PRESIDENT SPEAKS - BORDER SECURITY YET STILL SOMEWHAT WEAK ON ILLEGALS

President Bush spoke from the Oval Office tonight on the hot bed issue of illegal immigration. The beginning of the speech finally dealt with border security. 6,000 National Guard will be deployed, in my opinion not enough but at least a start. The President also outlined a comprehensive program from high tech security to building fences in rural areas. Again not strong enough but a good start. From this point, though stronger than in the past, the speech did not take the tough stand that the nation is demanding. The President made it clear that he did not favor any amnesty programs and though I agree that deporting illegal aliens in large numbers is really not feasible the program that the President outlined though not in essence amnesty and placing any path to citizenship behind those who have obeyed our laws, the plan outlined penalties but again absolutely no incentive for illegals to step out of the shadows and participate in the program. It was good to hear that the plan actually will have penalties for employers who hire illegals including ID cards that are tamper proof. Whether it is enforced now remains to be seen. Enforcing the law when it comes to employing illegals will deter the massive flow coming over the border as illegals will find acquiring employment harder because of employment enforcement. Again the question is will it be fully enforced. If so great, but enforcement means NO exceptions. The President stated that in order to secure the border there must be a temporary worker program. I disagree ! Border security is possible without temporary worker programs. First completely secure the border. The flow must stop in order for the problem of illegal aliens to even begin to find a solution! I would like to believe that 6,000 National Guard is just the beginning and as the states on the borders request then additional Guardsman will be deployed. For those who disagree with National Guard on the border remember they are THE NATIONAL GUARD. Deployment in times of war is at the discretion of the President but their primary duty is national security whether a natural disaster, or deployment to protect our citizenry. Border security is vital to our national security and placing the Guard on the border is keeping with the responsibility of the Guard. All in all not the speech of strength that I would have liked but a start which will begin the process of dealing with the illegal alien issue. Now Congress must take this initiative by the President strengthen it and deal with the problem from a position of law enforcement and tight border security.

Ken Taylor