WASHINGTON - President Bush will call for thousands of National Guard troops to be deployed along the Mexico border in support of patrols aimed at keeping out illegal immigrants, White House officials said Sunday on the eve of an Oval Office address announcing the plan.
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White House aides worked into the night Sunday to iron out details of the proposal and allay concerns among lawmakers that using troops to man the border would further burden an overextended military.
Two White House officials said Bush would propose using troops as a stopgap measure while the Border Patrol builds up its resources. The troops would play a supportive role to Border Patrol agents, who would maintain primary responsibility for physically guarding the border.
The officials spoke on a condition of anonymity before the address Monday at 8 p.m. EDT. The officials would not say how many troops Bush wanted to use, except that it would be in the thousands but less than an estimate of as many as 10,000 being discussed at the Pentagon.
Bush's national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, would not confirm that using National Guard troops was the plan but said it was one of the options the president was considering. But he described the same scenario.
"It's not about militarization of the border," Hadley said on CNN's "Late Edition." "It's about assisting the civilian border patrol in doing their job, providing intelligence, providing support, logistics support and training and these sorts of things."
Bush's National Guard plan is aimed at winning support for broader immigration reform from conservatives in Congress. Bush's main goal is to allow foreigners to get temporary work permits to take low-paying jobs — an idea favored by the business community. But many conservatives want a tougher approach on illegal immigrants trying to sneak into the country.
About 100 National Guard troops are serving on the border to assist with counter-drug operations, heavy equipment support and other functions.
"I think what it would be is simply expanding the kind of thing that has already been done in the past in order to provide a bit of a stopgap as the Border Patrol build up their capacity to deal with this challenge," Hadley said.
Bush gave the same message to Mexican President Vicente Fox, who called Sunday to express concern about what he called the possibility of a "militarized" border between the two nations. Bush assured Fox that any military support would be administrative and logistical and would come from the National Guard and not the Army, according to a news release from Fox's office.
Criticism of the National Guard plan came Sunday from Democrats, but also an important Republican negotiator in the immigration debate — Sen. Chuck Hagel (news, bio, voting record) of Nebraska. He said National Guard troops cannot secure the border over the long term and that he does not think it is wise even in the short term.
"We've got National Guard members on their second, third and fourth tours in Iraq," Hagel said. "We have stretched our military as thin as we have ever seen it in modern times. And what in the world are we talking about here, sending a National Guard that we may not have any capacity to send up to or down to protect borders? That's not their role."
Hagel said the bill under debate in the Senate that he helped write would double the 12,000-strong Border Patrol force over the next five years. "That's the way to fix it, not further stretching the National Guard," he said on ABC's "This Week."
Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., said there may be a need for troops to fill in while the Border Patrol is bolstered. But he did not seem confident that the National Guard could take on the extra duty.
"We have stretched these men and women so thin, so thin, because of the bad mistakes done by the civilians in the military here, that I wonder how they're going to be able to do it," Biden said, also on ABC.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said he supported using the National Guard on the Mexican border. He said lawmakers who doubt that the National Guard, whose members have served for years in Iraq and went to the Gulf Coast after last summer's hurricanes, could take on border patrol duty are "whining" and "moaning."
"We've got to secure our borders," Frist said on CNN's "Late Edition." "We hear it from the American people. We've got millions of people coming across that border. First and foremost, secure the border, whatever it takes. Everything else we've done has failed. We've got to face that. And so we need to bring in, I believe, the National Guard."
Frist said the full Senate planned to begin debating the immigration bill Monday and that it would take up to two weeks to pass.
Senators would have to resolve any differences with the House version of the bill, which did not address the guest worker issue but increases penalties for illegal immigration activities and funds a 700-mile border fence.
The statement from Fox's office and another from the White House said the two presidents agreed that immigration reform be comprehensive — meaning that it go beyond the tough punitive measures that some conservatives are promoting to stem the flow of immigrants.
White House spokeswoman Maria Tamburri said Bush made clear to Fox that "the United States considered Mexico a friend and that what is being considered is not militarization of the border, but support of border capabilities on a temporary basis by the National Guard."
-------------------- If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all.
