Gov. Perry challenges Pelosi to a debate (Pelosi to respond at today's morning press conference)

Good questions.

I have to wonder just what Perry, as a leader, could be expected to do; given that the Federal government continues to not enforce our borders and to place obstacles in the paths of states that attempt to do so.

That's exactly what is happening.

If past behavior can be used as a prediction of future behavior - then my belief is Gov. Perry would jump on the border with both feet and have it shut down quickly.

We actually live in south Texas on the border. The cartels regularly take a run at us - and are quite sophisticated in both their tactics and personnel. Perry can't explain what he's done in a sixty second sound bite. He's put together a similarly sophisticated team in his Ranger Recon that draws on various assets throughout Texas. He consulted with experienced military people for assistance in tactical and strategic planning.

Can he as Governor stop all the drugs and the illegal aliens? No. Can he focus like a laser beam on the 'bad guys?' Yes. His mission is to protect the citizens of Texas. He's done it and we're thankful for him.

I can only surmise that if he had command of Federal assets he would do the same.

I think a whole lot of this controversial situation is more understandable when it is put in the perspective of the long history that Texans have w/their friends and neighbors who are of Mexican descent.

Again, you are exactly right. Most Texans have Latinos that are friends and neighbors. The Latino population, especially in the area we live in are very prone to serve in the Military. The ones who were born in Mexico and became US citizens legally are mostly entrepreneurs and have seen socialism in Mexico first hand and despise it. They recognize it in Obama et. al. Their voting demographic has been predominantly Democrat. I keep repeating this hoping it will sink in with the flamers.

Liberalism is no longer a good fit for the Latinos I know. They don't like Obama and it's opened their eyes to the increasing socialist direction of the democratic party. Politically they are looking for a place to land. Our county went predictably straight democrat - except for voting for Gov. Perry. When I talk to my Latino friends as to why they voted for Perry - they usually say they don't 'hate' him. (Bush didn't carry this or the surrounding counties.)

This is an opportunity for conservatism to pick up some fine people. Confusing a Latino who is a US citizen, served in the Military and is a productive citizen with a 'wet' shows that the poster has no handle on the situation. BTW Gov. Perry was able to get through voter ID.

I live in VA and I think many of us non-Texans are too quick to condemn Perry's stand on allowing “illegals” to attend Texas colleges/universities at in-state rates.

Well, a big howdy up there to you in G-d's country. Virginia is a great state. The beauty and history overwhelm me every time I visit.

In 1975 Texas went all the way to the US Supreme Court on whether it was obligated to educate illegal aliens. The answer was yes. The result is Texas must educate these kids - not asking about immigration status K through 12. We're stuck with them and it's a drain on the State's resources.

Here's what most people don't realize. Years ago, before GHW Bush started his "War on Drugs," the Border Patrol and Immigration actually used to try to catch illegal aliens. Imagine that! Now their focus is on drugs.

It was easy to obtain a permit to cross onto this side for shopping. Most of these kid's mothers got shopping permits and never went back. They headed north to become live-in maids and took their kids with them.

So the usual scenario is a woman took her two year old to Dallas to become an affluent couple's live in maid and she's been there 15 years. Her child is now 17 - did well in High School, hasn't been in trouble with law enforcement and has made application on the pathway to citizenship. That is part of the requirement.

I can't presume to speak for Gov. Perry, but I believe when he referenced "heartless," he was referring to picking up that 17 year old - who's Spanish is weak and doesn't remember Mexico - and dropping him without his family in a Country that is as foreign to him as it is to you and I.

The question for Texas is this: Do we allow that child to pay in state tuition or not? He's probably not going to be able to afford out of state tuition. Do we want Zetas-in-training or future educated tax payers? The quickest way for the cartels to recruit these kids is to have them hit a brick wall after high school.

Remember in this scenario Texas has no power to deport. On the other hand, the Federal government could deport the entire family, including the child at any time during the entire process. They don't do it.

Thanks for your well reasoned post.

Thanks so much for your reply and kind words. The Commonwealth of VA is a beautiful state w/a rich history. I am not a native; but, have lived here continuously since the early 1960's when my fathers final tour of duty was as CO Marine Barracks, NWS, Yorktown. He took a job in VA after he retired and I've been here in the greater Richmond area ever since. I really appreciate your in depth account of the situation in south Texas; and, of course, you have confirmed a lot of my suspicions about conditions there.

I do remember the time when the Border Patrol was not hobbled by the PC Pols in D.C. A couple of decades ago I used to enjoy reading the late Bill Jordan's column (in Guns & Ammo, I think; but, not sure) and accounts of his Border Patrol days.

It is a shame that Gov Perry got off to such a difficult start. The debate format was not the best place for him to try to explain his position on the tuition situation and the “heartless” remark only compounded the problem; because it caused many people to stop listening to what he had to say. He really needs a more lengthy format to fully explain the current situation as well as the background; as there is such a huge difference between the history and demographics of the southern border states and most of the rest of the US.

