U.S. forces Texas city to give up land for border fence

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: McClatchy News

WASHINGTON — Landowners and political leaders intensified their opposition to a controversial border fence Wednesday after the Justice Department forced the border city of Eagle Pass, Texas, to relinquish 233 acres of land in a prelude to constructing the barrier.

Eagle Pass Mayor Chad Foster assailed the Bush administration's actions as "sneaky underhanded measures" as he responded to a district court order forcing the city to temporarily turn over the land. The Justice Department sought the property to allow government surveyors to begin assessing sites for construction of the fence.

"We haven't figured out what we did to make the big guy mad," Foster said.

A U.S. district judge in Del Rio, Texas, ruled in favor of the Bush administration as the Department of Homeland Security began pressing ahead with more than 100 lawsuits to begin seizing property from holdout landowners in Texas, Arizona and California in its efforts to construct hundreds of miles of fencing by the end of the year.

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/24897.html

[David Zephyr]

1. Europe allows its residents to live and work anywhere. This country is mean spirited.

Ignorant, bigoted and neanderthal policies. Shame.

[dysfunctional press]

4. europe isn't a country.

nt

[David Zephyr]

6. And you should take reading lessons. Where did I say it was a "country"?

And my point still stands. Europe with thousands of years of rivalries, diverse economies, numerous languages, and proud cultural traditions permits residents of its many countries to travel and work and live within the common market.

Certainly the U.S., Mexico and Canada could do the same.

Especially so since we stole the Southwest from Mexico.
"The oil men by golly had had their lesson, and were going to get together an

[dysfunctional press]

10. in your subject line, you make a comparison between europe and a country.

we stole the southwest from mexico? who did mexico get it from?
and what part of the u.s. wasn't "stolen" from some group of people or another?

and if you think the european situation is comparative to north america in that
"Certainly the U.S., Mexico and Canada could do the same".
you probably weren't really paying much attention in social studies.
or economics.
or geography.
or history.

or should we just chalk this one up to the american public education system in general? :shrug:

[LanternWaste]

14. However, I agree with his fundamental premise...

However, I agree with his fundamental premise: 'Americans are mean spirited'.

And we all seem to illustrate that more and more every day...

[David Zephyr]

17. I lived in the UK for three years.

I lived in the UK for three years.
I lived in Argentina for two years.
I lived in Peru for three years.
I lived in Hong Kong for 1 year.

I read, write and speak three languages fluently and can get by a half dozen more.

I'll put my geography and history up against yours anyday, friend.

As to economics, I am a many times over self-made millionaire (as many here at the DU know first-hand).

Oh, and I attended both public and private schools.

Are there any other gratutious remarks that you wish to make?

And we did steal the Southwest. Even Abraham Lincoln said we did.

[dysfunctional press]

19. we stole it ALL, not just the southwest.

and for all your high-falutin' edjamacation, you didn't learn much at all about the united states, if you honestly believe statements like:

"Certainly the U.S., Mexico and Canada could do the same". in reference to a european-type arrangement you suggest.

but keep on learnin'- maybe someday you'll get it.

[David Zephyr]

5. Never mind.

.

[happyslug]

15. Yes,but Europe does fence out people from Africa from coming in.

http://worldnews.about.com/b/2006/05/17/spain-200-illegal-african-immigrants-land-on-canary-islands.htm
http://worldnews.about.com/od/europe/p/immigration.htm
http://www.citynewsohio.com/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=84869&sID=4&ItemSource=L
http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-07/2006-07-10-voa35.cfm?CFID=184036890&CFTOKEN=15186982
http://www.cfr.org/publication/13726/african_migration_to_europe.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3604519.stm

Violence and fences to keep out such immigrants see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceuta_border_fence
http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/107
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melilla_border_fence
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceuta_border_fence

[gratuitous]

2. Aww, getting screwed Texas?

Did you think you were immune from the depradations of this crooked administration? You don't have to "make the big guy mad," you just have to have something he wants just this second. You should know this by now.

