Posted on 08/16/2007 1:26:51 PM PDT by SE Mom
You can’t have national security without border security. It’s not only necessary for any meaningful immigration reform; border security plays a key role in both the interdiction of illegal drugs and in defending America against terrorist threats. Weak borders allow terrorists and smugglers, as well as millions of illegal aliens, easy entrance to the United States. Unfortunately, it’s not at all clear our government is committed to its first responsibility: the protection of our borders.
In June 2006 the federal government began Operation Jump Start, deploying 6,000 National Guard troops to assist the Border Patrol in securing our border with Mexico. Now, the number of National Guard troops helping as part of Operation Jump Start is being cut in half and by September 1st only 3,000 troops will still be in place.
Since Operation Jump Start began, fewer illegal immigrants are crossing our southern border. Marijuana, cocaine, and heroin seizures have increased—a reminder that better border security is an essential part of drug interdiction. Tightening control of our southern border may also be a factor in the lack of additional terrorist attacks in the United States since September 11, 2001. Clearly the National Guard’s presence on our border with Mexico has been a success.
While the drawdown of the National Guard troops participating in Operation Jump Start was scheduled since the beginning of the operation, the troops were supposed to be replaced by 6,000 new U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. These replacements, called for by President Bush, would increase the total number of agents from 12,000 to 18,000. However, recruitment has been slow and continuing with the planned withdrawal of the National Guard is significantly reducing manpower on the border.
We’ve found a successful strategy for increasing border security. We need to advance it, not retreat from it. The President got the message and last week announced a new set of initiatives to combat illegal immigration. Having failed for years to solve our illegal immigration problem and protect our borders, however, Congress and the President need to keep the National Guard in place until we meet the goal of 18,000 border agents.
Like I said a Border of the same quality and security as the DMZ between North and South Korea, from Brownsville to San Diego.
“I’m sure when Fred is Pres, he’ll put Hunter in charge of getting it done.”
That is wishful thinking.
I’m carbon/candidate neutral...
But if enforcing existing laws and being honest about it is your issue, than Duncan Hunter is your man.
Fred is an actor. I swear that he is reading everything conservatives post on FR and parroting it verbatim. He can learn lines really well.
What, you don’t think Hunter could get it done?
“What, you don’t think Hunter could get it done?”
I don’t think Thompson would appoint him to anything.
Fred is smart enough to know Hunter would be great as head of Homeland security.
You don't agree he would be great in that position?
Get rid of this bum, and put an American in his job.
I always pictured Hunter as SecDef, but Homeland Security Chief would be awesome, too.
“You don’t agree he would be great in that position?”
Sure I do. I just think people are reading too much of their own wishes into what Fred would or wouldn’t do.
“Have you heard about Duncan Hunter’s plan for securing the border? An effectively secured border fence completed in 6 MONTHS!!! Hunter doesn’t just talk the talk either, he’s walked the walk...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7BqCU6fWs8 “
The presidential candidates are talking or writing about building the fence, but they don’t seem to mention that it is Duncan Hunter’s fence bill that they are talking about.
Now why is that? :)
“There are too many miles of border for mere border patrolmen to be effective.”
Duncan Hunter’s bill, which was signed by the president and became law, calls for a DOUBLE fence, with border patrol in between the two fences.
Sounds pretty effective, eh.
“Duncan Hunter’s bill, which was signed by the president and became law, calls for a DOUBLE fence, with border patrol in between the two fences.
Sounds pretty effective, eh.”
Yes, it does! When Duncan Hunter says he will build the fence, he means it. The so-called leading candidates will say anything to get elected but they have no history of being committed to getting it done. Voting for them is a crap shoot. My guess is we would end up being bitterly disappointed in them. I don’t want to take that chance.
Because everyone would reply “Duncan who?”
That’s why we grass roots folks have our work cut out for us, AND we CAN do it!!
It was grass roots folks who stopped the amnesty bill from being passed, and TOGETHER we can get the MOST CONSERVATIVE presidential candidate elected.
But naysaying doesn’t do ANYBODY any good, and quiters NEVER win.
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