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Bush plans quick finish to border fence

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Bush administration plans to use its authority to bypass more than 30 laws and regulations in an effort to finish building 670 miles of fence along the southwest U.S. border by the end of this year, federal officials said today.

Invoking the legal waivers -- which Congress authorized -- would cut through bureaucratic red tape and sidestep environmental laws that currently stand in the way of the Homeland Security Department building 267 miles of fencing in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, according to officials familiar with the plan. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the waivers had not yet been announced.

The move would be the biggest use of legal waivers since the administration started building the fence. Previously, the department has used its waiver authority for two portions of fence in Arizona and one portion in San Diego.

As of March 17, there were 309 miles of fencing in place, leaving 361 to be completed by the end of the year. Of those, 267 miles are being held up by federal, state and local laws and regulations.

The waivers would address the construction of a 22-mile levee barrier in Hidalgo County, Texas; 30 miles of fencing and technology deployment on environmentally sensitive ground in San Diego, Tucson and the Rio Grande; and 215 miles in California, Arizona and Texas that face other legal impediments due to administrative processes. For instance, building in some areas requires assessments and studies that -- if conducted -- could not be completed in time to finish the fence by the end of the year.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff had said using the waivers would be a last resort. The department has held more than 100 meetings with lawmakers, environmental groups and residents in an effort to work out obstacles and objections to fence construction. The department will conduct environmental assessments when necessary, one of the officials said. But the waivers allow the department to start building before completing the assessments.

The department was expected to announce the plans later today.

(April 1, 2008)

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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Hanford Sentinel

Oh beatin' Round da Bush to make sure the elusive jackalope is not endangered by an the "illegal-unfriendly fence".... wrote on Apr 1, 2008 12:39 PM:

" The wall is perceived by Mexican illegal’s and their nation of border-crossers as permanent unfairness to their freedom to access economic conditions that benefit really only Mexico and has ultimately destabilized all social-economic programs meant for U.S. citizens. The problem is our own wishy-washy protection of the illegal’s through these programs has created this impossible joke to simply stop the practice of giving aid not entitled to a people who are not of this nation. The border-wall is not doom from the tyrannical U.S. It is just a make-shift-border control for a people who won't stop taking what is not theirs...step by step...they don't play "Mother may I" or "Red light, Green light" by the rules. Rules do not apply when you can't read the language, or play the part of I don't understand? Bush is afflicted with a severe case of impaired character to follow rules and mentality of his own native tongue, but he plans to leave his law ignoring administration with a large sign and "L" across his head, reading, "Border-wall-construction in a sorry delay, excuse-the-mess 'am leaving it under permanent incomplete mode for MY OWN prosperity." "

ALEJANDRO wrote on Apr 1, 2008 1:08 PM:

" ITS APRIL 1st, so this is a joke, right?

"

dose wrote on Apr 1, 2008 3:30 PM:

" "The Bush administration plans to use its authority to bypass more than 30 laws and regulations"

This doesn't even surprise me anymore. bush has absolutely no respect for American laws, or America for that matter. "

Mrs.D wrote on Apr 1, 2008 6:23 PM:

" Thanks for all the racism, Bush. "

Bout time wrote on Apr 1, 2008 9:49 PM:

" Finish the fence already! Bring the troops home from Iraq and put them on the Mexican Border. We need to protect our borders before we go worrying about other countries! Stop importing poverty! "

Prison Cop wrote on Apr 2, 2008 10:24 AM:

" Why does every story published in the Sentinel have to receive a comment that something is Racist? Mrs. D...keeping people from committing a felony is not racists, it's enforcing the law. Have you ever been subject to a crime from an illegal immigrant? In the prison I work at, 1 in every 4 inmates is in the country illegally. They don't pay taxes yet suck up California dollars in order to feed, house, and clothes them. If we deported every illegal immigrant in prison, we could close down 6 large prison and the savings would be immense. But, unless we protect our border, they will come back and commit more crimes.

