk who sneak across. The situation is so absurd that, a few months ago, there was a scare here in Houston, brought on by a rumor that immigration officials were going to actively search out illegals. Immediately, the mayor, police chief and federal authorities reassured the Houston Latino population, saying, in effect, “Don't worry, we won't deport you; actually, we won't even question you. If you're here illegally, that's no problem.” If the situation continues, some folks might take matters into their own hands. Or worse, the flood will become so great that even a foot-thick concrete wall will not hold them back. You would think that the one thing that any leader would do, especially knowing that his country is a prime target for terrorists, is to secure his nation's borders. In the US, you would be wrong. On the lighter side of the border. While researching the southern US border situation, I came across a map showing how, just before the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Saddam Hussein had amassed his troops along the Kuwait/ Saudi border. Although that probably never happened, I was struck by the similarity between that event and the population distribution of Canada. A glance at the map shows that it is concentrated along the US border and, as any simpleton can see, clearly indicates that Canada plans to invade the US. Well, it's about time. Canadians and Americans are already so culturally similar that no one would notice. Heck, even Wayne Gretzky lives in California.
A number of positive benefits would be derived from the new country. Canada is the US's top foreign supplier of both oil (775 million bbl/yr) and gas (3.3 trillion cu ft/yr). With the merger, domestic production would soar. Eventually, most of us oilfield types will visit Calgary. If you haven't been to Hy's, Carver's or some other fine steakhouse, you've missed out on some of the world's greatest beef. The arctic pipeline routing would be greatly simplified. The considerable savings in drugs would allow US politicians to claim they've reformed the health care system. And without a border, the budget for defending coasts and airports could be doubled. The new country would dominate the Olympics in ice hockey. And what to do if Quebec still wants to be different? We could set up a thin border, perhaps two strands of barbed wire. People would be free to drive back and forth at will, but all roads would have to have cattle gratings, to keep the cows separate. (Did I mention how good Alberta beef was?) And what to call the new country? How about Americanãda. Or Canerica. Gretskyville? The United Strovinces? I've got it: Canuckus! C'mon, you know you want it. President Bush, Prime Minister Martin, tear down that border! Eh?
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