Man,talk about out of control. Mexico

[Hector]

Mexico is after all...the 14th largest economy in the world...



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._%28nominal%29

[Hector]

Mexico does have 109 million people...so its wealth is deceptive...but...that's still pretty good GDP...especially for a Third World country.

[Brad]

Funny you mentioned Comp USA as their online business is owned by Tiger Direct, whom I buy from along with New Egg and Geeks.com I never knew who actually owned the brick and mortar stores.

We had a Comp USA store here in Rockford until they closed all the stores. Now I see Tiger Direct is opening some stores again. There are 3 or 4 in the Chicago-land area right now. I wish they would come back to our town as I bought quite a few things there. They were handy when you didn't want to wait for something to get shipped and they had good prices on some stuff if you look for the specials and sales.

[Cmonster]

You tell 'em, Hec... Keep that red, white and green flag flyin, brother.

SC

[Brad]

You tell 'em, Hec... Keep that red, white and green flag flyin, brother.

SC

What does Italy have to do with this?

[Hector]

[Hector]

Fascinating Wiki read on the history of Mexican drug cartels...

Mexican Drug War - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[lepage]

ok I was going to keep my mouth shut on this topic but..........

I have kept close tabs on all of this for YEARS! In fact, I get a daily google e mail covering every article on the subject. I am sorry to say this but even if you are not involved in the drug trade you are STILL NOT SAFE! If anyone wants to go toe to toe with me on this I have tons of facts to back it up.
First of all, these kids had nothing to do with the drug trade!

16 killed at party in Mexican border city - World news - Americas - msnbc.com

Something that is very common in Mexico is kidnapping for ransom. They especially love Americans because they can get more money. The sad part of it is that nearly all of the Americans that are kidnapped never make it home alive. American passports and drivers licenses are worth their weight in gold to the criminals.
I heard it it said that our media is "blowing it out of proportion" again I am sorry but that is just not true either. The Mexican Cartels have been targeting and killing any media person who reports on the drug war. The media is now afraid for their own lives and as a result, less then half of the actual violence is reported.The news that does make it out is done via "underground" reporting like what can be found at the web site "Blog Del Narco". So if the Mexican media cannot keep up with the carnage how is the American press able to do any better!?
In Mexico's Nuevo Laredo, drug cartels dictate media coverage

Who said the violence was only in Mexico anyway!? It is no secret that the violence has already started to spill over onto our side.

Gruesome Arizona murder tied to Mexican drug cartels - International - Catholic Online

Mexican Cartels Kill American Border Patrol Agent | The Hive

Drug Cartel Kills American While He Jet Skied with Wife on Falcon Lake, Texas s Weblog

Oh an the man who was sent after the bad guys who killed the American Jet Skier.........

* Drug Cartel Decapitates Chief Mexican Commander in Charge of Jet Ski Murder on Border-Watch Newscast Here

Mexico Drug War Update | StoptheDrugWar.org

This all looks no different then Chicago during Prohibition.

[lepage]

Also,

I did not post a link to the site "Blog Del Narco" because it's news stories also include graphic photos that may be disturbing to some. I will say that it is an eye opener to see the extent of what is going on down there. Our government is now comparing the Mexican drug Cartels to an insurgency (beheadings / car bombs).

What is really sad is how Mexicos civilians are the ones paying the price of the drug war often times with their lives.

[samurainoir]

I think folks often forget what a large and diverse country Mexico actually is.

I was on a tour of Mexico a few years back that took me to four extremely different cities in different regions (none near the border however) that were all very different and distinct in their own ways. I can't think of any moments where I felt unsafe walking around on my own in Tuxtla, Merrida or Mexico City.

Imagine basing your judgement on what the United States is like entirely on the crime rates out of Washington DC or Detroit.

[lepage]

This is true however, It is not just Juarez that is having a big problem. Juarez , because it is on the border, gets reported on the most. If you do research you will see that there is not much of Mexico left that is untouched by drug violence.

Hell, even the Mexican president Filipe Calderon's home town of Michoacan is shadowed by the Cartels.

Violence in Mexican Town Of Zitacuaro, Michoacán, Leaves 27 Dead; President Calderón Defends Anti-Drug Efforts | Latin America News Dispatch

Popular American tourist spot Tijuana........

Tijuana Drug War Violence: 2 Bodies Hung From Bridge, Man Beheaded

The Reach of Mexico's Drug Cartels - Interactive Graphic - NYTimes.com

Gov. Travel advisory

Mexico

[Hector]

I think folks often forget what a large and diverse country Mexico actually is.

I was on a tour of Mexico a few years back that took me to four extremely different cities in different regions (none near the border however) that were all very different and distinct in their own ways. I can't think of any moments where I felt unsafe walking around on my own in Tuxtla, Merrida or Mexico City.

Imagine basing your judgement on what the United States is like entirely on the crime rates out of Washington DC or Detroit.

I have visited about half the 31 states in Mexico...plus the Federal District...and you are absolutely correct, Sir.

Each state is very distinct...from various accents, music, cuisine, climate...to even economy.

Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey are very modern...while states like Chiapas and Tabasco...are much more rural and indigenous.

People don't see Mexico as a large country because it's right next to the GIANT-sized USA...but as a stand alone country...Mexico is quite large in its own right...14th largest in area in the world. Mexico is four times bigger than Spain for example.

[Hector]

Lepage...I agree with you...and yes...this drug cartel thing has spread practically everywhere in Mexico...but it's way much more rampant in the bordering states...that's due because it's the "export" place...the main transaction line for the bulk of the drug trade.

I'd still feel safer visiting Guadalajara or Mexico City...than Juarez or Tijuana...though.

But yes...not good times for Mexico right now.

BTW, yes, I've visited that "blog" you previously mentioned...pretty horrific stuff.

[lepage]

Lepage...I agree with you...and yes...this drug cartel thing has spread practically everywhere in Mexico...but it's way much more rampant in the bordering states...that's due because it's the "export" place...the main transaction line for the bulk of the drug trade.

I'd still feel safer visiting Guadalajara or Mexico City...than Juarez or Tijuana...though.

But yes...not good times for Mexico right now.

BTW, yes, I've visited that "blog" you previously mentioned...pretty horrific stuff.

I know what your saying Hector. Juarez is certainly standing out as ground zero. However, my thinking is, If you hang around a barber shop long enough, you will eventually end up getting a haircut.

You watch, Mexico will be the next place our military will go (unwelcomed).

This is an older article but It was brought up again just a few weeks ago....

Pentagon warns of US military intervention in Mexico’s “war on drugs”

This one is crazy.....

Video: Drug smugglers use catapult to fling pot - The Denver Post

[lepage]

How about that!?...............

Mexican Drug Cartel Leader Makes Forbes Most Powerful People In The World List - ThisIs50.com