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Mexican Troops Fire on U.S. Border Watchers
www.newsmax.com ^ | Dec. 23, 2003 | Jon E. Dougherty

Posted on 12/23/2003 12:31:21 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe

An official with a civilian border group says a squad of Mexican soldiers opened fire on a position only moments after it was vacated by group volunteers patrolling private property near Douglas, Ariz.

Jack Foote, national spokesman for property protection group Ranch Rescue, told NewsMax a reconnaissance squad of his volunteers spotted two armed Mexican soldiers wearing green combat fatigues and Kevlar helmets on U.S. soil adjacent to property the group was asked to protect.

Foote said his volunteers, part of a mission Ranch Rescue dubbed "Operation Thunderbird," deployed at the landowner's request to interdict smuggling of illegal aliens and drugs on the property, reported the shootings about 5:22 p.m. Saturday. There were no injuries, and Ranch Rescue members, who are patrolling the property armed, did not return fire.

The group spokesman said the leader of the reconnaissance unit reported movement about 200 meters north of the landowner's southern boundary, a location near the U.S.-Mexico border.

"He waited until the first two soldiers moved into the clear. One was carrying an AK-47 and the other an RPK," a light machine gun version of the AK. "Both were wearing [olive drab] green fatigues and Kevlar helmets," Foote said.

Foote said the recon point man yelled in Spanish for the two soldiers to stop, but they turned around instead. Recon volunteers reported seeing the entire unit run back into Mexico. It wasn't clear how many Mexican soldiers had crossed into the U.S.

For safety, the volunteer recon unit moved to a different position, Foote said. About a minute later "the Mexicans fired on our squad's previous position." Members heard about six to eight shots fired, said Foote.

Mexican Embassy officials in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Incidents of Mexican troops crossing the international boundary into the United States are nothing new, say Border Patrol agents.

Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., head of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, says 115 incursions by Mexican military and police have been documented by the U.S. government since 1996.

"The purpose of these incursions is not totally understood, but U.S. officials have speculated that they are designed to help facilitate the flow of illegal drugs into America, either by creating a diversion or by providing cover for the traffickers," Tancredo says, on his caucus Web site.

Ranch Rescue has had its share of problems during operations. The landowner host for Operation Thunderbird, Casey Nethercott, was arrested Nov. 25 by federal authorities for failing to appear for a court date in Texas.

Nethercott and fellow Ranch Rescue volunteer Hank Connor were arrested by Texas authorities in March during a group operation on the property of Joe Sutton, near Hebbronville in Jim Hogg County. They were charged with allegedly detaining and beating two illegal aliens from El Salvador, allegations the group vehemently denied.

Foote said Nethercott's attorney told him Nethercott did not have to appear at the Texas hearing. The attorney said he would appear instead, but got sick and also missed the date. Foote said Nethercott's attorney filed papers with the court seeking a change in court date and explained the circumstances for missing the initial hearing, but Jim Hogg County prosecutors "pushed the issue and got a warrant issued for Casey."

Now, Arizona authorities are holding Nethercott on a "fugitive" warrant, but Nethercott is fighting the extradition to Texas. He remains in jail, Foote said, and will likely be there until February, unless bail can be arranged.

Federal officials also filed charges against Nethercott and Connor in the Hebbronville case, but eventually those were dropped.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Mexico; News/Current Events; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: aliens; borderincursions; borderwar; immigrantlist; operationthunderbird; ranchrescue; tancredo
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To: Spiff
"They are going to hurt the border reform movement far more than they will help it. I wish these whackjobs would go find another hobby before someone gets hurt."

I see. So is it your position that we should just allow an armed incursion by agents of a foreign government to threaten us with impunity?
41 posted on 12/23/2003 1:36:52 PM PST by ought-six
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To: TLI
Of course, that's just silly me, what would I know?

Honestly? No more than half the story. Jack Foote isn't the only one doing something about the invasion down here.

And Sheriff Dever was one of the first to go to Capitol Hill and try to tell those idiots how bad the situation is down here. He's screaming to both county and state officials to beef up his budget so he can protect us, and is getting nowhere.

