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Sunday, February 20, 2011

One of Many Tragedies

With talk of Mexico and the narco violence which has lead some political figures like Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, and U.S. Army Under Secretary, Joseph W. Westphal, declaring an “insurgency" and "potentially, a takeover of a government" I found the words of Admiral Winnefeld interesting because he is responsible for defending America's homeland and would have a better insight on what is happening in Mexico.

Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr is a United States Navy four-star admiral who serves as the fourth and current Commander, U.S Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and the 21st Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).


Friends of NORAD and USNORTHCOM,

Tragically, earlier this week Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency Special Agent Jaime Zapata, was shot and killed by gunmen in an attack in Mexico Feb. 15. Our sincerest sympathies go out to Agent Zapata’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.

He and Agent Brian Terry of the Border Patrol, who lost his life near Rio Rico, Arizona, selflessly gave their lives for our security, and we must always remember their sacrifice. They were among many exceptionally dedicated and capable U.S. law enforcement officers committed to this struggle.

Agent Zapata’s is one of many tragedies unfolding in the ongoing struggle we share with Mexico against the transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) responsible for such deeply corrosive impacts in North America.

These impacts not only include trafficking in drugs, people and weapons back and forth across our borders, they also include murder, kidnapping, robbery and extortion committed by the TCOs against the Mexican people.

We must remember that while we lost an ICE agent this week, our Mexican partners have lost nearly 2,000 security forces agents and more than 30,000 civilians in the last four years. Many of these security forces’ family members live in the same towns where TCO violence is highest, and are often themselves targets, only heightening the respect in which we hold our counterparts.
(Friends, family, local and federal law enforcement gathered to receive Jaime Zapata body at Brownsville International Airport)

This struggle is about the future of Mexico and the safety and security of North America, and the Mexican government has shown exceptional moral, political and physical courage in confronting the TCOs.

The Mexican Army, Navy and Federal Police are gradually achieving success in unraveling these organized crime networks. In 2010 alone, they took down 15 significant players from among the seven cartels, disrupting the TCOs and their operations.

Mexico’s security organizations are undergoing many of the same transformations our forces have over the last decade, including building increased irregular operations capability, new forms of interagency cooperation, and concern for human rights—and are doing so in a very difficult operational environment.

I applaud their efforts. We must continue to assist them--and we are. Building upon the momentum established by our civilian leadership, our two militaries have forged a cooperative relationship, and we will continue to work together to counter the TCOs within clearly defined legal constraints and the guidance we receive from our respective political leadership—and always, always with complete respect for Mexican sovereignty.

We at USNORTHCOM are proud to support all of our U.S. and Mexican partners in our common effort to disrupt, degrade, and defeat the TCOs. Make no mistake, together we will confront and eventually defeat the criminal organizations that threaten our way of life. Agents Zapata and Terry understood that. It’s important that we do as well.
All the best,

Admiral Sandy Winnefeld

Sources: http://www.northcom.mil/NNCBlog/default,month,2011-02.aspx

24 comments:

  1. "This struggle is about the future of Mexico and the safety and security of North America"...We must continue to assist them--and we are...blah,blah,blah...fucking squid...Typical horseshit. Please put a Republican Executive into office and watch how it changes from "blah blah" to "we will begin work on an intitiative to intercept and undermine" Time to lay waste to the country and turn away....other than taking the natural gas, silver, and oil they have....

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  2. Well i have to say, this guy is correct.
    At least he gets it.
    Cooperation not Invasion.

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  3. like bush did anything to secure our border in 8 f#$king years?? mexico is a failed state since every election in the country in now controlled by the cartels. they can't/won't ever get control again, until we control our borders and stop the money/guns/recruits to the cartels. every branch of the armed forces is compromised except for some parts of the navy. getting close to the time to arm everyone, no???at least the ave mexican would have a fighting chance!!

