Texas Border: Too Little Too Late ? Almost 4 years after 9.11 !
July 6, 2005, 10:26PM
Sheriffs along border share terror concerns
They complain they don't have enough resources to improve patrols and intelligence
By ABE LEVY
Associated Press
DEL RIO - Sheriffs from 10 border counties shared common concerns Wednesday about the potential for terrorists to cross the Texas-Mexico border because the officers don't have enough money to beef up patrols and share intelligence.
The Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition, a newly formed body of the 16 counties on or near the Texas-Mexico border, thinks its communities are among the nation's most vulnerable to terrorist intrusion.
Among their chief concerns is the growing number of non-Mexicans attempting to cross into the United States who hail from nations where al-Qaida and other known terrorist groups are known to exist.
"We're the first line of defense for the country," said Terrell County Sheriff Clint McDonald, whose border with Mexico is 53 miles long. "We'd rather stop it with us than it end up in Dallas."
The number of non-Mexicans entering Texas illegally has reached 96,000 so far this year, versus 34,500 during the same time last year, says the U.S. Border Patrol. Many of the sheriffs are concerned because they say the detainees are given a "notice to appear" in court that they typically ignore on their way to urban centers.
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Note: When I talked about the open border issue prior to our military action in Afganistan and Iraq, I was referred to as un-american, commy, liberal, etc. on Brownwood Talk Radio. Now those talking about the very same issues ( almost four years after 9.11) are called Patriots, Minutemen and True Americans ! I wonder what the Sheriffs would think of President Bush's comments below ? Would they ring hollow where the rubber meets the road ?
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Newsflash from President Bush !
Bush Urges Americans to Be Extra Vigilant
By TOM RAUM 1 hour, 32 minutes ago
GLENEAGLES, Scotland - President Bush warned Americans on Thursday to be "extra vigilant" as they head to work after the deadly explosions in London.
Bush said he spoke with federal homeland security officials back in Washington.
"I instructed them to be in touch with local and state officials about the facts of what took place here in London," Bush told reporters from a summit of world leaders here.
Bush urged caution "as our folks start heading to work."
"The war on terrorism goes on," he said. "We will not yield to these people."
The president offered the "heartfelt condolences" of the American people to the victims and their families in London.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair left the summit being held at a posh resort here to rush to London. Bush said Blair would "carry a message of solidarity with him" to London.
source: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050707/ap_on_re_eu/bush_57
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