Border-fence design exacerbated flooding along U.S.-Mexico border 9

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1. 

   archigeek Posted 2:13 am
   25 Aug 2008

   Reagan moment?"Mr. Bush, tear down this wall!"

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2. 

   Wolverine Posted 3:16 am
   25 Aug 2008

   Our Berlin WallEvery aspect of this wall is thoroughly disgusting.  The fact that it's ecologically destructive makes it much worse.  And it's not just that it acts like a dam(n), it also obstructs the movements of wildlife.  So yes, as Archigeek said, tear it down!

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3. 

   Storm Dragon Posted 3:56 am
   25 Aug 2008

   It gets worseThe flooding problems in Arizona and Sonora are bad enough, but worse disasters may be in store.  Despite warnings that a barrier fence in the Rio Grande valley would be a potential death trap in the event of a hurricane, (to say nothing of the grave ecological harm that would result from the construction of such a fence), this costly and ill-advised project is still on schedule.  Does anyone still seriously believe that the border fence will protect the environment and save American lives?

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4. 

   Ed Abbey Jr Posted 7:41 am
   25 Aug 2008

   Close the bordersIn my (not-so) younger days, I didn't believe in borders, but having been living in a setting where a lot of newly arrived [name your ethnic grop] have settled, I'm afraid that I'm all for a stronger border. Call me prejudice, but without education and preparation, and there rarely is any, the transition is very rough (who of you reading this actually lives in a low-income inner-city area?)
   We're all dealt a certain fate in life, and some of us have been dealt better cards than others, and I do believe that those of us who are more fortunate than others have an obligation to help others less fortunate than ourselves, but that that doesn't mean we need to let everyone into this country. It would be nice to grant the benefits of democracy to all, but it's just not practical.
   We need to build strong (ecologically friendly) borders, and we need to help others outside of these borders. but..it's like a ship...no matter how good your intentions, you can only take on so many before you begin to take on water.
   I'm an ardent environmentailst, very left-leaning and solutions-oriented. I challenge all of you others with similar sympathies to think more with an international focus.

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5. 

   Wolverine Posted 8:03 am
   25 Aug 2008

   Ed Abbey Is RightAnd we should begin by sending white people back to Europe.

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6. 

   BlackBear Posted 9:12 am
   25 Aug 2008

   I totally agree with Abbey.I couldn't agree more that we need to keep those poor immigrants out of this country! If we let immigrants make new lives for themselves in America what kind of place will this become? Why, the next thing you know, they'll want to work, and have a place to live, and go to the movie theaters... total disaster!
   I, for one, live in a semi-rural agricultural area and have as much experience with migrant workers as anyone. If you can find anyone to work as they do for the pay the farmers can afford, then you have a magic talent and need to share it more widely.

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7. 

   caniscandida Posted 9:42 am
   25 Aug 2008

   "white people back to Europe"!Absolutely!  Orvieto!  Gubbio!  Cortona!  Verona!
   Just get me the bus schedule, the bags are packed!

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8. 

   Storm Dragon Posted 4:01 am
   26 Aug 2008

   Response to Ed Abbey, Jr.In my view, the "immigration problem" in this country is largely symptomatic of an unhealthy economic relationship between the United States and Mexico, and we will not even begin to change things for the better until we recognize this fact.  We might begin by repealing or re-negotiating NAFTA, and taking steps to prevent small farmers in Mexico from being driven off their land.
   
       I hope you will let me challenge you to consider the following question: Is a tightly controlled border really a healthy thing?  This question should be considered from both an ecological and a societal viewpoint.  Jaguars, ocelots, pronghorn antelope, and other wild creatures do not recognize artificial, man-made boundaries, and will almost certainly suffer if forced to do so.  So will human beings who have lived in the borderlands for generations, particularly the To'ono'o'odham, and other American Indian groups, who regard themselves as one people on both sides of the border.  Is it right for our governments to arbitrarily split them down the middle?  Perhaps it would be more constructive to think in terms of transition zones rather than sharply defined borders.  It would be different if we were an island nation, bounded on all sides by the sea, but we aren't-and we'll just have to get used to it.  If we don't want more people coming here, we must do the best we can to help them live a better life in their own land.  I'm not saying that will be easy, but it's the only thing that will do any lasting good.
   
       Their is a case to be made for the placement of vehicle barriers in certain areas, but, in my opinion, that's the only kind of border fence that can be considered ecologically friendly.

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9. 

   blanca estela Posted 4:17 am
   26 Aug 2008

   y mexico?i live on the texas-coahuila border and, as much as our mayor opposed the border fence, a team has already arrived in town to start construction. flooding is a big concern because our neighbors to the south already have problems with flooding and it seems like they were not taken into consideration at all.

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