High Court OKs Fast Track For Border Fence

Justices Refuse To Rein In White House's Power To Waive Laws To Speed Fence's Construction

(CBS/AP)  The Supreme Court on Monday turned down a plea by environmental groups to rein in the Bush administration's power to waive laws and regulations to speed construction of a fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has used authority given to him by Congress in 2005 to ignore environmental and other laws and regulations to move forward with hundreds of miles of fencing in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.

The case rejected by the court involved a two-mile section of fence in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area near Naco, Ariz. The section has since been built.

As of June, 13, 331 miles of fencing have been constructed in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

"I am extremely disappointed in the court's decision," Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said. "This waiver will only prolong the department from addressing the real issue: their lack of a comprehensive border security plan."

Thompson chairs the House Homeland Security Committee. He and 13 other House democrats - including six other committee chairs - filed a brief in support of the environmentalists' appeal.

Defenders of Wildlife lawyer Brian Segee told CBS News correspondent Barry Bagnato that it's not just the environment that's threatened.

"It's one unelected Cabinet-level official that’s allowed to pick and choose which laws apply," Segee said.

Russ Knocke, a spokesman for the Homeland Security Department, said, "The American people expect this department to enforce the rule of law at the border." He added that the department is happy with the court's decision.

"As fence construction proceeds," Knocke said, "the department will continue to be a good steward of the environment, and consult with appropriate state, local, and tribal officials."

The concept of a border fence took on new life after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, which revived the heated immigration debate. Intelligence officials have said the holes along the southwest border could provide places for terrorists to enter the country.

Congress failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform when it had the chance in 2007.

Thompson said, "Without a comprehensive plan, this fence is just another quick fix."

Earlier this year, Chertoff waived more than 30 laws and regulations in an effort to finish building 670 miles of fence along the southwest border. Administration officials have said that invoking the legal waivers - which Congress authorized in 1996 and 2005 laws - will cut through bureaucratic red tape and sidestep environmental laws that currently stand in the way of fence construction.

Environmentalists have said the fence puts already endangered species such as two types of wild cats - the ocelot and the jaguarundi - in even more danger. The fence would prevent them from swimming across the Rio Grande to mate.

Also on Monday, the Supreme Court:

agreed to decide whether decades-old maternity leaves should count in determining pensions. The issue has split federal appeals courts and could become increasingly important as women who took maternity leaves in the 1960's and 70's approach retirement. Their pregnancies occurred before the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act, enacted in 1979, barred companies from treating pregnancy leaves differently from other disability leaves. Since then, maternity leave has been credited toward retirement. The case before the court involves four AT&T Corp. employees who each took at least one maternity leave between 1968 and 1976. They have 67-261 days of uncredited leave because their pregnancies occurred before the law changed.

said an indigent defendant's right to a lawyer begins when he is brought before a judge, informed why he has been arrested and jailed. The court ruled 8-1 in favor of Walter Rothgery, whose request for a lawyer was denied by local Texas authorities for six months. Rothgery was arrested in Texas for carrying a gun as a convicted felon, based on a background check that erroneously showed a felony drug conviction in California.

threw out a ruling in which a federal appeals court, without being asked to do so, added 15 years to a convicted man's prison sentence. The court ruled 7-2 in favor of Michael Greenlaw of Minneapolis, who was convicted of participating in a drug-selling operation. Writing for the majority, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said that since the government didn't appeal the sentence, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis should not have increased Greenlaw's prison term. Under an unwritten but long-standing court rule, appeals judges are blocked from adding years to a defendant's sentence on their own initiative, Ginsburg said.

ruled that a collection agency with no financial stake in a case can sue on behalf of its customers. The 5-4 decision addresses a basic legal point, that courts can only hear cases when plaintiffs suffer actual injuries that are traceable to a defendant's conduct. In the case before the court, APCC Services Inc. is trying to collect from Sprint Communications Co. and AT&T Inc. for coinless long-distance calls over the networks of Sprint and AT&T.

turned down property owners and tenants facing eviction to make room for a new NBA Nets arena in Brooklyn. The justices rejected an appeal that was intended to stop development of the Atlantic Yards project. Eleven property owners and tenants said that using the government's power to take the property, called eminent domain, violates the Constitution because the project would primarily benefit the developer, not the public.

stepped into a dispute over the Navy's use of sonar off the Southern California coast and its potential harm to dolphins and whales. Acting at the Bush administration's urging, the court agreed to review a federal appeals court ruling that limits the use of sonar in naval training exercises.

intervened in a lawsuit by an Internet service provider accusing AT&T of anti-competitive practices. AT&T had asked the justices to step into the dispute over wholesale prices AT&T charges for high-speed service to Internet service providers who then compete with AT&T for retail Internet customers.

will review a ruling that allows the brother of an Iranian terrorism victim to collect $2.8 million. The justices said they will consider overturning a decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco in the case of Dariush Elahi, who is seeking the money as compensation for the killing of his brother, Cyrus, in Paris in 1990. French authorities blamed the Iranian government for the killing.



© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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by roachcrusher June 23, 2008 3:40 PM EDT

The insanity continues.

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by mmstar20 June 23, 2008 3:52 PM EDT

the damage to this country by illegals is done. they''ve invaded our public schools and this is the result: http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2008/06/23/when_teachers_become_the_pupils/?page=1

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by killtheliars June 23, 2008 3:59 PM EDT

we finally have a way to get even with Mexico for sending their people to leach off of social services meant for tax paying American citizens.
Since the Mexican govt''is subsidizing gasoline making it cheaper then here in the U.S. we need to start a line of tanker trucks going in and out of Mexico bringing the cheaper gas here for American consumers. Of course the Mexicans will scream about this and with any luck we could actually bankrupt their govt'', since they would have right to ask us to stop considering we have been asking them to stop sending their expectant mothers and sick here for years.

