http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167 I toured the U.S.-Mexico border last week south of Mission and McAllen and received an up-close look at the border wall, which is being built in many stretches there. The wall is made of 18-inch concrete. Interestingly, the border wall is erected just south of a dirt levee, required because of flooding from the Rio Grande River. This levee joins the wall on the north side, all but nullifying the likelihood that smugglers and illegal immigrants will punch through the thick, rebar re-enforced wall. If they did, they'd face a mountain of compacted soil. Sensors will be installed at the top of the wall to stop illegal immigrants from leaning extension ladders to climb over. In addition, another 16-foot wall will be built feet south of this impressive wall, adding another barrier to smuggling in certain hotspots. Border Patrol agents can than patrol between the walls. I'd never seen a border wall up close (I'm a Yankee) and I was impressed with the size of the obstruction -- and the amount of dirt behind it. The Border Patrol will use the walls as chokepoints, which they say will help them to zero in on areas that smugglers will use in lieu of crossing areas now enforced with a wall. What do you think of a border wall in the Valley? Post your comments in here, or contact me at gsemenza@vicad.com or 361-580-6519. The story publishes Wednesday. Thanks for your help, Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor I toured the U.S.-Mexico border last week south of Mission and McAllen and received an up-close look at the border wall, which is being built in many stretches there. The wall is made of 18-inch concrete. Interestingly, the border wall is erected just south of a dirt levee, required because of flooding from the Rio Grande River. This levee joins the wall on the north side, all but nullifying the likelihood that smugglers and illegal immigrants will punch through the thick, rebar re-enforced wall. If they did, they'd face a mountain of compacted soil. Sensors will be installed at the top of the wall to stop illegal immigrants from leaning extension ladders to climb over. In addition, another 16-foot wall will be built feet south of this impressive wall, adding another barrier to smuggling in certain hotspots. Border Patrol agents can than patrol between the walls. I'd never seen a border wall up close (I'm a Yankee) and I was impressed with the size of the obstruction -- and the amount of dirt behind it. The Border Patrol will use the walls as chokepoints, which they say will help them to zero in on areas that smugglers will use in lieu of crossing areas now enforced with a wall. What do you think of a border wall in the Valley? Post your comments in here, or contact me at gsemenza@vicad.com or 361-580-6519. The story publishes Wednesday. Thanks for your help, Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor en-us It makes sense when you have an unruly neighbor. One that won't abide by laws, community regs, etc.. Truly, this is Mexico as it relates to our laws, our infrastucture, social system, etc.. And now here come the drug lords. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73703 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73703 It makes sense when you have an unruly neighbor. One that won't abide by laws, community regs, etc.. Truly, this is Mexico as it relates to our laws, our infrastucture, social system, etc.. And now here come the drug lords. Thanks, sandwichh. I've been researching Mexican drug cartels -- their violence, penetration into the U.S. and operations here in Texas. If you'd like to follow what I find daily, click here. I'm updating this Fatal Funnel / Cartel forum daily. To view this forum, click here. I hope to have daily conversations about the drug violence. To go directly to that forum, visit www.VictoriaAdvocate.com/FatalFunnel (you can also link to it from the rotating banner on the homepage), and then click < FORUMS >, which is found at the top of the Fatal Funnel homepage. Thanks again -- Gabe http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73705 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73705 Thanks, sandwichh. I've been researching Mexican drug cartels -- their violence, penetration into the U.S. and operations here in Texas. If you'd like to follow what I find daily, click here. I'm updating this Fatal Funnel / Cartel forum daily. To view this forum, click here. I hope to have daily conversations about the drug violence. To go directly to that forum, visit www.VictoriaAdvocate.com/FatalFunnel (you can also link to it from the rotating banner on the homepage), and then click < FORUMS >, which is found at the top of the Fatal Funnel homepage. Thanks again -- Gabe Hey, Gabe did you take any pictures? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73714 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73714 Hey, Gabe did you take any pictures? Hey, Texasmom. Yeah, Frank Tilley, Advocate photo editor, was with me and he snapped a bunch. We'll publish a few of those with Wednesday's story and then several with November's Fatal Funnel installment, which details the Texas Minutemen. The Minutemen are in Mission this month. Thanks -- Gabe http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73715 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73715 Hey, Texasmom. Yeah, Frank Tilley, Advocate photo editor, was with me and he snapped a bunch. We'll publish a few of those with Wednesday's story and then several with November's Fatal Funnel installment, which details the Texas Minutemen. The Minutemen are in Mission this month. Thanks -- Gabe Thanks, A2847LRT. What was the border wall built with -- concrete, metal, etc. -- where you were stationed? Also, can you call me at 361-580-6519. I'd like to pick your brain. Thanks -- Gabe http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73750 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73750 Thanks, A2847LRT. What was the border wall built with -- concrete, metal, etc. -- where you were stationed? Also, can you call me at 361-580-6519. I'd like to pick your brain. Thanks -- Gabe This wall business is a bunch of B.S.  