Texas National Guard put on High Alert...

[ThaBigP]

http://www.sodahead.com/blog/44500/texas-national-guard-on-alert/

Damn, I hadn't even heard about this 'till now...waiting to see where (other than a blog) this news appears.

Seems to be in response to Mexico's impending collapse, and Washington's refusal to deal with the problem.

[ThaBigP]

Trying to find confirmation, but from what I've read from multiple sources (granted, mostly blogs and such) is that this was in direct defiance of an order from Washing the last few days. Again, I'm looking for some more mainstream sources on both the alert, and to what extent this was in "violation" or "defiance" of a federal order... Hard to find breaking news on a Sunday other than sports and blogs unfortunately...

[MetalHead]

Dear Obama:
You want a shovel ready project?
How about the border?
Capitalize on one of Bush's screw ups.

[ThaBigP]

Dear Obama:
You want a shovel ready project?
How about the border?
Capitalize on one of Bush's screw ups.

I did get to see Dan Patrick on Fox News, and he was "mad as hell, and he wasn't going to take it any more!" sometime last week. I'll see if I can dig up the video. Think Glenn Beck interviewed him.

His premise was, they're trying (read: pleading) with the administration to do something and getting a cold shoulder, committee hearings, blue ribbon panels (the usual "do nothing" routine). He suggested then calling up the Texas Army National Guard with or without Washington's help

[ThaBigP]

http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html?playerId=videolandingpage&streamingFormat=FLASH&referralObject=3624924&referralPlaylistId=playlist

Here's the Dan Patrick interview from last week...even there he says we should call up the guard...but at the time he was hoping for Washington's assistance.

Again, I'm sure on Mon you'll be able to comfirm or deny this report better, once the "regular" news picks up on the story (or refutes it). In the meantime we have to settle for "sodapop", "lolipop", and "pizzaslice" blogs...

[sbark]

Link to a Mexican TV station reporting in the middle of a firefight on the border. It is in Spanish
http://mexicanal.com/video?loadvideo=13757 (http://mexicanal.com/video?loadvideo=13757)

[ThaBigP]

Link to a Mexican TV station reporting in the middle of a firefight on the border. It is in Spanish
http://mexicanal.com/video?loadvideo=13757 (http://mexicanal.com/video?loadvideo=13757)

Man, I could hear some heavy arms being discharged in that vid...sounded like .50cal

[iceberg]

I did get to see Dan Patrick on Fox News, and he was "mad as hell, and he wasn't going to take it any more!" sometime last week. I'll see if I can dig up the video. Think Glenn Beck interviewed him.

His premise was, they're trying (read: pleading) with the administration to do something and getting a cold shoulder, committee hearings, blue ribbon panels (the usual "do nothing" routine). He suggested then calling up the Texas Army National Guard with or without Washington's help

this the same obama who said "do nothing" was not an option for "his" ideas?

[sbark]

this the same obama who said "do nothing" was not an option for "his" ideas?

Texas is a "Red" state.....doing nothing is 1st option, heck Texas doenst even want his "funny money"

[iceberg]

Texas is a "Red" state.....doing nothing is 1st option, heck Texas doenst even want his "funny money"

these times are about as unstable as it's ever been, huh?

[vta]

How close are you Texans on this board to this sort of thing?
Is it affecting you in any way?

[ThaBigP]

this the same obama who said "do nothing" was not an option for "his" ideas?

Don't worry, if Obama has failed here (and let's be clear....Bush did as well), I'll be one of the first to smack him around on this thread. But I always try to be fair...we just may have to wait until the regular media wakes up and goes back to work on Monday morning before we know any details.

[iceberg]

How close are you Texans on this board to this sort of thing?
Is it affecting you in any way?

not yet, but i'll feel better when my shotgun gets here.

still debating the rifle. i like the wetherby 7mm.

[ThaBigP]

How close are you Texans on this board to this sort of thing?
Is it affecting you in any way?

If you mean, are we dodging gunfire and narco-gang wars, no, at least not in North Dallas. The attitude of Texans, though, is that we WILL NOT ever allow it to get to that point. Think of us as Israel on the Rio Grande. I've heard that there has been increased Mexican narco-gang activity here the last few years, however. It's yet to boil over this far north though, at least to the degree that the average Joe and Jane notice it. Further south, esp in the El Paso area is a different story.

[sbark]

these times are about as unstable as it's ever been, huh?

its beginning to feel like we are living thru a Movie...Orwell 1984?

[sbark]

not yet, but i'll feel better when my shotgun gets here.

still debating the rifle. i like the wetherby 7mm.

better get 1 quick......
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3731/is_200203/ai_n9083907

Article basically says Natl Gd units are under Fed Control.......Obama could nix the call up?....probably depends on his mood for that day...how did his 1 on 1 game go that morning?

going to have to defend the border with a citizen militia.....

[adamc91115]

going to have to defend the border with a citizen militia.....

Sign me up.

[ThaBigP]

these times are about as unstable as it's ever been, huh?

You want a completely nightmare scenario? Well, you're going to get one anyway :rolleyes:

Bear in mind, none of this (I mean *none* of this) is based on any information I have, just a brainstorm...

What if the TX National Guard story is true. What if Washington doesn't like it and throws a fit. What if TX doesn't back down. What if Washinton then simply orders those guardsmen to Afghanistan....

[theogt]

I can't find anything about this in the news. The only thing I can find is on blogs and political websites. I think there's a good chance this is complete BS.

[ThaBigP]

better get 1 quick......
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3731/is_200203/ai_n9083907

Article basically says Natl Gd units are under Fed Control.......Obama could nix the call up?....probably depends on his mood for that day...how did his 1 on 1 game go that morning?

going to have to defend the border with a citizen militia.....

No, more likey Texas would simply defy any order to stand down. See may "nightmare scenario" post on how Washington might react to that...

