Zaphod, thanks for the info. I understand everyone's concern here about this issue. Being half mexican I feel that I have to play devil's advocate and question some of the stereotypical responses here.

Yes, mexico is a very dirty place. Growing up in AZ, I spent many summers with relatives in Nogales, AZ and Sonora. I have seen firsthand the quality of their vehicles and the trash everywhere. What bothers me is the general attitude of americans toward mexicans. In the US, all mexicans are lumped into one stereotype: dirty, lazy, criminals. Even my dad, the mexican, used to call any quick and easy way of doing things "the mexican way." They are not all like this. Most of the mexicans here are just trying to better their life and are hard workers.

Now, in regards to national security, this is awful. It is now so much easier for some terrorist group to infiltrate the US with whatever they want. Before this, my view on a dirty or small yield explosive getting into the US undetected seemed pretty unlikey. Now, I'm not so sure. The "Jericho" type senarios seem a lot less far fetched.

PS-apc, any self-respecting mexican would not eat a "heat-and-eat" burrito (at least I hope not.)

[edit on 30-8-2007 by scooler1]

I have a 2 part question regarding all of this.

1. Who handles inspection for this port? American or Mexican inspectors?

and

2. If it is the Mexican inspectors, does it make the U.S. more vulnerable to drug trafficing and other illegal activities?


Thanks,
Xia

The reason for the general attitude of Americans toward Mexicans as being dirty and lazy is because it's true. If they weren't lazy they'd fix their own country and quit messing ours up. I've been in the construction industry for years and the illegal immigrants have completely destroyed it.

As far as the truckers go, they CAN stop the Mexican trucks from crossing, simply block the roads coming in. Make it a national story so the mainstream media has to address it. I'm pretty sure they'd get help from other American Citizens. I'd help, we just need a spark.

Maybe this would be the catalyst for getting our nation back and kicking the illegal scum and the political scum out.

Coupla questions:

Is this agreement reciprocal? I.e., will US truckers have full access to Mexican roads?

Irt striking, I remember hundreds of trucks pulled over alongside Rt. 80 in PA in the 70's, protesting the 55 mph speed limit. What has changed?

Enter the Conspiracy Theorist, Stage Left

You know, with all the talk lately of some big domestic tragedy and terror treats, etc., I find it interesting that we are now letting a whole bunch of foreign freight vehicles into the country. What type of security will be placed on these trucks? Are they going to scan all of the cargo? Cuz if I was somebody that was interested in getting a big bomb or something into the country, I would go stash it on a 18-wheeler in Mexico and have it drive across the border.

I have to say that I am very much against this. Mexico and Canada have less strict regulations for truck drivers than the U.S. does. I work in the tractor-trailer repair industry, and I know alot of truck drivers, ranging from Ltl carriers to long-haul carriers. I deal with some of the biggest trucking companies on the road. I'm going to talk more to some of the drivers I know about this and see what we can do about raising awareness to this issue.

We had a group of mexicans buy a tractor and trailer from another repair shop nearby once. That shop sold the combo as is, stating that it did not comply with DOT standards, and should not be taken on the highways. They then brought it over to our shop and asked for nothing other than to get the lights fixed. As I worked on the lights I found that there was multiple DOT violations, and when I asked if they wanted this stuff repaired, in very broken english I was told, no, that they just wanted to get it across the border. I live in Green Bay, WI. That's not a short drive. This is the kind of crap they are going to put on our highways.

Our families and friends have to travel the highways everyday, do we want them next to, or behind these vehicles? I certainly don't! Trucking is the backbone of our country, and if accidents caused by mexican truckers cause stiffer regulations on American truckers, that will not only hurt the drivers, and the companies they work for, it will hurt every one of us as well.

Not only that, but I hear alot of people bashing drivers. This will make that worse too. I defend our drivers, and remind people that if it weren't for truck drivers, they wouldn't have the clothes on their backs, or the plasma tv's they spend their time in front of.

Either they get the same tough regulations that we have, or they get off our roads.

Originally posted by damajikninja
Cuz if I was somebody that was interested in getting a big bomb or something into the country, I would go stash it on a 18-wheeler in Mexico and have it drive across the border.

Especially since this isnt being sensationalized in the mainstream media. Then whoever does it can think to themselves, "We gave them warning, no one ran with it though..hahaha silly americans. pfft." This story needs more attention to it thus something can be done about it IMO.

I stand by the american truckers. You don't pull the rug out from under someone who has played by the rules. Will congress speak for them or stand idly by?


Take care. ------------------PC

Originally posted by cw0203
The reason for the general attitude of Americans toward Mexicans as being dirty and lazy is because it's true. If they weren't lazy they'd fix their own country and quit messing ours up. I've been in the construction industry for years and the illegal immigrants have completely destroyed it.

Wait a minute!!??? Whoa, whoa, whoa.. While I am one of the biggest proponents of securing our national borders, I have to say something about your comment.

You say that Hispanics are lazy. Really? What do you really base this on?

[edit on 30-8-2007 by SpeakerofTruth]

Originally posted by logicize
This is not a problem with people or their nationality, its about US government law, and the lack of enforcement. It's also about this never ending push for the North American Union, which I have yet to hear of anyone who supports it.

I am in support of the NAU, and even a one world government. Its automatically assumed as a bad thing, instead of looking and seeing how it could bring us together under one flag. We are all humans beings, I hope someday we will treat each other as such.

Originally posted by cw0203
The reason for the general attitude of Americans toward Mexicans as being dirty and lazy is because it's true. If they weren't lazy they'd fix their own country and quit messing ours up. I've been in the construction industry for years and the illegal immigrants have completely destroyed it.

I work at one of the Ashley Furniture factories. They are very fast paced jobs. Probably a quarter of the employees are mexican and my god do they work hard. I have never heard them complain, they are whistling and joking while working. I have found the experience working with them to be quite pleasant and eye opening to my own attitude at work.