Thread: GOVERNOR PERRY WANTS 1,000 TROOPS TO GUARD TEXAS BORDER

GOVERNOR PERRY WANTS 1,000 TROOPS TO GUARD TEXAS BORDER

By Diana Washington Valdez / El Paso Times
Posted: 02/24/2009 03:37:13 PM MST



Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Katherine Cesinger, his deputy press secretary, walked toward a podium, where Perry spoke about the Texas Border Security Strategy. Perry was joined by several city and state officals at a news conference at the Chamizal National Memorial. (Ruben R. Ramirez / El Paso Times)

Video: Gov. Perry in El Paso

EL PASO - Texas Gov. Rick Perry said he wants 1,000 troops to help guard the Texas-Mexico border, and for the federal government to fund security issues closer to home than Iraq and Afghanistan, such as the menacing Mexican drug cartels and their collaborators.

"We're asking the (state) Legislature for $135 million for border security - to go after transnational gangs, for technology and aviation assets, and for 1,000 troops" Perry said at a news conference Tuesday at the Chamizal National Memorial.

"I don't care if they are military, National Guard or customs agents. We're very concerned that the federal government is not funding border security adequately. We must be ready for any contingency."

Former U.S. drug czar Barry McCaffrey, who also was at the news conference, said the U.S. federal government is spending $12 billion on Iraq and $2 billion on Afghanistan each month, "without taking into account what is happening in Mexico."

With the right infusion of money for Mexico to battle the cartels, Perry said "I believe this can be put to bed rather quickly."

Perry said he, too, is committed to protecting Juárez Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz, who took refuge in El Paso after he and his family received death threats from a drug cartel.

On Tuesday, Reyes Ferriz's staff said the mayor was carrying out his normal duties in Juárez, and will continue to remove corrupt officers from the city's police force.

Other officials at the El Paso news conference included Mayor John Cook, state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, Texas Homeland Security Director Steve McCraw and El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen.

Shapleigh said he planned to have a news conference later Tuesday to respond to the governor's proposals.

McCaffrey, a retired Army general, said he is a friend of Mexico, and disagrees with others who say the Mexican government is a failed state.

Diana Washington Valdez may be reached at dvaldez@elpasotimes.com
; 546-6140.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_11775650

I'm getting ready to sell my house and I just keep seeing the $$ going down. *sigh*

He should ask the U.N. to send him some troops.

UN: Latin America needs help vs. drug traffickers

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-147466.html

TX Governor Visits El Paso To Ensure Residents He's Committed To Securing Border

Monica Balderrama-KFOX News Reporter
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 – updated: 5:39 pm MST February 24, 2009

EL PASO, Texas -- In a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Texas Gov. Rick Perry said he wants the federal government to direct some of the resources committed to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to move to the border, to help keep more violence from spilling over from Mexico.

"We need to be working with Mexico to cure this plague that's affecting all of us," said Perry.

Perry addressed a group of people about the border violence in Juarez spilling into El Paso. Now, the Juarez mayor has moved his family to El Paso after receiving threats from drug cartels.

"I think my presence here is a very strong message to the citizens of El Paso and Texas border that we're committed to their safety," said Perry.

Perry toured the El Paso Police Department headquarters and met with law enforcement leaders on Tuesday. He said funds need to be put aside for resources to help against the drug war.

"A substantial amount of technology in the form of aviation assets as well as 1,000 more troops that we can commit to different parts of the border to help on the border security," said Perry.

Sen. Eliot Shapleigh agrees. But he said those troops should be members of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

"The DPS is a much better intelligence unit. They need teams on each corridor. They're going to need some money to invest in some helicopters and other things. That's where we need to put the resources," said Shapleigh.

Texas Homeland Security Director Steve McCraw accompanied the governor Tuesday. He said the violence in Mexico has definitely spilled over to Texas.

http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/18787899/detail.html

Go Governor Go, Excellent

Only 1,000?

I think the Texas/ Mexican border is about 2,500 miles long. One soldier every 2.5 miles.

How about one every 100 yards? or 44,000 troops. That is about 30% more troops that are currently guarding the N/S Korean border.

Sounds very reasonable.

Let's see 35K troops in Korea guarding a border half way around the world....or...hmmm 44k troops guarding our own border...what an epiphany.

Show us the money and support Obama or did you spend it all on Afghanistan and special interest Socialist Pork Projects?

HB 1 = Billions spent on Pork.

Dixie

I feel so sorry for the good Americans that are living in war torn Texas this could all have been avoided if our government REALLY wanted to protect us and keep illegals out!

God Bless Our America and keep her safe from our enemies in Washington as well as the illegals.

Originally Posted by jonhaloi

Only 1,000?

I think the Texas/ Mexican border is about 2,500 miles long. One soldier every 2.5 miles.

How about one every 100 yards? or 44,000 troops. That is about 30% more troops that are currently guarding the N/S Korean border.

Sounds very reasonable.

Let's see 35K troops in Korea guarding a border half way around the world....or...hmmm 44k troops guarding our own border...what an epiphany.

The Texas Mexico border is about 1200 miles long.
The U.S. Mexico border is about 2500 miles long.
-----------------------------
Don't forget that the troops can't be on duty 24/7/365. Everyone has to sleep some times and have some time off.

I don't think Perry wants to keep all illegals out. He just wants to keep the cartels and their mules out. Perry supports comprehensive immigration reform (amnesty).

JohnDoe wrote:

He should ask the U.N. to send him some troops.

To heck with the U.N.! I'd prefer they keep their nose out of our business. Personally, I wish our government would close down the United Nations New York Headquarters.