14-year-old: Mexican drug gang made me behead 4

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Published December 03, 2010 Associated Press

In cargo pants and a T-shirt, the skinny, American-born 14-year-old looked like he should be in middle school. Instead he was surrounded by three armed Mexican soldiers in ski masks and camouflage as he told reporters that he helped a Mexican drug gang behead four people.

Mexican officials say they arrested the youth known as "El Ponchis" late Thursday at an airport south of Mexico City with a 19-year-old sister who is accused of helping him dump the bodies. Authorities said he was caught with two cell phones that held photographs of tortured victims.

Many youths have been used by drug cartels in their bloody battles against the government and each other, but the story of El Ponchis may be the most shocking. A YouTube video that emerged a month ago sparked talk of a child hit man — said by some to be as young as 12.

"I participated in four executions, but I did it drugged and under threat that
if I didn't, they would kill me," the boy said calmly when he was handed over to
the federal prosecutor Friday morning, showing no remorse.

Authorities identified the curly-haired suspect by his first name only — Edgar.

He told reporters early Friday he was kidnapped at the age of 11 and forced to work for the Cartel of the South Pacific, a branch of the splintered Beltran Leyva gang, and that he had participated in at least four decapitations.

Authorities said the siblings were detained at an airport near Cuernavaca in Morelos state with paid tickets to flee the country.

Morelos Gov. Marco Adame Castillo said the boy was born in San Diego, California, and Mexican officials were researching whether he has dual nationality. A U.S. Embassy official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to embassy policy said American officials had not yet confirmed his citizenship.

The boy's sister said they were headed for Tijuana, where they planned to cross the border and seek refuge with their stepmother in San Diego. Their mother sent them money for the tickets, she said, but it was not clear where their parents are.

The army did not say whether the children had passed security when they were detained. Neither has been formally charged.

The two allegedly worked for Julio "El Negro" Padilla, who has been fighting for control of the drug trade in Morelos, formerly part of the territory under the Beltran Leyva gang, which broke up with the killing of leader Arturo Beltran Leyva by Mexican marines a year ago. The battle among remnants of the gang has caused an unprecedented spike in violence in Morelos and in neighboring Guerrero state, where the resort city of Acapulco is located.

El Ponchis' sister said she was the girlfriend of Padilla and part of a group of girls called Las Chabelas, who helped dump bodies on streets and freeways in and around Cuernavaca, a city about 56 miles (90 kilometers) south of Mexico City. She said her brother introduced them.

An adult sister picked up at the airport appeared with the two Friday, but authorities said she has no ties to drug trafficking.

Stories of a hit boy, maybe as young as 12, spread after a YouTube video appeared last month with teens mugging for the camera next to corpses and guns. One boy on the video alleged that "El Ponchis" was his accomplice. State and federal authorities refused to confirm El Ponchis even existed.

In the video, the youth told an unseen questioner that his gang was paid $3,000 per killing.

"When we don't find the rivals, we kill innocent people, maybe a construction
worker or a taxi driver," the youth is heard saying.

Figures obtained by The Associated Press from Mexico's attorney general's office show that the number of youths 18 and under detained for drug-related crimes has climbed steadily since President Felipe Calderon launched his assault on cartels in 2006. There were 482 that year and 810 in 2009. There were 562 in the first eight months of this year, on track to surpass last year.

Calderon has acknowledged that "in the most violent areas of the country, there is an unending recruitment of young people without hope, without opportunities."

The federal government has said the cartels are recruiting ever younger assassins to replace those killed or arrested in the current wars among the gangs and with the government. The government also has said that cartels prefer underage youths because they shorter sentences if caught.

Unlike the United States, Mexico has no system for trying juveniles as adults, though a bill that would establish such a provision is before the Mexican Senate. In Mexico, juveniles are sentenced to youth detention centers and are freed at age 18.

Although state courts handle crimes by juveniles in Mexico, authorities in Morelos have asked Mexico's federal government to take over the case because of the gravity of the crimes.

