BORDER VIOLENCE IN ARIZONA, UNION STANCE
John
W. Slagle
March 24, 2008
NewsWithViews.com
On March 07, 2008, a mistrial, not a full acquittal was declared against U.S. Border Patrol Agent Nicholas Corbett charged with second degree murder, manslaughter and negligent homicide. The incident which transpired 13 months prior involved an encounter with a group of illegal aliens near Naco, Arizona. Francisco Dominguez-Rivera, a Mexican national purportedly armed with a rock was killed by a single round from the agent's service pistol. There are many media reports of the Corbett murder trial on the www from local news services to the New York Times and everything in between. Most news reports have facts portrayed as well the opposing viewpoints from every quarter, real or imagined.
On January 19, 2008, A Yuma Senior Border Patrol Agent, Louis Aguilar was killed on duty by the deliberate vehicular homicide perpetrated by a smuggler who "ran over" the officer. His death in the line of duty was soon forgotten by the press and the general public. The subject of violence on the border has been addressed on News With Views which included the escalating problem of "rocking, stoning incidents, Molotov cocktails "hurled at patrol vehicles to countless physical assaults, armed and unarmed directed against the U.S.B.P.
The F.B.I. also carries incident reports, violence along the border on intelligence assessments.
Through many years on the Border, I have been hit by rocks and shot at by incoming rounds. An impact by a thrown rock is as lethal as a 7.62x39 A-47 round in close quarters. People often forget in this civilized society that "death by stoning" was a common public method of execution, homicide prior to Jesus Christ and long after. A "blunt force impact" from one rock or many is a lethal force that depending on the circumstances should never be taken "lightly" nor the intent of the person armed with an age old weapon or a modern firearm. The U.S.B.P. confronts, arrests multi-thousands of illegal aliens, from all nations monthly including serious criminal elements of society, narcotics smugglers, organized human traffickers ,wanted felons to suspected terrorists which is an endless task . Few problems are ever brought to the attention of the general public. Agents Compeon and Ramos remain in jail for an over zealous prosecution attempt by the U.S. Attorney's office with full cooperation extended to a known drug smugglers testimony.
The recent federal case in Tucson involving Nicholas Corbett which resulted in a mistrial is becoming all too common in "ham-stringing effective law enforcement efforts" on the border.
Corbett is a U.S. Marine Veteran with 5 years service as an Agent, not a "novice" in fear of the unknown. Lethal force was met with lethal force to uphold the law.
The continuing problem of effective law enforcement and violence along the borders of this nation lies directly with " law makers" and past elected leaders of both political parties.
In this day of "rainbow warriors" in Presidential Campaigns, open borders zealots, in a time of war, active prosecutions of agents appear to be the Standard Operating Procedure. I'm proud that the Arizona U.S.B.P. Union as well as the National Council are "speaking out" on the issues.
Unions were established to protect the rights of the individual members in unfair labor practices and most labor unions in 2008 are almost non-existent or controlled by politics.
After decades in the "trenches" war and peace, good times and bad, it's always curious in election cycles every two, four or six years, the American public is bombarded completely "brainwashed" by main-stream media presentations unaware of what a "hopeful" leader has accomplished in life. Know your politicians, year by year, what they have accomplished as Senators for this nation, voting records for the people of the United States, not the "usual" sheep herding" prepared speeches for the uniformed. Oratory skills before a massive public are fine, but what change was ever made during their tenure as Senators of their representative States? In Arizona we know on issues of illegal immigration that we stood alone with little representation other than Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo and State GOP Representatives.
Voting records are a matter of public concern. 2003 was a very dangerous time in Southern Arizona for border residents reported by numerous medias on the increasing illegal entry invasion as well as crime, organized smuggling. Time, American Legion, CNN Presents, et. all presented the facts. While facts were aired: past and present In Arizona...
