Free Republic

TUCSON, Ariz. - A civilian border-patrol group said Tuesday that it plans to build two short security fences on a ranch in southern Arizona, the busiest illegal entry point on the U.S.-Mexico border. Chris Simcox, a leader in the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, said last month that the group would break ground on the fence unless the White House deployed U.S. troops to the border by May 25 and endorsed more secure fencing. "We are not anticipating that the White House will make any effort in the next 2 1/2 weeks as far as putting troops on the border," Minuteman...

Terror Sanitized After the terror attacks in London, a few TV commentators said they would go after those in the media who want to sanitize terrorism. Such bravado may be admirable, but it is a bravado that does not recognize how terrorism has already been sanitized. The leaders of Western democracies have sanitized terrorism because they cannot publicly admit they are helpless to prevent more attacks. Most analysts who study the so-called war on terror could have told you a year ago that there would be a terrorist attack targeting the London subway. Likewise, there are those who will tell...

Seven high-security federal prisons will be getting lethal electrified fences in a $10 million project intended to reduce the number of perimeter guards needed. The 12-foot-high "stun-lethal" fences, similar to ones already used at some state prisons, can be set to deliver a shock if touched once, and a fatal jolt if touched a second time. The federal Bureau of Prisons expects to award contracts for the fences in late fall, spokeswoman Traci Billingsley said. "This new technology will serve as new security and help us to deter potential escapes, allow us to operate more cost-effectively by reducing the guard...

On July 9, 2004, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel's security barrier was a violation of international humanitarian law and human rights law. Eleven days later, the United Nations General Assembly voted 150-6 to condemn Israel and demand removal of the barrier. All twenty-five members of the European Union supported the motion.[1] The EU position would not have been so offensive had it not then undertaken an act of stunning hypocrisy. In August 2004, the EU put out tenders for companies to construct a European separation fence to prevent migration into the EU from countries excluded from...

Dear Teresa and John, So sorry I missed you. I know you're busy trying to kick George W. Bush out the White House, the one mansion even Teresa can't buy. Just kidding, guys! Seriously. I know security is not one of John's strong points. But you should probably have one of your hands ride out and fix the hole in the black cyclone fence that separates your farm from the steep hillside of Trillium Trail Park. Don't get excited, Teresa. From what I saw during my hike in the public woods above Squaw Run Road, your fencing at Rosemont Farm...

When the International Court of Justice in The Hague starts hearing complaints against Israel's security fence in the West Bank on Monday, India will be busy constructing a fence of its own. After 15 years of fighting in Kashmir that have left more than 65,000 dead, the Indians are using cement, razor wire, and electronic sensors to stymie a menagerie of Pakistani guerrilla forces. "The fence will be a permanent barrier at the border to prevent militants from entering," the head of India's Border Security Force in Jammu and Kashmir told The Washington Post last summer. "Why should we wait...

To our big surprise we discovered that there exist some fences and barriers in the world, outside of Israel. Some of them even can be found at major UN members. Please help the world get rid of the fences and write to the heads of state and representatives to the United Nations. Here is a sample letter. First, we start with the fence between Mexico and the USA. There is really no need for this fence since the millions of illegal Mexicans in the United States do not commit suicide bomb attacks in American restaurants. Write to mr. Bush and...

America's first lady begins foreign mission to mend fences By Alec Russell in Washington (Filed: 29/09/2003) Laura Bush, the United States first lady, flew out of Washington yesterday entrusted with the delicate mission of helping to rebrand the image of America and her husband's administration to a sceptical world. As wrangling continued over the future of Iraq, she flew to Paris where she will represent her country today at a ceremony marking its re-entry to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). She will also try her hand at healing the most bitter transatlantic feud for years when...