Honey, We Shrunk The Fence

Captain's Quarters ^ | Dec. 18, 2007 | Ed Morrissey

[jdm]

Congress has apparently misinterpreted the call to shrink the federal government. While our Representatives and Senators have included over 9,000 earmarks in the omnibus spending bill under consideration today, and while they continue to add more and more federal spending, they have shrunk the border fence passed by the 109th Congress last year. It removes the requirements for specific construction and location, leaving the project in limbo (via Michelle Malkin and Memeorandum):

Congress last night passed a giant new spending bill that undermines current plans for a U.S.-Mexico border fence, allowing the Homeland Security Department to build a single-tier barrier rather than the two-tier version that has worked in California.

The spending bill, written by Democrats and passed 253-154 with mostly their votes, surrenders to President Bush's budget demands, meeting his spending limit with a $515 billion bill to fund most of the federal government and setting up votes to pay for the Iraq war. But Democrats reached his goal in part by slashing his defense and foreign-aid priorities to pay for added domestic spending.

The concessions promise to end a months-long budget standoff before Congress adjourns for the year and takes a Christmas break scheduled to start by Friday. In a rare two-step maneuver, the House first voted 253-154 to approve the bill to fund most of the civilian Cabinet agencies, and then voted 206-201 to add about $30 billion for Afghanistan war-spending to the measure. ...

The 2006 Secure Fence Act specifically called for "two layers of reinforced fencing" and listed five specific sections of border where it should be installed. The new spending bill removes the two-tier requirement and the list of locations.

This mostly came from the Democrats, although Kay Bailey Hutchison also contributed. She responded to landowners in Texas who resent the installation of the fence as an intrusion on their land. Her spokesperson also insinuated that Hutchison knows better than Duncan Hunter as to what will secure a Texas border, even though Hunter has shown how effective the double-barrier fence has been in San Diego.

Mostly, though, robbing the border fence allows the Democrats to pay back the White House for playing hardball on the budget. They resented his scolding over the budget-busting proposal the Democrats prepared earlier this month, and House Appropriations chair David Obey threatened to defund the administration's priorities -- as well as all of the earmarks. When Republican leadership mostly called his bluff (mostly) on the latter, Obey instead went after the fence.

It may make Democrats feel better, but they just handed the Republicans a very large bat for the 2008 Congressional elections. Polls have repeatedly shown that the electorate overwhelmingly wants the southern border secured. By deliberately undermining that process, the Democrats put a number of the seats they won in 2006 in primarily center-right districts at further risk. People were frustrated enough when all the 109th could do on immigration was pass that fence bill -- and they're not likely to respond well when the 110th's only action is to reverse course.

[Shermy]

“She responded to landowners in Texas who resent the installation of the fence as an intrusion on their land.”

B.S. The money behind her profits from wage depression. The fence will work, that’s why it’s so hated. If certain landowners have certain land usage issues about the fence on their property they would be specifically accomodated. The Senator found a false ground to deflect the real reason for her action.

[RedEyeJack]

Would it be possible to have a “Gathering of Eagles” type rally to protest this action and publicize what the Democrats are doing? You know that this will not be reported in the MSM.

[Dante3]

BUMP

[andy58-in-nh]

Democrats want more Democrat voters. Republicans want Big Businesses’ money. Few of them want to build the fence, so it doesn’t get done, especially when they can hide all accountability behind monstrous omnibus spending bills that no one can possibly read or understand before they vote on it. That way, they can claim to be in favor of building the fence even while defunding and degrading it.

[Southack]

"People were frustrated enough when all the 109th could do on immigration was pass that fence bill -- and they're not likely to respond well when the 110th's only action is to reverse course."

...but that's *not* the only thing that the 110th did. They also raised the Minimum Wage on legal employees.

In other words, they shrunk the fence to allow in more illegals, and they raised the Minimum Wage on legals so that there would be more illegal, lower-paid jobs.

