By Rich Manieri
Simply saying something over and over doesn’t make it so. I know because I’ve tried it. No matter how many times I say, “I’m a good golfer, I’m a good golfer,” the reality is I still stink, as anyone who has seen me on the course will verify.
Yet, the George Costanza it’s-not-a-lie-if-you-believe-it strategy is alive and thriving in the highest levels of government and media.
For Exhibit A – and there are others but we’ll just stick with this one – let’s examine the “Border patrol agents on horses seen whipping migrants” story. The problem with this story is it never actually happened but the president of the United States, his administration, and too many media outlets pretended it did.
At a press conference on Friday, President Biden threatened border patrol agents.
“It’s outrageous. I promise you those people will pay.” Pay how and for what, we’re not sure.
“It was horrible to see what you saw, to see people treated like they did — horses nearly running them over, people being strapped,” Biden said.
Here’s the problem, Mr. President. I didn’t see it and neither did you or anyone else.
What we did see is a photo of border patrol agents on horseback twirling reins, which are used to steer a horse. Not that anyone would mistake me for Roy Rogers, but I know that much. There are no photos of agents whipping migrants. None. Nor is there any video, in an age when there’s video of everything.
The photographer, Paul Ratje, who took the controversial images to which the president and his acolytes refer, told KTSM TV in El Paso that he never saw agents whipping anyone.
“Some of the Haitian men started running, trying to go around the horses,” Ratje, told the TV station. “I’ve never seen them whip anyone…He was swinging it, but it can be misconstrued when you’re looking at the picture.”
Ratje’s images were published on Sunday. On Monday, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended border patrol agents, saying they often use long reins to control horses to keep people from coming too close and getting seriously injured. But by Tuesday, Mayorkas said he was “horrified” by the images. By Wednesday, there was an investigation underway and the agents involved were on desk duty.
What changed? There were no new photos. The skeptical me wonders if Mayorkas got a phone call from someone in the White House Monday night encouraging him to take a second look at the photos and come up with a different interpretation. In other words, look at the photo as you would Monet’s “Impression, Sunrise” and see whatever you like.
Another consequence of this false story – other than truth itself – is that border patrol agents are no longer allowed to use horses. It should be noted that mounted law enforcement officers are not new. Horses have been used, mostly for crowd control, in big cities throughout the country for decades. They’ve used horses on the border because agents are often traversing unpaved roads and paths. No matter. As long as we’re reacting to something that never happened, we need to keep up the pretense. Let the investigation continue and never let the facts get in the way.
It seems that the story in Del Rio, Tx. – the real story, the worsening border crisis, the humanitarian catastrophe – was generally ignored by the media and political class until Ratje’s photos went viral. Why?
I don’t think it’s a stretch to suggest that border patrol agents whipping migrants is an attractive narrative for those who favor lax immigration or open borders policies. Besides, the truth is far too embarrassing.
Now, according to Mayorkas, some 12,000 unvaccinated, COVID-untested Haitian migrants who showed up in Del Rio have been transferred into the country’s interior. So much for “Your journey will not succeed,” as Mayorkas had warned.
Vice President Harris, who was put in charge of getting control of illegal immigration at the border, has said next to nothing about the crisis, which she helped create. However, she did weigh in – surprise – on the photos of border patrol agents on horseback, saying they evoke “times of slavery.”
To recap, the Biden administration made the choice to perpetuate a false story, declare war on its own border agents, show the U.S. as a racist, intolerant country, and ensure that the media is sufficiently distracted by the lie thus diverting attention from the overarching issue which is this – if you don’t have a secure border, you will eventually cease to have a country.
Political expediency defeats reality, again.
Rich Manieri is a journalism professor at Asbury University in Kentucky. He spent some 30 years as a television and print journalist, speech writer, government spokesman, communications consultant, essayist and columnist. Rich’s first book, “We Burn on Friday: A Memoir of My Father and Me,” was published in 2015. He has won both Associated Press and Emmy awards for television news reporting as well as a Keystone Award in Pennsylvania for column writing.
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L J Shaver says
Anybody who has ridden western knows it didn’t happen!
PBH says
Thank you for a clear story of what really happened Everything that is printed these days needs fact checked multiple times from multiple places. So sad.
Deborah Coffey says
First, there is plenty of video. We shouldn’t believe our eyes is always the instruction from Donald Trump. And, even if no reins ever actually touched a migrant, was the “horse treatment” in line with our values? It certainly isn’t in line with mine.
Kevin Price says
Just yesterday I read clear comments by the head of Border Patrol that the White House told more falsehoods than mentioned here. He said the White House’s announcement that the agents were suspended and the horse patrol has ended are false, too. He said the horse patrol is operating normally with no agents suspended. Hs said they continue to operate in Del Rio as before except for the river.
A.j says
True things should be proven. How can you all say the picture is a lie about border whipping. Had the lying Repubs said the whipping did happen you all would believe it. They were Hatian People, I guess that why you all will call it a lie. Hsd they been white would you all say the picture is a lie, it did not happen. How do you all know it did not happen, were you there?
TB says
The photographer, Paul Ratje, who took the controversial images to which the president and his acolytes refer, told KTSM TV in El Paso that he never saw agents whipping anyone.
Mark says
But, but, but, it doesn’t fit our agenda and it takes the focus off the real tragedy promoted by Joe’s policies. We can’t have that.
