Military to Secure Border?
posted at 8:02 am on May 12, 2006 by Bryan
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Very interesting. I guess a few people in Washington are tired of, among other things, getting cero peso notes and bricks instead of real money in the mail:
In back-to-back moves this week, the Pentagon began exploring ways to lend support at the Southern border, while the House on Thursday voted to allow the Homeland Security Department in limited cases to use soldiers in that region.
At the Pentagon, Paul McHale, the assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense, asked officials to offer options for the use of military resources and troops — particularly the National Guard — along the border with Mexico, according to defense officials familiar with the discussions.
The officials, who requested anonymity because the matter has not been made public, said there were no details yet on a defense strategy.
Even Rove is involved.
As President Bush said at the White House Correspondents’ dinner, “I survived the White House shake-up”. New Press Secretary Tony Snow seems to be coming out swinging, and perhaps some of the other resignations and new hires can bring around some change the base has been begging for.
Personally, I’m cautiously optimistic about this.
It seems to me that we don’t necessarily have to put a division of National Guard ground-pounders on the border to get the job done, though I wouldn’t oppose it. We have fine men and women in the Border Patrol and the Minutemen who are already there and want to do the job. Global Hawk and other military eyes in the sky could assist the Border Patrol, which should be preened of anyone who had anything to do with sending intel to the Mexican government. But it’s good that the administration is getting the message. I just might have to stop calling the president Jorge Arbusto if he follows through with this.
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At this point, any “path-to-citizenship” law without sealing the borders would be political suicide.
Ropera on May 12, 2006 at 8:22 AM
When we build the wall, we’ll need our military down there to stop 2 million protestors already inside America from trying to tear it down.
bucktowndusty on May 12, 2006 at 8:30 AM
Build a wall with a door that only opens OUT. Then those that don’t like it can leave more easily.
clyde on May 12, 2006 at 8:54 AM
And what will be the Rules of Engagement?
……”if you spot an illegal alien, you get on the radio to HQ. HQ will then call their civilian bosses in DC and ask for permission to make a report. The civilian bosses will then file an “apprehension request” with the Mexican Consulate letting them know that Mexicans might have accidentally crossed the “border”, and that if they are still in the same location 72 hours later they may be subject to Legal Penalty!
Meanwhile, the troop that first spotted the “migrant”will be required to take a polygraph examination and to undergo sensitivity training to ensure that his or her natural prejudices don’t violate the Rights of Hispanics. The troop will be required to appear in a Court of Law and testify under oath that he has no prejudices and that his or her only concern is for the welfare of his Nation. This will be subject to cross-examination of course.
Once the 72 hour “window of certainty” has elapsed the official report may be filed and the “apprehension request” will be mailed to Mexico City for proccessing. And once it’s proccessed watch out! Our government will then spring into action!
Gault on May 12, 2006 at 9:05 AM
These illegals want to come here to work, so I say let them.
Jail them, then put them to work cleaning highways, streets, trashed neighborhoods and the like, for about a year for every violation. With no pay other than three hots and a cot. THEN send them home, and tell them do it again and you get more free work, courtesy of the US Government. We could end up with a lot cleaner country this way, and slow illegal immigration to a crawl.
clyde on May 12, 2006 at 9:10 AM
My cero peso donation arrived at Rep HQ on Monday and already I’m seeing results. The power of one!
Crude One on May 12, 2006 at 9:36 AM
Notice it’s the House that supports this, NOT the Senate!
dman on May 12, 2006 at 9:39 AM
If Fox beleives in NO BORDER then….
We should extend a DMZ security zone 5 miles into Mexico. In the spirit of cooperation we should let them know it would be dangerous to interfere with our patrols there.
What happens to someone who is caught sneaking INTO Mexico? Last I checked your vehicle was confiscated and you went to a Mexican jail for a while. No fruit basket and no voter registration card from the Mexican Democratic party.
Reality Check on May 12, 2006 at 10:01 AM
Crude One, ellaborate more on your cero peso donation. What did they say? Did they call you back?
bucktowndusty on May 12, 2006 at 10:14 AM
Just heard on the radio that President Bush is scheduled to speak on immigration reform on Monday night at 8:00 p.m. during prime time. Let’s hope that he sends the national guard down to the border. If not, kiss congress goodbye in November. Although i understand that the senators are the panderers, i think all those yahoos need a good bitch slappin. i am not holding my breath for any reforms of consequence.
pullingmyhairout on May 12, 2006 at 10:23 AM
Good one Gault!
I prefer a wall, a well built wall with electronic sensors in multiple places and ‘Hawks’. The wall doesnt have to be 2000 miles long. Where ever the wall is not, we put the BP, minutemen and temporarily, the National Gaurd. But a wall can not be bribed, ordered to disobey laws, look the other way, or have to make decisions. Plus, a wall is permanent. The Gaurd over ten years will cost more than a wall.
Build a wall, use items listed by Bryan above, more technology in the future will help even more. Take away the human element everywhere posible. And then the Mexican Government cant….well we can hope.
shooter on May 12, 2006 at 10:32 AM
The wall cant be ordered away by speaker “Pill NO SEE” if the Dems get control, like the Guard could be.
MAKE IT PERMANENT!
shooter on May 12, 2006 at 10:35 AM
One reason to use the Guard is that we believe that their leadership is still loyal to this country.
KCSteve on May 12, 2006 at 11:33 AM
One can only hope. A wall and extra military presence would make me happy. I’ve emailed Sen Frist and my state senators and representative so many times on this issue maybe it’s starting to sink in. The popular will of the nation demands action.
darwin on May 12, 2006 at 11:47 AM
Former Combat Engineer George "Rurik" Mellinger sent me an excellent essay recently on what needs to be one on our southern border: What To Do – Part I – The Wall. He and I — and a lot of other Vietnam, and younger, vets if I’m not mistaken — tend to be well to the right of El Presidente on the border issue but I think we’re right in line with a lot more people than Jorge realizes. Since I didn’t write the essay I’m free to say I think it’s excellent and should be widely read — Click here.
bdfaith on May 12, 2006 at 5:57 PM
bdfaith,
Oh man! That guy’s talking explosives, mines, guns, chemicals. I’m personally all for it, but there’s no way the government’s going to put explosives and the like down there. No way. All it would take is one senorita dying in plain view and the screams of outrage would shatter eardrums from Washington to Los Angeles.
If I were president, I’d rig the wall and wire with explosives. I’d also declare war on Mexico the next time their military went over the border. Think I could get elected on that platform? LOL!
jaleach on May 12, 2006 at 6:30 PM
If the illegals leave, who will cut my lawn for 25 bucks?
Oh well, I guess i will do it myself.
gary on May 13, 2006 at 10:11 AM
Preview of Monday’s speech? There is oration by El Presidente in “Our First Mexican President.” Illustrated. gringoman.com
gringoman on May 13, 2006 at 11:54 AM
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