Learn about the border

Published/Last Modified on Monday, Dec 06, 2004 - 12:33:28 pm MST

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Last week, President Bush picked former New York police commission Bernard Kerik to become secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Kerik helped get New York back on its feet after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

If he is confirmed by the Senate, he will work to help protect our nation.

Kerik comes with strong background to keep our homeland secure - one that likely will put him on the fast track to confirmation. First, he has law enforcement experience. Next, he has been in the military. And, finally, he has seen the horror of America's worst terrorist attack firsthand.

"On Sept. 11, 2001, I witnessed the very worst of humanity, and its very best," he said during a press conference with President Bush. "I saw hatred claim the lives of 2,400 innocent people, and I saw the bravest men and women I will ever know rescue more than 20,000 others.

"Both the memory of those courageous souls and the horrors I saw inflicted upon our proud nation will serve as permanent reminders of the awesome responsibility you place in my charge."

That sentiment is good to see in government. And we hope, if he is confirmed by the Senate, that he keeps those feelings close by as he figures out ways to protect our nation.

From Southeastern Arizona, we also see a weakness in Kerik's nomination - he doesn't have knowledge about our border. And this, we believe, is a glaring weakness in our nation's security. It is a weakness we feel the president - who is from a border state - and his Cabinet must keep addressing.

We urge Kerik to tour the border and learn about the challenges faced along America's frontier. There are many, from the drug and people smuggling that occur day after day, to the threat that terrorists will enter the United States crossing the wide open spaces that are along the U.S.-Mexico border.

As Arizonans, we should take advantage of the change in command with the Department of Homeland Security. We can urge the new secretary to pay attention to our needs.

Kerik has been described as a "strong candidate" by politicians in Washington. And he does have many positives. But it is high time for America to wake up to the problems along the border and how they can impact the interior of our nation.

If we don't, we likely will wonder why we didn't in the future.

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Graciela wrote on Jun 18, 2007 7:36 PM:

" I'm a Spanish woman married with a sargent here at fort huachuca.I can say it's totally true everething you are saying!It would be a great idea that all civilians could volunteer.I was surprised when i came here and i realized about what's happening.They come trying to find a better life and if they don't die on the way they would need groups of volunteers to support them and help them , and i think we all should start thinking why are so many differences between some countries with others?Probably if the most rich start caring about the development of thepoorcountrieseverythingwillbebetter. "

Robert Jones wrote on May 23, 2007 12:37 PM:

" I think that is a great idea, ther're a lot of very responsible retires, out there, who would love the chance to be helpful, No comment on Bush, Some body needs to do something positive. "