Neighbors said the siblings were living in a cartel safehouse in a poor neighborhood of Jiutepec, a working-class suburb of Cuernavaca. The area has an industrial area with Nissan, Unilever and other factories, rustic single-level concrete homes and some farms.

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Associated Press Writer Mark Stevenson contributed to this report from Cancun.
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Blitzer - Calderon Interview: Mexican President Felipe Calderon in Situation Room

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THE SITUATION ROOM

Interview with Mexican President Felipe Calderon; Analysis of Special Election Results

Aired May 19, 2010 - 17:00 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


WOLF BLITZER, HOST: Thanks very much, guys.

Happening now, the presidents of the United States and New Mexico standing together against Arizona's controversial immigration law.

But is Mexico just as tough -- or even tougher -- on illegal immigrants?

Stand by for my exclusive interview with the president of Mexico, Felipe Calderon...

I'm Wolf Blitzer.


You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.

President Obama today ratcheted up his criticism of Arizona's immigration law -- one of the darkest clouds over his relationship with the visiting president of Mexico. And it may just have been just what Felipe Calderon wanted to hear. Mr. Obama explained why his administration may, in fact, go ahead and challenge the Arizona law in court -- a law that he calls a misdirected expression of frustration.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think the Arizona law has the potential of being applied in a discriminatory fashion. Now, after it was initially passed, the Arizona legislature amended it and said that this should not be carried out in a discriminatory way. But I think a fair reading of the language of the statute indicates that it gives the possibility of individuals who are being suspicious of being illegal immigrants from being harassed or arrested. And the judgments that are going to be made in applying this law are troublesome.

What I have directed my Justice Department to do is to look very carefully at the language of this law to see whether it comports both with our core values and existing legal standards, as well as the fact that the federal government is ultimately the one charged with immigration policy. And I expect to get a final report back from the Justice Department soon, at which point, we'll make some decisions in terms of how we are going to address that law.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: After president Calderon's visit to the White House, he came right here to THE SITUATION ROOM for an exclusive interview. This is his only television interview during his state visit to Washington.

I asked him, what's wrong with the folks in Arizona wanting to protect their border?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PRES. FELIPE CALDERON, MEXICO: That is not exactly the problem. I fully respect the right of any nation to establish the legislation that that nation wants -- or their people -- and, of course, the right of any nation to enforce the law and protect their own borders.

But the problem is first that we need to -- to face this challenge in a comprehensive way as President Obama says. And that implies to recognize the rights and the contribution of the people to the growth of this great nation.

But, on the other hand, and in particular, in Arizona, there is some racial profiling criteria in order to enforce the law that it is against any sense of human rights and, of course, is provoking a very disappointing things -- or a very disappointing opinion in Mexico and around the world, even here, in America.

BLITZER: Because the governor of Arizona says there is no racial profiling, that they're not going to simply stop someone who looks Mexican. They're going to have to have -- the police are going to have to a reason for stopping someone. And if that reason then asks -- results in them asking for papers, that's a different matter.

CALDERON: It could be. And I fully respect the opinion of the governor. But from the point of view of not only Mexican people, but also Mexican-American people and specialists and analyzed the new law precisely had this kind of risk.

BLITZER: Even the amendments that were made -- the changes that were made in this law in Arizona?

CALDERON: Even with that, because what is -- the reason is we need to clarify -- and, in particular, it would be fine if the judicial authorities are able to clarify how dangerous or how bad is the law. If the authorities say it is good, we will respect.

But, anyway, I think that we need to focus in a different way the solution of my -- of immigration here in the States.

BLITZER: You heard the president of the United States say that he doesn't have the votes in the Senate, maybe not in the House of Representatives, to pass comprehensive immigration reform that would include a pathway to citizenship -- U.S. citizenship for illegal immigrants.

So what -- in the meantime, is there anything wrong with states trying to tighten up their security?

CALDERON: The point is to introduce these kinds of elements, especially racial profiling aspects that are attempting against what we consider human rights. It's the principle of discrimination, which is against the values of this great nation.