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  4. They u.s is trying to blindfold us and torture us with their conveniently changing "ice agent" story....it's strange how many articles they keep writing on this, and each time they change it because commonsense thinking people realize and point out the whole story is b.s! The u.s is trying to get the taxpayers warmed up to the idea of a new war in mexico. This time not for oil(Iraq) or heroin(afghanistan)this time it is to take over the whole cartel empire...Elite people noticed when chapo got named as one of the richest people in the world, they decided to take his money, and his empire, and they have the ability because they use the american military to do it....get ready mexico, this is the start of the big push....

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  5. This is not the start of anything. And the ice agent story keeps changing because new info keeps coming out. Like after the surviving agent recovered a bit he could provide details. 12:03 is mexican and he needs to stop being such a fucking victim and stop being so stupid. 12:03 you're theory is ridiculous. Stop using drugs so you can think straight. And see if you can get your conspiracy theory/druggie friends to do the same.

    You act like a victim because you think you are a victim.

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  6. "The Mexican Army, Navy and Federal Police are gradually achieving success in unraveling these organized crime networks"

    A nice spin, but not the reality. capturing the 15 cartel leaders has done little and one might argue has caused a chaos that has resulted in record numbers of bloodshed. Does anyone really think we are in a stronger position? DOes anyone really think this so called war is being won by Calderon? These PR perp walks are BS, fact is the judicial system is so broken that no one stays in prison, if they are covicted in the first place. Does anyone read about these great arrest leading to convictions and long prison sentences?

    and if that doesn't get anyone thinking try this; in 72 hours this week-end SO FAR there have been 53 murders in Juarez!

    so yes...doing so much better...

    http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/americas/02/20/mexico.violence/

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  7. @Buela "capturing the 15 cartel leaders has done little and one might argue has caused a chaos that has resulted in record numbers of bloodshed" yes, it has lead to more bloodshed and left a power vacuum but the quality of the leadership has diminished. And what do you suggest? Just give up and let organize crime do their business? Like the admiral said not only Mexico's security is at stake here but entire North America...

    "DOes anyone read about these great arrest leading to convictions and long prison sentences?" I can actually name some for example Rafael Caro Quintero, Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo both serving 40 years in jail Benjamín Arellano Félix, and Eduardo Arellano Félix, el Teo and etc. just to name a few, look just google capos en altiplano. Can you name a top capo recently arrested? No, many of them are being killed instead of being arrested... coincidence? I think not.

    "and if that doesn't get anyone thinking try this; in 72 hours this week-end SO FAR there have been 53 murders in Juarez!"

    Do you read anything other then CNN, STRATFOR, or fox news? Some of the murderers have been captured or killed but I guess they don't get the same publicity like a good murder story right? like mentioned here on BB:

    http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2011/02/cd-juarezs-sspm-agents-take-out-two.html

    http://www.milenio.com/node/650693

    http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/746326.html

    Look what I'm trying to say is aren't you being tooooooooooooo negative? Have some hope, this problem wasn't created overnight and it's not going to be solved overnight either. I'm not saying things are perfect but just trying being a lil more positive in life. With Julian Leyzaola being named police chief in Juarez there is light at the end of the tunnel. Just have hope old woman.

