The rush to build a “virtual fence†along the U.S.-Mexico border has become a boondoggle. Big surprise. The Bush administration is having to scale back and scrap some its plans after its test phase of the project hasn’t worked as planned, the Washington Post reported. The Boeing Co. was paid $20.6 million for a 28-mile pilot project, but it has been beset with problems. Among them: Boeing used inappropriate software — which the government has paid Boeing an additional $65 million to replace — and rain and other environmental factors trigger the radar systems. As a result, we’re going to spend millions more on the project, and its first phase likely won’t be deployed until 2011 instead of 2008, as planned. But will it even work then?
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54 Comments
How ’bout a real fence? Hire 28 contractors to do one mile each. Of real fence.
Job done. Next!
A twenty eight mile fence?
BDP
Hell, that wouldnt even cover Trego county!
The Boeing Co. was paid $20.6 million for a 28-mile pilot project
Tin cans, concertina wire rolled up and wound tight in a triple coil is effective.
We could hire some stone masons from the old Berlin Wall project - have them put up some structure - complete with glass and metal shards around the top of the wall.
What else you got to say for yourself, kfg twit.
The majority of Americans want the border closed.
Remember we can send a man to the moon,,,,,,
The DMZ in Korea and the Berlin Wall are excellent examples of the technology required. Minus land minds and automatic machine guns.
Yes, we want it cost effective - but we want it
effective.
It CAN be done. Git er done.
Eagle
Why do you feel the need to bash Boeing and call this a “boondoggle” —
How many things has NASA tried, in the past, that did not work? And, did we still benefit from that trial and error process?
Also, the “28 mile” think is a bit of a straw man.
We are talking about SOFTWARE and RADAR systems, right?
Once we figure out how to do this, on a 28 mile section, it will cost far less to duplicate for the rest of the program, or the rest of the border.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNPA88RUzWk walls dont seem the most effective way of securing the border. And Reg, no one ever breached the berlin wall did they.
Amway, the Dmz in Korea works precisly because of land mines and machine guns, not pratical on the border.
Virtual wall in order to be virtually safe.
“And Reg, no one ever breached the berlin wall did they.”
Not 12 million.
We’re at war with Eastasia, we’ve always been at war with Eastasia.
Well fleeie, it STILL isnt a very long “fence”. WTF good will 28 miles do?
Hell, three lesbians with shotguns could guard THAT much ground.
…and they’d probably do it for BEER!
The Mexican Border Wall is this nation’s Maginot Line.
After WWI, the French set out to fight the last war. Since WWI was a trench war, the French built the best goddamned trench in the history of warfare. You should visit it. Incredible! Trains and barracks and guns, all aimed at Germany… and it didn’t extend past the Belgium. So German aircraft flew over the Maginot and the tanks outflanked the edge of the Maginot Line.
If there’s no reason to cross the Mexican-American border (and the only-est reason for them is to get hired by people who hire illegal workers), people won’t cross the Mexican-American border.
Cons are so smitten with using the stick, they don’t recognize that eliminating the carrot might work.
KFG
YOU’RE HIRED!
(If it were up to me)
Actually, as a moderate immigration, this is what I want:
A President, or a Presidential candidate, who will berate the Mexican government for the awful conditions in Mexico.
They have two huge, beautiful coast lines, a year-round growing season, huge reserves of natural resources, proximity to several other economic powers —
And the Mexican ecomomy has always sucked!
It is the fault of the Mexican government. Only some improvement, in the Mexican economy, can ever keep the Mexicans in Mexico.
We got rained out on a tour to the Maginot line. I’ve seen photos - diesel generators that still works, artillery scarred turrets.
Been to the Battle of Verdun battlefield though. Shocking place to visit, all those shell holes and that museum with the glass window showing the bones. Bayonets sticking up out of the ground, still attached to the rifles and long ago, then men holding them, when they drowned and later were buried by dirt being tossed on them from the shell explosions.
Funny, I live within 60 miles of the border and, while I have concerns, I find it hard to get consumed with rampant paranoia.
Quite frankly, I’m more concerned about the drug gangs in Sonora–and they have their own ways of getting in, including through the front door.
Pleef,
“Virtual wall in order to be virtually safe.”
Well, it would certainly keep out all those alien avatars!
And the Mexican ecomomy has always sucked!
No, the economy is one of the largest in the world, but conservatives have been in charge until recently.
“The DMZ in Korea and the Berlin Wall are excellent examples of the technology required. Minus land minds and automatic machine guns.”
Why minus the land mines and guns? I think it would make it much more fun to watch someone cross!
“Why minus the land mines and guns? I think it would make it much more fun to watch someone cross!”
Pay-per-view!!
Alien avatars?…shhh, then they for sure will try and ban the internet (for our safety of course).
