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Caption Left photo
A California Army National Guardsman grades dirt with a tractor next to the second U.S.-Mexico border fence in San Diego in this Wednesday, July 19, 2006, file photo. Far fewer than the 6000 National Guard troops promised by President Bush by August 1st are in position and working with the Border Patrol. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
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Caption Right photo
Jim Gilchrist, founder of the border watchers group the 'Minutemen Project', applauds at a news conference near the 'Ground Zero' site of the World Trade Center in New York, July 26, 2006. Gilchrist and other Minutemen Project leaders held the event as protestors demonstrated against them. REUTERS/Mike Segar
My state of Tennessee asked for 100 Volunteers and 200 immediately stepped up. When that was learned our Guardsman raised hell until our Democrat governor agreed to fifty more.
Tennesseeans are behind this effort if we're allowed to succeed. We're not into going into situations where we're supposed to fail. Low BS tolerance.
"Guard officials said 6,199 troops were somewhere in the four southwestern border states, with many still in training. "
TRAINING? TRAINING FOR WHAT? AUTO MECHANICS AND PLUMBING?
"About half will be at the border looking for illegal activity; the other half will be in support roles ranging from plumbers to office workers.
Most of the troops in Arizona are working at Border Patrol stations doing such jobs as communications and administrative support and vehicle repairs, Maj. Paul Aguirre said. Some are assigned to military bases to receive incoming troops.
In New Mexico, troops are helping spot illegal immigrants, building vehicle barriers and working in office positions, Agent Patrick Berry said. Soldiers near El Paso, Texas, were doing video surveillance and tending to horses, Border Patrol spokesman Doug Mosier said. "