In May 2001, we went to Phoenix, Arizona, to report on the porous Southern border. As part of that program, I interviewed Sen. John McCain and told him that the only way the border could be secured was to use U.S. troops. The senator disagreed:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, R-ARIZ.: I do not favor using troops because they are not trained for it. They don't have the kind of qualifications necessary. I have strongly favored us using all the technical equipment that our military has including satellites, including aircraft and other technical means.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Well now Mr. McCain has changed his mind, finally. But it took a terrible tragedy.
Arizona rancher Robert Krentz, 58, was found shot to death on his own property. Mr. Krentz leaves behind a wife, three kids and two grandchildren. His family had been ranching in Arizona since 1907.
Police suspect the murder was committed by an illegal alien who then fled back to Mexico. Authorities say they followed the man's footprints for about 20 miles until the trail stopped at the border.
In response to the murder, Sen. McCain wrote a letter to President Obama: "I am asking you and the administration to immediately reconsider your position and send National Guard troops to our Southern border region."
We applaud Mr. McCain's new position, but must point out that "The Factor" has been saying this for 10 long years:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
O'REILLY: After much study and thought, I have come to the conclusion that the military has to secure the Mexican border. One of the mandates of the federal government is to provide security for American citizens from outside forces.
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Sadly, Mr. Krentz did not get that security.
As for President Obama, "The Factor" has been told that he cancelled a military exercise which would have trained troops on the Southern border. Of course, that would have inhibited anyone from crossing where those troops were.
The president apparently feels that a military presence on the border would send the wrong message to the world, that the U.S. is militarizing the Mexican border.
So here's my question: What's wrong with that?
Obviously things are out of control down there, are they not? Thousands of people are being killed in Mexico by drug gangs, millions are crossing the border illegally, and we're worried about sending the wrong message? That's insane. The Southern border should have been militarized a long time ago.
A new Rasmussen poll says an astounding 72 percent of Americans want the U.S. military on the border. Just 16 percent don't. Another huge victory for common sense.
But still, the federal government dithers, putting all Americans at risk.
Once again, John McCain's conversion on border security is helpful. We hope President Obama will notice and rethink the issue before anyone else gets murdered.
And that's "The Memo."
Pinheads & Patriots
Glenn Beck has a new audio book out called "Idiots Unplugged," and here's something that will absolutely wipe out the far left. Beck's audio is No. 3 on the Publisher's Weekly list, and "Bold Fresh" audio is No. 5 after an astounding 17 months on the list.
Thank you all very much. Everyone who has purchased the Beck and O'Reilly audios is a patriot.
On the pinhead front, our pal Matthew Modine wants to sit down with Usama bin Laden.
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MATTHEW MODINE, ACTOR: Imagine if somebody were to really sit down with Usama bin Laden and say, "Listen, man, what is it that you're so angry at me about that you're willing to have people strap bombs to themselves or get inside of airplanes and fly them into buildings?" That would be the miracle, if we could get to sit down and talk to our enemies and have — find a way for them to hear us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Now we like Mr. Modine. He's a good guy. But he should know that Al Qaeda has no interest in hearing anything reasonable. None.
Why? Because they are maniacs and pinheads.
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