Troops Flee From Border Outpost(Unarmed National Guard)

The Washington Times ^ | January 6, 2007 | Jerry Seper

[kellynla]

Armed men overran a National Guard observation post along the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona this week, forcing the soldiers to retreat and prompting an investigation by the U.S. Border Patrol that has focused on the intruders' identity. No shots were exchanged and no one was injured in the incident, which occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Wednesday. The National Guard troops were members of an entry-identification team, assigned to monitor major illegal-alien and drug-smuggling corridors. After forcing the soldiers to flee, the unidentified men retreated into Mexico. National Guard Sgt. Edward Balaban said the troops did not know how many men were involved in the attack "because obviously it took place in the dark." He said National Guard officials are investigating the incident and will determine shortly whether to change any procedures for troops at the border.

[kellynla]

The agents, who referred to the assignment as "the nanny patrol," said most of the Guard troops are not allowed to carry loaded weapons, despite a significant increase in violence directed at Border Patrol agents during the past year.

[kellynla]

ping

[neodad]

Thank God Pelosi's here. She'll fix this.

[indcons]

"The agents, who referred to the assignment as "the nanny patrol," said most of the Guard troops are not allowed to carry loaded weapons, despite a significant increase in violence directed at Border Patrol agents during the past year."

Dane is going to be thrilled about this policy.

[Iwo Jima]

Thank God Bush is there. He'll fix it.

[WhiteGuy]

It is disturbing that the current administration choose to condone this.

[kellynla]

[cripplecreek]

According to the Minuteman representative that was on FOX this morning, these "incursions" have happened twice this week. On Wednesday the Guard retreated and on Thursday the invaders retreated.

It may explain the lack of clarity on this story.

[o_zarkman44]

This is positive proof that not every illegal immigrant is coming to do the work Americans won't do.

Might as well refer to the National Guard as Bobbies if they are going to be unarmed. That kind of protection from criminal intent is unacceptable.

[Basheva]

So, let's see if I understand this......

We send National Guard troops to the border to help the Border Patrol.

We send National Guard troops to the border to help defend the border.

We send National Guard troops to help the border patrol and defend the border - but we give them no powers to do anything and no weapons.

This is in a known area of violence and heavily used by drug and smuggling gangs.

And the National Guard when confronted - runs away.

This is worse than not having a National Guard on the border.

"National Guard" is an oxymoron.

The president and congress who set this up are not an oxymoron.

They are simply moronic.

[kellynla]

bottom line: the NG are UNARMED!
I haven't heard such a ridiculous story since the NG were stationed at LAX after 9/11 without ammo!!!

[yoe]

(Guard wasn't overrun by gunmen, official says)

A must read!

[TomGuy]

National Guard officials are investigating the incident and will determine shortly whether to change any procedures for troops at the border.

Arming them might be the first order of business.

===

New amnesty push likely in 07 by Bush, Dems

Posted by Mount Athos On 01/04/2007 7:32:40 AM CST · 14 replies · 209+ views Marietta Daily Journal ^ | Wednesday, January 3 | D.A. King Five years into the war on terror, most Americans desperately hoped 2006 would be "the year" for solutions to the long national nightmare of intentionally unsecured borders and the resulting illegal immigration crisis. For many, the dream was that at a minimum, we would begin to see border security and immigration law enforcement similar to what Mexicans still living in Mexico enjoy. It didn't happen. According to a report released in late 2006 by the House Committee of Homeland Security, up to 10 million people entered the United States illegally and un-inspected last year. Georgia watched as its population of...

[Rb ver. 2.0]

"It is disturbing that the current administration choose to condone this."

Reminds me of US Marines in Beruit, 1983.

[alloysteel]

Which is why the National Guardsmen should be backed up with overhead UAV surveillance making video tapes of this sort of engagement.

The National Guard was intentionally sent to the border without weapons at the ready, something they would not consider if they were putting down an eruption of violence at a shopping mall.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

http://www-tech.mit.edu/Bulletins/nafta.html

North American Free Trade Agreement

It is complete and in HTML

I get the idea that our military can not be on the border without agreement with the other country.

[Dustbunny]

Armed border agents with the right to shoot is what is needed not this crappy wimpy crap.

[kellynla]

yep, I read the piece earlier this week.

[TomGuy]

I haven't heard such a ridiculous story since the NG were stationed at LAX after 9/11 without ammo!!!

I have.

US guards at Iraqi prisons were issued rubber bullets after the Abu Ghraib prison fiasco.

Imagine being in a war zone, guarding the worst of the enemy prisoners, and having only rubber bullets. [This problem came to light when US guards had to retreat and await forces will real bullets during prison riots and insurgent incursions.]