Janet Napolitano on Cartels and the Drug War

Janet Napolitano, the Homeland Security Secretary, addressed the University of Texas on Monday, where she had a message for the Mexican Drug Cartels, “Don’t even think about bringing your violence and tactics across this border. You will be met by an overwhelming response. And we’re going to continue to work with our partners in Mexico to dismantle and defeat you.”

According to an article from the Examiner which you should most definitely read, this message is too little, too late.  “Of course, the cartels already have a very strong and violent presence in this country…According to the FBI, Mexican drug cartels now distribute drugs in 2,500 U.S. cities and towns. ”They continue on with a detailed list of incidents where violence spilled over the border, including one on December of last year where Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was shot in the back by an AK-47 while patrolling the border.This is an increasingly important topic, and you owe it to your self to read up on it.  For example, it is estimated that cartels produce 30 tons of marijuana in U.S. National Parks.  For more information, read the Examiners full article, and check out our interview with Sylvia Longmire, and our post on drug war.