Friday, March 2, 2012

Wanna Join The Texas Navy...?

I always say that folks need to help themselves in times of trouble, if at all possible.

I knew we were working on a Texas air force for a while, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that we would start our own Navy! One thing about it, with all the armament on these bad boys I don't think too many folks will be willing to start an argument. I know I wouldn't!

Texas 'navy' to patrol the Rio Grande

Texas is getting its own navy.

Next month, the state's Department of Public Safety will deploy the first of a fleet of six gunboats on the Rio Grande, the river that forms the border between the state and Mexico, CNN affiliate WFAA-TV reports.

The 34-foot-long boats, each powered by three, 300-horsepower outboard engines, will have bulletproof plating and six machine guns apiece, not unlike the river patrol boats the U.S. Navy used during the Vietnam War.



The vessels will be able to operate in as little as 2 feet of water, according to the report, and will work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to combat drug smuggling coming across the Rio Grande.

"They're finding out when those people are coming across, and one of the things they need to be able to do is interdict them on the water," Texas state Rep. Paul Workman told CNN affiliate KVUE-TV when the first of the boats, the JD Davis, was christened in December.

"If you're trying to suppress organized smuggling activity, there's no substitute for putting people on the ground," Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven C. McCraw said at the December ceremony. "The way they're operating right now, you need them on the water as well."
"It sends a message: Don't mess with Texas," Jose Rodriguez, a regional commander of the Texas Department of Safety, told WFAA.

The six boats will be named after Texas state troopers killed in the line of duty. The first was named after Jerry Don Davis, who was shot and killed in 1980. Another, to be commissioned Thursday in Austin, will be named in honor of trooper David Irvine Rucker, who was killed in 1981, according to The Brownsville Herald.

I have to admit that with most of the crossings of the Rio Grande being done in rubber rafts, this might seem to be overkill. However, if this is what it takes to help stem the drugs coming into the U.S. then so be it!

Talk about bringing a machine gun to a knife fight...! This should be an attention getter, that's for sure!

Coffee on the patio this morning. How about some banana cake to go with it?

17 comments:

Rob said...

We enjoy watch Boarder Wars on NatGeo. This is not over kill. I think we should put returning combat troops on the southern boarder. Shoot to kill.

You are welcome here but be legal first. Less illegals better pay for all.

Momlady said...

Wonder if the Feds are going to step in or if there'll be some other idiot group crying "not fair".

XXXXX said...

Seems like a better idea than a wall since a wall is always something one can get over. Boats move fast; you never know when it might be coming. Seems like they need more of them. I'm glad they were named in memory of those who died. All for Ron Paul's idea of bringing back the troops from monitoring the borders over there to monitoring the borders over here.

I'll be there for coffee on the patio. Too cold here for that.

Ben in Texas said...

Just a small slice of cake please. And they are running ads now to recruit for the Texas Navy. Sign up now!!

Modern Day Redneck said...

Finally, something worth my tax dollars. As far as over kill, I do not think so. Did you know that one of the drug cartels actually has a fleet of 10 fighter jets?
The bigger picture here is why our government has let this get out of hand. We, our country has been invaded and there are parts of Arizona where you enter at your own risk. The government issued signs even say so.
But who cares, it's only drugs, right?

Baby Sis said...

Bubba -

If I were 10 years younger, I'd join up! Carry on the proud Navy tradition of Daddy's! And, today being Texas Independence Day, a very welcome announcement!
Good to be back on line after 10 days of being really down and out with the crud - kept up sporadically, but a glorious Spring day to say I love you - just 'cause.

Big hugs -

Anonymous said...

I live down here in the Valley - yep, them bad boys are needed, the cartels get ornery and will pot shot at people along the border. In fact, an acquaintance of mine has a relative with acreage along the Rio Grande (Texas side), and has his herd of goats occasionally shot and killed by cartel across the border. Not for food, just for sport - they are left to rot. Border Patrol officers also report shots taken at them when drug mules are intercepted. (How about some LAW rockets with Beehive rounds! for a response).

A sad but true fact down here in Valley, its a main drug corridor.

linda m said...

