September 26, 2011-- Coverage of Austin Border Violence News Conference by Generals
McCaffrey and Scales and TX Agriculture Commissioner Staples
Texas Border Security Report
KFDM-TV News
The independent study, co-authored by retired General Barry McCaffrey and retired Major-General Robert Scales, was unveiled as
part of the Protect Your ...
Generals' Report Calls for Tighter Border Security
KUT News
Barry McCaffrey (right) speak to reporters about their border security report. ... General Barry McCaffrey, one of the co-authors,
calls federal resources ...
Generals' Report Calls for Tighter Border Security
KUT News
General Barry McCaffrey, one of the co-authors, calls federal resources "This is not just about illegal aliens and border crossing,"
McCaffrey told ...
Texas-Mexico border now combat zone say two retired U.S. generals ...
Examiner.com
Barry McCaffrey (Ret.). “The violence and ongoing threat to our security reflect a change in the strategic intent of the cartels to
move their operations ...
Media Alert From TVEyes Media Monitoring Suite
Texas +"agriculture industry" on KVUE-AUS (ABC) - Austin, TX
09/26/2011 11:32:48 AM
KVUE Midday News
...border on rural landowners and the agriculture industry and working in conjuction with other ...
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Texas Agriculture on KVUE-AUS (ABC) - Austin, TX
09/26/2011 06:00:43 PM
KVUE News
...state capitol, texas agriculture commissioner todd staples released the report. it ...
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Agriculture Commissioner on KFDM (CBS) - Beaumont, TX
09/26/2011 06:04:16 PM
Channel 6 News at 6
...links section. agriculture commissioner todd staples has released a report on texas border security.
...
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Agriculture Commissioner on KEYE-AUS (CBS) - Austin, TX
09/26/2011 06:06:03 PM
K-EYE News at Six
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...associated violence is only getting worse in our state. agriculture commissioner todd staples says it's
time for washington to shed the cloak of denial. "the threat grows more violent ...
Texas Department of Agriculture on KEYE-AUS (CBS) - Austin, TX
09/26/2011 06:07:48 PM
K-EYE News at Six
...the study was commissioned by the texas department of agriculture and the texas department of
public safety, some folks in williamson county will have to adjust to stricter watering rules. ...
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Texas Agriculture on WTOP2-DC (Radio) - Washington, D.C.
09/26/2011 10:01:42 PM
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...or will today or federal government has not logged resources to combat the problem we might force
would grow Texas agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples he says the drug cartels routinely crossing
into the US because they consider the border area to be vulnerable in Italy defense attorney for
American ...
Texas Agriculture on KRGV (ABC) - Harlingen, TX
09/26/2011 10:04:19 PM
Channel 5 News at Ten
...attack. jordan: texas agriculture commissioner todd staples called for the military analysis. sot:
texans know the ...
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Texas Agriculture on KEYE-AUS (CBS) - Austin, TX
09/26/2011 10:09:47 PM
K-EYE News at Ten
...state leaders strongly disgree because of the drug war. today texas agriculture commissioner todd
staples announced the release of an independent study called, "texas border security: a ...
(click thumbnail to play)
Texas Agriculture on KTSM (NBC) - El Paso, TX
09/26/2011 10:10:01 PM
News Channel 9 @ 10
...as the violence across the border continues... texas agriculture commissioner and retired army
generals released a report, saying cartels are trying to escape confrontation with mexican law
enfocement... ...
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Agriculture Commissioner on KDBC (CBS) - El Paso, TX
09/26/2011 10:10:36 PM
KDBC Four News at 10
...as the violence across the border continues... texas agriculture commissioner and retired army
generals released a report saying cartels are trying to escape confrontation with mexican law
enforcement... and ...
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Texas Agriculture on KTSM (NBC) - El Paso, TX
09/27/2011 05:06:35 AM
News Channel 9 Today
...enforcement. as the violence across the border continues... texas agriculture commissioner and
retired army generals released a report, saying cartels are trying to escape confrontation with mexican
law ...
