Rick Perry’s Operation Border Photo Op
Governor Rick Perry of Texas announced today he will deploy 1,000 members of the Texas National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border in “Operation Strong Safety,” as clearly yet another element in Perry’s carefully orchestrated build-up for the 2016 Republican Party primary season. Perry’s notional excuse for this vainglorious grandstanding is the threat posed to the security of Texas by undocumented immigrants crossing the border — which is why he needs to “put boots on the ground,” as he said, cleverly deploying a bit of War on Terror cant to up the ante and make the “threat” seem real.
At the end of the day, this decision is clearly his to make, because as Governor he is also commander-in-chief of the National Guard (or, as Texas likes to call them, the Texas Military Forces) when the Guard is not on federal active duty. Naturally, one would expect that Perry, being a strong proponent of state’s rights, would recognize that this operation will put a dent in his famously low-tax budget. But since the “threat” to Texas is “real,” desperate times will call for desperate measures. He’ll just have to spend some money.
Um, not so much. This is where Perry shows his Red State Socialist colors. Because in the same breath as his declaration of war on people crossing the Texas border, which was greeted with huzzahs by the conservative Twittersphere, Perry also issued a declaration of war on fiscal responsibility and state sovereignty: “We expect Washington to foot the bill.”
Funny how that works.
Perry loves to squawk about so-called “state’s rights.” Well, rights carry responsibilities, and if Rick Perry wants the Texas Guard to stage photo-ops to burnish his run at the presidency, the least we could expect from so famous a representative of the “fiscally responsible” party is that he would be responsible for ponying-up the Benjamins.
But no. Naturally, Perry’s media enablers on the Right will find nothing untoward about yet another Red State claim on the taxpayer teat. They will say, Perry is “only doing Washington’s job,” so it’s reasonable for Washington to pay.
No, in fact, he’s not doing Washington’s job — because if Washington wanted this job done, Washington would have federalized the Texas National Guard itself.
What Perry is doing is creating a temporary jobs program for Texas National Guardsmen called “state active duty” — a jobs program that will be especially welcome in the kinds of rural communities that have suffered from higher-than-average unemployment rates and the “economic miracle” of Rick Perry’s low-wage “job creation,” communities where the National Guard Armory is an important social fixture. A Sergeant in the Texas Army National Guard on active duty will earn about $3,000 per month, plus additional benefits — three times as much as she’s likely to earn holding down one of Perry’s wage-slave jobs in retail or services. That’s a good thing.
But it’s not the federal government’s job to subsidize Perry’s extortion of middle- and working-class Americans. The federal government already pumps vast amounts of money into Texas. According to the Texas Legislative Budget Board, 34% of all funds spent by the Texas state government in Fiscal Year 2012 were federal funds. The federal government spends over $40 million annually on the Texas National Guard, with the state’s matching share of spending amounting to less than $0.25 on the dollar. The federal government pays for the Guard’s uniforms, vehicles, weapons, aircraft, operations, white boards, Number 2 pencils — you name it.
Source: Texas Legislative Budget Board
Now Perry wants taxpayers in California and North Dakota and Vermont to pay for a pointless political stunt, one that will do nothing to address the so-called “crisis” on the border because Guardsmen are not sworn peace officers. They have no powers of arrest or detention, and on state active duty they can’t enforce federal laws. The most they’ll be able to do is radio a spot report to the local Border Patrol sub-station — and any enforcement action that follows will depend, as it already does, on whether the Border Patrol has enough officers in the area to take action.
Here’s what Perry’s operation will achieve: nifty looking photographs of Texas Guardsmen in their battle-rattle — with unloaded weapons — looking south to defend Texas against the brown hordes spilling across the border, making Dallas safe for Rick Perry’s presidential fundraising dinners. Or at least pretending to do so. In fact, anyone crossing the border could simply walk past the Guard’s camp without giving it a thought — there’s nothing the Guardsmen could do but watch (and if they tried to interdict the immigrant, it would be the Guardsmen who were in the wrong legally).
No doubt many Guardsmen will receive important letters of commendation and decorations for the fine work they’ll do, setting up tents, driving around in Humvees, convening staff meetings in accordance with the Military Decision-Making Process, and all other manner of make-believe combat busy-work.
