the INS is not tipping the Mexican government off about the location of the Minutemen- unless the Minutemen abuse Mexican nationals.
Small correction: the article says the Border Patrol confessed to reporting "allegations of misconduct to the Mexican consulate" [emphasis mine]
You are right, that is not the same thing as keeping the Mexican consulate updated on the location of Minutemen. It is probably worse!
What possible legitimate reason could the Border Patrol tattle-tales have for reporting allegations of "misconduct" (whatever that means) to the Mexican consulate? If this alleged misconduct is criminal in nature, then Texas or New Mexico authorities should investigate and put them on trial. The misconduct would of course remain alleged until they are found guilty by a jury.
The involvement of the consulate of a foreign national who is a party to any such incident is a given under international law and long-established procedure. Completely apart from the hypothetical outcome of any legal proceeding, the consulate- any counsulate of any country, thankfully including our own- has the fundamental responsibility to look out for the interests and rights of its nationals, completely without prejudice to any possible legal proceedings. That's what consulates are for.
Bottom line: the bit about the U.S. government tipping off the Mexican government about the movements of the "Minutemen" was a lie- a falsehood spread for the purpose of bearing false witness against the Bush administration. It ill-behooves you to even think of defending it.
Comments
Small correction: the article says the Border Patrol confessed to reporting "allegations of misconduct to the Mexican consulate" [emphasis mine]
You are right, that is not the same thing as keeping the Mexican consulate updated on the location of Minutemen. It is probably worse!
What possible legitimate reason could the Border Patrol tattle-tales have for reporting allegations of "misconduct" (whatever that means) to the Mexican consulate? If this alleged misconduct is criminal in nature, then Texas or New Mexico authorities should investigate and put them on trial. The misconduct would of course remain alleged until they are found guilty by a jury.
Jeff, this comment is just plain silly.
The involvement of the consulate of a foreign national who is a party to any such incident is a given under international law and long-established procedure. Completely apart from the hypothetical outcome of any legal proceeding, the consulate- any counsulate of any country, thankfully including our own- has the fundamental responsibility to look out for the interests and rights of its nationals, completely without prejudice to any possible legal proceedings. That's what consulates are for.
Bottom line: the bit about the U.S. government tipping off the Mexican government about the movements of the "Minutemen" was a lie- a falsehood spread for the purpose of bearing false witness against the Bush administration. It ill-behooves you to even think of defending it.