It seems clear that in the upcoming election, siding with Calderon’s all-out drug war isn’t going to be politically popular. And now the main leftist rival has specifically distanced himself in this area.
But the whole mess can be cleared up in the first six months of a new administration. At least, that’s the campaign pledge of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the silver-haired presidential hopeful of the Mexican left. […]
“You can’t fight violence with violence,†Lopez Obrador said on national radio Wednesday. “We need a loving republic. We need opportunities for young people so they don’t fall into the arms of organized crime.â€
Between now and the election day in July, Lopez Obrador says, he will convince the Mexican people for a new peaceful approach — as opposed to the military policies of the present President Felipe Calderon or the former ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party.
Calderon’s war on drug cartels, the leftist candidate said, has been a disaster for Mexico, unleashing more bloodshed and destroying the economy.
Of course, he’s absolutely right on that last count, but he’s also a bit overly optimistic if he thinks he can solve the problem in six months regardless of the approach — but then again, that’s campaign promises for you.
I suspect what he plans is a kindler, gentler drug war with a lot of positive social programs to make people feel better about their lives (and government), combined with a kind of hands-off approach to the trafficking organizations.
After all, the one thing that no candidate for President in Mexico can solve is the main cause of their problem — the destructive drug policy of the United States.
Obrador? You evidently haven’t done your homework. He’s a crazy loon like Newt. Five years ago I saw just how idiotic Obrador could be. Oh, NO! Not Obrador! He would destroy Mexico. And most here know it, especially after the last election.
I know absolutely nothing about the overall aspects of candidates in this election, ezrydn. You’re correct that I haven’t done my homework on that score. Nor am I recommending or endorsing him. I’m merely commenting on the drug war approach being suggested.
Pete, Obrador is a certified nut case. As for his ideas, I wouldn’t give them a second thought. For anyony really interested in Mexico’s history, I’d highly recommend the paperback “Fire and Blood: a History of Mexico” by T. R. Fehrenbach. Much of their history is still seen today, especially in politics.
We have our government and their soldiers fighting the cartels and using our tax dollars furnishing equipment and “advisers”.
The cartels have American citizens furnishing their cash,,and much more than our government and the Mexican government are spending in the effort. And if our government does not figure out how to disconnect the drug money link,,,the cartels may win.
How long exrydn before the cartels are the government in Mexico?
I just noticed that they found another tunnel in San Diego,,,which they reported 17 tons of marijuana were seized in the raid as reported by the LA Times,,meanwhile ABC reports now it was 14 tons,,,,dang those cops are quick.
I was at Cato’s drug conference the other day, and Jorge Castaneda(the most impressive speaker of the day) was very optimistic about the prospects of Mexico’s politicians talking to the USA candidly about changing the Drug War policies. He was candid, however, about the danger to politicians of being accused by opposing parties of being in cahoots with the cartels.
Also, I just started a Drug War blog. Lots of up-to-the-minute news postings: http://thedrugwarisevil.blogspot.com/
“He was candid, however, about the danger to politicians of being accused by opposing parties of being in cahoots with the cartels.”
Just like the War on Drugs keeps going in America because of the false “tough on crime” ideology, the War on Drugs will keep going in Mexico because of the flase “he is connected to the drug cartels” ideology.
Both are emotional attempts to deflect focus from the real problem (the “ideologies” which keep the war going, and the people who perpetuate them).
But the fact that legalization removes MOST of the profits from marijuana is not the goal of the cartels,,so how would establishing a legal market that would take a large part of the cartels/street gangs/criminals cash flow away,,it would be more likely that politicians and leaders opposing ending prohibition would be “cartel” connected.
And then,,there is the bumper crop sitting in Mexico,as reported in a recent article from Mexico City,,and the feds are seizing all the marijuana they can get,,hmmm,,do I see a going out of business sale coming or what?
PS: if i was involved in mmj in any of the remaining states that have not been hit yet,,I would be tightening my belt about now,,,the DEA is either building up their stash or pushing for a riot.
OT: Boy Turns in Probation Officer Mom Over Pot Stash
Oh, the hypocritical irony.
“”He was feeling conflicted,” said Dan Bianconi, a sergeant with the Dakota County Drug Task Force who was part of the team that executed the warrant. “He didn’t take any pride in this.””
I bet that he’s feeling a lot worse now, too. Having abruptly had his family life destroyed as a result of his “conflicted” actions. I’d also be willing to bet, that if he was reluctant, these nice drug task force people were willing to encourage, lie to and coerce this poor kid into doing this.
Another famly destroyed, courtesy of the drug war. The sad fact is this happens every day all over the country.
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I was feeling very conflicted about this one. I finally decided I’d need to know how she ran the office. She can’t do much about the people being put under supervision but she can certainly make the ones assigned to her office’s lives easier. It isn’t like she arrests or persecutes them in Court.
Regardless, were it my progeny I’d say, “enjoy foster care!” Do you need a lift to get to child services? Yes? Well it’s time to learn how to hitchhike. CYA!
But still, it’s amazing how many sycophants are so quick to congratulate the kid for “doing the right thing” when the odds are the little pecker had self serving ulterior motive(s). The nonsense that the house always smelled of it was beyond absurd considering where Mom works.
