Clark Griswold

So there is no level of degrees in law-breaking? Illegally crossing into a foreign country is the equivalent to a minor civil involvement? Illegal immigration is a major civil offense but it should be a major criminal offense. Just my two cents. This may be getting to a boiling point, human freedom and humanitarian assistance are important but what the advocates of the recent surge of illegal aliens from Central America and other areas are calling for is chaos, capitulation, resignation and acceptance that other people who are not citizens of this country, who have no legal or political rights in the US are imposing themselves on us and will by their choice remain here indefinitely. That is an invasion not by arms but by using our laws and best qualities of kindness and charity against us. Some would say we did this to others when European settlers first arrived here so why do we have the right to stop them? There is no good answer to that other than that was several hundred years ago, we have evolved into a modern orderly nation, we have the right and ability to control our borders and immigration. We will not be a nation but just a geographic description at that point we can't or won't control them. Going back from the philosophical to the practical, we have the National Incident Management System (NIMS) designed specifically for these kinds of problems and if several hundred women and children crossing and surrendering immediately every day in one particular sector of the SWB is not a national incident requiring a coordinated WOG approach I don't know what is then. NIMS and the National Response Framework are part of the National Strategy for Homeland Security and we are not using the plans and procedures that supposedly we are going to use if SHTF. I would have confidence that this is not a disaster destined for epic proportions and long term national consequences if something substantial was being done. That the situation was being handled if you saw any of the basics for this type of incident being stood up: The Incident Command System being stood up for C2 The Multiagency Coordination System working to get LE, Mil, Legal and NGOs together in a coherent plan. The Public Information System formally up and running giving a daily briefing on the state of the incident and the response to it. None of this is being done, the debate about illegal immigration, how much border security is necessary or what is the LONG term status of these people are other issues compared to the ACTUAL primary problem: our Federal Government is doing almost nothing to handle the problem or to stop the problem. Water is pouring into the boat but they don't want to plug the hole in the boat and bail out the water, nah just keep bailing some of the water out not even as much water as is coming in. The Federal Government and specifically the Executive Branch could cool down the rhetoric and tempers if they surged and put together a strong response. They roasted President Bush for a tepid first response to Katrina, the media are giving a free pass to President Obama and actually poisoning the national debate about this latest illegal immigration crisis.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying, I've never broken the law intentionally or unintentionally. Ever. I'm perfect in every way. Thanks for using your insightful prowess to brutally and completely prove that if you have ever violated any law or regulation in he US that you have no legal or moral right to expect that the laws of the US concerning illegal immigration should be enforced.

It may be a pain but so it driving the speed limit, paying your taxes and pretty much anything else customer service related with the government but it is what we've got. Without it (the law, due process, general order and civility) we're nothing more than another loosely governed country that is not ruled by law but whatever group is the loudest or most violent.

Doesn't have to go loud - border security should still be deterrence, apprehension and then force as required but that force could be lethal if required Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The system would have tunnel detection capability - plus with the setback of buying property on the border makes tunnels have to run that much longer thereby discouraging them and making them more likely to be detected But look at the South Koreans - the crazy North Koreans dig underneath the DMZ does that mean they should get rid of their fences? Some illegal crossing will still happen but we will reduce it to a trickle then we will be in a position to deal with all the other related issues Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2 on helping Mexico and I would include Central America in prosecuting their drug war / insurgency Security - Assistance - Reform in that order Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not if we build a border security system and not just a tall fence. Here is a good example of what needs to be built in strategic areas where there is high traffic, not along the entire length of the border. You would need purchase private property and have state property transferred to the Federal govt. and I am sure it would cost a significant amount but it would be worth it. Not to stop legal immigration and legitimate commerce, tourism, etc... but just to fight illegal crossing. Is it going to stop all illegal crossing, no of course not but it will greatly hamper and deter the majority of it, make those who are going to try cross illegally go to rugged terrain where they will either be detected and arrested or stopped by the difficult terrain itself. If you doubt the effectiveness of a border security system, check out Israel's success with their latest border security system: Does a Border Fence Work? Check Out the Dramatic Change After Israel Put One Up Charles Krauthammer has had the most intelligent commentary on this issue(s) lately, he summed up what a majority of Americans want. Secure the border, stop the cycle of illegal immigration, treat the illegal aliens who are here firmly but fairly and be merciful but wise with the children coming from Central America. Krauthammer: "If Fences Don't Work, Why Is There One Around The White House?" Charles Krauthammer / Fence the border, close a loophole and enforce immigration law Not calling you personally out on this Vertigo but people opposed to the idea of serious concerted effort to stop illegal crossing / immigration keep trying to blur the line between legal and illegal immigration, blur and mix the issue of border security with racism towards the mainly Hispanic group of illegal immigrants that cross our Southern border. Border security has nothing to do with legal immigration policy or what is the status of these children coming from Central America.

