Results from video surveillance program of Texas border underwhelming.

[AlphaCentauri]

Source: Houston Chronicle

Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s passion for an audience participation video surveillance system on the border with Mexico has always seemed rooted more in conservative politics than fiscal practicality.

He’s tried it once, he’s tried it twice, and the bottom line looks worse than ever. The latest scorecard on the cost effectiveness of what amounts to a $2 million Internet “catch an alien” computer game comes courtesy of the El Paso Times, which obtained law enforcement reports via open records requests.

It reveals that the surveillance cameras that went online last November were popular with viewers and drew nearly 2 million hits. However, the tips to law enforcement resulting from those visits resulted in only three arrests over the period, far fewer than the 1,200 the governor’s staff had projected for the program’s first year. Of 4,500 immigration violations that the project was expected to document, only six were reported.



Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/6241601.html

[aquart]

1. So who's surprised?

[Hulk]

2. This issue really needs attention!!

I have two brother-in-laws that are both "illegal immigrants" in the US. They've lived in the US now for 8 and 15 years. They need to get this settled. The US either needs to give them some means to stay in the US, or needs to clamp down and send them back where they are from...along with the other 12-17 million just like them.

I'm not for granting them "citizenship", and I honestly don't think most of them even want that. But if we don't put a clamp on the flow of illegals, and deal with the mess we now have, this is going to boil over to where it becomes a HUGE problem in the not too distant future. These people are establishing lives in the US. They are getting married, having kids, investing in homes, etc. Something has to be done.

Damn right it's complex...but we need to address the problem. And once again I say...F*CK the repug obstructionists that want to call it "amnesty". BULL SHIT. JUST address the problem and lets do something about this festering pot.

[ohio2007]

24. Drug cartels control the border. Texas national guard couldn't do a thing if the drug economy tanks

At least the US border patrol has things well in hand




http://www.usborderpatrol.com/Border_Patrol900_3.htm

lol
why worry when you still can whistle past the cemetery ?
http://www.usborderpatrol.com/Border_Patrol900.htm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZZu8q9pTHk&eurl=http://www.usborderpatrol.com/Border_Patrol900.htm

just sayin.

what crises ?

[EFerrari]

3. With this economy, they probably have a lot of video of people going home.

[corruptmewithpower]

4. I've been south of the border many times.

Mexico sucks, and so does most of central america, and I doubt south america is much better. Anyone in these nations with half a brain will be living in the US eventually. Deal with it!

[BlueCollar]

5. Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?

Basis for your statements would be helpful.

Normally I'd welcome you to DU but I think I'll stand by for now.

[snooper2]

6. What's wrong with what the poster said? DU policeman

:rofl:


Mexico does suck...take a drive and see for yourself :)

[EFerrari]

15. You'll laugh until you figure out how much of your tax money

has gone to keep it that way. lol

[anonymous171]

7. The Mexican government needs to "deal with it."

Instead of just shunting their workers over here.

[EFerrari]

17. Maybe when BushCo stops helping the oligarchy steal elections,

the government will improve. Ya think?

[anonymous171]

19. I don't just think, I know!

:hi:

[LanternWaste]

8. Odd, when I lived in Mexico...

Odd, when I lived in Mexico, it was a pretty nice place with the vast majority of people I met being nice, well-mannered, and dignified-- unlike many new poster on DU.

[corruptmewithpower]

10. The people are A-OK

They'll just make fine Americans. Our diversity is a strength.

[LanternWaste]

11. Then what specifically

Then what specifically sucks about Mexico and is unique to Mexico? You said you spent time there, and as I lived there for quite some time, I'd love to hear your opinions about what the specific and relevant changes need to be made to the culture.

(Actually, I think you'd make a fine Mexican, their civility and dignity is a strength...)

[corruptmewithpower]

12. Mexico is not unique.

Let me see: The hard core criminals wear badges, the bureacracy works only when tipped, almost everyone except those of european ancestry is poor, everyone on television is blond, everyone not on television is brunette, the drug war death toll reminds me of afganistan. It's practically utopia otherwise.

[EFerrari]

18. Considering how much that resembles the US and considering how much of our money

is going to keep that situation just the way it is, what exactly is your beef?

[corruptmewithpower]

21. Do I have to have a beef?

I was describing some of what may motivate many south the border folks to emigrate to the USA.

[LanternWaste]

20. Doesn;t sound unique... in fact, your desctition sounds like...

Doesn't sound unique to Mexico... in fact, your description sounds precisely like America, so possibly you should work for change in your country, rather than making broad brushed, subjective indictment against another county.

But if that's all you really have for your disparaging and blankets statement, "Mexico sucks...", you're going to have to try much harder.

