The Fence to Nowhere

By Michelle Malkin  •  February 28, 2008 08:31 AM

Scroll down for updates…

Not that you needed any more evidence from me that the Secure Fence Act was the mother of all border b.s. measures to come out of Washington, but here’s the latest story to add to the pile:

The Bush administration has scaled back plans to quickly build a “virtual fence” along the U.S.-Mexico border, delaying completion of the first phase of the project by at least three years and shifting away from a network of tower-mounted sensors and surveillance gear, federal officials said yesterday.

Technical problems discovered in a 28-mile pilot project south of Tucson prompted the change in plans, Department of Homeland Security officials and congressional auditors told a House subcommittee.

Though the department took over that initial stretch Friday from Boeing, authorities confirmed that Project 28, the initial deployment of the Secure Border Initiative network, did not work as planned or meet the needs of the U.S. Border Patrol.

The announcement marked a major setback for what President Bush in May 2006 called “the most technologically advanced border security initiative in American history.” The virtual fence was to be a key component of his proposed overhaul of U.S. immigration policies, which died last year in the Senate.

Investigators for the Government Accountability Office had earlier warned that the effort was beset by both expected and unplanned difficulties. But yesterday, they disclosed new troubles that will require a redesign and said the first phase will not be completed until near the end of the next president’s first term.

Those problems included Boeing’s use of inappropriate commercial software, designed for use by police dispatchers, to integrate data related to illicit border-crossings. Boeing has already been paid $20.6 million for the pilot project, and in December, the DHS gave the firm another $65 million to replace the software with military-style, battle management software.

In an interview, Gregory L. Giddens, the department’s executive director for the border effort, confirmed that “we . . . have delayed our deployment as we work through the issues on Project 28. While there is clear urgency of the mission, we also want to make sure we do this right.”

Boeing has said that the initial effort, while flawed, still has helped Homeland Security apprehend 2,000 illegal immigrants since September. It estimated in 2006 that it would spend $7.6 billion through 2011 to secure the entire 2,000-mile southern border, an ambition that was meant to win support from conservatives for legislation creating a guest-worker program and a path to legalization for 12 million illegal immigrants.

But officials said yesterday that they now expect to complete the first phase of the virtual fence’s deployment — roughly 100 miles near Tucson and Yuma, Ariz., and El Paso, Tex. — by the end of 2011, instead of by the end of 2008. That target falls outside Boeing’s initial contract, which will end in September 2009 but can be extended.

The virtual fence was to complement a physical fence that the administration now says will include 370 miles of pedestrian fencing and 300 miles of vehicle barriers to be completed by the end of this year. The GAO said this portion of the project may also be delayed and that its total cost cannot be determined. The president’s 2009 budget does not propose funds to add fencing beyond the 700 or so miles meant to be completed this year.

I’m so sure John McCain and Juan Hernandez would do a better job.

Meanwhile, ahem, the $1.4 billion Mexican stimulus/border security plan forges ahead unopposed.

Your tax dollars (not) at work.

***

Meanwhile, lawlessness reigns…

A crackdown on drug and human smuggling rings at the U.S. border with Mexico has sparked an increase in violence against border patrol agents.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials say the number of assaults is up this fiscal year after more than doubling between 2004 and 2007, USA Today reported Wednesday.

“We’ve had occasions of people shooting at agents, trying to run agents down with vehicles, throwing large rocks or pieces of brick or concrete at agents, which can actually be fatal,” says Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

Chertoff says the escalation is the result of stepped-up enforcement that aims to put smugglers out of business.

Most of the assaults have involved “rockings” in which rocks, bricks and objects are thrown at agents.

Agent Shawn Moran of the Border Patrol in Imperial Beach, Calif., told USA Today the rockings are “like biblical stoning. This is like what they used to do to kill people.”

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  4. Michelle Malkin » Surprise, surprise: Fence In Name Only won’t be done by deadline

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Comments


  1. #255920
    On February 28th, 2008 at 8:35 am, ajmontana said:

    isnt all this just peachy…. :roll:

  2. #255923
    On February 28th, 2008 at 8:39 am, gayle said:

    Delayed?

    So more illegals can enter the country.

    Then they will claim that SOMETHING just HAS to be done.

    Legalize all of ‘em….this is where it’s headed.

    Maybe BUSH should have his library built in Mexico.

  3. #255924
    On February 28th, 2008 at 8:42 am, md1964 said:

    Who wrote the big honkin’ check???

    The check to the President G.W. Bush Presdential Library fund… Mexican Govt?? The Drug Cartels??

    Those are the two entities are the big winners, with an open door policy on the southern border.

    (Mexico appears to be to Bush, what China and Saudi Arabia have been to the Clintons.. Sugar daddy’s)

  4. #255927
    On February 28th, 2008 at 8:45 am, Ron Rockstar said:

    Instead of a virtual fence, can we have a virtual president and a virtual congress? Max Headroom was much less incompetent.

  5. #255931
    On February 28th, 2008 at 8:55 am, roadrage said:

    Technical problems discovered in a 28-mile pilot project south of Tucson prompted the change in plans

    What were the technical problems? I think it’s just another excuse for them to keep the border wide open. The government is out of control. This is just another step toward the NAU.