For a short period of time, the Spanish Inquisition endorsed getting kids to turn in their parents for acts of heresy. The idea didn’t work out very well. Ultimately, the Suprema decided that making children snitch on their parents was wrong; ‘immoral’ as the inquisitors put it.
And that’s where it stands, five centuries later. The Spanish Inquisition condemned the practice of accepting children’s criminal accusations aimed at their parents as immoral. Prohibition glorifies it. So much for progress.
All I venture to guess is from the talk amongst the commom voters. They’re tired of the Drug War and inability to freely travel. They know Obrador for what he is. Who’s running? Haven’t heard yet. I think the people here will pay closer attention this time around, though.
Hey DdC, where you at? You’re not out camping on somebody else’s couch, are you? Hey, you gotta come back soon, you’ve got my pipe!
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Wow, you’re right, he quit posting. I hadn’t even noticed that I wasn’t subject to miles and miles of scrolling through worthless drivel anymore.
I’ll buy you a brand new pipe, and even throw in a Chia Pony if he doesn’t return your pipe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P33BAGRxYGA
For some reason I thought a Chia Pony would be ceramic with vegetation in place of the horsehair.
If you don’t want a Chia Pony I’ll get you a framed, wall size picture of Michelle Bachman with a foot long corn dog. It looks like she prefers them big & uncut.
http://gothamist.com/attachments/nyc_chrisrobbins/081311bachmann.jpg
The blonde and the guy with the rope sure look like they’re all but on their way to a seedy motel. What is that white gooey stuff dripping from her chin?
That’s nice Duncan, but you know you miss him. C’mon, he’s the only green jumpsuited grey wolf in sunglasses that we know. I cut him slack, I mean, could you imagine growing up looking like that? Must have been tough.
Besides we’re all friends here. Right Wiggle?
yeah sure we are.so long as you can prove to me that that’s not my slonge in Michelle Bachman’s hand,and thats not my jizzle in that blonde girl’s chinny chin chin. DEAR LORDY for i have sin,with the nightmother.
that’s why the wiggle is #1 rappa on DRUGWARRANT,ya dig.. cause that’s my corn dog she be holding,I’ll beat her with it faster than a texas hold’em,cause that girl sure know how to grope em. I’ll spray my maynosie all over her chin.cause her to grin.bitch don’t wanna be president.she wanna be my nut servant.servicing my cock while i stare at the clock.spraying off my glock at the federal narcodics cops.who all be fucked up on them hops.BUT i’m not. I just popped a nut in her mouth.bitch be stupid,she from minnasoda,she says we can all come over,she’ll even bend over ,and say give it to me like rover.woof woof.that’s why she a nasty bitch.cause she like them 12″ corndog shaped dicks. my words just a slick as willie C. Michelle B. fell straight to her knees.opened her mouth and begged LEMME BE PRESIDANT PLEASE.busted her with my melted swiss cheeze
Okay Wiggle, go back to sleep now. Didn’t mean to wake you up.
P.S. That Chia Pony stuff looks BORING.
The fallout from the BATF’s “Fast and Furious” program is starting to come down in interesting ways: “Sometimes You Have to Make a Deal With the Devil”: How the U.S. Fueled the Sinola Cartel
I still say selling 100 guns to cartel contacts and FOLLOWING them to their destination is intelligence gathering,,allowing thousands of guns to the cartels and not following them is gun running.
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Cool. A kinder, gentler, machine gun land. I hear a 1000 points of light, may I hear 1100? 1100? No? Going once…twice…sold to paddle #41, the dweebish gentleman with the idiot man child, for 1000.
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“the one thing that no [one] can solve is the main cause of their problem — the destructive drug policy of the United States.”
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How about an offer of blanket political asylum? They could have all of my dollars instead of a few occasional ones and god knows those cartel people need someone to teach them how to grow pot. Boners dee-yaz indeed.
blanket asylum??? for us or for them?
And Duncan,,don’t think the cartels don’t have growers turning out high grade marijuana,,,you have probably bought some at one time or another.
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Sure, some of the best pot I’ve ever come across came out of Mexico. Let’s see, the last time I saw any good Mexican was 1982 IIRC. Oaxacan mmm, mmm, good. Perhaps the difference is distance Clay. When I was in NorCal the word “Mexican” was a denigration if attached to cannabis so I’m almost certain that any quality Mexican product would be re-labeled if such a thing actually exists. Kind of like quality homegrown got re-labeled “Hawaiian” back in the early ’80s in my neck of the woods. Nobody would have even looked at it otherwise.
I did mean asylum for us. Well more specifically me. Upon further reflection I can see why you would be confused. Madhouses are not uncommonly referred to as asylums and under that definition the US most certainly qualifies.
A new approach in Switzerland!
Swiss cannabis smokers will be allowed to grow four marijuana plants each (to stop them buying drugs illegally)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2062526/Swiss-cannabis-smokers-allowed-grow-marijuana-plants-stop-buying-drugs-illegally.html
It had to start somewhere,,,who woulda thought the Swiss would be the first?
i’m start doing holder boner alerts whenever he gets a boner at us being pissed off