As political theater, it’s brilliant. As political policy? Not so much. Like everything Republicans do these days, Operation Strong Safety is all flash and no bang.
Perry sure does look smart in those glasses, though. How much you want to bet he’ll soon be touring the “front,” wearing fashionable camouflage gear?
Click here for reuse options!Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: Russ Burgos
Interested in foreign affairs, global conflict, and political narratives and discourses
Eric Trommater July 21st, 2014 at 18:39
I am looking forward to the campaign commercials with Perry’s voice over of shots of the National Guard being deployed.
granpa.usthai July 21st, 2014 at 19:18
Tell the Texas CIC to be sure to issue GAS MASK!
hard to tell what kind of milk the main force is drinking while moving through Mexico.
wouldn’t want any of the fine brave baby fighters of the TNG to be sickened by bio normality.
Eric Trommater July 21st, 2014 at 18:39
I am looking forward to the campaign commercials with Perry’s voice over of shots of the National Guard being deployed.
granpa.usthai July 21st, 2014 at 19:18
Tell the Texas CIC to be sure to issue GAS MASK!
hard to tell what kind of milk the main force is drinking while moving through Mexico.
wouldn’t want any of the fine brave baby fighters of the TNG to be sickened by bio normality.
mea_mark July 21st, 2014 at 18:48
I hope this backfires on Perry and suddenly there is a big bill he has to pay and explain to the voters of Texas right before the election. This could be a tipping point and really help Wendy Davis out.
granpa.usthai July 21st, 2014 at 19:31
wearing sunglasses has no effect on the 3 year olds. They’ll still have the ability to paralyze a grown man to the point where they can climb right up in their lap and eat every one of the chicken nuggets!
Best defense if you’re sitting down to chow and see one approaching if a hundred round burst doesn’t stop ’em is to jump up with your McD six pack and
RUNNNNNnnnn!!!
Jake July 21st, 2014 at 18:48
Who needs the National Guard when we have real professional he-men soldiers like Perry himself and Sean “girly-hands” Hannitty to protect the nation:
lcdrjsm July 21st, 2014 at 19:35
Hannitty really does have “girly-hands”….and a limp wrist.
Jake July 21st, 2014 at 21:21
His hands are worthy of a Seinfeld episode.
mea_mark July 21st, 2014 at 18:48
I hope this backfires on Perry and suddenly there is a big bill he has to pay and explain to the voters of Texas right before the election. This could be a tipping point and really help Wendy Davis out.
granpa.usthai July 21st, 2014 at 19:31
wearing sunglasses has no effect on the 3 year olds. They’ll still have the ability to paralyze a grown man to the point where they can climb right up in their lap and eat every one of the chicken nuggets!
Best defense if you’re sitting down to chow and see one approaching if a hundred round burst doesn’t stop ’em is to jump up with your McD six pack and
RUNNNNNnnnn!!!
granpa.usthai July 21st, 2014 at 19:09
The US Congress controls the purse strings, so that’s pretty much up to them.
HOWEVER-
if such actions impede US Border Patrol Duties or activities, they have the lawful duty to arrest and turn over to authorized Federal Agents for prosecution in US Federal Courts.
Being that a military determent is deemed necessary, I’d like to suggest 24/7 non stop carpet bombing along the border. Even if the 2-3 year olds have MORE combat field experience than the Texas CIC, it’s bound to make ’em think twice before mounting an all out frontal attack. Also, you might want to send in some TNG recon units to find out if Russia has slipped any high altitude aircraft missiles into any of their diaper bags. Good intel is the key to holding firm on the front lines.
Hirightnow July 21st, 2014 at 19:45
I came this close to replying nastily to your post…and then I re-read it, and started laughing.
Well done, Granpa.
Shades July 21st, 2014 at 21:10
Granpa is the thinking man’s snarkmeister.
granpa.usthai July 21st, 2014 at 19:09
The US Congress controls the purse strings, so that’s pretty much up to them.
