Border Gardeners to Plant First Bush of National Hedge on Mexican Border by Labor Day (IP)

Immagination Pressed | May 28, 2006 | Larwrence Schmerel

[TSchmereL]

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico - Several volunteers of a new organization named Border Gardeners for Hedging Against Illegal Immigration announced they will gather at a remote shallow section of the Rio Grande on the first Monday of this coming September to plant the first bush in what they hope to be a giant hedge that will extend the entire length of our Nation's border with Mexico. The Border Gardeners call their proposed barrier the National Hedge.

Retired landscape architect John Holly and his son, Brad, are hopeful that their proposed giant hedge will end illegal immigration from Mexico.

"Actually, it will be a series of several hedges which will connect to form a very long hedge row. This will be much less expensive than other types of barriers, which most Americans don't like because they ruin the natural beauty of our border with Mexico."

"It will also be a more compassionate kind of barrier and it will protect and conserve our national resources." Brad added.

Unlike the the more well-known plans of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps whose proposed fence includes a combination of barbed wire, razor wire, and in some spots, steel rail barriers, the Border Gardeners plan requires only a very bushy and dense barrier against the problem of undocumented migrants.

The Border Gardeners say that most of the expense will be for the irrigation required. "But, since we will have to pipe in plenty of fresh water for our National Hedge, I think we could have some drinking fountains and public restrooms at various locations along the hedge without much additional taxpayer expense." promised John Holly.

They hope their efforts prompt the federal government to follow their lead and support their proposed hedge along the entire border.

President Bush has pledged to deploy as many as 6,000 National Guard troops to strengthen enforcement at the border. But the Border Gardeners have said it is not the right kind of force. The group's founder, Billy Underwood, said they want twice that number of experienced planters and landscapers by the end of this summer.

"We've been fighting for this hedge for 8 years, but nobody seems to be listening." John Holly said.

Most of the first day of planting this September will be dedicated to speeches by Senators and Border Gardeners celebrating large donations which the group hopes to receive. As of midweek, the group had raised about $50 and a bag of mulch, organizers said.

"We're ready to start digging and planting." said Michelle Fern of Springville, Arizona, who was among at least a dozen of the volunteers who gathered for the group's first press release. She said she wants a hedge from California to Texas.

Jose J. Herrera of Albuquerque, New Mexico, a retired diplomatic consular officer, stopped en route to a family gathering nearby and happened to witness the groups first public announcement.

He said he's convinced the Border Gardeners are not anti-immigrant. "They're just anti-illegal," said Jose. "The Border Gardeners go the extra mile to avoid being anti-immigrant and that's what I find refreshing about this organization."

[2ndDivisionVet]

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