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  8. The quickest way to hurt the cartels is to kill their profits by legalizing Marijuana in the USA and tax it like beer or cigarettes. The price would drop through the floor because US citizens would stop buying weed from dealers & go to the nearest liquor store or smoke shop to get it. Or, they would start their own gardens at home just like home brewing beer. That in itself would create gainful employment to people providing supplies for the home grower, etc as well as specialty growers similar to today’s micro breweries. The cartels would lose a large majority of their revenue “overnight”.
    Tax receipts from marijuana sales would generate a lot of money. In addition, the tremendous expense in manpower and money that is avoided from not having to chase and prosecute people for growing and smoking pot and releasing those already incarcerated for doing so would free up much more revenue. That money could finance fighting the cocaine, heroin, etc.
    Prohibition did not work with alcohol and it has not and will not work with marijuana. It only created an environment that permitted organized crime to become rich and powerful. A situation the US is still suffering from, mainly because US organized crime is also profiting from the drug trade. It is impossible to legislate morality any more than to legislate what religious belief a person should have.
    Mexico’s gun laws do not work either, because criminals and pirates, being criminals and pirates, do not care what is and is not illegal. If guns exist anywhere on the planet, the criminals will have them first. Law abiding citizens will only have them if they can legally own them. It is difficult for someone to raise a family and keep a good job under the best of conditions. For most people, to risk losing that by going to prison and destroying the life they are trying to build, does not make sense. For the ones that do, they are the aforementioned criminals and as previously established, don’t care anyway and never will.
    Arm the citizens of Mexico and the days of a group of gunmen coming into a village and taking it over will be finished. Sure it might get messy at first, but the ones losing the most people by far, will be the ones trying to take over the village in the first place, not the defenders. Mexico is no utopia of peace today anyway, that much is certain from reading BB. It is far better to do something, even the wrong thing, than doing nothing and waiting like a sheep for the slaughter.
    Emeliano Zapata said, "It's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." Currently, the people of Mexico are being forced to "live on their knees" by the government's refusal to allow the ordinary citizen their God given right to defend themselves and their property.
    The effect of the US and Mexican governments changing those two policies would be a win/win for the entire North American continent and would strengthen both countries, as well as improve the individual citizens quality of life.

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  9. Who appointed NORTHCOM, NORAD, the Pentagon, and US Admiral Sandy to be supposedly saving the Mexican people from drugs? What this commentary shows is a Pentagon that itself has become a lawless international terror organization.

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  10. To 12:59, the only victim here is you, your a victim of your own mental disease, for to long you spooks have spouted your stories with no facts and now your mad because your being exposed for what you are, and that is warmongering whores, trying to find a sreetcorner in any country that has something you want to take...yes, take off your mask a government mole badge and show the people what you really are...but you hate the light just like ALL COCKROACHES so you lurk in the shadows and snipe at the ones exposing you carefully laid propagandaeices to inavde mexico...facts are mine..bring it mole..

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  11. OK 12:08 give us some facts. Can you back up anything you post? The US wants to "take over" the narco empire in Mexico. Facts now, not your stupid conspiracy paranoia. Go for it.

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  12. @ 5:33

    I do read 100+ links to news a day. It should be obvious to any idiot even you why I post US NEWS...BECAUSE THIS IS A ENGLISH SPEAKING READER BASED BLOG.

    You are ignorant. I am entitled to my op and present it from a base of exp and knowledge. Maybe in your part of MX (where are you?) this is not the reality, but I work with or have relatives in a dozen Mx states, and none with peace. My niece just returned from 4 years in DF working as an agent. I know what is going on in Mx, I have been there for years, and know that the US does not believe that Mx is suceeding, quite the opposite.

    hope? I do have a hope or I would go nuts. But not in the government, in the people that one day they will say "BASTA!!" But this killing of a handful of leaders means little and not for long. It is not only Mx, it is 43 countries in the world that presently one cartel or another has control of the drug, org crm and priracy trade. I have been saying for one year LOOK TOWARDS CENTRAL AM. and now it is really too late. remember waterway traffic until recently never went trhu CA and now that is the preferred travel...soon guate can be a true narco state and logistically that is a nightmare for the US. The Northern border is being used more and I predict will become major to the Mx DTO. there are 4000 mi of open unsecured access to the US. and the recent agreement btn canada/US will dissolve the no border. already DTOs have been caught from seattle, NY and MI and great lakes and tunnels.

    You are greatly naive to think that a politian really believes what they say...its call spin, soothing the stupid natives....that would be you.

    I leave you with this question, since you are trying to be so hopeful and compassionate for Mx. WHat do you personally do for Mexico? You should take you energy you use to be rude to people that have an op and do something good. Make a difference. Jeeze I can imagine you go thru life being the biggest asshole to everyone you meet, hopefully you do not have a family. I don't mind an opposing op or debate but when you make it personal something is mentally off with a person like you. Then we go to war and waste the time of everyone.

