Calderon Likens Fence To Berlin Wall

Mexico's President Elect Calls Both ‘Grave’ Errors; Vicente Fox Says Fence Is An ‘Embarrassment’

(AP)  Mexico's president sharply criticized President Bush's signing Thursday of a bill to build 700 miles of additional fencing on its southern border, calling the move an “embarrassment.”

Bush signed the bill, approved by the Senate last month, despite pleas from the Mexican government for a veto.

President Vicente Fox told reporters in the Caribbean resort city of Cancun that the fence would not stop millions of Mexicans from heading north in search of jobs.

“It is an embarrassment for the United States,” Fox said. “It is proof, perhaps, that the United States does not see immigration as a subject that corresponds to both countries.”

President-elect Felipe Calderon, who takes over from Fox on Dec. 1, agreed.

“The decision made by Congress and the U.S. government is deplorable,” Calderon said while on tour in Canada. “Humanity committed a grave error by constructing the Berlin wall and I am sure that today the United States is committing a grave error in constructing a wall along our northern border.”

The Mexican foreign ministry later said in a news release that the construction of a wall affects the United States' relationship with Mexico, as well as with Central American countries, from which thousands emigrate northward.

On Wednesday, Mexico, supported by 27 countries, made a declaration at the Organization of American States, expressing their “profound concern” about the plan.

An estimated 11 million Mexicans live in the United States, about half of them illegally.

Mexico is the country that should be embarrassed. They have the money and resources to be a major 2nd world country, yet they live like it was the early 1900's. Instead of bandits, they are plagued with corruption and greed.

[bellal-2009]

Tell me he's kidding. Who's the one that should be ashamed of themselves. How dare you criticize the US, Mr. Fox. We the taxpayers of America have been feeding, housing, educating, providing healthcare to your citizens for years. Feed your people and clean up the rampant corruption in your country, Mr. Fox!!!

[hsmagst]

Its hard to place much creedence into anything a Mexican politition says but to criticize us for trying to enforce our sovergien laws borders on stupidity. Mexico is a rich country in natural resources but so corrupt and class structured they can't even employ their own people at a living wage. Trying to compare our fence to the Berlin Wall is just throwing smoke on the real issues......its not being built to keep people in, as the Berlin wall but to keep ILLEGAL immigrants out which is our right.......so my 2 cents is Sc**w Mexico

[cbgb31]

That fence is such and embarrassment to Vicente Fox because it'll be a permanent reminder of what a failure he's been as president during a period of unprecedented opportunity and globalization that he just plain missed. He's the embarrassment.

[nothappyatall]

We get rid of one wall- the Berlin wall finally, and then we build our own Berlin wall. With the BUSH REGIME one has to wonder if this is more to do to keep Americans *IN* from escaping than it is to keep Mexicans OUT.

[cbgb31]

No, newster1,Did you just wake up from a long winter's nap? in case you hadn't noticed, Americans are not flocking to Mexico illegally, like it's the land of milk and honey. The Mexican government has failed it's people. Where is the reform? What president wants it's citizens to flock to another country? That fence will be a stark reminder to Fox of all he failed to accomplish.

[janeymcgreev]

For Calderon and Fox:

Tough Sh*t.

Clean up your act, and stop sending your poor here. They are YOUR responsibility.

Maybe Bush was wrong after all. It should have been regime change in Mexico City. Marta and Vicente have sucked off their hapless masses much too long.

Or how do minefields sound, Mr. Calderon? The schools and hospitals in the West are too packed with your non-English, refusing to be American refuse. Take Care of them - or we might consider taking care of you...

[kaliveotin]

The Berlin Wall was built to keep people in, The American Wall is more like the great Wall of China, to keep people OUT!

[nynative1340]

Anyone who compares this wall to the Berlin wall is a fr*gg*n idiot! This wall doesn't divide a country and suppress people on one side like the Berlin wall did. Of course, you might think it does exactly that if you are a Mexican who thinks the southwest still belongs to Mexico, as Fox and Calderon do. Even so, the ones being suppressed are being suppressed by their own government.

Fox and Calderon and anyone else who thinks we should have an open border are hypocrits. Mexico's southern border is very tight. Anyone who enters Mexico illegally from the south stands a very good chance of being raped, robbed, beaten, brutalized, or murdered by the MEXICAN ARMY. In fact, any Anglo who ventures into Mexico's back country stands a very good chance of having an unpleasant run-in with the Mexican army.