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by mudrose-2009 June 23, 2008 4:00 PM EDT

The insanity continues.

Posted by Roachcrusher

Wonderful!

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by tomar0317 June 23, 2008 4:14 PM EDT

Our national security is of utmost importance. If we don''t stop the illegal trafficing of whatever, it will only get worse. We must be willing to sacrifice in order to move forward. We must take our country back from illegals that cost us billions of doolars every year when that money could be going to help our own homeless, flood victims, and elderly.

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by afmca June 23, 2008 4:16 PM EDT

The fence is a joke. It plays well with the red necks that love to blame their problems on those illegals instead of themselves. It will not stop an illegal from entering the country and a terrorist would not give it a second thought. Unless you are going to have a Border guard every 10 feet the fence is useless. If you had a border guard every 10 feet you wouldn''t need a fence. This is making certain contracting companies filthy rich at tax payer expense. In 5 to 10 years the fence will be a rusted relic and it will finally sink in what total idiots we were to allow the Repub hate machine to talk us into a useless solution.

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by mudrose-2009 June 23, 2008 4:19 PM EDT

The fence is a joke. It plays well with the red necks that love to blame their problems on those illegals instead of themselves. It will not stop an illegal from entering the country and a terrorist would not give it a second thought. Unless you are going to have a Border guard every 10 feet the fence is useless. If you had a border guard every 10 feet you wouldn''''t need a fence. This is making certain contracting companies filthy rich at tax payer expense. In 5 to 10 years the fence will be a rusted relic and it will finally sink in what total idiots we were to allow the Repub hate machine to talk us into a useless solution.
Posted by afmca

It''s not the Repub hate machine. The American people overwhelming told Congress several times to close the G/oddamn borders. It''s a security position. We don''t want anyone crossing our borders without our consent. And you go a problem with people making money? Tough. It''s our system here. We don''t nationalize business. You don''t like it go work in France.

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by midland666 June 23, 2008 4:20 PM EDT

The New Berlin wall.
the new Israely wall.

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by mudrose-2009 June 23, 2008 4:20 PM EDT

What kind of so-called environmental concerns did these tre-huggers have in mind?
Was it that we might RUIN the rainless, unihabitable, god-forsaken wastland that currently divides the US and El Mehikko???


Posted by DaVicar2

The EPA should be delighted since they leave fecus, filth and just about everything imaginable while crossing that border.

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by afmca June 23, 2008 4:24 PM EDT

If you want to control the illegals in this country, pass the following laws:
1. huge fines AND jail time for executives that hire illegals. No jobs, no illegals.
2. worker cards for temporary workers that allow them to work the job and then return home. If the company justifies the need the worker crosses the border legally next time. Companies pay any expenses related to education and health care.
3. No citizen rights for illegals or their offspring. Health care in emergencies.
4. discontinue birth right citizenship. Any child born in the US gets the citizenship of the parents.

The onus is on the corporations; not a border fence. Most of the illegals are coming to the US for jobs and money. Take away the jobs and they have no reason for being here.

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by mudrose-2009 June 23, 2008 4:29 PM EDT

The onus is on the corporations; not a border fence. Most of the illegals are coming to the US for jobs and money. Take away the jobs and they have no reason for being here.
Posted by afmca

Yeah, and when do you think the Congress and local authorities will implement that?

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by underdogus10 June 23, 2008 4:31 PM EDT

A gal of gasoline in MEXICO $2.48 he,he love it!!!

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by afmca June 23, 2008 4:41 PM EDT

So mudrose you would just like the American taxpayers to waste millions on a worthless fence because you admit the politicans won''t implement a plan that might work. We are sending the wrong message.

We are allowing the politicians to implement a worthless solution and the American public, like mindless lemmings, think they are doing something. We have allowed the two camps to divide us into believing their are only 2 options; give them citizenship or build fortress America. They know neither will really work so the status quo remains. In the end that is what they want. We have to be smarter and work for a real solution.

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by toolmangler-2009 June 23, 2008 4:51 PM EDT

A gal of gasoline in MEXICO $2.48 he,he love it!!!
Posted by underdogus10 at 01:31 PM : Jun 23, 2008

Gasoline price per gallon today.
Saudi Arabia Riyadh $0.91
Kuwait Kuwait City $0.78
Egypt Cairo $0.65
Nigeria Lagos $0.38
Venezuela Caracas $0.12

When the shrub took office in 2000 gas was .96 cents per gallon (US)

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by hoseobama June 23, 2008 5:09 PM EDT

"When the shrub took office in 2000 gas was .96 cents per gallon (US) - Posted by ToolMangler


Gee, if you are going to blame government, what was the cost of gasoline when the Democratic Party became the majority in the House and Senate ? They make the laws, right ?


Wake up !!!! It isn''t government - it is supply and demand, as well as speculators!!!!

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by Latrocinor June 23, 2008 5:13 PM EDT

The onus is on the corporations; not a border fence. Most of the illegals are coming to the US for jobs and money. Take away the jobs and they have no reason for being here.
Posted by afmca
.. .. .. ..

NEVER!!! If you take away jobs then we''ll ALL be unemployed.

Reply to this comment

by Latrocinor June 23, 2008 5:14 PM EDT

The fence is a good idea so people near the border don''t have to wrap their property in barbed wire to keep trespassers out.