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  13. E1..

    get the iceskates out.
    Remember when WIkileaks broke? You supported Assange and I opposed? Well everything I have read since then tells me he is not the culprit and did nothing illegal. of course there may be info not revealed yet that I would change the op. But actually I think wikileaks was a good thing. Because it gave perfect insight how US gov speaks out oth sides their mouths. Like Sandy...raw-raw-boom-yah! spin it Sandy. and behind the scenes we saw the memos saying Mx drug war is a disaster, innefective plan of going after leaders and no win in sight....
    Honestly I sorta get your cynicism, tho I still think you take it to the extreme. JAJA

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  14. I don't think of myself as particularly cynical, Buela. It is merely that I try to recognize when a propaganda system is in operation and for what the shills call for and who pays them what for that. Sometimes there are lots of volunteer fanatics on board for free, too.

    'Honestly I sorta get your cynicism, tho I still think you take it to the extreme. JAJA'

    Got to look at these things otherwise you get fed a line of poop too often. Actually the most vocal and nasty bs that comes my way often comes from liberal Democratic Party voter types and not the Far Righters that hate my comments so much here on BB. The donkey lovers, too, really hate it if their scriptures and saints are under attack.

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  15. ernie, your alias are too revealing. You go by many names and fronts. You pee pee is all over BB. You hate it when someone invades your teritory.. Typical Doge Dog behavior. Pero.

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  16. @Buela

    100+ links? No wonder your so negative. Don't you know news only care about rating and report on sex,scandal, and violence? Do you read everything you believe? Did you even read the links I showed you? Prob not, and I'm trying to be very respectful when I say this but can you even read Spanish, READ THE LINKS I showed you, if not I will translate them for you? did those English SPEAKING news links say anything about those news I showed you? NO!

    I am ignorant?? How? I never said you weren't entitled to your opinion? I just decide to debate you with facts, which you obviously took it too personal.

    "My niece just returned from 4 years in DF working as an agent. I know what is going on in Mx, I have been there for years, and know that the US does not believe that Mx is suceeding, quite the opposite."

    So just because your niece was working in the DF away from hot zones it makes you, Miss know it, all of the sudden? It doesn't mean crap. "This is not the reality?" I know the reality! I had relatives of mine killed because of the drug war. A cousin, two uncles, one of which was el presidente municipal of Las Nieves, Durango who opposed drug cartels and they killed him for it and last week a cousin of mine was almost killed because he was working in la presidencia municipal of Allende, Chihuahua. Just because I had family members die you don't see me being a "negative Nancy" do you?

    Here is a link of my cousin being shot at, if you don't believe me: http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldeparral/notas/n1972579.htm

    So in your opinion the drug war is not succeeding because their is an increase of violence? Well what did you think was going to happen when the government went after them? they were just going to give up? No! The violence maybe not today, not tomorrow but in the future will cease, you just got have hope, everything comes to an end eventually.

    "Hope? I do have a hope or I would go nuts. But not in the government, in the people that one day they will say "BASTA!!"

    I have news for you, in order to defeat organize crime the government and people need to work hand in hand. And the rest of your blah blah blah...goes to show the how pessimistic you really are, I read it and I felt like the world was coming to an end lol. The admiral is not a politician and he controls all the intelligence agencies in America so I believe he knows what he is talking about, maybe the only naive person is you..

    "hopefully you do not have a family"

    I do have a family who loves me, and I love them. I am currently in la Universidad so I can't really do much but yes once I graduate I will do something for my country and be that hopeful and compassionate person for Mx that I already am.

    "I don't mind an opposing op or debate but when you make it personal something is mentally off with a person like you. Then we go to war and waste the time of everyone."

    Go back and read my last post. Show me where I made it personal, I DEBATED YOU WITH FACTS but obviously you couldn't handle a lil debate.This post was personal since you decided to make it personal and be rude.

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  17. Anonymous 4:08PM. dog is spelled perro.

    'Anonymous said... ernie, your alias are too revealing. You go by many names and fronts. You pee pee is all over BB. You hate it when someone invades your teritory.. Typical Doge Dog behavior. Pero.'

    And who else am I supposedly being here on BB, Anonymous? Actually, I was hoping for somebody like yourself to say something intelligent about the Admirals speech line....