It's about time. Those boats are impressive. Way to Go Texas!!!! Where do I sign up - oh yay, I'm too old. But the thought is there. Can't sit on my patio today - severe winter storm coming - 6-8 inches of heavy, wet snow. Blah!!!

johnnyb said...

About time, great to hear. No such thing as overkill here!

vlad said...

Free Texas!
It is long past time for Texas to legally secede from the United Socialist Welfare States of Amerika. We would have a significant airforce with nuclear capability, be number six oil producing nation in the world, and may then close the border and clean house by ejectng undesirables in and out of political office.



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JO said...

Good for Texas! You Rock!
What a great move, its time for someone to take charge. Let clean these creeps up.

Jacked Up Glock Mom said...

That is so awesome... I wish Senior and I could now move to Texas

Dizzy-Dick said...

I need one of these for my swamp (grin). It would be a great fishing boat for Lake Conroe or for offshore. Wouldn't have to worry about pirates.

HermitJim said...

Hey Rob...
I don't think that most folks have any idea what large amounts of dope and dirty money are smuggled across the border every day! Illegals are one thing, but the trafficers in drugs and humans is the main focus!

Dangerous job to try and fight it.

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey Momlady...
Don't think the Feds would have the nerve to try and do anything negative here. They have learned their lesson on that point in the courts!

As far as the other groups, they are welcome to try and face off with the guys in charge on the Texas border! Not a good idea!

Thanks so much for coming by today!


Hey George...
Might just be one of the best uses of the tax dollars in a long time!

Like I said, if nothing else it will get some attention!

Thanks for dropping in, my friend!


Hey Ben...
One thing they probably won't have is a shortage of volunteers for this exercise!

Small piece of cake coming up!

Thanks, buddy, for coming by this morning!


Hey MDR...
At least the boats show that some serious attempt is being made in this effort to stop the illegal trafficing at the border!

Bad-ass weapons used for a good purpose!

Thanks, my friend, for the visit today!


Hey Sis...
I was sure sorry to hear that you were under the weather! I do hope that you are feeling much better now.

Just don't overdo it and take care of yourself, OK? Call me if you need anything!

Thanks for dropping by, Sis!


Hey Anon 7:35...
Folks that haven't been there or that haven't talked to the folks that do don't realize it is basically a true war zone!

The cartels don't care who gets hurt and the hands of the folks on our side are tied to a large extent by laws and regulations that are not effective.

Maybe it's time to start fighting fire with fire!

Keep your head down and your powder dry!

Thanks for visiting the patio this morning!


Hey Linda...
Maybe you and the hubby need to start doing Winters in Texas! Going back up to the 80s today! Not bad for the 2ND of March!

Sorry to hear about the snow, but glad you could drop in for a cup!


Hey John...
I have to agree with you on that!

Finally, action and not just empty words!

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey Vlad...
I think for the most part, a lot of folks would agree with you.

No more waiting for uncle sugar to step up to the plate. Want something done right? Do it yourself!

Thanks for the visit this morning!


Hey JoJo...
Just maybe the other border states will follow our lead! That would help a lot!

I sure appreciate you coming by today, sweetie!


Hey Glock Mom...
We would be more than happy to have you! Things are not as bad here as some think, after you get away from the border!

I sure thank you for coming by today!


Hey Dizzy...
You could probably use this to hunt those frogs on your swamp! You know, just for picture taking!

Thanks, my friend, for coming by today!

BBC said...

900 hp, my my, takes some serious tax dollars to pay for that. I wouldn't mind though if they would actually shoot shit instead of bringing them in to process through the courts, costing the tax payers even more money.

It's all just a shell game for their gainful employment.

BBC said...

So I was puttering around on the sound with my bad ass 16 footer with the 40 hp on it when two sheriff deputies roared up with their speeder and did a safety check of my boat.

Most of my safety shit was outdated but they didn't ticket me, just wrote me a warning ticket while ignoring the mostly empty 30 pack of beer and the fact that I had a camping cot and was sleeping on the boat.

The assholes never even asked for my fishing license.

Gorges Smythe said...

I think it's all fine and good, but I agree with BBC, they need to USE those machine guns!