QUOTE(hunin @ Jun 10 2007, 06:19 AM) [snapback]307358[/snapback]
Mines are amongst the vilest of weaponry. Should be banned in total and every one destroyed. Including those already in place.
We should have signed the Mine Ban Treaty 10 years ago.
IOW I think its an insane and despicable idea. In spades.
QUOTE(Bee @ Jun 10 2007, 06:57 AM) [snapback]307362[/snapback]
Mines are a rather horrid idea.
I can't imagine who would suggest that, it wouldn't be only hazardous to illegals, but to American citizens, as well.
I'm very surprised you'd even consider such a destructive method CharlieRay.
QUOTE(SpaceCowboy @ Jun 10 2007, 02:20 PM) [snapback]307424[/snapback]
It's the fish oil.
Let’s modify Charlie’s proposal for the purposes of discussion – forget the mines.
Would the US be entitled to put up a double fence with our non-lethal non-maiming microwave based crowd control weapons focused on the space in between?
I understand that the weapons progressively heat the skin as one approaches the source, so much so that people turn away before they get hurt badly.
Assuming for the moment that the above was feasible, would we be entitled to do it?
Must we maintain a policy of arresting fence jumpers one by one?
QUOTE(Pravda @ Jun 10 2007, 11:48 AM) [snapback]307410[/snapback]
Mines have no judgement or sense of right and wrong, they just kill indiscriminately. Canada is working to get rid of land mines, not to expand their use just to protect jobs or property.
http://www.icbl.org/lm/1999/appendices/gov_canada.htmlGovernment Of Canada
CANADA'S COMMITMENT TO MINE ACTION
On December 3, 1997, 122 states joined Canada in signing the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction. That the Ottawa Convention was negotiated in less than one year and has entered into force faster than any disarmament convention ever negotiated is a testament to the determination of the citizens of the world to address the humanitarian crisis caused by landmines. The Ottawa Convention is a major achievement, but it just the beginning. In the words of Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Lloyd Axworthy, the “real test of success for the Ottawa Convention will be the degree to which it makes a difference in the lives of those who must live with the threat of landmines every day.”
Implementing the Ottawa Convention through Integrated Mine Action.
Canada believes that the Ottawa Convention provides an effective and legally binding framework for integrated mine action efforts to address the humanitarian impact of anti-personnel mines. Whereas in the past mine action was often viewed as being little more than mine clearance, there is a growing consensus that to be truly effective, mine action should be understood as an integrated continuum of a number of key activities including:
- advocacy in support of the ratification and universalization of the Ottawa Convention as well as efforts to monitor its implementation;
- mine awareness programs to reduce the number of new mine casualties;
- mine clearance and the return of cleared land to communities;
- providing assistance to landmine survivors;
- survey work and related efforts to collect information on the nature of
the landmine problem and measures progress in mine action;
- the destruction of stockpiled mines;
- research and development of improved mine action technologies; and,
- communications and outreach to ensure the political and financial
sustainability of mine action efforts over the long term.
Interesting who replied and who jUSt didn't... our USual warmongers mostly declined, I notice... I wonder why?...
I asked about the mines because I wanted to know how serious we are about closing and/or controlling the border... I don't really like the idea... who could... but really, how serious are we about getting control of our borders?... are we serious about it at all?...
The truth is that mines would do it... cheaply and diligently... fences on both sides of the field(on our side of the borders:~) with very clear bilingual warnings should keep any innocents out of harm... the fences on both sides could easily be made to be "aware" smart fences that indicate when they are crossed and where so that we can have relatively few teams to respond... with unbearable audio and light alarms...
It does seem bizarre that I'd even consider such a thing... but I have an open mind and I'm looking for ya'll to tell me jUSt why not... and I'll add that no one is supposed to be crossing in these areas in any case...
It means a real no-mans land... no one... any who are there are there at their own risk at their own decision... or hopefully so...
My thinking against it(besides the horrible initial repulsion:~) is because of the unscrupulous methods for crossing that might be employed by the truly ruthless... by forcing someone else to cross first to clear a path... but even considering such a thought makes me twice as believing that we absolutely need to close/control the border(s)... because this might be jUSt the type of some that are or could be currently easily crossing into our nation unhindered... not that I worry about that type very much, but the logic is there... this is the very reason why I think we would still have "smart" fences and respond teams... if we did do something radical like this...
I am serious about closed/controlled borders... if we decide we need workers, we can let them in at a controlled rate... but only if we control the borders... without real control, all the talk is only talk... and it never will be anything else... and meanwhile, the problem gets worse...
For those who are rightfully aghast at the idea... what are your ideas?...
For those who declined to comment... why don't you weight in?... say something... take a stand... or are you jUSt waiting for some rUSh Limbaugh or bUSh to tell you what to think?
QUOTE(SpaceCowboy @ Jun 10 2007, 07:20 PM) [snapback]307517[/snapback]
It could only be on ours, unless the Mexican govt agreed. As a practical matter, only on ours.
I hope we figure something better than that out.
Employers' sanctions with enforcement is part of the answer.
That sounds much better than a minefield... and I really like the employer sanctions and penalties...
But I gotta wonder if we'll ever enforce any sanctions or penalties?... when the greed factor comes into play... cheap prices... good people... bla bla... the statUS quo continues to go... unimpeded.
