Frist: Guard troops the best short-term border fix

CNN ^ | May 14, 2006 | CNN

[FairOpinion]

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist on Sunday dismissed concerns about a proposal to use National Guard troops to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border, saying it is the only short-term solution to stem the flow of illegal immigrants.

"The only thing that we can do to secure our borders right now is to give our states help, and that is best done through the National Guard," the Tennessee Republican told CNN's "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer."

President Bush is scheduled to speak to the nation Monday night from the Oval Office about immigration and border security. (Full story)

Frist could not say whether the president will mention the proposal to bolster border security with National Guard troops.

Bush has discussed the proposal to bolster border security with National Guard troops, along with "a lot of [other] ideas," with members of Congress, National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley told CNN.

[bcsco]

Cuba is what, something like 90 miles South of the Keys? To get within distance from California they'd have to come from the West coast of Baha California; not the most populated state from which to develop such traffic. On the other hand, the gulf portion of Texas could see a definite increase of boat traffic. Any towns/villages just South of the Rio Grande might suffice in that regard. That would be my bet on where boat traffic would likely originate.

This brings up something I've thought about prior to this. I've read many state on FR as elsewhere that we ought to just annex Mexico and make it another state. Right! Sure, we'd eliminate the land border we currently have only to gain the East/West sea-centric borders of Mexico; not to mention Mexico's border with South America. Sheesh! Imagine trying to control that!

[FairOpinion]

So what do you think Hillary will do about it, with a Democrat Congress???

[xzins]

Because the "Coast Guard" is named for it's mission....guarding our coastal waters, it only makes sense that the National Guard would be the named group that guards our territory.

The Army & Navy should have reserves that can be thrown into active duty status when necessary. They are to be experts at fighting the nation's wars.

The "National Guard," however, should do just what its name suggests. The Border Patrol should be rolled into the National Guard.

The National Guard should become a separate service under the DoD as is the Coast Guard.

[Darkwolf377]

The illegal immigration problem from Mexico is a problem, but NOT an immediate crisis, and it is also being addressed, that's why President Bush is pushing a comprehensive immigration bill. Instead of being glad, that it is being addressed, some are angry aboutit, even though they claim that is what they want.

I wonder what kind of conservative support he'd get without the amnesty provisions.

Also, I am curious about those who are against the Bush immigration plan--how would they like to deal with the illegals currently in the country? "Round them up"? OK--how? We're not going to suddenly round 'em up and deport them--that's a separate discussion, but it's not going to happen. So the alternative to Bush's plan is to have these illegal, undocumented people all over the place, causing crimes, taking jobs, and all the problems the immigration-issue voters are currently complaining about.

Do we have the manpower to collect 'em all?

I find it interesting that the same people who railed against a national ID card when it came to identification purposes for terrorism now want one. Will they change their minds in a couple of months? is the standard answer about a national ID card now to be FOR it?

I would love to see the serious, workable alternatives to Bush's plan. I keep asking for them, and I get half-baked ideas, or assertions like "Kick 'em out"--OK, but HOW?

Because if we have a plan that will work, that's a start. Just saying what we don't want isn't an answer.

As for your comments about Canada, I have been waiting and waiting for that to become an issue around here, and it never has, for some reason. Amazon has at least one book on the topic--will this become an issue at some point, and people will be claiming they were posting about it "all along" too?

[Kimberly GG]

"I can't stop being amused by the way this has suddenly become issue #1 around. Whenever that's mentioned, there is usually a chorus of "It's ALWAYS been MY number 1 issue!" But an intellectually honest person can't say that's been the case for most people arguing about it for more than a month or two."

Shoot. I don't think I've been 'arguing' about it for THAT long even, only since I watched something I'd never seen before, millions and millions of illegals and their supporters take to the streets, over ran cities, threatened to close down the country, and created a post 9/11 national security risk as a show of force meant to intimidate our D.C. lawmakers into caving to their demands.

I know some would just prefer that we 'ignore' the situation, pretend it wasn't happening and keep the status quo for the sake of elections, but rather than "focus" (and considering what I've read here, that word is used loosely) on those of us who disagree with Bush, perhaps the focus should be on pressuring Bush and the GOP into doing the right thing. Then we'd all be on the same page, have the same goal and it would bring unity back to the party. Even the 'sudden' timing is the decision of Bush and the GOP. Last I checked HR4437 happened in December and now they are gunning for passing legislation by Memorial Day. Their choice.

[Darkwolf377]

I've read many state on FR as elsewhere that we ought to just annex Mexico and make it another state.

Well, it would knock Arkansas out of the bottom slot of states in terms of education, jobs, etc. ;)

Seriously, though, that idea is simply nuts. Why don't we just annex Bangladesh?

[Darkwolf377]

The illegals marching sure was the big ignition point; not what they expected.

But I don't see too many arguing that we should "just ignore" the illegals issue.

[hinckley buzzard]

Since President Bush took office, funding for border security has increased by 66 percent.

66% increase in five years. Why am I not impressed. They increased federal bribes to education by more than that in one year, just to pick one comparison.

[EverOnward]

The Administration Is Ending The Practice Of "Catch-And-Release."

