HOW GOOD IS OUR NATIONAL DEFENSE?

Could we be attacked or invaded easily by Foreign Nations? Actually we have been. Illegal entry into the USA is rampant. It is not just the Illegal Aliens, although they represent a real threat. It is also Russia in the form of Nuclear Attack Subs able to spend a month undetected in the Gulf of Mexico. This startling admission comes from this article "Silent Running" published in The Washington Free Beacon.

A Russian nuclear-powered attack submarine armed with long-range cruise missiles operated undetected in the Gulf of Mexico for several weeks and its travel in strategic U.S. waters was only confirmed after it left the region...

Based on that article, I'd say our National Defense is not great. So I ask the question - Why does the Obama Government feel now is the time to cut Defense Spending?

The Obama administration’s defense budget proposal in February cut $1.3 billion from Navy shipbuilding projects, which will result in scrapping plans to build 16 new warships through 2017. The budget also called for cutting plans to buy 10 advanced P-8 anti-submarine warfare jets needed for submarine detection.

This rather unsettling fact was also revealed in this article.

Under the terms of the 2010 New START arms accord, such exercises require 14-day advanced notice of strategic bomber drills, and notification after the drills end. No such notification was given.

I believe a strong National Defense requires a strong Economy. We are currently borrowing 40 cents of every dollar we spend because of our National Debt. We cannot have a strong National Defense without a strong Economy. Have any of the Democrats put forth a Budget Proposal? Yes. President Obama did, BUT it was rejected by a vote of 96-0. President Obama did not get even 1 vote from his own party. Have the Republicans put forth a Budget Proposal? Yes. Paul Ryan's which passed the House, but Harry Read the Democratic Leader of the Senate will not allow it to go through the Senate.

WAKE-UP CALL ON IMMIGRATION

The latest proof that the United States of America is being invaded by the Mexican Drug Cartels is in this article. Mexican Drug Cartel Allegedly Puts a Price on Arizona Sheriff's Head. It is time to secure the border. What to do with those who came here illegally is a secondary consideration.

We cannot have foreign Nationals threatening our people. It is time to send in the troops and secure the border.

DEMOCRATS NEED TO SHOW RESPONSIBILITY

According to at least one Democrat in the House, it is Republicans who are holding immigration reform back. That's rather silly considering the Democrats hold a 255 to 178 majority in the House. They could pass anything WITHOUT a single Republican Vote. Gutierrez: Despite Democrats’ 255 Seats in House, GOP’s Lack of ‘Bipartisanship’ Is Why Immigration Reform Hasn’t Passed makes Congressman Gutierrez look a little foolish.

MUMBAI COULD HAPPEN HERE BECAUSE ...

WE HAVE BECOME COMPLACENT - THAT'S DANGEROUS. Complacent about the real threat of another Terrorist Attack aka 9/11 in the USA. Ray Kelly is the Police Commissioner in New York City. Mr. Kelly is in a position to know what is possible, but are the authorities listening? Ray Kelly's Wiretap Alarm says not nearly enough to prevent an attack similar to Mumbai, India.

India's three days of carnage stand as another warning about how easily terrorists can perpetrate a major attack. So when top New York City counterterrorism officials declare that U.S. intelligence laws are shackling their powers to prevent the next Mumbai, it ought to raise more than eyebrows.

After reading this article please ask yourself if total privacy is worth the loss of life this privacy allows? Or should we give up some reasonable amount of personal privacy to save lives by preventing the Terrorists from using American Legal Procedures to Handcuff the authorities? So when Mr. Kelly speaks are the right people listening? NO!

Instead, almost nobody seems to care. Seven years without an attack on the U.S. mainland has created a growing public complacency. And the anti-antiterror lobby has exploited that complacency to assail and constrain critical Bush Administration intelligence programs, making it harder to intercept terrorists before they strike. As a consequence innocent Americans may be killed.

We need to open our collective eyes to how much the success of the Bush Administration has wrought. President Bush, despite the Democrat Liberals, have been able to prevent further attacks similar to 9/11 and Mumbai. But the success has come at the price of reducing the perceived danger.

What Democrats have done, in essence, is to insert an unelected judiciary into the wartime chain of command. As Mr. Kelly notes, this is producing a "lack of accountability" and "the lack of transparency into the inner workings of the FISA process." If some faceless FISA judge denies a surveillance request from Mr. Kelly and New Yorkers die as a result, that judge will answer to no one. Under current FISA rules, we won't even know who that judge is. Meanwhile, the very Members of Congress who insisted on FISA's limitations will blame the executive branch that they put under the supervision of those anonymous judges.

There is no supportable justification for the current restrictions on warrant-less wiretaps for communications which originate or end outside the USA. Those afraid of losing their privacy due to Government Warrant-Less Wiretaps in these cases are generally the same people who gladly use services like "On-Star" and "Lojack". Both these services allow 24-7 monitoring of our driving. We surrender our privacy for this Intrusion, but not to prevent Lives From Being Lost. Remember this "Big Blue Button" privacy mentality when NSA, FISA and Warrant-Less Wiretaps are attacked.

Personally I trust Ray Kelly a Hell-of-a-lot more than the Liberal Congress.

IS THE WORLD READY FOR 2013?

According to this New York Times Article (Panel Fears Use of Unconventional Weapon), the world will face a Nuclear, Biological or other Unconventional Attack by 2013. For those of you who thought the War on Terror was limited to Afghanistan and Osama Bin Laden, this is your wake-up call.

