Note, head found near Mexican newspaper office

Houston Chronicle/AP ^ | June 9, 2008

[SwinneySwitch]

VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico — A note threatening a Mexican journalist was found outside the office of a newspaper in southern Mexico on Monday, two days after someone left a severed head there.

Tabasco state Attorney General Gustavo Rosario said the letter was directed at Juan Padilla, editor of El Correo de Tabasco, which recently carried reports about migrant smuggling and kidnapping in the area.

"You are next," the note read.

The head of a man police identified as a low-level drug trafficker was found outside the offices on Saturday. Soldiers later located his body in another part of the city alongside a separate note that said, "This is what will happen to those who go around pointing fingers."

International media rights group Reporters Without Borders issued a statement Monday condemning the threats.

Media groups say Mexico is one of the world's most dangerous places to report, and journalists — especially those covering powerful drug cartels or official corruption — have been threatened, harassed, kidnapped and killed.

[arderkrag]

International media rights group Reporters Without Borders issued a statement Monday condemning the threats.

Bet that really helped.

[SIDENET]

"You are next," the note read.

Yeah, right. I bet they're bluffing.

[TigersEye]

Some people say it’s hard to get a head in Mexico.

[sam_paine]

Yeah, right. I bet they're bluffing.

Yesss...well but would you, heh heh...BET THE DEVIL YOUR HEAD?

[FormerACLUmember]

It takes serious brass balls to be a Mexican investigative journalist.

One of these brave amigos puts the entire lazy*ss liberal media in the US to shame.

[Grizzled Bear]

"You are next," the note read.

What a head line!

Sorry. I couldn't help it.

[BurbankKarl]

I believe the drug lords were giving them a heads up.

[TigersEye]

It sounds like time to head out of town.

[B-Cause]

They found it!!

[SouthDixie]

"This is what will happen to those who go around pointing fingers."

No more pointing fingers for me, no siree.

[TADSLOS]

You’re such a cut up.

[TADSLOS]

Right from the al Qaeda playbook. BTW, how’s that border fence coming? You know, national security and all that...

[TigersEye]

I deedn’t do eet! lol

[SwinneySwitch]

Chertoff now estimates the border will be “secure” by 2011!

[dfwgator]

Not the time to lose one's head.
No.
That's not the way to get ahead in life.
No.
It's a shame he wasn't more headstrong.
Hmm.
He'll never be the head of a major corporation.
Okay, that'll do.
Okay.

[TADSLOS]

You’re heads and shoulders above that guy.

[TigersEye]

But...but...he's given me another straight line. OK, I'll hold it in. ..................................

Aiyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

I think I'm losing my head.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, that's better. Couldn't do it.

[SwinneySwitch]

Ping!

If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.

[captjanaway]

Maybe the UN should be in Mexico looking into “human rights violations” rather than Virginia where they are upset about deportation of illegals....

Having one’s head chopped off sounds like a human rights violation to me.......

[wolfcreek]

Why don’t we ever see the staff from TMZ in wonderful places like Mexico?

[wolfcreek]

Why don’t we ever see the staff from TMZ in wonderful places like Mexico?

[SwinneySwitch]

Civilian Immunity (under the Geneva Conventions)

Civilians have special protections under Convention IV, Protocol I, and Protocol II.

They must be treated humanely, without discrimination based on race, color, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or other similar criteria.

Violence to life and person including murder, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture are prohibited.

The taking of hostages is prohibited.

Outrages upon personal dignity, including humiliating and degrading treatment are prohibited.

Sentences and executions without a judgment from a regularly constituted court and without benefit of the standard judicial guarantees are prohibited. (Convention IV, Art. 3)