[pop goes the weasel]

7. the border area is Democratic

So put away your sneer.

[maxanne]

9. there ain't nothing

Democratic about building walls to keep people out.

[Xenotime]

16. The border is govt sponsored racism

[sonias]

3. Henry Cuellar D-lite

"I support the border communities," he said, "but the law's the law."

Thanks Henry, we knew we could count on you. :sarcasm:

Sonia

[ursi]

8. they are doing the same thing to Apache landowners too for the same reason

RIO GRANDE, Texas – Apache land owners on the Rio Grande told Homeland Security to halt the seizure of their lands for the US/Mexico border wall, during a national media conference call Monday. It was the same day that a 30-day notice from Homeland Security expired with the threat of land seizures by eminent domain to build the US/Mexico border wall.

"There are two kinds of people in this world, those who build walls and those who build bridges," said Enrique Madrid, Jumano Apache community member, land owner in Redford and archaeological steward for the Texas Historical Commission.

"The wall in South Texas is militarization," Madrid said of the planned escalation of militarization with Border Patrol and soldiers.

more:

http://www.atlanticfreepress.com/content/view/3206/81/

[tanyev]

11. What happened to "STATES' RIGHTS!, STATES' RIGHTS!"

Every time you turned around in the 90s, some Republican was squawking about states' rights.

[Deny and Shred]

12. Supporting states' rights was useful in 90's with a Dem in WH

but isn't anymore. They are about power masquerading as pragmatism, never ideals. They'll take whatever side of the argument suits their purposes. They'll be back to states rights when its convenient.

[tanyev]

13. Oh, yeah. You know if we get a Dem in the White House

that the Republicans' overwhelming concern for states' rights will experience a sudden renaissance. We could bet money on it.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[atreides1]

18. What State's Rights???

I guess you were not aware, that just like its German predecessor, the Gestapo, the DHS can disregard any law, possibly even the US Constitution to do what it feels needs to be done to protect the "Homeland".

[derby378]

20. Border fence dispute brings Texas showdown

Source: CNN

Eloisa Tamez says she isn't scared anymore, just determined. "I am not backing down," she said.

Tamez owns three acres of land along the Texas-Mexico border where the Department of Homeland Security would like to build a border fence. The property is a remnant of a 12,000-acre grant from Spain to her family in 1767, before the United States even existed.

"It is my history. It is my heritage," Tamez said.

This week, the Justice Department began legal action against landowners and municipalities who have refused to give government surveyors access to their land.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/17/border.fence/index.html

[Double T]

21. Declare eminent domain right of way, build the fence and let Ms. Eloisa Tamez...........

retain ownership of the property. Illegal aliens and drug mules must be STOPPED at the border!!!

[derby378]

22. With our own version of the Berlin Wall?

We spend so much time pressuring the Soviet bloc to tear down its walls that it seems ironic that our government wants to build a new one. One that will be quickly rendered obsolete, anyway.

[Double T]

24. Can NOT continue to do NOTHING!

We're NOT dividing the same country, we're defending our borders from economic low wage in-sourced workers from a foreign country.

[harmonicon]

44. Well, we DID divide the country

Do you remember learning about something called the Mexican/American war? I don't see how that's any different from the war that divided Germany. And as far as the low wage workers from foreign countries goes, there's no need to stop them from going anywhere if people wouldn't hire them. You're going after the wrong target.

[LanternWaste]

23. How will a wall prevent this from happening?

How will a wall prevent this from happening?

[Double T]

29. Built properly with greatly increased surveillance and border patrols........

will drastically reduce the flow of illegals into this country.

[LanternWaste]

31. I hope not. We're still trying to get my girlfriends family over here...

Wow. A wall. How very... American.

However, I hope the wall doesn't work. We're still trying to get my girlfriends family over here..., but mules-- don't think they have any mules addicted to drugs. They do have three donkey's though-- I could probably get you a good price on one if your nice.