An independent commission has concluded that terrorists will most likely carry out an attack with biological, nuclear or other unconventional weapons somewhere in the world in the next five years unless the United States and its allies act urgently to prevent that. [Emphasis mine]

More importantly, are we the USA ready for a possible Terrorist attack using Unconventional Weapons? For that matter, are we ready for an attack like the Mumbai, India attack of last week?

In a report to be released this week, the Congressionally mandated panel found that with countries like Iran and North Korea pursuing nuclear weapons programs, and with the risk of poorly secured biological pathogens growing, unconventional threats are fast outpacing the defenses arrayed to confront them.

At the same time, the American people have become complacent. Complacent because President George Bush has done such a good job of preventing attacks.

“America’s margin of safety is shrinking, not growing,” the bipartisan panel concluded.

I must admit that so far, to my surprise, President Elect Obama has shown a retreat from his Primary Rhetoric concerning the Terror Threat that exists in the World. Hopefully this will continue to translate into an extension of the Patriot Act and support for the NSA and/or other Intelligence Gathering Activities.

Prepared before last week’s deadly terrorist attacks in Mumbai — which American officials say were most likely carried out by Pakistani militant groups based in Kashmir — the report also singled out Pakistan as a top security priority for the coming Obama administration.

Mumbai shows we cannot take Intelligence Information on Terrorist Activities lightly. Apparently India's Government did. Fortunately for India, the Terrorists were overly optimistic about the casualties their attack would inflict.

“Unless the world community acts decisively and with great urgency, it is more likely than not that a weapon of mass destruction will be used in a terrorist attack somewhere in the world by the end of 2013,” the report states in the opening sentence of the executive summary.

This opening sentence is a chilling look at the present situation. We need to be pro-active and act now, unless we wish to be re-active later. As this paragraph from this article indicates, we need to shift our focus and attention to a much higher level.

Like the 9/11 Commission, this panel called for overhauling the jurisdiction of the Congressional committee that reviews the proliferation of unconventional weapons. “Congressional oversight is dysfunctional,” the report concluded. [Emphasis mine]

Hopefully since this was a Bi-Partisan Congressional Committee, President Elect Obama and our House and Senate are listening. One last thought - THIS REPORT SAYS BY THE END OF 2013, BUT DOES NOT RULE OUT TOMORROW!!!

Change

Senator Barack Obama has claimed the word "Change" for his Campaign. But that's not the "Change" I had in mind.

Change as in Change of Mind, Change of Attitude or Change of Strategy are more along the lines of my thinking. Change can be a good thing. Change is an indication of maturity and sound judgment. Change shows a willingness to adapt and adjust to the situation. In this sense of change is a positive value.

Whereas lack of the ability to change is inflexibility, rigidity, stubbornness and foolish. Failure to adjust, adapt and overcome (change) is an indication of weakness, lack of vision and therefore a negative value.

But change can also be negative if it is done too often. Too often is just as bad as never for a leader. Changing positions too frequently is called Flip-Flopping. Flip-Flopping is another sign of weakness, vacillation and is not one the characteristics desirable in a leader.

Therefore it is unwise to label any Politician a Flip-Flopper because of a change in position, attitude or strategy. If something isn't working, it makes sense to change to make it work. With any change the analysis must include the answer to the Question "WHY?", before an accurate assessment of the reasonableness for the change is determined.

John Kerry changed his position on almost every issue so often he was correctly tagged with the label of Flip-Flopper. Barack Obama has changed his position on his Church Matters, Presidential negotiations without preconditions and the Iraq situation at present that he is very close to fitting the Flip-Flopper definition.

George Bush (43^rd) has on rare occasions made changes as conditions warranted. The Surge in Iraq, and now he and John McCain have both changed their attitudes toward allowing Oil and Gas Exploration/Production in Coastal US waters. While the Democrats have bellowed "Flip-Flop" loudly, these changes do not a Flip-Flop make.

Cuba is allowing China to drill only 60 miles from our shores. Personally, I would rather have US safeguards and regulations control of the activity this close to our land. After Katrina, Wilma and Rita we lost about 1,000 Gulf Rigs without an oil spill. Will the Chinese Standards be this good?

Leadership is recognizing an opportunity and taking action. The opportunity is to become more petroleum independent. The action is removing the restrictions. The restrictions may have made sense when oil was $35 a barrel, but at over $120 a barrel, the possible negatives are far outweighed by the positive benefits.

In real estate the catch phrase is Location, Location & Location. The World situation catch phrase is Drill, Drill & Drill. Thank you John McCain and George Bush for taking the lead and speaking out in favor of an idea whose time has come.

APPEASEMENT

Take a look at this picture.


How do you conduct rational meetings with someone who does not recognize your right to exist? Al-Qaeda's terrifying vision of a devastated America in the wake of a nuclear attack paints a graphic picture (both figuratively and visually) of what the Radical Terrorists want to accomplish. Time is on their side. Time which pointless discussions would give them an advantage. Pointless discussions are those without preconditions.

This is what Terror Groups and Organizations dream. Let's hope it doesn't become our nightmare.

Other Related Items:

• U.S. Cites Big Gains Against Al-Qaeda
• Chertoff: Hezbollah Makes Al Qaeda Look Minor League - Greatest Risk To National Security
• Report: Iran, al Qaeda in Secret Talks

Strange Event

FedEx Truck Hijacked In New York City - Strange Event details a "What were they thinking?" event in the news. Read the article and then let me know what it means.

