Fox just reported that the Az governor is sending Az National Guard to guard the southern border. It is nice to hear SOMETHING is being done finally.

awesome

sweet-

I have really mixed feelings about that.  You are supposed to use the guard to fill in short term manpower needs during times of war.

Policing the border is a full time job that will NEVER end.  Do we keep the guard there forever?  They aren't meant to be a full time army...

The border of the United States is clearly a federal issue.  While I like the fact that a state would step up, this is a much larger issue than Arizona.

It's about damned time. I hope they send the troops with some ammo, and not
just empty magazines.

Any bets on how long it will take to get into a fire fight with the federales?

good!

i wonder what the ROE is?

Richardson getting ready for '08?

Quoted: Any bets on how long it will take to get into a fire fight with the federales?

Hopefully within the week.

Quoted: Richardson getting ready for '08?

Richardson is the governor of New Mexico, not Arizona.

Quoted: I have really mixed feelings about that.  You are supposed to use the guard to fill in short term manpower needs during times of war. Policing the border is a full time job that will NEVER end.  Do we keep the guard there forever?  They aren't meant to be a full time army... The border of the United States is clearly a federal issue.  While I like the fact that a state would step up, this is a much larger issue than Arizona.

Hopefully this is being done to open the country's eyes to this problem...

BTW-I think the governor will be crucified by every single liberal, bleeding heart group known to man.

I second the above statement, as I heard stories from buddies that were in Ft Ord with 7th ID got deployed for the race riots 16 odd years ago in California and the troops that did have ammo issued has damn TAPE over their magazines.  They were also issued some ridiculous 'basic load' for their M16's, something like 5 freaking rounds (something like that).

I agree its a Federalo issue, and no, the NG cant stay there forever, but maybe it'll take something like this to finally have Washington do something about it!

Quoted: Quoted: Richardson getting ready for '08? Richardson is the governor of New Mexico, not Arizona.

You're right.

Who's Arizona's?

Not really going to happen.

The whole thing is a big PR stunt.

AZ governor stated she "Would send Guard troops to the border if Feds put up the $$$$".

A couple of people in the state Legislature said the state would put up $10 million to fund it.  Sorry, but $10 mil wouldn't even pay a company sized units paychecks for very long, much less get the unit moved, operational costs, etc.

Its a feel good stunt so some politicos can say they tried to do something, with out them actually having to do anything.

Quoted: Not really going to happen. The whole thing is a big PR stunt. AZ governor stated she "Would send Guard troops to the border if Feds put up the $$$$". A couple of people in the state Legislature said the state would put up $10 million to fund it.  Sorry, but $10 mil wouldn't even pay a company sized units paychecks for very long, much less get the unit moved, operational costs, etc. Its a feel good stunt so some politicos can say they tried to do something, with out them actually having to do anything.

+1

Calm down, you dopes!  Our governor is a DEM, dyke lib.  Elections are coming up and she wants to APPEAR to be tough on the border!

Our legislature is trying to force her hand by providing STATE FUNDING for the Guard on the Border.  She will veto it.

GOP bill calls for Guard on border
Napolitano says it takes away her command role

Chip Scutari and Robbie Sherwood
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 8, 2006 12:00 AM


Attempting to force Gov. Janet Napolitano's hand on border security, the state Senate passed a bill Tuesday requiring her to station more National Guard troops along the Mexican border to fight illegal immigration.

Napolitano says the measure violates the state Constitution by usurping her authority to command the National Guard. Republican leaders say if she vetoes the measure, she will violate her promise to beef up border security.

Senators gave their final approval to House Bill 2701, which allocates $10 million to station Guard troops at the border to deal with the smuggling of humans and other problems connected with illegal immigration. The House previously approved the bill but with an expenditure of $5 million. The measure will go to Napolitano as soon as the House approves the increased amount. advertisement  




Napolitano is likely to veto HB 2701 unless it undergoes other last-minute changes, which appears unlikely.

Arizona already has about 170 National Guard troops at the border helping federal and state officers with anti-drug operations, manning traffic checkpoints and repairing and fixing border fences. They have been stationed there since the mid-1980s, but their key duty has been to fight drug trafficking.

The bill does not specify how many troops would be stationed at the border. There are roughly 6,500 Guard troops in Arizona who are available for border duty. But National Guard officials have questioned what role they would have and said that the militarization of the border could spur immigrants to take up arms.

Napolitano believes the Republican sponsors of HB 2701 are trying to put her in a political pickle over immigration. Her concern comes down to two words: the difference between "shall" and "may."