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Texas Agriculture on KLTV (ABC) - Tyler, TX
09/27/2011 05:28:29 AM
Good Morning East Texas @ 5am
...conference monday at the state capitol, texas agriculture commissioner todd staples released the
report. it says that the cartels are ...
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Texas Agriculture on KEYE-AUS (CBS) - Austin, TX
09/27/2011 05:34:14 AM
We Are Austin Mornings
...of our state leaders strongly disgree because of the drug war. texas agriculture commissioner todd
staples announced the release of an independent study called, "texas border security: a ...
(click thumbnail to play)
Agriculture Commissioner on KRGV (ABC) - Harlingen, TX
09/27/2011 05:35:38 AM
Channel 5 News This Morning
...pause for nats texas agriculture commissioner todd staples called for the military analysis. retired 4star general barry ...
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Texas Agriculture on KEYE-AUS (CBS) - Austin, TX
09/27/2011 06:34:24 AM
We Are Austin Mornings
...of our state leaders strongly disgree because of the drug war. texas agriculture commissioner todd
staples announced the release of an independent study called, "texas border security: a ...
(click thumbnail to play)
Texas Agriculture on KRGV (ABC) - Harlingen, TX
09/27/2011 06:36:48 AM
Channel 5 News This Morning
...drug cartels and your safety. texas agriculture commissioner todd staples called for the military
analysis. retired 4-star ...
(click thumbnail to play)
Agriculture Commissioner on KFDM (CBS) - Beaumont, TX
09/27/2011 06:43:54 AM
6News This Morning
...## agriculture commissioner todd staples has released a report on texas border security. ...
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Report paints border of fear outside El Paso
Poten & Partners | 09/27/11 01:50
Gen. Robert Scales, a military historian and strategist, joined Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples in the release of a state-commissioned...
Report cites anecdotes to show spillover border violence
Statesman.com | 09/27/11 01:36
...spilling over into Texas. The report, paid for by the Texas Departments of Agriculture and Public Safety, accused federal officials of being...
Report paints border of fear outside El Paso
El Paso Times (AP) | 09/27/11 01:00
Gen. Robert Scales, a military historian and strategist, joined Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples in the release of a state -commissioned...
Texas agriculture commissioner continues to make name on border security
Road Runner | 09/27/11 00:18
Texas agriculture commissioner continues to make name on border security It s time for Washington to uphold its constitutional duty to protect...
Staples and Generals Call out Feds on Border Security
Road Runner | 09/27/11 00:18
...McCaffrey made the dire assessment during a news conference convened by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, who rolled out the results of...
Two Retired Generals Issue Warning About Border Violence
Krgv Newschannel 5 | 09/26/11 23:56
...including here in the Valley. The military analysis was requested by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples. He wants the nation's leaders...
Texas agriculture commissioner continues to make name on border security
The Dallas Morning News (AP) | 09/26/11 22:27
Texas agriculture commissioner continues to make name on border security By JESSICA MEYERS Staff Writer jmeyers@dallasnews.com Surrounded by...
Report: Cartels Looking to Create "Sanitary Zones" Along Texas-Mexico Border
KDBC.com | 09/26/11 21:27
...elude Mexican law enforcement. The report was released by the Texas Agriculture Commissioner and retired army generals. It claims that cartels...
Report Says Cartel Violence Heading North
Krgv Newschannel 5 | 09/26/11 20:14
...border of Texas from a strategic military perspective," says Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples. Staples wanted an independent, non-partisan...
Border Wars: 'Texas Is Ground Zero'
Click 2 Houston | 09/26/11 20:06
...battle is being fought right here in Texas," State Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said. At the direction of the state Legislature, Staples...
Independent study calls for more border protection for Texas
We Are Austin.com | 09/26/11 19:59
...associated violence is only getting worse in our state State Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples says it's time for Washington to shed the...
Staples and Generals Call out Feds on Border Security
The Texas Tribune | 09/26/11 18:11
McCaffrey made the dire assessment during a news conference convened by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, who rolled out the results of...
