OK, how about some invisible laser beams?
The really REALLY dangerous kind.
Posted on 02/28/2008 9:08:32 AM PST by BradtotheBone
WASHINGTON — Bristling at attacks from Texans opposed to building a fence along the Texas-Mexico border, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Wednesday that he will not be intimidated into abandoning the federal government's plans by harsh words or lawsuits.
"I'm willing to have a fair and constructive discussion, but I'm not willing to have an endless discussion," Chertoff told reporters at a breakfast meeting. "Insulting me or attacking me does not cause me to go, 'ooh, I've been insulted and attacked, I'm going to stop doing what I'm doing.' "
The Homeland Security Department has been on the receiving end of a barrage of criticism from Texas landowners, municipalities, local politicians from both parties and, most recently, from Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Critics say the department has failed to consult adequately with Texans before building the fence that was mandated by Congress.
Chertoff flatly rejected the criticisms, citing as an example of communication an agreement with officials in McAllen involving levee work along the Rio Grande.
"We've been very willing to consult," he said. "And I sympathize with the fact that people don't want this in their backyard, but ... should the landowner's personal preference, no matter how much I understand and sympathize, should that trump everybody else's security interests?"
Chertoff's ringing defense of the fence was met with jeers by critics along the border.
"He doesn't get it, and he has no inclination to get it," said Chad Foster, a real estate agent and mayor of Eagle Pass. "They're going to put up some fence, and it's going to be in Eagle Pass just to make an example of the mouthy mayor of Eagle Pass."
Mayors along the Texas border have proposed increasing counter-measures already in operation, including cameras, land sensors and unmanned surveillance aircraft, in addition to boosting the number of border patrol agents.
"In the 21st century, we should be able to secure the border with technology rather than physical barriers,"Foster said.
Instead of consultation, Foster said the city was hit with a lawsuit to allow federal surveyors to enter and survey 233 acres of city land for a fence. Foster said Chertoff has not given serious consideration to alternatives to a border barrier.
"As we speak today, there are stakes in the ground and the flags say, 'border fence,' " said Foster. "Now where is the consultation? We are just waiting for someone to come and build the wall."
Such talk does not move Chertoff.
"When what I hear is attacks or lawsuits, that's not going to push us, because, see, that's why we had the problem we had for 30 years," he said. "The reason that my predecessors were not able get control of the border was not that they were feckless or not faithful public servants. They wanted to do the job, but they ran into unbelievable resistance, and they were worn down (by) lawsuits, political pressure."
The Bush administration official said he's simply complying with the will of Congress.
"Maybe I'm — maybe this was a dream," he said. "I thought I remembered last year a huge outcry demanding we build a fence all across the southern border. Was that an imaginary thing? I thought there was a huge public demand for this. And then I thought I heard myself getting roundly criticized because I didn't want to build double fence from sea to shining sea, and I was viewed as squishy and soft on this ...
"So we really looked at every single mile of the border, and we came up with what seemed to be the right mix."
After weeks of escalating rhetoric and legal action, some of the landowners say they're ready for some calm discussion.
''Its ridiculous, its non-productive and a waste of energy on both sides," said Noel Benavides, a Roma City Council member whose wife's family has owned a large tract of land on the Rio Grande for hundreds of years."If they had communication with the people involved, they would have gotten this settled a long time ago. But they never came out and said what they wanted."
Benavides says that landowners are unlikely to win a showdown with the feds.
"The secretary might say he won't back down," said Benavides. "Well, fine, more power to him. He's got the law on his side, Homeland Security can do whatever they want to. But we have a right to ask what's going on ... something is not right, and it's been that way since day one."
Do your duty, Chertoff. These little Texas border town lords can pack sand. Build the damned fence.
This is a matter of national security. Station Marine Guards at the work sites from Tijuana to Brownsville.
The legitimate reason for eminent domain.
Aren't you a 'rat from NJ?
Mayor, the fence will be built. If you fight too much about it being built on the south of your town we might just build it on the north side of your town. (I can fantasize about tough talk, can't I?)
I suggest he take a permanent vacation, while someone willing to enfoce the laws takes over.
I think we’ve all seen this type of argument somewhere before.
Wabbit season...
Duck season...
Wabbit season...
Duck season...
Duck season...
Wabbit season...
Duck season...
If they don’t want the fence. Build the fence so they are on then Mexico side.
The fence/wall could easily be some distance North of the border for all sorts of reasons, including folks along the north side of the border wanting to be part of Mexico. It’s not really a problem and could be much less expensive.
Wonder how much money he makes off the backs of the flesh trade through his town....
L
Weary?
Put up the fence and we’ll stop annoying you about it.
The time for talking is long past. Exercise eminent domain and build the damn fence!
Those opposed to building the fence ARE NOT Texans. They are people who happen to reside in Texas.
Please forgive me if I find it somewhat pathetic that Chertoff is now posturing himself as the “pro-fence” side of the argument.
LLS
These people must be in cahoots with the drug dealers and coyotes.
Anyone trust Chertoff’s righteous indignation about protestors against the fence?
He’s using them as just another excuse not to do his duty.
Congress passed the Secure Fence Act of 2006. The Senate passed it overwhelmingly, 80-19. The House passed it 283-138. And on October 26, 2006, President Bush signed it into law!
