Border Fence To Bypass Property Of Wealthy Oilman Who Donated $35 Million To Bush Library

[babylonsister]

:grr: Feeling any safer? :grr:

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/19/hunt-border-fence/

Border Fence To Bypass Property Of Wealthy Oilman Who Donated $35 Million To Bush Library


In October 2006, President Bush authorized the construction of a 700-mile border fence between the United States and Mexico. Now, however, the Department of Homeland Security’s construction plans are facing opposition from Texans who object to the fence cutting through their property. The Washington Post reports on the hard line the Bush administration is taking with these protesting landowners:

In December, officials sent warning letters to 135 private landowners, municipalities, universities, public utility companies and conservation societies along the border that had turned away surveyors. Landowners were given 30 days to change their minds or face legal action. More than 100 of them — 71 in Texas — let the deadline pass.

Over the past several weeks, U.S. attorneys acting on behalf of the Homeland Security Department have been filing lawsuits against the holdouts.

DHS has no problem pursuing elderly and struggling homeowners. In the small town of Granjeno (pop. 313), however, the border fence would, conveniently, “abruptly end” at the property owned by Dallas billionaire Ray L. Hunt.

It’s not surprising that the administration would be hesitant to upset Hunt, who was a Bush-Cheney campaign “Pioneer” in 2000. More recently, Hunt “donated $35 million to Southern Methodist University to help build Bush’s presidential library.” In 2001, Bush appointed Hunt to his Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, granting him “a security clearance and access to classified intelligence.”

Hunt, one of the wealthiest oilmen in the world, previously served on the board of Halliburton and was National Petroleum Council chairman between 1991 and 1994.

Daniel Garza, a 76-year old man who might lose his home to the border fence’s intrusion, noted, “I don’t see why they have to destroy my home, my land, and let the wall end there.” Pointing across the street to Hunt’s land, he added, “How will that stop illegal immigration?“

[movonne]

1. This should be on LBN,,,

[Squatch]

2. So the fence ends at his property

guess where the bulk of illegal entries will begin?

[Ian David]

7. I was thinking the same thing.

Maybe this is what the guy actually wants?

Maybe he's planning on some kind of border-crossing extortion scheme?

Or maybe he plans on developing the property as a border crossing / duty-free shopping mall.

[Squatch]

9. LOL.

He could plant 100 of these on the Mexican side, only change it to "North of the Border":



(I actually stopped there one time, looking for some quality vittles. Instead, what I found was a huge sprawling truckstop)

[Ian David]

10. Did you go to The Dirty Old Man Store? n/t

[Squatch]

11. (shivers) nooooooo

[TwilightGardener]

3. Ridiculous. This issue should also piss off the Freeper crowd, who REALLY want the fence.

[Ian David]

4. You mean The Bush Lie-Berry. n/t

[mopinko]

18. no, it's lie-bury. nt

[ixion]

5. I have been opposed to the whole idea of building a fence... it's a stupid idea

and now that it's apparent that it's just another means of control and harassing citizens, it should be scrapped once and for all.

[Javaman]

16. naaaa, it was all about money.

If I recall, but I'm not sure, I believe it was one of the famous no bid contracts.

[Ian David]

6. Actually, this is a GOOD thing.

The fence ends at his property.

He'll be killed by drug smugglers sneaking across his property within a year.

Bummer, dude.

[Ian David]

8. Bush appointed Hunt to his Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, granting him “a security clearance..

Bush appointed Hunt to his Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, granting him “a security clearance and access to classified intelligence.”

Maybe he needs access to foreign espionage agents?

Maybe he's actually operating a safe-house of some sort?

Some people say.

[El Supremo]

12. Let's not forget Ray Hunt's insider Iraq contract.

God, another fucking Hunt bastard.

Inquiry urged on Hunt Oil contract in Iraq

Democrats say Bush ties may have led to Iraq oil contract

10:48 PM CDT on Monday, October 15, 2007

By DAVE MICHAELS / The Dallas Morning News
[e-mail]

WASHINGTON – Democratic lawmakers moved Monday toward investigating Hunt Oil's oil exploration contract in Iraq, saying the company's ties to President Bush raised questions about whether it had insider information that helped it reach the deal.

U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, asked Hunt to turn over all Iraq-related communication with the U.S. government by Nov. 2.

The lawmakers also demanded that Ray Hunt, Hunt Oil's chief executive, submit copies of information he may have received about Iraq as a member of Mr. Bush's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.

A Hunt spokeswoman said the company would cooperate with the request for "certain limited information."

the rest at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/industries/energy/stories/101607dnbushuntdeal.34d344b.html

[electron_blue]

13. LOL. It'll be a thoroughfare for crossing illegally. let it go - this is great.

Talk about unintended consequences.

He's right, though - it ain't going to stop illegal immigration. This wall/fence is some corporation's boondoggle.

[Ian David]

15. Maybe Harrison Ford will play Mr. Hunt in the movie...

... about drug smugglers who hold an American billionaire hostage along the Mexican border.

[blondeatlast]

14. Also bypasses a toity golf club; from earlier today:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2888645

[dysfunctional press]

17. president obama will have to see to it that the fence continues on...

as if it will ever be built, anyway.

[momster]

19. Just a Coincidence

like I'm sure :eyes:

I think this will wall be quietly dropped into the sink of forgetfulness the minute GWB and Co are out on their collective tushes.

[corkhead]

20. how many copies of My Pet Goat can you buy with $35M?

[sarcasmo]

21. Land of the Rich home of the Slaves, welcome to the new Amerika.

[countryjake]

22. kick & recommend

[lonestarnot]

23. Now there is a real endorsement for that fucking fence egh?