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Revisited: The Great Wall of Mexico

17 September 2009 17 Comments

For those of you who ever wondered what ever became of the “Great Wall of Mexico“, better known as the U.S. / Mexico Border Fence”, some new data has been released after a Federal Government audit of the project. As you may recall, the border fence project was a Bush Administration initiative, started in 2007, and designed to encompass a physical wall combined with high-technology surveillance features. The original intent was to build the fence along the entire U.S. / Mexican border in order to stem the tide of illegal immigration and to enhance homeland security. To date, however, only 600 miles of the fence have been built, and the much-touted high security system is yet to be deployed.

The government audit has also revealed that no one in the Homeland Security Department is able to determine with any accuracy whether the fence is actually working according to plan. They do know, however, that there have been 3,363 breaches in small part of the fence that has actually been built. They also know that, once completed, the fence and security system will cost the taxpayers around $6.5 billion per year to maintain.

The delays in building the border fence and the continuing cost overruns have been characterized by Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, as a “serious challenge that the Obama Administration has inherited”. There is, in fact, little doubt that the Obama Administration and many Congressional Democrats see the U.S. / Mexico Fence Project as a waste of taxpayer’s money. There is also little doubt that finishing the project will be a very high priority of the current administration.

The problems brought about by untethered, illegal immigration into the United States over the last thirty years are adversely affecting everything from health care to public schools to social welfare budgets. The lack of proper border security has left our country greatly at risk from terrorists getting into the country. A small part of the hundreds of billions of dollars squandered on hopeless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan should be redirected to finish the border fence, and finish it with haste. The answer to protecting Americans from terrorism does not lie in the battlefields of Afghanistan, but rather on our own southern border.

—Rich

17 Comments »

Windroot said:

When I got interested in climate change, I did a lot of reading to catch up on the current state of the debate. One of the factoids I came across that I hadn’t known is that India is building a 4,000 kilometer wall along its border with Bangladesh. That works out to about 2,400 miles if I did the math right. Then there is the so-called security fence that Israel built along sections of its border with the West Bank.

Is it just me or do all of these fence-building efforts seem to be an exercise in futility? I don’t have an answer for that.

# 17 September 2009 at 5:41 pm

admin (author) said:

Windroot,
You may be right that fence building is ultimately an act of futility. The Chinese built the Great Wall of China to keep out the Mongols, to no avail. The Romans built Hadrian’s Wall across Briton to keep out the Scots, to no avail. The Communists built a wall across Berlin, to no avail. Even at that, I would rather see the government spend our tax dollars building walls then sending our sons to die on Afghanistan’s battlefields.

# 17 September 2009 at 6:31 pm

Harrison said:

Wonder how much fence $787 billion in “stimulus” would have bought us? The reason for it not being built isn’t financial I can assure you.

# 17 September 2009 at 9:47 pm

RE - A BadGalSays said:

Cher, great topic. numbers indicate that the majority of illegal immigrants enter by way of airports; not our southern border.
the building of the fence was called ridiculous and wasteful when proposed; but jingoists pushed it through. it’s another big boondoggle by the folks in texas; remember they do everything B I G.

such as shame.

# 17 September 2009 at 10:21 pm

The BoBo said:

AMEN! Alas, yet another thing you and I can agree on. I say bring our boys and girls home and let them man our borders. It’s a freakin’ shame that Texas had to call in the Rangers to do the job that the Federal government should be doing. Sending the national guard down there without guns and ammunition is a joke.

I used to live in El Paso. There is a freakin’ huge Army base there – Ft. Bliss. El Paso is now the most violent section of the border. We have infantry and serious tanks stationed just a few miles from the border there – I say – break em out and move them to the border and shoot to kill.

# 17 September 2009 at 10:37 pm

admin (author) said:

Harrison,
What, exactly, is the reason(s) the Border fence is not being built? Enlighten me, please!

# 18 September 2009 at 8:05 am

admin (author) said:

Re,
I would really like to see the source of the numbers that indicate the majority of illegal immigrants come into America via airports. How do they get through airport security? It seems to me that it’s a lot easier for them to wade across the Rio Grande.

# 18 September 2009 at 8:11 am

admin (author) said:

Bobo,
I’m glad to see you are on the right side of this issue. Why do people consider the stopping of illegal immigration from Mexico so complicated? Build the wall and set up a perimeter of perhaps one hundred yards. If you enter the perimeter, you get shot; period! For a few weeks I’m sure a few “dead men walking” will test the system. After that the problem will be solved.

# 18 September 2009 at 8:19 am

Marc Chamot said:

Yes! Amen to that Rich! Never thought I’d see you would say it. lol I agree with you on that. Our military belongs on the border instead half way around the world…

# 18 September 2009 at 12:44 pm

Hans said:

Maybe a Sarah Palin as pitbull at the border will work efficiently..))
These immigration problems are as old as Rome…ask the Native Americans..))
Kindest
hans

# 18 September 2009 at 2:57 pm

admin (author) said:

Marc,
I have been very consistent for a very long time in stating my objection to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a Viet Nam War veteran, I know how frustrating it is to be stuck in a no-win situation against a well armed, entrenched enemy that is fighting on their own home turf. Homeland security is what it’s all about, so lets send the army to California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas where it can be of some use.

# 18 September 2009 at 5:30 pm

admin (author) said:

Hans,
I guess you’re right about immigration being an age-old problem. You must admit, though, the Romans sure kept things well secured for a long, long time.
The situation with the American Indians is a whole other story. The European countries waged a war of genocide against the native populations in both North and South America. It is a very sad and shameful chapter in American history.

# 18 September 2009 at 5:41 pm

DorothyL said:

This entire situation sounds like a repeat offender that has been going on a very long time.
Maybe they should try something different.

It also has been proven numerous times…if they want in…they will get in.

Bottom line there is no winner in war except for war itself.

Our soldiers should most definitely be in their country protecting it…that I do agree with.

I do wonder though….as so many of us seem to have the answers….why is it so difficult for the politicians to come to the same conclusions.
We are obviously missing something here.

This world truly will be a better place, once the Power of Love replaces the Love of Power.

# 18 September 2009 at 8:32 pm

Hans said:

Rich:
Lind mines, are the New Order will be reinstalled…
Turkey still have a lot of land mines (7.000.000) near their borders with Iraq, Iran, Syria (nice neighbors, or not?.) And it works perfectly. The adults stay aways only children (you know how they are) get blown up once and every day…
Btw, who will do all the dirty work in TX and CA when there are no illegals left?.)!
kindest
hans

# 19 September 2009 at 6:44 am

VH said:

I don’t care for a wall at our southern border–it will be expensive, ugly, and hardly a deterrent. A better use would be more technology (infrared, camera’s, drones, etc), manpower, and intelligence techniques to stop crossings. All these things coupled with reducing State incentives (welfare, free health care) and the promise of a job (hold employers accountable for hiring them) for illegals would be far better than a wall.

# 19 September 2009 at 12:27 pm

Greg said:

Very interesting Debate and articles…This yet another reason the Federal Government shouldn’t be trusted with our health care, our retirement, etc, etc…

Take a look at the rebuilding of the towers in New York..This hasn’t been complete yet either..

The federal government is too big and too inefficient…

Their claim to fame as far as I’m concerned is corporate welfare..

Downsize D.C.

# 19 September 2009 at 4:49 pm