Posted on 01/11/2014 5:20:35 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
The man in the photo to the left isn't a Ranger in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley. He's a Texas game warden, kitted out to check your deer tags or lead a paramilitary, kick-the-door-in assault on your tent. The militarization of every possible law enforcement entity in America is complete: Texas Parks and Wildlife now has a SWAT team.
The 25-man unit can deploy anywhere in the state within four hours, TPWD boasts, and is modeled after what military types call a "force multiplier," which basically means that these guys can shoot a bunch of bullets. At what, you ask? In this Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine story, they list potential missions like "border operations, dignitary protection or any sort of high-risk law enforcement, such as serving felony arrest warrants or hostage situations.
Stuff can get real down in the dusty arroyos of Big Bend Ranch State Park. Hell, a Mexican man on a burro might try to sell you a carved statuette. In fairness, a game warden's average suspect is usually carrying a high-powered rifle. But something tells me some of these guys couldn't wait to shuck those slacks and Stetsons and put on a fresh pair of BDU pants and a Kevlar helmet.
"We're steeped in tradition and very mindful of our past," said special ops chief Grahame Jones. "It's an important part of who we are, but we have to look to the future."
And the future is a camo AR. Now, if Texas truly intends to secede, it's got its own military force ready and waiting. We've even got a Navy! TPWD has 564 vessels, including a 65-foot gulf patrol ship, and gunboats mounted with .30 cal machine guns.
Here ya go... you know, so they can just get home to their family safe at the end of a long day stepping on our necks.
Is it for fly, gnat and mosquito control???
Gee, they protect Bambi and kin a lot more forcefully than they do the People via the borders. I’d guess that if they kill a few dozen hunters, the penalty will be much lighter than if the Border Patrol detains and inconveniences a few mules/return murders.
If it was up to me, all SWAT teams would be disbanded.
Yeah, those squirrels and armadillos have gotten really dangerous as of late . . .
Do you folks realize what a problem we are having with illegals here?
They are hiding out in our parks—and from what I’m hearing, they’re leaving one heck of a mess behind them.
We have some beautiful state parks in Texas, that I have visited from my childhood, and still would love to visit—but am not sure it would be a safe thing to do these days.
I’m all for a SWAT team or anything else that would make our parks safe again.
Also—does anyone remember the wild fires that struck our state parks last year?
Although one woman was guilty or starting a couple of them, the rest were started by illegals hiding out in our forests. We are still in the midst of a terrible drought here, and our forests are still tinder boxes.
I’ll take swat teams or whatever it takes to try to save us from more destruction.
The little town of Bastrop was virtually destroyed.
Bad armadillo. Bad armadillo.
All the more reason to sell off Federal lands.
**********
Are you referring to the fires of Sep/Oct. 2011? That is when Bastrop County got
hit very hard losing some 1600+ homes and two deaths. The fires were started
by very severe drought and strong winds up to 30mph which impacted electrical lines
causing sparks which in turn started the fires.
I got enough "playing army" when I was a little kid.
Apparently, these children did not...
We need moar SWAT teams, armed with M1 Abrams main battle tanks, MRAPs and squad machine guns to combat the illegal alien electrical lines hiding out in the forests.
And the wind. The wind is our enemy, too.
As Ben Franklin would have said in this instance: "They who would give up essential SWAT teams with armored support vehicles, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Wind nor Drought nor Electrical Lines."
I’m gently teasing you, basil. We’ve both been here a very, very long time.
***************
Sometimes I think the ability to have lightheartedness is not around as much as it used to be. Times change as we continue life's journey.
Partly, you are correct. There was certainly arson involved, too.
I live here-—less than 30 miles from Bastrop. I was born in Smithville, which is a very few miles from Bastrop. I spent a lot of my childhood in both Buescher and Bastrop state parks. There is one woman who was jailed for starting more fires and making it worse..and according to some firemen I spoke with, there was evidence of illegal alien presence in Buescher State Park who were responsible for some of the fires.
I was just talking about it to my mother this morning. The water was very clear in the Frio River, and beautiful.
Had to jog her memory a bit - she's in her eighth decade.
I was unaware of any arrest being made but I don't doubt some may have been
involved in doing nefarious things regarding the fires.
The last time I drove through the parks (Bastrop and Buescher), the loblollies seemed to be coming along well.
I plan to drive over to Zimmerhanzel’s in Smithville this week or next for Barbecue, and will drive through both parks then, and let you know how they are coming along now.
Thanks. I used to travel SH 71 between I-10 and Austin quite a bit and was
in that area after the fire. It leaves an impact when you see and smell the
smoldering ashes and the homes, etc that had been destroyed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.