My opinion, but I guess that makes me racist. "

Big Picture wrote on Apr 2, 2008 10:46 AM:

" Let me see, we pay to build this fence. Then we pay for the personnel to patrol this fence/border. Then we pay to maintain the fence. My thought is that the fence is more of symbol than an actual deterrent. Any one with any intelligence knows this fence will not stop people from crossing the border. This clearly is not a sound investment. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to utilize technology such as balloon cameras and sensors? I know we are already utizing this technology in some places and cuts down on the amount of personnel you have to hire. Also, I’m not real big on walls or fences; maybe it was that East/West Berlin thing. Today the wall keeps some out, tomorrow it keeps you in. Wake up!! "

Mrs.D wrote on Apr 2, 2008 10:50 AM:

" Prison Cop, my husband works in a prison as a cop. There's also other races in prison that immigrated to the US. I have never been assaulted by an immigrant, of any race, before and I doubt I will. Pres.Bush has had friendly relations with the Mexican president, Vincente Fox before he left office, and not once did Bush tell him "Hey, you need to keep your people happy so they won't be all eager to leave here." The main reason most Mexicans leave there is because of the drug trade. The politicians don't want to do anything about it(because they receive hush money from runners)and the poor farmers are used to transport the drugs. All this happens by force or kidnapping. The immigration issue really has nothing to do with jobs, it's because most of these people fear for their lives and their family lives. "

This and That Fence wrote on Apr 2, 2008 1:51 PM:

" I have lived in Kings county now thirty-seven-years and in that time, I was hit-and-run in four separate incidents by illegal's.Three were caught..lucky me?Not really!One was lost in pursuit between Excelsior Avenue and Laton turn off...but the police believe he dodged into one of the"local"farmers properties he knew well.On private property...they did find the vehicle...registered to an alias with Washington license plates...of course it was a false identity.My misfortune...but not restricted to only me.I know people and friends were hit two times or more by illegal's also...what are the chance of that...in California can you believe 59% chance?Mrs. D...it's not racist...it's a matter of fact and the word is cultural NOT racist.They are not interchangable...racist commit genocide and death to millions...are illegal's going to be dying in the millions by the hands of U.S. citizen's supporting the fence?I don't think so.Mrs. D the fence is to control the GROSS over-flow of people that have created a major imbalance to many cities and states economically and they create strained problamatic conditions to this country which is feeling the impact of supporting their fiscal and monetray needs social service departments seem so eagar to provide THEM! "

Amanda R wrote on Apr 2, 2008 2:04 PM:

" Mrs. D, what part of illegal do you not understand? It doesn't matter if they're concerned for their family, or whatever else the reason is, breaking the law by entering our country illegaly is just that; illegal! If someone's family was starving, would that justify them mugging a pizza delivery boy? Nope. There is no real justification for CRIME. I think we need the fence. It has nothing to do with racism. Do you call it racist when people are checked and have to undergo extensive security checks at international airports? No, it's called protecting America, something Bush seems to have forgotten about doing. "

ALEJANDRO wrote on Apr 2, 2008 5:16 PM:

" Thanks Mrs. D, I didn't know that the real cause of illegal immigration is, as you say:

"The main reason most Mexicans leave there is because of the drug trade."

Geez, how do we solve THAT problem?

"

Bobb wrote on Apr 2, 2008 7:03 PM:

" I really do not think we need an expesive hard to maintain fence. Just do what Arizona did this year. They enforced the existing laws and fined employers and landlords heavily for hiring or renting to anyone here illegaly no matter what Country they were from. A large school district just outside of Pheonix has already had a 500+ enrollment drop and may have to lay off teachers. Emergency rooms are reducing staff. Most of these illegals interveiwed for the article I read are moving to adjacent states. Maybe we just need to enforce the laws that are in place. It would help if Legal Immigration were made more USER-FRIENDLY and EXPIEDIANT. "

Prison Cop wrote on Apr 2, 2008 11:57 PM:

" Mrs. D, if you think those are the reasons why people are crossing the border, they you have been reading way to many fiction novels. They cross the border for jobs and benefits. I asked most of the illegal immigrants in my building at the prison why they are here. The number one answer was jobs. I have never heard one say they were in fear.

The number two reason was to sell drugs. Yes, believe it, they admitted they came to California to sell drugs and got caught.

By the way, you never explained why building a fence is racists? Were you just throwing that out there for the heck of it like most people do...or do you have facts to support it? "

Mrs.D wrote on Apr 3, 2008 12:42 PM:

" Prison cop, We lived in Imperial County in a town 15 miles from the International border. In southeastern Mexico there's poor towns that are predominately farmers of all crops. These people lived in adobe huts, had no running water or electricity. The drug runners would threaten these people with death or torture on their children. They really had no choice in the matter. They abandon their homes, come north to border towns and work in the US. A lot of these illegals in the US aren't here to anger you.

"

Alan G. wrote on Apr 3, 2008 2:28 PM:

" Bobb, I wrote to my Senator and asked for legislation that mimics Arizona's before the overflow all ends up here. "

dose wrote on Apr 3, 2008 3:28 PM:

" To Amanda:

You better believe that if I had to mug a pizza delivery boy so my family could eat, Dominoes would start losing so much money so fast they wouldn't know what to do.