Finally, how do you propose a sheriff's deputy (singular) stop a platoon of Mexican soldiers armed with AK-47s and RPKs? Remember, the Sheriff doesn't have the funding to go out and arm his deputies with anything more than a sidearm and a shotgun...and maybe a few AR-15s.

Would you suggest we offer up a deputy or two as martyrs in order to make our point? Won't work...we've already lost at least one LEO that I know of. There was absolutely no change until the I-10 shootout occured.

42 posted on 12/23/2003 1:37:28 PM PST by HiJinx (Go with Courage, go with Honor, go in God's Grace. Come home when the job's done. We'll be here.)
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To: Doctor Stochastic
One wonders why these guys don't have cameras and video recorders. Any good divorce PI would have lots of pictures.

They do have. But when the Mexicans were caught on this side in a van with a squad full of G3 assault rifles near San Diego, the Border Patrol covered it up, gave the invaders back their loaded weapons, and escorted them back to Mexico.


43 posted on 12/23/2003 1:38:03 PM PST by archy (Angiloj! Mia kusenveturilo estas plena da angiloj!)
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To: Spiff
My guess, too. Not that it couldn't happen...not that it hasn't happened before...but in this particular instance, it's doubtful.
44 posted on 12/23/2003 1:38:20 PM PST by Choose Ye This Day (Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only... (James 1:22))
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To: ought-six
I see. So is it your position that we should just allow an armed incursion by agents of a foreign government to threaten us with impunity?

No.

45 posted on 12/23/2003 1:38:45 PM PST by Spiff (Have you committed a random act of thoughtcrime today?)
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To: Spiff
There are several problems with this story. I believe the Mexican Army uses a mix of US and NATO arms, not AKs and such. If the incident really happened, it was more likely to be cartel enforcers.
46 posted on 12/23/2003 1:39:55 PM PST by JackelopeBreeder (Proud to be a loco gringo armed vigilante terrorist cucaracha!)
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To: Tailgunner Joe
WAR

...and I'm freakin' SERIOUS !!!
47 posted on 12/23/2003 1:39:58 PM PST by PoorMuttly (KAKKATE KOI !)
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To: archy
They do have. But when the Mexicans were caught on this side in a van with a squad full of G3 assault rifles near San Diego, the Border Patrol covered it up, gave the invaders back their loaded weapons, and escorted them back to Mexico.

I never said the San Diego incident did not happen. Nor did I say the recent kidnapping by Mexican policy of a Texas family didn't happen. I know of other border incursions, incidents, and such that have happened.

However, I'm not inclined to believe Foote on this one. His track record is not well established and something doesn't quite sound right about this one.

48 posted on 12/23/2003 1:40:50 PM PST by Spiff (Have you committed a random act of thoughtcrime today?)
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To: meadsjn
"That makes them fair targets for any US citizen in my book."

Yup.
49 posted on 12/23/2003 1:41:19 PM PST by ought-six
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To: Spiff
Whackjobs are the inevitable result of the fedgov not doing its job.
50 posted on 12/23/2003 1:41:24 PM PST by Tauzero (Daddy? Is a living constitution supposed to smell like that?)
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To: JackelopeBreeder
There are several problems with this story. I believe the Mexican Army uses a mix of US and NATO arms, not AKs and such. If the incident really happened, it was more likely to be cartel enforcers.

Bingo. Now that I might believe as it wouldn't be the first time that cartel enforcers have been seen in the area with AKs. Foote just wanted a bigger story, perhaps, and made up the Army fatigue stuff.

What's your take on Foote and his bunch?

51 posted on 12/23/2003 1:42:33 PM PST by Spiff (Have you committed a random act of thoughtcrime today?)
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To: JackelopeBreeder
That's more scary to me than Mexican Army...

I would suspect (naively?) that the Army would show some restraint in firing up Americans, whereas the cartel wouldn't.

But then, doesn't this reinforce the call for professional troops on our side of the border?
52 posted on 12/23/2003 1:46:06 PM PST by HiJinx (Go with Courage, go with Honor, go in God's Grace. Come home when the job's done. We'll be here.)
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To: Spiff
Foote is not trustworthy and very much on the fringe.

