Surveillance of the Surveillers

Although the NSA probably already knows it, from monitoring my emails, I haven't told you about my assignment for today, if I choose to accept it. (Since the assignment did not come on a self-destructive recording, but in an email, I have time to consider it and the mission is not impossible.) The Park Archaeologist needs photos of the housing units built for the Border Patrol agents who live around the corner from our apartment.

The Archaeologist does not usually monitor such recent human habitations as housing units constructed only a year or so ago. But whenever changes to any structure are proposed anywhere in the Park, the Archaeologist needs to weigh-in with an opinion.

It seems that the Border Patrol wants to replace the rather attractive cedar board fences, already in place, with some kind of steel wire-mesh and rock enclosures. Apparently the BP housing units at Presidio, Texas, have already been re-fenced. I suppose that in a hot-spot like the Ojinaga, Mexico - Presidio, Texas crossing, there might be a possibility of shots being fired at BP residences, but truth be told, BP agents here seem to have to invent ways to keep busy.

A BP agent did die here in the Park a year or so ago, but his death was caused from a fall into an arroyo when he was carrying equipment for monitoring that caused him to lose his balance. In other words, while he did die in the line of duty, it was more of an industrial accident than one would expect from being in harm's way.

So before we take off to appear like we are just going to work at the Visitor Center, I'll snap a few clandestine pics of Homeland Security buildings. My hunch is that the Archaeologist will make his recommendations based upon his aesthetic sensitivities rather than any sense that our neighbors need additional protection.

Unless there have been instances of BP housing units coming under fire, my best hunch is that this is one more piece of evidence that the Department of Homeland Security has several pork barrels of money they do not know what to do with. I have a suggestion: there are folks who could use some help with re-financing their homes due to Federal and other malfeasance long before we need to spend any money on re-fencing remotely located houses.

I'll let you know if I get one of those letters telling me to cease and desist this kind of cyber-chatter. No, wait, if I get one of those letters, I'll be prohibited from letting anyone know, yikes!