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What I dont understand is why Bush has to placate Vincente Fox. Who gives a rats azz what he thinks likes or cares about. What is he gonna do. After getting rid of all the people that the country doesnt want invade us with his military? Come on. On May 1, when the illegals had their march, I was in LA. It took me 15 minutes to get home when it normally takes me 30-40 minutes. If we were to return them to their native country our gas prices would go down due to less need, taxes would drop, insurance rates would drop, and crime would drop. Hell I would actually be able to save some money on all those items. Well i would have to pay an extra 15 cents for a head of lettuce but I think I would be able to afford it. Send them home, and let them return legally. Let them assimilate, no more ESL no more documents written in spanish, (we didnt do it for the Germans, Italians, Polish, or any other damn country in the world that had LEGAL immigrants come here). Learn to be American or get the hell out. Enough soap box. TMAN...
-------------------- In the end, trust only yourself when trading stocks.
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I know Tex. The sabre rattling is only to shut us up. But we need to never shut up. As the illegals come here and LOWER our standard of living we all pay dearly. It started hard and heavy after NAFTA and we need to repeal that piece of crap and get our jobs and our sovereignty back. TMAN... Dustoff, I wouldnt be surprised. lol.
-------------------- In the end, trust only yourself when trading stocks.
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Maybe the National Guard is needed to help pass out free lunches and eWater? Hold their hand so they don't stumble and need medical attention before they have both feet on U.S. soil?
Alaska has a growth-swell of Russian immigrants. 'Free' attracts - free food, money, cars, housing, education, etc. From what I have seen, 'Free - dom' has nothing to do with it.
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Is this all you people can do and that is to whine and complain about yet another thing Bush did? C'mon!!! George W. Bush is the President, he does what needs to be done, and that's that. Quit it, WHINERS! And QUIT believing that "YOU" know it all! If you think you can do better than Bush, I'll be seeing your names when I vote in 2008. But do know, I won't be voting for you! AND..... I will only vote for John McCain if I really really need to! In the meantime.....
GOOOOOOO GEORGE W. BUSH and tell it like it is!!!
-------------------- "NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE U.S./CHINA CONNECTION"
quote:Originally posted by TickTrader: Maybe the National Guard is needed to help pass out free lunches and eWater? Hold their hand so they don't stumble and need medical attention before they have both feet on U.S. soil?
Alaska has a growth-swell of Russian immigrants. 'Free' attracts - free food, money, cars, housing, education, etc. From what I have seen, 'Free - dom' has nothing to do with it.
So Tick, how are things up there in Wasilla? A good buddy of mine lives up there as well. Been up there a few times, man, are you lucky you live where you live....aside from the Russians.
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Do you support President Bush sending National Guard troops to the Mexican border?
Yes 67% No 33%
Total Votes: 1,395,998
The American people speak..... Including ME!
NOTE: Poll results are not scientific and reflect the opinions of only those users who chose to participate. Poll results are not reflected in real time.
-------------------- "NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE U.S./CHINA CONNECTION"
posted
Highlander, I count my blessings every day, even with Russians. Now, the mosquitos... that's another story. They're out in mass this spring and bigger than ever. Be prepared for changes your next trip up. Some of the old Palmer/Wasilla founding fathers must have moved on, huge road projects and lots of new res/comm. construction.
You know things happen delayed up here. It floored me to watch the rallies on TV, peeps flying the Mexican flag. Watching the Russian closed-community grow, seeing how they make little to no effort to fit in, makes me wonder when we will see the Russian flag being waved up here. Our idiots-in-charge are giving them their own school next year (very very quietly), and had the audacity to tell these Russian families that their kids MUST go there. I can't decide who's side I'm on or figure out who opened the gate in the first place; the whole thing stinks.
Oh, well. Fishing season around the corner, blueberry picking in Sutton - simple pleasures for simple folk.
Edify --> Mosquito = unofficial Alaska State Bird.
posted
There's no other person at this time that can do a better job than George W. Bush. Like him or don't like him, the American people put him back into office to serve a second term. There's no if's or but's about it. If you people want to bash somebody, you should bash someone like Kathy Lee Gifford and NOT George W. Bush.
Dean
-------------------- "NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE U.S./CHINA CONNECTION"
posted
We need the great wall of North America + Motion sensors, cameras or whatever to keep all these cheats and thieves from entering our country.
This needs to be in place before we ship them all back, or else the illegals will be back again, that is if they aren't released on a court appearance ticket due to the overcrowding in the holding facilities.