The primary reason Mexican leaders don't want the border fence is because they believe that the southwest U.S. still belongs to Mexico and that they have a right to be here. Mexican leaders want their land back and they are going to get it by "reconquista"--by sending their poor to re-settle here. With 12 million illegals already here it looks like they are doing a very good job of it.

"Build the wall, long and tall."

[nynative1340]

The Mexican government doesn't apply the same rules to American Anglos in Mexico that they want applied to illegal Mexicans in the U.S. Get caught in Mexico (past a certain point) without a passport or a tourist card and you can kiss your *ss and your friends goodbye becuase they won't be seeing you for a while.

[wattermelann]

I have lived among Mexican immigrants all my life. This group has one goal in mind and that is to reclaim the land that the US took from them and make it their own. They want the language to be Spanish and they want the culture to be Spanish. And one day, they will revolt and fight for their cause. It is only a matter of time. they come here to continue their culture that they had at home.
Close our borders.Empty our jails and prisons of foreign criminals who come here to practice their crimes. Stop handing out welfare to illegally aliens who get a free handout and live the "welfare" lifestyle, who teach their children to do the same thing and who purposely breed children only to milk the system for more money. Whose children disrupt the classroom everyday denying education of those rightful citizens who are entitled to a free education. There are middle class citizens who are sick of paying for these lazy blood suckers and are sick of the right to prosper and live the so called American dream. Put up that wall, build it high and thick. Tighten immigration. Americans are sick of losing their opportunities and their financial future to foreigners. Yes it is time for the middle class to stand up and fight not only against corporations who hire foreigners but also free loading foreigners themselvs.
Build that fence Bush! Because stopping the inward flow will be the only good thing you have done for America!

[alphaa10-2009]

JaneyMcGreev--3
Together, they have made it clear to Bush he should not rock the boat bringing free (or, almost free) laborers. As you know, labor is the biggest expense of most projects and business. Think of the money these Bush patrons save by not paying scale. At that profit level, anyone could make a fortune, and most do. So there is huge pressure not to do anything about illegals from the very people haranguing at the local civic clubs about security and patriotism.

Though Bush spent a lot of time passing himself off as a product of Texas, his interest in the condition of Mexico must pick up dramatically out of sheer self-interest. Mexico becomes our Iraq of the future if someone in congress and the Oval Office doesn't take the situation in hand. No matter how much we belabor the point, merely dumping our factories in Mexico will not jump start the Mexican economy or reform its infrastructure. Mexico is a problem not cured by either threats or ignorance, but by wise and constructive, cooperative aid. One thing Bush says about the situation is entirely correct-- "We are a nation of immigrants." So, let's at least help correct the problems which drive people out of their homes, native land and across deserts at great risk, merely to work for figurative peanuts in a land of hostile Anglos. This is not a nation vs. nation issue-- it long since became a slow-motion flood of economic refugrees from a Mexico in deep trouble.

[alphaa10-2009]

JaneyMcGreev--2
So, how to help? Clinton tried, to his credit, in a "self-funding" structural approach called NAFTA (after a fashion with which I and many others disagree). But matters idled aimlessly and progressively worse since then. Due to a variety of factors, Mexico could not even make a consistent profit on its considerable oil reserves.

They needed more help, but still got little constructive attention from us. Lots of inter-American PR, surely, because that is cheap compared to action. And when the steady stream of illegals under Clinton finally became a flood under Bush, it was clear Mexico was in danger again. You might think Washington could have recognized a severe problem on its way to impending disaster, but you couldn't interest the Beltway. And whose watch was it while congress passed tax breaks galore for the wealthiest one percent, but not a dime for even border problems? This GOP policy of deliberate inattention was astounding, and merely increased the slack from Clinton years for the full six years of the Bush term. All too soon, we were busy "nation building" off in the MidEast (or what was supposed to pass for it).

Aggravating the policy problem is the fact that Bush has political patrons in construction, the food processing industry and among the agricultural giants-- cheap labor is their lifeblood. Simply put, they don't want illegal immigration to stop.

