Calderon Addresses a Joint Session of Congress

Felipe Calderon got a standing ovation today from a joint session of Congress when he pledged to continue his all out war against violent drug cartels. Reaction was mixed when he attacked Arizona’s new immigration law and asked for the US ban on assault weapons to be reinstated. But despite today’s rare Capitol Hill appearance and last night’s White-House state dinner, critics say Calderon’s actions could be counterproductive. What about poverty, widespread corruption, and recent charges of favoritism for one drug cartel over others? Does his all-out war on drug cartels make for less violence—or more? What’s the impact on illegal immigration?