Tonight's the night. President Bush will address the country concerning illegal immigration. The talk is that he will use the National Guard to help the current Border Patrol in securing the border until the Border Patrol's numbers can be increased. Several of his opponents, and unfortunately some of his own party members feel this is an inapropriate use of the National Guard. That's interesting considering that this website http://www.ngb.army.mil/about/ states that "...the National Guard continues its historic dual mission, providing to the states units trained and equipped to protect life and property, while providing to the nation units trained, equipped and ready to defend the United States and its interests, all over the globe." Also, from the same website.The National Guard traces its history back to the earliest English colonies in North America. Responsible for their own defense, the colonists drew on English military tradition and organized their able-bodied male citizens into militias. The colonial militias protected their fellow citizens from Indian attack, foreign invaders, and later helped to win the Revolutionary War. Following independence, the authors of the Constitution empowered Congress to "provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia."
It's the "providing to the states units trained and equipped to protect life and property" and the reference to "foreign invaders" that really justifies his decision for me. Oh yeah, and the fact that he is the President. That one always seems to trump even the best hand. I hope that most AMERICANS can understand the importance of nipping this illegal immigrant problem in the bud. Unfortunately for several lawmakers, they did not and some still DO not. This is a silent revolution. No shot will be fired (hopefully) and it will be held in the streets and the press. It willl displayed with such common place repetition that we will ignore it and never realize the power that it enables it's participants. IT worked in the late 60's, and it will probably work again unless we handle it now. I know several will read this and think that I am some sort of super conservative nut job. I have just learned over the years that the rules are in place for a reason. If the game is to be any fun and beneficial for all who play, then you have to follow the rules. There are rules governing the immigration practices of the United States of America. Hopefully, this President with the help of Congress can find a way to enforce them. Using the National Guard may be one of those ways...
manteca
