Texas went on alert for the first time in modern history, in reaction to violence just across the border between the Mexican military and the Mexican drug cartels.

TX Senator Dan Patrick:

“Mexico is on the verge of civil war.”

“Yesterday, the drug cartel used bazookas to take on police in Reynosa.”

“If the Federal government doesn’t protect the border, Texas will.”

This reporter is a dork: “umm . . .” (Imagine my surprise.) He keeps playing with his cool big-screen widget, minimizing everything controversial, and sticking to the same stupid question even after it’s answered.

“The United States army is to accept immigrants with temporary US visas, for the first time since the Vietnam war, according to the New York Times. Until now immigrants have had to have permanent residency – a ‘green card’ – in order to qualify for the services. . . .

‘The American army finds itself in a lot of different countries where cultural awareness is critical,’ said Lt-Gen Benjamin C Freakley, the top recruitment officer for the army. ‘There will be some very talented folks in this group,’ he told the New York Times. ‘The army will gain in its strength in human capital, and the immigrants will gain their citizenship and get on a ramp to the American dream.’ . . .

The programme will be limited to 1,000 enlistees in its first year, but if successful could be spread to other services and expanded. It could eventually provide the army with one in six of its recruits, the Times said. . . .

The Times said there appeared to be some opposition from officers and veterans, who expressed concern that some foreigners might have divided loyalties or be terrorists seeking to infiltrate the US armed services.” (Read more from news.bbc.co.uk)

“An Arizona man who has waged a 10-year campaign to stop a flood of illegal immigrants from crossing his property is being sued by 16 Mexican nationals who accuse him of conspiring to violate their civil rights when he stopped them at gunpoint on his ranch on the U.S.-Mexico border.” (Read more from washingtontimes.com)