BLITZER: Has your foreign ministry issued a travel advisory to Mexicans not to visit Arizona?

CALDERON: Yes, because according with this law, it's -- there is some risk for Mexican people, especially because...

BLITZER: And so if a tourist goes to Mex -- to Arizona and has the proper visas, the proper papers, what's the risk?

CALDERON: The risk is that it -- well, they looks like Mexicans. And, exactly, they are Mexican, even they are visiting and buying things in Arizona.

Let me tell you what the Mexican -- Mexican consumption in Arizona implied like $3 billion a year. So the tourism and other activities of Mexican people in Arizona works a lot for Arizona's economy.

BLITZER: So you think Arizona will pay a price for this -- this new law?

CALDERON: I don't want that. I only want an -- a mutual understanding. And, in particular, I don't want to move these controversial feelings. I don't want to exacerbate bad feelings between Mexicans and Americans. We need to find out a solution.

What is clear for me is that that law is not a solution at all.

BLITZER: All right. Let's talk a little bit about Mexico's laws. I read an article in "The Washington Times" the other day. I'm going to read a paragraph to you and you tell me if this is true or not true. This is from "The Washington Times": "Under the Mexican law, illegal immigration is a felony punishable by up to two years in prison. Immigrants who are deported and attempt to reenter can be imprisoned for 10 years. Visa violators can be sentenced to six year terms. Mexicans who help illegal immigrants are considered criminals."

Is that true?

CALDERON: It was true, but it is not anymore. We derogate or we erased that part of the law. Actually, the legal immigration is not a -- is not a crime in Mexico. Not anymore, since one year ago. And that is the reason why we are trying to establish our own comprehensive public policy talking about, for instance, immigrants coming from Central America...

BLITZER: So if...

CALDERON: -- (INAUDIBLE).

BLITZER: So if people want to come from Guatemala or Honduras or El Salvador or Nicaragua, they want to just come into Mexico, they can just walk in?

CALDERON: No. They need to fulfill a form. They need to establish their right name. We analyze if they have not a criminal precedent. And they coming into Mexico. Actually...

BLITZER: Do Mexican police go around asking for papers of people they suspect are illegal immigrants?

CALDERON: Of course. Of course, in the border, we are asking the people, who are you?

And if they explain...

BLITZER: At the border, I understand, when they come in.

CALDERON: Yes.

BLITZER: But once they're in...

CALDERON: But not -- but not in -- if -- once they are inside the -- inside the country, what the Mexican police do is, of course, enforce the law. But by any means, immigration is a crime anymore in Mexico.

BLITZER: Immigration is not a crime, you're saying?

CALDERON: It's not a crime.

BLITZER: So in other words, if somebody sneaks in from Nicaragua or some other country in Central America, through the southern border of Mexico, they wind up in Mexico, they can go get a job...

CALDERON: No, no.

BLITZER: They can work.

CALDERON: If -- if somebody do that without permission, we send back -- we send back them.

BLITZER: You find them and you send them back?

CALDERON: Yes. However, especially with the people of Guatemala, we are providing a new system in which any single citizen from Guatemala could be able to visit any single border (INAUDIBLE) in the south. And even with all the requirements, he can or she can visit any parts of Mexico.

BLITZER: I ask the questions because there's an argument that people in Arizona and New Mexico and -- and Texas, they say they're only trying to do in their states what Mexico itself does in the southern part of Mexico.

CALDERON: I know. And that is a very powerful argument. But that is one of the reasons why we are trying to change our policy.

And let me be frank, Wolf. In the past, Mexican authorities were in a -- in a -- in an unfortunate way in the treatment for immigrants. But now we are changing the policy. We changed already the law. And that is different today. We are trying to write a new story, talking about immigrants, especially coming from Central American countries.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

BLITZER: We're going to have a lot more of my exclusive interview with the president of Mexico, Felipe Calderon. I'll ask him about the almost 23,000 Mexicans who've died in the Mexican drug war on his watch and whether the illegal cartels are winning. That's coming up later this hour here in THE SITUATION ROOM.

