Controversial border fence hot issue in Texas primary
"Environmentalists, farmers and elected officials have been complaining about the project, and allegedly heavy-handed tactics by the Bush Administration, for months. The US Department of Homeland Security has filed lawsuits aimed at expropriating land from dozens of landowners up and down the border.
Even the University of Texas at Brownsville could lose access to buildings and grounds on the other side of the fence and is facing a potential legal battle after refusing to allow authorities on campus to survey the land.
The Loop family has also refused to sign a release allowing the government to survey their farm.
Ray Loop and his brothers are fourth-generation Texas farmers, growing produce and grain on a 2,000 hectare (5,000 acre) spread along the banks of the Rio Grande.
He's prepared to leave it all behind if the fence goes up as planned, as the bulk of his land will be a dangerous swath of riverfront property on the Mexican side of the barrier.
That could make him a target of smugglers and drug traffickers, he said.
"That's just not a risk I'm willing to take," said Loop, who has three young daughters.
It's a heart-breaking scenario for his father. Leonard Loop, 70, never had the money to buy the soil his family tilled as tenant farmers, but his boys finally did a few years ago.
"Every time I think of this stupid fence going up out there and ruining this place, it just makes me sick," the elder Loop said as he looked out across his soon-to-be worthless farm"
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Who will challenge Rep. King? Dems have no reply yet
A serious Democratic challenge to veteran Republican Rep. Peter King looks like an iffy prospect at best - despite the party's hopes in other races.
When discussing their New York congressional strategy for November, the party's national operatives steer your attention elsewhere. They are looking, for example, to replace Vito Fossella, New York City's lone Republican congressman, with Democratic City Councilman Domenic Recchia (and we are promptly urged this morning to take into account the move by local Democrats to run Stephen Harrison, who for example has backing from the Staten Island Democratic Association). The national Dems plan to defend rookie upstate Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand from a challenge by Sandy Treadwell, who served as state Republican chairman under Gov. George Pataki.
But so far, no contender has emerged to take on King, 63, of Seaford, first elected to the House in 1992, who is the Long Island delegation's sole Republican.
"If a strong candidate emerged the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee would put New York's Third District on its list of top-tier races," said a well-placed party source. "It's not that there's a lack of priority." Jay Jacobs, the Nassau Democratic chairman, said two potential candidates are being considered.
King, whose campaign committee last month reported $604,240 in cash on hand, quipped that he hopes the Democrats' uncertainty will keep up. But, he added, "It's a long way to go to November. I always expect a strong candidate and a tough race. I have no problem putting my record on the line." He noted that he won by 12 points in 2006, even as Congress turned from Republican to Democratic. King's last opponent, Nassau Legis. David Mejias, has been weighing a run this fall for State Senate against Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City).
Thank God for Pete King!!!
Is there any news on a Democratic candidate for this seat? They really need to get on the ball with this, especially with potential Obama coat-tails this year.
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