George Costanza
A Friendly Liberal
For approximately 82 miles, the All American Canal parallels the California-Mexico border, delivering enormous amount of much needed water to California's arid Imperial County. I am personally familiar with the All American Canal, having hunted doves in southern Imperial County for many years in decades past. The canal varies in width from 150 to 200 feet. The swift-running water varies in depth from 7 to 20 feet.
It is also a barrier which illegal immigrants must cross in order to enter the United States.
It is estimated that more than 500 persons have died trying to cross the All American Canal since its construction was completed in 1942. They enter the canal thinking they can swim across, which they can; but when they reach the other side, they are unable to get out. The sides of the canal are slanted at an inviting angle, giving the impression that it is easy to swim across and then climb out. However, the sides of the canal are also extremely slippery, and the victims of drowning have all been unable to get out, once they get in. They are swept away by the swift current and drown without ever being able to get out.
There is a way to fix this. Simply run a line across the canal at regular intervals with buoys attached to the line, thereby giving a safety exit for those who get caught in the current. So why have so many people died over the years, trying to cross the canal? Because the governmental owners and operators of the canal (The Imperial Irrigation District) have refused to spend the relatively small amount of money necessary to string the buoys across the canal.
John Hunter is an immigration activist from the San Diego area, who, for the past decade or so, has been urging the canal owners to construct the buoy lines. Finally, after a segment of "60 Minutes" exposed the problem to public view, the Board was shamed into doing the right thing, according to Mr. Hunter, and the buoy lines will be constructed.
Now - here is the interesting thing. John Hunter is a self-described, right wing Republican. That's right. A right wing Republican. Shouldn't he be standing by the side of the canal, cheering whenever he sees a drowning illegal or a body floating by? One would certainly think so - but such is not the case.
Mr. Hunter points out that he is as opposed to illegal immigration as the next person. He is not an open-border advocate and is in favor of the use of cameras along the canal to alert the Border Patrol of illegal immigrants attempting to cross. "I have no problem with the Border Patrol picking them up on the north side of the canal," he says. "They'll still be alive."
How refreshing. Good for you, Mr. Hunter!
Here's the article: A water-providing marvel — and a 'death trap' - latimes.com
It is also a barrier which illegal immigrants must cross in order to enter the United States.
It is estimated that more than 500 persons have died trying to cross the All American Canal since its construction was completed in 1942. They enter the canal thinking they can swim across, which they can; but when they reach the other side, they are unable to get out. The sides of the canal are slanted at an inviting angle, giving the impression that it is easy to swim across and then climb out. However, the sides of the canal are also extremely slippery, and the victims of drowning have all been unable to get out, once they get in. They are swept away by the swift current and drown without ever being able to get out.
There is a way to fix this. Simply run a line across the canal at regular intervals with buoys attached to the line, thereby giving a safety exit for those who get caught in the current. So why have so many people died over the years, trying to cross the canal? Because the governmental owners and operators of the canal (The Imperial Irrigation District) have refused to spend the relatively small amount of money necessary to string the buoys across the canal.
John Hunter is an immigration activist from the San Diego area, who, for the past decade or so, has been urging the canal owners to construct the buoy lines. Finally, after a segment of "60 Minutes" exposed the problem to public view, the Board was shamed into doing the right thing, according to Mr. Hunter, and the buoy lines will be constructed.
Now - here is the interesting thing. John Hunter is a self-described, right wing Republican. That's right. A right wing Republican. Shouldn't he be standing by the side of the canal, cheering whenever he sees a drowning illegal or a body floating by? One would certainly think so - but such is not the case.
Mr. Hunter points out that he is as opposed to illegal immigration as the next person. He is not an open-border advocate and is in favor of the use of cameras along the canal to alert the Border Patrol of illegal immigrants attempting to cross. "I have no problem with the Border Patrol picking them up on the north side of the canal," he says. "They'll still be alive."
How refreshing. Good for you, Mr. Hunter!
Here's the article: A water-providing marvel — and a 'death trap' - latimes.com