Texas-Mexico border now combat zone say two retired U.S. generals in new report
Examiner.com - Texas | 09/26/11 18:01
...that the Texas-Mexico border is more secure than ever, the Texas Department of Agriculture, along with the Department of Public Safety, hired...
Retired generals outline Texas strategy in war on cartels
KVUE.com (AP) | 09/26/11 17:27
During a news conference Monday at the State Capitol, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples released the report outlining the threat of...
Report details perilous conditions on Texas-Mexico border
Austin/Round Rock/San Marcos - Your News Now | 09/26/11 17:02
...U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert Scales said. State Agricultural Commissioner Todd Staples says Texas represents 64 percent of the U.S.-Mexico border,
Generals’ Report Calls for Tighter Border Security
KUT.org | 09/26/11 15:09
They're joined by U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul & Texas Ag Commissioner Todd Staples. Photo by Jessical Mahoney for KUT News. A report released today...
Report: Cartels seeking to create "sanitary zone" along Texas border
We Are Austin.com | 09/26/11 14:59
...to bring under their control. The results were announced by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples along with its authors retired four-star...
State of Texas taking more aggressive stance against drug cartels
KVUE.com (AP) | 09/26/11 11:04
...enhance border security." In order to do that, State Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples has called on retired 4-Star Army General Barry McAffrey...
Texans Want Action on the Border
Free Republic | 09/26/11 00:59
...Border Security: A Strategic Military Assessment," the Texas Department of Agriculture offers a powerful perspective into this national security...
Staples: Texans want action on border security
Statesman.com | 09/25/11 18:04
Staples: Texans want action on border security Todd Staples, Texas Agriculture Commissioner As part of a technology change,
commenting will not...
COMMISSIONER TODD STAPLES
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
For Immediate Release:
Sept. 26, 2011
COMMISSIONER STAPLES, RETIRED GENERALS RELEASE MILITARY PERSPECTIVE ON
SPILLOVER BORDER VIOLENCE, HOW TO SECURE TEXAS BORDER
Protect Your Texas Border Summit highlights growing vulnerability, defense strategies
AUSTIN — In an effort to protect U.S. citizens from spillover cartel violence while continuing to emphasize
the critical need for enhanced Texas/Mexico border security, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today
released “Texas Border Security: A Strategic Military Assessment.” The independent study, co-authored by
retired General Barry McCaffrey and retired Major-General Robert Scales, was unveiled as part of the Protect
Your Texas Border Summit at the Capitol.
“Washington keeps telling us our border is more secure than ever, but this detailed military assessment, by two
of America’s top generals, offers proof to the contrary,” Commissioner Staples said. “It’s time to shed the cloak
of denial and protect our citizens and national security. Would Washington stand by and allow terrorists from
Canada to make daily incursions into New York? The answer is a resounding, ‘No.’ We expect and demand that
same level of protection in Texas. It’s time for Washington to uphold its constitutional duty to protect
Americans on their home soil.”
Commissioned jointly by the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Department of Public Safety, the
report offers a military perspective on how to best incorporate strategic, operational and tactical measures to
secure the increasingly hostile border regions along the Rio Grande River. It also provides sobering evidence of
why Texas landowners and officials have called for increased federal support to defend our southern border.
“During the past two years, the southwestern United States has become increasingly threatened by the spread of
Latin American and Mexican cartel organized crime,” said Gen. Barry McCaffrey (Ret.). “I congratulate
Commissioner Staples for his vision in creating awareness of the inadequate attention paid to violence
stemming from the drug cartels in Mexico and Latin America.”
“The violence and ongoing threat to our security reflect a change in the strategic intent of the cartels to move
their operations into the United States,” said Maj. Gen. Robert Scales (Ret.). “American cities and rural areas
now have Latin American drug, gun and human smuggling cartels operating inside our borders.”
