We can't do that Brownie, think of all those grasshoppers and cactuses who might get injured or destroyed. And heaven forbid we wouldn't want to impede the free movement of the poor field rodents now would we? 
Posted on 04/23/2003 1:50:05 PM PDT by 11th_VA
Before long, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may be patrolling the US borders to protect against intruders of any type.
‘I am extremely supportive of the idea,’ said Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.), a member of the newly created Homeland Security Committee and chairman of a subcommittee that will have a major say in what kinds of equipment will be pressed into service.
Shadegg said two recent visits to the Mexican border underscored for him that ‘we don't have anything approaching control of that border.’ Support for putting electronic eyes in the sky is building in Congress, he said.
Senator John Warner (R-Va.), chairman of the Armed Service Committee, wrote to President Bush recently saying the case for non-military use of UAVs is ‘compelling’.
Currently the Mexican border is sporadically patrolled by fixed-wing aircraft and Black Hawk helicopters, which Shadegg said pose disadvantages of costly operation, limited range and relatively short periods for staying aloft.
‘High tech, including drones, is precisely where we should be going,’ Shadegg said.
As chairman of the emergency preparedness and response subcommittee, ‘I want to put all my energy into looking at high-tech ways to stop incidents from occurring, or detect them the instant they occur,’ such as in cases of sabotage of water supplies or unleashing of chemical agents, he said.
After testing drones in south Texas during the late 1990s, Border Patrol officials decided against using them. But Asa Hutchinson, the nation's top border security official in Homeland Security, told Congress last month, ‘I think that we have to revisit some of this technology since September 11th and see if it has greater application.’
You're going to see more personnel, but also . . . more high-technology equipment down on the border,’ Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), said at a news conference this month.
‘You may see unmanned drones.’
Shadegg wouldn't predict how soon UAV patrols could be launched but said, ‘If we can build enough support for them, I think they could be up pretty quick.’
(Source: The Arizona Republic)
I got the same reaction from General Franks' comment and I'm glad he made it. Unfortunately, Bush has made it inordinately clear that he WILL NOT defend our borders from this epic invasion of millions under ANY circumstances.
This dereliction of duty along with his disastrous trade policies will likely make Bush's re-election prospects every bit the horse race that the last election was.
Sure wish Tancredo would run then maybe we'd be get some much needed discussion regarding this issue.
We can't do that Brownie, think of all those grasshoppers and cactuses who might get injured or destroyed. And heaven forbid we wouldn't want to impede the free movement of the poor field rodents now would we?
I agree. What could sink Bush though is the economy and his handling of it.
I couldn't help but notice today during Bush’s speech on his economic package that he never once brought up the FTAA (Free Trade Americas) deal that he has been pushing so hard for behind the scenes. In fact I have never heard him once bring up FTAA during a speech about the economy. I have to ask WHY? I mean if FTAA is such a good deal for America, like Bush has suggested in the past, why would he not bring up this latest free trade proposal that builds on the NAFTA deal (that his Dad still brags about) when he is talking about economic cures?
I suspect Bush knows well that most Americans don't want anymore Free Trade deals. At least the kind we have seen in the last 10 years and for good reason. We associate them with massive job losses and the destruction of American Industry all of which makes me wonder then...why is he still pushing for FTAA then?
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
Snow said the FTAA negotiations are a priority despite possible political ramifications for President Bush in Florida and California, the nation's top orange producers and key states for a Bush victory in next year's presidential election.
How do they help me anyway? I can purchase frozen apple or orange concentrate made from fruit grown in Brazil or China at the local wholesale outlet for .69 to.79 cents. Big deal. I can get that product for the same price when the fruit is grown here, always have, even before we started flooding the market with fruit from other countries.
The price hasn't gone down, but the cost of labor has, so that means the CEOs get those big bonuses. And they contribute nicely to the coffers of politicians elected to represent the people. If American farmers go out of business, who cares? These trade deals aren't even doing anything to stop the illegal alien flow. Like I said, it's a scam, and everyone knows it.
You know, a cynical person could call this cozy relationship between CEOs and Politicians "Feather Bedding". It's interesting how our politicos can, by the stroke of a pen, "Make Legal" exactly the same kind of hanky panky activity that would land the average businessman in jail.
I agree with every point you made. Slowly but Surely America is moving from being a "nation of laws" to a "nation of political rulers".
Implement OPLAN GARDEN PLOT!
NOW!
The ACLU, M.E.Ch.A., NAACP, RANBOW-PUSH, Amnesty International, U.N., or anyone else's self sanctimonious opinion be DAMNED! Just do it! Seal the frigging border.
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