The announcement is the latest swipe in the ongoing legal dispute between Arizona and the U.S. Department of Justice over the state's tough immigration law. After the Obama administration challenged that law, a judge last year blocked key portions of it from going into effect. While the case is on appeal, Brewer said the countersuit will be filed as part of the federal government's challenge.

"It's outrageous the United States Department of Justice sued the people of Arizona to stop Senate Bill 1070," Brewer said. "Our message for the federal government is very simple -- use federal resources to combat the cartels who are breaking the federal law."

Arizona plans to sue on five different counts, including a claim that the federal government has failed to enforce immigration laws enacted by Congress and a claim it has failed to reimburse the state for costs associated with jailing criminal immigrants.

I don't think people should be jailed unless they're doing something violent or destructive against others, or stealing, so I agree with not reimbursing them.

I don't think people should be jailed unless they're doing something violent or destructive against others, or stealing, so I agree with not reimbursing them.

So because of your personal feelings, you'll overlook the rule of law. Good stuff.

They're breaking the law, and that doesn't make it fair to all the good hard working people who do the paperwork and get it right. They're getting to be here for free when others have to work for it. Isn't that a form of stealing?

They're breaking the law, and that doesn't make it fair to all the good hard working people who do the paperwork and get it right. They're getting to be here for free when others have to work for it. Isn't that a form of stealing?

I'm one of the people who got in legally, and I have to say the legal process is a little scummy. You can wait on a list for 7-14 years, and then hope you win the lottery for a slot, or you can get an immigration lawyer and essentially spend $20,000 to bypass the list and buy your way in. The Mexicans cannot get in legally because they simply can't afford it.

All of Lex's politicalreasoning is based on how he feels about a topic.

"It's outrageous the United States Department of Justice sued the people of Arizona to stop Senate Bill 1070," Brewer said. "Our message for the federal government is very simple -- use federal resources to combat the cartels who are breaking the federal law."

Essentially it's "We're pissed you sued us, so we're going to sue you!" Seems pretty clear and obvious to me.

Essentially it's "We're pissed you sued us, so we're going to sue you!" Seems pretty clear and obvious to me.

Really? It's all about hurt feelings and childishness, and not about the process by which the law works when you have major disagreements between the state and federal governments?

Of course it's not all about hurt feelings. And obviously it's how the process works. What I'm amused by is that they are "outraged" that they were sued, when as you stated that's the process for working out major disagreements. Yet that outrage didn't prevent them from suing right back. Again, as is the process.

Of course it's not all about hurt feelings. And obviously it's how the process works. What I'm amused by is that they are "outraged" that they were sued, when as you stated that's the process for working out major disagreements. Yet that outrage didn't prevent them from suing right back. Again, as is the process.