Kramerguy wrote:.. So the sky is falling.
I'm just trying to enjoy life while I can. I fight the good fight when I see that I can make a difference (vote green!). I've marched on DC and am a staunch advocate for special needs children. If a bunch of gangs come to my town and start shooting the place up, I know a few people who would be happy to use them for target practice.. I live in Pennsyltucky.. I don't care how well-trained these guys are- we have tons of vets, freedum lovin gun owners, hunters/sportsmen, and even our own gangs; and if that much hell breaks loose, the national guard will come in and clean some clocks.
Since I have no involvement with the criminal world, nor does my family, and we don't hang out in areas where that is prominent.. well, they will probably not target me for a drive-by.
And hell, should I win the power-ball tonight (yeah, right).. I'll go to Europe and chill for a couple of decades until it works itself out 
I almost believe what you are saying about PA... But I don't think you understand the degree of ruthlessness these cartels are about, and the degree of presence that's already established.
Talking about killing other humans:
They do not operate on the paradigm of life that you are familiar with. They are quite possibly, the largest collection of socio-paths ever assembled in one organization. They don't view this as a war between white hats vs black hats.
They will look at you from across a room and simply deduce you as some'thing (Called objectification) that stands in 'their' way. They will kill your special children, not to shock you, but rather to simply to get you to move out of the way. And rather than debate the value of your own life, they will snuff you out, to make sure you cant tell anybody the truth about what happened to the kids. (assumes they haven't killed off the authorities yet)
Their own members are subject as well. If you don't bring the money, then its a lead dinner for you, cause you are a burden (and a witness)...Its beyond mechanical. They have no concern or regard for your flowerbed, except where it might be useful to stow a body till the heat dissipates. They will come into your neighborhoods, right under your noses, and will recruit your kids, sell dope to all buyers, (whom they will also kill, to resell product where opportunity i.e independent buyers presents itself. ) They don't give a sh*t about your drug 'warranty or money back guarantees...' They don't care about your American dream (Cause they feel they can buy it out from under you anyhow) The have NO regard coe community activities, development. ALl they care about is moving drugs and collecting the cash. In between that, the execute anyone at will for no particular reason, except to remove obstacles...
Having said all that Most of thema are also trained professional military. They have witnessed attrocities that would make you puke all over your shoes... I dont think too many americans (save for active duty Iraq afghan vets) have the stomach or the wits to battle these guys head on. For them, its like shooting fish in a barrel.