Bordering on inanity.(illegal immigrants, Mexico-US border)

ITEM: Mexican President Vicente Fox, reported Pravda for December 19, 2005, "likened a U.S. plan to build 1,100 kilometers (700 miles) offence along its border with Mexico to the Berlin wall, saying it was a hypocritical move coming from a nation of immigrants. Speaking at an event for migrants in his home state of Guanajuato, Fox said on Sunday that barriers between nations belonged in the past and, like the Berlin wall in 1989, were torn down by people striving for liberty and democracy. "This wall is shameful," Fox said. "It's not possible that in the 21st century we're building walls between two nations that are neighbors, between two nations that are brothers, between two nations that are partners."

ITEM: An Associated Press dispatch in the December 19 Miami Herald noted that Fox had "stepped up his attacks against a U.S. plan to build 700 miles offence along its border, saying it was a 'shameful' initiative for a democracy." Fox "said barriers between nations belong to the last century and, like the Berlin Wall in 1989, were torn down by popular uprisings."

ITEM: The Wall Street Journal for December 9 commented that Republican legislators "seem intent not merely on increasing border patrols but also on further harassing law-abiding businesses that happen to hire illegals, as if anyone can tell the difference between real and fake immigration documents. Only Republicans would think it's smart politics to punish their supporters for hiring willing workers."

CORRECTION: The bogus "Berlin Wall" analogy is not only being used by Mexican President Fox, but also by others who must think Americans are particularly ignorant. As even Pravda knows, the wall built by the Communists was designed to keep in their own people, whereas the proposed barrier on the Mexican border is aimed at keeping out aliens trying to get into the U.S. (which already is inundated with 10-20 million illegals).

Mexico has actually been assisting criminals in jumping the border. Moreover, the Mexican government has now begun running radio advertisements instructing workers, including those breaking the law, on how to sue for their presumed "rights" in the United States. As the Associated Press has reported, the ads say, for example, "Had a labor accident in the United States? You have rights"--followed by a telephone number. The ads, notes AP, are "sponsored by Mexico's Foreign Relations Department, which has helped migrants bring compensation suits in the United States."

Congressman J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.) hit back not long ago against Fox's anti-American rhetoric. "What's disgraceful is President Fox presuming to lecture the United States on how best to protect itself against an invasion--an invasion that has his wholehearted advocacy," he told Human Events. "He needs to stop his advocacy of an invasion of his countrymen into our nation. What's shameful is that, as the president of the republic of Mexico, he does nothing to stem this invasion. He actively endorses it."

Few Penalties for Hiring Illegals