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by andor3 June 23, 2008 5:24 PM EDT

a good joke... like anyone is going to actually build a fence that no one wants.

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by acolton1 June 23, 2008 5:25 PM EDT

Very Happy

Finish the fence and partol the area. Now the Mexicans will dig more tunnels under the fence to get the Meth into the USA.

Good Job Bushie Administration for the Fast Track.

Reply to this comment

by inventagod2 June 23, 2008 5:27 PM EDT

This is yet another stupid Bu$h idea.
I can not wait until January, ''09

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by hoseobama June 23, 2008 5:30 PM EDT

ok - so Inventagod2 is from Mexico. Gee, there''s a surprise.

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by crusherking June 23, 2008 5:50 PM EDT

"When the shrub took office in 2000 gas was .96 cents per gallon (US) - Posted by ToolMangler

The problem is not Bush you moron. Its Congress. Congress won''t let us drill for oil off Florida, yet China is doing EXACTLY that. Congress (esp. Pelosi) won''t allow a repeal of the gas tax to ease the pricing. When Pelosi took on Majority Leader, the price of gas was 1.28 a gallon. You want a solution, tell the tax happy, eco-lunatic Dems in congress to start helping or get out of the way. Furthermore, in 96 the Rep. Congress tried to pass a bill to open more refineries and more areas for drilling. Dems balked because they said it wouldn''t do any good for 10 yrs so whats the point. Well, here we are, 10 yrs later. Sure could have used that extra oil production wouldn''t you say!

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by impeach_w June 23, 2008 5:55 PM EDT

FOR ALL THOSE WHO CAN''T WAIT FOR W & Co. TO LEAVE.

IF YOU WANT THEM IMPEACHED-GET THIS STORY TO MAINSTREAM MEDIA AND PUBLIC.


AN IRAN-CONTRA OPERATION, IS OPERATING FROM THE SAME BASES OLLIE NORTH SET UP WITH THE SAME PLAYERS. WE HAVE TROOPS (FIGHTING TROOPS) and A SECRET CIA AIRFORCE in GUATEMALA, NICARAGURA, HONDURAS, EL SALVADOR, ECUADOR, COLUMBIA and BELIZE! THE CIA IS SMUGGLING DRUGS AND WEAPONS YET AGAIN AND IS SUPPORTED BY SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND ON BASES SET UP BY OLLIE NORTH!
THE %u201CSECRET%u201D AIR FORCE OF THE CIA ARE MOSTLY CILILIAN PLANES PURCHCHED WITH DRUG PROFITS WHOSE OWNERSHIP CANNOT BE TRACED AND ARE HIDDEN FROM ANY BUDGET.
Look it up yourself Please. This has some good info: http://www.madcowprod.com/index.html

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by bot5plus June 23, 2008 5:58 PM EDT

we are soooooooo f*u*cked. we need to eliminate the current US government and start over w/ something that works. We are being so screwed by the govt and courts. Please let a comet hit washington. We won''t even notice its gone (along w/ its gun ban in which the *********** supreme pizza courts are probably going to fuukkk us w/ that tooo). We need to eliminate so much of out government!!!!!!!

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by pr_boxer June 23, 2008 6:02 PM EDT

The only thing the fence will help is it''ll put money in the building contractors pockets (probably Halliburton). Illegals will either sail around it, fly over it, or tunnel under it.

Its just another boon doggle!

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by mudrose-2009 June 23, 2008 6:07 PM EDT

we are soooooooo f*u*cked. we need to eliminate the current US government and start over w/ something that works. We are being so screwed by the govt and courts. Please let a comet hit washington. We won''''t even notice its gone (along w/ its gun ban in which the *********** supreme pizza courts are probably going to fuukkk us w/ that tooo). We need to eliminate so much of out government!!!!!!!
Posted by BOT5Plus

We like our Government just the way it is. We''d like to see all the azzholes on the hill uphold term limits and get the fkk out after they serve two terms. They are so friggin entrenched they are all demogagues. They no longer work for the people unless they are forced to by massive grassroot petitions.

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by xrucifer June 23, 2008 6:13 PM EDT

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

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by xrucifer June 23, 2008 6:15 PM EDT

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

Reply to this comment

by xrucifer June 23, 2008 6:16 PM EDT

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

Reply to this comment

by mudrose-2009 June 23, 2008 6:17 PM EDT

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?
Posted by xrucifer

It says you will respect our Sovereignty!

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by xrucifer June 23, 2008 6:19 PM EDT

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?


As for THIS moron...
"The problem is not Bush you moron. Its Congress. Congress won''''t let us drill for oil off Florida"

Drilling offshore is just more money in GWBs pocket Remember he has his money invested in oil exploration! BNot to mention it will be a drop in the bucket WHEN we get oil form offshore in 25 years! Dude YOU need to stop making stupid, ill informed statements about "congress" and get your facts straight before insulting others.

Reply to this comment

by xrucifer June 23, 2008 6:20 PM EDT

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?


As for THIS moron...
"The problem is not Bush you moron. Its Congress. Congress won''''t let us drill for oil off Florida"

Drilling offshore is just more money in GWBs pocket Remember he has his money invested in oil exploration! BNot to mention it will be a drop in the bucket WHEN we get oil form offshore in 25 years! Dude YOU need to stop making stupid, ill informed statements about "congress" and get your facts straight before insulting others.