Many aspects of this story just don’t make sense to me. Maybe I’ve just been doing this too long and I over analyze things.

In this on "edge world" events like this are worthy of questioning.

On one hand it appears to be a planned crime and not a crime of opportunity (guns, handcuffs, badge). However, if that was the case why didn’t the hijackers bring along some type of tools to break open the seals on the containers?

As the author points out, the hijackers had this truck for 9 hours. Surely this is enough time to acquire the tools and means to open the containers, if that was their purpose. But apparently they did not distrube the cargo. Why???

This is where I begin to over-analyze. What if the truck was hijacked for some other purpose and the hijackers hadn’t planned on it being full of merchandise? What if they were actually hoping to take control of an empty truck just before Christmas and use it for some other purpose?

Another event that may mean nothing, but might mean something. The question is Which.

Self Deportation - It Works!

Illegal immigrants "self deport" as woes mount is an article which shows that we don't have to round up the millions of Illegal Immigrants. They will self-deport if the laws are enforced.

Mexican illegal immigrant Lindi sat down with her husband Marco Antonio in the weeks before Christmas to decide when to go back to Mexico.

Contrary to what the Left has maintained, when the economics are changed to favor the Legal Americans rather than the Illegals, the Illegal Immigrants leave. Of course not all will go, but if the economic incentive is gone, most will leave.

The couple are among a growing number of illegal immigrants across the United States who are starting to pack their bags and move on as a crackdown on undocumented immigrants widens and the U.S. economy slows, turning a traditional Christmas trek home into a one-way trip.

The fence is a must if we really want to secure the border, but when the law is enforced, the results are clear.

Mexican consular sources in Phoenix say they are seeing a spike in the number of immigrants applying for Mexican citizenship for their U.S.-born children, which will allow them to enroll in schools in Mexico. [emphasis mine]

They didn't have to prove US Citizenship to go to school here, but they do in Mexico. But it's not just Mexican Citizens who are leaving.

Members of the Brazilian community in the U.S. northeast, meanwhile, say they are starting to see an increase in the number of illegal immigrants heading back to their homes in Brazil in recent months.

However, many are moving to the Sanctuary Cities, Counties and States instead of going home.

While some illegal immigrants are simply self deporting, others are moving within the United States to avoid federal immigration raids and pro-enforcement measures passed by a patchwork of state and local authorities.

Self-Deportation works and costs little.

Oklahoma Leads, California Fails

In Immigration Wars, Cal Thomas states:

Like the war on terrorism, progress in the immigration war is also mixed.

Immigration has become one of the main Political Issues. On one side are States like California, Some Federal Courts, the AFL-CIO, immigrants' rights groups and the US Chamber of Commerce.

A federal judge in San Francisco has temporarily prevented the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration from using mismatched Social Security data to penalize employers who hire illegal aliens. The decision came as welcome news to the AFL-CIO, various "immigrants' rights" groups and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce who are behind a lawsuit that claims the federal government's actions are a violation of the law.

It is believed by some that Illegal Aliens are a necessary ingredient to fill jobs Americans do not want. On the other hand, Illegal Aliens are doing harm to our society as a burden to our Welfare Programs, Medical Care, School Systems, etc.

In addition, Federal and State Laws allow Illegals to Obtain Drivers Licenses and Vote. Current Lack of Immigration Enforcement is a recipe for disaster. But there is one bright spot in Oklahoma, which is leading the Nation by implementing New Immigration Law.

In Oklahoma, the toughest immigration law in the country was allowed to take effect when U.S. District Judge James H. Payne refused to accept arguments from Hispanic and immigrants rights groups who tried to block it. According to the Washington Times, the measure, House Bill 1804, "prevents illegal aliens from getting driver's licenses, denies them every possible public service or benefit not required by federal law, gives state and local police the ability to enforce immigration laws and beginning next year, requires employers to check new employees' identities through a federal database. ... The judge allowed the law to take effect while the case proceeds."

Much of our problem with Illegal Immigrants is the fault of the Federal Government. Congress has not appropriated enough money for Border Security, while Presidents have not enforced the Immigration Laws already on the books.

Most citizens know that if they break laws, they will pay a penalty. They know their driver's license is a privilege and that the state that issues them can take them away when certain laws are broken. They see New York Governor Eliot Spitzer ordering special classes of driver's licenses for illegal immigrants and regard it as a double standard. Countries to which Americans travel prohibit us from working in those countries, but we are told we must accept law-breaking foreign workers.

Why is there little money and little enforcement? Because the Politicians want the Hispanic Vote!

The war over immigration is essentially a battle for the Hispanic vote. Politicians will do anything to get it, including disregarding the laws they are sworn to uphold. The politician who gets on the wrong side of this issue -- like Hillary Clinton did in the most recent Democratic presidential debate -- is likely to pay a heavy price from the majority who obey laws. For the moment, we still outnumber the illegals.

However in their rush to court the Hispanic Vote, they overlook the backlash from the Majority. They would do well to consider that the Majority of voters is most likely to support those candidates, regardless of party, who are perceived as Fair and Just. No candidate will ever agree with all voters, but respect is given to those who are perceived as Fair and Just. Respect more often than not equals electability.

Should Illegal Aliens Vote in US Elections?

There has been a lot of rhetoric about New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's plan to allow Illegal Aliens to obtain Drivers Licenses in New York State. The claim most often made as a justification for this granting of a State Approved Legal Drivers License is to bring the ILLEGALS out of the shadows and allow Governments to know who is in the US. And supporters argued that a legally issued State Drivers License would make our roads safer for all, because the Illegals could get Insurance and would have to pass a test covering "Rules of the Road".