And too often, the same can be said about NewsMax. I could call them tomorrow and tell them a submarine full of Poles just docked behind my house and they'd run the story. They'd embellish it a bit too.

53 posted on 12/23/2003 1:47:12 PM PST by Cagey
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To: ought-six; All
Can I just say a few things about a few 'semi-victories' we have had by screaming out in letters, faxes, phone calls, and donations?

1. S1685 - Basic Pilot Extension Act, which expands worker validation programs from 5 to 50 states, extended to go another 5 years. Requires employers to verify LEGAL status of their workers or face fines. Sounds great? Yes, we did win. But the EMPLOYERS are not enforcing this. It's the law NOW - repealed before under X42 and we need to make sure our representatives made sure it was reinstated and it's enforced.

2. HR775 - eliminating the VISA lottery. It's LAW now, but you have to keep telling your people to enforce it. Fought against for two years, but finally passed.

The only answer here is to make sure your lawmakers know about this and enforce the law. Here, Arizona, wherever.

54 posted on 12/23/2003 1:47:36 PM PST by ysoitanly
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To: archy
Those look like FALs to me
55 posted on 12/23/2003 1:52:29 PM PST by joesnuffy (Moderate Islam Is For Dilettantes)
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To: Tailgunner Joe
The time for talk is over!Talk only helps the enemy(mexicans).Mexicans shooting over here is an act of aggression and war.
56 posted on 12/23/2003 1:53:55 PM PST by INSENSITIVE GUY
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To: TomGuy
Washington did not immediately respond

We'll see a full-fledged war along the border (citizens against the insurgents), if Washington doesn't start responding.

Maybe the government in Washington is no longer the one in control in that area. Having abandoned its citizens and abrogated its responsibilities to them, perhaps it's time for the USA to experience a governmental breakup like that the Soviet Union experienced in 1991.

If so, the causis belli certainly exists for those in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and California's border areas. And a few others, as well.

57 posted on 12/23/2003 1:55:41 PM PST by archy (Angiloj! Mia kusenveturilo estas plena da angiloj!)
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To: Tailgunner Joe
Hey, watch yourself! Presidente Fox really, really doesn't like it when he sends Mexican soldiers to make a special dope delivery in the US and they are annoyed in any way. Fox gets a major premium for this special delivery service/guarantee and it hurts further "special" arrangements when one is noticed.

The really top delivery, of course, is via armed Mexican Hummers. That is really expensive and Fox saves that for his very purest stuff and his biggest/best customers. But, if you want half a ton of the good stuff delevered to Phoenix, in person, and can pay Presidente Fox his price, it'll be there (the top of the line Mexican party pack comes with Cuban cigars and a couple of cases of fine tequilla).

There can't be any other reason that this border is so porous. Alas, it will take several terrorist attacks, launched from Mexico by Saudis moving tons of material and hundreds of agents. Who but a handful of brave citizen/patriots is there to stop them?

58 posted on 12/23/2003 1:57:09 PM PST by Tacis
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To: HardStarboard
"I give the Mexican Army three days warning"

?? How about 3 HOURS. Mexico has radio and telecommunication systems.

"Jack Foote,(snip)a reconnaissance squad of his volunteers squad spotted two armed Mexican soldiers" (snip)

Just to show how ignorant I am, If self defense is legal in the US, (whiich it is) I would have fired back once I had the squad out of the open area. Yes, I would have aimed for the head of anyone I determined was a threat to me. Let the Mexican sargent/officer explain to his General that the Yanks are finally shooting back and have killed one of his men.

Maybe with a serious international incident, President Bush might just get his head out of the sand and start listening to his base of conservative voters.

Why is it okay for them to kill American citizens and we can't even shoot back?

59 posted on 12/23/2003 1:58:27 PM PST by B4Ranch (Wave your flag, don't waive your rights!)
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To: Spiff
However, I'm not inclined to believe Foote on this one. His track record is not well established and something doesn't quite sound right about this one.

BTW, the AKs sound more like Mexican police, not army. But that may have changed with recent events, and Mexican troops may have been trying to impress their important visitors and new friends.

60 posted on 12/23/2003 1:59:06 PM PST by archy (Angiloj! Mia kusenveturilo estas plena da angiloj!)
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