13 Illegals Caught Wearing US Marine Uniforms

[Ayatollahgondola]

SAN DIEGO -- Border Patrol agents in San Diego say they have caught 13 illegal immigrants wearing U.S. Marine uniforms.

Agency spokesman Michael Jimenez says Tuesday that agents found the group after approaching a suspicious parked van with altered U.S. license plates on March 14. He says it's not known where the group obtained the American military uniforms.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is handling the investigation. Navy investigators referred calls to Washington, D.C., and no one could be reached for comment late Tuesday.

Jimenez says two U.S. citizens who were with the immigrants were arrested on suspicion of alien smuggling. He says three of the illegal immigrants are being held in federal custody as witnesses and the others have been returned to Mexico, their country of origin.



Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/03/22/3496178/illegal-immigrants-in-us-marine.html#ixzz1HNOH0FlF

[Patriotic Army Mom]

This does not surprise me. Probably on their way to Lucerne Valley.

[ilbegone]

Lucerne Valley - they say it's the water...

I haven't been to Lucerne Valley in about 15-16 years, which was usually in the course of my employment.

I viewed the greater Lucerne Valley area as generally a loose collection of tweekers, misfits, anti socials, crazies, felons on the lam, and people who just wanted to be left alone. Of course, that doesn't compose the entire population, just a majority in my view.

I did like the mom and pop burger shop, the Chinese restaurant, and the donut shop - which I believe was owned by a Vietnamese guy.

Is Lucerne Valley now over run with illegals? I believe the cement plant is about the only viable yet limited source of employment, and face it - there's not that many lawns to mow.

What's the draw for illegals?

[Don]

they should be shot as spies.

[Twoller]

....

... it's not known where the group obtained the American military uniforms.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is handling the investigation. Navy investigators referred calls to Washington, D.C., and no one could be reached for comment late Tuesday.

Jimenez says two U.S. citizens who were with the immigrants were arrested on suspicion of alien smuggling. He says three of the illegal immigrants are being held in federal custody as witnesses and the others have been returned to Mexico, their country of origin.

....

they should be shot as spies.

Good idea. The Navy is investigating, but what's the point if most of them were thrown out of the country. Funny, but if the feds want them thrown out, they get thrown out. It's possible.

[Patriotic Army Mom]

Yes, Lucerne still has the same things out there. I lived and still own property in Lucerne. It's a place to hide and fan out. As a matter of fact a notice was sent to me a couple of years ago by Code Enforcement. I couldn't believe what they put on the citation. Went out to check it out and my tenant had let about 5 families plant falling apart mobile homes on it. They were being help up by what looked like toothpicks. Well, they were paying him to stay in these make shift holes. I flipped out and kicked them all out that day. They pulled the don't speak English crap and then I went even more over board. If the police had been called, my body would have been taken to jail!
When I first moved out to Lucerne in 1989, my thoughts were the same as yours. The community has so many good people that do wonderful things it was an eye opener. My envolvement with the tweekers was radical also. But that's another story. That got real scary. Those people are crazy!
I believe Lucerne could be a hub for trafficking narcotics to other areas by the illegals.

[Rim05]

I found out several years ago that having rental property was not for me. The end came when I started getting people who could not speak English, they would bring along someone who did speak the language. I sold the darn house, problem solved.

[ilbegone]

This on the news as I remember it rambling on:

The van is registered to someone in Yucca Valley, the altered plate belonged to a Marine Corp vehicle, and the name on all thirteen Marine uniforms is Perez.

Circumstantial evidence being what it is, can anyone say "29 Palms"?

[wetibbe]

Sorry to be a little bit circumscribed but here are some scenarios that you can throw darts at:

1. Those are the new recruits for Obama's war in Libya on their way to the fighting front!!!!!!!!!!

2. That's the vanguard of the Cartels "army" of invaders !

3. They are actually undercover BATF secret agents that will be gun walking arms back to Mexico !

4. They are all named Perez for a reason. They're all the same family !

5. That's the new Aztlan occupation force !

Now having dispensed with the serious stuff here's some comic relief !

* Sheriff Paul Babeu, Pinal County Arizona, was on Fox news this morning and mentioned this event. He also said that 20% of illegal invaders have a criminal record. 20% are OTM's and come from countries on the watch list. Fox news also reported that each illegal paid $3,800 to be smuggled in. Where IS that money ?

* Federal Customs and Immigration laws provide for a customs fine of $5,000 for illegal entry in addition to an immigration fine. It is never imposed !

* Impersonating a military serviceman is a crime. Yet all but three were returned to Mexico!