Here's a snapshot of where Americans stand on immigration. Our most recent CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll asked if the United States should make it easier for illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens. One third of those questioned said yes; two-thirds said no.


BLITZER: ... The presidents of the United States and Mexico confronting drug violence at the border.

Are the cartels, though, winning?

Stand by for more of my exclusive interview with the president of Mexico, Felipe Calderon....


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)


BLITZER: ...I'm Wolf Blitzer.


You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.

The Mexican president, Felipe Calderon, is set to arrive at the White House just about a half hour or so from now for this evening's state dinner.

But first, more of my exclusive conversation earlier today with Felipe Calderon.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: This drug war is -- is getting out of control. I know you've tried, since becoming president, to do something. But in "The Wall Street Journal," they just did a story the other day and -- and CNN has similar information. Nearly 23,000 people have been killed in Mexico since you launched your war on these drug cartels -- these drug gangs.

Is that right?

CALDERON: There are several things that I need to clarify. First, it is not exactly a war on drugs, in the sense that my object is not only and not mainly drugs, or narcotrafficking itself. It's not a war on drugs in the old sense of Mr. Nixon established here in the States.

My focus is to guarantee the safety for Mexican families, which are under threat of the organized crime in Mexico.

BLITZER: Because the murders and -- and the kidnappings, it seems to me, from afar, as if it's almost out of control.

CALDERON: It is not out of control. It is part of the process that we are stopping. Fortunately, we started to take action on time. Before, previous to me, the authority was not enough strong, was not -- was not applying the low in the right sense. That that is the reason why the organized crime started to grow in Mexico. Part link with narcotrafficking in the old sense and part linked with the new markets in order to develop the distribution of drugs in Mexico...

BLITZER: All right...

CALDERON: But after that...

BLITZER: Because I -- I'm wondering, are the drug gangs, the cartels, are they winning this war right now?

When I hear a number like 23,000 people killed since you launched your initiative...

CALDERON: No. They -- they are not winning.

Let me clarify that the other part of my answer. Most of that -- 90 percent of those casualties are of -- are casualties of criminals themselves that are fighting each other. It's very clear for us according -- with our records, that it's possible to understand, for instance, in one particular homicide, what could be the probable reasons for that, and 90 percent of that are criminals linked in one way or another to the gangs. Now, the Mexican gangs are passing through a very unstable process, splitting themselves and fighting each other. That explains most of those casualties. They are not --

BLITZER: These are not innocent civilians among the 23,000?

CALDERON: Some of them.

BLITZER: You're saying that many of them are gang members themselves?

CALDERON: 90 percent.

BLITZER: 90 percent?

CALDERON: 90 percent, yes. 90 percent out of all of the homicides that we are able to understand or explain the causes of that. 2 percent of that, less than 2 percent are innocent civilians, yes, more of less killed by the criminals. That's the worst part of that.

BLITZER: I'd like you to turn around and look at that picture of Diego Fernandez. You know him?

CALDERON: Very well. He's my friend.

BLITZER: He's your friend. He was once a presidential candidate.

CALDERSON: Yes.

BLITZER: What has happened to him?

CALDERON: We don't know, not yet. There's no evidence until now that this kidnap is related with organized crime. That's the truth.

BLITZER: He's been kidnapped? You can confirm that?

CALDERON: It could be, this one (INAUDIBLE).

BLITZER: Because there's some suggestion he was kidnapped to send you a message.

CALDERON: No, the criminals used to send me a very clear message in another way. I think it's a very sensitive case. It's very tough for me, of course, because Diego is a very good friend of mine, a very good friend, a member of my party. But there is not evidence that this situation is related with organized crime. There's no evidence of it's clearly a kidnap case because -- well, according with the investigation and courts.

BLITZER: Have there been anything demanding anything? Ransom?

CALDERON: Not one. No one.

BLITZER: You've had nothing like that?