[iceberg]

I can't find anything about this in the news. The only thing I can find is on blogs and political websites. I think there's a good chance this is complete BS.

maybe, but with the unrest in mexico, having them on border patrol wouldn't be a bad idea.

we'll see.

[ThaBigP]

I can't find anything about this in the news. The only thing I can find is on blogs and political websites. I think there's a good chance this is complete BS.

Actually, Theo, the good chance is that it's true. That doesn't mean it is though. There's circumstantial evidence to suggest it is true...the blogs (for what they're worth) cite Dan Patrick's statements on Fox News as the source. This should be easy to confirm or refute for the media tomorrow. And I do mean tomorrow...it's Sunday afternoon when this stuff hit the blogs as far as I can tell..."regular" news usually has skeleton crews working those hours. So we'll just have to wait 'till Mon.

As for circumstantial evidence, Dan Patrick last week was already calling for TX to call up it's guard...on Fox News. It fits events that have already happened.

Again, though, we'll have to wait I suppose.

Also, might I ask why you think such a thing would be...I suppose "unthinkable"? Mexico on the verge of collapse and the narco-violence spreading into the border states...Texas has already declared it will act with or without the Feds' assistance....

[theogt]

Actually, Theo, the good chance is that it's true.Well, usually if something isn't reported by a major news source, that means it's not true, particularly something like this.

[ThaBigP]

Well, usually if something isn't reported by a major news source, that means it's not true, particularly something like this.

Trust me, I'm still digging...I want to see something other than the copy/paste blogs myself.

I don't know if you're in TX or not, but this would not be anything that would be "extraodinary" by any means.

[WoodysGirl]

Texas is a "Red" state.....doing nothing is 1st option, heck Texas doenst even want his "funny money"
May not want it, but Perry will "relunctantly" accept it.
How close are you Texans on this board to this sort of thing?
Is it affecting you in any way?Can't find a thing about it in the Chron.

I guess it might be useful to search one of the border towns papers.

[JBond]

Well, usually if something isn't reported by a major news source, that means it's not true, particularly something like this.

The MSM has been behind and wrong about so many things this year, it would not surprise me in the least if it was true. The Obamaics in the media probably haven't heard about it yet (it is Oscar night) or are choosing to not report it just like they did over and over with stories regarding Obama during the run up to the election.

[WoodysGirl]

From a message board

reply to post by jam321

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------






Called three friends in national guard in different locations and they said they haven't heard nothing. This guy is a proponent of using Texas taxpayers money to tackle the problem.




The alert was only issued by Gov. Perry this evening. Most guard members wouldn't be informed this quickly. Remember, this is an alert. An alert order does not necessarily mean deployment.

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread439045/pg2

That's about all I've been able to find.

All other alerts have been weather alerts, but then I wouldn't know all the political site to search.

[iceberg]

From a message board

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread439045/pg2

That's about all I've been able to find.

All other alerts have been weather alerts, but then I wouldn't know all the political site to search.

thanks wg! hopefully it's not true - but these days almost anything is possible. tension is just *thick*.

[MetalHead]

I can't find anything about this in the news. The only thing I can find is on blogs and political websites. I think there's a good chance this is complete BS.

Is this another thing you can't see coming?

[iceberg]

Is this another thing you can't see coming?

well who would have known we'd let mexico fall...

[theogt]

well who would have known we'd let mexico fall...Hey, at least I know you're listening. If only I can get you to comprehend.

[iceberg]

Hey, at least I know you're listening. If only I can get you to comprehend.

it's your sparkling persoanlity, theo. it blinds me to your words.

i comprehend just fine. you just mistake my sarcasm for something else. it's just sarcasm.

[Kangaroo]

I did get to see Dan Patrick on Fox News, and he was "mad as hell, and he wasn't going to take it any more!" sometime last week. I'll see if I can dig up the video. Think Glenn Beck interviewed him.

His premise was, they're trying (read: pleading) with the administration to do something and getting a cold shoulder, committee hearings, blue ribbon panels (the usual "do nothing" routine). He suggested then calling up the Texas Army National Guard with or without Washington's help

Woot go Senator Patrick Yea that is right I voted for the man he gets it and Senate Seat District 7 has turned Texas Capital Hill upside down he got those guys scrambling.

Any ways h always said that if the federal Government can not due their job we will have to activate the Texas National Guard and take matters into our own hands along the border to secure it.

[Kangaroo]

better get 1 quick......
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3731/is_200203/ai_n9083907

Article basically says Natl Gd units are under Fed Control.......Obama could nix the call up?....probably depends on his mood for that day...how did his 1 on 1 game go that morning?

going to have to defend the border with a citizen militia.....

No they are not under his full control since the States fund part of their budget so yes they can call them up and tell Obama to take a flying leap

[ThaBigP]

Found something...Perry apparently put the operations center on alert last week and nobody picked that up, either. El Paso times sounds more credible than "frenchfriedonions" or whatever-blog. Still looking for this specific story.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_11753103?source=rss

Read about halfway down...


Texas on alert

Concerns over the border protests prompted the Texas governor's office on Tuesday to place its operations center for border contingencies on alert, said Katherine Sessinger, a spokes woman for Gov. Rick Perry in Austin.

"This is the initial phase of the contingency plan, called increased coordination, but they stood down once it was determined there was no spillover of the violence," Sessinger said. "We will continue to monitor the situation."

El Paso Mayor John Cook said, "It's very dangerous times in Juárez, especially for somebody in law enforcement. It means we have to be prepared and have a plan, and I think you will see (a plan) next week from the (Texas) governor's office."

James Kuykendall, a retired DEA official and author of "O Plata O Plomo?" (Silver or Lead?), a book about the 1985 murder of DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, said he is skeptical about Mexico's progress in its battle against drug cartels.

