Mexico Apologizes for Disrupting Funeral

yahoo news ^ | Wed Jul 7, 5:38 AM ET | WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press Writer

[King Prout]

U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza had sent a blistering diplomatic note Tuesday demanding to know why Mexican troops interrupted the funeral Sunday for Lance Cpl. Juan Lopez, who had migrated to the United States from Mexico and was killed west of Baghdad on June 21.

The Mexican soldiers took issue with non-working, ceremonial rifles carried by two Marines who traveled from the United States for the ceremony, but Garza said the Marines had worked everything out beforehand.

"This should have been an opportunity not only to honor a hero, but also for Mexico to honor one of its own sons," Ambassador Tony Garza said in the letter.

*snip*

Even so, problems at the funeral began when four U.S. Marines marched to the burial plot hoisting an American flag and the colors of the Marine Corps. Two of the men carried rifles that looked real, but could not be fired.

Four Mexican soldiers blocked their path, asking the four Marines and six others who had served as pallbearers to return to a Chevrolet Suburban that had brought them to the funeral.

Several minutes of discussions continued until taps began and the funeral continued over the objections of the Mexican troops.

*snip*

[King Prout]

nice neighbors. I do hope our Border Patrol people remember this the next time Federales engage them, from across the border or on our soil.

[Happy2BMe]

"Even so, problems at the funeral began when four U.S. Marines marched to the burial plot hoisting an American flag and the colors of the Marine Corps. Two of the men carried rifles that looked real, but could not be fired.

Four Mexican soldiers blocked their path, asking the four Marines and six others who had served as pallbearers to return to a Chevrolet Suburban that had brought them to the funeral."

__________________________________

Ping your USMC buddies . .

[Luke]

Frankly... I think it is way past time we sealed the border and adopted a shoot to kill policy for all illegals.

[Mr. Mojo]

But, the secretary said, Mexico's soldiers "had an obligation" to ensure the law wasn't being violated.

Oh yeah, those Mexicans are a real law-abiding bunch. </ sarc>

Mexico's all-consuming inferiority complex rears its ugly head yet again.

[Happy2BMe]

Anybody up for a nice, friendly, little jog over to Mexico?

____________________________________

Tue Jul 6, 5:11 PM ET
Mexican soldiers, left, in green argue with a group of U.S. Marines, two of whom were carrying non-working ceremonial rifles during the funeral of 22-year-old Juan Lopez in his hometown of San Luis de la Paz in central Mexico, Sunday, July 4, 2004.The U.S. Embassy on Tuesday, July 6, 2004 sent a diplomatic note to Mexico's government demanding to know why Mexican troops interrupted the funeral of a U.S. Marine who died in Iraq (news - web sites) and was being buried in his hometown in central Guanajuato state.Mexican soldiers with automatic weapons disrupted the graveside burial of Lance Cpl. Juan Lopez on Sunday, after taking issue with two non-working, ceremonial rifles carried by two Marines who traveled from the United States to take part in the funeral. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

[Servant of the 9]

Mexico has a deep suspicion of foreign military forces in its territory. The Marine Hymn's "Halls of Montezuma" refers to the 1847 U.S. capture of Mexico City.

Maybe time for another punitive expedition, Texas Rangers and US Marines, just like last time.

So9

[Happy2BMe]

"Mexico's Foreign Relations Secretary responded to Garza's note late Tuesday by saying it was "sorry the actions that occurred during the ceremony caused the interruption of such a solemn act, especially for Mr. Lopez's family members, his Marine compatriots and U.S. diplomats present at the act."

But, the secretary said, Mexico's soldiers "had an obligation" to ensure the law wasn't being violated.

"The intervention of the members of the Mexican army was for the sole purpose of verifying the (kind of) weapons the honor guard was carrying during the ceremony," it said."

___________________________________________

From the looks of that USMC Honor Guard, it is a very, very, VERY good the for those Mexican troops the weapons the Marines were carrying were inert.

AR$E WHOOPIN' TIME ON MAIN STREET - BREAK OUT THE HEADBUSTERS . . .

[King Prout]

careful - read the posting admonition.

[King Prout]

been sayin' that since '90.

[swampfox98]

You get to the point that there is nothing left to say when it comes to Mexico.

[King Prout]

well... nothing printable, true

[usadave]

Mexico Apologizes for Disrupting Funeral

I'm hoping to see the following headline someday:

Mexico Apologizes for Being Mexico

[Az. Mike]

Frankly, it would never happen. Both parties want the cheap labor and (potential) voting bloc.

[Wallace T.]

It may be time to take Baja California, Sonora, and possibly Chihuahua out of Mexico's hands. The United States is the current home for millions of Mexican citizens. Why not take some of that nation's territory to help compensate us for the cost of public education, medical care, etc.? Besides, if we are having problems with Mexico under the rule of Vincente Fox, a supposed conservative and a faithful Catholic, what will be it like if the leftist PRI or, worse, a Marxist like Cuauhtemoc Cardenas came to power? Mexico has maintained ties with Communist Cuba since Castro came to power and provided minimal or no support for American military efforts.

Instead of worrying about the Reconquista of the U.S. Southwest, it may be time to accomplish the Conquista of the Mexican northwest. Perhaps some territorial loss will cause Mexico to re-learn the lessons of 1846.

[azhenfud]

Those four wannabe's should have been jack-slapped on the spot, but it would have been to the Corp's dead's dishonor.

Those Mexican idiots had best be grateful the Marines kept their professionalism.

To those Marines - good going fellas. You serve us well..

[Zeroisanumber]

Our national need for utterly usless land is already handily filled by Death Valley and most of Texas.

[Smartass]

MEXICAN MILITARY ARE A BUNCH OF TROLLS
ALLWAYS HAVE BEEN, ALWAYS WILL BE.

[Wallace T.]

I don't agree. Baja California under proper management would make a really great year round resort, Build some good airports, extend I-5 to La Paz, connect the peninsula into the U.S. power and telecommunications systems, and it could be some valuable real estate. Sonora would protect the east end of the Gulf of California and the Colorado River delta. It has significant fruit and vegetable production that needs to be brought up to U.S. health and environmental standards.

[potlatch]

LOL, deja vou, I've seen that guy before! Can't forget THAT face!!

[Joe Hadenuf]

"They're our good friends"