Senators Eye 'Virtual,' Not Real Border Wall

SPOCAHP ANAR · 03-09-2006, 05:57 PM

WASHINGTON -- Senators writing an immigration reform bill are debating whether an actual or "virtual" fence should be built along parts of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Republicans are split on a proposal for a "virtual" fence, using cameras and other technology to monitor illegal traffic. Some want more real fences or walls for long stretches of the line.

Last year, the House passed a measure calling for hundreds of miles of fencing at heavily trafficked areas on the southwestern border and study of a possible fence along the Canadian border.

While discussion about a wall or fence continues, a Senate committee Thursday voted to increase the number of Border Patrol agents, but how many they agreed to add was uncertain.

Senators left a Judiciary Committee hearing with different totals on new agents they want hired. Their figures ranged from 2,000 and 2,400 a year to 10,800 over five years and 12,000 in just two years.

Arizona Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano Wednesday signed an executive order to expand the National Guard's presence at the state's border with Mexico to combat illegal immigration.

Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., who has broken with many House Republican members on building 700 miles of fence between Mexico and the United States, organized a tour of the Arizona border for his colleagues last weekend.

According to the Arizona Republic, the congressmen flew along the border in Border Protection Blackhawk helicopters, toured the region on the ground and talked with Border Patrol and other officials.

Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., who co-wrote the House bill calling for the border fence, said he was taken aback by seeing the size and scale the project would require.

"I just can't get over how massive this is, compared to (the border) in California," he told the Arizona Republic. "The prospect of a wall is kind of a tough, tough thing."

While the Senators consider the measure, a new poll shows that Californians are about evenly split on whether illegal immigration helps or hurts the state's economy.

The Field Poll found that 47 percent of respondents thought illegal immigration has a favorable impact on the state, while 45 percent believe the opposite.

Back in 1982, just 19 percent thought it was favorable and 75 percent felt it hurt the state.

The poll found registered voters and non-Hispanics were far less likely to find illegal immigration favorable. Non-voters and Hispanics were far more likely to favor immigrants.

Pollsters found among registered voters that only about 25 percent of Republicans see it as positive, while Democrats are more divided.

Rave · 03-09-2006, 09:39 PM

We have folks posting that they watch the parade every day,what good will spending a pile on cameras so more can watch it?

.22guy · 03-09-2006, 10:18 PM

I agree. What's the point of catching them on camera if we aren't going to do anything about it?

Mr. Pink · 03-09-2006, 10:47 PM

Neither a wall nor cameras would help. Although, I hear, if you catch an illegal immigrant on camera, you steal a part of their soul.

A wall wouldn't work either. Have any of the geniouses thinking this up thought of the immigrants using (gasp!) a ladder? Or even just climbing it?

Mooseman684 · 03-09-2006, 10:58 PM

They will tunnel underneath it like they have for years at other border Crossings...Lets Load the Rio Grand with Crockogators and pirahna ! LOL

7mmag6 · 03-09-2006, 11:48 PM

its been so drought ridden here they are talking about the river completly dring up all the way through nm

iflylow74 · 03-10-2006, 09:08 AM

A virtual wall will only work for virtual illegals!!

Rufus Rhastus J · 03-10-2006, 09:26 AM

well, bad as it sounds....why not get serious.....pick them up and make them build the wall.

iflylow74 · 03-10-2006, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rufus Rhastus J

well, bad as it sounds....why not get serious.....pick them up and make them build the wall.

That sounds like a good plan. Make them work to build the wall as their punishment. Treat them like prisoners back in the day where they had hard labor. I bet that would discourage them!!!:gangster:

Rave · 03-10-2006, 04:04 PM

Dam right,and move the tent city along as the wall progresses,oops,Washington would never allow that,but I like it!:right:
Oh yeah,and salt the South side of the wall with landmines too!

SPOCAHP ANAR · 03-10-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rufus Rhastus J

well, bad as it sounds....why not get serious.....pick them up and make them build the wall.

Well they are coming over here for work.... Good !!!! Idea Rufus!:right: Make it a felony, have a speedy trial, then carry them out to the work house! !!!! straight it would stop them from coming when they find out it is for no wages. Then when they serve their time; SEND THEM BACK!

wirehunt · 03-11-2006, 05:03 AM

If the Aussies can build a 4000km dingo fence then surely you guy's can come up with a wee 700mile one to stop illegals. Heaps of electrified razor wire should stop them from going over the top. Under ground is a bit harder, hmm maybe some long pipes driven into the ground with motion sensors and fill the pipes with jellie. Ya, that should do it. And easy to find if someone has tried to get through.

Rufus Rhastus J · 03-11-2006, 09:10 AM

Glad you like my idea. Make it one year working on the wall or five years in the pen......illegal: you decide....second offense five years on the wall (you know repair will be needed) or twenty five to life in the pen. Harsh? You bet! Something needs to be done about this and it needs to have teeth enough to make them think before they come across...

troylaplante · 03-11-2006, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iflylow74

A virtual wall will only work for virtual illegals!!

I thought the same thing.

Rave · 03-11-2006, 11:24 AM

I am beginning to think that we may have vertual leadership!

iflylow74 · 03-13-2006, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rave

I am beginning to think that we may have vertual leadership!

Me too!!!

Rufus Rhastus J · 03-14-2006, 04:32 AM

as funny as it seems and, i know i've said it many times....but, i never would have thought bush would have embraced some of the ideas he has. It's like he's become a pod person.

