The Brownsville, Texas, border fence: Which side are you on?

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

This week, a federal judge ordered the University of Texas at Brownsville and the Department of Homeland Security to continue discussing alternatives to a border fence that, if left to current DHS plans, will cut through a large portion of the campus.
One of the properties that could be affected is a city landmark, the Fort Brown Memorial Golf Course. The city’s namesake, Major Jacob Brown, was killed there in a 1846 battle of the Mexican-American War. Fort Brown is long gone but the golf course where it once stood is now run by Texan Robert Lucio. If the border wall is built, Lucio says the university-owned land will effectively become part of Mexico. Guest: Robert Lucio, the Fort Brown Memorial Golf Course

Contributors:

Corey Takahashi

Comments [7]

TL Winslow

Mister Obama, tear down that wall! There's a better way!

The age-old pesky U.S.-Mexico border problem has taxed the resources of both countries, led to long lists of injustices, and appears to be heading only for worse troubles in the future. Guess what? The border problem can never be solved. Why? Because the border IS the problem! It's time for a paradigm change.

Never fear, a satisfying, comprehensive solution is within reach: the Megamerge Dissolution Solution. Simply dissolve the border along with the failed Mexican government, and megamerge the two countries under U.S. law, with mass free 2-way migration eventually equalizing the development and opportunities permanently, with justice and without racism, and without threatening U.S. sovereignty or basic principles.

For details, click url above, or Google "Megamerge Dissolution Solution".

Jun. 20 2009 08:18 PM
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Darrell

You Know when i here people like your self holding out on this fence really upsets me why? i'll tell you,country is going through hell yes hell they under cut every job and that puts texasen out of work we can't take care of mexico and us to. so move if you won't to come out ahead then maybe we can get ahead i can't run to mexico with usa dollars, so think of others AND MOVE.

Jan. 30 2009 10:53 AM
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Michelle Moncivaiz

The proposed Border Fence is merely an expensive band aid our government is using
in an attempt to try to solve the current immigration problems, which should have been corrected years ago. This project is not only at the expense of Americans that live along Border states. This is costing the entire Nation. Do you want your tax dollars spent on this project? I'd rather see it in education, health and social security. This is not a one size fits all project. Texas is different than California, New Mexico and Arizona because we already have a Natural Border: the Rio Grande River! with habitat, farm and ranch lands that are priceless. This is not homeland security, the fence with it's un-manned gaps will not keep terrorists or illegals out, it's keeping our own citizens out! Our home/property in particular will be used as a funnel area for the illegal traffic and smuggling which will put us in deeper harms way. Americans are being penalized for others who are breaking the law.
Businesses, Farmers, Ranchers, and Families who have homes in the way of the proposed Border Fence will either have to sell or lose their property to DHS. Mexico needs to do their part by participating in their own homeland security to help control illegals, smugglers and any terrorists that may come if any. American we are in serious trouble!!!!!

Michelle Moncivaiz
Landowner, South of the Border Fence
Brownsville, Texas
956-346-1633

Jul. 03 2008 08:27 PM
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Pamela Taylor

My family home will be located on the south side of the proposed fence. We live a little over 250 feet from the river. We are not being sued for land, but we are being shut out of America literary when this 18 foot floating fence is placed a mile north of my home. If this border fence is for homeland security for the Nation, where is my homeland security. Our local and state representatives are not listening to the landowners. We need the Border Patrol's physical presence in our area. We do not have police or sheriff protection. The Border Patrol is all we have. Landowners are Americans too, we need representation and protection not a fence. We need help.

Pamela Taylor
956-542-4961

Jul. 03 2008 07:55 PM
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Joan Smith

Does anyone realize that there are cameras on the Rio Grande and that any citizen that wishes. . .or the border patrol. . .could monitor illegal activity on the internet? Technology would seem to be a more productive, cost effective means to stop illegal acivity.

Jul. 03 2008 10:46 AM
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Joan Smith

What no one seems to realize is that this is not going to be a solid fence. It is intermittant. . here and then not there. It will only move "traffic" from one area to another so it will be ineffective. At the congressional hearing a gentleman from El Paso stated that the fence there does not work. He says it is top heavy and has fallen over so that people and drugs are coming through anyway and is concerned about the cost of repairs. This is one of the poorest areas in our nation and a major concern should be loss of business and tourist trade. The fence will cut through Sabal Palm Grove so that it will have to close and through Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Area with its program to save the endangered ocelots. They will cut through our university with a portal in what was the golf course next door. They plan to bring criminals through what's left of the campus with all our children right there. There are other solutions to the problems that are more cost effective such as a weir dam that deepens the Rio Grande, provides a water supply to a growing desert area and allows the border to be patroled by boats at the border or use technology like they did in Eagle Pass.

Jul. 03 2008 10:41 AM
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Pamela Taylor

My family home since 1946 will now be on the south side of the proposed fence. We live a little over 200 feet from the Rio Grande River yet the 18ft floating fence will be over a mile north of my home leaving my family and others outside of our own country!!! Where is my homeland security? We leave in a high traffic area at this time. We will be left defenseless. Our dogs have been killed or stolen. We live in the county so we do not have police protection. The presence of the Border Patrol is our only protection against trafficing and smuggling.
We need representation and protection not a fence. No one is listening to the land owners regarding this problem. Washington and local officials have fallen on deaf ears. WE NEED HELP!
Pamela Taylor
956-542-4961

Jul. 02 2008 11:23 PM
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