How about some action?

America needs leadership rather than excuses. We need people to shut up talking and DO what needs to be done, which for me is protect this country from terrorists. If that means securing the borders, then DO it. If that means driver licenses only for Americans with valid Social Security numbers, then DO it. If that means revamping our Visa programs to drastically limit people from terrorist-sponsoring countries, then DO it. Whatever it takes, for America's sake, let's see some leadership out of Washington.

9/11 Group To Governor Spitzer: Don’t License Terrorists!

At issue is a current DMV requirement that license applicants provide a valid Social Security number, which is cross checked against the federal Social Security data base to authenticate its validity and the applicant’s identity. This simple procedure, which is performed in 36 states around the country, is considered a crucial tool in keeping driver’s licenses out of terrorist hands. Governor Spitzer has said that he will stop requiring it, despite clear instructions from the 9/11 Commission that safeguards like this are desperately necessary in states across America. --By Coalition for a Secure Driver’s License, Family Security Matters

Perhaps Washington needs to read this:

Now, we are a nation adrift in a dangerous sea as storm clouds gather overhead, surrounded by icebergs, sharks and all sorts of hazards that challenge our survival. It would appear that there is no one in the wheel house willing to take charge and plot a course of action that will guide us into calmer and safer waters. The fact is our borders are so porous as to be little more than a speed bump to those who are determined to enter our country illegally. Politicians have learned to game the system, as have the terrorists and criminals. The politicians have substituted sound bites for leadership. They pander to everyone and, in the end, satisfy the needs of those who make the biggest campaign contributions or promise to crank out more votes for them. [snip]

Today I will tell you what I have repeatedly told my children. I have taught them that the opposite of success is an excuse. When we are successful the conversation is usually short and to the point. We will make note of a success and move on to other issues. When we fail to accomplish our goals, however, we resort to offering excuses. The child who claims he could not bring his assignment to class because his dog ate his homework, quickly finds out you can only use That excuse a couple of times before you lose all credibility. When our leaders stand before the microphones and cameras and start spewing excuses you know you are listening to the sound of failure. Where the "War on Terror" is concerned, as Gene Kranz, the flight director for many of the early manned space missions, implored his people to successfully bring the Apollo 13 astronauts home alive, "Failure is not an option!"

Lead, follow or get out of the way! --Michael Cutler in "“Can Do” Nation Does Nothing" at Family Security Matters

Now here's a good start:

Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson introduced a tough border security bill into the Senate yesterday that would make all thoughts of Comprehensive Immigration Reform and a guest worker program be put on the back-burner until our borders were secure and the flood of illegal aliens into our country was stopped. The Department of Homeland Security would have to certify to the President and the Congress that all the measures in the bill were met before any guest worker program were implemented.

Included in the bill are these five main points:

* Manpower – authorizing 14,000 new full-time Border Patrol Agents as well as 2,500 new Port of Entry Inspectors and 250 new Deputy U.S. Marshals.
* Detention beds – authorizing detention facilities with an additional 20,000 detention beds to end the practice of “catch and release.”
* Barriers – authorize additional barriers such as fences, roads or underground sensors where appropriate.
* Unmanned Aerial Vehicles -- authorize more than $450 million to acquire and maintain a squadron of unmanned aerial vehicles with high-tech sensors and satellite communication to allow coverage on the border by an unmanned vehicle 24 hours a day.
* Biometric ID – establish a biometric secure identification card program so employers can verify an immigrants’ status.

Can I get an AMEN???

Other reading:
What makes them radicals, from 25 centímetros de neve. Excellent article, with wonderful graphs. Here's a sample:

Based on a new Gallup World Poll of more than 9,000 interviews in nine Muslim countries, we find that Muslim radicals have more in common with their moderate brethren than is often assumed. If the West wants to reach the extremists, and empower the moderate Muslim majority, it must first recognize who it’s up against. --Senator Johnny Isakson Introduces Tough Border Security Bill In Senate (S.330), Digger's Realm

Exclusive: Jimmy Carter Interceded on Behalf of Nazi SS Guard, The HILL Chronicles
Martinez: I watched the Rule of Law Erode and Disappear, Common Sense America
Illegal Immigration and Civil Rights, Morning Coffee
Pedro Fails Highschool, Take Back Georgia
Letting drugs through is just the cost of doing business….to get the Illegal Immigrants we need, stickNstein
Globalization……..Turning America into MexiSamoa
New RNC Chair Pro Amnesty Advocate, Liberally Conservative
Good News From Pelosi, Wake Up America

This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, email the coalition and let us know at what level you would like to participate.
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Comments

[Angel]

yes Deb, you can get an AMEN!!!..this is maddening!

