Maybe, Denny, but not as stupid as you are...we actually read stuff.
No sooner did Congress authorize construction of a 700-mile fence on the U.S.-Mexico border last week than lawmakers rushed to approve separate legislation that ensures it will never be built, at least not as advertised, according to Republican lawmakers and immigration experts.
...But shortly before recessing late Friday, the House and Senate gave the Bush administration leeway to distribute the money to a combination of projects -- not just the physical barrier along the southern border. The funds may also be spent on roads, technology and "tactical infrastructure" to support the Department of Homeland Security's preferred option of a "virtual fence."
Gee, that's neat. Now let me pay "virtual TAXES." Hmmmmm?
...The loopholes leave the Bush administration with authority to decide where, when and how long a fence will be built, except for small stretches east of San Diego and in western Arizona. Homeland Security officials have proposed a fence half as long, lawmakers said.
In this case, it also reflects political calculations by GOP strategists that voters do not mind the details, and that key players -- including the administration, local leaders and the Mexican government -- oppose a fence-only approach, analysts said.
So the Pubbies bitch and screech that Democrats want "cheating at the ballot box," and give a foreign leader a veto? Makes sense to me...
Congress withheld $950 million of the $1.2 billion, pending a breakdown by Chertoff of how he plans to spend the money. It is due in early December, after the midterm elections.
That's a "lame-duck" session, right? Astounding timing, there...
The office of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex.) yesterday released a letter from House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) promising to ensure that Chertoff has discretion over whether to build a fence or choose other options.
"Schmooze" and "Ambitious." Great...
Congress also hedged on when a fence would be completed. The law mandating it said Homeland Security officials should gain "operational control" of the border in 18 months. But the law funding it envisions five years. Chertoff has set a goal of two to three years, but only after completion of an immigration overhaul.
Thanks, Denny. Did I mention that you ought to resign?
I suppose that a 2-mile wide minefield, along the border, would be considered mean and unchristian, eh?
ReplyDeleteIt's kept many North Koreans out of South Korea. Just an idea...
St. jimbob;
ReplyDeleteJust for the record, as a born again Catholic, do you consider your idea unchristian?
Blowing up civilians sounds Islamic.
Absolutely, jp, it is as surely unchristian as it is effective. The only way anyone's going to stop Mexicans from seeking a living here is to kill them, and I doubt that anyone is really ready to go there.
ReplyDeleteIt'd be far better to rejuvenate the mexican economy by bringing all our chinese manufactuing back to North America. Create a stable and livable environment in Mexico, and the need for a fence (or minefield) disappears. Maybe we should just annex the country?
Hmmmm!
ReplyDeleteSounds like nation building.