Troops to the Mexican border: Obama to send 1,200

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

By ERICA WERNER and JACQUES BILLEAUD, Associated Press Writers Erica Werner And Jacques Billeaud, Associated Press Writers – 2 hrs 49 mins ago

WASHINGTON – Under pressure to take action, President Barack Obama on Tuesday ordered 1,200 National Guard troops to boost security along the U.S.-Mexico border, pre-empting Republican efforts to force a congressional vote to send the troops.

Obama will also request $500 million for border protection and law enforcement activities, according to lawmakers and administration officials.

The president's action comes as chances for comprehensive immigration reform, Obama's long-stated goal, look increasingly dim in this election year. Obama has been all but compelled to do something since Arizona's passage of a tough illegal-immigration law thrust the border problem into the public spotlight.

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100526/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_national_guard_border

[watermock]

Here come the "refugees".

[That One Guy]

I like it. Not sure why 1200 troops becomes $500 mil though...

Maybe someone else (Elsid, perhaps?) can comment on this but the last I knew, one of the major obstacles was the issue of being unable to collect intelligence on American soil (or the limits on it, moreso). We have god knows how much ground surveillance radar with lots more in development as of a couple years ago that we could be using to identify most common infiltration routes in connection with drone use. I can't think of the term off the top of my head but such collection violates the rules. If they really wanted to address this issue, it could easily be done. Still seems like the Federal Government is reacting to say they did but really doesn't want to make it an issue.

Could definitely be an interesting future though... how much does Obama have to do before the Hispanics start fussing and he risks losing those votes? Would he purposely avoid (or even lessen) restrictions to preserve those votes? You can't deny the power of the hispanic vote in today's political scene. I foresee some very intentional maneuvering in the near future on his part... just don't know what the moves will be.

[That One Guy]

By the way, LABF, what's your thoughts on it?

[JJJ]

Very good. A token gesture for sure at this point but a good start.

I really don't understand why they don't formally task the military with this whole border protection exercise. What great training for our troops and the situations they will likely encounter in the police actions of the future. They have to learn all the skills they will need in places like Afghanistan in helping to police the border including social skills and communication skills in dealing with foreign languages.

I think the technology for detection of human movements over vast areas can also advance with the military taking on this challenge. It is also great hot weather and endurance training.

In most cases these situations are non-life threatening but carry all the training elements and unpredictability one could ask to properly prepare the troops for live action against an armed opponent.

We have a big problem but we also have a big solution just waiting on the sidelines.

[cutthemdown]

It's like Obama refuses to lead. The repubs move to send the guard so he sends them. Had they not then he wouldn't. Just come out, put forth your plan, and get it done. He's scared and has no idea politically what the right move is.

Our leaders are a joke. None of them lead. The read polls, focus groups, see who pays them off, and then make a decision.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

By the way, LABF, what's your thoughts on it?

I like it very much. :thumbsup:

I hope it's just the beginning, and that he won't be afraid to commit more troops if necessary.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

I really don't understand why they don't formally task the military with this whole border protection exercise.

One of those rare occasions when I agree with you on something.

Defending our own borders - not elective foreign wars - should be our military's #1 priority.

[Florida_Bronco]

I like it. Not sure why 1200 troops becomes $500 mil though...

That $500 million is going to go towards things like increased manpower and resources for U.S Customs and Border Protection, not just 1200 troops.

[El Guapo]

Not nearly enough... This just seems like he did the bare minimum so he can say, "hey! I sent troops to the border."

[TailgateNut]

Let's play "Whack-a-mole" in another desert. Iraq wasn't enough. Troops will be at "mile marker 200" and the illegals will cross at "mile marker 300".

This is a joke!

Go after the goddamn employers!

Repeal/re-write the "anchor baby law" !

And no amnesty. Period!

[That One Guy]

Let's play "Whack-a-mole" in another desert. Iraq wasn't enough. Troops will be at "mile marker 200" and the illegals will cross at "mile marker 300".

This is a joke!

Go after the goddamn employers!

Repeal/re-write the "anchor baby law" !

And no amnesty. Period!

All they'd have to do with the anchor baby law is make it so the kid is a citizen (as is required) but then make no concessions for the parents. Kid can stay, you aren't. Take the kid with you or leave him to adopted parents.

As for the troops not being enough, we as a military specialize in economy of force through the advanced technology we employ. If we can't employ those systems, we won't even know what to do. This is absolutely a hollow effort.

Get some GSR, some of the new unmanned ground systems being developed for the future combat systems program... there's plenty of options for passive border observation before you even consider a surveillance mission for drones and whatnot.

But, still, it's all about what the government wants to do.

[TailgateNut]

All they'd have to do with the anchor baby law is make it so the kid is a citizen (as is required) but then make no concessions for the parents. Kid can stay, you aren't. Take the kid with you or leave him to adopted parents.