Reply to this comment

by xrucifer June 23, 2008 6:22 PM EDT

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

As for THIS moron...
"The problem is not Bush you moron. Its Congress. Congress won''''t let us drill for oil off Florida"

Drilling offshore is just more money in GWBs pocket Remember he has his money invested in oil exploration! Not to mention it will be a drop in the bucket WHEN we get oil from offshore in 25 years! Dude YOU need to stop making stupid, ill informed statements about "congress" and get your facts straight before insulting others.

Reply to this comment

by crusherking June 23, 2008 6:41 PM EDT

Drilling offshore is just more money in GWBs pocket Remember he has his money invested in oil exploration! BNot to mention it will be a drop in the bucket WHEN we get oil form offshore in 25 years! Dude YOU need to stop making stupid, ill informed statements about "congress" and get your facts straight before insulting others.

Posted by xrucifer

Me get MY facts straight? You have NO clue what you are talking about do you. 25 yrs??? It only takes 10 years to go from drilling to refinery to gas pump. Do some research before you spout off. Second, more money in GW''s pocket?? When are you demo dummies going to get off that lame dead horse. SO Bush gets all the Oil profits Huh? And you know what, if he did make a profit, would that be enough reason to NOT drill for more oil? I don''t see how that has any bearing on what we should or should not do. AND YES, Congress has shot down every attempt to open up for drilling. And it would NOT be a drop in the bucket. Drill in Alaska, Florida, California, Texas and you have an actual supply. It doesn''t have to be on the level of opec you idiot, it would be kept stateside to increase OUR supply not the world supply of oil.. Geez, you''d think some of you would get a 3rd grade education in economics AT LEAST before you opened you mouths.

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by l00ker June 23, 2008 6:42 PM EDT

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by xrucifer at 03:16 PM : Jun 23, 2008
+ report abuse


That applies to those who have legal citizenship, whether legally born or legally naturalized here. Those farted out by illegals are still illegal. And that anchor *** will soon change, by the current members in Congress, or by a new set, thus this is a country of law, order and as much justice that can be obtained. Land of the free is totally different from land of the freeloader, who sneak in here, *** out babies, break more laws, live off the taxpayer - whether in jail or from handouts such as those in Maryland with these Casa de Maryland coocarachas, who build taxpayer funded centers for these border criminals - dime and don''t care about what those who foot the bill think. The trough is empty si.

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by killtheliars June 23, 2008 6:42 PM EDT

They just ran a piece on the news about gas being cheaper in Mexico and Americans goiong over to buy it. I could not believe it but they were interviewing Mexicans who could speak English and they were all complaining that there were to many Americans buying THEIR gas! Funny, but when Americans go over to party they don''t complain about us buying all of thier beer and women. They also get offended if Americans even mention them mooching off of our social services.
Americans need to keep going over and filling up. Every gallon you buy is around a $2.00 loss for the Mexican govt''. Keep going till they are bankrupt.

Reply to this comment

by crusherking June 23, 2008 6:46 PM EDT

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

Posted by xrucifer

Oh and a slight difference between the Berlin wall and the border fence pal. The Berlin wall was constructed to divide Germany and keep it from rising up after the war. It divided it into 2 countries. The border fence is being constructed for economic reasons to KEEP 2 countries separate. Hardly a fair comparison on your part. America IS the land of the free and home of the brave. But our freedoms are NOT FREE. You have to earn those by simply being a citizen. You want to come to America, do it legally. Don''t know how that can be considered such a horrible policy.

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by hoseobama June 23, 2008 6:49 PM EDT

Maybe we shouldn''t have a wall at all...

Maybe we should buy up the land within 10 miles of the border, build a nice road 10 miles in country, and set up 50 caliber macine gun stations every quater mile. Then invite game players to the ultimate challenge. The purpose would be to see how many jack rabbits yo can get. Of course, we''d need to make sure we posted signs down range warning folks of the dangers of entering the beaten zone.

Contestants would pay for ammo, the road, and the cost of the firing range.

Bet we could pay it off in less than a year.

Reply to this comment

by hoseobama June 23, 2008 6:53 PM EDT

"Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

Posted by xrucifer



Another small difference in you analogy, idiot, is that the Berlin wall was meant to keep people IN.

This wall keeps people OUT.

Just a minor technicality in your asinine logical process, huh.

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by hoseobama June 23, 2008 6:55 PM EDT

I have zero problem with guest workers. None! NAda! ZIP!

But, if you come here, you work, pay taxes, pay social security, and leave FOREVER if you commit a crime (after doing yor time of course).

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by one-american June 23, 2008 7:15 PM EDT

"Environmentalists have said the fence puts already endangered species such as two types of wild cats - the ocelot and the jaguarundi - in even more danger. The fence would prevent them from swimming across the Rio Grande to mate"

It also prevents illegal aliens from swimming across the Rio Grande to mate.

And that is a good thing.

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by lochlan-2009 June 23, 2008 7:27 PM EDT

At the price of this fence we should have flying blimps with thermal imaging cameras and a man on an ATV watching for illegals every 3 miles 24/7 plus a "keep up the good work" bonus for every illegal he arrests.

All and all, in my opinion, the court made the morally right decission in this case.

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by denn034 June 23, 2008 7:41 PM EDT

Try as I might, this conservative can''t deny Leviticus 19:34 that states, "But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God." Besides, fences are contrary to the whole concept of freedom. Let me finish by quoting Ronald Reagan on the Berlin Wall: "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear down this wall!"

Reply to this comment

by midland666 June 23, 2008 7:42 PM EDT

Maybe if the Wall Ultimately keeps the people in
and never let them out,.hm..........

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by lorinkundert June 23, 2008 7:42 PM EDT

How long before George waives election law? and cancels elections.