  6. #255935
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:00 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

    So this is what I am paying for? You’re fired!

  7. #255936
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:00 am, thegreatbeast said:

    An actual physical fence might work. There certainly would be less software problems.

  8. #255938
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:01 am, CarpiJugulum said:

    The fence will not be built and the boarder not enforced untill the ILLEGALS and the Reconquistas STEAL the American Southwest. Then they will build a fence seperating themselves from the Norta Americanos. All the while having their eyes on our bank accounts, cars, homes, and anything else they can get their grubby hands on.

    It is ironic that Mexico says it is not healthy for us to have a fence on their northern boarder all the while they are working on one on their southern boarder. They want a free passage of “peoples” in and out of the United States yet they great free people on their southern boarder with the armed violance.

    We may see a war in the United States but will it be with the camel jockies or with those invaders from south of the boarder.

  9. #255939
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:03 am, WarTip said:

    Enough with Virtual anything. Build the danged fence and be done with it. I know where we could get 1.4 billion of our money to begin construction.

    All we have to do is figure out how to keep our money in our pockets and out of the hands of the fat-cat-bureaucrats.

  10. #255941
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:04 am, ajmontana said:

    use the 1.4b to fix our problem here. good grief. our gov. has/is letting us down on a scale of mythical proportions.

  11. #255948
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:11 am, DesertLover said:

    so now we are out of funds for another boondoggle failure …

    put the “fence to nowhere” right alongside the “bridge to nowhere” …

    all they had to do was hold an ongoing military exercise along the border in which they put all of the military construction groups (army engineers, navy seabees, etc.) on the border 2 years ago and let them build the fence for the training experience … the whole thing would be done by now … and would have cost less …

    no virtual anything … no contractors like Boeing Defense group for anything … strictly contracts to buy the construction materials to build a real fence …

    what a bunch of dolts …

  12. #255953
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:15 am, BadIdeaGuy said:

    I think that despite the missing virtual fence, there is still concrete available, and barbed wire.

    Maybe we could purchase the concrete for a border wall from Cemex, the Mexican national cement company, and call it a stimulus package for Mexico!

  13. #255956
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:17 am, longbow said:

    I’m sick at what’s happening to our country and how our so-called “leaders” do nothing but help its destruction. They just shrug their shoulders when another innocent child is killed by an illegal driving drunk without a license, or when another woman is raped by an illegal, or when a burglary or robbery is committed. And we are just supposed to accept it.

    Noone can defeat the USA militarily – they won’t have to. We will be defeated from within, we will be changed into a country that is much worse in every good way than what we have been in the past.

    Build the fence. Catch and deport illegals. Fine and imprison those who hire them. People who say this won’t work, should also then advocate that we tear down all fences around prisons and any structure, and that we no longer prosecute anyone for committing crimes.

  14. #255957
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:17 am, ajmontana said:

    what a bunch of dolts …

    yup.
    Good thing, this group wasnt around when we were building this nation.

  15. #255962
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:24 am, Boomer said:

    I’m with DesertLover on this set the military’s construction teams lose on this project. If our political overlords were serious about protecting us this project would already be complete and built better than any corrupt government contractor could. Boeing is not doing very well lately when it comes to getting new technologies on line. First they had serious problems getting the avionics package of the F-22 to work and now this pork barrel project that will only stop virtual invaders. Thanks Congress for giving those of us in government service the Federal Acquisition Regulation to make a fairly simple process a royal pain in the backside. What every happen to the old military axiom of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).

  16. #255963
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:26 am, Barry F. said:

    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:17 am, ajmontana said:

    Good thing, this group wasnt around when we were building this nation.

    So true, AJ, so true.

    I can’t even imagine a group of incompetents like we have in Washington being able to maintain employment in the private sector.

    They would be fired in no time for their incompetency.

  17. #255964
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:28 am, Barry F. said:

    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:24 am, Boomer said:

    What every happen to the old military axiom of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).

    Well, the people in Washington are simpletons, at best, Boomer, and, probably, pushing hard toward stupid. :roll:

  18. #255966
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:30 am, publiuswarmac9999 said:

    A physical barrier is a prominent and visible deterrent to illegal alien encroachment in the USA. A virtual fence is no fence at all – it is merely a catch and release mechanism. A physical barrier is also a protection for the border control folks who are definitely outgunned by the bad guys.

  19. #255971
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:37 am, Concerned Citizen said:

    The illegals damage and destroy the existing physical fence, what’s going to keep them from sabotaging the virtual fence and who’s going to pay to fix it every time?

  20. #255975
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:45 am, babbledabble said:

    I just got an email from a friend in Ohio this morning who told me that her friend’s grandaughter is required to pledge allegiance to the Mexican flag every morning in school along with the pledge to the American flag & says the girl has recited it for her.. How can this be??? Sounds like the reconquista has already begun.

  21. #255977
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:49 am, emjem24 said:

    One question: why exactly do we need a virtual fence? Will the illegals pause for reflection as they cross over our territorial boundaries? They don’t observe our borders now so how will a virtual fence make them obey our laws? Curiouser and curiouser I must say.

    Could we get Yosemite Sam to watch our border? I think the National Guard would do better than a “virtual fence.”