When? It isn't happening where I live. The words are hallow.

[hinckley buzzard]

obvious violation of "cruel and unusual punishment" (who would call this typical punishment?),

Can you cite a precedent which considered forced labor to be the equivalent of torture? And do you not know that forced labor for convicts has been very ordinary in many jurisdictions? Ever hear of a chain gang? Making license plates? Let us know, OK?

[EverOnward]

In complete agreement with your Post No. 29. Evidently, conributions to the Republican Party are down and so this dog and pony show is prepared for the simple masses. I only hear action.

[Major_Risktaker]

Folks, if Bush does not get a handle on this illegal problem it is going to sink him, the GOP, and the nation. I sense the average person that really did not think much about the problem is really getting pissed off. This is a real problem that is going to get very ugly very soon.

Question: How do you stop illegal immigration in one day?

Answer: Live fire above the heads and at the feet of those coyote's and illegals should be a nice deterrent.

[I_like_good_things_too]

I have been unable to get a sufficient answer from the people who have this deep & overwhelming sudden concern with the southern border and claim it's a "national security" issue as to why they aren't concerned with the location of more terrorist crossings. Priorities, people.

[AmeriBrit]

"And why is a "short-term border fix" necessary? Because this administration and our leaders in congress have had their heads in the sand hoping that the "border problem" would go away."

---

Then you must have just woke up from a long sleep. This problem existed long before GWB started serving his first term......long before.

The problem came to a head when Antonio Vilagarosa became Mayor of Los Angeles and he and his commie cohorts put their plan into operation as leaders of La Raza and MECHA etc., to stir the illegals up to take back California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas by illegal means and force if necessary.

There is no simple, quick solution. It took a long time for this situation to get to this point and it's going to take a long time to fix it. Words on a piece of paper are not going to mean anything to those who are intent on claiming the four states, at present, as theirs. Four States that were fought and paid for.

If the NG is to be used on the border it should not be long term, this will only result in a nasty war where many innocents will be killed and maimed. The gangs who stroll the streets of L.A. now will grow in numbers as will the 'Saturday night specials'.

We're engaged in a war in the ME and are on the verge of another on our southern border unless everyone calms down and does some serious thinking about what action to take and the most peaceful way to go about it. This is no time for tempers to be flaring and blood pressure to rise. We must stay calm or we'll lose it all.

The 'Anchor Baby' situation has to be resolved once and for all. All ' welfare' benefits have to be stopped immediately and medical treatment only given in a life saving situation. Employers who hire illegals have to be handed stiff penalties both financial and time in the pokey.

A wall must be built and the number of Border Patrol officers multiplied many times over what their number is now. They should also be given full authority and the necessary equipment as to what procedures are followed in border situations.

The so called leaders in Washington have very little knowledge of what is happening in the real world outside their little ivory towers and cannot be relied on to help solve this disaster It's up to us to stick together, boot them out and install fresh blood that has backbone. That means a lot of work on our part including footwork in your own neighbourhoods and talking the good talk.

I've warned many that an incident such as we're involved in now would happen for many years, but until now have been unable to convince but a few. It's all part of a very carefully thought out plan the TWO and Mr Gorbachev have put in operation since President Reagan said "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall". They've quietly worked in the background and been very patient. They took over the unions, they made sure the ACLU acquired more power than they should ever have been given. They've seen to it that State and City positions have been taken over by 'their' soldiers. Whether it was by the aid of blackmail, brainwashing or what but they've also managed to take over control of many of the D.C. individuals with tremendous help from 'Slick' who has been an obedient Lt. and servant and part of the plan since his Oxford days in the late 60's. Many laugh at and call Gore an idiot. He's just playing his part. He's as much involved in this as anyone. Don't let him fool you.

We who see what is really happening to this country are sorry to say the minority, but we must remain the strongest and not let it happen. Don't become a victim of tunnel vision and concentrate on one thing. Keep your eyes focused in the other direction too or our lives as we know it now and our freedom will be lost.

[AmeriBrit]

Sorry, I meant to include Freepaul in the address bar of my post #55.

[Owen]

Unusual punishment is not equated to torture. Unusual punishment is denied the state per the constitution and this need have nothing to do with torture. Why did you even mention it?

If someone stole money from a cash register, no punishment of being forced to build cash registers will ever see the light of day. This is just bizarre.

The punishment for illegals is deportation. This, by law, can only happen after a deportation hearing, and you would not want that any other way lest you deport a US citizen who chooses to say only that he is a citizen and gives a name and no other information -- as is his right. You would then have the taxpayer endure the resultant lawsuits for deporting Americans.

So, there must be hearings. There is no prison space to keep people awaiting hearings, so you release them to await their date. If they don't show for their date, they are then guilty of a more serious offense than merely be undocumented and THEN, they will be put in jail when caught, if caught.

That's the only process we have and it's probably the best one that there can be.

[FairOpinion]

Your post was addressed to me, but you were really anwering to post 6, posted by "FreePaul".

I agree with what you said.

[amihow]

NO NO NO.

The guard at the border will be castrated just like the borcder patrol has been.

A fence and civilian monitors is the only thing that will work.

[airborne]

I suggest we support and finance the Minuteman Project.