Border wall prototypes are up

[LoAmmi]

I thought the current narrative was that walls are pointless, and that we shouldn't bother wasting money on them?

Walls in general aren't pointless. This specific wall will not provide the type of security being promised and will cost far more than the benefits it brings. I'm not even including the fact that we're likely going to have to give up large segments of the Rio Grande river to build it (or steal Mexican land if we want to be thieves). It's being sold as a solution when it isn't. A better solution would be stepping up monitoring with technology and making sure that boarder security can get to locations fast. I'd rather invest more in technology and people than in Trump's wall.

 

[cow451]

I thought the current narrative was that walls are pointless, and that we shouldn't bother wasting money on them?

But I suppose a forked tongue can carry two opposing narratives at once.

East Germany built a great big wall. Look how safe and secure that nation is today.

 

[GoldenBoy89]

East Germany built a great big wall. Look how safe and secure that nation is today.

Why, you could say crime is practically non-existent in East Germany!

 

[cow451]

Why, you could say crime is practically non-existent in East Germany!

After building the wall, the East German Olympic team was incredible.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Huh. This will be interesting.

Kind of wondering when Trump decides that there are also just too many bad people from Canada trying to get into America illegally (in his mind, that is) as well, and he should alienate us further as a country by putting down another wall to the North. *sigh*

You know, I say this only half-jokingly, Swan, because Trump really does seem to grow more cartoonish in various ways by the day (this almost paranoia-driven need to build an actual, physical wall between countries, for example), but you might best hurry along to your man down here if you still intend to go to America one day like I remember you two once saying. Before it gets too difficult.

 

[jayem]

Walls in general aren't pointless. This specific wall will not provide the type of security being promised and will cost far more than the benefits it brings. I'm not even including the fact that we're likely going to have to give up large segments of the Rio Grande river to build it (or steal Mexican land if we want to be thieves). It's being sold as a solution when it isn't. A better solution would be stepping up monitoring with technology and making sure that boarder security can get to locations fast. I'd rather invest more in technology and people than in Trump's wall.

Exactly. What is needed is a good, detailed cost-benefit analysis. But it may be impossible to get accurate, and unbiased data. I'm no expert, but I've seen claims that the net monetary cost of undocumented immigration is large, small, and even negative. (Which would mean that illegals add more value than they consume.) There are so many variables to consider, and so many assumptions made that can skew the conclusions one way or the other. And how reliable are cost projections for hundreds of miles of such a wall and all the monitoring technology and maintenance it will require? It sure looks like Mexico won't spend a centavo to help pay for it.

 

[Swan7]

Kind of wondering when Trump decides that there are also just too many bad people from Canada trying to get into America illegally (in his mind, that is) as well, and he should alienate us further as a country by putting down another wall to the North. *sigh*

You know, I say this only half-jokingly, Swan, because Trump really does seem to grow more cartoonish in various ways by the day (this almost paranoia-driven need to build an actual, physical wall between countries, for example), but you might best hurry along to your man down here if you still intend to go to America one day like I remember you two once saying. Before it gets too difficult.

Lol!!
I got the joke

He and I are still waiting on God's timing. I'm not gonna let some wall intimidate me getting to my fiance.

 

[SarahsKnight]

He and I are still waiting on God's timing. I'm not gonna let some wall intimidate me getting to my fiance.

Oh, wow, you guys are already engaged? Dang, that was fast. But i for one am all for fairy-tale romances that seem to be sealed by fate at first or second glance and an immediate sense of irreversible blessing from God. So I say to this: Congratulations!

(If I may go off topic long enough just to say that, everyone.)



Now back to the topic: Yeah, I will totally concede that this is a promise of Trump's that is actually on its way to following through. Still, is it a good promise that is in America's best interest if kept? How many illegal immigrants could it possibly deter all on its own to make the appearances of this country alienating itself from other nations worth It? I mean, just my point of view of how a physical wall along the entire U.S./Mexico border makes us look, maybe, but still.

 

[MoonlessNight]

I mean, just my point of view of how a physical wall along the entire U.S./Mexico border makes us look, maybe, but still.