  22. #255984
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:57 am, Barry F. said:

    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:45 am, babbledabble said:

    I just got an email from a friend in Ohio this morning who told me that her friend’s grandaughter is required to pledge allegiance to the Mexican flag every morning in school along with the pledge to the American flag & says the girl has recited it for her.. How can this be??? Sounds like the reconquista has already begun.

    WHAT?!

    You have to be joking us, right?

  23. #255987
    On February 28th, 2008 at 9:58 am, Marshall Russ said:

    I had the same problem with my virtual fence. If the neighbor’s kids weren’t climbing it just to see what was up there, they were trying to hit it with their pellet guns. That took a while to fix during which time it wasn’t “working”. The neighborhood kids would play on my property because they didn’t have to worry about the ball going over the fence and holding up the game. My dog wasn’t a problem to anyone wanting to take a short-cut through my propery to the corner store because he would wander off and be somewhere else at the time.
    So when I put up a “real” fence it seemed to work real well but, I became
    the “bad guy” of the neighborhood. Go figure.

  24. #255991
    On February 28th, 2008 at 10:02 am, zyzzyg said:

    One part of the virtual fence that will not be, but should definitely be, used. Sending back people who have a public image, or get a dispensation from a member of Congress.

    A Marine, who is missing in Iraq, married an illegal alien – send her back. A state legislator from Mississippi (or, Georgia) is married to an illegal alien – send her back. Individuals who claim sanctuary in churches – go in, get them and send them back. Representatives and Senators have the ability to suspend, or hold, deportation orders – eliminate this privilege.

    Should we be willing to do the above it would give illegal aliens pause and force them to think if the US is willing to deport these people then what chance would they have.

    This element of the virtual wall is called self policing, and is a pillar of a civil society. There are things that you just don’t do because there are consequences to your actions.

  25. #255998
    On February 28th, 2008 at 10:10 am, docflash said:

    The govt. needs to go to China and hire a company to do the work.They know how to build a WALL and it would probably be cheaper and built faster.

  26. #256007
    On February 28th, 2008 at 10:18 am, gayle said:

    Congress KNOWS what can be done to stop illegal entry.

    They do not care.

    Since it takes OUR monies to fund whatever their “hearts” desire, it is time to STOP giving OUR money to the government.

    This is the ONLY thing other than war to do it.

  27. #256014
    On February 28th, 2008 at 10:25 am, madchef said:

    They should have known that a virtual fence wouldn’t work. The Mexicans keep taking off the collars.

  28. #256016
    On February 28th, 2008 at 10:26 am, notanexpert said:

    #5 asked: What were the technical problems?

    From the WaPo story linked by Drudge:

    The pilot virtual fence included nine mobile towers, radar, cameras, and vehicles retrofitted with laptops and satellite phones or handheld devices. They were to be linked to a near-real-time, maplike projection of the frontier that agents could use to track targets and direct law enforcement resources.

    GAO investigators said that Boeing’s software could not process large amounts of sensor data. The resulting delays made it hard for operators in a Tucson command center 65 miles to the north to lock cameras on targets. Radar systems were also triggered inadvertently by rain and other environmental factors. Cameras had trouble resolving images at five kilometers when they were expected to work at twice that distance, Stana said.

    He added that the system was developed with “minimal input” from Border Patrol agents, resulting in an unworkable “demonstration project” instead of a operating pilot system. He blamed the DHS for acting too hastily in trying to deliver a working pilot by last June.

    Sounds like they started out hoping they could take an existing system and adapt it to the border. Then they tried and found they couldn’t. Back to the drawing board. As the saying goes, haste makes waste.

  29. #256026
    On February 28th, 2008 at 10:40 am, conservativesRus said:

    Let me see if I recall history correctly – but didn’t private enterprise (railroads) put track all across our country in a matter of years without government “help” approximately 100 years ago?
    I might be underestimating the difficulties in putting up a fence but to me it doesn’t seem that it should be more difficult than building a train track?

  30. #256028
    On February 28th, 2008 at 10:44 am, WarTip said:

    Has anyone ever tried getting into Area 51? I am not talking about all of the conspiratorial garbage here but just the base itself. If the govt can keep an open section of desert so well protected, they could dang sure make it work on the border if they were serious about it.

    Just sayin’

  31. #256031
    On February 28th, 2008 at 10:49 am, juliesa said:

    conservativeRus, yes the railroads were built by private companies, but in many cases the government gave them the land.

    The government is going to have to condemn a lot of private land for the fence, and the process has only just begun. Private companies can’t condemn land (well, they sort of can now, due to the horrible Kelo decision, but many states have passed laws against that.)

  32. #256035
    On February 28th, 2008 at 11:03 am, juliesa said:

    Interesting point on Area 51. I know a couple of people who’ve climbed the hills around it to get a look. If I recall correctly, the fence isn’t very impressive, and would be fairly easy to get over. It’s the warning signs that really get your attention.

  33. #256055
    On February 28th, 2008 at 11:22 am, TexasTiger said:

    On February 28th, 2008 at 10:44 am, WarTip said:

    Has anyone ever tried getting into Area 51?

    Isn’t Dennis Kucinich the bouncer there?

    Seriously though, the government ought to start paying a bounty for the hides of illegals. That would stop the flow.