I guess no one told you that when you have children one of your responsibilities is to do whatever it takes to put food in their mouths. Like the Black Panthers used to say "By Any Means Necessary".

Aren't you the person who said that you will drive your SUV for the safety of your children as long as you want regardless of the consequences to the Earth and the envirinement, all of a sudden you go soft on commiting a simple misdemeanor. "

Mrs. D,? Were 22 million forced over "La Frontera"? wrote on Apr 3, 2008 5:14 PM:

" Really?They were forced into lives as burreros....into gang affiliations?HERE and NOW some of them are 5&6 generations removed from those initial illegal activities...but continue lifestyles and living enviroments of lawless activities on U.S. soil.So, you advocate we must justify not building the fence because WHY?Accepting continued traffic of vaqueros and others who undermine U.S. laws and borders of this nation to supplement their incomes is ludicris.Fence construction has stepped up border enforcement and HAS reduced the inflow of illegal immigrants.The business of smuggeling and trafficking of humans for big and small business gains here in the U.S. and on the Mexican side must stop.Look at Ag giants Dole, Fresh Express, Marquez Brothers, Moran Meats, Centex Homes, McGraw-Hill subsideraries' bottom liens on their year-end profit reports for 2007.Let's not forget Mexico's goverment officials and public servants who earn major middle-man dollars to turn a blind eye, who even implementing the operation out of Mexico.We must dry up that dirty money and put a halt to it.Human's for cheap labor must end.Thinking "that the impoverish massive flow of humans" into the U.S. must be tolerated is the problem. "

Alan G. wrote on Apr 3, 2008 5:53 PM:

" Dose, that was about the lamest thing I've read all day. So let's follow the logic of that statement. If you were to mug pizza delivery guys to feed your family, then you'd most likely be arrested and go to jail. Who'd feed your kids then? Very lower-class thinking. "

Mr. Truth wrote on Apr 3, 2008 5:58 PM:

" The best use of our money in the last ten years. I hope it's not too late. I think our govt. should put the people on welfare in towers on that fence, teach them the proper use of equipment like surveillence, guns, etc and let them earn that govt $$$.
I guarantee if there were a risk of getting shot, the amount of illegalls pouring in here would be cut to a small %.
I am so sick of seeing money being sent to Mexico by illegals working here. It's horrible for our economy.
It's not our fault their country is a mess. "

Prison Cop wrote on Apr 3, 2008 8:56 PM:

" Mrs. D, for the third time...you have not explained how building a fence on the border is racists. OK, say your fantasy about drug dealers showing up to people's homes and telling them to take these drugs across the border is real. When they get there how come the end up in Portland, Oregon building homes and committing crimes?

Please, how is building a fence racists? And please don't tell me a story about adobe huts and imperial county...that is ridiculuos. "

Mrs.D wrote on Apr 4, 2008 6:45 AM:

" How would you like to see a sign that says "Welcome to America: Home of the brave, land of the free. Now get out!" written on the Statue of Liberty? "

Bobb wrote on Apr 4, 2008 9:42 AM:

" To Alan G- Dose may have a point. Mug the Pizza Man, go to jail and Social Services, (the TAXPAYER), will be feeding the family. That is the way the American system works. "

Amanda R wrote on Apr 4, 2008 9:47 AM:

" Dose, I wouldn't bring children into this world I could not care for, therefore I would not need to commit crimes and steal from others to support them. My husband and I work hard, and last time I checked, driving an SUV wasn't illegal. My responsibility to my children isn't crime, it is getting a job and working as hard as necessary to assure that they have food on the table. Mrs. D, noone is saying that all immigrants should stay out. My great-grandparents came here from Portugal, but they did it legally. That is my point here: LEGAL immigration, not breaking the law to immigrate. We have laws for a reason, and noone can just pick and choose which to abide by or we'd be in big trouble (wait, we are in big trouble here!). "

Alan G. wrote on Apr 4, 2008 10:14 AM:

" How about "Welcome To America: Home of the brave, land of the free. Have a nice visit!" That's pretty much what we used to read as we crossed from California into Oregon. "

Prison Cop wrote on Apr 4, 2008 10:20 AM:

" For the FOURTH TIME, you have not answered my question. How is building a fence racists? You keep avoiding the question. I will not ask anymore due to killing this blog. I believe I proved my point, you threw the word "racists" out there just for the heck of it without any facts behind it. As for the statute of liberty, the immigrants that came to Ellis Island back in the day did so LEGALLY. They didn't stop off in Canada, wait for it to get dark, and sneak across the border.

