Criminal gangs using military style weapons.

Third party countries supplying bad actors for their own aims.

Kidnapping running rampant.

Innocent civilians caught in the cross fire.

It all sounds like an episode of 24 , the Fox channel thriller starring Kiefer Sutherland, where the good guys are buffeted by international conspiracies, incompetent bureaucrats, rogue agents, and a ticking clock.

But, unfortunately it's real and it's happening in our backyard.

As previously reported, the security situation on the US-Mexico border is seriously deteriorating. Events yesterday brought more news, good and bad.

First, the good news: previously somnolent authorities are awakening to these novel dangers. Texas State Senator Dan Patrick made an appearance on the Glenn Beck show on FoxNews yesterday to discuss the situation on the border (For the full video and transcript, click here .)

Money quotes:

BECK: "The problem is this is a dangerous situation. People feel disenfranchised. Mexico is on the verge of collapse. You've got massive murder problems and drug problems. What are you are guys worried about? And how are you preparing in Texas for a possible push into America from people just fleeing a drug state?"

PATRICK: ... "You will love this term, Glenn. The United States has a plan called "mass migration" as opposed to the collapse of Mexico. And we need a plan here in Texas because there are two scenarios, Glenn. One is a slow collapse, an economic collapse of Mexico in which hundreds of thousands would come here over a period of time.

The second is what I call a Colombian collapse of Mexico, an assassination of the president, the drug cartels taking over the country, civil war breaking out on the streets, people fleeing for their lives, not for a job."

(more...)