Why does it not occur to the left, liberals, the "religious cheer leaders", the SPLC, ACLU and their ilk that these masquerading insurgents are dishonest, fakers, con artists whose first act in America is committing crimes ?????????

Why is anyone who is repulsed by these marauders called a racist, xenophobe ?

[ilbegone]

Why is anyone who is repulsed by these marauders called a racist, xenophobe ?

The author of this site seems to be biased as all the examples I saw after hitting the links seemed to do with contemporary politics from a leftist point of view rather than a general overview of propaganda technique itself. However, you will recognize the techniques being used to promote acceptance of illegal immigration such as name calling, redirection, and the rest.



Propaganda techniques

Propagandists use a variety of propaganda techniques to influence opinions and to avoid the truth. Often these techniques rely on some element of censorship or manipulation, either omitting significant information or distorting it.

Rhetorical Techniques

During the period between World Wars I and II, the now-defunct Institute for Propaganda Analysis (IPA) developed a list of common rhetorical techniques used for propaganda purposes. Their list included the following:

* doublespeak
* fear
* glittering generalities
* name-calling

Other Techniques / Terms

* ad hominem
* apologise
* astroturf
* bad science
* bait and switch
* big lie
* buzz
* buzzwords
* comic books
* concision
* controlling the message
* demonizing the opposition
* disinformation
* divide and conquer
* echo chamber
* front group
* greenwashing
* guerrilla marketing
* junk science
* misinformation
* photographic manipulation
* policy laundering
* politics of personal destruction
* Political Code Words
* product placement
* providing pictures
* Public Service Announcments
* push poll
* quoting out of context
* release of forged documents
* repetition
* straw man
* swiftboating
* using celebrities
* talking points
* vagueness
* video news releases
* viral marketing (word of mouth)

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Propaganda_techniques

[ilbegone]

Here's another one, from a leftist educator point of view:


Recognizing Propaganda Techniques
and Errors of Faulty Logic
Propaganda Techniques

What are Propaganda Techniques? They are the methods and approaches used to spread ideas that further a cause - a political, commercial, religious, or civil cause.

Why are they used? To manipulate the readers' or viewers' reason and emotions; to persuade you to believe in something or someone, buy an item, or vote a certain way.

What are the most commonly used propaganda techniques? See which of the ten most common types of propaganda techniques you already know.
Types:

Name calling: This techniques consists of attaching a negative label to a person or a thing. People engage in this type of behavior when they are trying to avoid supporting their own opinion with facts. Rather than explain what they believe in, they prefer to try to tear their opponent down.

Glittering Generalities: This technique uses important-sounding "glad words" that have little or no real meaning. These words are used in general statements that cannot be proved or disproved. Words like "good," "honest," "fair," and "best" are examples of "glad" words.

Transfer: In this technique, an attempt is made to transfer the prestige of a positive symbol to a person or an idea. For example, using the American flag as a backdrop for a political event makes the implication that the event is patriotic in the best interest of the U.S.

False Analogy: In this technique, two things that may or may not really be similar are portrayed as being similar. When examining the comparison, you must ask yourself how similar the items are. In most false analogies, there is simply not enough evidence available to support the comparison.

Testimonial: This technique is easy to understand. It is when "big name" personalities are used to endorse a product. Whenever you see someone famous endorsing a product, ask yourself how much that person knows about the product, and what he or she stands to gain by promoting it.

Plain Folks: This technique uses a folksy approach to convince us to support someone or something. These ads depict people with ordinary looks doing ordinary activities.

Card Stacking: This term comes from stacking a deck of cards in your favor. Card stacking is used to slant a message. Key words or unfavorable statistics may be omitted in an ad or commercial, leading to a series of half-truths. Keep in mind that an advertiser is under no obligation "to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."

Bandwagon: The "bandwagon" approach encourages you to think that because everyone else is doing something, you should do it too, or you'll be left out. The technique embodies a "keeping up with the Joneses" philosophy.

Either/or fallacy: This technique is also called "black-and-white thinking" because only two choices are given. You are either for something or against it; there is no middle ground or shades of gray. It is used to polarize issues, and negates all attempts to find a common ground.

Faulty Cause and Effect: This technique suggests that because B follows A, A must cause B. Remember, just because two events or two sets of data are related does not necessarily mean that one caused the other to happen. It is important to evaluate data carefully before jumping to a wrong conclusion.
Errors of Faulty Logic

Contradiction:
Information is presented that is in direct opposition to other information within the same argument.

Example: If someone stated that schools were overstaffed, then later argued for the necessity of more counselors, that person would be guilty of contradiction.

Accident:
Someone fails to recognize (or conceals the fact) that an argument is based on an exception to the rule.