Reply to this comment

by xrucifer June 23, 2008 7:53 PM EDT

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

As for THIS moron...
"The problem is not Bush you moron. Its Congress. Congress won''''t let us drill for oil off Florida"

Drilling offshore is just more money in GWBs pocket Remember he has his money invested in oil exploration! Not to mention it will be a drop in the bucket WHEN we get oil from offshore in 25 years! Dude YOU need to stop making stupid, ill informed statements about "congress" and get your facts straight before insulting others.

Reply to this comment

by crusherking June 23, 2008 7:54 PM EDT

Try as I might, this conservative can''''t deny Leviticus 19:34 that states, "But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God." Besides, fences are contrary to the whole concept of freedom. Let me finish by quoting Ronald Reagan on the Berlin Wall: "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear down this wall!"


Posted by denn034

Again, another dem totally confusing the Berlin wall with the border fence. They have completely different purposes. The Berlin wall was built to keep East Germans IN and to keep 1 country divided. The Border fence is to keep people OUT and 2 countries divided geographically. And fences exist everywhere in the US. So is the fence around YOUR yard anti freedom? No. Why? Because you have a RIGHT to keep people off your property. Guess what? So does the US. Build the wall. Its about time we do something and stop letting the demodummies halt any form of immigration reform.

Reply to this comment

by xrucifer June 23, 2008 7:55 PM EDT

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

As for THIS moron...
"The problem is not Bush you moron. Its Congress. Congress won''''t let us drill for oil off Florida"

Drilling offshore is just more money in GWBs pocket Remember he has his money invested in oil exploration! Not to mention it will be a drop in the bucket WHEN we get oil from offshore in 25 years! Dude YOU need to stop making stupid, ill informed statements about "congress" and get your facts straight before insulting others.

Reply to this comment

by roachcrusher June 23, 2008 7:55 PM EDT

Without undocumented workers this sorry economy would collapse. I would love to see some Republicans and Conservatives try working in the fields, washing toilets and doing numerous other jobs that take real work. The undocumented workers are the ones who clean the filth in this country day in and day out.

The reason companies and private individuals (including Republicans and Conservatives) hire undocumented workers is that they work better than most Americans doing the same work. They, also, don''t have to pay them as much (and sometimes, not at all).

They contribute a hundred fold more to this economy than they will ever take out. As stated, the economy would be in even a worse condition under the Republicans than it is now without these hard working and decent people.

Reply to this comment

by crusherking June 23, 2008 7:55 PM EDT

Drilling offshore is just more money in GWBs pocket Remember he has his money invested in oil exploration! BNot to mention it will be a drop in the bucket WHEN we get oil form offshore in 25 years! Dude YOU need to stop making stupid, ill informed statements about "congress" and get your facts straight before insulting others.

Posted by xrucifer

Me get MY facts straight? You have NO clue what you are talking about do you. 25 yrs??? It only takes 10 years to go from drilling to refinery to gas pump. Do some research before you spout off. Second, more money in GW''''s pocket?? When are you demo dummies going to get off that lame dead horse. SO Bush gets all the Oil profits Huh? And you know what, if he did make a profit, would that be enough reason to NOT drill for more oil? I don''''t see how that has any bearing on what we should or should not do. AND YES, Congress has shot down every attempt to open up for drilling. And it would NOT be a drop in the bucket. Drill in Alaska, Florida, California, Texas and you have an actual supply. It doesn''''t have to be on the level of opec you idiot, it would be kept stateside to increase OUR supply not the world supply of oil.. Geez, you''''d think some of you would get a 3rd grade education in economics AT LEAST before you opened you mouths.

Posted by crusherking at 03:41 PM

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[roachcrusher]

The insanity continues.

[mmstar20]

the damage to this country by illegals is done. they''ve invaded our public schools and this is the result: http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2008/06/23/when_teachers_become_the_pupils/?page=1

[killtheliars]

we finally have a way to get even with Mexico for sending their people to leach off of social services meant for tax paying American citizens.
Since the Mexican govt''is subsidizing gasoline making it cheaper then here in the U.S. we need to start a line of tanker trucks going in and out of Mexico bringing the cheaper gas here for American consumers. Of course the Mexicans will scream about this and with any luck we could actually bankrupt their govt'', since they would have right to ask us to stop considering we have been asking them to stop sending their expectant mothers and sick here for years.

[mudrose-2009]

The insanity continues.

Posted by Roachcrusher

Wonderful!

[tomar0317]

Our national security is of utmost importance. If we don''t stop the illegal trafficing of whatever, it will only get worse. We must be willing to sacrifice in order to move forward. We must take our country back from illegals that cost us billions of doolars every year when that money could be going to help our own homeless, flood victims, and elderly.

[afmca]

The fence is a joke. It plays well with the red necks that love to blame their problems on those illegals instead of themselves. It will not stop an illegal from entering the country and a terrorist would not give it a second thought. Unless you are going to have a Border guard every 10 feet the fence is useless. If you had a border guard every 10 feet you wouldn''t need a fence. This is making certain contracting companies filthy rich at tax payer expense. In 5 to 10 years the fence will be a rusted relic and it will finally sink in what total idiots we were to allow the Repub hate machine to talk us into a useless solution.

