Perry says border fence a "preposterous" idea [TEXAS]

Houston Chronicle ^ | Dec. 6, 2006 | R.G. RATCLIFFE

[Dubya]

AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry, who built his re-election campaign on border security, told a gathering of border mayors today that building a wall along the border with Mexico is a "preposterous" idea.

"Now, strategic fencing in certain urban areas to direct the flow of traffic does make sense, but building a wall on the entire border is a preposterous idea," Perry said.

"The only thing a wall would possibly accomplish is to help the ladder business."

While Perry always opposed fencing the border, his re-election campaign de-emphasized that position.

Perry ran millions of dollars of television advertising portraying the border as an open zone of human and drug smuggling and as a potential pathway for terrorists. He launched a program to put live Internet cameras along the border and said he would ask the Legislature for $100 million for border security.

The campaign was widely seen as an effort to appeal to a Republican voting base angry at the federal government for failing to act to halt illegal immigration from Mexico and Central America.

Perry told the Texas Border Coalition that the national anti-immigrant rhetoric of the political campaigns was not constructive.

"We just concluded an election year that was very heavy on immigration rhetoric, and, I might add, very light on comprehensive solutions," Perry said.

He said the campaign rhetoric did not foster good relations with Mexico.

[Froufrou]

That's what I thought was the way it was supposed to go, that the Ntl Guard would patrol AND [more recently] have the ability to jail illegals.

To think I voted for this schmoe...

[achilles2000]

Well, I couldn't bring myself to vote for GoodHair, so I wrote in Dan Patrick.

[Muleteam1]

Nothing surprising here. Four Democrats ran for Governorship of the State of Taxes, ah I mean Texas.

[sheana]

I am getting to hate ALL politicians.

Welcome to my world!

[ichabod1]

It doesn't matter how many come across every year, there's still only 12 million of them.

[ricer1]

"I voted LP. All the other options sucked even worse. At least Werner wanted to cut off all special aid programs to illegals."

Werner wanted open borders, dude. Check his platform.

I left the gov. race blank on my ballot. All of them were scum.

[Dead Corpse]

I'm aware of that. However, he wanted to end all the socialist welfare programs that are my #1 b*tch about all the illegals coming here. Plain old criminals I can ventilate. Paying taxes for voting buying communist schemes I can't do much about without getting raided by the IRS.

[TWfromTEXAS]

Had Perry said that before the election, Kinky would be our next governor. As it was, I voted for Perry while holding my nose.

This is the second time in my life I have actually regretted the vote I cast.

Hell I'm 23 and was smarter than that. You one of those who thinks the lottery money goes to schools?

[RamingtonStall]

Damn, I am getting to hate ALL politicians.

I agree. I am beginning to hate all politicians and the Talking Heads on TV who tell me what I said in the most recent election.

RamS

[Night Hides Not]

Hell I'm 23 and was smarter than that. You one of those who thinks the lottery money goes to schools?

LOL! I live in Valley Ranch (Coppell ISD), and 40% of our tax money goes elsewhere in the state.

[CindyDawg]

What is our procedure for a recall?

[loboinok]

(from the article)"The Department of Homeland Security pegs SBInet's costs at $7.6 billion, but the department's own inspector general estimated last month that costs could swell to $30 billion."

They cry about that and say that the money just isn't there. Yet they will have no problem finding hundreds of billions to fund a "NorthAmerican Super Highway", Hmmmm.

[ProudGOP]

I wonder whether the Texas Governors mansion has a fence? If so, maybe we should take it down since it is of no use.

[GulfBreeze]

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

...sighhhh...

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

[wolfcreek]

Is it too early/late for a recall election? I've alway thought Perry was an asshole. His future political aspirations are down the drain!

[Jedidah]

Wow. Finally something old Rick and I agree on.

[Andrew Byler]

There wouldn't be an invasion if we didn't offer welfare benefit and citizenship.

I believe people should be able to move and live wherever they wish for work or family reasons, but that citizenship should be restricted, and government goodies restricted to citizens.

[Jedidah]

No.

[TexanByBirth]

I wonder whether the Texas Governors mansion has a fence?

Yes it does! Despite with some people think! It is actually a concrete or cider block wall!

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

You've got that right. Rick Perry has sold his soul to Spain and Mexico. What a spineless critter.