"Corruption is the main cause for why things aren't getting better," said Kuykendall, who worked with Camarena in Mexico. "They gave the country away 25 to 30 years ago to the drug cartels. For things to really change, the Mexican government has to have the political courage to arrest the real criminals and put them in jail."
In light of the continuing violence, the U.S. State Department on Friday renewed its travel alert for Mexico. According to the alert, "Some recent Mexican army and police confrontations with drug cartels have resembled small-unit combat, with cartels employing automatic weapons and gre nades. Large firefights have taken place in many towns and cities across Mexico, but most recently in northern Mexico, including in Tijuana, Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juárez."

[iceberg]

it's gettin
it's gettin
it's gettin kinda hectic!

[ScipioCowboy]

it's gettin
it's gettin
it's gettin kinda hectic!

_BRv9wGf5pk

[theogt]

Found something...Perry apparently put the operations center on alert last week and nobody picked that up, either. El Paso times sounds more credible than "frenchfriedonions" or whatever-blog. Still looking for this specific story.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_11753103?source=rss

Read about halfway down...


Texas on alert

Concerns over the border protests prompted the Texas governor's office on Tuesday to place its operations center for border contingencies on alert, said Katherine Sessinger, a spokes woman for Gov. Rick Perry in Austin.

"This is the initial phase of the contingency plan, called increased coordination, but they stood down once it was determined there was no spillover of the violence," Sessinger said. "We will continue to monitor the situation."

El Paso Mayor John Cook said, "It's very dangerous times in Juárez, especially for somebody in law enforcement. It means we have to be prepared and have a plan, and I think you will see (a plan) next week from the (Texas) governor's office."

James Kuykendall, a retired DEA official and author of "O Plata O Plomo?" (Silver or Lead?), a book about the 1985 murder of DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, said he is skeptical about Mexico's progress in its battle against drug cartels.

"Corruption is the main cause for why things aren't getting better," said Kuykendall, who worked with Camarena in Mexico. "They gave the country away 25 to 30 years ago to the drug cartels. For things to really change, the Mexican government has to have the political courage to arrest the real criminals and put them in jail."
In light of the continuing violence, the U.S. State Department on Friday renewed its travel alert for Mexico. According to the alert, "Some recent Mexican army and police confrontations with drug cartels have resembled small-unit combat, with cartels employing automatic weapons and gre nades. Large firefights have taken place in many towns and cities across Mexico, but most recently in northern Mexico, including in Tijuana, Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juárez."So, nothing about the Texas National Guard being on alert? I wonder what the "operations center for border contigencies" is.

[ThaBigP]

I'm thinking more along the lines of...

5tLTb4P1HD8

:cool:

[ThaBigP]

So, nothing about the Texas National Guard being on alert? I wonder what the "operations center for border contigencies" is.

It's the operations center set up as a ... well, command center to direct assets in the event Mexico collapses causing a humanitarian/political crisis.

[theogt]

It's the operations center set up as a ... well, command center to direct assets in the event Mexico collapses causing a humanitarian/political crisis.I'm trying my best to come up with what exactly this is and what it constitutes, but I can't find squat online.

[iceberg]

I'm trying my best to come up with what exactly this is and what it constitutes, but I can't find squat online.

neither can he and i'm sure you're both digging pretty hard. all we're likely to find tonight are blogs and smaller papers that may be border towns like wg was saying. we'll know more in the am.

it's like watching life unfold online. ultimate reality game.

[ThaBigP]

I'm trying my best to come up with what exactly this is and what it constitutes, but I can't find squat online.

http://www.rickperry.org/node/72

Edit: I whittled this down a bit since most of it was just a campaign ad...

OPERATION RIO GRANDE – A comprehensive border security strategy Gov.
Perry launched in February 2006 that gives the state a leading role in
coordinating intelligence and law enforcement assets within an 80,000
square mile region. Under this operation, Texas has been able to:

Centralize Intelligence, Command and Control
– A new around-the-clock Border Security Operations Center (BSOC)
serves as a central point of coordination for state, local and federal
operations. All incidents are reported to the BSOC, which in turn
provides real-time intelligence to officers on the ground.
Increase State Law Enforcement Presence
– The state has dispatched Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper
Strike Teams, covert surveillance units, and Texas Department of Parks
and Wildlife game wardens across the border region. Additionally, the
governor has authorized the deployment of Texas Department of Criminal
Justice canine tracking teams, and assigned the Texas Rangers to
investigate all allegations of Mexican Military incursions onto Texas
soil.
Increase the Use of State Assets and Equipment
– The governor has directed DPS to support law enforcement patrols with
fixed-wing and rotary aviation assets. The Department of Transportation
will assist operations with specialized equipment such as road
barriers. Additionally, the governor has authorized the deployment of
the Texas Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, to aid
ground operations.
Utilize National Guard Resources
– Texas has enlisted the National Guard to provide homeland security
support, training and exercises along the border. The National Guard is
helping local law enforcement personnel and providing a strong, visible
deterrent to lawbreakers.
Increase the Use of Technology
– The governor has directed the increased use of technology across the
border region, allowing law enforcement to better monitor and deter
illegal activity at known criminal routes and hotspots. The governor
has also directed that law enforcement agencies in all 45 border
counties be put on the fast track for the deployment of electronic
fingerprinting capabilities, so that the identity of criminals can be
determined faster and with greater accuracy. Additionally, The Governor
has ordered hundreds of video cameras to be posed in hotspots along the
border to assist law enforcement in detecting criminal activity.

[burmafrd]

SOP once you put your OPS center on alert is that the Nat Guard HQ ramps up as well and you also alert your major (battalion and above) unit CO's and make sure they are also alerting their staffs. Word certainly trickles down but it would take a while.

[theogt]

neither can he and i'm sure you're both digging pretty hard. all we're likely to find tonight are blogs and smaller papers that may be border towns like wg was saying. we'll know more in the am.

it's like watching life unfold online. ultimate reality game.I saw you were buying a shotgun -- what kind? I'm in the process of deciding what to purchase.