03-09-2006, 05:57 PM	#1
SPOCAHP ANAR Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: SC-upstate Posts: 4,022 Trader Rating: (0)	Senators Eye 'Virtual,' Not Real Border Wall WASHINGTON -- Senators writing an immigration reform bill are debating whether an actual or "virtual" fence should be built along parts of the U.S.-Mexico border. Republicans are split on a proposal for a "virtual" fence, using cameras and other technology to monitor illegal traffic. Some want more real fences or walls for long stretches of the line. Last year, the House passed a measure calling for hundreds of miles of fencing at heavily trafficked areas on the southwestern border and study of a possible fence along the Canadian border. While discussion about a wall or fence continues, a Senate committee Thursday voted to increase the number of Border Patrol agents, but how many they agreed to add was uncertain. Senators left a Judiciary Committee hearing with different totals on new agents they want hired. Their figures ranged from 2,000 and 2,400 a year to 10,800 over five years and 12,000 in just two years. Arizona Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano Wednesday signed an executive order to expand the National Guard's presence at the state's border with Mexico to combat illegal immigration. Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., who has broken with many House Republican members on building 700 miles of fence between Mexico and the United States, organized a tour of the Arizona border for his colleagues last weekend. According to the Arizona Republic, the congressmen flew along the border in Border Protection Blackhawk helicopters, toured the region on the ground and talked with Border Patrol and other officials. Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., who co-wrote the House bill calling for the border fence, said he was taken aback by seeing the size and scale the project would require. "I just can't get over how massive this is, compared to (the border) in California," he told the Arizona Republic. "The prospect of a wall is kind of a tough, tough thing." While the Senators consider the measure, a new poll shows that Californians are about evenly split on whether illegal immigration helps or hurts the state's economy. The Field Poll found that 47 percent of respondents thought illegal immigration has a favorable impact on the state, while 45 percent believe the opposite. Back in 1982, just 19 percent thought it was favorable and 75 percent felt it hurt the state. The poll found registered voters and non-Hispanics were far less likely to find illegal immigration favorable. Non-voters and Hispanics were far more likely to favor immigrants. Pollsters found among registered voters that only about 25 percent of Republicans see it as positive, while Democrats are more divided. __________________ Spocrest Out!..........

03-09-2006, 09:39 PM	#2
Rave Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 6,735 Trader Rating: (0)	We have folks posting that they watch the parade every day,what good will spending a pile on cameras so more can watch it? __________________ USAF '62-'66 .

03-09-2006, 10:58 PM	#5
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,198 Trader Rating: (0)	They will tunnel underneath it like they have for years at other border Crossings...Lets Load the Rio Grand with Crockogators and pirahna ! LOL __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

03-10-2006, 09:08 AM	#7
iflylow74 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Arkansaw Posts: 983 Trader Rating: (0)	A virtual wall will only work for virtual illegals!! __________________ Most things aren't a matter of can or can't, but a matter of want to or don't want to. -me

03-10-2006, 09:26 AM	#8
Rufus Rhastus J Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West, Central Florida, Third World America Posts: 6,339 Trader Rating: (0)	well, bad as it sounds....why not get serious.....pick them up and make them build the wall. __________________ "They cannot be trusted.....The Romulans (our politicos) are without honor." Worf

03-09-2006, 10:18 PM	#3
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,059 Trader Rating: (0)	I agree. What's the point of catching them on camera if we aren't going to do anything about it?

03-09-2006, 10:47 PM	#4
Mr. Pink Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 38 Trader Rating: (0)	Neither a wall nor cameras would help. Although, I hear, if you catch an illegal immigrant on camera, you steal a part of their soul. A wall wouldn't work either. Have any of the geniouses thinking this up thought of the immigrants using (gasp!) a ladder? Or even just climbing it?

03-09-2006, 11:48 PM	#6
7mmag6 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 337 Trader Rating: (0)	its been so drought ridden here they are talking about the river completly dring up all the way through nm

03-10-2006, 04:04 PM	#10
Rave Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 6,735 Trader Rating: (0)	Dam right,and move the tent city along as the wall progresses,oops,Washington would never allow that,but I like it!:right: Oh yeah,and salt the South side of the wall with landmines too! __________________ USAF '62-'66 .

03-11-2006, 05:03 AM	#12
wirehunt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Otago New Zealand Posts: 638 Trader Rating: (0)	If the Aussies can build a 4000km dingo fence then surely you guy's can come up with a wee 700mile one to stop illegals. Heaps of electrified razor wire should stop them from going over the top. Under ground is a bit harder, hmm maybe some long pipes driven into the ground with motion sensors and fill the pipes with jellie. Ya, that should do it. And easy to find if someone has tried to get through. __________________ Happy Hunting

03-11-2006, 09:10 AM	#13
Rufus Rhastus J Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West, Central Florida, Third World America Posts: 6,339 Trader Rating: (0)	Glad you like my idea. Make it one year working on the wall or five years in the pen......illegal: you decide....second offense five years on the wall (you know repair will be needed) or twenty five to life in the pen. Harsh? You bet! Something needs to be done about this and it needs to have teeth enough to make them think before they come across... __________________ "They cannot be trusted.....The Romulans (our politicos) are without honor." Worf

03-11-2006, 11:24 AM	#15
Rave Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 6,735 Trader Rating: (0)	I am beginning to think that we may have vertual leadership! __________________ USAF '62-'66 .

03-14-2006, 04:32 AM	#17
Rufus Rhastus J Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West, Central Florida, Third World America Posts: 6,339 Trader Rating: (0)	as funny as it seems and, i know i've said it many times....but, i never would have thought bush would have embraced some of the ideas he has. It's like he's become a pod person. __________________ "They cannot be trusted.....The Romulans (our politicos) are without honor." Worf