HOWEVER-
if such actions impede US Border Patrol Duties or activities, they have the lawful duty to arrest and turn over to authorized Federal Agents for prosecution in US Federal Courts.
Being that a military determent is deemed necessary, I’d like to suggest 24/7 non stop carpet bombing along the border. Even if the 2-3 year olds have MORE combat field experience than the Texas CIC, it’s bound to make ’em think twice before mounting an all out frontal attack. Also, you might want to send in some TNG recon units to find out if Russia has slipped any high altitude aircraft missiles into any of their diaper bags. Good intel is the key to holding firm on the front lines.
Hirightnow July 21st, 2014 at 19:45
I came this close to replying nastily to your post…and then I re-read it, and started laughing.
Well done, Granpa.
Shades July 21st, 2014 at 21:10
Granpa is the thinking man’s snarkmeister.
granpa.usthai July 21st, 2014 at 19:11
be sure to take plenty of diapers and warm milk. You can probably win over a lot of their main units that way.
granpa.usthai July 21st, 2014 at 19:11
be sure to take plenty of diapers and warm milk. You can probably win over a lot of their main units that way.
Obewon July 21st, 2014 at 19:25
Perry’s been Texas Guber since 2000 with Abbott as A.G. since 2002 and it took them 15 years to think of their big 1000 man plan to impossibly cover the 3,000 mile Tex-Mex border? Geez! They need Wendy Davis to take Texas back from Ricky Bobby and A.G. Guber candidate Gregg Abbott’s ineptitude.
Stand with Wendy to stop their stupid bellyaching about a mere $750K net cost per month ‘making a bug-i-dent.’
mea_mark July 21st, 2014 at 19:48
Abbot is endorsing this stunt. Calling it decisive leadership or some other such BS. The local news covered the opposing view as very wasteful with more time and effort than Perry’s grandstanding, making this decision look bad from the get go. If solidly red state media thinks Perry is blowing it and Abbott is going to follow suit, my hopes for a Davis win will keep climbing. I heard this stunt will cost $12 million per month, about $400,000 per pay. Now that is what I call fiscal BS responsibility.
Obewon July 21st, 2014 at 20:10
I wouldn’t trust Perry-Abbott to correctly calculate anything, let alone three 8 hour shifts of 40 hour work weeks, plus weekend coverage. Their 1,000 N.G. times $3K per month = $3 M monthly-at 25% = $750K per month/$9M per year net Texas cost:) And aren’t these 1,000 already full-timers??? (I smell double-billing-gate!)
Math’s too hard for blowhards -“The federal government spends over $40 million annually on the Texas National Guard, with the state’s matching share of spending amounting to less than $0.25 on the dollar. The federal government pays for the Guard’s uniforms, vehicles, weapons, aircraft, operations, white boards, Number 2 pencils — you name it.”
Paul Julian Gould July 22nd, 2014 at 11:31
It’s an example of the old bumper sticker: “I may be lost, but I’m making great time”
Obewon July 21st, 2014 at 19:25
Perry’s been Texas Guber since 2000 with Abbott as A.G. since 2002 and it took them 15 years to think of their big 1000 man plan to impossibly cover the 3,000 mile Tex-Mex border? Geez! That’s barely 200 per 8 hour shift, over 7 days with no lunch! They need Wendy Davis to take Texas back from Ricky Bobby and A.G. Guber candidate Gregg Abbott’s ineptitude.
Stand with Wendy to stop their stupid bellyaching about a mere $750K net cost per month ‘making a bug-i-dent.’
mea_mark July 21st, 2014 at 19:48
Abbot is endorsing this stunt. Calling it decisive leadership or some other such BS. The local news covered the opposing view as very wasteful with more time and effort than Perry’s grandstanding, making this decision look bad from the get go. If solidly red state media thinks Perry is blowing it and Abbott is going to follow suit, my hopes for a Davis win will keep climbing. I heard this stunt will cost $12 million per month, about $400,000 per pay. Now that is what I call fiscal BS responsibility.