Rep. John Allen's bill says Napolitano "shall" put troops on the border when she declares an emergency. Because she declared an ongoing state of emergency last October, the troops would have to be sent after the bill becomes law.

She wants the wording in the bill changed to let her make the final decision. In a rare move, Napolitano met with Allen on Tuesday and told him she would sign the bill and order the troops to the border if he would agree to change the wording.

She told him that under the state Constitution, the governor is commander in chief of the Guard.

"She looked him right in the eye and said do the right thing, fix the problem, and we'll go forward," said Napolitano spokeswoman Jeanine L'Ecuyer.

Allen said that he would likely refuse to make any changes and that the House would take its final vote today, but he indicated he has not made up his mind. While acknowledging that there "might be a constitutional argument," Allen said his bill gives Napolitano what she asked for in her State of the State address. Allen also said he is unsure he can trust Napolitano after her previous vetoes of budget bills last year.

"We should just hope she does what she says?" Allen asked. "That's the problem. I tried to be very candid with the governor today. The trust, that's a real problem."

During the State of the State address in January, Napolitano asserted her willingness to station more Guard troops on the border if the federal government would pick up the tab. In late December, Napolitano wrote a three-page letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld citing a federal provision that allows governors to use the Guard "to conduct homeland defense activities." Two weeks ago, Napolitano had a private meeting with Rumsfeld to follow up on her request for federal funds, but she did not get any answers or assurances.

An Arizona Republic Poll of 602 registered voters in December showed that illegal immigration is considered the most important issue in Arizona this year. The statewide poll found that more than nine in 10 respondents said a candidate's approach to illegal immigration would be at least somewhat important when it comes to deciding their vote for governor.

The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

An estimated half-million immigrants enter the United States illegally each year, joining the roughly 11 million already here, about 300,000 to 500,000 of whom are in Arizona.

Some live anonymously, providing cheap labor to the state's agricultural and service industries. Others live on the margins, engaging in criminal activity and fueling fears of gangs and terrorism.

Allen's bill passed the Senate on a party-line vote Tuesday, as it had earlier in the House. Republican lawmakers like Sen. Dean Martin were dismissive of Napolitano's claim that the bill infringes on the Constitution's separation of powers.

"She can't have it both ways," said Martin, R-Phoenix. "You can't pretend to want it one day and veto it the next. This is just a way to back out of something she said she wanted in the beginning of the year."

But Sen. Ken Cheuvront said the bill is "all about political theater."

"They just want to force her to veto it," said Cheuvront, D-Phoenix. "It's ridiculous."

Rep. Jonathan Paton, who represents the border counties of Cochise and Santa Cruz, said people in his area are seething with frustration over the problems wrought by illegal immigration.

"In Green Valley, folks have people walking through their back yards," the Tucson Republican said.

Republican lawmakers have lobbied for more troops at the border since the governor declared a state of emergency there last August in response to increased illegal immigration. Martin amended the bill Tuesday so that it would allocate $10 million, saying he worried the governor would oppose the measure if it did not provide sufficient funds.

Republican lobbyist and former lawmaker Stan Barnes said everyone will be watching to see how Napolitano handles this touchy issue.

"When voters see this bill on her desk, they will expect a signature," Barnes said. "The average Arizonan will not want to hear about legal wriggling about a separation-of-powers issue."

Quoted: I have really mixed feelings about that.  You are supposed to use the guard to fill in short term manpower needs during times of war. Policing the border is a full time job that will NEVER end.  Do we keep the guard there forever?  They aren't meant to be a full time army... The border of the United States is clearly a federal issue.  While I like the fact that a state would step up, this is a much larger issue than Arizona.

For one thing, sending the guard I bet is more of a PR thing to publicize the issue. They know they can't keep the guard there forever. It's supposed to help force the Feds to do something.


The other option, of course, would be for the government of AZ to create a full time state militia for such purposes.

From what I read she signed an executive order. I doubt she will ever follow through. Thats her track record. All talk.

Quoted: Quoted: Not really going to happen. The whole thing is a big PR stunt. AZ governor stated she "Would send Guard troops to the border if Feds put up the $$$$". A couple of people in the state Legislature said the state would put up $10 million to fund it.  Sorry, but $10 mil wouldn't even pay a company sized units paychecks for very long, much less get the unit moved, operational costs, etc. Its a feel good stunt so some politicos can say they tried to do something, with out them actually having to do anything. +1 Calm down, you dopes!  Our governor is a DEM, hardcore communist dyke lib.  Elections are coming up and she wants to APPEAR to be tough on the border! Our legislature is trying to force her hand by providing STATE FUNDING for the Guard on the Border.  She will veto it.

fixed it for ya

It seems as if some aliens have possessed our politician's bodies.