(and yes-- we're planning on having her sister steal your job)

[Double T]

34. Deal. I'll trade YOU; three mules/donkeys for my job.

[LanternWaste]

37. No thanks.

No thanks. Offer valid only to the humane. :)

[LanternWaste]

33. ouldn't a $12.00 ladder only a few inches taller than wall

Wouldn't a $12.00 ladder only a few inches taller than wall kinda defeat your multi-billion immigration-defense system the MBIDS for short)?

[Double T]

35. Not with the proper accoutrements installed on the top of the wall.........

to discourage climbers and wannabe pole vaulters.

[LanternWaste]

36. Seems like your wall would cost more in taxpayer dollars than it would save

Seems like your wall would cost more in taxpayer dollars than it would save.

I mean, what about tunnels? What about all the other low tech tactics that are kicking our ass and killing our soldiers in Iraq? Seems to me that high tech innovation and money can only take you so far...

[Double T]

39. Border patrols would sweep the entire length of the border periodically........

with ground radar systems that will easily detect tunnels. Doesn't have to cost as much as you might think.

[harmonicon]

25. why must illegal aliens be stopped at the border?

[Lance_Boyle]

26. Well, technically they're not illegal aliens yet on the South side

of the border. So would-be illegal aliens must be stopped at the border. Better?

[Double T]

32. Fence probably is built with a northern setback from the border so........

if ONE is 15 feet(?) from the south side of the border fence, ONE has still crossed the border.

[harmonicon]

41. why?

[Lance_Boyle]

47. because that is how international borders work

Utopian one-world kumbaya-singing buy-the-world-a-coke delusions aside, that's also how international borders are going to work for the foreseeable future.

[harmonicon]

48. not true.... at all

How many foreign countries have you ever been too? How many of them had giant walls with barbed wire between them? Border patrols?

[Lance_Boyle]

49. I tend to go in through the airports,

although I suspect that other countries facing the pervasive illegal alien problem we face would also try to stop the influx.

[Xipe Totec]

28. Yes, let's take the last three acres of that 12,000 acre land grant

:sarcasm:

[Solon]

50. You are stupid...

Sorry, I had to say it, frankly speaking, this wall, on a practical level, will not even slow down illegal immigration, or drug mules. If everything in your thread passes, it will cost billions of dollars to build and maintain this wall. Simply put, we can't afford that.

[pipoman]

27. I do feel for Tamez but this is really what

eminent domain is for. Let her/him hang in there and get the most money possible then go buy another piece of the 12,000 acre grant property. The problem I have with eminent domain is when government uses it to take property and give/sell it to other private citizens to raise tax revenues.

[UTUSN]

30. Or the way Shrub used it as Weak Governor, for his cronies/developers to pig out

But so far as the lady in the o.p.'s link goes, she is one small voice, and the rest of any outcry is next to nothing---a few little rallies here and there, a couple of angry voices, then nothing but apathetic surrender. That's how our whole ball of wax (our democracy) will go.

http://notexasborderwall.com/

[harmonicon]

42. how is this not that?

Oh, sure they wouldn't be giving the property over, but they'd be giving the contract to build the wall to some company.... who do you think that contract will go to? The highest bidder, or Halliburton?

[pipoman]

45. This is public use.

It is no different than taking property for roads, schools, police departments, airports, etc. It isn't like taking property for a new Wal-Mart store, strip mall, or other commercial enterprise. Improvement of any property, building of any public facility or project are usually contracted to private business. I hope it will go to the lowest bidder who can demonstrate that they have the ability to fulfill the contract...but you never know.

[harmonicon]

46. not likely - they've given previous contracts to cronies for this wall debacle...

hell, maybe they even have this one already all set up.

[tularetom]

38. When the US economy goes the rest of the way down the shitter

the wall will be used to keep our citizens and any illegals still here from LEAVING for the better jobs available in Mexico.

[Double T]

40. Good one!

:evilgrin:

[harmonicon]

43. I've been making that joke for years, but every day it's less and less of a joke

Keep our people from seeing the fact that we're becoming more and more like Mexico every day.