[mudrose-2009]

The fence is a joke. It plays well with the red necks that love to blame their problems on those illegals instead of themselves. It will not stop an illegal from entering the country and a terrorist would not give it a second thought. Unless you are going to have a Border guard every 10 feet the fence is useless. If you had a border guard every 10 feet you wouldn''''t need a fence. This is making certain contracting companies filthy rich at tax payer expense. In 5 to 10 years the fence will be a rusted relic and it will finally sink in what total idiots we were to allow the Repub hate machine to talk us into a useless solution.
Posted by afmca

It''s not the Repub hate machine. The American people overwhelming told Congress several times to close the G/oddamn borders. It''s a security position. We don''t want anyone crossing our borders without our consent. And you go a problem with people making money? Tough. It''s our system here. We don''t nationalize business. You don''t like it go work in France.

[midland666]

The New Berlin wall.
the new Israely wall.

[mudrose-2009]

What kind of so-called environmental concerns did these tre-huggers have in mind?
Was it that we might RUIN the rainless, unihabitable, god-forsaken wastland that currently divides the US and El Mehikko???


Posted by DaVicar2

The EPA should be delighted since they leave fecus, filth and just about everything imaginable while crossing that border.

[afmca]

If you want to control the illegals in this country, pass the following laws:
1. huge fines AND jail time for executives that hire illegals. No jobs, no illegals.
2. worker cards for temporary workers that allow them to work the job and then return home. If the company justifies the need the worker crosses the border legally next time. Companies pay any expenses related to education and health care.
3. No citizen rights for illegals or their offspring. Health care in emergencies.
4. discontinue birth right citizenship. Any child born in the US gets the citizenship of the parents.

The onus is on the corporations; not a border fence. Most of the illegals are coming to the US for jobs and money. Take away the jobs and they have no reason for being here.

[mudrose-2009]

The onus is on the corporations; not a border fence. Most of the illegals are coming to the US for jobs and money. Take away the jobs and they have no reason for being here.
Posted by afmca

Yeah, and when do you think the Congress and local authorities will implement that?

[underdogus10]

A gal of gasoline in MEXICO $2.48 he,he love it!!!

[afmca]

So mudrose you would just like the American taxpayers to waste millions on a worthless fence because you admit the politicans won''t implement a plan that might work. We are sending the wrong message.

We are allowing the politicians to implement a worthless solution and the American public, like mindless lemmings, think they are doing something. We have allowed the two camps to divide us into believing their are only 2 options; give them citizenship or build fortress America. They know neither will really work so the status quo remains. In the end that is what they want. We have to be smarter and work for a real solution.

[toolmangler-2009]

A gal of gasoline in MEXICO $2.48 he,he love it!!!
Posted by underdogus10 at 01:31 PM : Jun 23, 2008

Gasoline price per gallon today.
Saudi Arabia Riyadh $0.91
Kuwait Kuwait City $0.78
Egypt Cairo $0.65
Nigeria Lagos $0.38
Venezuela Caracas $0.12

When the shrub took office in 2000 gas was .96 cents per gallon (US)

[hoseobama]

"When the shrub took office in 2000 gas was .96 cents per gallon (US) - Posted by ToolMangler


Gee, if you are going to blame government, what was the cost of gasoline when the Democratic Party became the majority in the House and Senate ? They make the laws, right ?


Wake up !!!! It isn''t government - it is supply and demand, as well as speculators!!!!

[Latrocinor]

The onus is on the corporations; not a border fence. Most of the illegals are coming to the US for jobs and money. Take away the jobs and they have no reason for being here.
Posted by afmca
.. .. .. ..

NEVER!!! If you take away jobs then we''ll ALL be unemployed.

[Latrocinor]

The fence is a good idea so people near the border don''t have to wrap their property in barbed wire to keep trespassers out.

[andor3]

a good joke... like anyone is going to actually build a fence that no one wants.

[acolton1]

Very Happy

Finish the fence and partol the area. Now the Mexicans will dig more tunnels under the fence to get the Meth into the USA.

Good Job Bushie Administration for the Fast Track.

[inventagod2]

This is yet another stupid Bu$h idea.
I can not wait until January, ''09

[hoseobama]

ok - so Inventagod2 is from Mexico. Gee, there''s a surprise.

[crusherking]

"When the shrub took office in 2000 gas was .96 cents per gallon (US) - Posted by ToolMangler

The problem is not Bush you moron. Its Congress. Congress won''t let us drill for oil off Florida, yet China is doing EXACTLY that. Congress (esp. Pelosi) won''t allow a repeal of the gas tax to ease the pricing. When Pelosi took on Majority Leader, the price of gas was 1.28 a gallon. You want a solution, tell the tax happy, eco-lunatic Dems in congress to start helping or get out of the way. Furthermore, in 96 the Rep. Congress tried to pass a bill to open more refineries and more areas for drilling. Dems balked because they said it wouldn''t do any good for 10 yrs so whats the point. Well, here we are, 10 yrs later. Sure could have used that extra oil production wouldn''t you say!

[impeach_w]

FOR ALL THOSE WHO CAN''T WAIT FOR W & Co. TO LEAVE.

IF YOU WANT THEM IMPEACHED-GET THIS STORY TO MAINSTREAM MEDIA AND PUBLIC.


