Episode 49: The Watchers on the Wall (458 Days)
If you’re new to this podcast, this is a great episode to start with! Shawn Moran and Thane Gallagher kick off the show with the social media recap and our remembrance of Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega, Jr. They then start discussing the LA Times story on the Border Patrol’s use of tasers, followed by the boycott of Quentin Tarantino. After the break there is a quick update on the swap program and Local 1613’s newsletter. Shawn and Thane wrap up this episode talking about health insurance open season, flex spending accounts, and a new book by Brian Terry’s sister available here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1518734839/ref=cm_sw_su_dp
All proceeds from the book will benefit the Brian Terry Foundation.
451 Days
This week the show broadcasts from Detroit, MI and joining Thane and Shawn are Chris Cabrera and Jason Anderson from Local 2499.
The swap program is moving forward and the latest update on the program is available in this episode. The retirement of Chief Fisher is discussed, along with the latest incidence of Border Patrol suicides.
Shawn and Thane talk with Jason Anderson about the realities of the northern border and the law enforcement relationships that exist.
No trip to Detroit would be complete without at least a mention of Mark Hall. All that and much more in this episode!
437 Days, Nothing but Rhetoric
437 days since Border patrol Agent Javier Vega was murdered and CBP has yet to recognize his death as line of duty. FedSmith.com reports on the lack of a COLA adjustment this year and the increase in premiums for health insurance plans. Secretary Johnson wants the “rhetoric” on immigration toned down, just like they have done to enforcement.
CBP takes credit for less use of force incidents in the past year, Shawn Moran and Thane Gallagher break down what it all really means.
Want a Green Line patch? Email us your address at thegreenline@bpunion.org and we will send you one. In exchange please leave a review at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-green-line/id922305708?mt=2
[0:00] Border Patrol Foundation Commercial
[1:10] Intro
[1:32] COLA Story from FedSmith.com
[3:01] Health Insurance Premiums Going Up
[4:10] Thane Gallagher Enters
[8:05] Jeh Johnson wants to tone down the rhetoric
[13:00] VLC on Workplace Violence
RHETORIC!
[17:00] CBP’s new Use of Force Numbers
MORE RHETORIC!
[19:57] Commercial Break
[21:26] Thane’s Specialty Units
[25:40] Success=Failure in the Border Patrol
[36:50] Social Media Recap
[39:18] Thanks for the great feedback on the Senator McCain episode
[41:30] Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega’s murder still not a LODD
[42:20] Upcoming guests
[42:52] Outro
[44:11] Disclaimer
[44:31] BPUDN
[44:37] Commercial
[45:42] End
Senator John McCain
The Green Line is honored to welcome Senator John McCain (R-AZ) to the show to discuss border issues, both national and those pertaining to Arizona. Senator McCain agrees to help fight for the murder of Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega, Jr. to be classified as a line of duty death. Senator McCain speaks with great respect for those who are out patrolling this nation’s borders. This is one episode you will not want to miss.
Leave a message on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-green-line/id922305708?mt=2
[0:00] Border Patrol Foundation Commercial
[1:24] Quick Intro
[2:22] Interview with Senator John McCain
[10:05] McCain Commits to Helping Classify BPA Javier Vega, Jr.’s murder as LODD
[13:50] University of Arizona v. Arizona State University
[16:33] Shawn and Thane discuss the interview
[19:48] Social Media Update – If you want a patch email us thegreenline@bpunion.org
[23:46] Check out behind the scenes photos and more at nbpcgreenline.tumblr.com
[24:49] Shawn and Thane post a selfie from the recording of the episode
[26:05] Remembering SDPD Chief, SD Sheriff, and SD POA President Bill Kolender
[27:52] Mandatory Back In The Day Mention
[28:52] No updates on swaps yet
[29:24] 430 Days since Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega’s Murder
[30:25] Commissioner Kerlikowske ignoring our interview requests
[32:19] Commercial Break
[34:43] Back from break
[35:25] Brian Terry Murder Trial
[39:55] Wrap-up
[42:21] Outro/Disclaimer/Commercial
423 Days and CBP Doesn’t Care
Our apologies to Dan Dolan, whose interview got jacked up. This week Shawn Moran and Thane Gallagher discuss the finalized OPM regulations on the Border Patrol Pay Reform Act and the actions the NBPC will take. They also get into a lengthy and deep discussion on the Pope’s visit to the US. The Federal Employees Viewpoint Survey nearly gives Shawn a stroke as DHS’s logic does not compute. They continue to discuss the numbers of unaccompanied children streaming across the border, the Brian Terry trial, and Thane’s eternal battle with the ACLU.
Show notes and times will be posted later.
One Year Anniversary Show (416 Days…we haven’t forgotten, CBP)
One year of The Green Line! Thanks to all our listeners who have made this possible. The second year is underway and it will be epic!
It’s been 416 days since the murder of Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega, Jr. and still CBP refuses to classify it as a line of duty death.
Shawn Moran and Thane Gallagher talk about the rise in apprehensions of families and juveniles in SW border sectors? Is anyone really surprised? The NBPC warned of this last year but as usual CBP downplays the issue with some fuzzy math. TSA officers are trying to get recognized for Public Safety Officer Benefits and Thane and Shawn have their opinions on it. They also look back at some of the highlights from the past year of episodes.