[alphaa10-2009]

JaneyMcGreev blustered, "... Or how do minefields sound, Mr. Calderon? The schools and hospitals in the West are too packed with your non-English, refusing to be American refuse. Take Care of them - or we might consider taking care of you...
----

I'd swear you watch too much FOX TV, Janey, for all your studied belligerence. Most of us understand the loss of border security, and also grasp the terror issues it raises. And were the illegals returned to Mexico tomorrow, I am not sure Fox or Calderon would be there with open arms to welcome them back.

But this could use some perspective. It was not that long ago the Mexican economy-- lock, stock and enchilada-- went south. Only the last-minute intervention of Clinton, Rubin and others averted catastrophe in the international financial markets. You might think, so what, if millions of Mexicans are out of work, out of food, out of hope. As you said, they are Mexico's problem...

But not completely. Though Mexico has had civil unrest for centuries, almost as a way of life, having the country come apart literally next door is a megasecurity threat. Even the Russians and Chinese understand that about tiny North Korea. So, the people of Mexico matter, whether understood as human beings or potential terrorists, like it or not.

[mjv2944]

The Mexican gov is the one that is an embarrassment, and its too bad they don't like the fence, I think it needs to be 2000 miles longer. Of course we all know that a big chunk of their economy comes from illegals sending US dollars home. He should work at improving Mexico in order to keep them home. Illegals are a definite burden on taxpayers. Time to go after the employers. Bring the troops home from Iraq and put them on the border. I don't think that drug and human traffickers would be a match for battle harden troops. The Berlin wall was definitely built to keep people in, we need to keep them out. Don't believe the BS on farm labor either, they could raise wages a lot without affecting prices a whole lot.

[bluestardad]

STEP BACK FROM FEAR
We in America need to pull back from this Frenzy of Fear that has spellbound us since September 11, 2001. I am not saying to let down our guard or not be prudent with our Law enforcement, Intelligence agencies or Military as their constant job is to protect the American people and they do it well. Rationally speaking it is more likely that a person will be killed in a car accident on the way to get milk than killed by a Terrorist in America. Hispanics coming across our border for work are not the terrorist or the enemy. Unfair trade practices initiated by our government are the cause of our jobs leaving and the demise of the Middle Class in America not some Terrorist plot. Political Parties have been using fear in an attempt to maintain power in this country. Americans do the math you are more likely to do yourself bodily harm than to be harmed by a Terrorist. America is a Land of Opportunity and hopes where people live in Freedom. America is not a land were people will be governed by Fear.

[agnim]

Calderon is suffering 'embarrassment', and so he should, because he can't take care of his people and they are being shunted by their neighbor. LOL

That's just too bad; but it is better for Calderon to feel a bit of embarrassment than for his neighbor to feel overwhelmed. See, we don't know what some of the crazier and more jingoistic Americans will do to Mexicans if there is not enough sign that things will lessen from Mexico's side.

I myself do not support a 'fence'!


I would prefer a "Great Wall of USA".

With a mere 'fence', the 'coyotes' trafficking people across the border are likely to barrow under a mere 'fence'.

IT is an embarassment. Most of the workers that are going to build this wall will have Spanish surnames,and some of them will be illegal. Some of the people who are going to build this wall's families are Mexican from the Texas side. Our country's unwillingness to deal with the corruption in Mexico, no, not deal with it, acknowlege it, that things will NEVER go as planned. At least in Mexico, corruption is a gimme,and always can be figured in. In the US, corruption is never ever planned for, and seems always to be a surprise to Americans. The wall will cost 100x more because of it, the Mexicans will pass thru illegally as usual because of it, and this is a huge Halliburtonesque waste of our time. Make it tranparent, that wall, make checkpoints and know who's comin in. Make the Mexican ID system sync with the American one, and get rid of terrorists, not workers. They will go home more often than stay, if it were easier and it didnt cost em $1800. a pop to get coyote'd in. How many oranges and apples do you have to pick to pay that back?? Shame on you, America. Fear of the unknown always has to show its ugly face. Get real, let the people who's countryside it once was come and go. Let them work and pay taxes,increase the tax base, and prosper, just like your foreign grandparents did. Why are you so afraid of brown?

[jameskpolka]

Same deal with every American wave of immigrants: 99.99 percent work themselves to an early grave doing our filthiest and most dangerous jobs. A tiny few are criminals -- but the media triples the spotlight on their crimes because they're immigrants, and sprinkles its coverage with innuendo to tar every member of the immigrant ethnic group.

