Troops on the Border....
Stationing troops on the border is generally not a good idea. Don't think that it hasn't been done before, it has and it cost the life of a young Texan caring for his livestock. Military troops have been used for years in anti-narcotics operations. On this ocassion four Marines flanked the youngster who was carrying a .22 rifle and killed him. They claimed self defense as he had been plinking with his rifle. A person carrying a rifle while tending livestock on private property is the norm in Texas and the rest of the border states... probably in Iowa too.
The problem now, as then, is that military troops are trained to kill. They are not trained for interdiction of people and goods coming across the border. The use of force model that applies to the professional law enforcement Officers that man the borders has to be maintained. The soldiers could very possibly encounter groups of 40 or 50 illegal aliens, will they know how to handle the situation, not if they are not trained. What if they encounter narcotics smugglers with hundreds or thousands of pounds of contraband, what are the rules of engagement, have they ever been defined?
Every Officer working the border has undergone an in depth background investigation as they have access to sensitive databases and have to be trusted with interdicted seizures of narcotics, weapons, money and people. I assure you that the soldiers, as brave as they are, have not been subjected to this type of scrutiny nor will they be. Each one of these Officers has undergone months of training in the law, arrest techniques, the proper use of force, situational response, and more than this post will allow. Instructed by professionals that have done the job and can provide leadership and guidance. How much training will these soldiers receive in these areas?
Have no doubt that these soldiers will not just be dealing with illegal aliens, they will encounter U.S. citizens and residents as well. Who will they stop? Will they know the difference between a Border Crossing Card and a Resident Alien Card? Do they need probable cause or reasonable suspicion to stop someone already on this side of the border. Or will they stop all the Brown Ones? Don't forget, most of the land in Texas that runs along the border is private property, so ask yourself, how would you like a bunch of soldiers with weapons running around your property?
As in the past, the potential for bad situations is great. Having untrained people working the border is just like having the Minutemen out there. Sooner or later bad things are going to happen.
Why is this happening? The answer is easy, Congress has refused to deal with this situation for many years and continues to underman the borders with the professionals needed to do the job or they have passed some pie in the sky law but refused to fund it. The well know unfunded mandate, do more with less... Welcome to the results.
BT
The problem now, as then, is that military troops are trained to kill. They are not trained for interdiction of people and goods coming across the border. The use of force model that applies to the professional law enforcement Officers that man the borders has to be maintained. The soldiers could very possibly encounter groups of 40 or 50 illegal aliens, will they know how to handle the situation, not if they are not trained. What if they encounter narcotics smugglers with hundreds or thousands of pounds of contraband, what are the rules of engagement, have they ever been defined?
Every Officer working the border has undergone an in depth background investigation as they have access to sensitive databases and have to be trusted with interdicted seizures of narcotics, weapons, money and people. I assure you that the soldiers, as brave as they are, have not been subjected to this type of scrutiny nor will they be. Each one of these Officers has undergone months of training in the law, arrest techniques, the proper use of force, situational response, and more than this post will allow. Instructed by professionals that have done the job and can provide leadership and guidance. How much training will these soldiers receive in these areas?
Have no doubt that these soldiers will not just be dealing with illegal aliens, they will encounter U.S. citizens and residents as well. Who will they stop? Will they know the difference between a Border Crossing Card and a Resident Alien Card? Do they need probable cause or reasonable suspicion to stop someone already on this side of the border. Or will they stop all the Brown Ones? Don't forget, most of the land in Texas that runs along the border is private property, so ask yourself, how would you like a bunch of soldiers with weapons running around your property?
As in the past, the potential for bad situations is great. Having untrained people working the border is just like having the Minutemen out there. Sooner or later bad things are going to happen.
Why is this happening? The answer is easy, Congress has refused to deal with this situation for many years and continues to underman the borders with the professionals needed to do the job or they have passed some pie in the sky law but refused to fund it. The well know unfunded mandate, do more with less... Welcome to the results.
BT
posted by Border Train at 10:27 PM
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