September 29, 2006

Arizona Democratic Party, Russell Pearce, and "Operation Wetback"

The sleazy Arizona Democratic Party is up to its old tricks again, this time trying to smear Rep. Russell Pearce (R-AZ) over his reference to Eisenhower's "Operation Wetback" on a radio program. From their press release titled Pearce Resurrects "Operation Wetback" and subtitled Russell Pearce Longs for Pre-Civil Rights Era Immigration Program:

In an interview on KJZZ Wednesday, Republican legislator Russell Pearce called for the reinstatement of Eisenhower's 1953 immigration plan, "Operation Wetback." The program, which was abolished a year later, sought to round up and deport all undocumented workers.

That paragraph probably contains a lie. Establishing a new program that's similar to an old program is not the same as "reinstating" the old program: things can be similar without being the same in every respect. And, only a fool would believe that Pearce would want to name the new program "Operation Wetback." So, it's almost certain that Pearce does not want to "reinstate" OW, and it's almost certain that - once again - the AZ Dems are trying to mislead.

Here's the only quote of his that they provide:

"We know what we need to do. In 1953, Dwight D. Eisenhower, put together a task force called 'Operation Wetback.' He removed, in less than a year, 1.3 million illegal aliens. They must be deported."

Further, we're informed that "Hispanic leaders in Phoenix are outraged", which is only followed by one example from "former legislator and activist Alfredo Gutierrez". He's a member of the "Somos America" group that organized at least one Phoenix illegal immigration march.

Needless to say, the press has taken the Dem smear and run with it.

Sarah N. Lynch of the East Valley Tribune offers "Pearce calls on 'Operation Wetback' for illegals", informing us that he's "angered the Hispanic community this week when he called for the reinstatement of a pre-civil rights era program that called for the mass deportation of illegal immigrants", language that's highly similar to that used by the AZDems.

The Arizona Daily Star offers a rewrite of an AP report in the falsely-titled story "Phoenix legislator supports deportations through 'Operation Wetback'".

The apparently original AP report is in "Rep. Pearce calls for mass deportations":

A state lawmaker has drawn a firestorm of criticism from the Hispanic community this week by calling for the renewal of a 1950s-era federal deportation program known as "Operation Wetback." Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, a fiery proponent of new border security laws and a crackdown on illegal immigration, talked about the possibility of mass deportations in a radio interview.

The word "renewal" may be somewhat more accurate than the word "reinstatement" used in the AZDem press release. The only evidence of a "firestorm" the AP presents is the press release and quotes from Roberto Reveles, the president of Somos America.

Posted to Immigration at September 29, 2006 12:18 PM

Comments

There is also an equivocation on 'mass deportations'.
Operation Wetback removed 1.3 million, current policy deports over 1 million annually;
so what would mass deportation mean in today's context, millions per year?

Posted by: John S Bolton at September 30, 2006 01:25 AM

I support the deportation or execution of all illegal alien criminals in the United States. I think illegal aliens who molest citizens should be executed. I support calling it Operation Wetback, but I think Americans are creative enough to find a more fitting title for the necessary reassertion of our non-hispanic identity.

Posted by: Michael Taylor at October 5, 2006 08:09 PM

Damn right.....I say deport every single one of them. Let them go back to wherever they came from and stay there!!! I am an angry american! I'm sick of paying for illigeal mexicans who want to come to MY country and live off my hard earned money and try to tell me what I can and cannot say or do because it "offends" them. Good, I hope I do offend them. If enough of them get offended maybe they'll get the message. WE DON'T WANT YOU HERE AND WE DON'T NEED YOU HERE! Screw the polititians. We already know they don't have the guts or back bone to get the job done. Bring back the old policy and get rid of the damn good for nothing wetbacks!

Posted by: Anna at November 26, 2006 08:26 PM

I beleive we do need to deport anyone who is in this country illeagally. If they are criminals, definately deport them immediatly. They have no rights in this country as far as I am concerned. If they are violent criminals, the death penalty should be utilized in every case especailly crimes (any crime) against the children of this country. Start killing off these trashy people and I'll bet you'll see a real decrease in the stream of illigeals coming across the border! Once they know we aren't messing around with them, that will put a damper on it. Oh and in America, we speak english and it's called a Christmas tree. Get over it and get out!

Posted by: Dusty at November 26, 2006 08:32 PM