Native Burial Sites Blown up for the U.S-Mexican Border Wall
Authorities have confirmed that “controlled blasting” has begun in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument which is a Unesco recognized natural reserve. The United Nations designated the Organ Pipe as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1976 and called it “a pristine example of an intact Sonoran Desert ecosystem”. The government did not consult the Tohono O’odham Nation and many including Raul Grijalva, a Democratic congressman, called the action sacrilegious. He visited the burial sites at Organ Pipe and was told that the O’odham people buried warriors from the rival Apache tribe at that location. One area contained artifacts that dated back 10,000 years. The aim of the project is to build a 30-ft tall steel barrier that would run for 43 miles on the national parkland. Environmental groups also say that there is damage being done to the local underground aquifer, as well as the migrating wildlife in the remote desert region, which is 115 miles west of Tuscon. A report from the National Park Sevice states that the border wall proposed by the president would destroy up to 22 archeological sites within the Organ Pipe alone.
1. Should the government have to consider these burial grounds as an obstacle to building the wall since the wall is supposed to help with national security?
2. Would building the wall be effective for what President Trump claims it will do?
3. Why has the building of the wall taken so long if it was proposed in 2016?
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51449739
Building the border would be effective for keeping some illegal immigrants from coming to the U.S. but it won't fully stop all from coming to the U.S. They could illegally bribe to get through, create fake passports or papers, or other methods to be able to live the "American dream" because many people would do things to a certain degree to get their ideal life. The project took a while before it was actually started because according to CNBC, it was estimated that it would take 10,000 workers to build 1,000 miles of barrier in 11 years, estimating to cost several billion dollars. Not only would the project take several years and people, the amount of money that would be used in the money would be costly. The project in a way would be an obstacle for the U.S. government.
ReplyDeleteSource used: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/24/experts-say-trumps-border-wall-will-take-longer-than-he-claims.html
I think that the government should definitely consider the fact that that area is an international biosphere reserve. Even thought the wall does concern national security, I feel that it is worth to to preserve our past. I assume in the second question you are referring to the wall, and I think it may be partially effective towards his desires, but not fully. I think the wall might not even be built completely as it is such a massive task to complete for controversial reasons where not everyone agrees on the decision.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that the government should be allowed to destroy part of a national monument and an International Biosphere reserve just for the sake of keeping illegal immigrants out of the country. None of the 22 separate archeological sites should be interfered with at all, especially not destroyed as the wall construction would do. The environmental damage alone to the aquifers and ecosystem isn't worth it for questionable benefits.
ReplyDeleteI agree with these points, but I'd also like to bring up the other side of the argument that I heard, but I don't think this means the wall is a good thing, but it's interesting- putting the wall up in the area would help prevent people from going there to cross the border and disturbing the environment there, since the wall is harder to get across. A lot of people have rebutted the environmental impact with this, but that effect, while an interesting observation, is insignificant.
DeleteFor question 3, it costs several billion dollars and thousands of workers to build the wall.. isn't an easy process and takes lots of time to plan out & still there is lots of controversy around the idea.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is important to preserve certain parts of history like this burial ground. This should not be seen as an obstacle, it should be seen as something that needs to be protected. The environmental impact also needs to be taken into consideration since it is disrupting the wildlife in the reserve.
ReplyDeleteI think blowing up a historical site is really sad. I Thing it not only has cultural value but also historcal value as a place to learn about a nation that did not have a writing system. The problem with history is that is always favors nations with a writen record but Its still important to see empires like the inca empire or these native americans rise and fall and maybe we can learn something from them.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, blasting a historic site exemplifies how our society is straying from our roots and thus prioritizing what seems beneficial without considering the consequences. Focusing on "security" doesn't ensure it and the economic, cultural decline would also result; they are both imperative in giving citizen's a "history" or "purpose." I don't believe that building the wall would be beneficial as Trump says since it can create disputes between countries. Furthermore, the risk of angering others may have prolonged the creation of the wall.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is just to take down a historical monument just for the sake of keeping illegal immigrants out of the country. It's upsetting and petty to see it as something historical, made with a purpose, would be taken down just to keep illegal immigrants out of the country. Instead of wasting money towards the wall, it can be used for military sources and such. Problems of illegal immigrants crossing the border are going to occur time and time again, so instead of wasting money, we can use the money to better our armed forces in protecting the country rather than a wall.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that you brought up the fact that we can use our money in better ways than our wall. When this wall was announced back in 2016, I did not really think President Trump was actually going to build a wall, I thought it was more of a campaign slogan similar to his Make America Great Again catchphrase. I agree with you that an actual wall should not be built, and would be a waste of taxpayer dollars, but I believe that have more border security. The U.S does not know what these illegal immigrants intentions are towards the country, as we have had experience with terrorism in the past, so I do not think it would hurt to strengthen our borders.
DeleteTo answer your last question, the reason it's taking so long is because of the sheer distance it must cover, not to mention the extreme terrain of the southern boarder.
ReplyDelete