John Cornyn, Pot; Lou Dobbs and Bill O'Reilly, Kettles

Yesterday and today, the Border Trade Alliance is hosting its annual convention. The BTA exists for the commendable purpose of "address[ing] key issues affecting trade and economic development in North America" and "advocat[ing] on behalf of policies and initiatives designed to improve border affairs and trade relations among the three nations."

Although it is the Border Trade Alliance, the conference is being held in Austin. Not exactly a border town, but then the bars stay open later here than they do in Eagle Pass. Not as late as in Matamoros, though.

Maybe they held it in Austin so that their keynote speaker, U.S. Senator John Cornyn, (Jerk-TX) could attend. Nope, apparently not, since he participated by videoconference. Personally, I'd have rather watched a Sopranos re-run during the luncheon.

In response to a question from BTA President Maria Luisa O'Connell, Cornyn opined that "I have not seen the United States relationship with Mexico at such a low ebb during my adult life and I think it’s a dangerous situation.”

Let's let Steve Taylor's Rio Grande Guardian pick up the story:

Cornyn made his comments via teleconference in response to a question from Maria Luisa O’Connell, the BTA president. O’Connell said she was concerned that decisions in Washington, D.C., were being based on fear and ignorance, not facts.
“My concern is that the border is going to be seen as a scapegoat by politicians and the media. Everything is going to be, ‘let’s hold it at the border because that’s what is going to solve the problems of the country,’” O’Connell said.
O’Connell said media personalities like Lou Dobbs and Bill O'Reilly had made a career out of bashing the border and she asked Cornyn what strategies could be developed to counter it.

When I read this, I said to myself, "Self, this is obviously a set-up. When it comes to demagoguing immigration and border security, John Cornyn takes a back seat to no one." But Cornyn, pirouetting like that Michael Flatley-Riverdance guy, answered with what appeared to be a straight face:

Cornyn responded that a lot of work needed to be done.
“I think we just have to not give in to some of the fear and demagoguery that unfortunately seems to creep into our discussions about our relationship, not just Mexico but with other countries around the world,” Cornyn said. “We have to listen to the facts and not give in to fear.”

It's probably a good thing I was not there. I'd have laughed so hard I'd have to be ejected from the place. To their credit, members of the BTA were having none of it, and point-blank accused him of being anti-immigrant. Read the rest of the story to see what happened.