Example: By using selected scholar-athletes as the norm, one could argue that larger sports programs in schools were vital to improving academic performance of all students.

False Cause:
A temporal order of events is confused with causality; or, someone oversimplifies a complex causal network.

Example: Stating that poor performance in schools is caused by poverty; poverty certainly contributes to poor academic performance but it is not the only factor.

Begging the Question:


A person makes a claim then argues for it by advancing grounds whose meaning is simply equivalent to that of the original claim. This is also called "circular reasoning."

Example: Someone argues that schools should continue to have textbooks read from cover to cover because, otherwise, students would not be well-educated. When asked to define what "well-educated" means, the person says, "knowing what is in the textbooks."

Evading the Issue:


Someone sidesteps and issue by changing the topic.

Example: When asked to say whether or not the presence of homosexuals in the army could be a disruptive force, a speaker presents examples of homosexuals winning combat medals for bravery.

Arguing from Ignorance:


Someone argues that a claim is justified simply because its opposite cannot be proven.

Example: A person argues that voucher programs will not harm schools, since no one has ever proven that vouchers have harmed schools.

Composition and Division:


Composition involves an assertion about a whole that is true of its parts. Division is the opposite: an assertion about all of the parts that is true about the whole.

Example: When a school system holds up its above-average scores and claims that its students are superior, it is committing the fallacy of division. Overall scores may be higher but that does not prove all students are performing at that level. Likewise, when the military points to the promiscuous behavior of some homosexuals, it is committing the fallacy of composition: the behavior of some cannot serve as proof of-the behavior of all homosexuals.
Errors of Attack

Poisoning the Well:


A person is so committed to a position that he/she explains away absolutely everything others offer in opposition.

Example: Almost every proponent and opponent on the ban on gays in the military commits this error.
Ad Hominem:

A person rejects a claim on the basis of derogatory facts (real or alleged) about the person making the claim.

Example: Someone rejects President Clinton's reasons for lifting the ban on gays in the military because of Mr. Clinton's draft record.
Appealing to Force:

Someone uses threats to establish the validity of the claim.

Example: Opponents of year-round school threaten to keep their children out of school during the summer months.
Errors of Weak Reference

Appeal to Authority:


Authority is evoked as the last word on an issue.

Example: Someone uses the Bible as the basis for his arguments against specific school reform issues.

Appeal to the People:


Someone attempts to justify a claim on the basis of popularity.

Example: Opponents of year-round school claim that students would hate it.

Appeal to Emotion:


An emotion-laden "sob" story is used as proof for a claim.

Example: A politician uses a sad story of a child being killed in a drive-by shooting to gain support for a year-round school measure.

http://academic.cuesta.edu/acasupp/as/404.htm

[ilbegone]

Not to wear anyone out, but here's a last one which seems to be less biased:



Propaganda Techniques
Assertion:

Assertion is commonly used in advertising and modern propaganda. An assertion is an enthusiastic or energetic statement presented as a fact, although it is not necessarily true. They often imply that the statement requires no explanation or back up, but that it should merely be accepted without question. Examples of assertion, although somewhat scarce in wartime propaganda, can be found often in modern advertising propaganda. Any time an advertiser states that their product is the best without providing evidence for this, they are using an assertion. The subject, ideally, should simply agree to the statement without searching for additional information or reasoning. Assertions, although usually simple to spot, are often dangerous forms of propaganda because they often include falsehoods or lies.

Bandwagon:

Bandwagon is one of the most common techniques in both wartime and peacetime and plays an important part in modern advertising. Bandwagon is also one of the seven main propaganda techniques identified by the Institute for Propaganda Analysis in 1938. Bandwagon is an appeal to the subject to follow the crowd, to join in because others are doing so as well. Bandwagon propaganda is, essentially, trying to convince the subject that one side is the winning side, because more people have joined it. The subject is meant to believe that since so many people have joined, that victory is inevitable and defeat impossible. Since the average person always wants to be on the winning side, he or she is compelled to join in. However, in modern propaganda, bandwagon has taken a new twist. The subject is to be convinced by the propaganda that since everyone else is doing it, they will be left out if they do not. This is, effectively, the opposite of the other type of bandwagon, but usually provokes the same results. Subjects of bandwagon are compelled to join in because everyone else is doing so as well. When confronted with bandwagon propaganda, we should weigh the pros and cons of joining in independently from the amount of people who have already joined, and, as with most types of propaganda, we should seek more information.