All of these reasons sound good, noble and worthwhile, but there is another consequence which falls into the Fatally Flawed category. 'This Will Make Voter Fraud Easier' aptly identifies this Fatal Flaw.

The background here is the National Voter Registration Act, commonly known as "Motor Voter," that President Bill Clinton signed into law in 1993. It required all states to offer voter registration to anyone getting a driver's license. One simply fills out a form and checks a box stating he is a citizen; he is then registered and in most states does not have to show any ID to vote. [emphasis mine]

Voting is a privilege which should only be available to the Legal Citizens of the USA. Federal Law dictates that there is no way to reasonably exclude anyone, including Illegals, with an Official State Drivers License from the Voting Booth.

The potential for fraud is not trivial, as federal privacy laws prevent cross-checking voter registration rolls with immigration records. Nevertheless, a 1997 Congressional investigation found that "4,023 illegal voters possibly cast ballots in [a] disputed House election" in California. After 9/11, the Justice Department found that eight of the 19 hijackers were registered to vote. [brackets in original, but emphasis mine]

Similar cases have been found in other states too. Texas found over 300 Illegals registered to vote. In Texas, as in many other States, Prospective Jurors are chosen from Voter Registrations. Over 300 were disqualified for Jury Duty when they said they were not US Citizens. They were registered to Vote, however.

New York and Texas are not the only states to pollute the Voter Pool.

Under pressure from liberal groups, some states have even abandoned the requirement that people check a citizenship box to be put on the voter rolls. Iowa has told local registrars they should register people even if they leave the citizenship box blank. Maryland officials wave illegal immigrants through the registration process, prompting a Justice Department letter warning they may be helping people violate federal law.

There is some hope for the restoration of sanity and responsibility to the US.

While states such as New York are increasing the risk of such fraud, a half-dozen states have recently adopted laws requiring voters to offer proof of identity or citizenship before casting a ballot. A federal commission, co-chaired by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker, gave such laws a big boost in 2005 when it called for a nationwide policy requiring a photo ID before voting. [emphasis mine]

I don't agree with about 99% of Jimmy Carter's ideas, but this is one time he gets it right. In the interest of Full Disclosure, I am an Election Judge in Cook County, Illinois. I know from this experience that my job would be easier if a Photo ID were required to vote.

Measures that curb voter fraud on the one hand and encourage it on the other will be central to the 2008 election. The Supreme Court will rule on the constitutionality of Indiana's photo ID law next spring, while lawsuits challenging Gov. Spitzer's moves will be in New York state courts.

Generally the Liberals, most of whom are Democrats, oppose any limit to voter identification. They are wrong, and it's, Presidential Candidate, Senator Hillary Clinton who is at the fore-front, and probably the most visible, of the Democrat leaders pushing for legislation allowing and encouraging Illegal Alien Voter Registration.

Despite her muddled comments this week, there's no doubt where Mrs. Clinton stands on ballot integrity. She opposes photo ID laws, even though they enjoy over 80% support in the polls. She has also introduced a bill to force every state to offer no-excuse absentee voting as well as Election Day registration--easy avenues for election chicanery. The bill requires that every state restore voting rights to all criminals who have completed their prison terms, parole or probation. [emphasis mine]

Voting is a privilege, not just a right. It should not be abused by Illegal Aliens, Criminals or other individuals who have no right or have by prior actions lost the right to this privilege.

Secure The Border(s) - It's Worth the Wait

W. Ralph Basham, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, says it's worth the wait to secure the border. In his article, Secure Border is Worth the Wait, Mr. Basham makes the following claim.

But any way you look at it, a safer, more secure border is well worth the investment and the wait.

That line is the final line from Mr. Basham's article. The beginning of states the following key points.

• All vehicles are now being scanned for radiation and;
• In fiscal 2007, 270 people with known terrorists ties were identified attempting to enter the country.

If 270 people with Known Terrorist Ties were prevented from entering the country at the border, how many more crossed without being detected? The potential damage inflicted by 19 Terrorists on September 11, 2001 indicates what can be done by those with an evil purpose.

In many instances, increased border enforcement will inconvenience some legal entrants, but it is obviously preferable to the alternative.

To keep bad people and bad things from entering America, at a minimum we scan all vehicles for radiation and check all individuals for proper documents. This process is not a bureaucratic game, but a security imperative. At our 99 land ports of entry, we processed just under 300 million people last year. We spend approximately 45-60 seconds with each person at the primary inspection booth, where we check for terror watchlist matches, outstanding criminal warrants, public health and narcotics lookouts and other indications of risk. Those who present some concern and require additional scrutiny are then referred for secondary inspection.

From this article we learn that 300 million people were screened, and now the results that Mr. Basham says make it worth the wait.

This process has yielded approximately 25,000 arrests during the 2007 fiscal year that just ended, a 10 percent increase over the previous year and a two-thirds increase from the launch of DHS in 2003. Keep in mind that these arrests are more than just a number; they represent the capture of murders, drug dealers, child molesters and potential terrorists. We’ve kept 300 tons of marijuana from entering the U.S. through the ports, as well as 93,000 pounds of cocaine. Last year we encountered 270 people suspected of having terrorist ties.

I believe we need to be aggressive in enforcing our border security for many reasons. This is one of them and is reason enough for Congress to Fund, Build and Staff the Border, Both of them.

