In Mexico it makes sense - they have more money and resources than any Mexican state government and they have a chance at controlling the situation politically as well.
Taking on the US government brings it to an entirely different level.
While this President may be a ditherer, if they act they would be guaranteeing that the next President wouldn't be.
While this President may be a ditherer, if they act they would be guaranteeing that the next President wouldn't be.
Not necessarily. Remember, Obama promised "up to" 1200 National Guard troops around a month ago. Since then, that figure has been changed downward, and there's no intention to put them on the border itself, or have physical contact with illegals.
The administration is preparing to sue Arizona over SB 1070, perhaps as early as this Thursday. Obama has said the Southern border can't be sealed, and controlling immigration is impossible. The administration has closed federal parks to American use because of the "danger" from cartels. This plays into the hands of the cartels, and gives them further reason to believe this administration is powerless.
Obama is all about making impressions; not doing what's right. The cartels understand this. It's why they think they can get away with making such a threat in the first place.
No, I don't see the cartels believing they have much reason to fear federal response to any great degree. Not to say it wouldn't happen, but the cartels are given little reason to expect it.
Not to mention, there will come a time when the violence WILL spill over to American soil. It's already happened (to a small degree) in El Paso, where gun rounds from a shootout over the border hit city hall. What's to say this won't be the first of it here in America?