Don's Tuesday Column

             THE WAY I SEE IT   by Don Polson      Red Bluff Daily News   6/26/2018

          Justice denied, border charades

One little news item emerged from the ongoing investigation of the Russia investigation (which by now must omit “Trump” as the record shows no actual collusion by Trump et al with Russians to make Hillary lose the election). The outrage machine moved on to the border, to immigration and children separated from their illegal alien parents.

However, it appears that evidence against Gen. Michael Flynn at the core of his guilty plea—lying to the FBI—was beyond weak, and “may have been tampered with,” says Rep. Meadows (R-N.C.)

It gets down to revelations that agents, including since-disgraced Peter Strzok, confirmed that they detected no signs of lying in their interviews with Flynn. There is now reason to believe that interview notes are being withheld for questionable reasons; the coverup suggests misdeeds.

“Justice should be meted out evenly, and yet we’re finding that evidence could have been tampered with.” Meadows suggested that FBI interview reports—known as 302 reports—were altered to improve the chances he’d be prosecuted. “Were they (FBI interview notes) changed to change the outcome of prosecution decisions? I think they might have.”

John Hinderaker, Powerlineblog.com, writes, “Not too many years ago, a claim that the FBI fabricated evidence to facilitate a prosecution would have seemed incredible. Today, given what we know of the corruption of the Bureau under the Obama administration, such a claim appears entirely plausible. This is just one more thread in the slowly unraveling story of the misuse of intelligence and law enforcement agencies by the Democrats to try to frustrate the candidacy of Donald Trump, and to destroy his administration…”

There is little doubt that General Flynn was railroaded, by the brute force of federal power, into a confession that was likely false. “Where the people fear the government, you have tyranny. Where the government fears the people, you have liberty.” John Basil Barnhill (1914).

On the illegal migrant family situation, polling results (which often support almost anything) can be instructive. Questions posing binary choices are, unfortunately, influenced by saturation news coverage (i.e. massively negative Trump coverage produces predictable disapproval of his policies). Rasmussen Reports, however, found higher approval of President Trump on immigration than then-President Obama, as of 4/5.

Polling “Likely Voters,” Rasmussen finds “Most (54%) voters blame the parents of the separated children at the border for the latest illegal immigration crisis, not the federal government (35%)”. Setting aside the “not sure,” that means 6 of 10 blame the parents, which confirms a sad reality: It’s utterly irresponsible to send children to the border alone, or to expect welcoming treatment when illegally crossing our, or anyone’s, border.

Most revealing of actual American sentiment is an “Economist/YouGov Poll” of 1500 US Adults, June 17-19. Page 109 (out of 350) shows only 19% support for “Release the families with a future immigration hearing date.” Fully 2/3rds (67%) support either holding families until their hearing, or some combination of arrest and/or detention for adults and minor children.

I have not seen that polling fairly, honestly reported, probably to keep us feeling intimidated for supporting Trump. The outrage and hysteria—together with camera-ready protestors, signs, shouting and “huddled masses”—are all assembled for maximum emotional appeal. It would be riveting “human disaster” theater but for the shameless manipulation of people, images and misfortune to advance one narrative to the detriment of the media’s enemy, President Trump. We also get thinly veiled contributions to the political fortunes of Democrats in the elections.

Pardon my cynicism but I think I speak for many when I say, “My give-a-darn wore out a long time ago.” Let’s start with the crass hypocrisy and double standards rampant in the news coverage, Democrat umbrage and Republican “immigration reform-sters.” Include former First Ladies, their virtue-signaling, and condemnation of illegal alien family woes (and Trump).

Not unlike homelessness, the woes of illegal aliens and their minor children are with us, no matter the president’s party, but they only attract obsessive, negative coverage for a Republican. Let’s set the record straight about how nearly all Democrat politicians and candidates have been on the record opposed to illegal immigration and the use of children to gain entry, game the system and join the masses who “live in the shadows.” Obama built and used detention centers.

No prominent or responsible leader, official or citizen would stand for “open borders” and unrestricted entry to our nation; all would say they favor legal immigration as an economic plus, when not undermining the fortunes of job-seeking Americans. No one will publicly advocate for using the economic woes of other nations as an excuse to allow that nation’s citizens to flood over our borders. Not on the record, anyway.

Consider the plain ramifications of their (Democrats’) objections to legal detentions, their preference for “sanctuary” cities, etc., their clear opposition to I.C.E. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) pursuit and removal of criminal aliens. Also, their obsession with legal interpretations and rulings that favor the “rights” of the “undocumented” to illegally remain.

The hypocritical and disingenuous reality is that those who illegally cross our borders, overstay their visas or abuse their “green card” status have clear advocates and supporters among Democrats. Likewise, the Republicans who favor generous and preferential policies for the cheap labor and potential votes to be had.

We “normals” living outside of Washington support none of that. We see through the manipulation, abuse and shameless appeals to our hearts and generosity that arise when “families” show up and must be housed while their (usually) phony claims for asylum are processed. Wall opponents really want open borders; honest ones would admit it; most won’t.