One other thing, how dare you use a symbol of American Freedom (Statute of Liberty) to condone illegal activity. "

To Mrs. D wrote on Apr 4, 2008 12:10 PM:

" How about a sign at the border that reads "It is not okay to put Kool-aid in your baby's bottle." "

Lady Liberty carries a self-defense book... wrote on Apr 4, 2008 12:33 PM:

" I understand the need to recognize and exercise freedom of speech.During this time in history where we CAN say ‘no’.Most importantly that "The Statue of Liberty" always has belonged to "The Citizens" of the United States, not the world.Why do outside countries feel they have the right to try to manipulate ‘we the people’ of America?The Statue of Liberty is truly an "American" icon, given the nature of humans we are all capable on different levels of being tempted to make mistakes.But Mrs. D don't you make the mistake that this country is a free-for-all.Lady Liberty can stimulate and help set national goals for the future generations here in the U.S. and she reminds us that the Declaration of Independence belongs to"U.S.Citizens"and their unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness even if that involves the use of border-walls to ensure those rights.Mrs. D stop with all the "non-point sound-bit" comments.You don't seem to have the words to support any of them."PUT UP." Already many have asked you to back up your clear opposition about the fence,or do you just like throwing chicken-questions in the air to see if they can fly for fun? "

Ashley wrote on Apr 4, 2008 12:36 PM:

" Ya know Mrs. D. there have been more than a couple of times in these comments when I could agree with you but this time you are soooo way off. By your way of thinking even acknowledging that we have a problem makes it racist. The fact is that the Statue of Liberty greets and welcomes LEGAL IMMIGRANTS in to this country. This fence is about stopping ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS from crossing the border. With the current border ANYONE can come in to this country from Mexico not just Mexicans. Yes we have a huge problem with illegal mexican immigrants and although they are coming here to "improve the qaulity of life for their children" are still entering this country ILLEGALY. But we also have an undetermined amount of non-mexican illegal immingrants coming in to this country across the mexican border whose sole intent is to do this country harm ie, terrorists. This country was founded by people who wanted to do better for their children ... they immigrated here LEGALLY. "

dose wrote on Apr 4, 2008 1:10 PM:

" To AlanG:

You obviously missed the entire point of what I was trying to say, it's not my fault that you have no reading comprehension skills. "

ALEJANDRO wrote on Apr 4, 2008 2:21 PM:

" How many illegal aliens enter the country via the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island?

Laws don't matter, right Mrs. D?

Only the ones you don't agree with!

"

does wrote on Apr 4, 2008 3:06 PM:

" Hey Alejandro how many of the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 came to the United States legally?

I'll give you a hint :all of them. "

jeff wrote on Apr 4, 2008 3:10 PM:

" I agree we do need to get a handle on all the illegal immigration that is occurring but this fence really is a bad idea. There was an article recently here that stated all the problems with it (It was everything I outlined on the last ‘Fence’ article when I was told I was delirious). So it’s going to cost a lot and we aren’t going to get much out of it = bad idea. Bobb and Alan have the right idea. There is some truth to what Mrs. D says (I agree that many come here in search of better jobs) there is a good documentary about the drug trade called “Plan Columbia” it shows how it really works and is very critical of Clinton for all you die hard conservatives. This and That Fence, the word racist is not defined as you say it and instead is defined as “a person with a prejudiced belief that one race is superior to others” so I don’t quite understand what you’re saying. Mrs D. is saying that keeping people out is racist, that is up for debate I’ll grant you that but it could never be defined as ‘Cultural’. "

All For It wrote on Apr 5, 2008 12:59 AM:

" The name never said it better, yes I am all for the fence and any other means of stopping the twetny-one million man march across our borders. Enough already, the illegals know our medical system better than the people who wrote it before they ever get here. They know exactly what to say and what to ask for and what to expect when they apply for aid. The only clear cut decision that made sense legally was when someone wised up and put a five year lifetime limit on welfare. Welfare was not intended to replace hard work or the Social Security System, even though money has been borrowed from SS to pay for social programs that was not the intent for that money. That is why social security is in such bad shape for the baby boomers, it isn't that the population drawing it is too high we all paid into it all our lives, if they would have invested the monies and not robbed them we would all be fine. But no, the liberal bleeding hearts had to put everyone under the Welfare Umbrella. Go figure. "

All For It wrote on Apr 5, 2008 1:06 AM:

