The constant fevered pitch and grind of xenophobic paranoia has reached critical mass in Gov. Jan Brewer's brain. In a letter to President Obama, she is now requesting unmanned drones and helicopters to guard Arizona's border.

I would also ask you, as overseas operations in Iraq and Afghanistan permit, to consider wider deployment of UAVs [Unmanned Aerial Vehicles] along our nation's southern border. I am aware of how effective these assets have become in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, and it seems UAVs operations would be ideal for border security and counter-drug missions.

It appears that Republicans are trying to hold immigration reform hostage until they turn our borders into zones of mayhem and military. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) went on Fox News this afternoon and said as much.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) expressed support for Brewer's call, saying drones, helicopters and other infrastructure were prerequisites to a discussion of immigration reform."We need to start with border security -- which means more boots on the ground, we need the technology, the airplanes, the drones, the helicopters," Cornyn said.

Here we go again. Note the careful phrasing of the threat. In order to engage in a "discussion" about immigration reform, the federal government -- the whipping boy of the right wing -- should immediately increase spending and military presence along the border.

Even FOX News sees Senate Republicans' duplicity:

Reid and members of his leadership team introduced a bill that is heavy with border security measures, but no Republican has voiced support for that bill.

In order to "discuss"? Republicans don't know how to "discuss". Only whine, pout, and stomp their feet. Oh, and obstruct. They do know how to obstruct.

(h/t TPM LiveWire)