Those two actions are related, and they weren't done by accident.

[af_vet_rr]

I don’t think this is much of an issue - Bush has never wanted the fence (he had five years with a Republican Congress to implement something to protect our border and he chose not to).

[tumblindice]

“10 cent auction”: During the Depression, neighbors of a farmer facing foreclosure (particularly in the `dust bowl’) would often agree among themselves that no one would bid more than 10 cents on any item on the block.

We can’t afford a fence, our congressional livestock tell us, because, among
other things, we have to pay the lawyers of the “undocumented workers” . . .

First Tuesday next November, I’m writing-in “Duncan Hunter”:
there’s my ten cents.

[gubamyster]

ping

[Southack]

"I don’t think this is much of an issue - Bush has never wanted the fence (he had five years with a Republican Congress to implement something to protect our border and he chose not to)." - af_vet_rr

What are you smoking?!

I just spent 9 days along the U.S. - Mexico border, including 2 days around Playa de Tijuana and Tijuana itself. Unlike what you'd see 5 years ago, you don't see hordes of illegals running and swimming across the border. You *do* see U.S. border patrols, U.S. Coast Guard ship patrols, helicopter patrols, and a big steel fence that GWB built after 9/11.

Now granted, this increased border security probably isn't perfect, but it irritates me that people are claiming that we've "done nothing" or that our borders are still "wide open" and other such nonsense.

Yes, there are remote desert areas where environmental groups have successfully sued the Bush Administration in order to slow the construction of the steel fence. Yes, those remote areas *are* passable on foot (but you'd better bring a bunch of water and be prepared to hike for miles) for now. So clearly more needs to be done.

But we also have to give credit where it is due, and there has been substantial progress on border security in the last 3 years, contrary to the people who keep writing articles based on pre-9/11 information. Fewer Crossing Border Due To National Guard And Drones

Illegal immigration drops sharply along US-Mexico border

Once easy, Illegal Immigration Now Risky:President Bush Builds 12 ft Tall Steel Fence Along Mexican Border From The Pacific Into Arizona, Plus Around Major Populated Areas In Arizona and Texas

Illegals Deported By The Planeload Now

"The president cited a 66 percent increase in border-security funding since he took office, along with a 42 percent increase in interior-enforcement spending and a total of 6 million illegal aliens caught and returned home." http://www.washingtontimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20060326-123457-5749r

DHS Announces CBP Border Patrol Agent Deployment Schedule
Washington, D.C. – Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced today the fiscal year 2006 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol agent deployment schedule. In a significant increase in personnel, an additional 1,700 CBP Border Patrol agents will be assigned to the southwest border.
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/press_releases/archives/2005_press_releases/0122005/12072005.xml

[SoCalPol]

This is the main border crossing between San Diego & Mexico 24 lanes of traffic. Hunter's double fence down the way from it has been a great help and we need it to be finished. Give Calif, AZ and NM the money to finish the fence and let Kay and her Texans have their open border and enjoy supporting them. WE in San Diego are tired of the tens of millions of dollars it is costing us for the illegals and their social services and crime

[af_vet_rr]

I just spent 9 days along the U.S. - Mexico border, including 2 days around Playa de Tijuana and Tijuana itself. Unlike what you'd see 5 years ago, you don't see hordes of illegals running and swimming across the border.

That's because they are all coming across the border elsewhere. Just because you don't see them doesn't mean they still aren't. If you were in Texas, and I had met you, and you had a day to kill, I could take you down to some cousins' land down on the border and you could see for yourself.

Now granted, this increased border security probably isn't perfect, but it irritates me that people are claiming that we've "done nothing" or that our borders are still "wide open" and other such nonsense.

Anywhere that somebody can easily, illegally, cross our border is still "wide open" in my book. Just because they secured a section in your neck of the woods doesn't mean the illegals are going to say "whoops, I don't want to have to go 40 miles to the east to cross, guess we'll turn around and go back home".