[ThaBigP]

More on the ops center:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/pages/mission.htm#link4

Operations Section

The GDEM Operations Section manages and staffs the State Operations Center (SOC), located at Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Headquarters in Austin. The SOC serves as the state warning point and primary state direction and control facility. It operates around the clock to monitor threats, make notification of threats and provide information on emergency incidents to local, state, and federal officials, and coordinate state emergency assistance to local governments that have experienced an emergency situation that local response resources are inadequate to deal with. During major emergencies, the state agencies and volunteer groups that make up the state Emergency Management Council convene at the SOC to identify, mobilize, and deploy state and volunteer group resources to respond to the emergency.


The Operations Section also operates a Border Security Operations Center (BSOC), which is collocated with the SOC. The BSOC, which is staffed by GDEM personnel and contract workers, monitors border security along the Texas-Mexico border and plans and coordinates state and law enforcement border security operations and programs to support Federal security activities. The BSOC also provides Border Security Liaison Officers to assist in operating six regional joint operations intelligence centers (JOICs) that support border security operations in specific geographic areas along the border.

[iceberg]

I saw you were buying a shotgun -- what kind? I'm in the process of deciding what to purchase.

remington 870 pump turkey shotgun. 12 gauge. i'll get another barrell for it but for the money, it was the best i could find. synthetic stock, but the center of it is cutout like a triangle to give you a stock as well as a pistol grip. kinda cool.

mossberg was heavily recommended by their owners as your good base shotgun.

[ScipioCowboy]

I saw you were buying a shotgun -- what kind? I'm in the process of deciding what to purchase.

You didn't ask me, but...:p:

It depends on your specific need. 12-gauge pump action shotguns are very common, especially for home defense, and ammunition is readily available.

But, as I said, your need should determine your purchase--hunting, skeet shooting, home defense, etc.

[iceberg]

You didn't ask me, but...:p:

It depends on your specific need. 12-gauge pump action shotguns are very common, especially for home defense, and ammunition is readily available.

But, as I said, your need should determine your purchase--hunting, skeet shooting, home defense, etc.

i've done a lot of research. i started last year when i got my springfield armory 9mm. i've yet to fire it. : )

recently - i just want options. i don't think life will fall back 200 years, i don't think governments will collapse, and so forth - but it doesn't hurt to have options. need to get my rods and reels up to date and stock up there too. :)

anyone wanna go buy a bunker in montana?

i got a ruger 10/22 w/scope and then the shotgun. my gun friend wants me to get an ar15 but it's onliy 223 - not really hunting per se beyond varments.

so the weatherby 7mm sporter wood stock model has my eye right now.

[burmafrd]

Ice do you have reloading equipment?

[tecolote]

http://www.sodahead.com/blog/44500/texas-national-guard-on-alert/

Damn, I hadn't even heard about this 'till now...waiting to see where (other than a blog) this news appears.

Seems to be in response to Mexico's impending collapse, and Washington's refusal to deal with the problem.

Mexico is nowhere near collapse, the recent uptick in violence is the result of the goverment finally going after the drug cartels.

[theogt]

You didn't ask me, but...:p:

It depends on your specific need. 12-gauge pump action shotguns are very common, especially for home defense, and ammunition is readily available.

But, as I said, your need should determine your purchase--hunting, skeet shooting, home defense, etc.Most frequently sporting clays. May use it hunting on occasion. Tazer for home defense.

I'm going with a side by side, largely just because I think they look cooler. :) But other than that, I haven't decided.

[WoodysGirl]

Mexico is nowhere near collapse, the recent uptick in violence is the result of the goverment finally going after the drug cartels.
Interesting. What's your take on things? If I'm not mistaken, you're a Mexican citizen, correct?

[ScipioCowboy]

Most frequently sporting clays. May use it hunting on occasion. Tazer for home defense.

I'm doing with a side by side, largely just because I think they look cooler. :)

Aren't .410s most commonly used for clay shooting?

[theogt]

Aren't .410s most commonly used for clay shooting?I've heard 20 gauge. That's all I've ever shot with on the handful of times I've been.

[ScipioCowboy]

i've done a lot of research. i started last year when i got my springfield armory 9mm. i've yet to fire it. : )

recently - i just want options. i don't think life will fall back 200 years, i don't think governments will collapse, and so forth - but it doesn't hurt to have options. need to get my rods and reels up to date and stock up there too. :)

anyone wanna go buy a bunker in montana?

i got a ruger 10/22 w/scope and then the shotgun. my gun friend wants me to get an ar15 but it's onliy 223 - not really hunting per se beyond varments.

so the weatherby 7mm sporter wood stock model has my eye right now.

Research is very important, especially when acquiring firearms. Kudos to you.:p:

Every year, it seems my father is trying to buy me or coerce me into buying a new gun. (He really is a gun nut.) Recently, I've considered purchasing a new handgun. I have a 9mm Star, but I would prefer something with a little more "take down" power, such as a .45.

[ThaBigP]

Mexico is nowhere near collapse, the recent uptick in violence is the result of the goverment finally going after the drug cartels.

Well, perhaps "collapse" is a strong word - the main concern is Mexican authorities completely losing control of the Northern states and border crossings to the cartels. They are also wargaming a complete collapse *just in case*. It's "hope for the best, prepare for the worst".

[ScipioCowboy]

I've heard 20 gauge. That's all I've ever shot with on the handful of times I've been.

Twenty gauge sounds reasonable. A few years, the world champion skeet shooter used a .410, which (I believe) is the smallest caliber shotgun.

[iceberg]

Ice do you have reloading equipment?

no. not sure i wanna get that serious or just buy an attic full of ammo. : )

[tecolote]

Interesting. What's your take on things? If I'm not mistaken, you're a Mexican citizen, correct?


Yes WG, I live in Mexico City, the violence right now is pretty much concentrated in some border towns and has not spread into other areas of the country.

After decades of giving the drug cartels a free reign, the president is finally doing something about it, it's a tough thing to do, but most people support him.

Mexico is a country with a horrible history of corruption and government ineptitude. and believe me, it is still going on, but President Calderon is a pretty good guy. It's going to be tough to change the way things work down here, but you've got to start somewhere.