Maybe you should send your phone number to President Trump so that he can personally check in with you as to whether or not you think each of his individual actions look bad.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Lol!!
I got the joke

Well, again, I think a part of me was actually serious in my concern when I said that. What difficulties might be presented to me trying to go North myself to live? It was already a bit telling when one officer at the border yesterday asked me what I thought of the President (I am willing to imagine the question was merely just for banter rather than any kind of implied part of their standard for screening travelers coming through) , and I was just coming to Ontario for a mere VISIT. So it's almost like Trump himself would never even have to get so crazy as to want a wall physically separating us from Canada, and instead his behavior and views in general are already beginning to alienate Canadians such that they themselves will feel inclined to make it only harder for Americans to come over to their land in the future. :/

 

[SarahsKnight]

Maybe you should send your phone number to President Trump so that he can personally check in with you as to whether or not you think each of his individual actions look bad.

Don't know why you are getting defensive about that particular part of my post. I mean, I said right there that it was just my point of view, and in the grand scheme of things, it alone certainly wouldn't matter to whoever would be currently sitting in the big Oval Office chair, Trump or Obama or any other past or future President.

 

[Swan7]

Well, again, I think a part of me was actually serious in my concern when I said that. What difficulties might be presented to me trying to go North myself to live? It was already a bit telling when one officer at the border yesterday asked me what I thought of the President (I am willing to imagine the question was merely just for banter rather than any kind of implied part of their standard for screening travelers coming through) , and I was just coming to Ontario for a mere VISIT. So it's almost like Trump himself would never even have to get so crazy as to want a wall physically separating us from Canada, and instead his behavior and views in general are already beginning to alienate Canadians such that they themselves will feel inclined to make it only harder for Americans to come over to their land in the future. :/

Well, that might have been for banter... but nowadays you can't be too careful when crossing borders either. When I first made a visit to the U.S, I read that the gaurds can, for any reason at all, deny you entry. I was so intimidated by this (I was also younger then and easily intimidated), but I went through without any issues.

So, it could be (please note this is purely speculation) that maybe Trump is figuring out who's a true American or those who are outside America are for him and not against him. This is a pretty far fetched notion, but then again... can't be too trusting of man these days.

 

[Hank77]

Anyone who ever thought they would were wishful thinking.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

If we charge each car entering the US from Mexico one dollar -- that would in time pay for the wall.

There are many ways to get that money from Mexico -- MANY MANY.

M-Bob

 

[brinny]

If we charge each car entering the US from Mexico one dollar -- that would in time pay for the wall.

There are many ways to get that money from Mexico -- MANY MANY.

M-Bob

I agree.

 

[tooldtocare]

Mexico is a land of crime destruction poverty and drug lords. Actually they catch drug dealers coming across the border daily. Their sole purpose is to destruct, corrupt and destroy. Many of them actually worship the devil. True I don't want them here.

M-Bob

I take it you are upset because they are cutting into "your" drug market.

 

[tooldtocare]

Trump needs to visit the Statue of Liberty

STATUE OF LIBERTY

“Give me your tired, your poor/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free/The wretched refuse of your teeming shore/Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me/I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

 

[Mountainmanbob]

I take it you are upset because they are cutting into "your" drug market.

I think that we see what we are dealing with?
M-Bob

 

[GoldenBoy89]

If we charge each car entering the US from Mexico one dollar -- that would in time pay for the wall.

There are many ways to get that money from Mexico -- MANY MANY.

M-Bob

What's with this entitlement mentality some seem to have that they don't have to pay for the things they want?

 

[FreeinChrist]

If we charge each car entering the US from Mexico one dollar -- that would in time pay for the wall.

There are many ways to get that money from Mexico -- MANY MANY.

M-Bob

Mexico will charge twice as much for non-nationals going into Mexico which involves many Americans.
Mexico can even make it difficult for trucks taking US goods down through Mexico to other countries to get across the border via delays, double and triple checking that takes time and costs money and more.
It has happened before.

Sometimes what seems so simple is not well thought out.

Why does everyone assume those going through the border in the south are Mexican as opposed to other nationalities? How does a wall stop those who fly in via Mexico and overstay their lawfully given visas?