Border Security

GOVERNOR IS CORRECT TO ACTIVATE HELICOPTERS

Is this getting in the face of the feds? You bet.

Perry has consistently -- and correctly -- maintained that the federal
government is ignoring the reality and severity of the drug
cartel-related violence along the border.

Maintaining border security clearly is the job of the federal
government. However, whether because they're scared, overwhelmed or
unable, the feds have assiduously avoided doing anything substantive
to bolster border security.

Oh, sure, there have been more conferences and summits and symposia
and meetings than you can count. Officials parachute in for brief
looks and then retreat to their ivory towers, whether in El Paso,
Austin or Washington. The U.S. throws money and equipment at the
problem through plans such as the Merida Initiative, and the violence
and killing just escalate.

So Perry did what he needed to do -- take matters into his own hands
and hope that the feds would at some point respond and assume their
duties.

The word "spillover" in the governor's plan is no accident. Though
federal and many local officials prefer to deny the chances of
violence spilling over the border into this country, the prospect
becomes greater every day.

Already, gunshot victims are taken to our county hospital. Our state
senator notes the presence and threat of drug-cartel gang members
living on this side of the border.

Perry spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger said, "You cannot research your
way to securing the border. What we need are additional resources, and
we need them now.

"Border security is a federal responsibility, but we cannot afford to
wait."