Fool Me Once Shame on You, Fool me Twice Shame on Me

It looks like we can't wait for the enemy to sock it to us again but this time it will be our own fault.
"The southern border is literally under siege, and there is a real possibility that terrorists -- particularly al Qaeda forces -- could exploit this series of holes in our law-enforcement system along the southern border," said Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz, Texas Democrat, testifying before the House immigration subcommittee.
Mr. Ortiz said that is particularly worrisome given the increase in "other than Mexicans," or OTMs, which is how border and immigration law-enforcement agencies refer to illegal immigrants from countries other than Mexico.
While Mexicans routinely are sent back across the border, non-Mexicans are processed and then, if no criminal record or terrorist background immediately is discovered, usually released in the United States under their promise to return for a deportation hearing.
Most never show up, witnesses testified yesterday.
"The more OTMs we release, the more we encourage their crossing in the first place," Mr. Ortiz said. "Until we have the resources we need -- the border patrol agents, the detention facilities and the appropriate technology -- to accurately screen these immigrants, they are going to continue to enter the country."
Mr. Ortiz said about 5 percent of captured illegal immigrants in fiscal year 2003 were OTMs, and there has been a 137 percent increase in OTMs this fiscal year.
T.J. Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council, said that by his reading Mr. Bush's proposed budget actually funds only 105 agents. He said while there's enough money to cover 210 positions, the budget document itself calls for only 105 full-time positions.
"It's a shell game, is all it is," he said.
Asked by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, the top Democrat on the committee, what the lack of funding would mean, Mr. Bonner said it was "just asking for another 9-11."
"We are just sticking our chin out and asking the terrorists to take a poke at us," he said.
The clarion call has sounded. We need to be in the field. Contact your representatives and our president. Tell them we will not tolerate another 9/11 caused by their failure to take proper measures. Secure our borders.