Response to "State of the State"

In Patrick's editorial "State of the State," he presents the issue of Texas' relationship with Mexico, the issues (past and present) between the two, and how currently violence is paired with these issues. Patrick began with a strong introduction by clearly stating the issue he is examining: Has Texas done anything about the issues with Mexico or did Texas just let them go on until the point where violence is involved and we "have" to deal with the issues. However, I am quite confused by the statement of how "Many Texas musicians wrote songs of border towns and enjoying the Mexican lifestyle it provided." I think he was trying to provide an example of how at times Texas and Mexico have been cordial, but I feel it failed to make that point.

He goes on to explain the Mexican drug cartels and how they are affecting Texas border towns. He first presents the main cartels, and I feel this information would be better represented after his explanation of how the cartels are affecting Texas border towns.

I agree with Patrick that the threat of Mexican drug cartels to Texas border towns is very real and scary, and that something should be done about it by Texas government as well as by National government. However, I feel he is exaggerating a little too much when he says that "we may all soon be a third world country" if we don't get a strong military response to the borders. He also mentions that he believes the threat of Mexican drug cartels will spread further north, and after reading I am left wondering if there has been any incidents that have happened farther north than border towns?

Overall, Patrick makes a strong point by providing relevant examples.