Ben Carson was asked to clarify his remarks about the use of drones to control our southern border on this Sunday's State of the Union on CNN and his response was a doozy. I'm not sure how he thinks we can avoid killing anyone if we just blow up the caves used by smugglers, since he refused to address that issue when asked about it by host Jim Acosta.
Carson calls for drone strikes on border 'caves':
Ben Carson says he wouldn't use drones to kill undocumented immigrants -- but he'd order strikes on the caves used to transport people across the United States' southern border.
"There are caves that they utilize. Those caves can be eliminated. There are a number of possibilities -- that could be one of them," Carson told CNN's Jim Acosta Sunday on "State of the Union."
He added emphatically: "I'm not talking about killing people. No people with drones."
Carson, a retired neurosurgeon who is now among the top polling candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, also proposed using military strategists and the National Guard to secure the border.
He suggested last week that he would consider using drones along the border -- but said Sunday that he only meant they could be used to watch porous portions of the border, and to shut down "the caves that are utilized to hide people" by smugglers.
"Drones can help with the surveillance. In no way did I suggest that drones be used to kill people," Carson said.
Yeah, I can't imagine how anyone would have gotten that idea after listening to his remarks last week. Carson also threw his hat in with the likes of Trump and played the "political correctness" game on the use of the term "anchor babies."
Here's the transcript from Real Clear Politics:
JIM ACOSTA, CNN: You said that the United States should consider using drone strikes to secure the border with Mexico. What did you mean by that? Obviously drones are used now for surveillance along the border, are you talking about taking drone strikes at the U.S.-Mexico border?
BEN CARSON: It was quite clear what I was talking about. That drones are excellent for surveillance...
Those fences are so easy to scale, it is almost like not having a fence there. So drones can help with the surveillance.
In no way did I suggest that drones be used to kill people, and I said that to the media at the time.
I said you guys, some of you, are going to go out and say, "Carson wants to use drones to kill people on the borders."
How ridiculous. At some point I hope we have some responsible media which actually focuses on the problem: We have a huge security risk there. And talking to some of the sheriffs down there on the border... listen to the frustration. You should have them on your show and let them talk. About what is actually going on down there.
It seems like we have not only the cartels to deal with, the drug smugglers, the people smugglers, but we have the federal government which is not being helpful. Over the last several years, they have released 67,000 people. 67,000.
JIM ACCOSTA: There were some reports that you were considering, at the very least, drone strikes against cartels at the border. You're saying under no circumstance-- would you use drones for military purposes along the U.S.-Mexican border?
BEN CARSON: No. That is a total lie. What I said is it is possible that a drone could be used to destory the caves that are utilized to hide people.
JIM ACCOSTA: Hide immigrants? Who would be hiding in these caves. What caves?
BEN CARSON: The scouts who are facilitating, the couts and the people who are facilitating the illegal activity. Those caves are very evident. I hope you have some of the sherrifs in, they could show you some of the pictures. 66% of that border, it is not under our control.