“Actually, as a moderate immigration, this is what I want:
A President, or a Presidential candidate, who will berate the Mexican government for the awful conditions in Mexico.”
So what you want is lip service. It lets you LOOK like you care about the problem, when in fact you like the cheap labor.
Money sent home from illegal immigrants is Mexico’s largest source of revenue. Bawling out their government will accomplish nothing.
So
Words dont ever change anything?
“I have a dream”
“Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall” —
The Blame belongs on the backs of Mexican leaders, and the American government, in a united voice, needs to tell Mexico to clean up their own act.
Sara
Sorry, you obviously do not know what you are talking about.
I will decline to respond until you say something intelligent.
Mexico’s economy.
Nominal GDP (2005): $769 billion (rank in world: 13).
GDP (PPP method, 2005): $1.07 trillion (rank in world: 13).
Per capita GDP (2005): $7,450 (rank in world: 53).
Per capita GDP (PPP method, 2005): $10,186 (rank in world: 65).
The GDP, per Capita, in Mexico? $12.500.00
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Mexico
Fleet
My Wiki link refers to a different year, as a base line.
Yeah write ‘em a strongly worded letter paulie!
That’ll show ‘em!
Poser.
And the people in America who exploit the illegals. We should probably give them a verbal go over too.
“Bad business people! Shame on you!”
What, exactly, did Bill and Hillary Clinton do about illegal immigration, when they were in the White House for 8 years, JR?
And, didnt Bill sign NAFTA???
LOL
JR, a man without a Party.
Or a candidate.
paulthecon
A man with a plan!
Tell ‘em off!
Instead of a fence it would’ve been better to make a game out of it….. Make the border one big minefield and have stations setup on both sides, everyone wanting to take a chance would be given a number tag, and every successful crosser would turn in their number tag at the other side and be granted immediate citizenship and a chance to join the armed forces…. The number tag would be used to pick the numbers for the national lottery… This would be much more fun to watch than the Idol shows…
“Yeah write ‘em a strongly worded letter paulie!”
Just like the United Nations. More exclaimation points!!!!! MORE CAPITAL LETTERS!!!!
“This would be much more fun to watch than the Idol shows…”
Land mines would make any TV show better.
That and monkeys.
“Send them a strongly worded letter”
hehehehehe.
Sounds like the democrats in congress.
“were gonna investigate and subpoena”
And THIS time we REALLY mean it!
Jesus WEPT
“Instead of a fence it would’ve been better to make a game out of it….. ”
Maybe Kathleen Sebelius’ son could work on that?
For his masters maybe?
Gun turrets and mines. Hang business owners that hire illegals. Do not deport live illegals..yep, that will work TIC
Take all the used tires we cant use or recycle and build the wall from them —
didn’t we have pretty effective motion, heat and sound sensors used during the VN war — Boeing is taking it to the taxpayers again —- and they should build our next tanker?
Uh oh, I feel another STRONGLY WORDED LETTER coming on…
Thu Feb-28-08 03:08 PM
USDA Shuts Down Congressional Audit
Source: AP
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Agriculture Department abruptly ordered congressional auditors to leave its headquarters and told its employees not to cooperate with them.
“You are hereby instructed not to meet with any member of the (Government Accountability Office) today, or until this matter is resolved,” Michael Watts, a top USDA attorney, wrote to employees Wednesday in an e-mail obtained by The Associated Press.
The auditors were seeking information for an ongoing audit on Agriculture’s office of civil rights and its handling of discrimination complaints. Specifically, they were investigating allegations that the department had previously provided false information for the audit.
. . .
“We are not interested in having our employees potentially put themselves at risk when they have not yet been advised of their rights and when we were not allowed to provide counsel,” Kelly said. “We also pointed out to them that while they hold themselves out to be criminal investigators, GAO is an arm of Congress and has no authority to investigate violations of criminal law.”
Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jmMDqqS37QeJR2uBIwSO...
Hell, we cant even reign in our own GOVERNMENT, how TF do we expect to stop illegal immigration?
Oh, I get it, only terrorists deserve due process, but not Amerian Citizens working for the USDA?
Take a little peek at what happens when you don’t control the influx of illegals into the U.S., and what will happen if we don’t pass the laws being discussed in Topeka now to protect Kansas.
http://www.saveourstate.org
Officials and managers at the Schmektel corporation were cited today for employing illegal aliens. The workers were reportedly paid less than $2 an hour.
Asked to comment, judge paulthecon said, ” I gave them a real tongue lashing. They were thoroughly dressed down and told they better not do it again.”
“” I gave them a real tongue lashing. They were thoroughly dressed down and told they better not do it again.””
Are you talking about Barney Frank (Q-Mass)?
Even MORE strongly worded letters. Must be an election year.
