This aired last night on KOB-TV Albuquerque, analyzing the crisis New Mexico ranchers are facing in Hidalgo County. Many of their properties are right up against the international border with Mexico. I know one of the families in the video as I have sold cattle to them and have ridden their property numerous times.
The response from our new Leftwing “bug-eyed” governor is outrageous. From KOB TV:
New Mexico ranchers frustrated with situation along U.S.-Mexico border
Frankly, if Ranch Rescue hadn’t been dragged through the ringer, I’d be in the Antelope Wells area with my M4 offering to help those ranchers right effing now. I would love to organize or join a civilian defense force to help secure the border. What is the Second Amendment all about, anyhoo?
My ranch is “near” the border, but a little off the beaten path. Illegals “might” come across my property, but it’s unlikely. At best a lost straggler would try to cross my land. I’m out patrolling my perimeter at least several times a week.
The gentleman in the video is correct: the people in Santa Fe are far from the border and don’t see a crisis. I’ll add: THEY DON’T WANT TO. The dirty little secret is that a few ranchers are expendable if it means droves of future Democrat voters. That’s why the entire border area of the US is turning blue. Those illegals immediately join the Free Shit Army and guess which party cultivates their patronage?
People who live in the city or middle of the country don’t know what it’s like to come across evidence someone has been on your land. Are they hanging around to murder you and your family or at least break in? Did they inform all their friends and relatives that they discovered a new route into the US? Are you going to run across an armed smuggler or something? If you off that individual are you going to jail even if it’s a good shoot? If you do shoot somebody are the rest of the cartel’s thugs going to murder you in a very unpleasant way?
There is a crisis at the border and we are going to be left to our own defense like the farmers being slaughtered in South Africa.
I’d rather stand and fight, but if it comes to it I may sell the ranch and move, especially if we’re not going to get any support.
That governor said it all in the first sentence of her press release when she said “The President”. It isn’t about protecting the citizens of her state, to her it is about bucking President Trump. If he had said no wall is needed then she would be all over the news declaring a crisis at the border.
It’s so sad, but I have heard other ranchers say this aswell. I call Phoenix my home, but the problems in Tucson are very real. The AZ response has been formation of the AZBR (Border recon). Maybe New Mexico needs to do a similar thing?
The border line belligerent response from the Governors office is very telling. If it is not blatantly apparent that that Grisham and her cronies are only concerned about their agendas, then I do not know what it is that is going to wake people up. That is IF there is actually anything that could be done.
The swiftness of things happening is also very telling, at least to me, that they will accomplish there goals at all cost.
Peoples lives are at stake (and not just at the border) and they have made it abundantly clear, even if not in plain English, that they don’t care. Sanctuary state anyone?
I am saddened more and more about what is happening in this state. There is a lot to love here. But, times are changing and I fear that this is only the first steps on a long hard road.
I have about a year to figure things out, but it is looking more and more like leaving is going to be the only option long term.
I’m with ya there. Money is the only thing holding me back. Do I sell the ranch and try to pick up and start over in Texas? I’m not rich enough to retire. It’s a hard thing to have to consider an exodus to parts unknown.
Keep in mind these rural ranchers are just ordinary people trying to scratch out a living in a hard environment. Some of these ranches are multi-generational and they are not wealthy at all, nor are they hard-core tactical types with AK’s or AR’s.
I interact with them since we are all members of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, and we have yearly meetings. Some of these cattle operations are husband and wife teams and they can’t even both leave home at the same time, requiring one person to remain and protect the home place from Mexican looters. Vacation is out of the question.
I feel your pain Doc. I have history here. I was born here and raised my family here. Although my family history does not go back as far as OH’s does, my family has been here for a long time. Makes things even more complicated in the decision making process. I get a chuckle out of folks that scream “JUST MOVE!” Always easier to say it then it is to do it.
