Posted on 04/21/2005 5:12:03 PM PDT by CHARLITE
Editor's note: Each week, WorldNetDaily White House correspondent Les Kinsolving asks the tough questions almost no one else will ask. And each week, WorldNetDaily brings you the transcripts of those dialogues with the president and his spokesman. If you'd like to suggest a question for the White House, submit it to WorldNetDaily's exclusive interactive forum MR. PRESIDENT!
By Les Kinsolving
At today's White House news briefing, WND asked presidential press secretary Scott McClellan about the president's view that those involved in the Minuteman Project on the U.S.-Mexican border are vigilantes and confronted the spokesman with Border Patrol comments about agents' dissatisfaction with Bush.
WND: Scott, WorldNet Daily quotes the largest local union of U.S. Border Patrol agents, Local 2544 in Tucson section, as saying this: "We have not had one single complaint from a rank-and-file agent in this sector about the Minutemen, many of whom are retired firefighters, cops and other professionals. Sensors have been set off by the ACLU sneaking around. If only President Bush were supportive of the rank-and-file agents." And my question, first question, has the president given any reconsideration to his reference to the Minutemen as vigilantes? McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, we have great appreciation for the job that our Border Patrol does day in and day out. They work very hard to enforce our borders and to protect the American people and make sure that our borders are secure. So we greatly appreciate the job that they are doing.
And second of all, I mean, I think that we've been over this now two or three times, Les, and I think the president's views were made known, and I've expressed what our views are, as well.
WND: Republican Sen. Wayne Allard says we should consider deputizing the Minutemen to help secure our borders. Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger clarified his statement as meaning we need to secure our borders. And the Republican-controlled Senate voted down amnesty. Question: Why won't the president reconsider his vigilante remark and do what is necessary to secure our borders?
McCLELLAN: Well, actually, we are, Les. We have taken a number of steps to improve our border security. We also believe – well, we've increased the number of Border Patrol agents along –
WND: Two-hundred instead of 2,000.
McCLELLAN: – along our borders. We're making use of new technology to help secure our borders. We have taken a number of steps in recent years to achieve that important objective.
The president also believes it's important – you bring up one – you mentioned amnesty, and the president does not believe we should have a blanket amnesty. He's made that clear, as well. But the president does believe we should have a more orderly, secure and safe migration system.
And one of the issues before us is immigration reform. There are a number of members that are committed to immigration reform. The president has outlined his approach for moving forward on a temporary worker program that will address two important priorities when it comes to our border. It will – well, address an economic need, and it will address the security challenges that we face, because if we move forward on that plan, it will allow those who are enforcing our borders to focus their efforts on those who are coming here for the wrong reasons, and help us better secure the borders.
Les Kinsolving is WorldNetDaily's White House correspondent and a talk-show host for WCBM in Baltimore. His show can be heard on the Internet at www.wcbm.com 8-10 p.m. Eastern each weekday.
Watch what they do, not what they say.
Perhaps he was concerned that they'd be misbehaving vigilantes when he was first asked that question, but that hasn't turned out to be the case.
But if they're not vigilantes, I don't know the definition.
The powers that be continue to refuse to admit how hugely embarressed they were by the success of the Minuteman project. They are in huge denial over how big the illegal immigration problem really is.
Militia.
If the elected government won't keep intruders out of our house, citizens have a right and a responsiblity to do so.
Blech....
You know, I have seen the press conference with Fox and Bush a few times and Bush wasn't asked explicitely about the Minuteman Project, he was asked what he thought of the vigalantes.
Bush then answered that he didn't want vigilantes along the border. HE (Bush) never called the Minutemen vigilantes, the reporter just said vigilantes, not even mentioning the word Minutemen---Bush was having a worldwide press conference with he, Fox and Martin and I am sure ya'll can imagine what must be going on in his head---he could have not even realized the guy was referring to the Minutemen.
Having said all that--NOW, he should come out and state just what I said above, that he didn't consider them vigilantes and he appreciates their concern and he should do with THEM that he did with the families of 9/11, and includes a few of them in future planning sessions for immigration reform--
If the families of 9/11, who had no more qualifications for intelligence reform than I do, should have input into intelligence reform--
the minutemen, who have walked the border, peacefully, and SUCCESSFULLY, should be considered to have enough qualifications for immigration reform.
I nominate Spiff to be one of the committee!
If the government of this country will not defend its borders, and permit strains of all kinds on us citizens, national agencies, and law enforcement; health concerns from hitherto eradicated diseases such as leprosy, TB, or worse; and horrendous waits for health care, education, and law enforcement from system overload by illegals, what does it expect citizens to do?
It is the primary purpose of government to defend and protect its citizenry. All else is extra. Anything less presents the citizenry with cause.
Thanks for that definition.
Why does everyone assume that the word "vigilante" is negative,the definition is a positive.
Vigilantes takes law enforcement into their own hands. The minutemen simply did a classic "neigborhood watch" -- which BTW is endorsed by law enforcement across the country.
The idea is the more eyes and ears on the street, the easier it is to catch the bad guys.
Bottom line: The Minuteman Project in no way represents a vigilante approach to board security.
dung.
I don't think of vigilante as citizen cop, judge, jury, and executioner.
Maybe I need to rethink my definition.
I'd prefer to get drunk and come over to beat up your family, vigilante-style.
I would contend that invading Iraq was discernably more "vigilante" than the patrol activities of few citizens on the southern border.
impeach Bush!
Deeper and deeper...
Shut up and take it, comes to mind.
They are just what the term vigilante really means in Spanish; they are being vigilant and watching the border.
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