A Comment-

From a reader...

Although the year is unimportant, nor the actual names of the participants, there was once a televised "summit" with all sorts of “important” people to look at the drug trafficking problem. Included were Coast Guard representatives, DEA officials, Senators, etc. If I remember, this telecast was broadcast over several evenings. In the end, after examining all of the scenarios for keeping drugs out, the solution was simple- Remove the demand for drugs. I believe that if the allure, or lack of consequences, remain for people to come into our country illegally- (i.e. taking advantage of an easy mark) then we'll never place enough Border Patrol/US Troops there to stop them from coming in.

I think this is a very good point. If there continues to be a "draw" to this country, people will come. They will make the effort to get past whatever obstacles we put in their place. It's also rather like what is said about the issue of drugs domestically- as long as people will buy drugs, there is no way to put enough police on the streets to stop the drug trade.

In addition to the demand for drugs that Americans have, which draws many in, we may have to look at other attractions. Perhaps we need to look at the issue of economic development in our neighbor directly to the south, as many, most, come to America for work not related to the drug industry. There are certainly other areas that must be addressed.

At least in terms of naming what he is doing, the President is right. The effort to deal with illegal immigration must be "comprehensive." We're going to need to think really big to deal with this one, and, as the reader suggests, a significant part of what we need to do is examine our own behavior in this country regarding the issue of drugs.

Thanks for the thoughts. Important point.

GP