  34. #256062
    On February 28th, 2008 at 11:26 am, greysheepdog said:

    You absolutely MUST watch this http://www.bordermovie.com/ buy it. watch it. pass it on. There has got to be a way to get this aired on t.v. I am so mad I could spit!

  35. #256064
    On February 28th, 2008 at 11:27 am, gandolphxx said:

    No fence will be built.
    The virtual fence is a payoff to Boeing and a sop to the ‘build a fence’ crowd.

    Corporate interestes demand cheap labor and politicians will risk your life and property to accomodate these contributors – vote them out!

    No civilization can survive the government assisted invasion of its culture and economy.

  36. #256066
    On February 28th, 2008 at 11:27 am, juliesa said:

    I just talked to the guy I know who snuck around Area 51. He says there’s not any fence at all around much of it.

    Related to his line of thought, IIRC, some of the first border fence is being built or will be built on the Goldwater Range in AZ, for a couple of reasons: it’s federal land, so the land doesn’t have to be condemned. And, they have to suspend operations all the time because of the illegals running across the Range. Apparently, the illegals don’t heed the signs.

  37. #256068
    On February 28th, 2008 at 11:29 am, WarTip said:

    Actually I lived not far from Art Bell and I had more than a few occasion to visit the area51 complex for some sightseeing and some really good chicken fried steak. (oddly enough) My personal belief is that it is nothing but subterfuge to cover up black ops programs. While I will not get into all of the conspiracy theories, I believe the base is mostly empty except for some high-tech military aircraft that put on shows for the sightseers. It was not the signs that bothered me. It was the motion sensors, the massive array of other monitoring devices and the men with guns who rapidly appeared anytime someone made it past the signs. (Yes, I know many who have encountered them)

    Again, I am not arguing the veracity of claims of aliens or other mysteries, only pointing out that our government can install, man and maintain a virtual fence. If it can be successfully accomplished in a few hundred square acres of desert, it could be expanded and be equally effective.

    Still, give me 1.4 BILLION dollars of taxpayer money and I will build a real fence on the border and not play around but that is just me.

    IMHO

  38. #256072
    On February 28th, 2008 at 11:31 am, bit_boy said:

    Once upon a time this border fence was to be 784 miles of Duncan Hunter caliber construction, but DHS Mr. Lettuce Head has convoluted that to mean 370 miles of CCN pedestrian climb over, 300 miles of vehicular drive bys, and the remainder in blind virtual fence, mostly to save money on a project that was funded as originally specified or using a Bushism, it’s too hard to do let’s go to moon again instead. No amount of adhominem is too much for these two clowns, but then a waste of time to apply, for they listen to no one and have the Compassionate Conservative doctrine for their self justifications.

  39. #256084
    On February 28th, 2008 at 11:40 am, md1964 said:

    Evidently, based on this… the War on Terror is a crock. How can we be told Daily, to be Vigilent, and prepare for a long war in foreign lands if our Gov’t has the welcome mat out for every one in the world to climb on the backs of us Taxpayers and come across at will????

  40. #256091
    On February 28th, 2008 at 11:46 am, Antaradus said:

    Look at Kosovo. It used to be the cradle of Serbia. Then it became increasingly populated by Albanians. And look what happened last week.

    New Mexico might end up living up to its name.

  41. #256107
    On February 28th, 2008 at 11:57 am, Romeo13 said:

    Um, what commitee has oversite on this?

    Anyone we can contact?

  42. #256130
    On February 28th, 2008 at 12:10 pm, greenfairie said:

    The Estados Unidos of Mexicanada, here we come!

  43. #256134
    On February 28th, 2008 at 12:12 pm, DesertLover said:

    juliesa

    Just proves they are illegals that can’t read English … All the more reason to not stop firing so that they will get the message … that range is in SW Arizona by the Marine Corps Air Station at Yuma … it is a “live fire” range used for artillery practice as well as aircraft bombing runs with live munitions …

  44. #256136
    On February 28th, 2008 at 12:16 pm, CarpiJugulum said:

    Out at area 51, it is niether the lack of fence or the lethal force signs that keep people out. What keeps people out is the SUVs that appear out of no where with mirrored sunglass passengers toting some real firwe power and not afraid to use it. Think about it. Here they enforce the posted signs. On the boarder they don’t.

  45. #256149
    On February 28th, 2008 at 12:29 pm, WarTip said:

    Actually they were in Hummers when I was there last. Not in SUVs. Still, that was just my experience but the point remains. The government could enforce the border if it had the desire or the testicular fortitude to do any of the very few jobs it is empowered to do.

    Now when I was a kid in Virginia and I was hunting on Quantico (Before I knew what it was) those guys traveled in style.

    Still, great squirrels and almost nobody ever hunted them.

    Wonder why? :”>

  46. #256150
    On February 28th, 2008 at 12:32 pm, Chard402003 said:

    Bush / McCain won’t build a fence. Obama wants a superhighway between Tijuana and San Diego. What’s the difference?

  47. #256152
    On February 28th, 2008 at 12:35 pm, John Ansell said:

    Grab the pitch folks, I’ll get the torches Enough is enough.