Illegals Issued IDs

Illegal immigrants issued ID cards reminds us of some of the problems caused by the "Bleeding Heart Liberals" and the "Amnesty" for illegal aliens policy. Let's start with the following paragraph from the article and consider through to the conclusion(s) of these actions.

Illegal immigrants are getting driver's licenses and identification cards in cities and states that are bucking the national trend to take official documents and public benefits away from them.

We are a wealthy nation who should take care of the less fortunate. Sounds good, but think about what that involves for a minute. Do we really want to encourage all who have less, which is most of the World, to illegally enter our country so they can get on the benefit rolls? Then ask who do you think will pay for all these benefits?

New Haven, Conn., began issuing municipal ID cards in July to all residents, including illegal immigrants. New York will join eight other states in giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, starting in December.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer "believes it's important to bring a significant population in New York state out of the shadows … (and) allow them to participate in the economy," Motor Vehicles Commissioner David Swarts says. [ellipsis in original; emphasis mine]

Notice the use of the word "participate" above. There are 2 ways to participate. Participators can put into or take out of the economy. They can be either contributors or beneficiaries.

It would be wise to look at the potential for each type of participant. How likely is it that these would be highly skilled or highly educated individuals? The evidence indicates it is more likely that they will be poorly skilled and uneducated immigrants. Therefore, it also seems likely that the great preponderance of the illegal immigrants will be "participants in the economy" as beneficiaries. Like most immigrants, they come to America because of the opportunity to improve their socio-economic situation. After all, if they had opportunity in their native land, they have no need, and little desire, to illegally enter the USA.

We are the most generous country in the world, but there is a limit to our generosity. We simply cannot support the entire world. By allowing illegal immigrants access to the wealth of our country, we will taxing (pun intended) our legal population beyond their capacity to pay. To this mix, we must add the criminal element that is assimilated into our society as illegal immigrants. (Do some research on MS13)

As the article points out, there are some illegal aliens who are hard working and will contribute positively to our economy, but the cost/benefit analysis shows that the cost exceeds the benefits of granting "official documents" to illegal immigrants. The fact remains, they came to a country which became great because we are a country of Laws, equally applied to all. The illegal immigrants broke the law and continue to break the Law by staying in America.

Tom Fitton, president of the conservative Judicial Watch, says the cards "raise the specter of local governments conspiring with illegals to help them stay here."

"In the least, they undermine federal law," he says, "and at worst, they violate the law."

School Children Next 9-11?

The Homeland Security National Terror Alert Response Center is currently featuring a series of Articles which may portend a very serious possibility. The Terrorist Threat To Our Schools Pt. 1 is a compilation of articles about what may be in al Qaeda's play book for another 9-11 style attack.

Over the past couple of years, National Terror Alert has featured several seemingly unrelated news events and stories, all with a common thread… A potential terrorist threat to our nations children and schools.

With each news story it appears that the planning of a new attack, one with potentially horrific consequences, could be in the works. We’ll let you decide for yourself.

I strongly suggest you read the entire piece with an open mind. Be aware of the possibilities.

Could all of these stories amount to nothing more than incredible coincidence? Certainly, but there are several elements of 9/11 that prior to the attack would have also been attributed to the same and we are all too familiar with the end result.

With the caution about incredible coincidence noted, the author proceeds to list the coincidences. When put into one basket the weight of circumstantial evidence demands at least an admission that it could happen.

One word of caution… Don’t allow yourself to dismiss certain stories because of their age (3-4 years). al Qaeda is known for having operational planning windows varying up to 5 or 6 years. They are patient and methodical in their planning. Several reports related to Beslan indicate that terrorists may have actually been involved in the construction of the school, years earlier.

The author presents evidence for consideration. I am generally not an alarmist. But at the same time, I believe we need to be aware of possibilities. Very few considered the possibility of 19 men hijacking airplanes and flying them into Buildings before 9-11. We should all be aware and Report Suspicious Activity.

1. The Beslan Massacre
2. Think it won’t happen here…
3. Cleric Supports Taking Children Hostage
4. Permission To Take The Lives of 2 Million American Children
5. al Qaeda Video Shows Mock Siege of An American School
6. Iraqi Insurgent In Possession of Computer Disk With Detailed Information On The Emergency Plans For 6 U.S. Schools
7. FBI Issues Warning To Schools
8. School Bus Terrorism
9. So how difficult would it be for a terrorist to get their hands on a school bus?
10. Extremists Sign Up to Become School Bus Drivers
11. School Bus Terrorism Dry Run?
12. Gov’t: Terrorists Could Target School Food
13. 2000 Missing School Bus Radios
14. 17 School Buses Missing In Houston
15. How It All Ties Together
16. Glenn Beck Perfect Day
• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
17. “Jihad Boom” Postcards With Threatening Cartoon Sent To Nine Schools

Each of the items in the list is expanded and the weight of circumstantial evidence mounts with each expanded item. Will an al Qaeda attack on our schools take place? You decide. At this point, I am optimistic about our ability to discover and neutralize this and similar threats before they can become finalized.

These incidents underline the very good reasons we need the surveillance capabilities provided by the Patriot Act and the NSA Electronic Monitoring Programs. But our best defense is an informed public. A public which is not afraid to get involved by reporting suspicious activities. If this is in the works, we must not fail to connect the dots this time. Be alert. Report suspicious activity.

