The War Next Door

(Community Matters) real time: at a Marfa Public Radio event with NPR’s John Burnett speaking about what’s happening south of the border – a place he says is as dangerous for journalists as *anywhwere* in the world.

Referencing a rancher who says shoot first, “I’d rather be judged by 12 than killed by 6.”

In Juarez , which some call the most murderous city in the world – an average of 12 homicides a day. A colorful story about his Canadian journalist friend and public urination – 8 police show up, gathering evidence but can’t pursue murders.

Cities in Mexico which are virtually under lock down by the cartels. They run city hall and the local newspapers – even in cities of up to a million citizens.

Federal customs collected at a bridge are set by a cartel and delivered to a cartel.

In Nuevo Laredo, they rolled a grenade into a newsroom.

Newspapers all over Mexico are begging to know what do the cartels demand, what can they say or not say. The six drug cartels rule.

Still some safe places: Mx City, Oaxaca, parts of Yucatan

These cartels serve the US drug consumption. Everywhere you effectively attack the cartels, it’s like cutting a snake and it becomes many – just more violent and less predictable. You can’t understand Mexico’s trauma without understanding the corruption from the police to the national security forces. John believes Pres Calderon sincerely fighting but corruption has cooped his own forces.

Pornography of violence. It’s as if Hannibal Lecter were directing the scenes – the theatricality of violence. Utter impunity – you’ve bought the police. The women in Juarez who were murdered, we now know it was completely about recreational violence by the police. The Zetas came from Mexican special forces and are particularly violent.

Double standards. American journalists – like being in Baghdad, must be a spy and a journalist. There are lookouts everywhere – taxis, at taquerias, in hotels.

What’s happening in Mexico is scaring that country for a very long time. All about business, about marketshare and access to US points of entry. Though, worried about authority and rule of law completely dissolving.

Organized crime in Mexico is endemic and growing everywhere. Extortion of business is the norm – “or they will cut your bartenders head off.” Now, it is not just the cartels, but start up gangs are terrorizing the population. Is Mexico a failed state? John doesn’t think it is. 14th largest economy in the country. They deliver mail, run elections, educate children. But, there are failed cities. Spilling over? It is in Hamilton but not in El Paso.

Eugene thinks Pres Obama ought to send black helicopters & special forces to teach the Falcon Lake gangs a lesson – never, ever cross this line.

Posted from my blackberry