"You put the chunk back in"

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   PrettyPantherposted 5 years ago

   "After years of touting the impenetrability of a border wall, President Donald Trump said Saturday that "you can cut through any wall" as reports surfaced of smugglers sawing through newly erected barriers with readily available power tools.
   
   "We have a very powerful wall. But no matter how powerful, you can cut through anything, in all fairness. But we have a lot of people watching. You know cutting, cutting is one thing, but it's easily fixed. One of the reasons we did it the way we did it, it's very easily fixed. You put the chunk back in,” Trump told reporters at the White House."
   
   Trump defends border wall design after report smugglers are sawing through it
   
   Is the multi-billion-dollar price tag for the border wall a wise investment?

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      wildernessposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      As there have been no other investments proposed, as there has been no other method of controlling the invasion found, as that invasion is costing us a great deal that could be much better spent elsewhere, yes.  It is a wise investment. 
      
      Only a fool would think that ANY physical barrier, whether an army ten deep at every point, a mile thick, mile high wall of concrete or five million drones patrolling every minute will ever stop ALL crossings or would never suffer intentional damage that must be repaired/replaced.  Better to weld another chunk of steel in place than bury a soldier and replace him/her.  Even if it means a few still get through successfully.

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         Don Wposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Reports suggest the fence is easily penetrable with a common hand held tool. Trump said it was "virtually impenetrable", which is the polar opposite. So you agree, Trump was wrong when he described the fence as that?
         
         Sure the whole point of the thing was to make it difficult to get past. Reports suggest, the fence can be cut in a matter of minutes. And those reports have been circulating for months. Here's a photo from an NBC report in January 2019 which shows they new about the vulnerabilities even during testing:
         
         
         
         https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigr … ed-n956856
         
         These cuts were made with "common tools".
         
         Trump also said "This wall can't be climbed". Now we're told the wall can be defeated with a ladder with a rope ladder hooked to the other side. Does that make it more difficult to get across? Sure...for anyone not able to climb a ladder. So great, that should keep all those pesky South Americans with mobility issues at bay. "Wise investment" indeed. What a crock.

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            wildernessposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            As I said - what's the next best idea?  Outside of just letting them all in; the idea is to at least slow the traffic considerably even if we can't 100% stop it.  So what idea works better (more difficult to defeat) and is more efficient dollar wise?

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               Randy Godwinposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               What happened to Trump's idea about the crocodile and/or shark filled moats? 

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      Eastwardposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I would much rather have seen efforts to arrest and charge employers for employing illegal immigrants. It seems ridiculous that there is little to no accountability at the top of the food chain. Cut off the exploitation of labor and people will be more hesitant to make the journey.

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         wildernessposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Unfortunately our politicians and leaders have no stomach for hurting the ones "contributing" to their goals.
         
         But your are absolutely correct; stiff fines, up to and including confiscation of any company hiring illegals, is the right answer.  I said so years ago in a hub on what to do about the crises we are facing and encouraging.

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      Don Wposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Apparently the technique being used to get through is very complex and sophisticated, as one might expect when dealing with a multi-billion dollar barrier. As per the Washington Post:
      
      
      
      The technique used to get over the state-of-the-art barrier is equally sophisticated.
      
      
      
      The Post outlines the exact methods (I hope the details are not too technical to follow):
      
      "The breaches have been made using a popular cordless household tool known as a reciprocating saw that retails at hardware stores for as little as $100. When fitted with specialized blades, the saws can slice through one of the barrier’s steel-and-concrete bollards in minutes, according to the agents, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the barrier-defeating techniques...
      
      Because the bollards are so tall — and are attached only to a panel at the top — their length makes them easier to push aside once they have been cut and are left dangling, according to engineers consulted by The Washington Post...
      
      Some of the smugglers deploy lightweight ladders made of rebar, using them to get past the “anti-climb panels” that span the top of the barrier... Once the lead climber reaches the top, agents say, they use hooks to hang rope ladders down the other side."
      
      https://www.washingtonpost.com/national … story.html
      
      Clearly money well spent.

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      Eastwardposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      The only other seemingly appropriate solution to "You put the chunk back in", would be to; take the chunk back out, put the chunk back in, and shake it all about

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         lobobrandonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         

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         PrettyPantherposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Lol, that solution makes as much sense as building a border wall in the first place.

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   hard sunposted 5 years ago

   Don't you know, those were just words. Everyone should know he didn't really mean what he said.  I'm with Eastward though...hold the employers accountable. But, that would mean Trump would have to hold himself accountable. This is the type of reason why the morality of the President does matter. What type of man he his does matter.

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