[afnamvet]

First Tuesday next November, I’m writing-in “Duncan Hunter”: there’s my ten cents.

That is my plan as well.

[winner3000]

And they wonder why the American people wants to see enforcement first before they agree to amnesty. The ease with which the promised fence is being dismantled before it even gets constructed, is a brilliant example of why the American people don’t trust politicans’ promises that are supposed to help pass a difficult piece of legislation.

[Regulator]

You really are a stone propagandist for Bush.

The things you saw on your little jaunt to San Diego were built because of the efforts of thousands before him, and mainly over his objections.

It was Muriel Watson and the Light Up the Border movement that got it started long before George the Smaller was babbling in Texas about how mean it all was to have fences and turrible turrible things like that.

It took something as horrific as 9/11 to get that guy off the dime? That's what you just said. But even that fence was the result of political protest long before he ever showed up to try and slow it down.

Do some real research next time. People like Duncan Hunter, Rodger Hedgecock, Glenn Spencer and even Pete Wilson were fighting this battle long ago. And even now, in places like Douglas, Naco, Lochiel, Nogales, Sasabe, Lukeville, San Luis, Calexico, Campo, Jacumba, and west to Otay Mesa there is still a massive, unrelenting invasion taking place, unlike anything seen before - but you wouldn't know, would you? Because you weren't there.

Sorry sport, I was born and raised on the Mexican border. I saw what it was then and is now. And I know the people personally who have fought this battle, and I can tell you straight that everything you see on that border now is the result of their unyielding fight.

George W. Bush has not only been AWOL, he's fought against securing the border every step of the way. Maybe you can fool the rubes who don't remember what's gone down, but there's still a lot of us out here who do. And we're going to call you on it every time.

For all of you who didn't click on the link, here is what Cong. John Duncan's website has to say about Muriel Watson and her movement:

This is not the first time citizens have assembled to help enforce our immigration laws. In 1989, Muriel Watson, the widow of Border Patrol agent George Watson, created the Light Up the Border movement in San Diego, California. Groups of citizens would drive up to the border at night and point their headlights at the "no man's land" area where robberies, rapes, and even murders often occurred.

As a result, permanent lighting fixtures and triple fencing were installed along much of the 14-mile stretch of border south of San Diego. This helped cause the pattern of illegal immigration to shift away from that part of the border.

Mr. Bush had nothing to do with it, other than to neglect it until forced by events to let it go forward. He could have also spent the money Congress appropriated - a measly $3 billion - to build the rest of the fence. It would be half the cost of his new private helicopter fleet. Buti since his Texas buddies don't like that (where would we get our darkies to work in the fields?!), he has Kay Hutchison try to assassinate the project.

Just remember, propagandist. We're still out here and we remember.

[Regulator]

Ping to Southack's post 10, where he tells us that GWB is really The Man for controlling the invasion.

Thought everyone might like to comment and call a few friends to. Some you are still out there fighting everyday, thought you'd get a good laugh out of hearing that Mr. Bush is really doing all sorts of good things to stop the invasion.

[Regulator]

Ping to Southack's post 10, where he tells us that GWB is really The Man for controlling the invasion.

Thought everyone might like to comment and call a few friends to. Some you are still out there fighting everyday, thought you'd get a good laugh out of hearing that Mr. Bush is really doing all sorts of good things to stop the invasion.

[Regulator]

and let Kay and her Texans have their open border and enjoy supporting them

Don't worry, they'll be whining to Washington for more money as more and more cross over.

It's hard to get slave labor anymore, you know? Somebody's got to pay...just not them.

[Southack]

Yep. Illegal immigration is down. The fence is being built.

President Bush even signed new funding for it.

That it sticks in your craw pleases me to no end, too.

[Boogaloo Baby]

... and you say you want your health care turned over to this crew?

Scary! Really scary!