What is your opinion of Along Mexican border, US ranchers say they live in fear Despite government assurances that they’re safe, they say the level of violence is rising ?
FALFURRIAS, Texas — While walking along a dirt road bordering his property, a South Texas farmer complained about living in fear of Mexican traffickers smuggling drugs and illegal immigrants across his land. He would later ask his visitor not to reveal his identity, for his safety and that of his family."I’m a citizen of the United States. This is supposedly sovereign soil, but right now it’s anybody’s who happens to be crossing here," he said. "I’m a little nervous being here right now. Definitely don’t come down here after dark."
The farmer said a federal law enforcement agent told him to buy a bulletproof vest to use while working in his fields. Whenever he goes out to survey his agricultural operations, he always tells his office where he is headed, and he has purchased a high-powered rifle.
"One of the basic points of the federal government is to protect the people of this nation to secure the border, and they’re not doing that," he complained.
Story: Cartels using Ariz. mountaintops to spy on cops
The Obama administration and many local officials have said the U.S.-Mexican border is safer than ever and that reports of violence on the American side are wildly exaggerated. But the farmer scoffed at that argument. "I walk this soil every day and have since I was old enough to come out on my own," he said. "In this part of Texas, it is worse than it’s ever been."
Moving families to safer ground
A report recently released by the Texas commissioner of agriculture said cross-border violence was escalating. "Fear and anxiety levels among Texas farmers and ranchers have grown enormously during the past two years," the report said, adding that some “have even abandoned their livelihoods to move their families to safer ground."
Retired U.S. Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey, who served as the U.S. drug czar during the Clinton administration and as an NBC News military analyst, is a co-author of the report. During a recent interview, McCaffrey said that while major cities along the Texas border are "pretty safe," the rural areas between towns are "largely unprotected, and across those areas the (Mexican) cartels are conducting massive movements of illegal drugs and other criminal activity."
read more @ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45440385/ns/nightly_news/
You know, I am a US citizen living in Mexico. I moved here last year from Phoenix, AZ. I am here to tell you that it is safer living in Mexico than it is in Phoenix. The border cities are beyond dangerous.
I do live in a border city in Mexico but it’s kind of the exception to the rule. It’s no more dangerous than your average US city. But cities like Juarez, Tijuana and the US bordering cities are simply dangerous. The US govt doesn’t care, they pretend it’s fine, they lie to citizens, but when you live there and see it day after day you realize just how bad it is.