Arizona guv taps disaster funds for border counties

[DesertFox]

Susan Carroll and Daniel González
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 16, 2005

Gov. Janet Napolitano on Monday declared a state of emergency along Arizona's border with Mexico, freeing up $1.5 million in disaster funds to help border counties combat booming illegal immigration and drug smuggling.

Napolitano criticized the federal government for "moving too slow" on border security, evolving into a hot-button, election-year issue in Arizona and across the country.

"This is a federal responsibility, and they're not meeting it," Napolitano said. "I've just come to the conclusion (that) we've got to do what we can at the state level until the federal government picks up the pace."

Napolitano's announcement came three days after New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson issued a similar declaration, complaining that the federal government has failed to stem growing smuggling-related violence to the east of Arizona, an increasingly popular illegal immigration corridor. Both governors are Democrats.

More (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0816borderemergency16.html)

[tacitus]

Moving too slow? How about not moving at all.

[Melz]

I am glad these states are trying something, as they have been all along pretty much. But they are right, it is the Federal government's job to protect this entire country from those who cross over illegally, and no one is doing a damn thing about it :(

[Wolfcounsel]

"...it is the Federal government's job to protect this entire country from those who cross over illegally, and no one is doing a damn thing about it" --Melz


Wouldn't the Feds find it hard to defend the borders with their lips locked on Vicente's butt?

[Aric2000]

Both of these governors are doing a lot of talking, but they will NOT take ANY action.

They are A: trying to take the wind out of the Minutemen, by claiming that they are doing something, and therefore the minutemen are no longer necassary. B: trying to make the Democrat party viable again, by taking on an ISSUE OF THE PEOPLE, and seeming to actually care about it.

Watch, 1.5 million or whatever may seem like a lot, but it is NOTHING, compared to what is actually needed.

This is a putup job, to get the minutemen off the border, and to make sure that the illegal immigration can continue unabated.

[DesertFox]

We'll see. I doubt it. This could be Napolitano's ticket to 08. Don't expect her to blow it. She's a political animal.

[Lazarus]

...This is a putup job, to get the minutemen off the border, and to make sure that the illegal immigration can continue unabated.I dont agree with that assessment... The problem is that the Federal government has us all so enslaved that the states have little power to do anything anymore - And this is an international issue so those governors have their hands tied as to how much they can do... Its an international border - Its the Feds responsibility to seal it...

I saw Richardson on Fox News this morning and he was saying all the same stuff we have been saying on this board for months... Apparently he has been lobbying Washington to get off their butts (which is the proper 1st move to make) and they are not responding... He did NOT make it a Republican vs Democrat issue... In fact he blamed Congress as much as the Executive branch and what I heard sounded like a Governor trying to protect his state...

He talked about not only illegal immigration as a central issue but also mentioned the number of violent crimes, drug smuggling, and strain on State social services and hospitals... And he had some words to say about how the Mexican government is contributing to the invasion... To be honest, he sounded like he was moving into Tancredo's camp... Those border states are literally being overrun and annexed by Mexico by proxy... This has stopped being a partisan issue for those people on the border... This is survival...

This issue is going to split both the Republican and Democratic parties... I believe its going to separate the statesmen from the politicians right across party lines...

[Wolfcounsel]

"This issue is going to split both the Republican and Democratic parties... I believe its going to separate the statesmen from the politicians right across party lines..." --Lazarus


It's high time we had statesmen representing us, instead of the cowardly, spineless, butt lipstick-wearing baboons we have now.

[Aric2000]

You can disagree all you want Lazarus, but that is EXACTLY what is happening.

The Dem's saw an opening to reach the people with the "immigration" problem. They have NEVER had a problem with immigration, EVER, now all of a sudden they are declaring a state of emergency?

Something is fishy, and I mean BIG time.

They want 3 things, 1: the minutemen off the border 2: the immigration issue to disapear and 3: to regain power.

This is supposed to do all 3 things.

The minutemen disapear, because the states now have their attention and are on the job, the states are now doing something, so the immigration issue will disapear off the front pages and the Democrat party looks like it cares about what we care about.

