Nov. 18: Homeland Security

Just when I thought I’d heard it all, something else comes along. Yesterday I read an AP story about an Argentine artist (Judi Werthein) and her invention of Brinco (jump) shoes. She would take the shoes to the U.S.-Mexico border in Tijuana, Mexico and give them to people to help them cross into the U.S.

The red-white-and-green Mexican-flag colored shoes were no ordinary shoes, the article said. The shoelaces dangled a small compass and a flashlight. The tongue of the shoe had a small pocket for money or pain killers. The removable insole had a rough map of the border region. Werthein called the shoes a border crosser’s most important garment.

On a recent visit to Tijuana, she gave away 50 pairs at a migrant shelter. She pointed to Interstate 8, the main road between San Diego and Phoenix on the insole and said: “Good luck! You’re all very courageous.”

Why was this allowed?

Let me get one thing straight. Just because I am of Mexican descent, it does not mean that I dance with joy when illegal immigrants cross our border. I do not like it. In fact, I was ready to become a minuteman – um…woman, when I heard of it. I was so fascinated by their work, that I took a couple of days to travel to Arizona to go interview one or two. I got lucky too. My cousin in Tucson ended up knowing someone who was involved.

I am all for Homeland Security. And that means protecting our country at all borders and from all who trespass or aid in the process.

Werthein denies a charge of encouraging illegal immigration and said they will cross with our without her shoes.

Does she think we are stupid? Of course she’s helping them. The story said she interviewed shoe designers, migrants, aid workers and immigrant smugglers to research the best design over a two-year period.

How would we feel if she was helping Al Qaeda like this? How do we know she’s not?

I was so upset when I read this story. No wonder we are such a mess. This woman from Argentine is helping them smuggle to the U.S.

If she’s so worried about them, why doesn’t she guide them south to Argentina?

Yes, it’s sad to see the people of Mexico hungry and hurting and trying to come across. But that does not mean that I want them coming across.

Think of it like this:

You have a family to protect. Would you stand by and do nothing if strangers were coming into your home through your back door. What if they were poor and hungry?

Wouldn’t you stand guard to keep them out and to protect your family?

Would you let them throw their sleeping bags in your children’s rooms? Let them help themselves to the food in the refrigerator? Sooner than later, that food would be gone and the parents would be broke and their own children would suffer.

Would you let that happen in your home?

Exactly! That’s what I thought.