Posted on 01/26/2005 4:07:53 PM PST by fidelio
WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department on Wednesday issued a travel warning for Americans visiting Mexico, saying violent criminal activity, including murder and kidnaping, has increased in its northern border region.
"U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk posed by the deteriorating security situation," the department said in a public announcement. It added that the great majority of victims are Mexican citizens.
The announcement attributed the increased crime to a war between criminal organizations struggling for control of the lucrative narcotics trade. It said the leaders of several major criminal organizations have been arrested, creating a power vacuum.
"This has resulted in a wave of violence aimed primarily at members of those trafficking organizations and criminal justice officials," the announcement said.
Personally, I'm warming up to the idea of invading Mexico, declaring it the 51st state, and declaring marshal law in the border areas. As part of the US, Mexico would immediately be seen as a desirable place to live again by its expatriots living in the northern 48 illegally. And think of our access to that Mexican crude oil.
Who pays for all them candles?
Here ya go! Condi in charge.
She might have but sure seems unlikely IMO. I've no doubt she's more hard core than Powell could ever be, but still it just doesn't seem like a move a newbie Sec would make.
If she's establishing "Bona Fides", she's got a, er, set.
FGS
Saw a Mexico vs. U.S. soccer game on TV in '97 or '98 (played at the L.A. Coliseum) that was beyond anything I could ever imagine. The U.S. national anthem was booed mercilessly, the crowd was awash in a sea of Mexican flags, and "urine bombs" were being tossed at both the U.S. players AND those in the crowd who actually had the guts to openly root for the home team.
It’s a crap shoot. I took 2 trips deep into Mexico on a motorcycle. The first I was robed, pistol whipped and spent 4 days in the barrios at a cop’s house waiting for money to be wired. The second 10 years later was with my wife. She’d been with me all over the California, the Caribbean and South Pacific, but admitted that motorcycling down Baja was the best vacation of her life (and the one that she was least looking forward to.)
There’s something very rejuvenating about vacationing in such an untamed, often beautiful and sometimes lawless place. It’s not for everyone, which is part of its appeal.
"Bribery will take you where you need to go in Mexico. Welcome to our turd wurld neighbors... er, open border trading partners."
Six years ago I went to Mexico City for the company I was working for at the time. What an eye opener. The company had a guy on retainer that did nothing but accompany us everywhere we went to pay bribes (the bite). As an American you could find yourself in a world of hurt if the proper bribes were not paid. My experience compells me to believe that Mexico has a ways to go before it can be elevated to turd world status.
Thank you for posting this, and all I can say is it's about time. I will be forwarding it DIRECTLY to my daughter.
That IS the problem.
He'll just have to sneak more mejicanos over the border to send home the money that Americans won't send...ay ay ay!
I agree. Good move.
Wake me up when it's over.
Amen, brother....
A corrupt society is made up of corrupt individuals. They are socialized that way from the cradle and it permeates every aspect of their culture. I speak from personal experience.
Well, I doubt that US citizens will yell "OSAMA" at the Mexican players as they did our team while in Mexico City.
"However, I am inclined to think this is a warning to Mexico that changes must be made."
NO one can accuse you of not being optomistic!
LOL!
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