Consider the audience...although, I suspect Amb. Garza believes what he's saying. I certainly don't agree with him.
Posted on 11/11/2005 1:24:26 PM PST by WatchingInAmazement
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza said Thursday that the Bush administration is against proposals to build a wall along the United States' entire southern border.
"The president is aware of the concerns of critics who would like to build a wall around the United States," Garza told a small group of foreign correspondents. "As the former governor of Texas, he knows that such proposals are both unrealistic and undesirable."
Some lawmakers have proposed building a wall from California to the Gulf of Mexico to stop the millions of undocumented workers who sneak over the border with Mexico.
Garza said that the best way to regulate immigration is to approve President Bush's proposals for a guest worker program.
He said building a wall also would not help the United States' relations with its Latin American neighbors, relations that appeared frayed in last week's summit of the Americas.
"Looking at the big picture, I believe we should, rather than retrenching into the isolationism that tempts some, build upon our relationships," he said.
Last week, at the fourth summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, Argentina, thousands of protesters marched against Bush. Furthermore, Latin American governments wouldn't agree on restarting talks on the U.S.-proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas.
Improving cooperation with Latin America would be the United States' best guarantee of security, Garza said.
"We share the obvious need to fight terrorism," he said.
Garza said that the benefits of free trade needed to be conveyed more clearly to the millions of Latin Americans who live in poverty.
"Populist slogans will not bring wealth and employment to the Western Hemisphere; free trade will," Garza said. "Those who claim that free trade is some ideological weapon forced upon them by President Bush are simply not credible."
Looks like Garza/Bush thinks 80% of their base is "not credible".
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Consider the audience...although, I suspect Amb. Garza believes what he's saying. I certainly don't agree with him.
Free trade is not the same as a complete disregard of the borders. Free trade means competition in goods, not forcing working Americans to supply citizenship benefits to whoever comes across. Free trade doesn't mean a catch and release program for illegal aliens; nor does it mean inviting alien criminals to come here for fun and escape back to sanctuary.
A fence wouldn't work anyway. They'd just tunnel under it.
To really discourage them, we'd need a canyon. 500 feet deep and 100 feet across.
Bush administration is against proposals to build a wall along the United States' entire southern border.
NO really? Why am I not surprised. The fact that TB is running rampant because of the illegals, and illegal drugs are pouring into this Country brought in by the illegals, what in the world is wrong with this administration? Why are they determined to bring us all down with them? Sorry but as a Texan I voted for than Governor Bush and for President Bush, don't make me REGRET those VOTES!
If we continue to "build upon our relationship" at the current rate the U.S. will be home to over 100 million illegals in less than 20 years. ....around 1/3 of the population of the entire nation.
You stay home. Just like you did on this past election day.
It would be a Friendship Wall.
About what? His statement that the Bush administration opposes a border barrier is certainly true.
Easy on Tony... he just married the richest lady in Mexico earlier this year ;o)
U.S. ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza married Mexican beer heiress Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala in a Roman Catholic chapel outside Mexico City at the weekend.
Their romance had people on both sides of the border buzzing, but nowhere more than in Garza's hometown of Brownsville.
There the ambassador is known as Tony, the son of a gas station owner who still comes back for high school reunions.
He remained single into his 40s - until meeting Aramburuzabala in Mexico at a dinner hosted by the chief executive of Dell Corp.
She was a wealthy divorcee in her early 40s with two children. She is vice chairman of Mexico's Grupo Modelo beer empire, brewer of Corona beer.
Remember that U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza married a Mexican national who is VERY wealthy and probably hooked up with the corrupt Mexican Govt. So what do you think that that makes him?
Rich and happy?
All right then, how about a minefield?
That's not the reason this "sell-out America first" administration doesn't want a fence. That's a smoke screen--they don't want to keep the illegal invaders out. Isn't it obvious to everyone? They want to ensure America becomes a third world country like Mexico before they leave office. Well thank you very much President Bush, how about looking out for your own damn citizens! Let Vicente take care of his! If fences won't work mines surely will. Either we are serious about border security or we aren't. Let's put it all on the table and stop using PC terms and tell the American people once and for all if you will protect and control the borders of the country you swore an oath of allegiance to.