Leave a message on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-green-line/id922305708?mt=2
[0:00] Border Patrol Foundation promo
[1:10] Intro
[1:32] 416 days since murder of Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega, Jr. and still no LODD classification
[3:45] Social media recap
[4:22] DTAC cell extraction training
[4:51] Processing area safety issues
[7:50] Thane’s business cards
[8:29] Want a patch? Email thegreenline@bpunion.org
[9:32] TSA officers petitioning for PSOB recognition
[13:56] Spill-over violence along US-Mexico border
[16:33] Rise in apprehensions in RGV, Big Bend and Yuma
[20:41] Commercial break
[21:55] Back from commercial break
[22:36] Thane blanks out
[23:03] One year anniversary of The Green Line
[28:20] Upcoming episode ideas
[33:01] Changes to podcast
[35:20] Loss of K9 in Sault Saint Marie
[36:01] Closing credits
[36:41] Outro
[37:07] Commercial
409 Days
Shawn Moran and Thane Gallagher start off this week with the social media recap and talk about the recent ATV safety stand down. Shawn believes there may be ulterior motives due to the effectiveness of ATV units.
Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega, Jr. was murdered 409 days ago and still no LODD classification. Where is the Commissioner on this issue?
Thane discusses the debacle that a routine smuggling case turned into last week…all for a voluntary return to Mexico.
Towards the end of the show Shawn and Thane get distracted talking about radio listening habits of agents and the lengths agents would go to to keep their sanity while sitting on an “X.”
All that and more on this week’s episode of The Green Line.
[0:00] Intro
[1:20] Social Media Review
[3:25] Thane’s MagLite Warning
[4:30] ATV Safety Stand Down and Possible Conspiracy Theories
[9:09] 409 Days Since the Murder of BPA Javier Vega, Jr. and No LODD Designation
[10:31] Commissioner Kerlikowske Still Has Not Responded to Interview Request
[13:05] Trial for Murderer of BPA Brian Terry Starts on Sept. 22nd
[16:45] Commercial Break
[17:59] Darby’s Man Card Canceled for Listening to Bananarama
[18:45] Thane’s Voluntary Return Debacle
[23:39] Data Integrity Specialists?!?
[24:51] Random Call From Alaska
[24:58] Correction that Darby Played Cyndi Lauper not Bananarama
[26:40] Shawn Being Deposed in Civil Suit
[28:39] Upcoming changes to the podcast
[29:22] Thane’s Airplane Analogy
[32:20] Thanks to the NBP legal Division and especially Christina Ramirez
[32:47] BP Agent on Coast to Coast AM
[33:16] DETOUR ALERT: Shawn and Thane go way off-script to talk about field shenanigans from “back in the day.”
[37:30] Thane imitates a doorbell
[40:43] Show brought back onto the tracks
[40:51] Wrap-up
[40:56] Distracted by old school social media platforms
[42:30] Disclaimer
402 Days
Shawn Moran and Thane Gallagher start the show but Thane is lacking that fire. He finds it quickly when they discuss the continued failure of CBP to qualify Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega’s murder as a line of duty death. Commissioner Kerlikowske still has not responded to an interview request from the show. Shawn and Thane also discuss the latest developments in the Operation Fast & Furious debacle, the murder of Deputy Goforth in Texas, and the changes that are coming to the podcast.
Leave a message and rating on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-green-line/id922305708?mt=2
Leave a voicemail by calling 855-278-6466 ext 820.
[0:00] Intro
[0:26] Thane’s lackluster opening
[0:45] CBP has yet to classify Javier Vega’s death as line of duty
[4:06] DOJ trying to exclude the mention of Operation Fast & Furious from prosecution of suspects
[8:35] Deputy Goforth and his son
[10:05] People celebrating the murder of law enforcement officers
[11:22] Thane’s thoughts on checkpoint videos
[14:00] Commercial Break
[15:12] Social media update 4.5 stars on iTunes
[22:40] Shawn and Thane talk about “back in the day”
[24:30] Nogales Station Not-So-Open House
[27:37] Changes coming to the podcast
[32:32] Technology changes coming to some BP stations
[34:57] Wrap-up
[35:42] Disclaimer
[36:08] Commercial Break
395 Days
Shawn Moran and Thane Gallagher discuss the weekend’s pay malfunction, problems agents are seeing when applying for the Nationwide Swap Program, and the lawsuit filed by Kate Steinle’s parents. All this and more in the latest episode of The Green Line.
[1:30] Social media recap
[3:14] Pay problems over the weekend
[5:20] Kate Steinle’s parents file lawsuit
[8:39] Border Patrol accused of destroying video evidence of detention center mistreatment
[14:12] Commercial Break
[15:25] Problems with applying for Nationwide Swap program
[19:41] Operation Gatekeeper Contests
[20:44] Invitation for Commissioner Kerlikowske to appear on the podcast
[23:03] Thane gets a text message
[24:25] Update on the Lake Charles Border Patrol agents being investigated
[25:10] ISIS handling Border Patrol cell phones
[26:26] Thane’s Valley Girl impression of the ISIS rep
[29:48] Officer safety reminder
[34:12] Wrap-up
Best of The Green Line Volume I
This ‘Best Of” episode was edited from a marathon episode at AFGE’s 40th convention in Orlando, FL. It focuses on ICE ordering Border Patrol agents to release illegal aliens in Big Bend Sector and on the murder of Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega, Jr. in the Rio Grande Valley. Joining Shawn Moran and Thane Gallagher to discuss these issues are Brandon Judd, Paul Perez, Dan Benavidez, and Lee Smith.