[iceberg]

Yes WG, I live in Mexico City, the violence right now is pretty much concentrated in some border towns and has not spread into other areas of the country.

After decades of giving the drug cartels a free reign, the president is finally doing something about it, it's a tough thing to do, but most people support him.

Mexico is a country with a horrible history of corruption and government ineptitude. and believe me, it is still going on, but President Calderon is a pretty good guy. It's going to be tough to change the way things work down here, but you've got to start somewhere.

wow - thanks! appreciate your posting w/a "direct connection" so to speak!

[tecolote]

Well, perhaps "collapse" is a strong word - the main concern is Mexican authorities completely losing control of the Northern states and border crossings to the cartels. They are also wargaming a complete collapse *just in case*. It's "hope for the best, prepare for the worst".

It's not that they are losing control, they have never had control, now they are trying to get it.

And I completelly understand the US in taking every precaution necessary, you can never be too careful.

[iceberg]

well this probably explains why some things are so hard to find these days... : )

[WoodysGirl]

Yes WG, I live in Mexico City, the violence right now is pretty much concentrated in some border towns and has not spread into other areas of the country.

After decades of giving the drug cartels a free reign, the president is finally doing something about it, it's a tough thing to do, but most people support him.

Mexico is a country with a horrible history of corruption and government ineptitude. and believe me, it is still going on, but President Calderon is a pretty good guy. It's going to be tough to change the way things work down here, but you've got to start somewhere.
Well thank you for providing a different perspective, tecolote. I'm in Texas, but I don't consider myself close to the situation.

At least you can provide perspective from someone with knowlege of the Mexican government's actions.

[theogt]

well this probably explains why some things are so hard to find these days... : ):laugh2:

[tecolote]

well this probably explains why some things are so hard to find these days... : )

:laugh2: :laugh2:

[WoodysGirl]

well this probably explains why some things are so hard to find these days... : )
I'm sorry. I don't get it. I really, really tried.

[theogt]

I'm sorry. I don't get it. I really, really tried.Drug cartels?

[iceberg]

I'm sorry. I don't get it. I really, really tried.

smoke, other drugs.... :)

[WoodysGirl]

smoke, other drugs.... :)
I thought that's what you meant, but I wasn't sure.

I tend to overthink things.

[iceberg]

I thought that's what you meant, but I wasn't sure.

I tend to overthink things.

try smoke...other drugs.... : )

[JBond]

well who would have known we'd let mexico fall...

Bail them out. They are to big to fail. We must at all cost (to US tax payers) bail out any and all failures.

[WoodysGirl]

try smoke...other drugs.... : )
I'll stick to alcohol. Thank you, very much.

Preferably tequila. ;)

[ScipioCowboy]

I'll stick to alcohol. Thank you, very much.

Preferably tequila. ;)

I'm a Rum and Coke man, myself.

[JBond]

Yes WG, I live in Mexico City, the violence right now is pretty much concentrated in some border towns and has not spread into other areas of the country.

After decades of giving the drug cartels a free reign, the president is finally doing something about it, it's a tough thing to do, but most people support him.

Mexico is a country with a horrible history of corruption and government ineptitude. and believe me, it is still going on, but President Calderon is a pretty good guy. It's going to be tough to change the way things work down here, but you've got to start somewhere.

I have heard pro's and con's about Calderon. Do you know what he intends to do to secure your border? What is he doing to put down the violence in the border towns.

I have another question. I have read that the Mexican army defends their southern border. Is that true? Or are Central and South Americans allowed into your courty any time they feel the need, you know for jobs. Just trying to learn. Thanks.

[ThaBigP]

Well, I've been scouring the 'net off and on tonight and other than blogs, nada. Many link back to a FoxNews story that ran a few days ago detailing how Texas was rapidly gearing up for a rush on the border, but nothing specifically addressing Dan Patrick's supposed comments on air that the Guard had in fact been put on alert.

I guess we'll see each other on the flip side and know more, if anything, by morning.

[BigDFan5]

I could list all my weapons but some may think I am a little crazy lol

[WoodysGirl]

I could list all my weapons but some may think I am a little crazy lol
Does one need to see your list of guns to think you're crazy?

[tecolote]

I have heard pro's and con's about Calderon. Do you know what he intends to do to secure your border? What is he doing to put down the violence in the border towns.

I had another question. I have read that the Mexican army defends their southern border. Is that true? Or are Central and South Americans allowed into your courty any time they feel the need, you know for jobs. Just trying to learn. Thanks.

Right now he is aggressively going after the cartels, that's why you see the spike in the violence, past administrations just kind of let them do their thing and there was less violence, Calderon is taking them head on. He has some faults but he has good intentions, unfurtunately sometimes you need more than that.

Yes the Mexican army tries to defend the southern border, tries being the key word, it is really a mess down there, it is not an open border but people from central america do come here illegaly, many of them stay here but a lot of them use Mexico as a passageway to the US.

[CowboyFan74]

If this story is true all we need are a few volunteers from Tennessee, Davey Crocket, Jim Bowie, and we'll handle this ourselves!!!:shoot2::shoot1::shoot3::draw:





Somebody PM Rack, he lives on the border where all this is, "Going Down."

[CowboyFan74]

http://www.lmtonline.com/

US State Department issues travel alert for Mexico



By
Associated Press

Published: Friday, February 20, 2009 3:49 PM CST
MEXICO CITY — The U.S. State Department has renewed a travel advisory warning Americans about an increase in violence along the U.S.-Mexico border.



The alert does not recommend staying away from the country or any particular part of it, but advises American to stay away from prostitution and drug-dealing areas.

It recommends visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas.

The alert issued Friday says violent crime is particularly worrisome along the U.S.-Mexico border, where automatic weapons and grenades have been used in clashes between police and drug traffickers.

More than 6,000 people were killed in drug violence in Mexico last year.