[StormWarning]

Notwithstanding O'Reilly's comments or Spitzer's ill-conceived "idea" I don't expect it to be implemented. That's not a function, in my opinion, of Spitzer backpeddling, or giving into pressure. Its more a function of the fact that the Real ID Act of 2005, despite its own problems, including the push-down costs to the states to implement it, will lead to more sweeping issues and changes. The National ID card, or some facsimile thereof, is coming. With it, with or without Spitzer, will come other changes in identity management for this country. As I mentioned, I'd expect that some state will even begin to re-issue birth certificates to maintain their integrity and keep phonies from being used to secure SS cards or legal driver's licenses.

Frankly, whether or not Spitzer actually had this thought, his new homeland security director, Mike Balboni, is unlikely to sit still for a relaxing of security standards (in my opinion of course).

BTW, I had already seen the update on the URL and ignored that part. I simply don't believe that NY State will loosen its security standards, although I could be proven wrong by events.

[Debbie]

Always on Watch, thanks. I knew you would agree with my thoughts on this. We think alike.

Stormwarning,I just read the link and there is an update that says:

UPDATE: Bill O'Reilly, a consultant who helped organize yesterday's press conference by the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License opposing any prospective looseing of license requirements, just sent me the following email:

Because Governor Spitzer can undo the safeguards by executive order, it could happen any day, and a recent op-ed by opponents of license reform in Gotham Gazette hinted that it might happen soon. The Coalition has no choice but to speak out now, before license security is compromised, because it's a lot easier to prevent something bad from happening in Albany than to try to get fixed after the damage is done.

-- Azi Paybarah

[Always On Watch]

It defies belief that the governor of New York could be so stupid.

I love your opening paragraph, Debbie. If I live to see another 9/11, I'll be on a carbs fest for the rest of my life. Flight or fight reaction, of course.

[StormWarning]

Whether this is/was "much ado about nothing" or whether Spitzer is backing down (quickly) from a bad idea, I'm betting that it won't happen. NY's new homeland security director is way too smart for that.

http://thepoliticker.observer.com/2007/01/much-ado-about-spitzer-on-licenses.html
"...sources close to Eliot Spitzer, as of yesterday, maintained that there are no plans at all to change the requirements for getting a license. Depending on your interpretation, either the governor is backing away from something he once intended to do, or the seal-the-borders group opposing an imagined measure is ginning up a scare -- and getting a bunch of attention -- for nothing."

I've emailed "some people" and might get answers next week. The problem of Counterfeit/forged ID documents is a HUGE. But, rather than worry about Spitzer relaxing the SS standard, worry about:

1) states (like California) that willingly issue drivers licenses to illegals;

2) municipalities that won't arrest or detain known illegal immigrants unless another crime has been committed (since they haven't had the jurisdiction, they don't have the budgets);

3) phony birth certificates are the "root of all evil."

[Note to Deb: how come no HTML for comments, including inserting URLs?]

[Debbie]

J.S., thanks for the tip. I will do some checking on that.

Layla, I'm headed over to check out the new blog. It sounds like something we need.

Night Ricer, I remember that saying and it's a good one.

Stormwarning, I look forward to reading your article. You always have information I don't.

[StormWarning]

Assuming that Eliot Spitzer is actually planning on relaxing drivers' licensing, by eliminating the requirement of showing a social security card, there is one very important fact that needs to be remembered here.

Anyone can get a legal social security number and card with a counterfeit birth certificate.

I'm going to dig into this and see what I can learn...[got some friends].

[Layla]

Hey hun I just wanted you to know I launched a new blog tonight! "Constitution Matters" - you can read about it at The HILL Chronicles or go directly there here:

http://www.thehillchronicles.com/constitution/

Have a great weekend hun! I hope your husband takes you out for dinner at your favorite spot, and that it is romantic too!!!

[Night Rider]

Hi Debbie,

That's right Debbie, we want politicians who have a backbone. Another words ones who will not just talk the talk but walk the walk. I remember we used to have a word for it back in my teen years it was called "Put up or shut up!"

I am all with you on this for sure Debbie.

[JS]

If you really want to freak out, do some research on Mexican oil production and their major oil field Cantarell. Google it. In short, Mexico's oil production is dropping like a rock due to depletion, and PEMEX, the state oil company provides a huge chunk of change to run the Mexican government. With oil production dropping like a rock, Mexico is heading for some major exonomic hardship, resulting in a flood of new immigrants.