" They have fences in Mexicalli and people are traveling through them all day and night 365 days a year. The people from Mexico even cross the border to shop at Wal~mart. So the fence isn't the only answer and Mexico really should do things to make a better life for their citizens but as long as they are being bought off they won't change the game. More Border Patrol Agents need to be hired, some of that homeland security money they bought armored vehicles with could have gone to controlling the border problems, instead of giving the mod squad a new toy. The emphasis needs to be put back on Legal entry into this country. A plan needs to be put into place like the old Brasero plan of old. Bus people across the border to jobs already arranged and bus them back once the crops are brought in and the work is finished. Sometimes to simple is to sophisticated for politicians. In deep Mexico if you commit a crime they just shoot you in the back as you run away. Same holds true in the Phillipines as well. "

All For It wrote on Apr 5, 2008 1:12 AM:

" A Guess Worker Plan is most viable, but it needs to be that. Employers who feel they can only use illegal labor should request however many employees they need brought across the border. The government would pick up those willing to do the specified labor for the specified time, the rancher/farmer industry would be responsible for the workers while they are here and would see to their being sent back to Mexico when the work was finished and that tasks completed. Not sophisticated just a simple Guest Worker Program that would meet everyone's needs provide a service to the Employer yet not detract from other citizens who can perform the labor needed. When the illegals worked the fields and returned at harvest end it worked fine, but then they began staying and taking other employment as carpenters, laborers, plumbers, etc., taking good jobs from the american citizens because they would do it cheaper, not necessarily better or as good but cheaper. Is that who you want building your new home, unskilled, untrained carpenters, plumbers who grew up in an environment where payolla was an accepted practice? "

Big Picture wrote on Apr 5, 2008 9:41 AM:

" Prison cop, it seems you believe you have taken some sort of moral high ground. You have defined your self by your post name. So let me ask you to think about something. You stated that 1-4 prisoners are illegal aliens. Let’s assume we build this fence and it works perfect, we just eliminated a quarter of the entire prison population in California. This would also have some sort of impact on illegal drug imports thus further reducing prison numbers, correct? All of this sounds peachy, except in your case. I figure you pull in roughly $60,000 to $100,000 dollars a year depending on seniority and overtime. Yes folks, those numbers are correct. Why do think you make so much more than the national average for corrections? It’s because you belong to the most powerful union in California. That union depends on those illegals and the drug trade. Your profession or business, and yes I refer to it as a business, is a machine. The prison systems are filling to capacity thru out the country, not just here and not all states share our illegal alien problem. ...
"

Big Picture wrote on Apr 5, 2008 9:46 AM:

" The prison systems as we know them are no different then the border fence, both are bad investments. How many repeat offenders return to system? Don’t blame the prison systems failure to rehabilitate inmates on the failed border control system. Yes, they both contribute to each other but over time the prison system; even with out illegal’s will waist more tax payer dollars. In your own words we, “Feed, house and clothe” if that’s the extent of prison what is the point? I assure the you border system will be fixed but I will also assure no prisons will be closed. I would say your opinions are tainted by our profession and what you see daily. You have found a direction to vent your anger and I say it’s misplaced. What I find strange is I could be standing next you every day, yet come to completely different conclusions.
As for the statue of liberty, when she was first erected the only requirement for entry into the United States was that you could make it here. There was no such thing as an illegal Alien. She now only serves as a historical footnote in better times.
"

Scott Tucker wrote on Apr 5, 2008 12:35 PM:

" "How many illegal aliens enter the country via the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island?"

The answer is zero. Ellis Island is currently a museum dedicated to the US's immigration history and heritage.

And, I ask myself, what do Philippino "law enforcement methods" have to do with this article? "

All For It (The Fence that is) wrote on Apr 5, 2008 4:38 PM:

" To Scott Tucker - The Phillipino Law refers to an example of how other third world countries handle their criminals idget. That remark was for all you bleeding hearts Scott who think we are too tough on crime. I don't think we are tough enough and border crossing without documentation my friend is a crime and it should be a serious crime. We need to quit slapping people on the wrist and return them to
Mexico and agree with Mexico for them to inprison them and we will pick up the costs. I guarantee you the Mexico prisons don't spend near the money per inmate that we do. From what I have heard about their prison system we would find very few repeat offenders. That would aid in shutting that revolving door we have at the border in San Diego and across the board at other crossings. I have no problem with LEGAL Immigration this isn't about racist views as some have implied this is about coming here in a LEGAL manner like our ancestors did many years ago. You are right about one thing Scott, Ellis Island. "