  48. #256154
    On February 28th, 2008 at 12:36 pm, WarTip said:

    I was under the impression from what I saw on the spp.gov site (until they took it down) that the “Not a” Nafta Superhighway had already been contracted out as a toll road to a company in Spain. I could be wrong though.

  49. #256155
    On February 28th, 2008 at 12:36 pm, Laree said:

    They can’t put a up a virtual fence till 2011 but they don’t have any problem passing raises for themselves? Right? They can get the bill in front of them, get it voted on and get it passed and have the money allocated for their raises..Right? The raises they pass for themselves comes from the American Taxpayer Right? OUR Money and We want a FENCE forget Virtual go Old School FENCE – three deep.

    What was the Response from HOMELAND SECURITY? crickets chirping…

  50. #256159
    On February 28th, 2008 at 12:41 pm, John Ansell said:

    We can put people on the moon but we can’t build a fence? I guess I’m to blame as I voted for Bush. What a let down.

    Writing in GIngrich.

  51. #256160
    On February 28th, 2008 at 12:42 pm, ScottyDog said:

    IMHO-We are being invaded by a foreign country and our own politicians are encouraging the invasion.

    This is tyranny; there is no other word for it. Our elected leaders take an oath of office, which has become meaningless.

    The President takes an oath to protect and defend the USA from all foreign and domestic enemies.

    When you have over 1 million Illegals entering the USA southern border every year this is called war.

    We have reached a point in this country where the constitution is has become nothing but a damn piece of paper and the opinions of the electorate are spit upon.

    Even though over 80% of the American public want the fence and our immigration laws enforced, our elected leaders could care less.

    Welcome to the North American Union thanks to George W Bush and the rest of the One World Order Globalists that have taken this country over from within.

  52. #256163
    On February 28th, 2008 at 12:48 pm, madchef said:

    Forget area 51, try getting over the White House fence. It was 12 feet tall and they didn’t feel that was high enough so they raised it another 8 in., there are cameras in all the trees, motion sensers, and who knows what else. The same with the Capitol building, they want security to protect them, but the hell with the rest of us. We as Americans should tear down their fences and say “you get these back after you build America’s fence.”

  53. #256165
    On February 28th, 2008 at 12:51 pm, madchef said:

    Here’s an article on the White House Fence.

    http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/white_house_adds_eight

  54. #256171
    On February 28th, 2008 at 12:57 pm, madchef said:

    On February 28th, 2008 at 12:35 pm, John Ansell said:
    Grab the pitch folks, I’ll get the torches Enough is enough.

    John, maybe we can get Tractor Supply Co. to sponser a march on the capitol.
    They have all the hoes, pitch forks, and TiKi torches we need.

  55. #256173
    On February 28th, 2008 at 12:57 pm, juliesa said:

    A lot of this, as much in life, still comes down to incentives and disincentives. Regarding Area 51, the sensors and the guards are very effective at keeping people out, because they’re genuinely scary, and because people don’t want to risk their lives just to satisfy their curiosity. Now with Google Earth, you can get a better look at the base than you could by climbing the surrounding hills, anyway.

    People will, however, risk a lot to get jobs and free health care. You have to make it even more dangerous and difficult, and/or take away the incentives, in order to solve the problem.

  56. #256179
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:03 pm, ScottyDog said:

    maldef:

    Like others have said earlier, Area 51 is one of the most secure facilities in North America. They have a virtual fence manned by a private company and you cannot get 100yds from the perimeter without armed guards telling you they will shoot if you do not turn around.

    I know I have been there.

    The fact is our politicians have an agenda which has not been debated or made public.

    As Joseph Corsi and Phyllis Schafly have repeatedly warned us about the back room coup de ta called the North American Union. The border fence will not be built on our southern border but on Mexico’s border.

  57. #256183
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:10 pm, TXRose said:

    Sort of OT…Stopped On The Way Home. People were taken off a plane and detained because they were here
    illegally and can’t just deport themselves. Apparently the
    government has to make a statement about this.

    http://wizbang.com/content/2008/02/27/stopped-on-the-way-home.php

    Bonehead of the Day Award!!

  58. #256186
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:12 pm, TXRose said:

    Great!! I just tried the link and safari said, not found on server. Will go to Wizbang and reconnect to site,
    after next session is over. Have a full day of counseling today.

  59. #256191
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:18 pm, J S Ragman said:

    Boeing has already been paid $20.6 million for the pilot project, and in December, the DHS gave the firm another $65 million to replace the software with military-style, battle management software.

    Boeing has said that the initial effort, while flawed, still has helped Homeland Security apprehend 2,000 illegal immigrants since September.

    Doing the math, that works out to $42,800 per illegal.

    To quote Butch Cassidy; “Putting together an outfit like that cost more than we ever stole. That’s bad business. How long do you suppose I’d stay in business if every time I pulled a job it cost me money? If he’d only give me the money he’s paying to get me to stop robbing him, I’d stop robbing him.”

    Maybe we should just have DHS reps stand along the border and hand out $42,800 to each illegal who comes along, and send them back where they came from. It makes as much sense as this crap.

  60. #256195
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:21 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Technical problems

    Officials discovered they had no huevos.

  61. #256197
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:23 pm, whm3113 said:

    It took 14 months to build the Empire State building.

