The left wing began their assault on President Trump's address to the nation before they'd even heard what he had to say. Jim Acosta asked Sarah Sanders if the President was going to tell the truth. USA Today told us the things we needed to know about border security before the President began to spout his lies. CNN anchors said fact checkers would be on Wheaties and steroids. Never a word about Chuck & Nancy's rebuttal being truthful or dishonest.

Among the 'facts' checked by various organizations such as Politico, was there really a crisis at the border? Of course they said that was not true because the number of illegal aliens apprehended last year was less than the year before. Never mind the fact that a higher percentage of those apprehended were convicted criminals, 78%, than in previous years which averaged about 45%.

A crisis is subjective, not objective. Missing a paycheck for many people is a crisis. If Kim Kardashian misses a paycheck, it's not a crisis. There is no doubt there is a crisis along our border, even though a CBS reporter visited Columbus NM and found 2 people to say they feel very safe in their homes. Maybe because there is a long border wall between Columbus and Palomas?

I can tell you from the personal experiences of many of my clients living along the border that there is a crisis and very much a need for a border wall. In Rodeo, I have one client who doesn't let their kids leave the house without being armed. A peak just 1/4 mile from the main house is often used by drug cartel members as a lookout point. I have seen the mirrors they use to communicate with runners to let them know it's clear or not.

One ranch hand was kidnapped by coyotes when they abandoned the people they were escorting. Border Patrol agents had located them so they took the hand and his ranch truck, drove back across the border and beat the ranch hand to make sure he would not talk to law enforcement.

Another client's father, in his late 80s, was approached by coyotes in his home south of Animas. They threatened him demanding food and water. He is a tough old cowboy and went to get his gun, but was so worked up he had a stroke.

Another client moved to a home near Road Forks. He regularly has illegal aliens and drug runners approach his home. They will stand about 50 yards away waiting to see if anyone is home. Since it is a winter residence, he is often gone is summer months. After having his home broken into and used as a 'way station' by illegals multiple times, he has installed heavy duty metal doors, steel window shades and metal bracing bars against the doors. He then has a crawl space that he uses to leave the home, using a tunnel that comes up in the garage. He never had a need for a gun in his life but now has multiple guns hidden around his home, garage and property for protection. Yes he's had to bring them out but luckily has never been forced to fire.

These are but a few of the stories. Border Patrol agents have told me that Antelope Wells is the busiest station along the border. Lordsburg's station has become a holding facility for illegal aliens with about 200 a week on slow weeks being detained there.

It is not uncommon to have 1800 a day detained in the El Paso sector which ends at the NM/AZ border. Agents estimate they are detaining less than half of the people who come across the border illegally.

Hidalgo County has declared an emergency because they cannot provide food, medical care, and basic necessities to the illegals that need them. Gila Regional Medical Center in Silver City gets the ailing and ill from the Lordsburg station every day.

These are but a few examples of what is occurring along our border and I haven't even begun to talk about the drugs, the incursions by Mexican Federal Officers into US territory as they protect the drug cartel runners. And yes, there have been a significant number of illegal aliens from China, the Middle East, Africa and other areas of the world detained along our border.

For anyone to say there is not a crisis may be a subjective assessment but I'd hate to see what needs to happen for them to declare a crisis along our border. The stories I've related are facts and cannot be disputed. These are just the tip of the iceberg and our citizens are being put in harm's way. Whether it's a wall, a barrier, or whatever you want to call it, there is ample proof that walls work, especially when combined with more manpower and technology. It's time for Congress to get its act together and fund the border security plan put forth by the President.

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.