All For It (The Fence that is) wrote on Apr 5, 2008 4:45 PM:

" Scott what do you imagine your punishment would be had you entered Switzerland illegally and got caught? Just give us an example of how the Swiss handle that problem? Oh and if people don't enter Switzerland accept in a legal manner we need to adopt their laws and regulations. Since you think the answers to all mankind are found in neutral Switzerland. Just wondering do you ever plan to come back to the United States for good? Since all your children will be born their your wife is from their, I just don't see that happening. So why concern yourself with problems where you no longer reside or ever intend to again? Is this just a chance to blog and reduce your frustrations with your birth country? I don't understand what you have to lose if the entire continent slipped into the ocean? What a few family members you might see every ten years or so, they are strangers if you don't visit frequently. Just wondering where your interest might lay. I am of German decent but I don't blog them about their laws. "

ALEJANDRO wrote on Apr 5, 2008 5:49 PM:

" Scott Tucker: And what exactly is YOUR contribution here other than criticism from afar?

You should have a keen outlook on the solution to illegal immigration . . . lets hear it! "

All For It wrote on Apr 5, 2008 7:33 PM:

" BIG PICTURE - You seem to have a problem with the prison system. Yet you don't offer any constructive alternative to our current system. Could it be you are possibly a product of the Prison System and that is why you are so down on it. I feel the problem with our Prison system is when we started trying to rehabilitate career criminals we lost focus of prison being a place of punishment and deterent rather than the local YMCA. The more horific we could make it I think the more effective it would become. We spend money trying to rehab career and three strike criminals who will likely never see daylight again, to me that is a waste of money. 9 chances out of 10 whatever you train them to do is going to be replaced by a machine before their release date anyway. It's called science and progress it happens all the time. Prison isn't a social club for criminals anyway that isn't what it was designed to be, the illegals who land there should be deported and let Mexican authorities take care of these criminals crossing our border. "

All For It wrote on Apr 5, 2008 7:41 PM:

" Dose - you are right Bush originated this idea of not following laws/treaties etc., that is how the country made the land grab from native american indians, gee I didn't realize George was that old. Yeah you neo-demobrats keep blaming him for everything from the revolutationary war to the Louisiana Purchase, it had to be him no one else did anything shady. Like JFK and the Bay of Pigs when JFK swore support if they would attack Cuba, yeah well we all know how that turned out.
We never did anything so idiotic as to put a price on Fidel Castro's head, I suppose either? Senior Bush kind of repeated the bay of pigs in the first go around in Iraq but I don't hear a lot about that one. Let's see if you were president and your father was president before you and some dictator put a price on his head and attempted to murder him would you just stand by and allow that behavior? Just wondering. That in itself should have been enough for the american people to go after Saddam Insane. It was our president he targeted. Dose "

All For It wrote on Apr 5, 2008 7:48 PM:

" Prison Cop - is there anyway we could deport the prison gang members back to Mexico where they originated several generations back on the streets of Mexican Cities? I bet we could make dna matches and prove it is a generational thing? You know Fidel Castro sent us all his career criminals once, why can't we return the favor there and in Mexico as well. I also have an idea since all the taggers use spray paint in cans let's do away with that convenience you know they won't be talented enough to use paint brushes and give the cops more time to catch them in the act. Every minor caught with spray paint should have a ticket issued and the parent called to task for allowing them to have something illegal in their possession. That would certainly slow down the tagging. I am convinced that tagging is the beginning of other crimes down their career path. Nip it in the bud and the blossom of terror never grows to adult hood. When it flowers it is legal and beautiful instead of illegal and a crime. "

Prison Cop wrote on Apr 5, 2008 8:57 PM:

" Big Picture, you are absolutely correct. I am tainted by what I see everyday. I see illegal aliens in my prison who have murdered, raped, and strung kids out on drugs. I see inmates who cannot speak a word of English, but know how to say, "give me, give me". I do not want to be a correctional officer. I hate the job. I want to be a school teacher, a pilot, a doctor, or any other job where I can help people. The job I'm in now I have to get beat up at work, then go home and get beat by people who say I make too much money. Yes, I do the job because it pays well. I would not do it for a penny less. I would love to see one quarter of the prison population decreased so the state money can be used to lower college costs and better schools for our kids. But that can not happen because we have an open border where people can bring drugs across daily. "

dose wrote on Apr 6, 2008 12:29 PM:

" To: All For It wrote on Apr 5, 2008 9:41 PM

Wow your entire comment was rambling, incoherent, and based on nothing but supposition. I can't even argue with you if your not going to make any sense.

