U.S. to blame for much of Mexico violence: Clinton [Hillary Clinton]

Reuters ^ | 2009-03-25

[rabscuttle385]

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - An "insatiable" appetite in the United States for illegal drugs is to blame for much of the violence ripping through Mexico, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday.

Clinton acknowledged the U.S. role in Mexico's vicious drug war as she arrived in Mexico for a two-day visit where she discussed U.S. plans to ramp up security on the border with President Felipe Calderon.

A surge in drug gang killings to 6,300 last year and fears the violence could seep over the border has put Mexico's drug war high on President Barack Obama's agenda, after years of Mexico feeling that Washington was neglecting a joint problem.

"Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade. Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the death of police officers, soldiers and civilians," Clinton told reporters during her flight to Mexico City.

"I feel very strongly we have a co-responsibility."

[stuartcr]

Maybe this is how they are going to back-door into legalising drugs...

[rgr]

we just gave them Mexico 80m $$$ how about them giving the U.S OIL for that taxpayr money

[A message]

"Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade.

Our?

So you mean folks like coke and dope-head 0bama or are you talking about your husband wretch?

[ronnie raygun]

They havent gotten over blaming us for all the worlds ills. These are the despicable politicians that are suppose to be representing us. Forget about the legalization of drugs thier distabilizing Mexico, the national guard will be called in and the birth of the north American Union will be a reality. On step closer to NWO.

[elpadre]

Dear Hilary,

If you would have the border sealed with actual fencing and send the illegal aliens home, the problem would be solved.

You know it. I know it. So do it!!

[Westbrook]

Hillary Clinton is an idiot.

Yes, of course, the United States is to blame for all the ills of the world.

Not to be congratulated for the discoveries, advances, and inventions that have fed the planet and cured diseases and save the lives of untold millions.

Not to be congratulated for subduing the greatest threats to libert and freedom ever to arise, thereby saving the lives and fortunes of untold millions.

No, we are to blame because Mexico is a cess pit filled with gangs and warlords and dictatorial tyrants.

That’s the way Mexico and MOST of Latin America has been for CENTURIES. What the he!! do we have to do with that?

What an IDIOT!!!

[cripplecreek]

Well I hope all the clowns who voted for Zero out of white guilt or American guilt are taking notice. Your guilt has not been forgiven, it’s only starting.

[KoRn]

Our “appetite” for drugs isn’t the reason for the violence.

The reason for the violence is largely because of our prohibition against illicit drugs.

[truthguy]

OK, here's a post that's going to make some mad. Clinton is at least in part correct. It's the demand in the US that's driving this problem. When people in a very poor can money hand over fist with drugs, some will do this.

Let's legalize the stuff and this violence will stop overnight. Yes we will have some problems with this but I'm convinced they will be less than what we have now. Not only will the violence lessen in Mexico but it will lessen in the United States. We aren't going to win the "War on Drugs" without becoming a "police" state. That's too high a price to pay and we don't want to give government any more reason to increase their power. And let's not forget terrorism. The terrorists get a lot of their money from illegal drugs. Legalizing these substances will cut off at least one supply of cash that they have.

I'm for freedom. I don't take drugs and wouldn't take them if they were as cheap as a McDonald's hamburger. But this has gone on long enough. Let's end it.

OK let the slings and arrows begin.

[headsonpikes]

You’re just a liberaltarian pothead slacker living in your mom’s basement!

Go back to DU!

/kneejerk worshipper of the state bootlicker voice

We know you’re out there.

[cripplecreek]

Let's legalize the stuff and this violence will stop overnight.

And you could stop using drugs overnight too. It's far more effective than decades of demanding something you won't get. But then again, it really isn't about concern for the violence is it?

[chuckles]

I just watched Greta interview a Mexican police chief. He said he was attacked by AK-47's and a grenade in Monterrey. Now Hillary and the Obama administration wants to project the image that the weapons are coming from the US.

AK-47's cost anywhere from $600-$1000 in the US. Why would you buy an AK here and bring it to Mexico if you can buy them all over the world for $100? Has anyone even thought to check to see if they might be coming from China or Africa? No one sells grenades in the US. The pictures provided to Fox News has mortars and RPG's with rocket launchers on the table. None of those can be bought easily in the US. Again, just check in Bolivia, Ecuador, or any other South or Central American country and you will have them by sundown. They showed a few M-16's on the table also. They could have been AR-15's but , you just can't know buy looking at a picture. Again, an AR-15 is anywhere from $1200-$1800 in America and M-16's would be in the multiple thousands apiece. I can't believe a Mexican would pay $3k and above for a rifle he can get on the street in Nicaragua for a couple of hundred bucks.

These weapons ARE NOT coming from America. Even a pistol would cost more here than in almost any country in Central America.

The NRA has asked the Obama administration to provide ANY serial numbers of weapons traced to the US and Obama has declined. You may get some shotguns or specialty guns that are not found anywhere else but the US to show up, but I hardly believe any assault weapons would come from here. They are expensive here, and cheap everywhere else. If a Mexican gun runner was given several thousands of dollars to buy illegal weapons, why would he buy an AK-47 here and bring it back to Mexico where it is worth almost nothing? IMHO, he would turn around and sell them on the street here. If you were a drug lord in Mexico, why not pick up the phone and call FARC or even Chavez for a wholesale price on a truckload of weapons of all calibers?

[truthguy]

Go back to DU!

Rubbish. There are many true conservatives who believe in legalization. Go and read what Milton Friedman had to say on this issue. My opinions are identical to the late Dr. Friedman. Another famous conservative, the late William F. Buckley, Jr. was in favor of legalization. Go read about this. I'm in good company.

We've had this problem for over 50 years now. We are not going to stop drugs without a police state. That's a fact.

Go read the history of Prohibition from 1920-33.

And by the way I didn't even know what DU was until I googled it just now.

[rabscuttle385]

I think headsonpikes was being sarcastic.

[Wolfie]

The market wins. Every time.

[keats5]

Thanks for being our advocate, Hillary. /sarc

[truthguy]

Are you a cripple at reading as well?

I don't take drugs and wouldn't take them if they were as cheap as a McDonald's hamburger.

Can I say it any more clearly that that?

[cripplecreek]

Actually I assume you’re lying but that’s not the point.

Legalization leads to even more laws and more taxes for us all or haven’t you lived on this planet long enough to figure that out yet.

[truthguy]

Boy you are one strange case. Let me ask you a question. Would you have been in favor of the 21st Amendment which repealed Prohibition in 1933? Or would you have continued with the madness that Prohibition brought upon this country?

I'm curious, what's your opinion? And how would you pay taxes on drugs if you didn't take drugs? Your statements don't make sense.