Elvira Arellano Is Like Jesús

Surprised? According to EAST BAY express news columnist Gustavo Arellano, Elvira is not like a Mexican Rosa Parks, she is like Jesús (The Mexican Rosa Parks). It appears that Mr. Arellano writes the column "Ask A Mexican". One of the letters he received, and his answer, follows.

Dear Mexican: Do you agree with immigration rights activists calling Elvira Arellano, who is an illegal immigrant AND a criminal, I might add, the Mexican Rosa Parks? The very idea that these people refer to her as such is deeply disturbing. Rosa Parks was a legal resident of this country and took a stand against the injustices against African Americans AND, by extension, all other minorities in this country. I can't imagine what goes through the minds of some of these people when they made ludicrous statements comparing Arellano to Parks. I have a problem with illegal immigrants, period! I don't care where they come from on this planet, illegal IS illegal.
Swing Low, Sweet Migra

Dear Gabacha: You're right. How dare yaktivists compare Elvira Arellano (an recently deported illegal Mexican immigrant who earned national attention this year by seeking sanctuary in a Chicago church) to Rosa Parks! Besides, everyone knows the better historical counterpart is Jesus. Think about it: Like Jesús, Arellano was a brown-skinned alien who sparked equal parts rage and praise while promoting their movement. Both lived in defiance of authorities who obsessed over laws that ignored the Segundo Coming. Arellano and the Nazarene knew their ultimate martyrdom yet met grim destiny with serenity, asking followers not to react angrily but rather allow God's will. I already hear the gnashing teeth of Know Nothings — but what about the fake Social Security number? The breaking of federal law? The fact that ILLEGAL IS ILLEGAL? — but let the record show that no matter how you spin it, Arellano's tale is biblical in its intentions, and she sure as hell ain't Jezebel. Only time will tell if Arellano's efforts will convert the Pharisees or cause the exile of her people to Babylon — er, Mexico.

Only in America could a common criminal be elevated to this level. Ms. Arellano is a National Celebrity in Mexico. In the USA she was an Illegal Alien with no respect for the laws of the US.

Border security is one of the failures of the Government. Failure because we have not enforced the laws which govern who is allowed into this country legally. Failure because we have allowed legal aliens to stay in this country beyond the period of their visa thereby becoming illegal aliens. Failure because we have not penalized employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens. Failure because we have allowed illegal aliens to enjoy the benefits of our social programs, hospitals, schools and other government services which should be available only legal residents. Failure because some cities do not report the criminal activities of illegal aliens and deport them. Failures which we need to fix without amnesty.

Ms. Arellano believes she has been deported unfairly. She believes she is entitled to remain in the USA. She does not think our laws apply to her. If she wants to be re-admitted to this country, she needs to stand in line and follow the application policy and laws of the United States of America.

Illegal Alien Sanctuaries Are Criminal

Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) introduced the Immigration Enforcement and Border Security Act (S. 1984) to assist in the prevention of repeat criminal offenses by Illegal Aliens. A major provision of this legislation would require the identification of Illegal Aliens detained in US Jails. Once identified, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would take custody of the Illegal Aliens for processing and deportation.

Senator Kyl explains the Legislation in an article he authored (Stop the Illegal Sanctuaries), published today at National Review Online (NRO). The Senator presents startling statistics concerning repeat crimes committed by Illegal Aliens.

A Government Accountability Office study found that 55,322 criminal aliens were arrested a total of at least 459,614 times, averaging over eight arrests per alien. The Department of Justice expressed its surprise at the “extremely high” rate of re-arrests for criminal aliens when it found that that [sic] 73 criminal aliens in a study group were arrested a total of 429 times.

This legislation is important because so many Cities have declared themselves Sanctuaries for Illegal Aliens. These Sanctuary Cities do not ask or check the immigration status of anyone, thereby allowing Illegal Aliens to continue to commit more crimes.

Localities that fail to cooperate with DHS in identifying criminal aliens in their custody may end up paying a steep price. They ensure that criminal aliens who could otherwise be deported, are released back into the community to commit further crimes, which they do at an astonishing rate.

In addition to identifying Illegal Aliens already in the US, some criminals are currently caught at our border. The following figures illustrate the need to strengthen our Borders to effectively deal with additional Border Security Problems. But that's a subject for another post. (Here for example)

In FY06, the Border Patrol apprehended 142,365 criminal aliens on the borders. Of that number, 20,480 had committed major crimes, including homicide (444), kidnapping (145), sexual assault (523), robbery (947), assault (6,276), and drug crimes (12,730).

However, once in the US, the problems are compounded by Cities that have created Sanctuaries for Illegal Aliens. And DHS shares responsibility for the problems created by the Illegal Alien population.

Despite complaints by many local sheriffs that DHS neglects their calls for assistance with alien suspects, DHS has failed to take significant nationwide steps to identify, detain, and remove criminal aliens in local custody. This failing is in part due to resources — like border enforcement, interior enforcement has been under-funded for decades — but it is also the result of policy choices within DHS. DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff recently announced that the administration would pursue a number of immigration enforcement reforms. Those reforms should be expanded to include targeting and removing criminal aliens in all jurisdictions throughout the country.

The Legislation Senator Kyl has introduced is a start towards controlling the Illegal Aliens (especially the repeat Criminals). It is also another step in the securing our Borders against the burgeoning Illegal Alien drain on US social programs.

Terrorists At Mexican Border

What are the steps necessary to carry out another Terrorist Attack in the USA? According to an article posted at "WorldNetDaily" (Iraqi terrorists caught along Mexico border) these steps are identified by National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell.