[BigDFan5]

Does one need to see your list of guns to think you're crazy?


It would seal the deal yes lol

[theogt]

The alert does not recommend staying away from the country or any particular part of it, but advises American to stay away from prostitution and drug-dealing areas.

It recommends visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas.Our government is always on top of things.

:laugh2:

[dback]

I've heard 20 gauge. That's all I've ever shot with on the handful of times I've been.

I know that it takes a lot of skill to shoot clay with a .410. I have only shot a .410 while hunting small mammals. Personally I prefer a 20 or a 12 gauge for general hunting, cheaper ammo.

[CowboyFan74]

Well, I've been scouring the 'net off and on tonight and other than blogs, nada. Many link back to a FoxNews story that ran a few days ago detailing how Texas was rapidly gearing up for a rush on the border, but nothing specifically addressing Dan Patrick's supposed comments on air that the Guard had in fact been put on alert.

I guess we'll see each other on the flip side and know more, if anything, by morning.

Got a direct link for that?

[JBond]

Recent border violence tests spillover plan

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/violence_95108___article.html/border_plan.html

February 22, 2009 - 7:46 AM
By Jeremy Roebuck, The Monitor
As protests and gunfire erupted last week across Reynosa, Hidalgo County authorities stood prepared at the international bridges, ready for any possibility.

With mobile command units connected to statewide intelligence centers and dozens of officers armed to confront potential threats, law enforcement officials responded to Tuesday's violence like they never have before.

The incident prompted state officials to enact for the first time a border-wide emergency plan developed to address threats from Mexico's ongoing war against its entrenched drug cartels.

Dubbed the "Operation Border Star Contingency Plan," Gov. Rick Perry's office drafted the policy with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies last year to prepare for the possibility of violence spilling over into the United States.

"The most significant threat Texas faces is spillover violence from Mexico's drug cartels," Perry's homeland security director, Steve McCraw, told state senators at a hearing Wednesday. "You can never be too prepared."

CONTINGENCY PLAN

Last year, more than 5,700 Mexican citizens died as a result of drug-related violence, according to estimates by the country's attorney general's office. Some 260 more have been killed in cities such as Ciudad Juarez just in the first two months of this year.

And as Mexican President Felipe Calderon continues his administration's three-year crackdown on the nation's crime syndicates, those numbers are only expected to rise.

Texas has yet to see widespread outbreaks of open drug violence on this side of the border, but its status as a primary smuggling corridor makes it vulnerable to potential attacks, state officials said.

"These groups don't care about boundaries," McCraw said. "They don't care about how we organize ourselves."

The protests Tuesday at border crossings in cities such as Reynosa, Nuevo Laredo and Ciudad Juarez drew thousands of demonstrators but remained relatively calm. A separate Mexican army raid on a suspected Gulf Cartel safe house led to a shootout that killed at least six later that day.

The violence remained confined to the Mexican side of the border, but the incident provided a good test run for the lowest levels of the Border Star contingency plan, said Katherine Cesinger, a spokeswoman for the governor.

"We're doing what we can to fill in the gaps from a state level," she said.

Throughout the day, a central operations center in Austin sent constant intelligence updates to state, local and federal law enforcement agencies up and down the border. They kept in constant contact over a designated radio band as the situation developed.

That state of heightened alert makes up the lowest level of response outlined in the security plan. While individual response policies have been developed for five border regions across the state and Texas' coastal bend, officials remained tight-lipped regarding many of the specifics, citing security concerns.

But local law enforcement officials who helped develop the plans say they address several potential scenarios ranging from violence close to the Texas border to sustained attacks on U.S. citizens and law enforcement in Texas.

At each increasing threat level, different local, state and federal authorities will be called in to establish order, they said. In the direst situations, the governor could dispatch the Texas Army National Guard to help maintain the peace.

"There's no doubt that there's been a slight extension - not a spillover - of (drug) violence into Hidalgo County so far," Sheriff Lupe Treviño said. "But we have to be prepared for more serious situations."

THREAT OF COLLAPSE?

So far, the plan addresses law enforcement concerns only, state officials said. It does not provide for other possibilities such as effects on the local economy or increased levels of refugees and asylum seekers.

But those are all scenarios that should be considered, said Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos, who also helms the governor's Border Security Council.

"You are already seeing the beginning stages of that now," he said. "Some of the wealthy and upper-middle-class Mexicans are buying second or third homes here because they are concerned about the state of their country."

The U.S. Department of Defense went even further late last year when it issued a report that listed Pakistan and Mexico as countries whose governments face a threat of rapid collapse.

Based in part on the report's recommendation, the then U.S. Homeland Security secretary, Michael Chertoff, ordered his agency to begin preparing its own border spillover contingency plan. But like its state equivalent, the details have been kept under wraps.

While state and local officials have called a full-scale government collapse unlikely, Cascos predicts the security situation along Texas' southern frontier will only continue to deteriorate.

"Until Mexico gets a handle on the activities going on over there," he said, "these problems are going to continue making their way to this side."

[burmafrd]

The National Guard being deployed would probably be considered the last resort, so if that happened it would have to be a lot worse then it is.


Ice, consider this: reloading equipment is not that expensive and it gives you another option. For small arms ammunition to last a long time it has to be in sealed containers and in a relatively climate controled environment. That is why sealed mtl containers burried in the ground is a good idea. But reloading gives you another option. That plus you can maximize your ammo- factory loads are always weaker because they have to worry about lawsuits and the like.

[CowboyFan74]

Man it doesn't get any further south than Brownsville, TX.

[JBond]

Man it doesn't get any further south than Brownsville, TX.

CowboyFan74 you wanted a link. It was the first one I found. It took about 12 seconds to find. Lazy libs.

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/violence_95108___article.html/border_plan.html

[neosapien23]

I am tired of Mexicans running drugs into Texas so easily. Hell Mexican soldiers have actually helped cross over some dealers. If our soldiers went into Mexico they would throw a fit. Bush had eight years to do something about this and he sold us out for the Mexican government.