Among the generals’ findings were:
· Living and conducting business in a Texas border county is tantamount to living in a warzone in which civil
authorities, law enforcement agencies, as well as citizens, are under attack around the clock.
· Criminality spawned in Mexico is spilling over into the United States. Texas is the tactical close combat
zone and frontline in this conflict. Texans have been assaulted by cross-border gangs and narco-terrorist
activities.
· Federal authorities are reluctant to admit to the increasing cross-border campaign by narco-terrorists.
· One reason for this disparity between reported and actual cartel activity in Texas is that the 17,000 local and
state law enforcement agencies that provide data to the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) are not required to
categorize these crimes as “drug related.”
· Reform at that operational level is dependent on bringing more “boots on the ground” to the fight for border
security.
· Texas is the frontline in this escalating war and the potential consequences of success or failure will affect
our entire nation.
To review the report in its entirety click here or go to TexasAgriculture.gov and click on popular links.
The 82nd Texas Legislature, via House Bill 4, directed the Texas Department of Agriculture to fund an
assessment of the impact of illegal activity along the Texas/Mexico border on rural landowners and the
agriculture industry. Commissioner Staples immediately partnered with the Texas Department of Public Safety
to commission Generals McCaffrey and Scales for this important study.
About the Generals
General Barry McCaffrey is the former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy under President
Bill Clinton and former Commander of all U.S. troops in Central and South America. Retired Major-General
Robert Scales is the former Commandant of the United States Army War College.
###
--- MEDIA ADVISORY--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (UPDATE): September. 26, 2011
Contacts: Robert Weiner 202-306-1700 or 202-329-1700 weinerpublic@comcast.net.for Gen. McCaffrey & MG Scales;
Bryan Black or Veronica Beyer for Commissioner Staples| (512) 463-7664 | 1-800-TELL-TDA
TX AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER STAPLES TO RELEASE RESULTS OF STUDY MON. AT
CAPITOAL BY GENERAL BARRY McCAFFREY (RET) AND MG ROBERT SCALES (RET) ON
VIOLENCE SPILLOVER AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO SECURE TEXAS BORDER
Protect Your Texas Border Summit will bring generals, congressional leaders, local/state law enforcement,
border residents together to discuss border security
WHEN:
Monday, Sept. 26
Summit – Austin State Capitol ROOM 2E-20 (9:00 – 10:15 a.m.)
Press Conference – Austin State Capitol ROOM 2E- 9 (10:30 a.m.)
MEDIA:
Media may join the summit in ROOM 2E-20 at 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. (or any
portion) to listen and to obtain b-roll; press conference begins at 10:30
a.m. in ROOM 2E-9.
AUSTIN — On Monday, September 26th, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples will roll out
a detailed strategic assessment of the United States’ southern border that chronicles the impacts of
violent drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations. The assessment, authored by retired
Four-Star Barry McCaffrey, the former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Program
under President Bill Clinton, and retired Major-General Robert Scales, the former Commandant of the
United States Army War College, details the problem in stark terms; gives a strategic analysis of the
danger and threat to our nation; and advocates for expanded resources and attention to secure the
border.
Texas farmers and ranchers along the U.S.-Mexico border are becoming victims of intimidation,
aggression and outright violence by armed trespassers that often have ties to Mexico’s drug cartels.
With alarming frequency, Texans along the border are subjected to illegal trespassing, property
damage, armed pursuits and the illegal trafficking of people and drugs on their property. This border
study will detail the resources needed to secure our border and protect our citizens.
In addition to those mentioned above, scheduled to attend the event include: Congressman Michael
McCaul; State Representatives Jose Aliseda, Pete Gallego, Ryan Guillen, Sid Miller, Sergio Muñoz Jr.,
Aaron Peña, and Jim Pitts; and Texas Public Safety Commission Chairman Allan Polunsky and
Director of the Department of Public Safety Steve McCraw. Also confirmed to attend are several
border sheriffs, agriculture leaders and farmers and ranchers who live on the border.
###
Source: Robert Weiner Associates