Troops to the Mexican border: Obama to send 1,200

[Twoller]

Originally Posted by Jeanfromfillmore

The Defense Department, which has been jousting with the Homeland Security Department for the better part of a year over the possible deployment, had previously expressed concerns that the troops not be used for law enforcement duties. Pentagon officials are worried about perceptions that the U.S. was militarizing the border.

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That is some real bad behavior from the Pentagon. First, the basic duty of any military is to be able defend borders. And also, the border is already militarized, but on the other side. The last I heard the Mexican military is running customs on the Mexican side. And given how corrupt the Mexican military is, it is not hard to imagine that this is bound to undermine US efforts to control its own borders.

Originally Posted by Kathy63

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The National Guard troops will work on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support, analysis and training, and support efforts to block drug trafficking. They will temporarily supplement Border Patrol agents until Customs and Border Protection can recruit and train additional officers and agents to serve on the border, according to a letter Tuesday from top administration security officials to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich.

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"The National Guard troops will work on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support, analysis and training ..."

Right. And Spanish language skills will be mandatory. Anchor babies only apply.