AN IRAN-CONTRA OPERATION, IS OPERATING FROM THE SAME BASES OLLIE NORTH SET UP WITH THE SAME PLAYERS. WE HAVE TROOPS (FIGHTING TROOPS) and A SECRET CIA AIRFORCE in GUATEMALA, NICARAGURA, HONDURAS, EL SALVADOR, ECUADOR, COLUMBIA and BELIZE! THE CIA IS SMUGGLING DRUGS AND WEAPONS YET AGAIN AND IS SUPPORTED BY SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND ON BASES SET UP BY OLLIE NORTH!
THE %u201CSECRET%u201D AIR FORCE OF THE CIA ARE MOSTLY CILILIAN PLANES PURCHCHED WITH DRUG PROFITS WHOSE OWNERSHIP CANNOT BE TRACED AND ARE HIDDEN FROM ANY BUDGET.
Look it up yourself Please. This has some good info: http://www.madcowprod.com/index.html

[bot5plus]

we are soooooooo f*u*cked. we need to eliminate the current US government and start over w/ something that works. We are being so screwed by the govt and courts. Please let a comet hit washington. We won''t even notice its gone (along w/ its gun ban in which the *********** supreme pizza courts are probably going to fuukkk us w/ that tooo). We need to eliminate so much of out government!!!!!!!

[pr_boxer]

The only thing the fence will help is it''ll put money in the building contractors pockets (probably Halliburton). Illegals will either sail around it, fly over it, or tunnel under it.

Its just another boon doggle!

[mudrose-2009]

we are soooooooo f*u*cked. we need to eliminate the current US government and start over w/ something that works. We are being so screwed by the govt and courts. Please let a comet hit washington. We won''''t even notice its gone (along w/ its gun ban in which the *********** supreme pizza courts are probably going to fuukkk us w/ that tooo). We need to eliminate so much of out government!!!!!!!
Posted by BOT5Plus

We like our Government just the way it is. We''d like to see all the azzholes on the hill uphold term limits and get the fkk out after they serve two terms. They are so friggin entrenched they are all demogagues. They no longer work for the people unless they are forced to by massive grassroot petitions.

[xrucifer]

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

[xrucifer]

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

[xrucifer]

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

[mudrose-2009]

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?
Posted by xrucifer

It says you will respect our Sovereignty!

[xrucifer]

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?


As for THIS moron...
"The problem is not Bush you moron. Its Congress. Congress won''''t let us drill for oil off Florida"

Drilling offshore is just more money in GWBs pocket Remember he has his money invested in oil exploration! BNot to mention it will be a drop in the bucket WHEN we get oil form offshore in 25 years! Dude YOU need to stop making stupid, ill informed statements about "congress" and get your facts straight before insulting others.

[xrucifer]

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?


As for THIS moron...
"The problem is not Bush you moron. Its Congress. Congress won''''t let us drill for oil off Florida"

Drilling offshore is just more money in GWBs pocket Remember he has his money invested in oil exploration! BNot to mention it will be a drop in the bucket WHEN we get oil form offshore in 25 years! Dude YOU need to stop making stupid, ill informed statements about "congress" and get your facts straight before insulting others.

[xrucifer]

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

As for THIS moron...
"The problem is not Bush you moron. Its Congress. Congress won''''t let us drill for oil off Florida"

Drilling offshore is just more money in GWBs pocket Remember he has his money invested in oil exploration! Not to mention it will be a drop in the bucket WHEN we get oil from offshore in 25 years! Dude YOU need to stop making stupid, ill informed statements about "congress" and get your facts straight before insulting others.

[crusherking]

Drilling offshore is just more money in GWBs pocket Remember he has his money invested in oil exploration! BNot to mention it will be a drop in the bucket WHEN we get oil form offshore in 25 years! Dude YOU need to stop making stupid, ill informed statements about "congress" and get your facts straight before insulting others.

Posted by xrucifer

Me get MY facts straight? You have NO clue what you are talking about do you. 25 yrs??? It only takes 10 years to go from drilling to refinery to gas pump. Do some research before you spout off. Second, more money in GW''s pocket?? When are you demo dummies going to get off that lame dead horse. SO Bush gets all the Oil profits Huh? And you know what, if he did make a profit, would that be enough reason to NOT drill for more oil? I don''t see how that has any bearing on what we should or should not do. AND YES, Congress has shot down every attempt to open up for drilling. And it would NOT be a drop in the bucket. Drill in Alaska, Florida, California, Texas and you have an actual supply. It doesn''t have to be on the level of opec you idiot, it would be kept stateside to increase OUR supply not the world supply of oil.. Geez, you''d think some of you would get a 3rd grade education in economics AT LEAST before you opened you mouths.

[l00ker]

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by xrucifer at 03:16 PM : Jun 23, 2008
+ report abuse


That applies to those who have legal citizenship, whether legally born or legally naturalized here. Those farted out by illegals are still illegal. And that anchor *** will soon change, by the current members in Congress, or by a new set, thus this is a country of law, order and as much justice that can be obtained. Land of the free is totally different from land of the freeloader, who sneak in here, *** out babies, break more laws, live off the taxpayer - whether in jail or from handouts such as those in Maryland with these Casa de Maryland coocarachas, who build taxpayer funded centers for these border criminals - dime and don''t care about what those who foot the bill think. The trough is empty si.

[killtheliars]

They just ran a piece on the news about gas being cheaper in Mexico and Americans goiong over to buy it. I could not believe it but they were interviewing Mexicans who could speak English and they were all complaining that there were to many Americans buying THEIR gas! Funny, but when Americans go over to party they don''t complain about us buying all of thier beer and women. They also get offended if Americans even mention them mooching off of our social services.
Americans need to keep going over and filling up. Every gallon you buy is around a $2.00 loss for the Mexican govt''. Keep going till they are bankrupt.

[crusherking]

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

Posted by xrucifer

Oh and a slight difference between the Berlin wall and the border fence pal. The Berlin wall was constructed to divide Germany and keep it from rising up after the war. It divided it into 2 countries. The border fence is being constructed for economic reasons to KEEP 2 countries separate. Hardly a fair comparison on your part. America IS the land of the free and home of the brave. But our freedoms are NOT FREE. You have to earn those by simply being a citizen. You want to come to America, do it legally. Don''t know how that can be considered such a horrible policy.

