“On weapons, there are two problems in addition to futile Mexican posturing. First, firepower is fungible. Even granting that most arms used in Mexico come from the U.S. (in fact, only the traceable ones do), there is no reason to suppose that if they stopped moving south, other sources and suppliers would not fill the void.
Otherwise, the abundance of guns in countries from Brazil to Afghanistan would be inexplicable.”
Gee, he ALMOST made some sense.
Too bad he left out the simple fact that only 8% of all the (illegal) “arms used in Mexico” come from the U.S.
LEGAL arms sales to the Mex. Government may be higher, although I think they make their FAL’s domestically, or get them from Argentina.
Technically arms stolen from the Mex. government may originate in the U.S., but it would be disingenuous to claim those as a percentage of the guns being smuggled in.
NONE of the RPG’s, grenades, or machine guns are coming from U.S. civilian sources.
As to the “War on drugs”, I have mixed reactions.
I despise it’s constant use as an excuse to diminish our rights.
I am fine with idiots killing themselves with overdoses, so long as they do it in the privacy of their home instead of on the public street.
Smoke all the dope you like, inject poison if you want, but if you harm me while stoned I reserve the right to retaliate.
Push drugs at my family, I reserve the right to introduce you to instant punishment, no court required.
I cannot support total legalization, I sometimes wish I could,
But total legalization would mean I could not work to stop the pushers from targeting those who I care about.
Are those you care about impervious to your attempts to stop them from BEING TARGETTED?
Are you helpless to stop those you care about from becoming alcoholics?