I honestly don't know how to reply definitive to this.
I have check marks in both columns on this issue. Maybe once I'm Stateside again, with a few new perspectives, I might tackle this.
All I can relate, is this: since 2001, ARNG/ANG units have been involved with the borders and internal security. It's nowhere near the tempo it needs to be, for your scenario to come about - and for obvious reasons.
Given the current administration's relationship with our southern neighbors, do you truly think something will change prior to 2009?
The immigrant's offspring in me wants to remind of this: the Berlin Wall, and the rest of the Iron Curtain, were erected by Leftists, at the height of their power. It was not to keep the forces of capitalism out. It was to keep those in bondage to Socialism, in.
There really isn't a definitive reply to be made.
One of these days, and soon, the Border Patrol will cease to fire warning shots - which is why I suspect nobody was hurt - and they will start shooting to hit their attackers.
What I expect to happen first is that Mexican drug enforcers are going to cross over here and off a deputy sheriff for getting in their way. Then all Hell will break loose.
Hmmmmm... well, that would apply to a large degree, wouldn't it?
Seriously, I would rather see the laws of the land seriously enforced first, but that hasn't happened in 20 years, so it is a dilemna what we the people can do about it.
Respectfully, I disagree.
First off, sure in the context of throwing rocks, that wouldn't raise the necessary ruckus but our southern border has grown into one of the most violent spots in the nation. IIRC the kidnap rate in the area surpasses that of BRAZIL. 200 armed incursions by the Mexican army isn't enough to launch the type of project I mention? What is? I don't doubt that the ARNG is involved with border security, but I'll bet its to provide recon and intel for the BP and they have extremely strict rules of engagement.
IIRC a few years ago there was a border flare up and I think that the Federales fired into US territory and against one of our military units doing the duties you describe. Our guys returned fire (I don't recall if they killed anybody but I think maybe yes) and the resulting firestorm of official protest from Mexico and our own freakin' Congress caused some military careers to die. I haven't heard of any such actions since and I'd think the MSM would be all over it if it happened.
What about the purported connections between the smugglers and MS13 as well as AQ? What about the possibility (probability?) of WMD smuggling? The combination of drugs, illegals and terrorists is more than enough to undertake to build a militarized border, IMHO.
Given the current administration's relationship with our southern neighbors, do you truly think something will change prior to 2009?
No.
the Berlin Wall, and the rest of the Iron Curtain, were erected by Leftists, at the height of their power. It was not to keep the forces of capitalism out. It was to keep those in bondage to Socialism, in.
Irrelevant. We're not the USSR. We do not build the wall to keep our slaves inside but rather to keep the invading hordes out. General Patton once said that: Fixed fortifications are monuments to the stupidity of man implying that if man built it, then man can overcome it. He never lived to see the Berlin Wall. Imagine a similar obstacle, but with modern technology coupled to a defense in depth and a quick reaction force. Might not stop a modern combined arms military attack, but I'll bet it would greatly decrease, if not eliminate the problems I've noted.