Texas Guard NOT on heightened alert

[NoPasaran]

From the Austin American-Statesman:

"There's no heightened alert status," said Katherine Cesinger, (Governor Rick) Perry's deputy press secretary.

On Feb. 17, she said, the Guard was placed on heightened status when the state's emergency operations center was placed on active status during protests at international bridges, just in case any official response or support was needed in Texas.

Since then, Cesinger said, the state has developed contingency plans for addressing any cartel violence that might spill across the border, but those plans do not involve anyone being on alert status at present.

The source of the e-fuss: Comments to several talk shows by state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, who is also a conservative broadcaster.

Guess what? Gasbag Patrick says his remarks were taken out of context. He's also unaware of any racist connotations involving watermelons, I'd venture.