BORDER SECURITY REQUIRES ACTION -- NOT JUST WORDS FROM WASHINGTON

With all due respect, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet
Napolitano is totally out of touch when it comes to Mexican drug cartels.

On Monday, she visited El Paso and issued this overdue threat: "Don't
even think about bringing your violence and tactics across this border."

Madame Secretary, I regret to inform you, the violent Mexican drug
cartels are already here!

They're occupying our land, stealing our property and harming our
citizens -- and U.S. border states have been warning you about this
since you've been in office.

The fact that a former border state governor and current U.S.
secretary of Homeland Security is not aware of this is disconcerting,
to put it mildly.

Is the distance between our southern border and Washington so far that
our nation's homeland security eyes can't see this clear and present
danger?

In the coming weeks, I will compile and publicize tangible evidence of
the fast-moving invasion that is charging northward across the Rio
Grande.

Unfortunately, I've learned firsthand that our farmers, ranchers and
agri-businesses on the Texas border feel Washington, D.C. has left
them in a deep hole without a rope.

Our ranchers are coming face to face with armed Mexican drug runners,
our border towns are being blasted by bullets, and Texans who work for
our water districts, which supply agriculture and cities with its very
lifeblood from the Rio Grande, are being attacked by criminals
crossing the border.

Texans are tired of hearing long speeches that are heavy on sound
bites, but light on action. It is time we do something to protect the
safety and security of our citizens.

Texas and other border states are on the front lines in a war to
protect the sovereignty of our country. As Texans, we have stood tall
against oppression in the past, and it appears we will have to do so
again if Washington, D.C. will not defend us.

Our brave Texas state troopers, courageous Texas Rangers and dedicated
local law enforcement are doing their part, but this is a national
crisis.

We need our federal government to stand beside us and face down this
enemy with all available resources so that we can ensure the safety
and sanctity of Texas families living on the border.

No American should be driven from his or her home or land by
terrorists such as these drug cartels.

Madame Secretary, I invite you to join me on the border to talk with
Texas families who already are under constant threat of violence. As
you will hear directly from them, the drug cartels aren't cowering on
the other side of the border; these ruthless thugs are already in our
backyards, which means they are in the backyard of America and
challenging the very sovereignty of our United States.

In the mean time, stay tuned for documented evidence of the
often-overlooked war that is under way.

Todd Staples is Texas Commissioner of Agriculture.