[burmafrd]

And you expect Obama, who was gung ho for the amnesty bill, to do anything?

[neosapien23]

And you expect Obama, who was gung ho for the amnesty bill, to do anything?



Nope....Just another example of how our politicians (even the conservative ones) are selling us out. Someone needs to close off the border and engage illegal trafficers under heavy arms fire if need be. There are too many stories where Mexicans continue to violate our sovereignity. I think someone like Jindal would be great for our security.

[burmafrd]

Problem is that Congress would have to back this and they show no guts at all.

[neosapien23]

Problem is that Congress would have to back this and they show no guts at all.


Well maybe Texas should go it alone.

[ThaBigP]

Got a direct link for that?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,491964,00.html

This is the article I see most often linked as "support" for the allaged Dan Patrick comments on Fox News. He *has* been saying he's working with Gov Perry and the Feds trying to get the Guard put on the border. Which is why I didn't find the blog story so fantastic (it's not like they reported that space aliens had landed).

However, as of 7:44am I've still not found any official word of this specific blog story in the regular media - that Dan Patrick *explicitly* said that the Guard *had* been put on alert.

[WoodysGirl]

CowboyFan74 you wanted a link. It was the first one I found. It took about 12 seconds to find. Lazy libs.

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/violence_95108___article.html/border_plan.html
As someone who posts alot of articles, trust me, you don't have to be liberal to be lazy. lol

There are alot of people on this board too lazy to do their own research.

[Rackat]

As someone who posts alot of articles, trust me, you don't have to be liberal to be lazy. lol

There are alot of people on this board too lazy to do their own research.
I "used" to go to a political website that had an acronym:

PPOR-Provide Proof or Retract

It was comon for the members there to link or copy their own info to provide some validity to their argument. Sadly, it was a not a public site and shut down not too long ago.

[JBond]

As someone who posts alot of articles, trust me, you don't have to be liberal to be lazy. lol

There are alot of people on this board too lazy to do their own research.

I stand corrected. That was uncalled for. Thank you WG. Have a great day.

[Doomsday101]

I think Texas National guards should be sent to that region on a regular basis for training. I would also like to see some military based moved along the US border. Great place to conduct training exercises as well as protect the US border from drug smugglers. We help other nations at protecting their borders we need to do a bit of that here at home

[CowboyFan74]

CowboyFan74 you wanted a link. It was the first one I found. It took about 12 seconds to find. Lazy libs.

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/violence_95108___article.html/border_plan.html

Dude 1st of all I'm not a lib and second of all it's hard sometimes to find specific articles that are buried under other stuff. If you quote something provide a link for credibility. We are all trying to find as much info as we can, we are on the same team here.

As someone who posts alot of articles, trust me, you don't have to be liberal to be lazy. lol

There are alot of people on this board too lazy to do their own research.

This particular piece is hard to find info on and if somebody actually found something they should post the link. Internet plaguerizers:p:

[CowboyFan74]

I am tired of Mexicans running drugs into Texas so easily. Hell Mexican soldiers have actually helped cross over some dealers. If our soldiers went into Mexico they would throw a fit. Bush had eight years to do something about this and he sold us out for the Mexican government.

That has been going on since the 80's my friend. I grew up on the Rio Grande River in Laredo, TX. Rack can confirm this. We saw this stuff all the time. Cops from our city, specifically the sheriffs dept would sell crates of weapons to these soldiers on our property. That whole region is dirty. The FBI raided the DA's office and put his members of his family in prison but the DA was untouched. Then when his term was up what did the citizens of Laredo do? The re-elected the jerk.:bang2:

Well now years later the FBI heat is even hotter and from what I've heard he didn't run again after that, now we have a new one.

Well maybe Texas should go it alone.

There was a TX Militia that was enforcing some laws around Eagle Pass or Del Rio area but from what I heard the govt shut em down.

What most people don't realize is that BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS are selling us out over drug $$$$. I hate all politicians equally the same and I have my own personal reasons why. They are all filthy whore dogs until they prove otherwise in my book, all of them!!!!

[xWraithx]

not yet, but i'll feel better when my shotgun gets here.

still debating the rifle. i like the wetherby 7mm.

planning on shooting into Mexico with a shotgun from The Colony?

planning on having illegal Mexican immigrants overrun The Colony and impede on your property?

*yank yank*

[iceberg]

planning on shooting into Mexico with a shotgun from The Colony?

planning on having illegal Mexican immigrants overrun The Colony and impede on your property?

*yank yank*

no. i just plan world domination in 3 boxes of shells or less. it's my goal to be effecient in my takeover attempt.

[Rackat]

no. i just plan world domination in 3 boxes of shells or less. it's my goal to be effecient in my takeover attempt.
Planning. It's all in the planning.

[CowboyFan74]

no. i just plan world domination in 3 boxes of shells or less. it's my goal to be effecient in my takeover attempt.


http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x208/samck4/wayne.jpg

I'll be right next to ya!!!:cool::draw:

[Bob Sacamano]

As someone who posts alot of articles, trust me, you don't have to be liberal to be lazy. lol

There are alot of people on this board too lazy to do their own research.

*raises hand*

[CowboyFan74]

http://www.txsg.state.tx.us/news/news.aspx

Check back for updates. It seems to be a non-story.

[Kangaroo]

You didn't ask me, but...:p:

It depends on your specific need. 12-gauge pump action shotguns are very common, especially for home defense, and ammunition is readily available.

But, as I said, your need should determine your purchase--hunting, skeet shooting, home defense, etc.

For Skeet I use to love shooting my Dad's Ruger Red Label over and under

[Kangaroo]

Now one of these would just rock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhstuvzMiB0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ebtj1jR7c

[Garland powerplay]

Being a prior member of Tx. National Guard temporarily I know the state funds the National Guard and paid for by the citizens of Texas. We are well within the rights to use them in a crisis such as this which would directly harm civilians. There should be no debate about it except how many big guns will be used so to speak.

