Drug denial: U.S., Mexico must start by dealing with root ca

[Lodge2004]

This is rapidly moving into the "beating a dead horse" category.

"It must also feature a reasoned discussion on better controlling the flow of automatic weapons across the border." What is that supposed to mean? The only automatic weapons flowing across the border are those provided to the Mexican military and law enforcement.


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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke some truths the other day that may be difficult for many Americans to hear. Clinton acknowledged that our drug habits and the ready availability of guns in this country are implicated in the escalating drug violence scarring Mexico.

And so they are. Getting out of denial about this could be our first step toward tamping down the narco-terror that threatens to spill over into this country.

Focusing on our own piece in this is not to ignore Mexico’s role in the worsening situation. Not at all. The corruptibility of that country’s police and bureaucracy contribute enormously to the mindless brutality. In 2009, the term drug war is no longer metaphorical. Innocent lives are being lost on all sides.

Clinton was right to summarize things unflinchingly. “We have accepted that this is a co-responsibility,” she said on her visit last week to Mexico. “We see it as a responsibility to help the Mexican government and people defeat an enemy.”

Victory will only come if both governments are willing to address root causes. For the Mexicans, that means cleaning up a legal and policing system that is still susceptible to the influence of la mordida, “the bite” taken by public officials in exchange for favors large and small.

On this side of the border, the day is coming when the country must look seriously at ways to rein in the multibillion-dollar market that enriches the drug lords while filling American prisons with inmates. This means reassessing the generation-long national drug war, and should include debate on the merits and pitfalls of legalization of drugs. It must also feature a reasoned discussion on better controlling the flow of automatic weapons across the border.

Surely by now, people in both countries have had enough of finger pointing.

What’s the old saying? Be careful: When you point your finger at someone else you have three fingers pointing back at yourself. When it comes to drug traffic, that’s achingly true for both Mexico and the United States.

[Oldgringo]

On this side of the border, the day is coming when the country must look seriously at ways to rein in the multibillion-dollar market that enriches the drug lords while filling American prisons with inmates. This means reassessing the generation-long national drug war, and should include debate on the merits and pitfalls of legalization of drugs. It must also feature a reasoned discussion on better controlling the flow of automatic weapons across the border.

I agree with this statement. Prohibition didn't work in this country in the 1920's (I wasn't there, but I've been told) and this so-called drug war is going nowhere in the 2,000's.

We also must call a spade a spade when it comes to weapons crossing the border. We should impose stiff penalties for straw purchases and STOP calling guns automatic wepaons that are not automatic weapons. Do we also need to limit the number of firearms a non-FFL can purchase in a given time frame?

The above having been said, where indeed are the real automatic weapons coming from and to whom are they being sold? I suspect the answer to those questions lie in the admitted corruption of the Mexican government. Now we're back to calling a spade a spade, don't you think?

Git 'er done! Let's not wait on the Feds to impose its will on Texas.

[casingpoint]

Secretary Clinton readily put the blame last week for Mexico's drug problems on the U.S. Another one in the Obama camp who is out-to-lunch upstairs.

[Rex B]

from PowerLine:
The Catholic News Agency reports that on her recent trip to Mexico, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The Basilica is the second most visited Catholic shrine in the world, and the Lady of Guadalupe is one of the principal symbols of the Mexican nation. The Basilica houses a cloak that belonged to a 16th-century Indian, on which an image of the Virgin Mary miraculously appeared. In the intervening years, no scientific explanation of the image has been forthcoming. Among Catholics (and many others), this is one of the most famous of all miracles

The Catholic News Agency says that after viewing the cloak, Clinton turned to the priest who was showing her the Basilica and asked, "Who painted it?".

[bryang]

from PowerLine:
The Catholic News Agency says that after viewing the cloak, Clinton turned to the priest who was showing her the Basilica and asked, "Who painted it?".

Now that is funny.

-geo

[Seburiel]

from PowerLine:
The Catholic News Agency says that after viewing the cloak, Clinton turned to the priest who was showing her the Basilica and asked, "Who painted it?".

Now that is funny.

-geo

I'm not sure I understand why it is funny. Ms. Clinton, to my knowledge, is not Catholic, she probably didn't know/understand the mythology that has sprung up around it.
-S.

[bdickens]

I'm not a Catholic either, but I'm familliar enough with the mythology of the virgin of Guadalupe to not ask such a stupid question.

[bryang]

I'm not a Catholic either, but I'm familliar enough with the mythology of the virgin of Guadalupe to not ask such a stupid question.

Exactly!! I am not catholic either.

-geo

[Purplehood]

Does that mean that it was not painted? Or do we have to go with the miracle assumption?

[bryang]

Does that mean that it was not painted? Or do we have to go with the miracle assumption?

It is what you believe it to be. What made the statement funny to me is where she was at the time she ask "who painted it." I thought everyone knew that Catholics believe it was a miracle. So by thinking her comment, in relation to where she was at the time and to whom she asked the question, was funny did not reveal in any way what my belief is on the subject, or anyone else.

Rex B wrote:
Among Catholics (and many others), this is one of the most famous of all miracles.

The Catholic News Agency says that after viewing the cloak, Clinton turned to the priest who was showing her the Basilica and asked, "Who painted

Had she asked it anywhere else it would have not been funny.

-geo

[mymojo]

... It must also feature a reasoned discussion on better controlling the flow of automatic weapons across the border.

Are there a lot of machine guns coming from the US?

[boomerang]

Are there a lot of machine guns coming from the US?

Absolutely. Who do you think sells the M16s and other weapons to the government?