  62. #256198
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:23 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    I just hope the Bush Library is in Cabo San Lucas for the citizens who have benefited most. Mexican citizens.

  63. #256201
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:26 pm, juliesa said:

    I don’t mean any offense, but it’s getting kind of conspiracyish on this thread.

    http://hotair.com/archives/2006/11/22/tancredo-bush-planning-to-integrate-us-into-borderless-north-american-superstate/

    This is what hotair says about the NAU theory.

  64. #256205
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:27 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    The Romans built 50,000 miles of cement roads (with stone underneath) – 10,000 more than the US Interstate system.

    Work on a fence might provide jobs for the poor in New Orleans and DC who need jobs and are willing to relocate – oh wait, no, jobs for illegal aliens, sorry.

  65. #256206
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:27 pm, FirstSkirt said:

    This is ANOTHER reason not to vote for ANY incumbents! We need fresh, new patriots in Washington. Shame on the Republicans who claim they are backing a real physical border fence, law enforcement, and stricter immigration laws. They do not mean any of it!! And, we need to fire everyone at Homeland Security and ICE.

    Writing in Fred Thompson & Duncan Hunter

  66. #256207
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:27 pm, maisy said:

    Hey,..just maybe those here that ridicule the “conspiracy theory ” about the North American Union …do ya think maybe some might just catch a clue that this is preplanned and that a fence was NEVER on the agenda. Bush is a liar and will have a prominent legacy. His legacy will be the chief reason that the sovreigntry of the United States was eradicated. The man is a traitor. In light of his treason on the border against the wishes of the American people I don’t know how anyone can support this man on anything at all.

  67. #256210
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:30 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    DHS gave the firm another $65 million to replace the software with military-style, battle management software.

    Yeah, that’s what I have around our place, battle management software. The chain link seemed to be ok, but didn’t cost enough.

  68. #256215
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:33 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    The only way it’ll ever get funded is if we promise to call it the John Murtha Big Fat Fence.

  69. #256217
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:35 pm, John Ansell said:

    Since America is importing just about everything from China, how about we import the Great Wall?

  70. #256218
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:35 pm, rightisright said:

    We’ve been betrayed by our own country using our money against us, there is no future in sight with the crooked politicians and the dolts we have running for the presidency.
    The politicians are either socialists or on the take, follow the money. Need to vote hard right come Nov. 2nd.

  71. #256223
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:38 pm, greysheepdog said:
  72. #256233
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:44 pm, apacherat said:

    Three more years standing watch on the border with the Minutemen. I’m getting to old to be doing the governments job.

  73. #256240
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:49 pm, graysonret said:

    I’ll be an old man in a wheelchair by the time they get around to decent border security. Either that or I’ll be speaking Spanish by then. I believe it was Ben Franklin who said that if you have a problem you don’t want to confront, stall and put it in committee. I see politicians still follow his advice.

  74. #256242
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:50 pm, ScottyDog said:

    juliesa said:

    I don’t mean any offense, but it’s getting kind of conspiracyish on this thread.

    This is what hotair says about the NAU theory.

    I have repeatedly debated allahpundit about the NAU to no avail. He is in Michael Medveds denial camp about the NAU.
    At this late date, anyone that contends there is no plan for a NAU needs to be on medication.

    The proof is all around us including the fact the Superhigway is being built in Texas and private land is being condemned.
    Vicente Fox admitted he signed the NAU agreement on Larry King live and the Canadian Government has admitted there is a North American Union plan.

    Still do not believe it, here he is in his own words on youtube.

    For anyone that still believes this is a conspriacy theory I suggest you go to the August Review to read some of the facts about this cabal.

    Why do you think the fence is not being built despite the pressure from the American public?

  75. #256246
    On February 28th, 2008 at 1:51 pm, madchef said:

    Gee, I was impressed with Boeing’s $20 Million dollar failure, just think how impressive a $65 million dollar failure will be.
    Boeing: good at airplanes, bad at fences.
    Hey Washington! try looking in the yellow pages under Fence builders!

  76. #256257
    On February 28th, 2008 at 2:00 pm, right_on said:

    Serious about stopping illegal immigration? Get real.

    Instead of “observation towers,” erect armored gun towers equipped with Dillon Mini-guns and nightvision sensors, and manned by Federal Border Agents with authority to shoot anyone on sight within a 200 yard strip of ‘no man’s land.’ Strategically placed signage in English and Spanish every 100 yards along our border, warning about lethal force, would satisfy legal obligations.

    This will save lives, money, and let a certain country south of our border understand that we are committed to our nation’s sovereignty.

  77. #256261
    On February 28th, 2008 at 2:10 pm, ArmoredCAV said:

    We use the same kind of cameras here in Iraq. But, when we find AQI, we drive out and kill/capture them, send the Apaches over to kill them, or use the Artillery or aircraft to kill them. If you are not going to do anything about them, what is the purpose? By the way, the cameras are totally awesome when they work, but they break pretty often. I say we turn the whole border into a live-fire training area to prep for deployment to OIF.

  78. #256269
    On February 28th, 2008 at 2:25 pm, Alphonse said:

    The only way to get shed of illegal aliens is to go after businessmen who hire them, and Bush is on the business pad, so it would be a cold day in hell before he ever puts patriotism over cronyism.