Not long ago they couldn't even say "illegal alien".

Color me unimpressed and cynical.  This is still looking like a chinese fire drill.

Gov. Janet Napolitano on Wednesday ordered more National Guardsmen posted at the Mexican border to help stop illegal immigrants and curb related crimes. National Guard troops have worked at the border since 1988, but Napolitano signed an order authorizing commanders to station an unspecified number of additional soldiers there to help federal agents. Once the funding is approved, the troops will monitor crossing points, assist with cargo inspection and operate surveillance cameras, according to the order. "They are not there to militarize the border," the governor said. "We are not at war with Mexico." About 170 National Guardsmen are already posted at the nation's busiest illegal entry point, where they assist with communications, fence construction and anti-drug efforts. Napolitano did not say how many additional troops would be stationed at the border and referred questions to the National Guard, which did not immediately return a call. Napolitano has asked the military to pay for her plan, but said she would commit state dollars if necessary. The governor declared an immigration emergency last summer in Arizona's four border counties, citing security shortcomings by the federal government.

Quoted: Quoted: Not really going to happen. The whole thing is a big PR stunt. AZ governor stated she "Would send Guard troops to the border if Feds put up the $$$$". A couple of people in the state Legislature said the state would put up $10 million to fund it.  Sorry, but $10 mil wouldn't even pay a company sized units paychecks for very long, much less get the unit moved, operational costs, etc. Its a feel good stunt so some politicos can say they tried to do something, with out them actually having to do anything. +1 Calm down, you dopes!  Our governor is a DEM, dyke lib.  Elections are coming up and she wants to APPEAR to be tough on the border! Our legislature is trying to force her hand by providing STATE FUNDING for the Guard on the Border.  She will veto it.

Political posturing?  Well this should fool most of the sheeple that "She" is actually doing something about illegal immigration.

I'm thinking it would be great if she DID veto the bill.  That way they can hammer her on the border issue even harder, perhaps paving the way for someone worthy of the post to take over and actually do something about it.



-K

Quoted: I'm thinking it would be great if she DID veto the bill.  That way they can hammer her on the border issue even harder, perhaps paving the way for someone worthy of the post to take over and actually do something about it. -K

Indeed!  They have her by here hairy dyke nuts!  All they have to do is follow thru!  Our legislature has been pretty good about butting heads with our Phony, Photo-Op, piece of shit Governor.  I have to give them credit!

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Not really going to happen. The whole thing is a big PR stunt. AZ governor stated she "Would send Guard troops to the border if Feds put up the $$$$". A couple of people in the state Legislature said the state would put up $10 million to fund it.  Sorry, but $10 mil wouldn't even pay a company sized units paychecks for very long, much less get the unit moved, operational costs, etc. Its a feel good stunt so some politicos can say they tried to do something, with out them actually having to do anything. +1 Calm down, you dopes!  Our governor is a DEM, dyke lib.  Elections are coming up and she wants to APPEAR to be tough on the border! Our legislature is trying to force her hand by providing STATE FUNDING for the Guard on the Border.  She will veto it. Political posturing?  Well this should fool most of the sheeple that "She" is actually doing something about illegal immigration.

Re-election manipulation of the sheep.

I'm glad we have the AZ contingant on the board.

Thanks for diving in on this topic.

Fuggin A.  Worthless POS.

But National Guard officials have questioned what role they would have and said that the militarization of the border could spur immigrants to take up arms.

Riiiight.

The poor, downtrodden, destitute illegal immigrants who just want to come to the U.S. are going to (illegally) acquire firearms so that they can fight the AZ Nat'l Guard for the opportunity to enter the country illegally.

What's he smokin?

The ones who are going to come across armed ALREADY ARE.

And they're one reason why we NEED BETTER BORDER SECURITY.

Yeh, she's sending NG troops to the border.



The troops have already been given their orders and both of them should be at the border by the weekend.

Quoted: But National Guard officials have questioned what role they would have and said that the militarization of the border could spur immigrants to take up arms. Riiiight. The poor, downtrodden, destitute illegal immigrants who just want to come to the U.S. are going to (illegally) acquire firearms so that they can fight the AZ Nat'l Guard for the opportunity to enter the country illegally. What's he smokin? The ones who are going to come across armed ALREADY ARE. And they're one reason why we NEED BETTER BORDER SECURITY.

Please let them take up arms.  Please.  Please.  Please.