"You've got committed leadership. You've got a place to train. They've got trainers, and they've got recruits," McConnell told the newspaper. "The key now is getting recruits in. So if your key is getting recruits in, how would you do that?"

Well the easy answer for me is the Border. Not Surprisingly also revealed in the article, is that this has already happened - but we caught them, right?.

"Coming up through the Mexican border is a path," McConnell said. "Now, are they doing it in great numbers? No, because we're finding them and we're identifying them and we've got watch lists and we're keeping them at bay."

Now, I certainly hope they caught them all, but with 10-20 Million illegal aliens in the US, I'm skeptical. A previous post like this one is one reason for my skepticism. RPG's, SAM's and Terrorists wanting to do us harm. Further proof we need Secure Borders - Both of Them.

Obviously, most of the illegal aliens who have gained entry into the US, are not Terrorists, but McConnell does admit to these astonishing numbers.

McConnell's office did reveal some numbers, during fiscal 2006, there were 14 Iraqi nationals caught trying to enter the U.S. illegally, while so far in 2007, that number is 16.

"Now some we caught, some we didn't," McConnell told the newspaper. "The ones that get in – what are they going to do? They're going to write home. So it's not rocket science; word will move around." [emphasis mine]

It is not encouraging to hear that we didn't really catch all of them. Question, How do we know that only 30 of the hundreds of thousands of illegals crossing the border were Iraqi?

Now especially if you oppose programs such as the NSA Electronic Monitoring, and Patriot Act, re-read the above quote and tell me again how you propose, at the very least, to monitor the ones we didn't catch at the border?

Also revealed was that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted 60 Iraqis crossing the nation's southwestern border in 2006 who were seeking asylum in the U.S., while that number so far in 2007 is 178.

The Times report said a U.S. intelligence analyst said there's been evidence that human smugglers, or coyotes, are telling Iraqis to ask for amnesty if they are caught.

One of the successes often pointed to by US Government sources is Mahmoud Youssef Kourani. Mahmoud in 2001 plead guilty to raising money for Hezbolla after entering the US through Tijuana, Mexico.

Mahmoud Youssef Kourani, for example, apparently paid a Mexican Consulate official in Lebanon $3,000 for a Mexican visa and then was smuggled into the United States in the trunk of a car.

It is apparent that we don't know how many got through undetected, but for those who think Border Security is not a problem - WAKE UP!

Elvira Arellano Deported Now She Can Legally Apply For Re-Admission

Until now I have remained on the sidelines in the matter of a particular Illegal Alien - Elvira Arellano. Ms. Arellano was recently legally deported after spending a year in a Church where she claimed sanctuary. Sanctuary as applied to this case is an emotional term which has no basis under United States law. Ms. Arellano does not face any persecution from her native Mexico. She is therefore not eligible for Political Asylum Status in the US.

Illegal Aliens generally are a drain on Social Services and a Security Risk to the legal Citizenry of the US. (More this subject here, here here, and here.) As a matter of fact, a recent AP story indicates Ms. Arellano is somewhat of a celebrity in now that she's back in her native Mexico.

A Mexican Senate committee passed a measure Wednesday urging President Felipe Calderon to send a diplomatic note to the United States protesting the deportation of an illegal migrant who took refuge in a Chicago church for a year.

When Ms. Arellano was deported, she left her 8 year old son, Saul, in the care of his Godmother. Saul suffers from ADHD, and is a legal citizen of the US.

The committee also approved a scholarship to help her 8-year-old U.S.-born son, Saul, who is an American citizen and stayed in the United States.

Let's face facts. Any person who entered this country is an Illegal Alien, PERIOD. They are often referred to as "undocumented immigrants". This is a method of making someone who committed a crime sound more palatable. Should we start calling people "undocumented drivers" if they don't have a license and insurance? Besides, Ms. Arellano was also guilty of another crime in this country. Fraudulent use of a Social Security Number.

For me the "Straw that broke the Camels Back" in this case was the claim that the US broke the law by deporting Ms. Arellano.

"We cannot remain quiet in view of this injustice and must ask for firm action from our authorities," Mexican Sen. Humberto Zazue said.

He accused the United States of violating international deportation accords by denying her access to the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles.

What? For more on the exceptional political support from US politicians Ms. Arellano has received, read the "Chicago Tribune" Editorial from August 17, 2006.

Arellano was arrested and deported once before and re-entered the country illegally. She was found to have used a fake Social Security number to work.

And yet she has benefited from some extraordinary political support, which few illegal immigrants get to enjoy. She won the help of members of the Illinois congressional delegation, who rallied around her because her 7-year-old son, Saul, a U.S. citizen, has ADHD and other health problems. She has been granted three stays of deportation since 2003. U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) sent a letter to President Bush on Wednesday asking that Arellano be granted yet another stay.

But Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Barack Obama and others have said there is nothing more they can do for her. Because her son's condition has improved, some of those sympathetic to her cause suggest that another stay of deportation cannot be justified. [emphasis mine]

This woman has been granted 3 stays of deportation, remained in this country illegally 4 years since she was ordered deported by the court, and she has only now claimed she was denied access to the Mexican Consulate. Give me a break.

The "Trib" editorial a year ago got it right when they concluded with this.

Many illegal immigrants face the same situation as Arellano. Few get the breaks she has received in the last few years. They are all subject to U.S. law, as is Arellano.

It is time for her to abide by that law.

