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'Baghdad Bob' Rides Again
Townhall.com ^ | March 25, 2021 | Cal Thomas

Posted on 03/25/2021 8:30:35 AM PDT by Kaslin


Source: Townhall Media/Julio Rosas

When I heard Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas say last Sunday on "Meet the Press" that the southern border "is closed," it immediately brought to mind claims by Iraq's former information minister -- dubbed "Baghdad Bob" and "Comical Ali" (aka Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf) -- about Saddam Hussein's superior military forces.

During the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, al-Sahaf said with a straight face that U.S. forces were "not even (within) 100 miles (of Baghdad)," as TV images showed the truth. It also reminded me of statements by some reporters that last summer's riots were "mostly peaceful."

Secretary Mayorkas is asking us to ignore what "our lying eyes" see. Television pictures show thousands of migrants crossing the border. Adding to the mess is the Biden administration's authorization for ICE to spend $86 million to house migrants in American hotels. Will they also get hotel promotional points?

Predictably, Mayorkas defaulted to the administration's position of blaming Donald Trump for not controlling the border. In fact, illegal border crossings declined substantially -- more than 70 percent -- during the final two years of Trump's presidency. The Washington Times quoted then-acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan saying as economies in Latin American worsen from COVID-19, he expected "unprecedented" numbers to attempt to cross the border. "Get ready," he warned. The Biden administration either wasn't ready, or OK with the invasion.

When certain members of the media, who opposed the Trump presidency, start hammering President Biden for his administration's failure to control the border you know the worm is turning. "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd said, "It's fair to call the deteriorating situation at the U.S.-Mexico border a crisis -- even if the Biden administration refuses to use that word. But it's more than that: It's a political crisis for the new president, with no easy way out."

Sure, there is. Finish the wall and electronic detection systems. Deport adult migrants, as President Obama did.

Adding to the warning signs for the Biden administration was this comment from ABC reporter Martha Raddatz on "This Week": "The number of unaccompanied children and teenagers in border patrol custody reaching record numbers. Children forced to stay longer in overcrowded facilities. The media not allowed inside. The administration restricting access despite promising transparency, citing COVID and privacy concerns. The issue that at times plagued the previous administration now presenting a challenge to the Biden administration, one that shows no sign of abating any time soon."

One is even beginning to read criticism of Biden's immigration non-policy in the editorial pages of The New York Times and Washington Post. When that happens, you know that claims by Mayorkas, Press Secretary Jen Psaki and other administration officials are being seen for what they were from the start - lacking in credibility.

No country can long endure if it refuses to control its borders. Because of the pandemic, most European nations are closed to foreigners, as is Canada. Only the U.S. southern border remains porous.

To reject the obvious is the ultimate denial. Baghdad Bob said it best, though in a completely different context, as he admonished the American media in 2003: "Search for the truth. I tell you things and ask you to verify what I say..."

That is a challenge the supportive press, at least up until now, should adopt when examining statements from members of the Biden administration.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: alejandromayorkas; bloggers; bordercrisis; bordersecurity; illegalimmigration

1 posted on 03/25/2021 8:30:35 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

2 posted on 03/25/2021 8:32:56 AM PDT by Red Badger ("We've always been at war with Climate Change, Winston."..............................)
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To: Kaslin

I think we’ve moved from “crisis” to “disaster” at this point. Nice of the drive-bys to notice but nothing is being done.


3 posted on 03/25/2021 8:34:15 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: Red Badger

That’s not for you or me, it’s for the indoctrinated masses in our country. It makes them happy, it gives the media a message to send.

We know what’s going on, and they don’t care.


4 posted on 03/25/2021 8:38:08 AM PDT by brownsfan (Term limits! Without term limits, we are doomed.)
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To: Kaslin

Secretary Mayorkas is asking us to ignore what “our lying eyes” see.


5 posted on 03/25/2021 8:38:55 AM PDT by MarvinStinson
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To: Kaslin

The sad thing is that the MSM no longer does any research into their stories. Indeed, I sometimes think they sit in their offices and say: “You know what would be fun to say...”


6 posted on 03/25/2021 8:39:32 AM PDT by econjack
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To: econjack

They pull what is trending on Twitter and publish it as gospel.


7 posted on 03/25/2021 8:42:17 AM PDT by day10 (You'll get nothing and like it!)
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To: MarvinStinson

In addition to being a lying incompetent, Mayorkas is a nasty p.o.s. Did you see his response to a question from a Republican congresswoman last week? He lectured and excoriated her for asking a “disrespectful” question.


8 posted on 03/25/2021 8:50:54 AM PDT by forgotten man
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To: Kaslin; All

9 posted on 03/25/2021 9:13:29 AM PDT by HotHunt
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To: forgotten man

And the democrats were respectful to DHS during the Trump years?


10 posted on 03/25/2021 9:18:25 AM PDT by Rusty0604 (" When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat." -Ronald Reagan)
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To: Billthedrill; All
".... but nothing is being done...."

"Come on, man!"

Biden just yesterday appointed KamelToe to deal with the border mess.

What could go wrong?

I sense it will go from a disaster to a catastrophe.

I'm just sayin'.....

11 posted on 03/25/2021 9:21:31 AM PDT by HotHunt
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To: HotHunt

“Biden just yesterday appointed KamelToe to deal with the border mess.
What could go wrong?
I sense it will go from a disaster to a catastrophe.”

The only disaster in their eyes is the fact that the illegals are not flowing into our country smoothly and efficiently. They aim to “fix” it.


12 posted on 03/25/2021 9:32:45 AM PDT by plain talk
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To: Kaslin

Nothing to see here...


13 posted on 03/25/2021 9:35:00 AM PDT by Pajamajan ( PRAY FOR OUR NATION. I will never be a peaceful slave in a new Socialist America.)
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To: Kaslin

Nothing to see here...


14 posted on 03/25/2021 9:59:21 AM PDT by Pajamajan ( PRAY FOR OUR NATION. I will never be a peaceful slave in a new Socialist America.)
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To: Kaslin

Matamoros Mayorkas?


15 posted on 03/25/2021 10:03:10 AM PDT by Allegra
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To: plain talk

Roger that.


16 posted on 03/25/2021 11:26:52 AM PDT by HotHunt
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To: Allegra
You are back? FAB-TASTIC.

Last I knew you were dodging the occasional incoming while out of country.

So glad you are hail, hearty and still kickin' lefty ass.

WELCOME BACK


17 posted on 03/25/2021 12:19:43 PM PDT by Candor7 ((Obama Fascism:http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html) )
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To: Kaslin
Deport adult migrants, as President Obama did.

Deport ALL Border invaders!!!

No; don't let them in to begin with!!

18 posted on 03/25/2021 1:10:30 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Kaslin

They ‘walked’ thru Mexico; let Mexico care for them!


19 posted on 03/25/2021 1:11:07 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Candor7

Well hey there! Good to see you. And thanks for the Texas Tea. I could use that right about now. And Tito’s is a favorite. 👍


20 posted on 03/25/2021 4:00:39 PM PDT by Allegra
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