Texas "navy" to begin patrolling Rio Grande

[Hugabear]

This is almost as ridiculous as Wyoming wanting to acquire its own aircraft carrier.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/29/texas-navy-to-patrol-the-rio-grande/?hpt=hp_t3

<snip>
Next month, the state's Department of Public Safety will deploy the first of a fleet of six gunboats on the Rio Grande, the river that forms the border between the state and Mexico, CNN affiliate WFAA-TV reports.

The 34-foot-long boats, each powered by three, 300-horsepower outboard engines, will have bulletproof plating and six machine guns apiece, not unlike the river patrol boats the U.S. Navy used during the Vietnam War.

The vessels will be able to operate in as little as 2 feet of water, according to the report, and will work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to combat drug smuggling coming across the Rio Grande.
<snip>

[southernyankeebelle]

1. Oh nice. Just think of the war they are going to have with the drug cartel.

[NutmegYankee]

3. That might not be a bad thing.

Dead cartel gangsters make the world a better place.

[ellisonz]

11. "Dead cartel gangsters make the world a better place."

Or it just makes more cartel gangsters to take their place...

The drug war can't be won.

[southernyankeebelle]

13. I dunno. It might or it might make it worse.

[saras]

17. Killing people, by definition, makes it worse. Even bad people.

[southernyankeebelle]

20. However, I sure don't want Mexico invading our country.

[Angleae]

25. I think they're counting on it.

[southernyankeebelle]

33. I have that feeling also. I'll tell you I hate this love of war that some republicans have. Macho

shit gets innocent people killed. They need to keep that in mind.

[Vincardog]

2. Has anyone else been to El Paso TX?The Rio Grande there is about 6 feet wide and as hard to cross

as a ditch.

[WolverineDG]

7. in some places nt

[Ron Obvious]

16. I'm in El Paso at the moment

I'm in El Paso at the moment. I've had urine flows more impressive than the Rio Grande as it flows here today.

I lived here a long time ago; back in those days you could (and I have) cross the river without getting your feet wet. These days, there's a massive border fence and it's constantly patrolled. How times have changed.

[pitohui]

23. i too have been to parts you could walk across

it depends on where you cross into texas, at different places on this long border, i have actually seen spots where the 34 foot long boats would fit in the water and be able to do something, i have also been at places where you can just wade across, i've witnessed people crossing every kind of way, on boat, on foot, on horseback, just depends where you are

6 boats isn't going to do anything to secure the border but i guess it's jobs for the guys on the boats

[Major Nikon]

27. Lake Amistad and Falcon Lake are two huge lakes right on the border

Lake Amistad I know for sure sees a lot of drug traffic. Falcon Lake was where a man was shot and killed reportedly by drug dealers or "pirates" while on a jet ski with his wife.

[alarimer]

30. I believe they have every intention of using them everywhere.

The part about them using them on the border is just a smokescreen. I saw one here in Corpus Christi (over 150 miles from the border) a week or so ago.

It's just more militarization of the police. I am so glad I am getting out of this state. Not that North Carolina is much of an improvement.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

4. um

If they take fire from the Mexican side of the river will they return fire?

Granted, the shooters wouldn't be Mexican government but Mexico might still be a little miffed and rightfully so. They're still pretty heated over Fast and Furious.

And doesn't the Constitution forbid states from having navies?

[hack89]

12. International law recognizes self defense

If someone opens fire from Mexico they can shoot back.

Common sense also dictates it is ok - of course you can shot back when someone is trying to kill you.

on edit: There are many state and local law enforcement agencies with boats. They are not technically navies.

[Rex]

5. I hope they don't fall into the river

some places are nothing but chemical sludge.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. Nuclear or beer and 'baccy powered? Cowboy sailor caps?

[PDittie]

8. Here's a pic of the real thing, from the link

Six machine gun mounts.

[Hugabear]

10. Well suited for killing brown skinned folks trying to cross

I'm sure plenty of Minutemen types would love to sign up for service.

[izquierdista]

9. Going to have to sign up some new seamen fast...

[TheMightyFavog]

22. For Love, For Peace!

[BumRushDaShow]

14. Bwaaahaaa! Love the McHale's Navy pic!

One of the fleet Captain's -

[Ilsa]

15. Shhhhh. If you tell the rich businessmen that

there is water on the border, they'll figure out a way to capture and steal it.

[lunatica]

18. Ay! Jesus, Maria y Jose!

There's almost no water in the Rio Grande in so many places. Like, any cartel runners won't know that and just cross where there's no water. Duh!

[marmar]

19. "Descent into paramilitary lunacy"

It'll be a chapter in the forthcoming (probably sooner than we think) Downfall of America book.

[madinmaryland]

21. Ahh. So it is Davy, who is still in the Navy, and will probably be for life.

That Davy!

[bluestate10]

24. A bunch of rednecks with guns, fiberglass boats and lots of beer? nt

[PufPuf23]

26. There is a US Coast Guard on Lake Tahoe on the border of CA and NV for real.

http://www.uscg.mil/d11/staLakeTahoe/

I bet it is a popular assignment.

[metalbot]

28. No issues with this whatsoever

We've had US citizens killed on the Rio Grande by drug smugglers. The idea that Texas DPS will patrol the river as well seems totally reasonable to me, given that there are Texas residents who use the river. If the US Border Patrol isn't going to do it, I'm just as happy to see TX DPS do it.

[Major Nikon]

31. I'm not sure who you're talking about

The only citizen I know about that was killed near the border was the guy on the jet ski on Falcon Lake, and he was well on the Mexican side of the lake. There was no verification that he was killed by drug smugglers and even if he was the Texas navy wouldn't be able to patrol the Mexican side of the lake anyway.

CBP has a number of boats already, as well as an air force and armies of agents. This move appears to be politically motivated more than anything constructive.

[alarimer]

29. I saw one of these the other day, not anywhere near the Rio Grande.

Here, near Corpus Christi. So that part about only being one the border is a complete lie. Those guys were out testing their new "toy" on unsuspecting citizens.

[onethatcares]

32. how can they afford this?

is dhs providing the funds?