Drug violence puts Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on edge

[Liberal_in_LA]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-juarezkillings20-2008dec20,0,6538856.story

Drug violence puts Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on edge


Two journalists visiting the border city for three days find that death is always just around the corner.
By Ken Ellingwood
December 20, 2008

Reporting from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico -- The two victims rest at the same 45-degree angle sideways, embraced by seat belts that at this moment seem an odd precaution, given the manner of death.

Gunmen had pulled alongside the forest-green Chevy Tahoe on a gritty downtown street and, in broad daylight, pumped 52 shots into where the bodies now lean.

Ghostly quiet gives way to the beating blades of a police helicopter.

"That's 12 today?" a young manstanding nearby asks,in the matter-of-fact tone of a baseball fan confirming the number of strikeouts. "Ten," I answer, meaning that 10 people have been slain in Ciudad Juarez so far on this chilly Tuesday. It is barely 3 in the afternoon. Seven more people will die later, bringing the day's total to 17 in the city of 1.3 million residents.

[DonEBrook]

1. The "war on drugs" has killed a thousand times more people than the drugs

that 'they' are waging 'war' against. But there is no incentive to "win" their "war"...many thousands of "warriors" have made careers out of the conflict...a victory would put them out of business.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

2. Ahh, I see you have seen the light also, it's all about the money

and keeping their jobs. They made an empire out of this war.

[DonEBrook]

4. I was an informal and unofficial coordinator for NORML in Oklahoma back in 1972

and for a couple more years. I knew Keith Stroup and worked with him when the WOD was in full swing in the bible belt.
Nothing WRT the money angle has changed...when the cops put the grab on a large stash they always break it down to the smallest possible salable portion (like a 'joint') and assign a big honkin' value to it (one joint = $5 or thereabouts) and end up with a bust of a MILLION FUCKING DOLLARS for 7 plants. Oh, believe me, I know very well how they do that shit.

[TomInTib]

3. The daughter of my friends was killed in CJ this past Summer.

She was walking down the sidewalk with two friends when they were caught in a crossfire situation. There were no news accounts of the situation.

[Liberal_in_LA]

7. OMG. so sorry.

[El Supremo]

5. I have to go back to El Paso soon....

I looks like I won't visit Juarez this time. It was very nice years ago. Great restaurants, pretty streets and parks.

[musiclawyer]

6. Legalize and tax dope

Decriminalize meth except for its manufacture and pay for anti-meth education and reward meth users with dope proceeds to come in and get help. They might not get fixed but we'll know who they are and get them out in the open. Then all the "collateral damage" can be contained if not stopped.