Did somebody mention baby steps?
Posted on 04/17/2009 5:58:10 AM PDT by End Times Sentinel
Pres. Barack Obama went to Mexico and, unlike many of his presidential predecessors, didn’t stay in a remote resort, but in the midst of Mexico City, the sprawling metropolis of 20 million.
The visit — Obama’s first stop in Latin America — and the locale — the capital where an American president hadn’t visited in 12 years — sent the signal that the United States is committed to a country that is a punching bag in American domestic politics, but an indispensable ally in a region buffeted by revolutionary left-wing politics.
As if to underscore the stakes, on the eve of Obama’s visit, another dozen were killed in a shootout between Mexican soldiers and drug traffickers. Mexico now produces headlines — of beheadings and similar acts of savagery by the traffickers — that one more readily associates with the war zones of the Middle East. Last year alone, 6,300 people died in drug violence, more than the number of American troops killed in the entirety of the Iraq and Afghan wars.
(Excerpt) Read more at article.nationalreview.com ...
Mexico is a third world country steeped in a culture of corruption. You can keep cheering on their baby steps towards a functioning democracy under rule of law, but it’s not going to happen, not in any of our lifetimes.
The less we have to do with Mexico, the better.
Mr. Lowry seems to lack a realistic appreciation of Mexico. I, too, would like to see it turn into a decent place for its citizens to live and work, but they’re not going to get any good ideas on that score from Obama.
Calderón should secure his own border and stop the influx of drugs, terrorists, and illegal aliens into the US. Is he going to stand by us? And when is Mexico with its 52 consulates and 10% of its population in the US going to stop interfering in our interal affairs? It is a two way street.
Mexico is our second largest trading partner after Canada. That is not going to change.
I actually think Mexico is the model Obama wishes upon our country. Look at who he surrounds himself with, corrupt politicians.
Did somebody mention baby steps?
God supports those that support themselves.
I think I read that in the book of Globalonomy.
You can keep cheering on their baby steps towards a functioning democracy under rule of law, but it’s not going to happen, not in any of our lifetimes.
We have huge problems in America as it is. Sitting around hoping that Mexico is going to do something that benefits America is a poor course to choose. We have to proactively protect ourselves.
That is sarcasm , right?
It can be done, as demonstrated by our other central ally in the region, Colombia. It truly faced state collapse a few years ago, confronting a drug-fueled insurgency that controlled parts of the country and fielded organized troops. Aided by the massive Plan Colombia from the U.S., President Álvaro Uribe outfought — and outadministered — his country’s enemies. President Calderón can do the same — provided we stand by him.
1. The Mexican military is not the Colombian military. The Colombian armed forces have been fighting against communists for 50 years. They know who their enemy is and how to defeat them. All they needed was the weapons and money to get the upper hand. The Mexican military is a bunch of conscripts lead by an officer corps that doesn't seem to have a clue.
2.Mexico has a history of protracted, bloody civil wars. People fear military power and prefer to keep their army weak because when it is strong it is dangerous - to them.
3. Filipe Calderón is not Álvaro Uribe (there are Colombians who would argue that Álvaro Uribe isn't even Álvaro Uribe and that the army would won that war no matter who was president.) Calderón is a product of a corrupt political system and his closest US analog is probably Tom Delay. Any credibility the PAN had 15 years ago is long gone. They are just another bunch of money grubbing crooks in the eyes of most Mexicans.
4. Calderón's successor will be a leftist. López Obrador came withing a heartbeat of winning last time. The Mexican economy is worse off and the US and el comercio libre are a lot less popular among Mexicans now than they were then.
Rich, you need to study Mexican history, especially the civil war of the 1910s and the Yucatan caste wars of the 1840's through 1900s. Mexico is not American's ally - if you don't believe it take a look at their UN voting record. The Mexican people are no more our friends that the Goth's were the friends of the Roman empire 1600 years ago. It would be great if this were not so but we are conservatives and need to go with your brains, not our feelings.
We already support Mexico enough with tax dollars. Mexico can go bugger off.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.