However I now realize how bush was able to steal his way into the presidency if you represent the average American voter. "

Marc wrote on Apr 6, 2008 12:44 PM:

" All for it , keep it up .This Mrs. D I can’t believe that someone could be so lame as to think that the illegal immigrants are coming up hear to run from the Drug lords. It sounds like she has had to many drugs in her past in order to be thinking like that. As far as the fence goes , just like the catalytic converter on our cars. It won’t completing cure the whole illegal situation but it will sure help slow it down. Any one that votes Democrat has a good history of complaining about anything good or bad our Federal Government does. They are never happy regardless of the outcome , they watch to much Bill Maher type of shows. If Mrs. D and her fellow complainers would spend the same amount of time harassing the Auto makers in this Country about making cars with better safety components. We lose over 43,000 lives a year in America due to auto accidents. 43000 lives a year. It makes me want to throw up "

Scott Tucker wrote on Apr 7, 2008 4:02 AM:

" Alejandro, I just provided a factual answer to your question. If you want to interpret that as "criticism from afar", then that is your thing.

As far as my outlook regarding the issue is concerned, I hightly doubt that a wall will make much of a difference. Soon we will be building a wall in the north, and then along the coasts, and then around Alaska and Hawaii, and before you know it, we will be trapped in a prison of our own making.

As I have written before, it is simply not feasible to deport all of the immigrants who are currently residing illegally in the United States. And obviously some effective border control is needed to stem the flow of illegal immigrants entering the US. At some point the conservatives will have to bend on the "amnesty" issue, while at the same time agreeing to sensible guest-worker/immigration reforms. It is a tricky question with lots of push/pull factors, not to mention the Sisyphean task of constantly controlling the thousands of miles of borderland. All I know is that the problem doesn't get any easier by constantly dumping blame on the immigrants themselves. "

Scott Tucker wrote on Apr 7, 2008 4:25 AM:

" All For It, If you are interested in learning more about Swiss policies regarding illegal immigration, you can visit this official Swiss website (http://www.ejpd.admin.ch/ejpd/de/home/themen/migration/ref_illegale_migration.html) and read the information provided. Information is only provided in German, French, and Italian, so if you don't have a reading knowledge of one of those languages, it might be a bit difficult.

As far as my future plans are concerned, only time will tell. I am a US citizen, so I always have the option to move back to the USA whenever I feel like it.

Why my concern with the problems in Hanford and the USA? For starters, my family and friends still live, work, and study in Hanford, so naturally I am concerned for their well-being. I try to provide some balance to the forums so that people like my little brother know that other viewpoints do exist. Secondly, US policy affects the entrie world. US policies, both good and bad, are linked financially, politically, culturally, etc. to the rest of the globe, so naturally, it is in my interest to keep up with and voice my opionion regarding the country of which I am a citizen. "

ALEJANDRO wrote on Apr 7, 2008 4:42 PM:

" ...Scott Tucker says: "And obviously some effective border control is needed to stem the flow of illegal immigrants entering the US . . . It is a tricky question with lots of push/pull factors, not to mention the Sisyphean task of constantly controlling the thousands of miles of borderland. All I know is that the problem doesn't get any easier by constantly dumping blame on the immigrants themselves."

Dash it all, Scott, I have been waiting for an opportune moment to use the word ‘Sisyphean' in a germane context but feel it world be too pedantic of me to do so. I am glad it was you who threw all caution to the wind and beat me to it.

Again I ask of our intelligent teacher: What concrete ideas, constructs, or projections do you have to offer that would allow us to ‘constantly control thousands of miles of borderland?'

A bright fellow like yourself should have some notion other than enlisting ‘push-pull' politics, wirklich? "

All For It wrote on Apr 7, 2008 8:35 PM:

" Marc, allow me to compliment you on your capabilities to follow me in my statements. However, I guess Dose wasn't quite as enlightened by my comments, too busy getting out a dictionary looking up those enormous words, like he and they and him and them. The library in the lockup isn't quite as sophisticated as the one at the County level. Anyway, Jeff, Scott, Dose, Mrs. D really should have had Captain Kangaroo available to them when growing up. That was the show that taught compassion, sharing, responsibility and giving. Instead they had Ernie and Bert, the cookie monster (everything the name implies) and Sesame Street an imaginary street in an imaginary land, no wonder they are so naive inflicted, between that and Mr. Rogers they didn't stand a chance. How does Mr. Rogers compete with Mr. Green Jeans? How does Miss Piggy compete with Cinderella? The television media did it to each and every one in that generation. The exceptions however are yourself, Blue Falcon, Alejandro and a few others I may have failed to mention. All I can say is different stokes for those folks. "