Problem is where? The “blue winds of change” seem to be affecting every state, albeit some only in infancy, but it is still there.
Info just to add perspective to the current government mindset in NM;
The sheriff needs to take the Governor out to those barricades one night and tell her to go talk to the Mexicans. Bought and paid for. Advocate for the Dem party at all costs.
People who live in DC or anywhere else have no clue of what goes down on the border.
We have a military academy in Roswell, New Mexico which was founded in 1891. In March of 1916 following the Villa raid at Columbus, NM on the border, that school sent a platoon of 4 motorcycles with machine guns mounted on the sidecars, manned by student cadets. New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) joined the New Mexico National Guard in defending the border. I give lectures to ROTC cadets at this school about my Army history. Here’s a vintage image of these cadets from NMMI. FYI those are M1895 Colt-Browning Machine Guns:
You should update the Wiki Page on that. It really doesn’t discuss that aspect. They mention one machinegun kept under lock by two soldiers. Then later it says something about 4 machineguns. I did find this link to the motorcycles though.
Down at New Mexico Military Institute there’s a photo hanging on the wall of the ROTC building (Dow Hall) that shows all 4 motorcycles with Machine guns on the side-cars. It’s pretty much history in New Mexico if you talk to anyone who knows about the Villa raid from 1916. A retired Army Sergeant and instructor at the school went with the cadets to Columbus, NM, actually beating Gen. Pershing there.
I don’t know that I’ve ever heard that story before. My father used to ride a Harley in the Military and a short while in local PD. They didn’t let him mount a machine gun though.
I used to go to Judo matches at NMMI. To be honest, I wish I could have gone to school there.
Yeah, but to where? I have a similar dilemma here in Austin. Been chewing on it for several years now and haven’t answered it yet. I’d hate to go back north, but TN is sort of nudging me.
It’s a good military school based on a Cavalry Regiment organization. At first it was originated to train cavalry officers. It has a 1000 cadet student body with 4 years of high school, and a 2 year Junior College. They have the Early Commissioning Program which is an Army fast track program for new 2LT’s. Their Regiment is set up with 3 Cavalry Squadrons and 5 Cavalry Troops per Squadron. 1st Squadron has the Headquarters and Headquarters troop plus regimental band. The place is commanded by a retired Army Major General and the Commandant is a retired LTC from West Point.
All High School cadets must be in JROTC and the 2 year college senior contracted ROTC is optional. Some of the famous people who attended there were Conrad Hilton of the Hilton Hotels, Roger Staubach of the Cowboys before the Naval Academy and actor Owen Wilson. The rumor is Wilson was a real little prick while there. Beautiful campus, but a very hard and controlled lifestyle with an emphasis on educational and physical excellence:
Austin may very well be the down fall of Texas. Especially when you throw DFW and Houston in the mix demographically. I have great concerns for Texas long term.
As to where? I don’t know. A lot of the more conservative states seem to be getting influenced by left leaning politics making the thought of uprooting an entire life of building something a little less appealing if in 10 years it’s time to make the decision again. Wyoming checks A LOT of boxes for me, but winter is becoming less and less my friend and we all know what winter is like in Wyoming.
I am admittedly 50/50 split right now on go or stay and fight. Time will tell I guess. But, the current elected officials here, and their attitude towards folks like these ranchers (and the populace in general) make it very hard to want to stay. It’s disgusting really.
I sincerely wish you the best of luck in your decisions as these things are rarely as easy it seems.
If you mean politically… you guys are in the short game. You are in the express lane and next in line.
FL is more viable than TX to hold Red. Once either is captured it’s game over but there is no long term for TX or FL.
The USA is transitioning to a one party Democracy. Rather quickly actually. The long game will be how the Dem Party divides out after complete control and if a representative Republic will continue to stand.
I don’t see anything good happening to TX.
Wyoming and Idaho are very appealing to me also, but it is the winters keeping from being there full time. I visit there as much as I can.