@Didymos Thomas,
I'm not talking about a wall. Now there are possibilities for surveillance that were unavailable a few decades ago; that could be pretty affective, coupled with periodic border patrol stations, which could react to any activities within some specific section. I realize that making the border competely secure is impossible, but it seems to me that a nation should at least make an attempt to ascertain, not necessarily regulate, border traffic. That's all. Ignoring the terrorist threat (which dosen't concern me much...just the price of a free society, which I'm willing to accept), illegal immigration causes enormous problems. As I'm sure you know D.T. illegal aliens absorb a huge amount of state welfare (meaning any sort of social program, especially medical care). I'm opposed to be that in general as you well know, but either way, whether in reality or my ideal world, most illegal aliens are not paying taxes while enjoying services, whatever those are. I call that injustice and think everything within reason (i.e. not turning the Rio Grande into a burning oil slick) should be done to prevent it. Now, ignoring the immigration issue, there's alot of violence 'spilling across the border' from the Mexican narco-state. Border patrol agents are being shot at on a regular basis, both by smugglers and mexican police/military! As an American, I find that pretty outrageous. Of course, the obvious solution is to end the 'War on Drugs', but until that happens (..not holding my breath), it seems wise to give the border patrol better equipment, more manpower and more freedom of action; current rules prevent them from engaging, e.g., a smuggler driving across the border guns a'blazin. They're hardly able to defend themselves.
I think we'll just have to agree to diagree. I think that border security is an essential component of sovereignty, and one of the few actual responsiblities of the federal government.