Ms. Arellano is no longer an Illegal Alien. Therefore, she should stop complaining about being deported and Legally apply for re-entry into the US.

If This Wasn't So Serious, It Would Be FUNNY!

Across the country, police departments periodically hold "Gun Exchanges". These no-questions-asked programs allow citizens to turn in weapons for cash, gift certificates or merchandise. Yesterday the "ORLANDO SENTINEL" in Orlando, Florida reported that a real surprise was turned in - a four foot long Surface to Air Missile (SAM).

The shoulder-fired weapon showed about 6 p.m. when an Ocoee man drove to the Florida Citrus Bowl to trade the 4-foot-long launcher for size-3 Reebok sneakers for his daughter.

Assuming the weapon is operational, there are serious questions which need to be asked and answered. How did this missile get into civilian hands? Are there more and if so where and who has them? This missile is capable of shooting an airplane out of the sky. Could this be the next Terrorist method of attack? Right now, it appears nobody knows.

"I didn't know what to do with it, so I brought it here," explained the man, who said he found the missile in a shed he tore down last week. "I took it to three dumps to try to get rid of it, and they told me to get lost."

Next question-why didn't anyone notify authorities about this weapon? Three dumps and the person who turned it in knew about it, but nobody said anything? Wow. Something smells about this event.

H/T HotAir for the preceding.

In a related incident, United Press International, reports the finding of an Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) in a stolen Van.

A Marine Corps bomb unit was called in by California police who found an Iraqi-style rocket propelled grenade stashed in a stolen van.

Immigration Issue

When is a law OK to break without consequence? Surely most of us will agree that civil disobedience in protest against a perceived bad law is one of the rights of a true Democracy. But until the objectionable law is repealed, there is a consequence for this civil disobedience. Usually that involves a fine or Jail time upon conviction. So it was during the civil rights protests of the 1960s, and the anti-war protests during the Vietnam War. There are other examples too, some of which did not remain civil, but all of which had consequences.

It has happened before. It will happen again, but all of the past law breaking, no matter how just the cause, has resulted in consequences. Even the so-called "Regan Amnesty" had consequences. The actual name of the Legislation, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 did not mention the word Amnesty. This legislation did not automatically grant green cards or permanent resident status to any illegal immigrant. It was not free and only allowed those illegal immigrants who met certain requirements to apply for temporary residence in the USA.

This legislation was a failure in the sense that it was intended to stop future illegal immigration. A failure because today there are somewhere between 10 and 20 million illegal immigrants in the USA. The burden on our social structure, (schools, hospitals etc.) has been escalating exponentially. And it's all paid for by our Tax Dollars. The Tax Dollars of the Legal Citizens, for the benefit of the Illegal Aliens.

To add insult to injury, many cities have declared themselves "Sanctuary Cities". These cities will not ask any person about his immigration status, and are not allowed to consider immigration status under any circumstance. They will not enforce Federal Law or even notify Federal Authorities of possible illegal immigrants. Not even those illegal aliens who have been convicted of the most violent Felonious Crimes. "Sanctuary Cities" and Amnesty Legislation are examples of civil disobedience without consequence.

This is why so many illegal aliens are still on our streets committing 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th murder and vehicular homicides upon legal citizens after DUI, Rape or Sodomy convictions. Crimes they would not have been able to commit if the 1^st conviction had been reported to Federal Authorities for Deportation as the laws require. They cannot commit a crime in the USA if they're not here to commit them. This is the consequence. But its victim is not the individual. It is Society which pays the price.

Illegal Immigration is a crime which we have the capacity to prevent. It does not require a whole set of new laws, just enforcement of existing law. Put up the Border Fence, patrol the Border, deport convicted criminals and Fine Employers who hire Illegal immigrants. Other practices would help too, but they are secondary to the preceding requirements. These secondary actions include Stopping Federal Payments to "Sanctuary Cities", and allowing only Legal Citizens to qualify for benefits such as Welfare, Food Stamps and Unemployment Insurance.

If there is no incentive to come to the USA, illegal immigration will dry up, and those already here will voluntarily go home. We don't need to hunt down every illegal immigrant. There will be no mass deportations, if we just enforce the current laws.

Because Illegal Immigration and Radical Islam are two of the greatest problems we face in this country, I read with great interest what our Political Candidates express on these issues. Enforcing our Immigration Laws by Lamar Smith has articulated Mitt Romney's position on the immigration issue.

For far too long, too many have spoken out on the problem of illegal immigration but done too little. The laws we need to combat illegal immigration are on the books in this country, and they are pretty clear. However, these laws only work if they are enforced across all levels of government – federal, state and local. If we are to end illegal immigration, we must establish the rule of law and enforce the current laws.

That is why the practice of creating sanctuary policies in places like New York City is so troubling. "Sanctuary cities" tell those who are here illegally that the laws of this country do not matter. Sanctuary policies create virtual amnesty zones for illegal immigrants. While amnesty was just defeated in the Congress, places like New York City offer a promise of amnesty to those who ignore our immigration laws. It is disturbing that some cities have intentionally decided that certain laws do not need to be enforced.

Both the recently defeated Congressional Illegal Immigrant Amnesty Bill, and the establishment of "Sanctuary Cities", are examples of Civil Disobedience without individual consequence. These actions constitute a serious erosion of our Democratic values as crimes against society. We are a society which has taught the last generation that our bad actions are not our fault. We are encouraged to blame others for our transgressions. There is no accountability, and no responsibility. It is time to reverse the course.