Southern Border Suddenly Real

Whether it is 12 million illegal aliens or WMD and explosives from Mr. Nuclear, according to politicians the border between the US and Mexico has been a figment of our imagination - until now. Now that something really important needs to happen, suddenly the border exists.

I am talking about the recent arrest of Duane "Dog" Chapman, the famous Bounty Hunter from A&E Television. Three years ago Dog did the unthinkable and rose to heroism in the US. Andrew Luster, the heir to the Max Factor fortune, was awaiting trial for raping several women. According to Wikipedia, police had video evidence showing Luster raping women he had given the date rape drug GHB. Luster jumped bail and ran to Mexico.

Dog Chapman went to Mexico and captured Luster in a bid to collect part of the $1 million bail Luster forfeited when he ran. Luster was found with more GHB, as well as evidence he had plans against some that participated in his trial. Luster was sent back to serve a 124 year prison sentence. Dog was not only denied a reward because he was not officially on this case, he was arrested in Puerto Vallarta for kidnapping Luster. Instead of being heralded as a criminal, he was treated like a criminal. Dog himself jumped bail for that charge and came back to the US where his fame allowed him to launch his television show "Bounty Hunter".

All went well until suddenly out of the blue US Marshals were sent to take Dog into Custody. He was arrested and an extradition hearing has been set to send him back to Mexico to stand trial. I reluctantly admit that he did something wrong here, but my question is why is this case so important to Mexico and why is the US cooperating in this small crime? Why is the border suddenly real to the authorities who have ignored it so often? I think they need to treat the border seriously, but this is selectively honoring the border for an insignificant crime while they have been ignoring the border for serious issues.