    'We at USNORTHCOM are proud to support all of our U.S. and Mexican partners in our common effort to disrupt, degrade, and defeat the TCOs. Make no mistake, together we will confront and eventually defeat the criminal organizations that threaten our way of life.'

    God forbid that they would 'threaten our way of life'! Where have we been fed this baby food before, Anonymous? And how many times? What is 'our way of life'?

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  18. You miss the point...I cannot say in a blog how I am connected in Mx. But I have had a rare insight into politics, education, US agencies etc. SOme of the people I have as friends have been in articles on this blog. as for 100+ per day. I run the two foundations, but for one year illness has stuck me here for several surgeries. One more to go and I can return to Mx. But I have my offices there and full staff, skype, blackberry, ipad make communication easy. But I do sift what is sent to me and separate those that interest me and research those. You may be interested in a report I just read about Mexican Education System. one report was 200 pages, but includes private schools and universities and tec. Talk about hopeless. But thats another subject. Primarily that is my focus, education and advocacy and assisting the disabled children of mx.
    and you could do much at any age. I am serious, set some time aside, you will love it and it will carry thorughout your life. WHen I was in the university I worked as a community advocate for ESL families. Then my attn went to the united farm workers becasue my father was a farmworker in the california fields.

    I would have listened to you even if I did not agree with you, but when you say things like Old lady, you had to know that was contentious and conbative. Or something is wrong with your logic.

    You say you are passionate , those are words in the air. I have many students that I have placed doing humanitarian work, in Hogars as tutors, or teaching "old ladies" to read, helping at CAMs with therapies of all types, etc. there is so much to do, NOW...and there is NO excuse except extreme disablity not to help others. If you began having excuses now you will always find excuses later...

    good luck to you...

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  19. Good work, I always said education leads to success. Proud of you. I did not mean anything with "old lady" and I'm serious, you have the name Buela which means grandma or old lady so I used that. No offense. I am passionate but I don't like to say what I do either, I don't brag. I do a lot on my spare time I work in centros de acopio y donativos(I dont know how to say in english)in el DF and give to the poor. Not much but its something. When I said when "I graduate I will do something for my country and be that hopeful and compassionate person for Mx that I already am." I meant politically because I've realize that things need to change through communication and politics is the only way to achieve that. Good luck on your surgery. Hope all goes well.

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  20. Anon 7:09

    Well, Buela (Abuela) does mean grandmother but not old lady. That is disrespectful and I doubt you refer to your mother or grandmother as "old lady". My children/grandchildren sure do not. I apologize for my rudeness, yes, intentional, tit for tat. Actually I am impressed with you, you are very bright, thoughtful and obviously care about Mexico very much.
    Education is a must in Mx & an absolute in any plan to win this "war". 58% of children drop out/fail. Only 1% of all children can pass a basic math and science exam with an excellent score, 40% fail all together. Mexico has narrowed their field of choice of the best and the brightest. It began with Fox' education revolution, a disaster. The system is complicated with the state schools and fed schools and poor states/cities getting far less fed help than the wealthier areas. Makes no sense. Teachers are not certified, paid too low, moved around like musical chairs. The sec of ed in my state has changed hands 5 times in 3 years. I get to know one guy and have a great relationship then BAM! he is gone. so frustrating.This is why the cartels have an unlimited supply of Ponchis, they simply recruit from the Ni-nis. a short life with a few riches makes sense to these children.
    Good to hear you already began your humanitarian work. It will carry through, and sometimes becomes your life (smile).Since we are now friends I will respond to your comment. Actually I do believe what you state about your cousin. Everyone in Mx suffers loss or knows someone who has. about the Felix family, you are correct but you need to break it down; many were BEFORE Calderon, before the drug war, before the standard of prosecution (guilt) was changed to become a convoluted mess that no one can attain. Many are set free. Miguel is in (1989?) for killing DEA Camarena, before Calderon and with the US watching, Javier sits in Supermax Co USA caught by US coast guard. Ramon in 2002...and so forth. few before Calderon and my comments are AFTER the so called declaration of war. It simply is not working.
    I have lost all hope in the government. I see corruption everywhere, even with my Politian friends, who I befriended while I was new to Mx and naive. I will tell you when I was young I was filled with idealism (60s-70s) we were going to change the world with love and peace. It was a great moment in my life because it was free of reality, that changing is not a free ride, everyone must pay, invest. and I have learned to question, and never take anything at face value, dig for the truth. the truth in Mexico stinks to high heaven. México's truth is it is riddled with tremendous issues, each issue brought on by corruption, every issue holds corruption culpable. I will not see a "win" nor my children, but just maybe, and here is where my hope lies..just maybe you will, in fact just maybe you will be a part of that win.