Obewon July 21st, 2014 at 20:10
I wouldn’t trust Perry-Abbott to correctly calculate anything, let alone three 8 hour shifts of 40 hour work weeks, plus weekend coverage. Their 1,000 N.G. times $3K per month = $3 M monthly-at 25% = $750K per month/$9M per year net Texas cost:) And aren’t these 1,000 already full-timers??? (I smell double-billing-gate!)
Math’s too hard for blowhards -“The federal government spends over $40 million annually on the Texas National Guard, with the state’s matching share of spending amounting to less than $0.25 on the dollar. The federal government pays for the Guard’s uniforms, vehicles, weapons, aircraft, operations, white boards, Number 2 pencils — you name it.”
Paul Julian Gould July 22nd, 2014 at 11:31
It’s an example of the old bumper sticker: “I may be lost, but I’m making great time”
Linda1961 July 21st, 2014 at 19:34
Oh goody! Another goper going for style over substance.
John Tarter July 21st, 2014 at 19:38
Just following Obama’s 5 year example.
Shades July 21st, 2014 at 21:08
That’s the best you’ve got? You need to look into another line of work. Your trolling skills suck.
granpa.usthai July 22nd, 2014 at 02:40
I think it’s right smart of James Richard to take note of POTUS Obama’s LEADERSHIP ABILITIES!
Obewon July 21st, 2014 at 19:43
Perry’s desperate for a media bite. ‘Why’s my manly-man Putin hogg’n my corndog!’
granpa.usthai July 22nd, 2014 at 02:35
you mean James Richard thinks about fooling around with Adam when plunging hungry lips around a footlong?
Linda1961 July 21st, 2014 at 19:34
Oh goody! Another goper going for style over substance.
John Tarter July 21st, 2014 at 19:38
Just following Obama’s 5 year example.
Shades July 21st, 2014 at 21:08
That’s the best you’ve got? You need to look into another line of work. Your trolling skills suck.
granpa.usthai July 22nd, 2014 at 02:40
I think it’s right smart of James Richard to take note of POTUS Obama’s LEADERSHIP ABILITIES!
Obewon July 21st, 2014 at 19:43
Perry’s desperate for a media bite. ‘Why’s my manly-man Putin hogg’n my corndog!’
granpa.usthai July 22nd, 2014 at 02:35
you mean James Richard thinks about fooling around with Adam when plunging hungry lips around a footlong?
lcdrjsm July 21st, 2014 at 19:35
Hannitty really does have “girly-hands”….and a limp wrist.
John Tarter July 21st, 2014 at 19:37
Extortion of middle class taxpayer? Yep, that’s what liberal policies have been doing to the nation for 50 years now to pay for all their nefarious schemes that have no basis in the concept of federalism. If Obama would do his job as protector of the nation’s border, Perry wouldnt have to take this step.
NW10 July 21st, 2014 at 19:48
If Obama would do his job as protector of the nation’s border
President Obama is doing his job, he is following the 2008 law signed by President Bush. I want you to explain to me how Governor Oops sending National Guard troops to just stand at the border DOING NOTHING and demanding a handout from the federal government to pay for it is doing his job.
BarrySoetoro July 21st, 2014 at 21:38
Barry’s idea of protecting the border is all talk and no action.
Afterall, the democrats are going to need more of those with their hands out to win in 2014.
Anomaly 100 July 21st, 2014 at 22:02
And yet, Red States are the poorest.
BarrySoetoro July 21st, 2014 at 22:12
Texas is hardly a poor state
Carla Akins July 21st, 2014 at 22:15
Just the majority of its inhabitants.
NW10 July 21st, 2014 at 22:05
You mad?
granpa.usthai July 22nd, 2014 at 02:21
hod dang He looks good in an expensive suit, and I bet that ain’t no cheap Chinese made at one of Mit’s exploitation of human misery concentrated labor camps watch He’s wearing either.
William July 21st, 2014 at 22:59
Still bitter huh?
granpa.usthai July 22nd, 2014 at 02:14
James Richard’s idea of protecting the border is all talk while throwing away millions of Texan Taxpayer dollars.
I think the Dems will do very well in 2014 -even with all the corporate welfare fraud, tax fraud and criminal millionaire ranchers that rustle the people’s property by illegal force of arms.
fahvel July 22nd, 2014 at 05:14
you make the word stupid glow with an inner light that comes from the mire in between your ears.
