U.S. Border Fence Protrudes Into Mexico (3 Million $ Mistake)

[RamboLiberal]

Source: My Way News/AP

The 1.5-mile barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border was designed to keep cars from illegally crossing into the United States. There's just one problem: It was accidentally built on Mexican soil. Now embarrassed border officials say the mistake could cost the federal government more than $3 million to fix.

The barrier was part of more than 15 miles of border fence built in 2000, stretching from the town of Columbus to an onion farm and cattle ranch.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman said the vertical metal tubes were sunk into the ground and filled with cement along what officials firmly believed was the border. But a routine aerial survey in March revealed that the barrier protrudes into Mexico by 1 to 6 feet.

James Johnson, whose onion farm is in the disputed area, said he thinks his forefathers may have started the confusion in the 19th century by placing a barbed-wire fence south of the border. No one discovered their error, and crews erecting the barrier may have used that fence as a guideline.



Read more: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070629/D8Q2P3OO0.html

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Can't this bunch do one f'in thing right? When we put up a fence we determine our property lines first!

[Ian David]

1. They couldn't even avoid screwing-up less than 15 miles worth of fence? WTF?

Do we think they'll actually be able to manage building a fence that's HUNDREDS of miles long?

[Lisa]

5. given their stellar performance record so far ... at least they're consistent! (n/t)

[dysfunctional press]

11. this was a clinton administration fuck-up.

it was built in 2000.

[Ian David]

2. Woudln't it just be cheaper to buy the extra land from Mexico? n/t

[Solo_in_MD]

3. Good idea

[Kagemusha]

8. You really think they'd sell a single square foot?

That would not go down well politically.

[file83]

4. Who in the hell surveyed that project, Gomer Pile?

My god, this tells me one thing: CORRUPTION. The contract probably got subbed out 5 times and the final contractor was just some low ball fly-by-night operation. Now these fuckers are caught with their pants down.

The beauty for them: They get to charge the government AGAIN to "fix" it. It'll probably go to the same orignal contractor who will blame the problem as an "oversight" by other sub-contractor.

They just doubled their money! Somewhere big fat white men are toasting to their 7 year old Scotch, puffing on cigars, and getting ready to gorge themselves on thick, bloody steaks.

[Canuckistanian]

18. What a farce

I wouldn't even put up a shed on the edge of my property if I didn't know the EXACT location of the property line.

And this an INTERNATIONAL BORDER.

[burrowowl]

6. Along with the fact that a fence is a stupid idea

Not only are wild animals fucked up, but people dig under them!
Mr. Bu$h take down this WALL! period!

[poverlay]

9. The best saying I've heard on the matter is from our governor here in Arizona, Janet Napolitano.

She said:
"Show me a fifty foot fence on the Mexico border, and I'll show you a Mexican with a 51 foot ladder."

[silverojo]

15. That's why we need armed Border Patrol guards

...to say, "No way, Jose!" when he tries to get to the top of that 51-foot ladder.

[poverlay]

17. I honestly don't think that's practical. The expense would be prohibitive and would be

better put to good use helping to improve the economic condition of northern Mexico. That way far fewer hispanics would be attempting to come here illegally.
I myself am torn as to which tactics to use.

That being said it looks like you're going to get your wish, so we will find out how affective a very expensive, walled off, guarded border is...

[SayWhatYo]

20. It wouldn't just be Northern Mexico though...

Many of the illegal immigrants come from other countries further south. In order for that to fully work then every country would need the same level of economic improvement... Unless you mean that we should focus on making Mexico as wealthy as the US so that instead of coming all the way up to the US, they instead go up to northern Mexico and effectively make it a Northern Mexican problem....

Anyways, the price of building a fence or wall wouldn't even come close to being enough money to solve the problem in total.... There has to be much more done and it would require a lot of time, don't you agree? I'm not saying a wall or fence is a good idea, I'm just saying I don't buy the idea that if the fence wasn't built and the money was instead diverted to solving the economic problems of the south, then everything would be better...

