I would certainly agree that "[a]n $11 billion showpiece isn't wise." But I remain unconvinced that a fence, properly built, could not be effective. And I believe that majority opinion in the US ought to inform our national policies, of any sort whatever; and since the majority supports the building of a fence, according to all the polls I have seen, we should have a fence.

This begs the question: Why are so many Mexican citizens "desperate"? Answer: The Mexican economic tradition does not seem congenial--for some inexplicable reason or combination of reasons--to the creation of a robust economy; and it has demonstrated this fact over a period of centuries, far antedating NAFTA. So why should it be the responsibility of the US to address this glaring deficiency on the part of Mexico?

I would be in favor of our positioning the Border Patrol near the border fence, in many (constantly, but not predictably) rotating places. And I would also favor our placing razor wire atop the fences (yes, plural; as I mentioned previously, I would like to see a double fence). Those who might wish to compare such an edifice to the infamous Berlin Wall are, of course, free to do so. But sensible people should be easily able to discern the difference between a structure that was intended to keep local citizens in (in order to avoid a "brain drain") and one that is intended to keep intruders out.