What is actually going to happen is this, some good old boy is gonna pocket 150 mil from his Dem buddies, and NOTHING will happen with illegal immigration.

[Melz]

I hope you are wrong Aric, but perhaps that is so. So far, the border states even denounce the Minutemen (who, from appearences are defending their borders). And liberals want every and anyone allowed into this country, so I agree with that point, why the uproar from them now?

Carrying that point forward, if Bush WERE doing something to control the illegals flocking inward, you can bet the liberals would be crying out "racism" or some unkind words towards him and conservatives who support that effort. But because Bush has not done a thing, it is something for them to bash him about. They are bashing him on something that they would support a liberal president for. Making peace with anyone who wants to come here for opportunity. That is how they would be presenting it if Bush were not president.

[Phil Osophical]

... and in a related matter (drum roll please) ...

Are the Minutemen going soft? Home, home on the range where never is heard a discouraging word? This newspaper article is disappointing:

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.php?page=border_news&story_id=073005a8_bordermilitia

[Lazarus]

...The minutemen disapear, because the states now have their attention and are on the job, the states are now doing something, so the immigration issue will disapear off the front pages and the Democrat party looks like it cares about what we care about.

What is actually going to happen is this, some good old boy is gonna pocket 150 mil from his Dem buddies, and NOTHING will happen with illegal immigration.I doubt that the Minutemen will disappear until they are forceably removed by some state or federal force... And if what you say is true then nothing is going to be done to solve the immigration problem anyway... The media will keep the immigration issue on the headlines because its embarassing to Bush... But this will not be a boon for the Dems unless they are clearly seen to actually stop the flow of illegals...

And yes, I dont doubt some good old boy will pocket the money - They always do when Dems are handling the money... I never had any misconceptions about what would happen financially nor do I expect any "declaration" by any Democrat to actually produce any results...

But if this raises the attention of the problem and embarasses Bush into taking action to seal the border, I support it... Its sad and unconscionable that we cant depend on our "supposed" conservative Republican president to do what all other Convervatives in this country clearly see as common sense...

Aric, I hear what you are saying, but this has gone far beyond the petty world of party politics... Whether this is a political act on the part of the Democrats or not, the situation is becoming critical and some drastic action must be taken on the part of SOME elected official regardless of his party affiliation - This is a national security issue, not a political issue... If the Democrats make political hay from this, its Bush's fault... We sent him to Washington to lead this nation in a Conservative direction - On this issue he has failed and betrayed America... And the citizens of America, especially those on the border, are bearing the cost of this little personal agenda game he is playing...

In truth what we really need to see is for the Governors of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas to activate their respective National Guards and seal the border themselves... THAT would be a definitive action and would get everyone's attention... Even if only one or two of the states did that it would redirect the illegals to move thru the unguarded states and the sudden rush would force those states to follow suit... Although he didnt name the Minutemen specifically, Bill Richardson said that the efforts to seal the border in Arizona forced the illegals to shift their approach to New Mexico and they have seen a dramatic increase in illegals there... Which just proves that the borders CAN be sealed, and the efforts of the Minutemen has been incredibly effective...

We also need to see Republicans in Congress stand up and take some definitive action to seal the border... This issue is NOT negotiable...

This situation would have never happened under Mr Reagan's watch...

[Lazarus]

... and in a related matter (drum roll please) ...

Are the Minutemen going soft? Home, home on the range where never is heard a discouraging word? This newspaper article is disappointing:

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.php?page=border_news&story_id=073005a8_bordermilitiaWell you know newspapers - They like to stir controversy so they are going to hunt up someone to oppose any effort... I believe the Minutemen are opposed to the idea of an Armed Civilian force - And I agree with them at this stage of the game... We have invested authority and responsibility in our governments - State and Federal - to secure our borders... When this reponsibility is cast off to civilians to take armed action, that is beginning of the disolution of the national entity...

I applaud the proposal of the Texas representative - With one qualification... It should not be an armed Civilian force at all... If they are going to get the Fed's to provide up to $6 Billion to fund such an effort, then it should be applied to form STATE border patrols... Since the Feds are unwilling to effectively close the border, then the border states have the right to protect their sovereignty and security...