    "Unhappy Is The Land In Need of Heroes

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  21. To be honest I stopped reading Buela's rantings along with Erenie's for a while already, they usually are just full if odd speculations and useless rhetoric, very rare do they add anything of substance to a discussion. It is funny how Buela likes to stir the pot and cries foul when things get too hot. Is like she likes to play rough ball with the boys, then comes crying when she gets hits with the ball. Almost looks like she tries to seek attention.

    Anyne noticing that too?

    I truly believe that Mexico can only win with US help, not intervention, but the US has to be very clear on the rules of engagement. Mexico is just not getting it done, and the US needs to know that. The US should help but with conditions and the US should make demands when the little dirty drug war touches our security from the thugs.

    BB, you are all doing a great job, keep us posted!

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  22. @Buela

    I agree Buela the education system is a lose lose situation. I had to go to a private institution to get my education. Where bilingual is the norm so I got the best education I can ask for but I couldn't be here if it wasn't for my parents. The government has been crying about the an education reform but I have not look in to it or even read the document so far or what changes will be implemented but it needs to be approved by congress. People say its good but who knows. Congress just passed a bill stating that high school is now obligated. Shows how old and outdated the system really is but Calderon sign a bill that tuition is tax deductible.Insufficient completely, but its a start. I just wish everyone had the same opportunities. I see where your coming from when talking about corruption and yet with so much corruption I see the poorest of the people be humble and honest and I admire them for that, that's where my hope lies. Thank your for that nice comment maybe I will be part of the win situation for Mexico lets keep are fingers crossed. I wanted to say thank you for what you do in my country, I know you don't have to do that but you do and I am grateful! Even if you managed to save or changed one person's life that is still doing a world a great service. Thank you Buela.

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  23. to: 9:42am

    and I say thank you to Buela also.

    A blog reader commenting to topics should be opinion, speculation or offering additional information. It is not the readers responsibility to bring something new. and definitely not to be used to personally attack a person. You have used this space for one agenda to attack Buela. Not to debate her opinion but to attack and then immaturely ask how many readers agree with the attack. I do not think I have ever seen that done before in this blog, or any other I read. You may say she brings nothing but I completely disagree as I have learned a tremendous insight to not only narco news but insight to social issues and the reality of Mexico today through Buela. I also think I am correct that she has forwarded stories to the reporters because I see where they thank her. I am amazed that someone would be so rude for no reason. Shame on you. If you don't like it don't read it, I look for her name knowing I most often will learn something or will get a good recommendation to find additional information. Her name is always with her comments you do not have to read them, stay stupid and rude, that's your prerogative; such as your great idea at the end of your rant.
    my two cents : -)

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  24. Wow..I get sick one day and missed all this Buela talk! JAJA..

    Seriously, I am taken aback my anyone inviting others to jump on the slam train against others. Something not right with a person that would do that.

    But it is true I can get in attack mode but almost always when it becomes personal. and bottom line, if you see "Buela" attached to a comment and don't like my comments...just pass on by.

    @3:31
    Remember this I do have hope for Mexico, and its the heroes in the making today that will create change and I believe it is your generation. Though I am wondering, and maybe hoping a bit that the world protest happening in troubled lands will give the people of Mx courange and resolve.

    BTW...did you see Ajulio's comment on the story "Mexican leader slams US coordination of Drug War" read from wikileaks the stats of deaths before calderon and after, and the conviction rate.
    tho I should not generalize, those stats are why I posted what I did.

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