Good neighbours make fences

Marco Antonio Martinez Dabdoub, the mayor of Nogales, reckons the federal government ought to be more heavy-handed. “This should be like the famous surge in Baghdad,” he says. Yet Arturo Ramirez Camacho, the head of Nogales’s police force, says that the deployment of the army has served only to provoke more violence.

America is building a border barrier that is both too tight and not tight enough.

"Good neighbours make fences," by The Economist, Oct. 2, 2008. [link]

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Taking offence at the fence

"Nobody said that the walk for justice was going to be a nice one," said marcher Javier Perez, a staff member of the El Paso-based Border Agricultural Workers Center.

"Cross-Border Activists Escalate Fight Against 'The Wall of Death,' " by Kent Paterson La Prensa San Diego, Sept. 26, 2008 [link]

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Trouble down in Juarez

Extreme poverty isn't the only reason people are fleeing Mexico these days.

"Mexican Violence Forcing Families to Migrate," by Lyida Cacho, New America Media, Sept. 29, 2008 [link]

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The fence in dollars and cents

Heightened border security brings new money into old towns.

"Border Patrol is a boost for struggling towns," by Philly.com, Sept. 26, 2008. [link]

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New Yorkers bid farewell to the Bear

Don Haskins transformed college basketball when he started five black players on a Texas Western team that defeated an all-white University of Kentucky squad died Sunday.

"Don Haskins, Barrier-Breaking Coach, Is Dead at 78," by Richard Goldstein, NY Times, Sept. 8, 2008 [link]

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Santa Teresa to get international rail port

Officials on both sides of New Mexico's international border with Mexico expressed support for a proposed railroad bypass and international rail crossing in southern Dona Ana County.

"Agreements Reached on Santa Teresa Rail Bypass," by the Albuquerque Journal, Oct. 1, 2008 [link]

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Beau Biden to Fort Bliss, then Iraq

One hundred members of the 261st Signal Brigade are scheduled to leave Delaware in early October for Fort Bliss, Texas, where they will spend several weeks training before going to Iraq.

"Palin's eldest son to guard top commanders in Iraq," by Forbes, Sept. 9, 2008.
[link]

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Juarez inspires solution to the mortgage crises

It was a side trip through a destitute, ramshackle neighborhood in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, that gave Brian McCarthy an idea to offer the very poor a chance to own a home.

"Shipping containers could be 'dream' homes for thousands," by CNN, Sept. 24, 2008.
[link]