Card stacking:

Card stacking, or selective omission, is one of the seven techniques identified by the IPA, or Institute for Propaganda Analysis. It involves only presenting information that is positive to an idea or proposal and omitting information contrary to it. Card stacking is used in almost all forms of propaganda, and is extremely effective in convincing the public. Although the majority of information presented by the card stacking approach is true, it is dangerous because it omits important information. The best way to deal with card stacking is to get more information.

Glittering Generalities:

Glittering generalities was one of the seven main propaganda techniques identified by the Institute for Propaganda Analysis in 1938. It also occurs very often in politics and political propaganda. Glittering generalities are words that have different positive meaning for individual subjects, but are linked to highly valued concepts. When these words are used, they demand approval without thinking, simply because such an important concept is involved. For example, when a person is asked to do something in "defense of democracy" they are more likely to agree. The concept of democracy has a positive connotation to them because it is linked to a concept that they value. Words often used as glittering generalities are honor, glory, love of country, and especially in the United States, freedom. When coming across with glittering generalities, we should especially consider the merits of the idea itself when separated from specific words.

Lesser of Two Evils:

The "lesser of two evils" technique tries to convince us of an idea or proposal by presenting it as the least offensive option. This technique is often implemented during wartime to convince people of the need for sacrifices or to justify difficult decisions. This technique is often accompanied by adding blame on an enemy country or political group. One idea or proposal is often depicted as one of the only options or paths. When confronted with this technique, the subject should consider the value of any proposal independently of those it is being compared with.

Name Calling:

Name calling occurs often in politics and wartime scenarios, but very seldom in advertising. It is another of the seven main techniques designated by the Institute for Propaganda Analysis. It is the use of derogatory language or words that carry a negative connotation when describing an enemy. The propaganda attempts to arouse prejudice among the public by labeling the target something that the public dislikes. Often, name calling is employed using sarcasm and ridicule, and shows up often in political cartoons or writings. When examining name calling propaganda, we should attempt to separate our feelings about the name and our feelings about the actual idea or proposal.

Pinpointing the Enemy:

Pinpointing the enemy is used extremely often during wartime, and also in political campaigns and debates. This is an attempt to simplify a complex situation by presenting one specific group or person as the enemy. Although there may be other factors involved the subject is urged to simply view the situation in terms of clear-cut right and wrong. When coming in contact with this technique, the subject should attempt to consider all other factors tied into the situation. As with almost all propaganda techniques, the subject should attempt to find more information on the topic. An informed person is much less susceptible to this sort of propaganda.

Plain Folks:

The plain folks propaganda technique was another of the seven main techniques identified by the IPA, or Institute for Propaganda Analysis. The plain folks device is an attempt by the propagandist to convince the public that his views reflect those of the common person and that they are also working for the benefit of the common person. The propagandist will often attempt to use the accent of a specific audience as well as using specific idioms or jokes. Also, the propagandist, especially during speeches, may attempt to increase the illusion through imperfect pronunciation, stuttering, and a more limited vocabulary. Errors such as these help add to the impression of sincerity and spontaneity. This technique is usually most effective when used with glittering generalities, in an attempt to convince the public that the propagandist views about highly valued ideas are similar to their own and therefore more valid. When confronted by this type of propaganda, the subject should consider the proposals and ideas separately from the personality of the presenter.

Simplification (Stereotyping):

Simplification is extremely similar to pinpointing the enemy, in that it often reduces a complex situation to a clear-cut choice involving good and evil. This technique is often useful in swaying uneducated audiences. When faced with simplification, it is often useful to examine other factors and pieces of the proposal or idea, and, as with all other forms of propaganda, it is essential to get more information.

Testimonials:

Testimonials are another of the seven main forms of propaganda identified by the Institute for Propaganda Analysis. Testimonials are quotations or endorsements, in or out of context, which attempt to connect a famous or respectable person with a product or item. Testimonials are very closely connected to the transfer technique, in that an attempt is made to connect an agreeable person to another item. Testimonials are often used in advertising and political campaigns. When coming across testimonials, the subject should consider the merits of the item or proposal independently of the person of organization giving the testimonial.