William July 21st, 2014 at 23:24
If Obama would do his job as protector of the nation’s border, Perry wouldnt have to take this step.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.
granpa.usthai July 22nd, 2014 at 02:02
glad to see you’re waking up to policies of the Reagan and both Bushes that damn near created The GREATER REPUBLICAN ECONOMIC DEPRESSION.
butt
Perry has no authority over FEDERAL MATTERS, any more than the governor of Arizona.
John Tarter July 21st, 2014 at 19:37
Extortion of middle class taxpayer? Yep, that’s what liberal policies have been doing to the nation for 50 years now to pay for all their nefarious schemes that have no basis in the concept of federalism. If Obama would do his job as protector of the nation’s border, Perry wouldnt have to take this step.
(((NW10,PATRIOT! ✓ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ))) July 21st, 2014 at 19:48
If Obama would do his job as protector of the nation’s border
President Obama is doing his job, he is following the 2008 law signed by President Bush. I want you to explain to me how Governor Oops sending National Guard troops to just stand at the border DOING NOTHING and demanding a handout from the federal government to pay for it is doing his job.
Anomaly 100 July 21st, 2014 at 22:02
And yet, Red States are the poorest.
Carla Akins July 21st, 2014 at 22:15
Just the majority of its inhabitants.
(((NW10,PATRIOT! ✓ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ))) July 21st, 2014 at 22:05
You mad?
granpa.usthai July 22nd, 2014 at 02:21
hod dang He looks good in an expensive suit, and I bet that ain’t no cheap Chinese made at one of Mit’s exploitation of human misery concentrated labor camps watch He’s wearing either.
William July 21st, 2014 at 22:59
Still bitter huh?
granpa.usthai July 22nd, 2014 at 02:14
James Richard’s idea of protecting the border is all talk while throwing away millions of Texan Taxpayer dollars.
I think the Dems will do very well in 2014 -even with all the corporate welfare fraud, tax fraud and criminal millionaire ranchers that rustle the people’s property by illegal force of arms.
fahvel July 22nd, 2014 at 05:14
you make the word stupid glow with an inner light that comes from the mire in between your ears.
William July 21st, 2014 at 23:24
If Obama would do his job as protector of the nation’s border, Perry wouldnt have to take this step.
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.
granpa.usthai July 22nd, 2014 at 02:02
glad to see you’re waking up to policies of the Reagan and both Bushes that damn near created The GREATER REPUBLICAN ECONOMIC DEPRESSION.
butt
Perry has no authority over FEDERAL MATTERS, any more than the governor of Arizona.
granpa.usthai July 21st, 2014 at 19:41
weren’t GW in the TNG?
back when North Vietnam was considering bombing runs on Alabama?
reckon he’ll be called back to active duty?
maybe for TNG air 2 ground support?
JIC the enemy at walking age starts over running the TNG ground units?
granpa.usthai July 21st, 2014 at 19:41
weren’t GW in the TNG?
back when North Vietnam was considering bombing runs on Alabama?
reckon he’ll be called back to active duty?
maybe for TNG air 2 ground support?
JIC the enemy at walking age starts over running the TNG ground units?
NW10 July 21st, 2014 at 19:50
Perry’s solutions:
1) Blame President Obama
2) Send in the National Guard and demand the feds pay for it
3)………
Oops!
mea_mark July 21st, 2014 at 19:52
Obama won’t pay for it, he already told him that. Remember that grumpy cat look on Perry’s face, Obama laughed at him and said no way, your an idiot.
Hirightnow July 21st, 2014 at 20:16
4) Profit!
(((NW10,PATRIOT! ✓ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ))) July 21st, 2014 at 19:50
Perry’s solutions:
1) Blame President Obama
2) Send in the National Guard and demand the feds pay for it
3)………
Oops!
mea_mark July 21st, 2014 at 19:52
Obama won’t pay for it, he already told him that. Remember that grumpy cat look on Perry’s face, Obama laughed at him and said no way, your an idiot.
Hirightnow July 21st, 2014 at 20:16
4) Profit!