Corruption Among Customs Agents

As conflict intensifies along the southwest border, so are increasing infiltrations within our federal law enforcement by Mexican drug cartels, and lack of funds is preventing the recovery and detainment of such corrupt agents, according to homeland security officials.

Scott Henson, political affiliate and author of Grits For Breakfast, a liberal weblog for the progressive audience, posted the article “Will boosted border hiring cause corruption?” dated from 2006 and argued that drug cartel leaders with connections to US law enforcement would ultimately take advantage of the recent hiring wave by the US Customs Service.

With light shed on these recent dealings, it is clear that Henson was correct. March 12th, in Henson’s post, “Told ya so: Massive expansion of customs agents and invited increased border corruption,” he calls attention to the fact that he did, indeed, foresee these circumstances of infiltration occurring years prior to their actual happenings and puts forth the question as to why federal officials did not.

Not only was this potential crisis obvious to Scott Henson and the public in 2006, I completely agree and consider it to be preposterous that our government did not anticipate this move by the drug cartels, and even more so, that they could not come to terms for the past four years with a plan of action and proper finance to accommodate increasing corruption problems.

As Henson takes note of his own cynicism, he further predicts, “we'll see increased corruption problems among border officials in coming years as a result of this illogically rapid, politically motivated border security buildup.” I am of the same opinion. Henson just may be right for a second time if US law enforcement does not take heed and handle this situation and strategy as soon as possible.

The 2010 Census and the Importance of Redistricting

With April 1st, Census Day, just around the corner, the importance of taking part in the 2010 Census cannot be emphasized enough.

Charles Kuffner, writer of the political weblog, Off the Kuff, uses Mustafa Tameez’s op-ed piece from yesterday’s Houston Chronicle as a case in point from a political perspective. He indicates that Tameez highlights the purpose of redistricting, “the process by which the boundaries of elective districts are periodically redrawn to maintain equal representation on the basis of population.” Furthermore, Tameez calls attention to the fact that Texas Legislature will then set out drawing lines for redistricting, depending upon the population’s contribution and the official publication of the 2010 census.

Both Kuff and Tameez are right to stress the significance in participating in the 2010 Census. Due to the increase in population since the last census was taken in 2000, it is very possible for Texas to actually obtain up to four Congressional seats and additionally be granted billions in federal aid. I, too, agree that many are unaware of the process of the census and it’s ultimate benefit, further influence and representation in Washington for the state of Texas.


link: http://offthekuff.com/wp/?p=26523