Barack Obama is bordering on dereliction of duty regarding border security. John Morton, who heads ICE under the Department of Homeland Security, showed a bureaucrat's arrogance, implicitly suggests that the administration may elect to use executive discretion to release any or all illegal aliens apprehended under Arizona's new immigration law. Morton also decided his opinion regarding public policy, namely that "comprehensive immigration reform" (which is a euphemism for amnesty of undocumented Latinos) is the answer, not state laws like Arizona's.
Now, to be fair, Morton is simply echoing Obama's opinion, but Obama seems to be in a state of denial. First of all, most Americans are dissatisfied with current federal enforcement of the southern border, and they are supportive of supplemental state efforts to stem the tide, especially in Arizona, which absorbs a disproportionately large plurality of illegal immigrants. Second, there's virtually no chance of getting an even more progressive version of immigration reform this year than the 2007 immigration reform proposal through the Senate without a filibuster.
If Obama really wanted to target immigration reform passing this year, he would have paid attention to 2007 immigration co-sponsor McCain's 2008 shift towards secure borders as a prerequisite, a consensus starting position for Senate Republicans. Obama should have made strengthening the border a top priority, particularly given an instability on the Mexican border. Cuts in border technology projects (including a fence) and an undermanned Border Patrol do not constitute a viable response. Obama's principal interest in immigration reform is not merit-based, revising obsolete quota systems (especially for larger population nations) or in establishing a legitimate temporary worker program but in window-dressing amnesty for unauthorized Latinos, whom as low wage earners would be attracted to the Democrats' promise of a social welfare net and civil rights initiative.
In fact, FNC attorney and television host Megyn Kelly pointed out that the Supreme Court allowed the federal government to demand paperwork of suspected illegal aliens without stated reason (including possible racial profiling) whereas Arizona's law is far more restrictive. We should also point out that federal and state governments often share responsibilities (e.g., Medicaid). The fact is that illegal immigrants are often arrested by local law enforcement, not the Border Patrol.
The Texas Textbook Wars
I have mixed feelings over the Texas textbook kerfuffle, this week focusing on social studies. I think the real issue has more to do with teachers (not textbooks) coming from heavily progressive/revisionist/presentist colleges and universities. There were educators demanding "experts", not school board members, write textbooks; that assumes that "experts" don't have ideological blinders, presentist bias (e.g., over the separation of church and state), etc.
My personal opinion is that lower education should focus more on primary sources than some historian's summarization, and should stress more analytical and critical thinking skills in a more balanced presentation. However, some of the points, e.g., whether to use Obama's middle name ("Hussein"), made me roll my eyes. I do not want to see politics enter the picture on what to put in a textbook or teach in class.
Political Cartoon
Glenn Foden points out that two Presidents have the audacity to scapegoat Arizona left on its own to cope their mutual failure in leadership and performance in controlling border security.
Quote of the Day
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Musical Interlude: The AFI Music Top 100 (continued)
#21. "Jailhouse Rock"
#22. "Everybody's Talkin'"
#23. "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head"
#24. "Ol' Man River"