2 4 billion for a secure border is a deal - once the infrastructure was in place the sustaining cost of a Mil-LE mission would probably be half that Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Probably so but as a taxpayer this is the sort of thing I will gladly pay for Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No problem with that pivot either, but in relation to what should our be high, much higher on our foreign policy to-do-list is Mexico-Central America-The Caribbean. They are the nations closest to us, some of our biggest trading partners and have problems that are not so big that we can probably help them solve them or at least effectively reduce them. Thanks, you're right in the middle of it so you have a better perspective on it than I do. There are illegal immigrants where I am (Southeast) but we are not currently seeing the massive influx that the border states and directly adjoining areas are. I agree with you that I see the Immigration Issue as more complex and nuanced than what a 10 second soundbite can convey but I see the Border Security issue very simply. Those are two different issues and the fact that people even coming from desperate conditions are able to cross freely a loosely governed country and then either cross clandestinely or merely cross and, present themselves to Law Enforcement, be released into the country they were illegally crossing into with only a court summons order that 80% of them ignore and then establish employment illegally, often use the government social safety net illegally and then agitate to be granted either permanent residency or citizenship with no end in sight for this problem strikes me as national suicide. No matter how bad it is for these people, letting them remain for any serious length of time only reinforces the risk-reward calculus to attempting to cross. I have no problem with providing immediate aid (food, shelter, clothing and basic medical care) but what is needed is not a capitulation but a repatriation and aid plan for their countries. Coming from this as the perspective of a Guardsmen, I can't for any reason (except for the most cynical) see why the Guard (Air and Army) have not been called up to assist the CBP. We have National Response Plans for these types of emergencies / situations and we are trained and equipped to do this, either use the Guard to secure the homeland or not.

Initial report of TB among illegal immigrant minors at Lackland https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/07/07/immigration-crisis-tuberculosis-spreading-at-camps/ Not for a iron fist response, a lot of them are young kids in a very vulnerable spot but this is a turning point - we're going to control who comes in and stays or not. This latest crisis makes me think we don't need a pivot to Asia but a pivot to Central America.

God bless Charles Krauthammer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWTbRS0N-gk Full video here

Not surprised that they are moving ahead with their own project, but surprised they (Japan), Australia or Canada has not warmed up to the Advanced Super Hornet. Fair;y LO when you need it, 4.5+ gen and helluva lot less risk. Japan is developing the ATD-X only because there was no way they could get an export version of the Raptor, the Aussies were/are in the same boat, I would not be surprised if they approached by them for a joint program.

ATD-X makes its first appearance as Tokyo's warplane plans advance A little bit more on Japan's home brew fighter. Timeline for IOC is a ways off but I am sure Japan could speed that up if things got even more tense in their neighborhood.

True dat A delivery of 50 or so would be a good piece of a security assistance package to prevent collapse but you would have to dangle that carrot with some significant conditions for political reconciliation (if that is possible now) As to the aircraft and the ability of the USAF to talk about a LAAR for umpteen and not do anything - standard Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/iraq-issues-rfp-for-coin-aircraft-03281/ Iraqis want the AT-6 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mexican Military Helicopter Fires on Border Patrol Agents After Crossing Into U.S. During Drug Operation US, WORLD | Today at 9:46 | By Dave Urbanski Mexican Military Helicopter Fires on Border Patrol Agents After Crossing Into U.S. During Drug Operation A Mexican military helicopter crossed the U.S. border into Arizona and fired on U.S. Border Patrol agents during a drug operation Tuesday before flying back into Mexico, Border Patrol No injuries to agents or damage to U.S. property were reported, a Border Patrol spokesman said, according to KVOA-TV. The helicopter fired two shots at the agents early Tuesday morning as part of a "drug interdiction operation," Border Patrol spokesman Andy Adame told KVOA. "[A] Mexican law enforcement helicopter crossed approximately 100 yards north into Arizona nearly 8 miles southwest of the village of San Miguel on the Tohono O'odham Indian Nation while on a drug interdiction operation near the border," Adame said in a statement. "Two shots were fired from the helicopter but no injuries or damage to U.S. property were reported. The incident is currently under investigation." Mexican officials contacted U.S. authorities soon after and apologized for the incident, Tucson sector Border Patrol union president Art del Cueto told KVOA. The incident took place on the Tohono O'odham Nation, which resides in southern-central Arizona and parts of northern Mexico. From The Blaze Not good - another reason to formally control (with coordination with the Mexican gov) the border https://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/06/27/mexican-military-helicopter-fires-on-border-patrol-agents-after-crossing-into-u-s-during-drug-operation/

Decent article on why we should not intervene in Iraq. The Case for Doing Nothing in Iraq. I am trying to see the other side of the argument. I still think that a limited campaign is probably the way to go, just enough to keep the al-Maliki government from falling but not enough to do anything other than that. Bailing him out will change nothing on the ground and keep the Sunnis / Kurds ostracized and pissed, thus kicking the can for a later date.

Not sure if I agree with this but it is an idea... OP-ED: Let the Islamists Have Their Caliphate - Then Bomb Them The idea of a new caliphate may seem crazy but if I told you in 1918 that a severely wounded corporal of a defeated army whose highest educational attainment was being a drop out of an art college would in less than 20 years become the absolute ruler of the most powerful fascist state on earth, that would have seemed crazy too.

Hey, we had a proper funeral when we got to Phoenix.

A bit flippant yes but his parting shot as to our sieve-like border was perfect. His article (Dexter Filkins) was good but just a rehash of what has happened. With the gang that can't shoot straight running the White House, the fourth estate is going to have to prompt him to take decisive action to forestall disaster. A smart air campaign with surgical strikes & persistent ISR will shore up the Iraqi government. But if they won't launch at least a cruise missile strike on Al-Assad after declaring a "red-line" don't hold your breath for anything. I don't mean to beat the war drum too loudly especially as I am comfortable in 'Merica and not currently over in the sandbox but if we want to influence events and shape the outcome over there (not even saying we should) then we should do it and not just look like a bunch of big talkers and then no action when the time comes.

Taking a stand in the north against ISIS... Maybe Crazy Joe was right when he wanted to split Iraq into 3 parts based on Sunni-Shiite-Kurd Seems to be working towards that anyway.

Shit keeps getting real... Ukraine crisis: Military plane shot down in Luhansk

Need an army to do some work in a place you don't want yours to go? Send the FFL...

Just finished this book, very informative and balanced view of the entire V-22 program and a good example of how the sausage gets made and eventually greatly improved.