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Letter to the Editor: Monuments, really?

By Staff | Feb 17, 2019

Mr. Guarino, thanks for the mention. Thoughtful and civil debate is always helpful.

First, if you don’t agree that there is a crisis at our southern border with illegal aliens, a substantial criminal element, MS-13 gang members, drug traffickers (think opioid crisis) and human trafficking, (I didn’t know that there are 40.3 million victims of trafficking globally; 81 percent of them are trapped in forced labor, 25 percent of them are children and 75 percent are women and girls), then, we are discussing the wrong thing.

If you concur then, then my response is: I’m not an apologist for President Trump. I am a supporter.

And, I think you miss why we are even discussing a border wall.

It’s not people who have overstayed their visas. No border security could ever prevent that. Those people, by virtue of their visa, have entered this country legally. Their overstay is another issue.

The wall is intended for criminals trying to escape prosecution from other countries, drug smugglers and people who engage in human trafficking.

I’m sure you don’t support them. Statistics from DHS arrests in 2017, which were actually down from previous years, showed that “92 percent had a criminal conviction, a pending criminal charge, were an ICE fugitive or were processed with a reinstated final order.” Are they the people you are supporting?

I think that, to some, the wall will be a deterrent, to some an obstacle and to some a challenge. Therefore, I agree that the wall needs to be instituted with technology. I’m thinking FLIR and sensitive microphones coupled with AI to distinguish human generated sounds.

I also agree that it is not a panacea to lock down illegal entry. More must be done.

I disagree with your analogy of Hadrian’s and the Great Wall of China. That’s like saying, well it didn’t work hundreds of years ago, no need to try it now. If we all thought that way, we would never progress.

I did like your quote from Gen. George Patton, actually one of my heroes. However, I think the general was referring to tanks and bombs vs. barriers, not ladders and shovels. And, if tanks and bombs show up at our border, that would be war.

Regarding costs. What will be the cost of not securing the border?

I am surprised that you didn’t mention that a wall was immoral.

To me, someone entering your home without being invited is immoral.

I end with a question. Are you truly against securing our southern border?

John Watkins

Hudson

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