Border-fence plans clarified as a 'starting point'

[sabra]

Source: WashTimes

The Department of Homeland Security says that no final decision has been made on where a southwestern border fence stretching 370 miles through four states will be built and that the plans -- which angered many residents after being released last week -- were just a "starting point" for further discussions.

In letters sent to 33 local leaders in Texas, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner W. Ralph Basham said a clarification was necessary because the plans did not "adequately represent" the department's approach to the fence issue and had raised many questions and concerns.

...

Many community leaders along the border said they had been assured by Homeland Security that they would have input into fence locations and were outraged when the plans were released. Those plans -- which went to "Texas Homeland Security partners" -- showed 370 miles of fencing -- 153 in Texas, 129 in Arizona, 76 in California and 12 in New Mexico.

...

The plans circulated last week caused some landowners and civic leaders, along with state and local law-enforcement officials, to suggest that the proposed fencing would encroach on property rights and hurt the environment. Others expressed concern that the federal government would use its power of eminent domain to seize land for the fencing.


Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20070506-104023-9451r.htm

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Can't they just go around the fence?

I mean, if it doesn't cover the whole border, what's the point?

[BushOut06]

3. If you're going to do something, do it half-assed

That's the Bush mantra!

[wakeme2008]

2. I guess I am lost

What does "eminent domain " have to do with a BORDER FENCE. The land is on a BORDER.....

[Dumak]

4. Not on the border

The fence wouldn't go ON the border, it would go just INSIDE the border. Most likely they would have roads on both sides of the fence, for maintenance, and they would want a wide swath of land on the outer side of the fence that is clear of vegetation so they can see people approaching, and shoot them with their guns. You have to think like a Nazi to understand these things.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. The border is the river in many places

They can't put a fence down the middle of a river.