I also think many folks outside Texas think that Gov Perry is tied in w/the Bush/Rove faction; however, my guess is that is not the case based upon what I saw of Perry's race against Kay Bailey Hutchinson. I also remember Rush Limbaugh mentioning at that time he had gone down to Texas to give a campaign speech for Gov Perry and someone tried to dissuade him from going ...he wouldn't say who; but, he mentioned it was a Republican "insider" operative that everyone would have heard of ...my first thought was Karl Rove and that's still my suspicion. Rove is a snake and is very unpopular w/many Conservatives after he torpedoed several or the Tea Party candidates in the last election.

It sounds like the Zeta's and other Mexican drug cartels are really causing a lot of strife down your way; not to mention all the bloodshed in Mexico ...sure hope whomever the next President is he or she will take the border issues seriously and make a concerted effort to fix that problem before things get any worse down your way!

Stay safe!

FReegards,

-Geoff

Thanks to your father for his service to our Country - and to you for supporting it. Directly from the State of Texas to the Commonwealth of Virgina. (Sorry, I knew that.) My family served in the Navy and Merchant Marine - so we're in the same arm, but the US Marines are the head of the class. Most certainly.

Richmond is one of the places in Virgina that I've never been to and want to go. Hollywood cemetery and Petersburg in particular. On another board I've heard people say not to plan to stay in Petersburg - although they didn't say why. Perhaps when we head up that way again, can I shoot you a PM and ask a few questions? It's always good to have the input of a local. Same thing goes if you ever want to enjoy our beautiful South Padre Island, White Wing hunt or bass fish out on Falcon Lake. Shoot me a PM. I'll hook you right up.

I believe there was a time when my extended family was the Border Patrol in South Texas. Way back when restaurants used to have signs that said, "No dogs or Border Patrolmen." But it didn't dissuade the next generation from joining.

Did Bill Jordan ever ever tell a story like this? Because this is flat out silly but true. My father-in-law once deported one 'wet' three times in one day. Finally he got disgusted and threatened to put the guy in a Federal penitentiary. The 'wet' said, "Oh good - Now I don't have to kick you!" My FIL said, "Let me get this straight - you want to go to the Federal pen?" The 'wet' said "Senor - I'm only half way through my welding program, I need to go back to get the certificate." My FIL said, "Back over the brige, Hombre." The little guy kicked the ever loving heck out of his legs. He got his trip to the Federal pen.

Today my FIL (RIP) would have been in the Federal pen with him. There's Obama's PC policies for you.

So in state tuition is not the magnet people make it out to be. The real magnets are the Federal programs that have been insidiously propagated by the liberals and liberal Repubs. Give them any nine digit number and you're in. (Or you can kick a Border Patrolman and eat and live better in the pen than you do in Mexico - plus get free vocational training!)

But back to Gov. Perry. I agree in the debates he had a difficult start. I suspect the in-state tuition question was a well thought out Hobson's choice type question coordinated by the moderators with the assistance of a Rove or someone of his ilk. Any answer without the benefit of further explanation is going to appear bad.

If he said the legislature passed it and he signed it and fully backed it - they were going to shout "Pro-Amnesty" from the tree tops. (He is decidedly not pro-amnesty.)

The other side of the question is the interesting one that most people are missing. Latinos are drawing away from the Democrats because of their liberalism/socialism - and believe me, the Democratic party big wigs are quaking in their boots down here. If Perry had said something to marginalize Latinos - which would have satisfied the vocal conservatives - he would have validated what the Democrats are saying about Conservatives. Perry has proven he has the ability to get Latinos to cross party lines in Texas.

My impression was that the "heartless" remark that he shot at the moderators was really directed at the question writers. He knew exactly what was going on and got a little peeved. When he gets peeved - it's a lot of fun, as long as it's not directed at you. Pelosi will soon find out. If my prayers are answered and he becomes our next President - Congress will find out. I see tonight Obama has already set the DOJ on Gov. Perry's voter ID. I fully expect the Governor to get peeved. Anyone who thinks he can't debate Obama never saw the footage of him meeting AF1 in Austin.

As for the other communication foul ups - I believe his back was really bothering him. But I'm also not going to make excuses for him. He must be able to articulate his positions.

Gov. Perry is decidedly not tied in with the Bush/Rove faction. When people say Gov. Perry reminds them of George Bush - you have to laugh. Rick Perry is pure Paint Creek. On the way from Connecticut it seems President Bush picked up a Paint Creek accent and even Rick Perry's laugh.

It's my opinion there is some family down here putting a good deal of effort into opposing him. You know about it if you followed KBH. I think someone told me the mother of the family even said something to the effect that Sarah Palin should stay in Alaska. I guess they might be imagining a political dynasty of some sort. They can say who goes where and who runs for what - and even tell Rush Limbaugh who to speak for. Guess who? Some say Karl Rove's only job is to service them.

Thanks for your kind wishes re: the cartels and Zetas. In some respects it is not as bad as some make it out to be, however, in others ways it's much worse. They are finding middle easterners with ties to terrorism, having learned Spanish, slipped in among the illegals the coyotes are crossing. They won't stay down here - they're headed in your direction. For every one they catch - who knows how many have gotten through? Throwing up a fence won't solve that problem.

Here's hoping the Conservative nominee - whoever that may be, becomes our next President and may G-d bless them. Whoever it is they are going to have a tough row to hoe. They'll need every ounce of our support. That's why I'll talk my candidate up, but not tear someone else's down. Your reasoned approach was great and a breath of fresh air. FReegards.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.