It may work small sections at any given time.  As for dollar value, we cannot afford this foolish wall.  Stupid expensive ideas like this set us on the path to become North America’s Mexico and most likely, will be when if ever we complete this asinine project.  I doubt it will ever be completed, just another waste of our grandkids tax dollar. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73775 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73775 This wall business is a bunch of B.S.  It may work small sections at any given time.  As for dollar value, we cannot afford this foolish wall.  Stupid expensive ideas like this set us on the path to become North America’s Mexico and most likely, will be when if ever we complete this asinine project.  I doubt it will ever be completed, just another waste of our grandkids tax dollar. Luminary: Fascinated with the border? How can you not be? The Mexican drug cartels have grown to be the most powerful in history, crimes and poverty south of Texas are so bad that desperate immigrants are flocking across the border -- and much of it passes through the Crossroads. Not to mention the problems -- both for U.S. citizens and the illegal immigrants who are smuggled here -- brought here by it all. I'll be down there again sooner then February. Salazaa: Thanks for your thoughts. I'll be curious to see how effective the wall is once all the stretches are up. -- Gabe   http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73780 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73780 Luminary: Fascinated with the border? How can you not be? The Mexican drug cartels have grown to be the most powerful in history, crimes and poverty south of Texas are so bad that desperate immigrants are flocking across the border -- and much of it passes through the Crossroads. Not to mention the problems -- both for U.S. citizens and the illegal immigrants who are smuggled here -- brought here by it all. I'll be down there again sooner then February. Salazaa: Thanks for your thoughts. I'll be curious to see how effective the wall is once all the stretches are up. -- Gabe   Luminary: Thanks for the George Washington tip. I'm interested in learning about that. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73789 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73789 Luminary: Thanks for the George Washington tip. I'm interested in learning about that. I am in McAllen right now & had a mani/pedi at my favorite salon.  Got to talking to the nail tech about the growth in the area since I was last here & she informed me that Mission is now like the phoofy burbs where everyone is flocking.  It is something to brag about now, being from/living in Mission.   She lived all her life, til recently, in Reynosa.  She speaks perfect English, works (hard I might add...you should've seen my hooves!), she's sitting on the fence where the wall is concerned (no pun intended), she also thinks Laredo is dirty & the people are mean (I agree 100%, though I'd be mean too if i had to live where it's hot, dry & everything is dead).  I asked her about the violence going on across the border & basically she said it's like any place else, if you have bad intentions, bad things will find you.   If you turn a blind eye & a deaf ear you will be just fine. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73875 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73875 I am in McAllen right now & had a mani/pedi at my favorite salon.  Got to talking to the nail tech about the growth in the area since I was last here & she informed me that Mission is now like the phoofy burbs where everyone is flocking.  It is something to brag about now, being from/living in Mission.   She lived all her life, til recently, in Reynosa.  She speaks perfect English, works (hard I might add...you should've seen my hooves!), she's sitting on the fence where the wall is concerned (no pun intended), she also thinks Laredo is dirty & the people are mean (I agree 100%, though I'd be mean too if i had to live where it's hot, dry & everything is dead).  I asked her about the violence going on across the border & basically she said it's like any place else, if you have bad intentions, bad things will find you.   If you turn a blind eye & a deaf ear you will be just fine. Gabe...You said you're a yankee.  You must have heard the old yankee proverb that good fences make good neighbors.  Remember, this wall isn't being built to keep anyone IN.  People are free to leave anytime for just about anywhere.  If it'll help keep out smugglers and illegals, I'm all for it including the cost.  Heck, I'm not adverse to mines, but I suppose that's not politically correct these days. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73907 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/GabeSemenza/9167/#c_73907 Gabe...You said you're a yankee.  You must have heard the old yankee proverb that good fences make good neighbors.  Remember, this wall isn't being built to keep anyone IN.  People are free to leave anytime for just about anywhere.  If it'll help keep out smugglers and illegals, I'm all for it including the cost.  Heck, I'm not adverse to mines, but I suppose that's not politically correct these days.