Maybe it’s just us, but out of respect for the families of the victims, we’d hesitate to plaster the photos of two dead bodies all over, but this is certainly going to be the typical response:
Anyone who could look at that picture of that father and daughter who drowned trying to cross the border and not feel anything but sick and heartbroken and compassion for the people fleeing for their lives is a straight up sociopath.
— Julie Buxbaum (@juliebux) June 25, 2019
Maybe he’s a sociopath, then, but Raheem Kassam, global editor-in-chief of Human Events, says get ready for the photo of a drowned father and daughter to go viral — on purpose.
Just as Aylan Kurdi was used to swing public opinion in Europe over the migrant crisis, this picture will now go “viral” (artificially).
It’s the same playbook as 2015 Europe. pic.twitter.com/b2lrv3GBRS
— Raheem Kassam (@RaheemKassam) June 25, 2019
CNN, under the headline “Shocking image emerges of migrant father and child drowned at the US-Mexico border,” aired photos of the bodies, with the warning, “WARNING: DISTURBING VIDEO” overlaid over the images of the bodies … in case you’d missed the “graphic content” warning.
In the photo, the bodies have come to rest near a river bank where five discarded beer cans and an empty soda bottle sit in the tall reeds. Another beer can floats next to the girl’s body.
Salvadoran officials said the father and daughter drowned on Sunday. Their bodies were found Monday.
Salvadoran Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Hill said the government is working with Mexican authorities to repatriate the remains.
She called on those who plan to migrate to the United States illegally to refrain from doing so.
“Our county is in mourning, again. I beg you, to all the families, parents, don’t risk it,” she said, according to a CNN translation. “Life is worth a lot more.”
Maybe we’re sociopaths too, although we do find the photo heartbreaking; the girl was only 2 years old. What we’re not looking forward too, though, is the drowning blamed on the Trump administration. Back to Kassam:
But if you engage your brain, not your emotions, those to blame are (in no order):
1. Mexico
2. Gangs/traffickers
3. Those refusing to build wall aka funnelling people to LEGAL entry points.
4. Open borders activists
5. Parents risking kids lives— Raheem Kassam (@RaheemKassam) June 25, 2019
Good list – wrong order:
1. Parents
2. Open Borders gang
3. Mexico
4. Gangs
5. Democrats— Stoshu (@stanwisla) June 25, 2019
6 the governments of the migrants' points of origin (Guatemala, Honduras, etc.)
7 demagogues in the US who describe any controls on migration as "racist"— ColoradoDescenditAdInfernos (@DenverGregg) June 25, 2019
You forgot Congress in that
— Swin Lovewhistle (@Lovewhistle) June 25, 2019
And the drug trade
— Sandy (@Sandy91670659) June 25, 2019
This is why it’s evil to fight border security and entice migrants with free everything. Otherwise this man, baby girl and scores of others would have probably not taken the risk and would be alive today.
— Jennifer Mery Todd (@jmerytodd) June 25, 2019
we need to stop the incentives and enforce our borders to prevent death….they won't make this dangerous journey if there weren't incentives.
Maybe this could be flipped so that it discourages illegal immigration— Vicky8675309 (@Vicky8675309) June 25, 2019
There are MANY bridges. You have to apply at the US Consulate in Mexico first. There are many US Consulates in Mexico. Next time take the bridge.
— Greybeard (@Greybea24109451) June 25, 2019
The pic shows the result of parental abuse and neglect
— Palagno (@Palagno) June 25, 2019
This is so so sad. No matter what they shouldn’t do this to innocent babies. Stay home people!
— ruth (@rutesperanza) June 25, 2019
It's a great argument for making the border secure, actually… If you can't cross it illegally, stuff like that isn't gonna happen anymore. Why try to cross a river when you just end up standing in front of a wall you're not gonna get past?
— ᛖᚷᚨᛚ (@egal____) June 25, 2019
Most people seem to be emotionally ridden w/ the current event.
The current event is a symptom of the problem. Not the actual problem.
Lib's deny there's a crisis
Now cry that there's a crisis
Fix it.
— Urban Cowboy (@The_Hudsonhawk) June 25, 2019
whose fault are the toddlers without clothes or decent water?
— metamitya[notribe] (@metamitya) June 25, 2019
Whoever took them into a country illegally.
— Raheem Kassam (@RaheemKassam) June 25, 2019
Emotional manipulation.
Don't succumb to it.
— Will Anderer (@DuVtrell) June 25, 2019
Don't share this
— Mark مارك Ali (@matchbox10) June 25, 2019
We’re sharing it, only because we know it will be everywhere and somehow be used as an argument for … open borders? We’re pretty sure at least one Democrat will have the photo enlarged and on display on an easel in Congress soon.
* * *
Update:
Here’s how the New York Times tweaked its headline:
Change in Headline pic.twitter.com/AfnhMOVMwC
— Editing TheGrayLady (@nyt_diff) June 26, 2019
Jake Tapper’s on it:
Shocking image illustrates crisis at US-Mexico border – CNN https://t.co/ChAoJs2uiy
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 26, 2019
Related:
‘It’s not unicorns and rainbows.’ Brandon Darby’s fact-filled thread on Mexico and border security is BRUTALLY honest https://t.co/JRleyKlt3P
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) November 26, 2018
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