Pres. Bush has as much chance of getting a guest worker program through Congress as he does making his tax cuts permanent. Both will not happen since he looks to be the lamest of ducks. In fact, there will be very little happening unless the Republicans get their act together, which seems unlikely at this juncture.
No, that a border barrier is not the solution. I believe it is one of many actions we need to take to resolve the problem.
Old tag line: Plug the dike. Drain the swamp.
Really? When was the last time a country in South America or mexico was attacked by al-qaeda?
Which SA country has sent troops to Iraq?
Selling U.S. sovereignty in the guise of security is another lie.
John effing Kerry?
Agreed.
No, it is not.
and undesirable
No, it is not.
building a wall also would not help the United States' relations with its Latin American neighbors
Who gives a rat's butt?
This idiots reference toward "isolationism" is a ridiculous as his suggestion that we should establish a "relationship" with those who would invade our country illegally, pillage our resources and destroy our communities.
This crap he is pulling with Mexico is going to end up giving us a Democrat president next time around, if we aren't careful. It's not just conservatives who are angry about the situation with illegals. Plenty of liberals are, too. All they need is a candidate who comes out with strong words against illegal immigration instead of the butt kissing of Mexico that Bush does...and people from both sides will be voting for that person.
Garza is really up on his White House talking points isn't he
No. Corrupt and venal, like all of Mexico.
ENOUGH ALREADY with the willing worker rhetoric.
He said building a wall also would not help the United States' relations with its Latin American neighbors
Why is that, would it interfere with their drug trafficking and illegal alien smuggling business?
Makes him sound like Jean Kerrie'
There's always Georgie P....
Even his Uncle George, who's accepting the Republican nomination for president tonight in Philadelphia, calls him "the hot member of the family."
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Support our Minutemen Patriots!
Be Ever Vigilant ~ Bump!
Which one of Jeb's dirtbag kids is that one?
Does Tony get to vote on it, too? Wouldn't be surprised if he was given an honorary legistlative position. Freakin' parasites.
The oldest. The one that was campaigning for GW in mexico in 2004.
George P Bush's TV appearance last week came as he completed a four-day swing through Mexico, ostensibly to encourage US citizens living abroad - there are 1 million in Mexico - to vote in November's election, preferably for his uncle.
He is often called simply "George P." Bush campaigned for his uncle during the 2000 presidential campaign; his good looks and Hispanic heritage (his mother, Columba, was born in Mexico) made him a popular figure with younger voters. George P. Bush's speech at the 2000 GOP convention earned him comparisons to another political heir, the late John Kennedy Jr.
Building a wall is not a good idea. It would go down in history as bad news. However, a double fence would work fine. One right on the border and a second secure one about 200 yards inside. Keep the space in between bare ground. Use the space like a trap. Once a day, flush it.
No need for a wall. Just fingerprint everyone at the border and refuse entry to anyone who has been deported before. Have massive sweeps of day laborer centers and deputize local law enforcement to handle immigration issues.
"Good fences make good neighbors" - Robert Frost
"Southwest National Lion Preserve" has a nice ring to it.
What? At least 50% (by Border Patrol statistics) of illegals are never seen at the border. They cross undetected. How do you fingerprint a wraith?
Well, I would allow for Ranchers to put landmines on the border, but I'm an extremeist.
I see...
I think the idea of parallel fences with clear ground between them, posted earlier, might not be a bad idea.
I'm not the kind that agrees with landmines, per se.
Tiger traps, maybe...
Petulant.
You're going to get a Socialist Community of North America, and you're going to get it good and hard.
ping
I could put an end to it in a year. You'd have to put me IN CHARGE and probably suspend the Constitution and/or declare martial law. Some would not like my draconian and wry sense of justice. But I guar-un-tee my methods would work.
--Boris
Good fences make good neighbors..... as they say..
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