Obama Authorizes Deployment of More National Guard Troops Along Border

[The Straight Story]

Obama Authorizes Deployment of More National Guard Troops Along Border
Administration to Ask Congress for $500 Million More for Border Security

President Obama has authorized the call-up of as many as 1,200 National Guard troops across the U.S. border with Mexico to assist with border protection and enforcement activities there, officials say.

The president, who alone cannot formally authorize deployment of the forces, is expected to request $500 million in supplemental funds from Congress to make a state governor's decision to deploy troops financially possible.

The troops would largely assist border patrol agents and local law enforcement by providing intelligence and intelligence analysis, surveillance and reconnaissance support, and the ability to train additional Customs and Border Protection agents, sources say.

Deployment of National Guard troops would "provide immediate enhancement to the unprecedented and ongoing border protection and security efforts that over the last 16 months have increased pressure on illegal trafficking organizations," one administration official said.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/obama-authorizes-deployment-national-guard-southwest/story?id=10740858

*** Please note, earlier thread I just saw but no link in it at time of posting:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8414261
(more discussion there, sorry I missed it)

[Traveling_Home]

1. So he's just said that, "Yes, this is a BIG FUCKING DEAL"

[charlesg]

2. McCain: "It's simply not enough. We need 6,000."

[Lerkfish]

3. well, its not like there's an environmental disaster going on that the troops might be

better spent being deployed to.

yep, its fortunate we don't have such a disaster.

[EFerrari]

4. Do NOT distract from the disaster on the Arizona border!

:sarcasm:

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Scurrilous]

5. 22,000 Mexicans have died in drug related violence.

I imagine Americans living near the border are a bit concerned about security.

Interesting blog that tracks the violence:

http://www.borderlandbeat.com/

[Skink]

7. Bout time.

how about redeploying any guard members from Iraq too.