If U.S. was a diamond, would we protect the borders?

When I was a kid, I always figured if I ever became a crook, I’d be a jewel thief or smuggler. I love jewelry and my movie view of that lifestyle made it look exciting and fun. As long as you got away with it, of course – and, of course, I had no doubt I would!

As it turned out, I stayed on the right side of the law, but I still enjoy hearing about such capers.

The latest is a classic and will probably soon make its way to Hollywood for the reel story.

As for the real story, teeth are still gnashing, insurance companies calculating and the thieves are – thus far – relishing what they pulled off, to say nothing of the gorgeous diamonds they snatched, reportedly $14 million worth. A nifty haul, especially considering how it came down.

It seems the National Syndicate of Antique Dealers has a biennial event in Paris, during which very wealthy people browse galleries containing some of the world’s most expensive art and antiques. They pay to be there and can buy what catches their fancy. For example, an Alexander Calder mobile sold for a reported $4 million!

This year, the 22nd such event, had more than 8,000 items displayed by some 100 exhibitors. Given the value of the displays, there was a lot of security and caution. But, apparently not enough.

One display held two, large diamonds. They were in a lighted, glass case on a pedestal at the front of a small showroom for the Swiss jeweler, Chopard. There were two security guards and four saleswomen watching the six cases of valuables.

Last Monday, in the middle of the afternoon, things got busy in the small showroom. Many people asked for assistance – for a catalog, for information. And then the crowd was gone – and so were the two diamonds.

The jewels disappeared into thin air and so far, no one knows how. About all they’ll say is that some of the men in the “crowd” sounded like Eastern Europeans. That’s a clue, because it’s also been reported that a few days earlier, some men with the same accent, came into the showroom asking about jewelry.

They weren’t shopping – they were casing the joint, and discovered holes in security – apparently no cameras and no alarms – and took advantage of it. So far, they’re home free.

It’s a great story that has excellent comparisons to our country and borders. We have a great treasure to protect, namely our country, our security and our sovereignty, to say nothing of our citizens.

Despite the fact that we know the value of our treasure, we haven’t done enough to prevent people from sneaking in and stealing it. They range from those wanting work to outright criminals – drug and gun runners, smugglers, organized-crime members and terrorists. Regardless their reason, they’re all criminals the moment they cross the border. You’d think stopping it would be a priority.

Millions of illegals are here and millions more get here annually. We really don’t know how many. Once here, they melt into society, which at this point seems to be protecting their illegality.

States seem hell-bent to issue drivers licenses to illegals as well as free medical care and other social services, including welfare benefits. They get free education and some colleges permit lowered tuition.

Employers hire them even though that’s illegal. Police, and just about everyone else, are forbidden from even asking a person’s immigration status. In Oakland, Calif., drunk-driving checkpoints were turning up so many illegals that Hispanic rights groups complained. At first, police were told to stop the checkpoints, but when that created a flap, it was changed to doing it only after work hours so those folks could get home OK.

Let’s see, they’re here, they work, they drive – all illegal. They’re stopped because they may be drunk. BUT they’re home free because they’re illegal. Am I missing something?

Some churches, concerned about possible child molestation, are now requiring fingerprinting of parents and employees who work with children. A legitimate issue, but Hispanic groups complain because illegals are worried they may be found out!

Many cities and churches declare themselves places of sanctuary, meaning “no questions asked.” I suggest we lift the tax-exempt status of any organization providing cover for illegals and stop federal aid to those cities. They are aiding and abetting criminals.

The Border Patrol’s been beefed up and bragging that 586,000 illegals were picked up last year. That’s 184,000 more than last year. In the last six months, 375,000 in Arizona alone! But all that shows is that the total number is higher than we’ve even estimated.

We’ve been had, folks. Just like jewel thieves, they case the joint and see security holes and walk away with our crown jewels.

And we don’t care enough to stop it.