Don't Mess With Texas

Before Eric Holder has a chance to file a lawsuit against the State of Texas for violating the civil rights of illegal immigrants and drug cartel murderers by virtue of creating its own navy, I thought it might be fun to look at what a state can do to protect itself. That nasty-looking critter in the photo is one of four patrol vessels launched on the Rio Grande by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Instead of creating the sarcastic “moat with alligators” that Let 'Em All In Obama suggested, Texas has used the already-existing major waterway used by illegal immigrants and potential terrorists to cross into the United States from Mexico and launched gunboats instead of alligators. Called the Tactical Marine Unit, these little boats float like a butterfly and sting like a bee—a big bee. Each boat is named after a Texas State Trooper who has given his life in defense of the people of Texas.

The boats were funded by the Texas legislature and existing grants from the federal Homeland Security Department. If Janet Napolitano realizes that while she was campaigning for The One and trying to cover up the damage done by Fast and Furious, that will probably be the end of non-earmarked DHS grants to Texas. Each boat costs about $558,000. But she can't un-ring this bell.

While the Obama administration is busy painting bucolic pictures of illegal immigrants just wanting a better life, Texas has recognized reality. Just across the river in Mexico, over 50,000 people have been murdered by the drug cartels. On our side of the river, deaths are becoming commonplace, and just last week an ICE agent was killed while performing surveillance duties in Texas.

Federal agents are seriously hampered by unrealistic rules of engagement. If I know Texans at all, the rules for the officers on the new boats won't be nearly so restrictive. Say, for instance, “if you're fired upon, shoot back with intent to kill.” Imagine that! The boats will be a lot safer for their crews, and a lot deadlier for the criminals than the politically-correct transports that the feds expect their officers to patrol in. Each boat is armed with the most modern and lethal technology—ballistic shielding, night vision, and several different versions of high-rate-of-fire automatic weapons. Draw, partner!

Texas has by far the longest border with Mexico of any of the states. Most of that border is comprised of the relatively shallow and easily crossed Rio Grande. These boats have a shallow draft and each has three high-powered outboard engines to reach a point of entry very quickly. They are swift and deadly, though I wouldn't call them swift boats lest John Francois Kerry get his nose into the matter.

Smugglers, human traffickers, drug dealers and recipients of Fast and Furious weapons, beware. The Texans are on the prowl. They're madder than hell and they aren't going to take it anymore.

Note: While Arizona and New Mexico also grapple with their own dangerous immigrant problem on dry land in the face of federal opposition, California has solved the problem. Not satisfied with “sanctuary cities” like Los Angeles and San Francisco, a California legislator has introduced a bill which would make California a sanctuary state. If nothing else, that might take some of the burden off the shoulders of the other border states. Why swim, hike or otherwise sneak in at great risk when you can simply walk into a State that will welcome you with open arms and open wallets?.