On the recordSeptember 20, 2011
At a border forum in Brownsville, Texas, yesterday, Special Ranger Roland Garcia for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association testified about the results of the porous and unsecure border and how it affects ranchers. He said the drug cartels are a fearsome enemy. ``They intimidate landholders and instill terror in them--then fear follows.'' The landholders are fearful to report cross-border activity because of the silent threat of reprisal and retaliation. The landholders feel that the government cannot protect them, their land, or their cattle. Texas ranchers fear that they may be targets of kidnappings for ransom. They have received death threats if they report illegal activity to law enforcement. Ranger Garcia is concerned that landholders will start self-policing, in other words, organize and deal with the cartel intruders themselves--old west style. This testimony is yet more alarming evidence that the invasion of our borders by the cartels is a real national security threat to the people who live near our border. And that's just the way it is. ____________________