[CowboyFan74]

Being a prior member of Tx. National Guard temporarily I know the state funds the National Guard and paid for by the citizens of Texas. We are well within the rights to use them in a crisis such as this which would directly harm civilians. There should be no debate about it except how many big guns will be used so to speak.


Is there a difference between The TX "NTL" Guard

and

The TX "State" Guard?

NTL being Federally funded vs State funded?

[Garland powerplay]

The Army Reserve is Fed funded. The State Guard can be mobilized overseas as well.
To answer the question no difference. They are same army training just funded as you put it NAtl or state.

[Kangaroo]

Is there a difference between The TX "NTL" Guard

and

The TX "State" Guard?

NTL being Federally funded vs State funded?

Army Reserves and The Active Duty Military are 100% Federally funded

The National Guard is partially funded by the State and the federal government

That is why States can activate the National Guard have them preform policing action including arresting people with out declaring martial law because the State has power. So anyone thinking Obama has full control over any National Guard is fooling themselves. (I could list more reason but it is a way longer post; their is also a history but that is another story)

[CowboyFan74]

Mexico Spirals Into Chaos

Monday, February 23, 2009 11:50 AM

By: Paul E. Vallely Article Font Size




A Justice Department report by the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) says that Mexican drug gangs pose the biggest organized crime threat to the United States.

The report, the "National Drug Threat Assessment 2009," evaluates the threat posed by illegal drugs by examining availability, production and cultivation, transportation, distribution, and demand. State and local law enforcement agencies shared information for this report through personal interviews with the National Drug Intelligence Center.


Mexican drug trafficking organizations represent the greatest organized crime threat to the United States, says the report. They control drug distribution in most U.S. cities, and they are making strides in markets they do not yet control.



The study estimates that Mexican and Colombian drug trafficking organizations make and launder between $18 billion and $39 billion in wholesale drug profits annually.

Mexican drug smugglers smuggle most of the cocaine available in the U.S. across the U.S./Mexico border.

Enhancing border control and increased awareness of drug trafficking organizations may help to control the U.S. drug market.

Mexico ranks now behind Iran as the second largest security threat to United States.

Drug cartels are pitted against each other (and Mexican law enforcement) fighting for a piece of the drug pie and violence is escalating — more than 6,000 Mexicans have been killed from such violence in 2008, double the number from 2007. There are over 70 Americans that have been kidnapped or missing.


A visit to Tijuana, Juarez, or any of the border towns/cities provides clear examples.

The U.S.’ borders are flooded with gangs, drug cartel operations, illegal immigrant flow (back and forth), murders, human trafficking and kidnappings.

Here is some of the more recent news:


Authorities arrested a man accused of dissolving as many as 300 bodies in vats of acid for a Tijuana-based drug lord ( "El Pozolero," named after a local stew).


Prosecutors reported three heads found in an ice box and a headless body was a discovered in a canal in Ciudad Juarez, a town known as Mexico's deadliest — just over the border from El Paso, Texas. The headless victims were policemen.


By all accounts the federal government, politicos, the military, and the police face criminal gangs dealing in methamphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin. The public is ruthlessly intimidated.

It has poured across the border into cities such as Los Angeles, El Paso, and Phoenix.


Despite this, the U.S. government fails to develop a national strategy as part of the overall national security plan to take the necessary action to protect the United States (a fence will not do the trick). Military and other aid packages to the Mexican government do not seem to help that country's stability.

The drug cartels are well armed with assault weapons, RPGs, and land mines and plenty of aircraft, SUVs and trucks to move wherever they want. They are high-tech too, using encrypted communications and night-vision goggles. They have the best means of transportation including helicopters and even mini-subs.


President Felipe Calderon is attempting change but he's up against rampant corruption that reaches deep into his government, anti-drug police, and armed forces. (Mexico's former top organized-crime cop was arrested last fall on narcotics-related corruption charges.)


Despite reforms, the judicial system is plagued by payoffs, lack of investigative resources, and overloaded courts. The police are poorly paid, equipped and trained, leaving them in dire straits battling the drug lords. Some of the cartels' foot soldiers are former military commandos that the United States trained at Fort Benning, Ga.

Mexican gangs obtain their weapons from international arms merchants, who traffic them illegally on this side of the border.


American demand for drugs (cartel gangs feed an estimated 200 U.S. cities) isn’t abating. As a result, popular support for Calderon's fight against the cartels has waned.


The widespread violence leaves many Mexicans ready to throw in the towel, saying drugs are an American problem. Mexico is a country of 110 million people and it has become a narco-controlled state.

The U.S. is by far the largest consumer of illicit drugs in the world and therefore provides a huge market for the Cartels to supply.

Like Colombia before it, Mexico is now a frontline state in fighting these problems. Programs such as the Merida Law Enforcement Initiative, a U.S.-assisted, Mexican counter-drug program, are vital to opposing the drug lords. But Merida's funding is up for renewal and Congress and the White House may not fund it.

Paul E. Vallely was a major general in the U.S. Army. He is chairman of Stand Up America USA, and author of "Operation Sucker Punch — Blood for Our Future."

[burmafrd]

What can the US do? Support Mexico's President as much as possible, but realistically not much. The demand for drugs in the US is not going to change= too many stupid people who will use them no matter what you teach them.
Frankly I think building that wall from California to Texas would do more then anything else. It would not only put a big crimp in drug running, illegals would find it a lot harder to get into the US.
But the guts and will to do that is missing at all levels of government.

[CowboyFan74]

What can the US do? Support Mexico's President as much as possible, but realistically not much. The demand for drugs in the US is not going to change= too many stupid people who will use them no matter what you teach them.
Frankly I think building that wall from California to Texas would do more then anything else. It would not only put a big crimp in drug running, illegals would find it a lot harder to get into the US.
But the guts and will to do that is missing at all levels of government.

It's bad for business...