  79. #256280
    On February 28th, 2008 at 2:35 pm, purplepeep said:

    juliesa said:
    This is what hotair says about the NAU theory.

    juliesa, the establishment of such a working entity need not be in name to occur in fact. I daresay there are quite a few Brits who never suspected they would find themselves fighting for some measure of sovereignty from the EU.

    I’d say it’s worth keeping a ‘heads up” on, especially for any legislation that would enable it.

  80. #256282
    On February 28th, 2008 at 2:38 pm, 24Klady said:

    The libs have missed a golden opportunity to impeach our fearless leader on the border issue alone. If they’d just kept their mouths shut, up to and including the first few months leading to the primaries, they could have appeared to be “startled” (Pelosi always looks “startled”) to find we have so many illegals residing right here in the good ol’ US of A they could then have amnestied all of them. Makes no difference now, the Repubs are looking more like the losers in this election and the illegals will get amnestied anyway.

    NAU is real, as is the superhighway, and Texas is moving ahead with their portion of the road. I believe the first leg will end at Kansas City? Been a couple of years since I did any reading on it. It will then be completed on into Canada. A close friend in Phoenix says one is planned to run through AZ as well. Anyone know anything about that?

  81. #256285
    On February 28th, 2008 at 2:40 pm, e.koenig said:

    Hey do these guys do health care!

  82. #256286
    On February 28th, 2008 at 2:43 pm, terrig said:

    On February 28th, 2008 at 2:10 pm, ArmoredCAV said:
    We use the same kind of cameras here in Iraq. But, when we find AQI, we drive out and kill/capture them, send the Apaches over to kill them, or use the Artillery or aircraft to kill them. If you are not going to do anything about them, what is the purpose? By the way, the cameras are totally awesome when they work, but they break pretty often. I say we turn the whole border into a live-fire training area to prep for deployment to OIF.

    If I didn’t know better, I would think your’re my husband. :) He says the same thing everyday.

  83. #256289
    On February 28th, 2008 at 2:45 pm, purplepeep said:

    e.koenig said:
    Hey do these guys do health care!

    Yiiii! Don’t give them any ideas, E.K. !

  84. #256296
    On February 28th, 2008 at 2:51 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    You know… A few marine snipers, a few sets of night vision goggles, and $20 in bullets would put a stop to people running across our boarders really quickly.

  85. #256297
    On February 28th, 2008 at 2:51 pm, purplepeep said:

    24Klady said:
    NAU is real, as is the superhighway, and Texas is moving ahead with their portion of the road. I believe the first leg will end at Kansas City? Been a couple of years since I did any reading on it.

    24KLady – Here’s Lou Dobb’s report on it, especially the TX aspect, from 2/19/08 at YouTube:
    Lou Dobbs – NAFTA Superhighway

  86. #256316
    On February 28th, 2008 at 3:12 pm, 24Klady said:

    Purplepeep – hey, thanks so much for the link. I’ve been out of TX for the past 4 months but Lou Dobbs summed it up as I understood it. Looking at some of those ranchers on the video and the looks on their faces about the possible loss of their property makes you want to cry. Rick Perry ought to be run out of Austin over this…instead he’ll probably get a job offer from those folks building the road.

  87. #256318
    On February 28th, 2008 at 3:15 pm, Nikita said:

    “the first phase will not be completed until near the end of the next president’s first term”

    Thus 90 days turns into two years, then five years, then…never. “The announcement marked a major setback, success for…President Bush”

    Fixed it.

  88. #256333
    On February 28th, 2008 at 3:32 pm, twoninerkilo said:

    I’m sure McCrazy will build a fence, go ahead and vote for him.

  89. #256338
    On February 28th, 2008 at 3:34 pm, bouncingbeagles said:

    #74 Scottydog

    The Texas Trans Corridor (TTC) or the NAFTA Super highway or I69 is for real. There are local townhall meetings with TxDOT and the local’s communities just west of Houston that are affected by the land grabbing that will be done. Most meetings are overflow crowds overwhelmingly opposed to this project. For info on it go to several sites. infowars.net and corridorwatch.org. TxDot has cancelled two major highway reconstruction projects northwest of Houston (US 290 and Highway 249) because they have pumped most of their money in the TTC and do not have the funds to re-construct 290 and 249. 290 is a virtual parking lot during Houston rush hour traffic. The people in the area do not want this project at all but TxDOT and the state are ignoring the will of the people. Also the other morning coming into work on one of the local radio talk shows, there was a discussion of the new Amerio currency that will replace the US currency once the US dollars get so low it becomes worthless. NAU is real. Why is Congress ignoring the 1.4 billion going to Mexico when our border county sheriff’s and border patrol get nothing.

  90. #256355
    On February 28th, 2008 at 3:47 pm, purplepeep said:

    24Klady said:
    Purplepeep – hey, thanks so much for the link.

    Your welcome. Too bad all the time, money, energy and devotion going into the building of the SuperHighway can’t be channeled into building a secure border barrier instead!

  91. #256391
    On February 28th, 2008 at 4:22 pm, 24Klady said:

    Purplepeep, any surplus funds we have will be needed to build the fence on Mexico’s southern border. Plain and simple, we lose.

