Comments on: Troops to the Border

By: hornetgunner

hornetgunner — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:14:52 +0000

Dittos Zane. I have always maintained that a nation is defined by borders. No borders, no nation. Indeed as you state, it is precisely a federal responsibility to secure those borders and protect its citizens against all threats. Hey Washington, get the wax outta ya’ ears, listen up!

By: TwoFiveZulu

TwoFiveZulu — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:31:47 +0000

The skipper of the McCain has all the weapons he needs and then some, but I’ll bet he isn’t happy. You can bet the ROE for any Guard presence on the border will be some form of “if engaged, fall back and contact civilian authority”. No sense having weapons if the ROE say don’t engage.

By: Therapist1

Therapist1 — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:37:20 +0000

I’ll be happy if they let them carry weapons this time.

By: John

John — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:15:53 +0000

As long as the ROE and mission are something like “don’t ask, don’t tell” and the troops just have to sit around waiting for ICE to haul the guilty away, it is a worthless mission.

If, as is unlikely, the mission is defined as “secure the border with all force necessary,” then military force may be useful.

The ROE need to be something along the lines of “Any person observed crossing the border into the U.S. anywhere other than a legal point is a free fire target up to 5KM from the border.”

No arrests, asking for ID, or catch and release games. No lawfare or court dates. Humane treatment and essential medical care for any survivors, and then prompt return to their country of origin with a bill for said lodging, medical expenses and transportation. Deduct it from foreign aid payments if their home country is too cheap to pay.

Harsh? You bet. Effective? Yes, and a darn effective deterrent too.

Legal immigrants? Love them, and welcome them with open arms. Others, not so much.

If a country cannot define and defend its borders, it has ceased to exist as a country.

By: Curtis

Curtis — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:52:08 +0000

Yeah I know. I am partially made of steel these days and get a laughingly thorough inspection from the TSA every single time I travel through an airport…..except 20% of the time when for some damned reason I “don’t” set off the metal detectors. It does make one wonder now doesn’t it?

By: STEVEC

STEVEC — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:46:22 +0000

I’ll tell you about the border and how “secure” it is: I know a guy who’s obviously from south of the border. He’s been here a while and goes home to visit yearly….heads south, visits, comes north via some route that is different from mine, which I know since he tells me when he’ll be home by saying ‘it’ll be next Wednesday if all goes well, or it’ll be 5 days after that due to extra travel.’ Same guy just came to me to ask for money to help pay for his mother in law’s “travel agent” who is bringing her “up” next week. This is so common here in SoCal that it’s almost comical except for what it demonstrates about our Federal Government’s absolute ineptness at securing the border. Yes, the SAME FEDS who are working overtime to manage the rest of your life through health care and energy plans, etc, are unable to do the simple task of watching our border. No question about why Los Angeles is in trouble or the rest of the State, either, for that matter.

(PS – just got back from TJ, which is Tijuana for you geographically challenged folks who are not So. Calif. locals) and I’ll report that the Mexican government has no problems in putting a lot of well armed troops on their streets….I’ll also report that I stayed in a very nice hotel, ate at a real nice Argentinian restaurant, did some successful bargain shopping. Good time to be there as their business is down by over 50%.)