Dennis says
Lies are the all democrats have these days to try to cover up their extreme, crazy agenda for America.
R. S. says
Perhaps this wild-west scenario is made to help us overlook that the US is rounding up Haitians to export them right back to the broken country they came from–which is the REAL tragedy here. As much as the US has meddled in Haitian politics and economics, it would behoove us to show kindness and a helpful attitude.
MikeM says
Unfortunately, about 75 % of them were relocated in the US. By Myorkas’ own admission.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Just more lies from the jackass party, there is nothing they can say or do. America see all the problems, that were self created by this administration. Its a shame whats happening to our country….Our children, and our grand children will suffer greatly with these policies. I know personally I was better off, I had more money, food was resonable, gas was cheap, & our country was safe!
FlaglerBear says
Before the kangaroo court of their investigation into this matter even began, the President vowed to “make them pay.” The boss has already found his subordinates guilty before the first statements have even been taken. What message does this send out? What country are we living in?
Sherry says
Thanks again Deborah. . . my thoughts also. If you have ever been close up to a horse being ridden “at you” that is traumatic and extremely frightening to say the least. Humans being rounded up like ranch animals is not only inhumane it is “unAmerican”! The images harken back to days of slavery whether the reins actually touched the flesh or not!
The horseback border patrol was “TEMPORARILY” suspended in September. They are apparently back on the job. . . hopefully with new marching orders about how to treat human beings.
We need comprehensive immigration reform. . . and we need it NOW! Good luck with getting “ANYTHING” done with a Congress filled with Republicans who are hell bent on “Obstructing Everything”!
Deborah Coffey says
Can I like your comment a thousand times?!
Pogo says
@Consider the source:
“Rich Manieri is a journalism professor at Asbury University in Kentucky…”
Notable alumni include:
Frederick Bohn Fisher (Class of 1902) – Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in India
Andrew N. Johnson (Class of 1903) – Methodist minister, U.S. vice presidential candidate from the Prohibition Party (1944)
Luther B. Bridgers (Class of 1906 – did not graduate, Honorary Doctorate 1921) – pastor, evangelist, hymnwriter (“He Keeps Me Singing”)
E. Stanley Jones (AB, 1907) – Missionary, Evangelist, Author, and Theologian
J. Waskom Pickett (Class of 1907) – Missionary to India
Lela G. McConnell (Class of 1924) – founder of the Kentucky Mountain Holiness Association
Z.T. Johnson (Class of 1925) – Methodist minister, Asbury College President (1940–1966)
Edward L.R. Elson (Class of 1928) – pastor of National Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.; Chaplain of the United States Senate (1969–1981)
Anna Talbott McPherson (Class of 1929) – author of more than 22 biographies, book illustrator and artist
James B. Pritchard (Class of 1930) – Biblical archaeologist
Mack B. Stokes (Class of 1932) – retired Bishop of the United Methodist Church
Cornelius R. Hager (Class of 1934) – three-time President of Asbury College (1967–1968; 1981–1983; 1992–1993)
Laton E. Holmgren (Class of 1936) – General Secretary of the American Bible Society (1963–1978)
Wayne K. Clymer (AB, 1939) – a Bishop of the United Methodist Church
Dennis F. Kinlaw (Class of 1943) – Author, Theologian, Evangelist, Asbury College President (1968–81; 1986–91)
Rosalind Rinker (Class of 1945) – Author of Prayer: Conversing with God, selected by Christianity Today magazine as the #1 most influential book shaping the way evangelicals think
Ben Campbell Johnson (Class of 1953) – Professor Emeritus of Evangelism at Columbia Theological Seminary, Author
Dean Jones (Class of 1953 – did not graduate, Honorary Degree 2002) – actor
Ernie Steury (Class of 1953) – Missionary Doctor, Tenwek Hospital, Kenya
Paul Rader (Class of 1956) – General of Salvation Army (1994–1999), Asbury College President (2000–2006)
Joe Frank Harris (Class of 1958) – former Governor of Georgia
Janice Shaw Crouse (Class of 1961) – Senior Fellow at the Beverly LaHaye Institute of Concerned Women for America
Joseph R. Pitts (Class of 1961) – United States Representative from Pennsylvania
Ted Strickland (AB, 1963) – former Democratic Governor of Ohio and former U.S. Representative
Leopold Frade (Class of 1965 – did not graduate) – Third Bishop of Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida and former Bishop of Honduras
David Hager (Class of 1968) – Physician, Author
Stephen W. Wood (Class of 1973) – past member of the North Carolina General Assembly
Steve Smith (Class of 1977) – Head Basketball Coach at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, VA
Sue Bell Cobb (Class of 1978) – former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court (first woman to hold this position)
Joe Hilley (Class of 1978) – New York Times best-selling author
Jody Hice (Class of 1980) – United States Representative from Georgia
Gregory Van Tatenhove (Class of 1982) – Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
Andy Merrill (Class of 1990) – Voice artist, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Cartoon Planet, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and The Brak Show
Jessica Ditto (Class of 2004) – White House Deputy Director of Communications for the Donald J. Trump administration
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbury_University
He had the calm confidence of a Christian with four aces.
— Mark Twain
Sherry says
Thanks Deborah. . . “your” comments are wonderful. . . reasonable, fact based and well thought out. Your contribution is always greatly appreciated by those who trust in educated minds and analysis from credentialed facts.