How does war mongering work? Well, first you plant the seeds of fear.
So it is hardly any surprise that presidential candidate and governor of Texas Rick Perry told an audience at the conservative Heritage Foundation in DC that it is a “very real possibility” that terrorists from the extremest group ISIS may have crossed into the US at the southern border. He did add that he has absolutely no evidence to support this, but the point he made is that as long as the border is insecure “individuals from ISIS or other terrorist states could be” taking advantage of the situation. “We need to have clear and compelling forces, both law and enforcement and otherwise, to send the message that the border is secure.”
Of course, making a border as long and isolated as the US southern border completely secure is completely impossible. And even if you could, how would you stop a terrorist-filled boat from landing anywhere on our extensive coastlines? It just reminds me of Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (“Star Wars”) that threw hundreds of billions of dollars at defense contractors to guard against a threat that turned out to be a tempest in a teapot.
Perry went on to call for a stronger response to ISIS, including even more airstrikes. “When they talk about limited airstrikes, they place a great emphasis on the word ‘limited,’ yet clearly more airstrikes are necessary. Nothing less than a sustained air campaign to degrade and destroy ISIS forces is required.” And when asked by a reporter if he would support combat troops on the ground, Perry responded “all your options have to be open”.
The message of fear was amplified by a member of the Republican National Committee, who on her radio show said that the children from Central America coming across our border could be “highly trained as warriors who will meet up with their group here and actually rise up against us as Americans.” Her guest, a member of the Tea Party, agreed: “We do know that Hamas and Hezbollah run several training camps in Venezuela and other South American countries, and they are training these young – these youths – beginning as early as 8 or 9 years old through the MS13 gangs. They are being trained as warriors, you’re absolutely right.”
While I have a great deal of sympathy for the opinion that when we invaded Iraq (based on lies and misinformation), we broke it and now we have responsibility for fixing it. But the real question is what can we do that won’t merely make the situation worse?
6 Comments
Not that he is a racist, but ever notice the complete lack of concern about people crossing the Canadian border. Where I live all it would take to cross undetected is a row boat. In lots of places, a good compass would do the trick. Oh, wait, he is a racist.
That’s a good point. The northern border is definitely far less secure than the southern border, and yet Perry is not yammering on about it.
Yup, definitely racist. How does he get elected governor of a state where only 44% of the population is white (not hispanic, nor other minority)?
IK, I think there was some gerrymandering back about 10 or so years ago, that might have had something to do with it. I also saw that in 2010 Texas was last in voter turnout and 42nd in registration. And possibly the most important thing in this study is that they ranked 44th in the number of people who discuss politics a few times a week or more. I don’t know if it’s apathy, lack of education, or a combination.
http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2013-10-20/study-texas-ranks-last-voter-turnout-close-last-registration
I have a couple questions. I’ve heard that ISIS is funding themselves with oil money from some wells they’ve captured. Who is buying the oil and how is it being transported?
Second- Are we involved in the Middle East to secure the flow of oil or disrupt it? Seems to me some very powerful individuals would like to see the price go up.
Perry probably thinks Canada is a territory of the U.S., aka Southeast Alaska.
The message is simple: BE AFRAID! BE VERY AFRAID!!
We (the same people who claim not to want too much government except when it’s time to protect you, at which point there is no such thing as enough) will do our very best to protect you is you will only let us… the real “daddy” state.
Oh, and while they’re at it, perhaps the GOP-led Congress should pass legislation to back up their words. Only Congress can declare war; maybe they could declare war on ISIS?