By LARA JAKES JORDAN, Associated Press Writer
28 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked the Justice Department on Thursday to open a grand jury investigation into whether President Bush’s chief of staff and former counsel should be prosecuted for contempt of Congress.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pelosi, D-Calif., demanded that the department pursue misdemeanor charges against former White House counsel Harriet Miers for refusing to testify to Congress about the firings of federal prosecutors in 2006 and against chief of staff Josh Bolten for failing to turn over White House documents related to the dismissals.
She gave Attorney General Michael Mukasey one week to respond and said refusal to take the matter to a grand jury will result in the House’s filing a civil lawsuit against the Bush administration.
Speaking of Pelosi, D-Calif.,
“She gave Attorney General Michael Mukasey one week to respond and said refusal to take the matter to a grand jury will result in the House’s filing a civil lawsuit against the Bush administration.”
What a Bitch!
A virtual fence is a joke! I guess we will have “virtual illegals” soon. If you want to CUT illegal immigration CUT the friggin JOBS by throwing their bosses in JAIL!
UM
We put people in jail for dealing drugs across the border.
How is that working?
We have to get to the heart of the problem: The Mexican economy sucks!
I was sent a wonderful idea by e-mail a while back. Make a moat along the whole border. Fill it with crocodiles, then let the illegals have at it and then shoot the ones that make it across. No more illegals.
“We have to get to the heart of the problem: The Mexican economy sucks!”
Yeah it pretty much does.
Unless you are rich or connected. Kinda like… here.
Last I checked paulie, that is what you want here. Like when you said that some jobs are not worth the minimum wage?
What Mexico needs is a socialist based revolution.
But that can’t happen as long as the potential revolutionaries are here.
Now you don’t really care about Mexico being right for it’s people do ya paulie?
The federal govt has FAILED to secure the border since the 1986 amnesty. Why spoil that perfect record now?
It only costs the US taxpayer $1 million per low-skilled illegal alien family during that family’s lifetime in the USA. No big deal. It’s only your money.
http://www.heritage.org/wherewestand/hif/hifvideo.cfm?vid=41
Statement from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Press Secretary Laura Keehner
Release Date: February 29, 2008
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
P-28 was designed to be a demonstration of critical technologies and system integration under the broader SBInet initiative. Specifically, its purpose was to demonstrate the feasibility of the SBInet technical approach developed by Boeing, and to show that this type of technology could be deployed to help secure the southwest border of the United States. The intended objective has been achieved – after successful field testing, we formally accepted it from Boeing last week. We have a system that is operational and has already assisted in identifying and apprehending over 2,000 illegal aliens trying to cross the border since December.
We have been forthcoming about the technical deficiencies identified in the P-28 module last year, and as good stewards of the taxpayers’ money, DHS delayed acceptance of P-28. After a period or operational testing, additional deficiencies were identified and subsequently corrected to the department’s satisfaction. From the P-28 demonstration, we learned that a one-size-fits-all architecture does not meet our needs. Accordingly, we are building upon lessons learned to develop a new border-wide architecture that will incorporate upgraded software, mobile surveillance systems, unattended ground sensors, unmanned and manned aviation assets, and an improved communication system to enable better connectivity and system performance.
The GAO is simply incorrect in its assertion that the delay with P-28, which was from June to December 2007 only, delayed our deploying other tactical infrastructure along the border. In fact, we are committed to developing and deploying technology and tactical infrastructure along the border that works and that protects the interests of taxpayers. To that end, we have requested a budget of $775 million next fiscal year – bringing the two-year total to $2 billion – to continue these efforts.
The department has completed more than 167 miles of pedestrian fence and 134 miles of vehicle fence on the southwest border, for a total of approximately 302 miles. We are on track to have 670 miles of total pedestrian fence and vehicle fence by the end of 2008. Further, the Border Patrol now has more than 15,000 agents and by the end of this year we will have more than 18,300 agents. This doubles the size of the Border Patrol under President Bush’s leadership. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also continues to increase its workforce at the ports of entry, hiring 2,156 new CBP Officers and 340 agriculture specialists, for a net increase of 648 officers and 151 specialists in Fiscal Year 2007.
This page was last reviewed/modified on February 29, 2008.
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[...] Boeing virtual border fence has been boondoggle Boeing virtual border fence has been boondoggle Posted12:54 p.m. The rush to build a virtual fence along the U.S.-Mexico border has become a boondoggle. Big surprise. The Bush administration is having to scale back and scrap some its plans after its test phase of the project hasnt worked as planned, the Washington Post reported. The Boeing Co. was paid $20.6 million to develop a 28-mile pilot project has been beset with problems. Among them: Boeing used inappropriate software which the go No Comments so far Leave a comment RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI Leave a comment Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong> [...]