In my brief career as a landscaper I learned that a weed is something growing where you don't want it. By extension an otherwise comely ten foot burgundy fence becomes an eyesore, a nuisance, an obstacle and even part of a death trap. No one attending the Saturday morning meeting at the Fort Brown Golf Course Clubhouse about the problems created by the placement of the border wall even fantasizes about it being torn down in the immediate future. Actually, one diminuitive patriot, Dagoberto Barrera loves everything about the wall and the protection it affords him against Mexican nationals, people he describes as "not of our culture. They eat with their fingers, their heads bobbing up and down to the table like ducks".
Dagberto BarreraSince previously I've described Dago as a working class hero, let me take him back a notch. Today, he was more like an 80 year old skinhead with matching shirt and tie, a patriot with his nationalism wound just a bit too tight. I quickly scratched Mr. Barrera off my short list for the ambassadorship to Mexico.
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. expressed disappointment that his bill #1809, calling for an economic impact study of the effects of the border wall on those Texans living south of it did not pass the Texas senate. John Moore asked if local law enforcement had done any studies to determine if the wall had slowed the flow of drugs north or lowered the number of crimes committed by the undocumented. Lieutenant Art Barrera of the Texas Rangers did not know. Sheriff Omar Lucio, as might be expected of an octogenarian sent someone else in his stead. The message from Lucio was delivered by Lieutenant Rick Perez, called Roman Perez by Senator Lucio. Perez said the border wall was a bad idea, not nearly as effective as additional manpower.
A grant of 2.2 million received by the sheriff's department permitted the department to retain 12 "boots on the ground" along Hwy 4 to Boca Chica Beach, a prime trafficking location. He detailed the drug tonnage, the weaponry, the vehicles seized. The grant runs out at the end of the year.
Mean Mister Brownsville asked if any of the reported 80 gates were going to be built in Cameron County. Senator Lucio had heard nothing about gates, but a young attorney from Austin raised her hand. She said 30 gates were designated for Cameron County, 12 for Hidalgo County to be built in a 6 to 12 month time frame. She stated that 4-6 test gates would initially be built. A Sierra Club spokesperson mentioned that 27 laws had been waived with the construction of the wall, including Native American Territorial and burial rights, water rights, property rights, etc.
State Representative Rene Oliveira spoke of record apprehensions of the undocumented and record deportations during the Obama administration. Of course, no study has been done to show if deaths in the desert have increased since wall construction in the more populated areas. Actually, no study of any kind seems to have been done. Two instructors from UTB, (Jeff & Jude?) described a partial study comparing those that live in the gaps between the wall to those living behind the wall. Economically, the gappers won. A lady named Michelle described the personal terror of frequent helicopter flights over her home, no Brownsville PD presence, hearing gunfire, losing pets and property. Another lady mentioned possible psychological damage to children growing up with the hindrance of the wall.
Paster Brad closed the meeting requesting that the food we were about to receive would nourish our bodies, that Mexico would someday enjoy peace, that our leaders would lead with wisdom, all in Jesus name.
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