    Sorta OT – A story/rumor? floating around on e-mails today is that San Nicolas, Mexico just approved building a fence between them and their neighboring city, Guadalupe, Mexico. Both suburbs of Monterrey, Mexico – but it passed by 70% of the voters. Once again, fences make for good neighbors. Wonder who’s going to fund that? No link, and not verified so I’ll hold off on further comments.

  92. #256397
    On February 28th, 2008 at 4:29 pm, Perfesser said:

    And this is the home of House Leader.

    Why am I not surprised.

    Any of you own a house? Better put it up for sale so you’ll have cash to pay for this when the Gov’t comes for it.

    California’s political class has been complaining for several years that they’re not getting their “…fair share…” of federal tax $. They think they should get at least a 1-for-1 return, and given Kalifornia’s importance/leadership role in the U.S. possibly even more…

    It Chertoff and DHS had any sense of duty and ethics, they’d use this as a big arrow pointing at where more raids should be scheduled. Instead, they’ll likely back off – lest the offend anybody.

  93. #256401
    On February 28th, 2008 at 4:33 pm, Perfesser said:

    Meanwhile, lawlessness reigns…

    Of course it does. The Feds have already demonstrated any border agent caught defending the U.S. or their own lives will be sent to prison. So it’s open season for the Mexicans to do what ever they want. Our so-called leaders sure won’t try to stop or prosicute them.

  94. #256405
    On February 28th, 2008 at 4:40 pm, 3Angela said:

    There is an entire “Boeing” gift store over in the Crystal City Arcade undergound shopping mall, {Arlington,VA} where you can buy Boeing hats, briefcases, shirts, etc. with the company logo them. I wonder if they sell fence segments. At the least, they ought to have to return the money to Uncle Sam, plus punitive damages for the ridicule this has caused. Whoever built those sound-proof walls around the Beltway and on U.S.66 could build the damn fence in six months and it would function. Why not give them the chance and the $65 million?

  95. #256420
    On February 28th, 2008 at 5:08 pm, RealImmigrantChick said:

    Will Boing give some of the $ back for this failed project? Why were they give $65 million because THEY used the wrong software.
    Also, it is obvious that Bush does not want the border closed. Neither does McCain or any of the other; they will all keep making some lame excuses. At least I won’t have it on my conscience that I have voted for a person (McCain, Barak Hussein Obama or Hillary) that destroyed the US and turned it into a 3d world country. If Southern CA is an exaple of what we are in for, God help us.

  96. #256424
    On February 28th, 2008 at 5:11 pm, John Ansell said:

    Well I feel a little better. Just wrote an email to Tom Cole Chair of the NRCC

    Dear Tom Cole,

    Many thanks for the invitation to join fellow Republican’s (are there any left?) in Washington D.C. on March 12 & 13. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend as I have to start saving my money for the inevitable election of Barack Obama and the high taxes that come with it. I received a similar invitation from the Honorable former speaker Newt Gingrich and was ready to donate, but I saw that the funds would be going to the NRCC and laughed it off.

    We are being invaded and you elites don’t seem to care. You actively encourage the illegals to come here and pick my pockets. So, in short, I have decided that I will no longer send funds to the Mexican Lobby known as the NRCC. I will not, under any circumstance, be voting for John McCain. He is a traitor to our sovereignty and a liberal. Just look at his Latino outreach director, Juan Hernandez and ask yourself if you guys think you can pull a fast one on us.

    I understand you will not reply to this email as you wish to ignore the 9000 pound gorilla on your back. Should there be an iota of a chance that you even see this email, I want you to do a little test for me:

    Take the term Illegal alien and replace it with AL Queda. For example: “There is no way we can deport 12 million illegal aliens.” This is now turned into “There is no way we can deport 12 million AL Queda”.

    See how foolish you guys look? Please turn in your resignation and encourage Mel Martinez to do the same. Both of you a have failed MY party.

    Best regards,

    John Ansell
    P.S. Please join me in a prayer that no justices retire during Obama’s 1st term. After you’ve said your prayer, remember me calling you a troglodyte and a failure.

  97. #256430
    On February 28th, 2008 at 5:18 pm, RealImmigrantChick said:

    John Ansel, that is simply beautiful!!!!!! Bravo. Can you share the email address so some other former GOP supporters could express ourselves?

  98. #256438
    On February 28th, 2008 at 5:24 pm, John Ansell said:

    Thanks Realimmigranchick. Here is something even better than the email. It’s part of the email request to call and reserve for the meeting.

    I need to hear from you ASAP as space is extremely limited. Please call my assistant Brenda Conley at 1-888-383-8107 to reserve your spot. Or, you can register for the Small Business Tax Summit by clicking here now.

    Email address was website@nrcc.org and I BCC’d local RNC leaders.

  99. #256447
    On February 28th, 2008 at 5:36 pm, Perfesser said:

    Bravo John Ansell! I’ve returned each request for donations empty with a note explaining why. They don’t listen, but we need to keep speaking.

    RealImmigrantChick – I’m saddened to admit that SoCal does seems to reflect the direction the leaders of both parties are going – without any of us. Plus Berzerkly and Frisco.

    We need to get people focused on local and congressional elections or else….

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