The National Guard is a good start that should have happened decades ago, but it can not be a permanent solution IMO. We need the Great Wall of North America erected.
I see that a sheriif in Oregon sent the Mexican President a letter telling him that he owes us $300k+ for housing for all these illegals in 2005, for not keeping them outta our country. It seems a little like a far-fetched and an unrealistic possibility, but I like his way thinking. The sheriff is keeping a running tab going for 2006 as well.
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The problem with sending us is simple, we are all exhausted and sick of being away from home. I am seriously thinking about saying screw it and just getting out at the end of my contract.....which subsequently will put me at the 19 year mark, but I just don't give two sh*ts about it. Let's face it, a retirement from the reserve is a joke any way. Like my Lt. said to an unrealistice First Cav general who was up in his business in Iraq....."Career, you can't have my career, YOUR career is my hobby so do your worst." Something to that effect anyway. Pretty ballsy for a butter bar Lt. speaking to a one star. Of course my uncontrolled giggling in the background probably didn't help either.
-------------------- If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all.
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HILANDER..... With all do respect, THE HELL WITH YOU! I know you've served in the military and I thank you for that. But to bash President GEORGE WALKER Bush is a crying shame. President Bush MADE you!!! You're the one driving the Amtrak Trains, making sure that every passenger is safe! You've protected the U.S.A. and I have the MOST UT-MOST RESPECT foR YOU! Not only that, but you make sure every single Amtrak passenger has the most safe experience there is when you're operating the TRAIN! I LOVE YOU MAN, for doing what u do! Keep those trains safe and keep America SAFE! THANK you, Hilander!!! THANK YOU!!! GOD BLESS THE USA!!! And God Bless Kelly Bundy from "married with Children"!!!
-------------------- "NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE U.S./CHINA CONNECTION"
quote:Originally posted by tmanfromtexas: What I dont understand is why Bush has to placate Vincente Fox.
i been wondering about that myself.....
then i remebered the story about the Panamanian Banks taking all the dough from the drug dealers, and then how Bush the First took Noriega down for that...
maybe it's the same story again?
hey DWE, you are not gonna keep telling people who have SERVED "to hell with you" here...
why don't you tell us why you want to plant a big wet sloppy kiss on Bush's ass
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise.
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No worries Glass, it's OK. I don't mind it really, I kind of enjoyed my time in The Peoples Free Republic of Halliburton (Iraq) and it's sister state the Democratic Republic of KBR (Kuwait). And Tick, down here in Seattle car thefts are increasing as the Russians move in. "WE move to Amerika, we steal honda and live Amerikan dream" I am so glad I'm not an adjuster any more, got sick of dealing with 'em.
-------------------- If it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all.
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it's not you in particular that it bothers me about Hilander... DWE has every right to express his opinions, thats what we fight for...
the problem i have is that he's "to hell with you" when he knows you have stood up, and put your life on the line when ordered, and, based on the way he posts? i'm sure we'd know if he had.... in other words? you and others have paid his freight.. (and dubya's and cheneys too)..
he (and dubya) kinda reminds me of Homer Simpson with all of his simplistic statements....
i'd really like to hear what he thinks Dubya does/has done correctly... there are a few things he dun did good...
he looks real good on a pile of rubble hugging a crying little kid don't he
i too am a lifelong GOP and so is my family, last election? i suggested right here at allstocks that the best thing for the GOP would be to hand this friggin mess over to Kerry and let him take the heat... cuz? neither party is doing any governing anymore... they seem to see US middle class americans as their personal "golden goose"....
i think they are beginning to realise they've "squeezed" a little too hard, and we're not all as "simplistic" as ole DWE over there...
i'm all for capitalism AND law and order...
hand in hand they elevate US all, and the ultra wealthy can still be ultra-wealthy....
this new-world order chit they are slipping by in the form of NAFTA and illegal immigtration non-compliance is gonna lead to civil unrest, and i'm not afraid of it ( might even be interesting to watch huh ) , but it's most likely going to get ugly and uglier the way i see it...
i'm looking real hard at how the "weaning from foreign oil" can work? and as of right now? it won't.... we need the 6-7 billion$ a month we are sending into Iraq to be spent on alternative energy instead... it's an ubelievable amount of money being thrown away
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise.