Transfer:

Transfer is another of the seven main propaganda terms first used by the Institute for Propaganda Analysis in 1938. Transfer is often used in politics and during wartime. It is an attempt to make the subject view a certain item in the same way as they view another item, to link the two in the subjects mind. Although this technique is often used to transfer negative feelings for one object to another, it can also be used in positive ways. By linking an item to something the subject respects or enjoys, positive feelings can be generated for it. However, in politics, transfer is most often used to transfer blame or bad feelings from one politician to another of his friends or party members, or even to the party itself. When confronted with propaganda using the transfer technique, we should question the merits or problems of the proposal or idea independently of convictions about other objects or proposals.

http://library.thinkquest.org/C0111500/proptech.htm

[Jeanfromfillmore]

REGION: New details in arrests of immigrants posing as Marines
A second suspicios van remains at large
Their vehicle wasn't right. They didn't know the Marine Corps' birthday. And they failed to give a "hoo-rah" when asked to do so.
Those were some of the clues that tipped a Border Patrol agent, who just happened to be a former Marine, to suspect that a van full of people dressed as Marines were really illegal immigrants, according to an amended criminal complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in San Diego.
"This effort is an example of the lengths smugglers will go to avoid detection, and the skilled and effective police work and vigilance displayed every day by Customs and Border Protection personnel," Department of Homeland Security officials said in a statement provided by Border Patrol Agent Jerry Conlin, spokesman for the San Diego sector.
When agents stopped the van near Pine Valley, none of the 15 people inside ---- including 13 illegal immigrants dressed as U.S. Marines ---- was able to give the date of the Marine Corps' birthday. One agent, a former Marine, knew that tidbit gets drilled into recruits during basic training.
The March 14 encounter would end in the arrest of the occupants of the oversized van, bearing stolen and altered government-issued license plates, according to the criminal complaint.
The complaint names four men, including the driver of the van, as defendants. Federal prosecutors charged them with human smuggling.
Three of the defendants ---- Arturo Leyva Jr., who was the alleged driver; Jose Guadalupe Ceja Jr., the front-seat passenger; and Guadalupe Garcia Jr., who was driving a different car ---- are U.S. citizens, according to authorities.
The fourth defendant, Said Rodrigo Preciado-Torres, is a Mexican who had a valid border-crossing card, the criminal complaint states.
Attorneys for Leyva and Ceja did not immediately return comment Wednesday; court documents did not specify the names of the attorneys for Garcia and Preciado-Torres.
The brazenness raised a host of troubling, still unanswered questions: How did they get the uniforms? Are there current or retired Marines involved in the lucrative smuggling business? Were the uniforms only to trick immigration authorities or did the immigrants have more serious, military intentions?
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service ---- the investigative arm of the Navy, which includes the Marine Corps ---- has teamed up with the Border Patrol to find out.
"If people are pretending to be Marines for criminal reasons, we'll want to know why," said Ed Buice, spokesman for the Navy's investigative arm, known as NCIS.
Buice, however, said he couldn't discuss details of the investigation.
According to the federal criminal complaint, Agent S. Smith, who works out of the Border Patrol's Campo Station, was in plain clothes and driving an unmarked car when he noticed two large white passenger vans on the road with him.
The Border Patrol declined to give first name of the agent.
Smith noted that the first van bore Department of Homeland Security-issued license plates, but the body of the van was not the sort that Smith knew DHS vans to be, raising his suspicions, the complaint states.
And the license plate on the second van didn't reflect quite right in Smith's headlights; one of the numbers appeared to have been altered, prosecutors allege.
When Smith caught up to the second van and caught a glimpse inside, he noticed that the camouflage uniforms the occupants wore didn't jibe with what Smith knew Marines to wear, the complaint states.
Smith radioed ahead to a Border Patrol checkpoint near Pine Valley to report the find.
The complaint does not address what happened with the first van, but agents at the checkpoint stopped the second van and questioned driver Leyva and front-seat passenger Ceja. Both men had the name "Lopez" on their uniform name tag.
The driver told Smith that everyone in the van was a Marine. The agent asked the occupants of the vehicle if he could get a "hoo-rah," a cheer Marines are taught in boot camp; only Ceja responded. The other passengers "continued to sit like statues and remain silent," the federal complaint states.
Driver Leyva was unable to state the Marine Corps' birthday, another lesson Marines learn in boot camp. None of Leyva's passengers was able to produce military identification or immigration documents, and most told agents they were from Mexico.
Eleven were sent back to Mexico. The other two have been detained as material witnesses in the case.
In the meantime, agents learned that the driver of a green Mitsubishi Eclipse spotted on Interstate 8 near the two apparently fake government vans was also a part of the smuggling plan, the complaint states.
They located and pulled over the Eclipse, then turned up military insignia underneath the front seat. Agents arrested the driver, Garcia.
Further investigation led agents to believe the other van had been driven by Preciado-Torres. He was arrested Tuesday, more than a week after the incident, when he crossed from Mexico into the U.S. on foot.
The defendants are due back in a San Diego federal courtroom Tuesday for their preliminary hearing.
http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/sdcounty/article_8a3e892f-a778-54b9-ada2-9adf1a19478c.html

[wetibbe]

Perfectly useful input.

Great work.

Thanks.