[ProudDad]

23. By this logic

Why don't we just nuke every Mexican who gets within 100 miles of the border. That would keep "our" troops (border patrol) out of harm's way...

On Edit; for the irony challenged :sarcasm:

[Hekate]

31. Smart woman. The Wall was a stupid idea from the get-go, very Soviet. nt

[jilln]

7. Oh please oh please arrest someone for working illegally in Mexico...

and illegal entry and whatever else.

[formercia]

10. Last time I heard

they had GPS in 2000.

How come we never have the time to do it right the first time, but we always have time to do it over?

I once overheard some West Africans making a toast. "WAWA!!" they shouted. I asked my fellow traveler what it meant.

West African Wins Again, he replied.

Another White Man falls for the scam....

[The Backlash Cometh]

12. Oh, I don't think it's a mistake.

Sounds like adverse possession. Nobody is THAT careless.

[cascadiance]

13. Sounding more and more like the "Apartheid Wall" in Israel near the west bank!

that also looks to be a land grab for big chunks of what should be Palestinian territory based upon where the wall is being built.

[SayWhatYo]

21. Except this is only 1 to 6 feet....

You may not think there is any difference, but to me it's a lot different. Now, if this fence prevented mexicans from getting to their farms and home or something, then I would agree that it's similar.

This sounds more like incompetence more than anything.

[Gregorian]

14. The only error I see is not including Texas as part of Mexico.

Actually, the fence should go all the way up to Canada. Fuck the US. I'm sick of this US centric world. We stole this place. And now we don't want to share it. What a bunch of arrogant pricks.

And now I'll start my day. Where's my coffee...


/really not liking life blog.

[silverojo]

16. Then go live someplace where the land wasn't "stolen"

You'll have a hard time finding one. Wars for territory have been waged all over the world, not just here. When the war is won, it's for keeps--there's no "sharing" involved. :eyes:

While I don't like what our government is doing, I love my country. And if it's so horrible, arrogant, etc., why the hell are so many people trying to come here, legally or illegally? There must be SOME good in these parts....

[ProudDad]

24. Sure there's some good here

or make that "goods".

The U.S. pillages the Earth of 25% of the resources available every year...U.S. GOT ALL THE GOODS.

So the U.S. destroyed the indigenous Mexican economy so that a few large corporations can make more exorbitant profits...gee, now let's all blame some of the more proactive, energetic folks from south of the border for coming here to get some of their resources back...

[The Brethren]

26. "While

I don't like what our government is doing, I love my country." I feel the same.

[Psephos]

19. BFD

Next chunk of fence that's built, move it six feet north. End of problem.

[ProudDad]

22. It looks like the Israelis

not only trained our troops in Iraq in "how to handle a-rabs" thus Abu Graib, an example of the way the Israelis run their prisons for Palestinians and the growth of the insurgency...

but... I guess they trained the U.S./Mexico apartheid wall's builders in the techniques they are using with their apartheid wall -- stealing land from the Palestinians.

[The Brethren]

25. well that's just lovely.

As if we don't have enough problems at our borders, most of which are not protected.....including our coastlines.

'"It was a mistake made in the 1800s," Johnson said. "It is very difficult to make a straight line between two points in rugged and mountainous areas that are about two miles apart."' I can certainly understand making a mistake like this back in the 1800. However, with the technology we've had available for quite some time, it shouldn't have taken till now to catch this mistake. And if Mexico wants it's land back, then how about they take their illegals back as well. A fair trade as far as I'm concerned.

You're right RamboLiberal, they should have accessed our property rights and exact parameters before investing more time and money into it.

[snooper2]

27. Once you put up a fence it always adds confusion..

My fence is 10" over the lot line on my neighbors property. I found out when I bought the house and the fence has been their since 76' when the house was built.

[slackmaster]

28. I personally know of another section, built in the 1940s, that protrudes much farther into Mexico

And I'm not saying where it is.

[High Plains]

29. Why in God's name does it cost $3 million to build a mile of fence?

Hell, I'd do it for $1.5 million.

Stupid, stupid idea, anyway, fencing the border.

[Xenotime]

30. Its just * trying to occupy more countires.