Americans have to grow up. Not only is this how all of us got here one or two or three generations ago, and not only were our grandmothers and great-grandfathers spat on and mistreated (Irish got it among the worst), but all these immigrants provided the raw labor muscle that made America the world's most productive powerhouse economy.

Americans should be proud that for two centuries, when people searched this planet for hope, they found it here. We should turn that pride -- pride in Real Things, not in a colorful symbol -- into a better and more respectful Bienvenido/Welcome. In making ourselves the most powerful economy on Earth, we knew they'd come and we wanted them to come. Let's stop insulting the memory of our own desperate great-grandparents. All these people want to do is work.

[jameskpolka]

Same deal with every American wave of immigrants: 99.99 percent work themselves to an early grave doing our filthiest and most dangerous jobs. A tiny few are criminals -- but the media triples the spotlight on their crimes because they're immigrants, and sprinkles its coverage with innuendo to tar every member of the immigrant ethnic group.

Americans have to grow up. Not only is this how all of us got here one or two or three generations ago, and not only were our grandmothers and great-grandfathers spat on and mistreated (Irish got it among the worst), but all these immigrants provided the raw labor muscle that made America the world's most productive powerhouse economy.

Americans should be proud that for two centuries, when people searched this planet for hope, they found it here. We should turn that pride -- pride in Real Things, not in a colorful symbol -- into a better and more respectful Bienvenido/Welcome. In making ourselves the most powerful economy on Earth, we knew they'd come and we wanted them to come. Let's stop insulting the memory of our own desperate great-grandparents. All these people want to do is work.

[cantshutup]

Why are you so afraid of brown?
Posted by BinkaJonz

Because "brown" ran through American streets waving their mexican flags. And because "brown" won't learn English, "brown" won't pay taxes, "brown" raises the crime rate where ever "brown" lives, and "brown" wants all the constrution jobs and other jobs that Americans WILL do because some Americans are barely able to make it, and "brown" still holds a grudge about loosing some shriveled up dirt to America...When my great-grandfather came to America in 1912, he learned the language, he PAID TAXES all his life and he was proud to become an American citizen, and he did all that without BREAKING ANY LAWS or climbing over a fence!!! True, immmigrants get cra pped on...as a Hungarian my grandfather was mistaken for German by stupid ingoranuses and harrassed until he changed his last name to sound more Americanized...so yeah, he got cra pped on some but he perservered and although my family is proud of it's Hungarian heritage, we are even MORE PROUD of AMERICAN heritage...this is the greatest country in the world butit can only remain so if we all follow the rules!

[wolf563]

I totaly agree with you cantshutup . the only reason they are crying is the loss of the american dollar tax free .

[bellal-2009]

That was pretty good cantshutup. We have been completely taken advantage of by the Mexican government. We have housed, fed, educated, nursed, delivered their babies, and doctored the illegal immigrants when our own citizens are turned away. Then they have the audacity to DEMAND all the rights of a US citizen. That was the end for me. Done. Pull the plug. If they're here illegally send them home.

[hsmagst]

To jameskpolka: Wish that it were true that all they want to do is work but you must not live in a city inundated with illegals or you would know that it isn't so. Many illegally enter to have children here so they have a hook into the country, many enter to get free medical care because our laws prevent us from not treating them and the American taxpayer picks up the tab. The list of reasons goes on. And while it is true that many of us are from immigrant stock, in my case as many others, our familys did it the legal way. Applied for permission to enter, went through Ellis Island and then worked hard to become American citizens. That same cannot be said for someone that sneaks across the border......don't ever try to compare the two.

[gaznabbi]

guy in arizona is just another kkk kind of peep using this as an opportunity to make it look like he is just condemning immigration probs.....please what in the world can these poor hispanics do to you when the arabs really want to wipe your white butts off the planet...believe me, the paisanos can help a great deal......they have more bolas than white people............belize in the house

[gaznabbi]

yu know....i lived in ga. for 3 years as an illegal worker...i was legal in the country though.....travelled back and forth to make sure my visa stayed legal.....georgia to me has a lot of love for mexicans....they appreciate.....belize has a population that is primarily english....so we fair better.....but to me there are more americans that love these people than who want to kick them out.....including yu LOU.