But I'm sure you're a clever little fellow otherwise.

[corruptmewithpower]

22. Very well then. Mexico doesn't suck.

[Lost in CT]

28. So it is like Italy then... nt

[EFerrari]

14. Thank you, Professor!

[paparush]

9. Look Jim, its another armadillo...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz nt

[MacBookPro]

13. Disgusting.

Our immigration policies are antiquated and immoral; based on the concept that a geographic border can designate whether universal human rights can or cannot be applied.

[christx30]

23. To be fair

Mexico's immigration policies are even more stringent and somewhat draconian than ours. Foreigners can't vote in their elections or receive government aid. If you are deported and come back in, you can be imprisoned for up to 10 years. If we adopted some of these laws, the left in this country (and a great deal of Mexico) would be completely up in arms over it. I know things must be bad down there for them to come up here. I respect the desire for someone to want a better life. Make no mistake about it. But there is simply not enough room in this country for everyone to come here. Not enough hospital beds, or room on our streets or highways, or schools to accommodate everyone that wants to come here. As much as it might suck, hard decisions must be made in order to keep up the quality of life. What would happen with 20 million more people looking for jobs, and doing so at lower wages than the legal immigrants take for the same work? Money and resources are getting scarce. As hard hit as this economy is, can we afford NOT to do something?

[AlphaCentauri]

26. Old News or Myths?

Illegal immigrants in Mexico will avoid jail
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080722_11_A6_Ilglim153913

Mexico Offers Legal Status to Migrants as Example for U.S.
http://articles.latimes.com/2001/feb/23/news/mn-29199

Mexico sends Cubans home under new accord
http://www.nydailynews.com/latino/2008/12/05/2008-12-05_mexico_sends_cubans_home_under_new_accor.html

An American’s Lament: ‘I Was Deported, Too’
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/12/world/americas/12tijuana.html?ref=world

[sofa king]

16. Dude, that's the greatest idea ever!

Here, right-wing authoritarian: help protect America by staring at this computer screen, for hours, for no pay, while you could be bombing an abortion clinic or wondering why Bibles are brown and green instead of red, white and blue.

And... no, that's about it. Just sit there. Don't look away! An alien might steal your job if you do.

[underpants]

25. Mexican telemonitoring company loves watching secret cam of Americans sitting in $2 Million room

:rofl:

[ohio2007]

27. Gunmen attack governor's convoy, kill guard ( never a dull moment on the other side)

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) - Gunmen have attacked a convoy carrying the governor of a violence-wracked border state, killing one of his bodyguards and wounding two other agents.It was not clear if the attackers were targeting Chihuahua Gov. Jose Reyes Baeza, but he canceled a trip Monday to meet with federal officials in Mexico City about security problems in his state, where hundreds have died in drug-related violence in recent months.

snip

The governor told a news conference shortly before midnight Sunday that he doesn't know if the attackers were aiming for him: «We don't want to speculate. But rich, heavily armed gangs battling for turf on the doorstep of the U.S. narcotics market have increasingly challenged the government on all levels, even ambushing troops sent to battle the cartels.
Reyes Baeza asked federal officials to investigate because he said the assailants fired high-powered weapons that Mexican law says can only be used by the military.
The convoy attack came two days after the police chief of Ciudad Juarez, the biggest city in Chihuahua, bowed to crime gang demands to resign because they threatened to kill at least one of his officers every 48 hours.

Signs posted by unknown people appeared around the city of 1.3 million on Sunday applauding the resignation of chief Roberto Orduna while threatening to behead Mayor Jesus Reyes Ferriz and his family _ even those living across the border in Texas _ if he continues «helping you know who» ....

snip
Federal officials say more than 6,000 people died in drug-related violence across Mexico last year, and no state suffered more than Chihuahua. Ciudad Juarez alone recorded 1,600 killings.
Meanwhile in Mexico's southernmost state of Chiapas, police on Monday were investigating the charred remains of three men found inside cars, including a local union leader.


snip

http://www.pr-inside.com/gunmen-attack-governor-s-convoy-kill-r1076009.htm

All that and AZ colleges are discouraging Spring break border runs a little more then the usual this year then times in the past.
:toast: :party: :puke:

good luck keeping Mexico under the radar from now on

[marksmithfield]

29. It's a shame it didn't work

Any little thing that can be done to stop the flow of illegals is a good thing, but the money would have been better spent on more agents patrolling the border.
So all you open borders types go ahead and flame away. Just remember the job no one wants may be the job you need tomorrow.

[Bragi]

30. Wait till the Canadaian border results come in

Getting 3 prosecutions from this gimmick will probably be 3 more than will result from the new aerial drones the US has hovering along the Canada-U.S border out west.

- B