As for the troops not being enough, we as a military specialize in economy of force through the advanced technology we employ. If we can't employ those systems, we won't even know what to do. This is absolutely a hollow effort.

Get some GSR, some of the new unmanned ground systems being developed for the future combat systems program... there's plenty of options for passive border observation before you even consider a surveillance mission for drones and whatnot.

But, still, it's all about what the government wants to do.


Which is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, or at least, the equivalent thereof.

[That One Guy]

Which is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, or at least, the equivalent thereof.

Do you really believe the government would turn their back on the growing Hispanic population and all those votes? That'd be comparable to the political suicide of telling a group like the NAACP or ACLU to go F themselves.

[TailgateNut]

Do you really believe the government would turn their back on the growing Hispanic population and all those votes? That'd be comparable to the political suicide of telling a group like the NAACP or ACLU to go F themselves.

It's also political suicide to tell the 60%+- of Americans who want someting done about illegal immigration, that you don't plan to do squat.

Go ahead and make my day. I've made my position known to my reps. Have you?

[Smiling Assassin27]

Hey, somebody's gotta ensure that future Democrat voters make it into the country safely.

[TailgateNut]

hey, somebody's gotta ensure that future democrat voters make it into the country safely.

idiot!

[JJJ]

One of those rare occasions when I agree with you on something.

Defending our own borders - not elective foreign wars - should be our military's #1 priority.

Hey now we are building some common ground.

I think we can safely say it is a military imperative at this point to secure that border. The violence has gotten so unbelievably bad so close the border that it definitely is threatening our citizenry.

[JJJ]

Let's play "Whack-a-mole" in another desert. Iraq wasn't enough. Troops will be at "mile marker 200" and the illegals will cross at "mile marker 300".

This is a joke!

Go after the goddamn employers!

Repeal/re-write the "anchor baby law" !

And no amnesty. Period!

Fully agree on the employers. Drying up demand is a key lever in this game. For drugs it is impossible to do so but employment is far harder to take underground. It would be an expensive task though with tens of thousands of inspectors.

But if a cop can't even check for proof of citizenship why would we think they would let the inspectors actually do their job.

But we cannot any longer have markets based on rampant illegal employment so I support hitting employers pretty hard.

Anchor baby issue I believe would take a constitutional ammendment to change. That would likely take a very long time to get passed.

[That One Guy]

It's also political suicide to tell the 60%+- of Americans who want someting done about illegal immigration, that you don't plan to do squat.

Go ahead and make my day. I've made my position known to my reps. Have you?

But the best answer to satisfy both is to tell the 60% that you're working on a solution while letting the Hispanics see for themselves that the road isn't actually closed.

Remember, Bush tried to tap that same voter base in the Hispanics. Every politician will if given the opportunity. Just saying whoever actually makes a difference in the matter will suffer politically.

Don't take everything as an attack, it wasn't intended to be. Just a general statement.

[Popcorn Sutton]

This is one area where I agree with Ron Paul.

[TailgateNut]

Fully agree on the employers. Drying up demand is a key lever in this game. For drugs it is impossible to do so but employment is far harder to take underground. It would be an expensive task though with tens of thousands of inspectors.

But if a cop can't even check for proof of citizenship why would we think they would let the inspectors actually do their job.

But we cannot any longer have markets based on rampant illegal employment so I support hitting employers pretty hard.

Anchor baby issue I believe would take a constitutional ammendment to change. That would likely take a very long time to get passed.


1.Just start with the construction industry. I'd bet my ass that many of the companies who underbid us are using illegal labor to be able to cut their costs/bids. Then hit Landscaping, processing plants, maintenance and service industries....Bingo!!!
2.Tell the IRS to pull their head out of their ass and verify SSN's and Names.
3.No out of state drivers license qualifies for in state license plates/ car registration and to obtain one (DL) you must have verifiable documents.
4. Anchor baby law needs to require that at least one of the parents must be a legal resident (Visa, Green card, naturalized...etc) for the child to have the option to become a citizen. (issue dual citizenship until the age of 16-18)

[Rohirrim]

Why doesn't the government do the one thing that everybody KNOWS will work? Go after the employers. Until they do that, the rest is :bs:

[TexanBob]

Turns out the National Guard is going down there just to clip their toenails. They aren't authorized to pick up any illegals, only search for weapons. The move is totally for political cover and not meant to stop a damn thing.

[barryr]

It is becoming apparent every day this country is being run by a bunch of gutless cowards.

[Dudeskey]

Turns out the National Guard is going down there just to clip their toenails. They aren't authorized to pick up any illegals, only search for weapons. The move is totally for political cover and not meant to stop a damn thing.

Smelt like BS. Even if they were authorized to do anything, 1200 wouldn't be enough.