All For It wrote on Apr 7, 2008 8:48 PM:

" Marc, you know Jeff and Scott profess to have at their finger tips all this knowledge but seldom provide any tangible evidence of most of what they say. I can speak of life experiences during time of battle, going to General Quarters aboard a ship and remaining their for 18 hours at a time not knowing if it were a drill or the real thing. If this country knew how many times Russia and the U.S. almost came to blows over Vietnam they would be astonished. I can recall times when Russian Bear bombers would fly overhead and they were so close you could see their shadow on the flight deck. Their mission to try and provoke an attack by our aircraft. It became a game they would approach we would launch aircraft and they would turn and go the opposite direction at the very last minute. It happened over and over again. All I am saying is it could have gotten real ugly at any moment out there in the big wide blue. The main thing we had gowing for us, we were a battle group. "

All For It wrote on Apr 8, 2008 6:25 PM:

" Alejandro I have a constructive method to solving the boarder problem. A long trench fill with alligators, crocodiles and water, throw in a few poisonous snakes and call it Southrern Florida. "

Marc wrote on Apr 9, 2008 8:14 PM:

" All for it Jeff and Scott , and Mrs. D are typical left wingers, will find something wrong with just about anything that is running good in our Country. If it's high it's not high enough if it's low it should be lower. Thank God we didn't have a President in the White House in last several years that think like these people. If so we might of had several more attacks here on our soil from terrorists. I feel safe today and confident that my goverment is doing it's best to protect us all. Thank you for your service in Viet Nam I've always admired any one that has fought for me in the past and present. "

OK wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:34 PM:

" Fencing is costly to maintain. Also, though it might cut down on the number of people crossing, it will not solve the problem. Our farmers are currently dependent on cheap illegal workers and I'm sure we'd all like to continue to eat the food that comes from those farms (since the Valley produces food for the entire nation+). Supply and demand...there is a demand for those workers and they keep coming. The current legal process of becoming a citizen is long, drawn out, bureaucratic and volatile (in other words it needs reform). Does anyone have other (practical) suggestions? "

Alan G. wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:53 AM:

" To OK, I think first and foremost we need to shore up our border to prevent the rampant illegal crossing. I would prefer the government triple the man-power along the border instead, but they've already demonstrated that they're not willing to do that. And even if one administration were to secure funding, there's no guarantee the following administration would continue the funding. It's unfortunate that people don't respect our borders and that it had to come to this. I truly believe that the maintenance costs of a fence would be much smaller than the lost revenue due to the imbalance of taxes collected relative to services used. Once the borders have been dealt with, I think it's the responsibility of the farming industry and the government to work out a true guest worker program where seasonal workers can be sponsored by an employer to come and work the season and then return to their home country. I don't think there will be a problem in the hotel industry because I have traveled all over the country and in the states that didn't have an over-abundance illegal workers, those positions always managed to be filled "

All For It wrote on Apr 10, 2008 11:13 PM:

" The fence is #1, the 2nd is to hold all employers accountable for hiring illegal's 3rd stop all practices of providing non-emergency medical service for all illegals and their families. No Social Security Card, Driver's License, proof of citizenship no welfare. Off the docket right now today with a bus trip for them and their family to the border at T.J. compliments of laMigra'. Do not allow schools who allow illegal's in class the money from Sacramento to operate the school. These may seem tough but until you get control of this mess you can't begin to discuss a Brasero Plan of any kind. Once these items have been inacted and are successful then work on a beneficial plan for both illegal workers and american employers to workout their needs. But once the work is finished back to Mexico they go just like they did for years and years before all the handouts made them stay here. Welfare has been the ruination of this great nation. "

Marc wrote on Apr 12, 2008 10:48 AM:

" Like I stated before in another article , the Farmers that are abusing the system with the illegal immigrants , they should be paying for most of this mess. One tax them for each pound they produce or find a way to tax them . The farmer can pass the cost on down to the market. If the average American has to pay 10 percent more for their food every month they will hardly feel it. Every one is always feeling sorry for the farmers I live and hang out with several farmers here in our area. All I hear from them in last several years is how good they are doing and how large of homes they are building. I’m tired of the seeing the average tax payer take all the heat for large farms that are now large cooperate business. The average American spends more money every month on transportation than on housing, food costs hardly come into the equitation. When was the last time you applied for a home loan and they asked how much do u spend on food every month. Wouldn't be nice if your bussiness took a loss the goverment would pay your losses. "

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