Specifically the Secure Fence Act of 2006 called for the installation of over 700 miles of double-reinforced fence along our nation’s southern border.
After promising to build the fence Congressional leaders smirked and winked at each other and, in the dark of night, passed a $555 billion omnibus spending bill that contained a tiny amendment revoking the mandate that the fence be built as the Secure Fence Act had specified!
Hey Congress, we’ve got a message for you!STOP THE SONG AND DANCE. STOP THE SHELL GAMES. A REAL FENCE WILL WORK... BUILD IT!
While we’re on the subject, here are some questions that need to be asked:
Suppose this electronic gadgetry works and we sight a platoon of illegal aliens skipping across the border, will our Border Patrol agents be allowed to pursue them? Or will they be confined to watching them on closed circuit TV?
And since you and I will have to pick up the check for this failed system, can we start paying the IRS in “virtual dollars?”
And while we’re at it, why not insist our politicians start inserting “virtual earmarks” into the General Appropriations Bill?
If these questions sound ludicrous, then ask yourself... why should the American people be satisfied with a “virtual fence?”
Take action now!
http://www.cfiflistmanager.org/secureourbordersxii.html
I’ve been to some of those towns, Tad. The fence will be the most beautiful thing around.
I know. I’m not expecting him to do squat. Jorge is pulling his strings.
OK Texans, help me out here. If the fence is near the border, and results in not being able to cross freely into Mexico, Texans have a problem with what?
>>>>Chertoff is now posturing himself as the “pro-fence” side of the argument.
Nah. He’s just posturing and using “pro-fence” as today’s foil for his normal approach, which is that the everyday American citizen is an ignorant and feckless moron. I’ve heard him speak in that manner many times and under different circumstances.
Personally I think a lot of these locals are in cahoots with the drug dealers and coyotes.
Nine more months and this guy will be history...
Give me six months & the Corps of Engineers and I’d have a 20ft fence coast to coast...on both borders... with the 30K Army regulars who are presently stationed in Korea, deployed at the Mexican & Canadian borders. BIG SMILE
Does Mayor Foster have a physical door with a physical lock on his house?
How 20th-century.
The Eagle Passers are just upset about something that will hinder their traditional cottage industry of smuggling.
And to everyone that is spouting off negative comments about Chertoff...good grief, even when he is trying y'all knock him. The man is ridiculed because you don't think he acts fast enough when the reality is that he is tied up in legal battles over the issue. Y'all sound like a bunch of spoiled 5 year olds throwing a temper tantrum...for cripe's sake, grow up.
Yep, South Korea has about twice the population and 20X the economy of the North, why do we have troops there at all?
The fence could be built to San Diego specs in 6 months all the way to Brownsville.....if the elites wanted it.
(We built the entire Empire State Building in the 1930s in 400 days flat.)
Was Eagle Pass the place where the mayor objected to the fence because it cut through a municipal golf course?
FOX material must be excerpted in all circumstances. Please make a note of it.
“Oh, please.
If the administration really wanted a fence built, we would have a double fence with concertina and a moat filled with sharks with frikkin’ lasers by now.”
I believe you are RIGHT!
They want the borders OPEN, God only kows WHY as they claim they’re also having a “war on terror”.
In the end though it must be made clear that securing the border is a national security issue and that it will be done.
OK, how about some invisible laser beams?
The really REALLY dangerous kind.
In the private sector this guy would have been FIRED.
But since it’s the government, you can’t sue em or fire em. They’re there for LIFE as long as they play polotics.
at first glance, I thought you wrote lawyers instead of lasers...
Pondering upon the idea of this alternative moat filling, in spite of it's many charms, I'll accept that lasers might be better, all-in-all, since a repellent consisting of "lawyer filling" could be seen as being far too cruel and inhumane.
I have one simple request; sharks with friggin' laser beams attached to their heads, and it can't be done?
Remind me again why I pay you people?
True, because it sure ain't about losing money from the loss of access to cheap wool blankets, tin metal decorations and terra cotta pottery.
Okay,
‘Virtual Fence’ Along Ariz.-Mexico Border Delayed Three Years
Thursday, February 28, 2008
PHOENIX — Homeland Security officials have told federal lawmakers that the “virtual fence” along the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona doesn’t meet contract requirements for detecting border intrusions and some of its technology will have to replaced by this summer.
Agency officials, testifying Wednesday before the oversight panel of the House Homeland Security Committee in Washington, D.C., said plans to expand the system to the Yuma, Ariz., and El Paso, Texas, areas will be pushed back three years to 2011 because of technological deficiencies.
The 28-mile virtual fence will use radars and surveillance cameras to try to catch people entering the country illegally.
The Sasabe network, called Project 28, was intended as a cornerstone of the government’s multibillion-dollar border strategy.
More here:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,333417,00.html
An improvement, to be sure.
UH ,NO
Now that is a good idea!
Thanks.
It's the politicians who oppose building the fence.
“Chertoff said Wednesday that he will not be intimidated into abandoning the federal government’s plans by harsh words or lawsuits.”
What sort of lawsuit can a property owner bring against the government when “emmininent domain” is declared on the basis of national security?
The fence can be built on the US side but to situate the town between Mexico and the fence. Let them learn the hard way how the fence really DOES make a difference.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.