[hoseobama]

Maybe we shouldn''t have a wall at all...

Maybe we should buy up the land within 10 miles of the border, build a nice road 10 miles in country, and set up 50 caliber macine gun stations every quater mile. Then invite game players to the ultimate challenge. The purpose would be to see how many jack rabbits yo can get. Of course, we''d need to make sure we posted signs down range warning folks of the dangers of entering the beaten zone.

Contestants would pay for ammo, the road, and the cost of the firing range.

Bet we could pay it off in less than a year.

[hoseobama]

"Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

Posted by xrucifer



Another small difference in you analogy, idiot, is that the Berlin wall was meant to keep people IN.

This wall keeps people OUT.

Just a minor technicality in your asinine logical process, huh.

[hoseobama]

I have zero problem with guest workers. None! NAda! ZIP!

But, if you come here, you work, pay taxes, pay social security, and leave FOREVER if you commit a crime (after doing yor time of course).

[one-american]

"Environmentalists have said the fence puts already endangered species such as two types of wild cats - the ocelot and the jaguarundi - in even more danger. The fence would prevent them from swimming across the Rio Grande to mate"

It also prevents illegal aliens from swimming across the Rio Grande to mate.

And that is a good thing.

[lochlan-2009]

At the price of this fence we should have flying blimps with thermal imaging cameras and a man on an ATV watching for illegals every 3 miles 24/7 plus a "keep up the good work" bonus for every illegal he arrests.

All and all, in my opinion, the court made the morally right decission in this case.

[denn034]

Try as I might, this conservative can''t deny Leviticus 19:34 that states, "But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God." Besides, fences are contrary to the whole concept of freedom. Let me finish by quoting Ronald Reagan on the Berlin Wall: "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear down this wall!"

[midland666]

Maybe if the Wall Ultimately keeps the people in
and never let them out,.hm..........

[lorinkundert]

How long before George waives election law? and cancels elections.

[xrucifer]

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

As for THIS moron...
"The problem is not Bush you moron. Its Congress. Congress won''''t let us drill for oil off Florida"

Drilling offshore is just more money in GWBs pocket Remember he has his money invested in oil exploration! Not to mention it will be a drop in the bucket WHEN we get oil from offshore in 25 years! Dude YOU need to stop making stupid, ill informed statements about "congress" and get your facts straight before insulting others.

[crusherking]

Try as I might, this conservative can''''t deny Leviticus 19:34 that states, "But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God." Besides, fences are contrary to the whole concept of freedom. Let me finish by quoting Ronald Reagan on the Berlin Wall: "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear down this wall!"


Posted by denn034

Again, another dem totally confusing the Berlin wall with the border fence. They have completely different purposes. The Berlin wall was built to keep East Germans IN and to keep 1 country divided. The Border fence is to keep people OUT and 2 countries divided geographically. And fences exist everywhere in the US. So is the fence around YOUR yard anti freedom? No. Why? Because you have a RIGHT to keep people off your property. Guess what? So does the US. Build the wall. Its about time we do something and stop letting the demodummies halt any form of immigration reform.

[xrucifer]

Seems I remember there used to be a fence in East (communist) Germany. What does this stupid idea say about America the land of the free?

As for THIS moron...
"The problem is not Bush you moron. Its Congress. Congress won''''t let us drill for oil off Florida"

Drilling offshore is just more money in GWBs pocket Remember he has his money invested in oil exploration! Not to mention it will be a drop in the bucket WHEN we get oil from offshore in 25 years! Dude YOU need to stop making stupid, ill informed statements about "congress" and get your facts straight before insulting others.

[roachcrusher]

Without undocumented workers this sorry economy would collapse. I would love to see some Republicans and Conservatives try working in the fields, washing toilets and doing numerous other jobs that take real work. The undocumented workers are the ones who clean the filth in this country day in and day out.

The reason companies and private individuals (including Republicans and Conservatives) hire undocumented workers is that they work better than most Americans doing the same work. They, also, don''t have to pay them as much (and sometimes, not at all).

They contribute a hundred fold more to this economy than they will ever take out. As stated, the economy would be in even a worse condition under the Republicans than it is now without these hard working and decent people.

[crusherking]

Drilling offshore is just more money in GWBs pocket Remember he has his money invested in oil exploration! BNot to mention it will be a drop in the bucket WHEN we get oil form offshore in 25 years! Dude YOU need to stop making stupid, ill informed statements about "congress" and get your facts straight before insulting others.

Posted by xrucifer

Me get MY facts straight? You have NO clue what you are talking about do you. 25 yrs??? It only takes 10 years to go from drilling to refinery to gas pump. Do some research before you spout off. Second, more money in GW''''s pocket?? When are you demo dummies going to get off that lame dead horse. SO Bush gets all the Oil profits Huh? And you know what, if he did make a profit, would that be enough reason to NOT drill for more oil? I don''''t see how that has any bearing on what we should or should not do. AND YES, Congress has shot down every attempt to open up for drilling. And it would NOT be a drop in the bucket. Drill in Alaska, Florida, California, Texas and you have an actual supply. It doesn''''t have to be on the level of opec you idiot, it would be kept stateside to increase OUR supply not the world supply of oil.. Geez, you''''d think some of you would get a 3rd grade education in economics AT LEAST before you opened you mouths.

Posted by crusherking at 03:41 PM