When we returned from our vacation in Ixtapa, Mexico on the Pacific Coast we were appalled to read in our local paper that in the adjoining town to where we were staying (Zihuatanejo) and where many tourists go to shop, a gun battle occurred between the police and drug gangs. This was a major battle with grenades and automatic weapons and the death of four (4) policemen.
It was also disconcerting to read that similar battles are occurring almost on a daily basis; all this while we were there – we did not hear anything or even hear about anything while staying at the resort. We did see a policeman with an M-16 standing guard on the pier though and thought that was a bit strange.
Since being back, I have learned that our State Department is now alerting American tourists to the potential dangers in going to Mexico. I have also learned that in Mexican border towns with the U.S., the local police are quitting in droves due to the killing and beheading of police officers and their families. Mexican federal troops (Federales) are now patrolling these towns and taking on the gangs; in most cases, the gangs are winning.
What the hell is going on? Well, it appears that the American market for drugs is so lucrative that gangs will do about anything to keep supplying that unquenchable thirst. Also, the sophisticated weapons that the gangs are using are all coming from the U.S.
In a recent editorial page article in the Wall Street Journal, the presidents of Columbia, Mexico and other Latin American countries pleaded with the U.S. to end the war on drugs because it is not working and will never work. They point out that their innocent citizens are being slaughtered at ever increasing numbers because of this war on drugs.
I have written about the failure of our war on drugs on numerous occasions and for many, many years but the country and its leaders remained deaf to any suggestions of de-criminalizing drugs. I know it was true under Bush and the moronic right but is it the same with Obama?
The presidents from Latin America wrote that the U.S. plan of eradicating the supply of drugs in the drug producing countries like Columbia (even with U.S. help and money) has not worked and will not work; these countries are producing more drugs than ever.
The officials are asking the U.S. to de-criminalize drugs (also known as legalizing drugs) and control distribution by offering them cheaply through public distribution centers. This will eliminate drug gangs and the killings just as legalizing alcohol eliminated the booze gangs of the 1930s and the constant killings.
The U.S. could tax the sale of the drugs and use the money to establish centers that would deal with drug addiction.
This plan would also empty our jails of drug related criminals and free up law & order forces to concentrate on real crimes and real criminals and maybe even pay attention to terrorist threats against our country.
To me, one solid argument FOR this plan is BOOZE. Liquor is legal and is sold to the public in most stores and drinking and dinning establishments. People get blind drunk, drive their cars in that condition and kill innocent people on a daily basis because using liquor is legal in this country but we won’t allow people to use drugs?
We love to vacation in Mexico but will have to vacation elsewhere until something is done to control the drug wars.; that is a shame for us and the Mexican people who love our vacation dollars and provide (in my opinion) the best service I have experienced anywhere and I do my fair share of traveling and vacationing abroad.
I know Obama has his plate full right now but he is a multi-tasker and probably could at least assign a few people to study the issue. Just recently he freed “science” from eight (8) years of darkness imposed by the Bushies and their regressive mind-set; maybe he can shed some progressive light on our failed war on drugs.
It was also disconcerting to read that similar battles are occurring almost on a daily basis; all this while we were there – we did not hear anything or even hear about anything while staying at the resort. We did see a policeman with an M-16 standing guard on the pier though and thought that was a bit strange.
Since being back, I have learned that our State Department is now alerting American tourists to the potential dangers in going to Mexico. I have also learned that in Mexican border towns with the U.S., the local police are quitting in droves due to the killing and beheading of police officers and their families. Mexican federal troops (Federales) are now patrolling these towns and taking on the gangs; in most cases, the gangs are winning.
What the hell is going on? Well, it appears that the American market for drugs is so lucrative that gangs will do about anything to keep supplying that unquenchable thirst. Also, the sophisticated weapons that the gangs are using are all coming from the U.S.
In a recent editorial page article in the Wall Street Journal, the presidents of Columbia, Mexico and other Latin American countries pleaded with the U.S. to end the war on drugs because it is not working and will never work. They point out that their innocent citizens are being slaughtered at ever increasing numbers because of this war on drugs.
I have written about the failure of our war on drugs on numerous occasions and for many, many years but the country and its leaders remained deaf to any suggestions of de-criminalizing drugs. I know it was true under Bush and the moronic right but is it the same with Obama?
The presidents from Latin America wrote that the U.S. plan of eradicating the supply of drugs in the drug producing countries like Columbia (even with U.S. help and money) has not worked and will not work; these countries are producing more drugs than ever.
The officials are asking the U.S. to de-criminalize drugs (also known as legalizing drugs) and control distribution by offering them cheaply through public distribution centers. This will eliminate drug gangs and the killings just as legalizing alcohol eliminated the booze gangs of the 1930s and the constant killings.
The U.S. could tax the sale of the drugs and use the money to establish centers that would deal with drug addiction.
This plan would also empty our jails of drug related criminals and free up law & order forces to concentrate on real crimes and real criminals and maybe even pay attention to terrorist threats against our country.
To me, one solid argument FOR this plan is BOOZE. Liquor is legal and is sold to the public in most stores and drinking and dinning establishments. People get blind drunk, drive their cars in that condition and kill innocent people on a daily basis because using liquor is legal in this country but we won’t allow people to use drugs?
We love to vacation in Mexico but will have to vacation elsewhere until something is done to control the drug wars.; that is a shame for us and the Mexican people who love our vacation dollars and provide (in my opinion) the best service I have experienced anywhere and I do my fair share of traveling and vacationing abroad.
I know Obama has his plate full right now but he is a multi-tasker and probably could at least assign a few people to study the issue. Just recently he freed “science” from eight (8) years of darkness imposed by the Bushies and their regressive mind-set; maybe he can shed some progressive light on our failed war on drugs.
I couldn't agree more. common sense has not been our leaders strong suit. so many people have been lied to for far far too long.
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