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Tony Bennett..... You should "AMEN" to Jesus and not to some washed up repo guy like "GLASSMAN".
TONY SNOW!!! GEORGE BUSH!!! TELL IT LIKE IT IS!!!!! TELL US! TELL US!!! TELL US!!!!!
This is going to be the BEST 8 years of GEORGE W. BUSH! SO MUCH respect and honor for The President! Bush is ONE BAD A$$ S.O.B.!!! KEEP PUTTING HIM DOWN! BUSH JUST KEEPS GETTING STRONGER AND STRONGER EVERYDAY!
HAIL HAIL GEORGE W. BUSH!!!!!
AND HAIL HAIL ROCK & ROLL!!! -CHUCK BERRY-
-------------------- "NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE U.S./CHINA CONNECTION"
posted
hilander, I had no idea (re Russians down there) how bad it is. Hope you don't get deployed anytime soon, never would be better. My daughter-in-law is NG. At first, I thought... less danger on the Mexican border than Afghanistan again. But there may not be that much difference, considering the drug runners. My son was in Saudi when their barracks was bombed, came out of it with a leg wound.
DWE, man, you're losing it. This open-ended stuff is sucking us dry, and you don't want to see it. Throwing blame around or changing politicians isn't going to fix it, either. Walking softly and carrying a big stick... it only works when you know how and when to apply that stick to achieve permanent and fatal results, quickly.
--------------------- Here's a funny from my kid's t-shirt...
DON'T THINK TWICE You didn't get it right the FIRST time, You aren't going to get it right the SECOND time, either.
Now the funny part... The name brand tag is 'Tennessee River'. Flip the tag over, and you see 'Made in Mexico'!
I even have a moral to this funny... Look around your house. Look at all the STUFF you own that's made in MEXICO. Don't tell me there are no jobs down there. They have plenty of U.S. factories employing plenty of Mexicans. With a stroke of pens, Fox (there) and Bush (here) could force U.S. employers to pay a minimum wage. End of problem.
posted
Mr. George Bush and all the other draft dodger that use the military and then cast them aside cut there pay send them into battle with bad weapons your not the first to do this read this about an abused tommy and some of you may understand when you make fun of us and think we are expendable to make the world safe for your investments and to do your business
Tommy I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer, The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here." The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die, I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I: O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away"; But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play, The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play, O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.
I went into a theatre as sober as could be, They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me; They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls, But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls! For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside"; But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide, The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide, O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.
Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap; An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit. Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?" But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll, The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll, O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.
We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too, But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you; An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints, Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints; While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind", But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind, There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind, O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.
You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all: We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational. Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace. For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!" But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot; An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please; An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!
posted
bond006..... If those were song lyrics, that must be the "gayest" song ever written. Who was that by, fitness guru, Richard Simmons?
Here's a REAL MAN'S SONG by none other than a REAL MAN HIMSELF, HANK WILLIAMS, JR.!!!
"FAMILY TRADITION"
Country music singers have always been a real close family but lately some of my kin folks have disowned a few others and me i guess its because i kinda changed my direction i guess i went and broke the family tradition
they get on me wanna know Hank why do you drink? (Hank) why do you roll smoke? Why must you live out the songs that you wrote? over and over everybody made my prediction so if i get stoned I'm just carryin' on an old family tradition
I am very proud of my daddys name although his kinda music and mine ain't exactly the same stop and think it over put yourself in my position if i get stoned and sing all night long it's a family tradition
Don't ask me Hank why do you drink? (Hank) why do you roll smoke? Why must you live out the songs that you wrote? If I'm down in a Honky-Tonk Some ol' slicks tryin to give me corrections I'll say leave me alone I'm singin all night long it's a family tradition
Lordy, I have loved some ladies and I have loved Jim Beam and they both tried to kill me in 1973 when that doctor asked me Son how did you get in this condition I said hey sawbones I'm just carryin on an old family tradition
So don't ask me Hank why do you drink? (Hank) why do you roll smoke? Why must you live out the songs you wrote? Stop and think it over Try and put yourself in my unique position If I get stoned and sing all night long It's a family tradition!
-------------------- "NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE U.S./CHINA CONNECTION"
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) , but it's most likely going to get ugly and uglier the way i see it...
