Letter: Protecting ranch from immigrants should be OK

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003 | 9:02 a.m.

Just when you think you've had your fill of stupidity, along comes some more. I'm referring to an article in the Dec. 11 Las Vegas Sun about Arizona ranchers Roger, Barbara and Donald Barnett, who are trying to protect their property from illegal immigrants and drug smugglers.

The Barnetts have a 22,000-acre ranch near the Mexican border, which they are forced to protect themselves because the federal government is not providing enough agents from the U.S. Border Patrol. When illegal immigrants cross their property, they stop them and turn them over to the border patrol.

Now here's where the stupidity comes in. Border Action Network, a human rights organization, has sued the Barnetts, saying they are interfering with the civil rights of immigrants. If this airhead organization had been around during World War II, we would have had German and Japanese soldiers sleeping in our beds. Instead of our millionaire politicians running around the country looking for election and re-election, they should start looking at organizations like this.

The Barnetts should be given the highest civilian award for their actions. Instead, they are being sued for their patriotism.

JOHN TOMINSKY