Bordering on inanity

The Washington Times ^ | 05 Mar 2008 | Tony Blankley

[BGHater]

Over a year ago, Congress passed a law to spend over $7 billion to build a fence to secure our Mexican border. Less than two weeks ago, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced at a news conference that a high-tech "virtual fence" project on part of the U.S. border with Mexico was finally ready for service, and that the technology that was a substitute for an actual physical fence — you know, cement, barbed wire, watch towers, moats.

The secretary was very specific. He said: "I have personally witnessed the value of the system, and I have spoken directly to border patrol agents ... who have seen it produce actual results, in terms of identifying and allowing the apprehension of people who were illegally smuggling across the border." The so-called Project 28 virtual fence was built near Nogales, Ariz. The $20 million project of sensor towers and advanced mobile communications was supposed to be ready by mid-2007, but was delayed by software problems.

Some of us want a regular, real physical fence. But the White House assured us that a virtual fence would be better. And, by the way, both Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in last week's debate said they were for the virtual fence-which in their view might obviate the need for a physical fence.

So Mr. Chertoff's announcement less than two weeks ago was good news. But only five days later, the media reported that the Bush administration has scaled back plans to quickly build a virtual fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, delaying completion of that first 28-mile phase by at least three years and shifting away from a network of tower-mounted sensors and surveillance gear.

[Slapshot68]

Unless the virtual fence is made up of Star Trek type technology of force fields, it’s a joke.

Concrete keeps people out...ask the West Berliners.

[arthurus]

We have right now all the fence we will ever get. Amnesty from any of the three contenders will open the floogates and bring us more illegals in a short time than we have now. With Amnesty for even 100% of those here now, removing them from illegal status, we will quickly have more illegals on our soil than before Amnesty.

[Wiseghy]

I believe the reason and Hillary and Obama both favor an “actual” fence is that they know that cost, property and political issues on the border will prevent one from actually being built.
Also, Indians are now one of the major illegal immigration groups.

Enforcement is the key to this issue.

[ZeitgeistSurfer]

A nice head fake from our betters. The border could be sealed in two months if the political will was there. American people - suck it up!

[swain_forkbeard]

If McCain wants to motivate his base and if the GOP luminaries who stand to make out big time want him elected, then he should make the physical fence a centerpiece of his campaign. Try drawing THAT policy contrast.

[JZelle]

Anyone surprised by this?

[Digital Sniper]

So...what does a "virtual fence" do apart from beeping out the equivalent of "Look! There goes another one!"?

I've got the tar & feathers. Get the scoundrels and show me which way the rail out of town is...

[Digital Sniper]

Anyone surprised by this?

Surprised? No. Mad as hell? You betcha!

[Digital Sniper]

If McCain wants to motivate his base and if the GOP luminaries who stand to make out big time want him elected, then he should make the physical fence a centerpiece of his campaign. Try drawing THAT policy contrast.

I'd love to see it, but we both know it'll never happen. Nothing gets between McCain and his Democrat masters.

[econjack]

Arizona has the proper solution: Heavy fines on employers who hire illegals. And please, don’t give me this stuff that employers can’t verify their identity. If the fines are heavy enough, not only will they verify, if there’s even a hint they’re not legal, they won’t hire them. Do that, and the supply will dry up.

If you want to see an excellent presentation of what we can look forward to down the road if Congress doesn’t get serious, take a look here:

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=n7WJeqxuOfQ

It’s a little long, but worth every second.

[Dead Corpse]

And still later, it was proven that the technology for the virtual fence didn't work at all.

This makes Chertoff a liar. Again...

Not surprising.

[TLI]

Over a year ago, Congress passed a law to spend over $7 billion

Less than two weeks ago, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced at a news conference that a high-tech "virtual fence" project

The secretary was very specific. He said: "I have personally witnessed the value of the system

both Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in last week's debate said they were for the virtual fence-which in their view might obviate the need for a physical fence.

But only five days later, the media reported that the Bush administration has scaled back plans to quickly build a virtual fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, delaying completion of that first 28-mile phase by at least three years

Ya know, somewhere amongst all the announcements, pronouncements, endorsements, capability statements, laws, budgets, and fundings, I wonder when SOMBODY is going to build a DAMN FENCE.

Here is a thought, if our government is incapable of building a simple fence they are incapable of defending we citizens. And if they can't do that what do we actually need them for?

Remove the military from the U.S. Government and what is left can be easily handled by a uniform methodology of procedures that all 50 states could adopt. Kind of like a operators manual. No need for a bunch of thieves perverts and criminals to congregate in DC. We could turn it into a museum - park. And save the taxpayers trillions.

I bet the congress-leaches would squeal on that little proposal...

[JZelle]

That’s all the government does for us anymore: keep us in a perpetual state of rage.

[ARE SOLE]

This makes Chertoff a liar. Again...

The man is a transparent liar and a traitor to our nation.

[Digital Sniper]

Arizona has the proper solution: Heavy fines on employers who hire illegals. And please, don’t give me this stuff that employers can’t verify their identity. If the fines are heavy enough, not only will they verify, if there’s even a hint they’re not legal, they won’t hire them. Do that, and the supply will dry up.

Exactly. And the best part of the Employer Sanctions Law is that we have Sheriff Joe to back it up! These two factors are why the illegals have been self-deporting here. And let me tell you, things are much better here in the Grand Canyon state for it!

Time for all of America to get with the program!

[Digital Sniper]

That’s all the government does for us anymore: keep us in a perpetual state of rage.

While not optimal, it's not entirely bad, either. I focus a lot of that angst into making a difference in my neck of the woods. And then I pray that it'll have a ripple effect into the national arena.

[edcoil]

It failed so bad it now is on hold for three years.