CALDERON: Nothing. It's a mystery now. Of course, for me, it's very important to preserve. the confidence on the privacy of this investigation. We will find Diego and, of course, we are working with all the resources we have to find him.

BLITZER: How worried are you about your personal safety?

CALDERON: Well, you know, there are risks, of course, with the job I have. Let me be honest in this. Beyond the risks, beyond the dreadness (ph), to be president is the highest honor that any one Mexican could have. I am really happy with that. I learn from when I was a child that it is an honor to serve your country. I serve my country. I am the highest rank. I don't remember these risks that, of course, there are according to with the job I am doing.

BLITZER: Mr. President thanks so much. Welcome to Washington. You have a huge, huge challenge ahead of you. We wish you only the best.

CALDERON: Thank you very much. Thank you, Wolf.
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Obama Blames Congress for Borders, but sat on it like Bush/Clinton

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Obama, in yet another speech last Friday, failed to apologize for not having been any better than his predecessors in taking action to protect the border, and blamed Congress - who he had forced into a year long pre-occupation with health care - for failing to enact 'comprehensive reform.' He then made another 'promise' that if Congress continues to waste its time (pandering to his agenda) "We will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country."

In Fact, it was Obama himself that said on April 28, 2010, that he didn't want to force an immigration bill through Congress at this time. "We've gone though a very tough year and I've been working Congress very hard, so I know there may not be an appetite immediately to dive into another controversial issue," the president told reporters, although that sentiment hadn't stopped him from pushing additional stimulus packages and sneaky legislation concerning student loans ...and even Puerto Rican statehood.
He ended his blame of Congress by insulting the people of Arizona yet again, saying that the absence of a federal resolution opens the door to irresponsibility by "others," ie "the recent efforts in Arizona, which threaten to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans."

TODAY - in continued oblivion toward the thoughts, feelings and needs of his countrymen, President Obama stood with Mexican President Felipe Calderon to chastise Arizona for its new immigration law, insinuating that the Arizona police Force is racist, mean-spirited, ...and not very bright.

Obama said the immigration law - which is simply an enforcement of Federal law and makes it a State crime to be in the U.S. illegally - is a "misdirected expression of frustration over our broken immigration system." He failed again to mention why his White House has made no effort to address and fix the system.

However, he DID say,

"We're examining any implications especially for civil rights because in the United States of America, no law abiding person -- be they an American citizen, illegal immigrant, or a visitor or tourist from Mexico -- should ever be subject to suspicion simply because of what they look like."

So I guess you could say he's doing something, although there is nothing in the law that says it has anything to do with what a person looks like.

You see, believe it or not, (bearing in mind there are always going to be loose cannons in any group) the Arizona police force is professional. Most have lived in Arizona for a long time, lived with Latino neighbors all their lives, and some - hold on to your chairs - are even Latino themselves. Further, they, like everyone else, knows that an act of terrorism can come at the hand of anyone - any size, shape, gender or color. They have been trained to watch everyone. White people rob convenience stores, too. They aren't looking for illegals. They are looking for crime, and when they find it, they are supposed to check the person's ID. This is something they do at every traffic stop with every person already. Plain and simple. They all know that there are harsh ramifications if they mess with people without cause. They all know the whole world is watching. Does our President think they are idiots?

...Well, we already know he didn't think too highly of the Cambridge police force.

Calderon, claiming that the Arizona law forces "our people to face discrimination," doesn't seem to think very highly of the Arizona police force, either. He asked that the two countries work together to design an immigration policy that is more to his liking. I'm sure Obama will accommodate him.

Calderon waxed poetic, saying;

"We can do so if we create a safer border -- a border that will unite us instead of dividing us....We can do so with a community that will promote a dignified life in an orderly way for both our countries, who are some of them still living here in the shadows...If we are divided we cannot overcome these problems. We can only do this if we actually face our mutual problems."

Calderon also waxed Self-Righteous, saying,

"My government cannot and will not remain indifferent when these kinds of policies go against human rights."

Who is he kidding? Did Obama think to ask the President of Mexico if he planned on doing the same thing with HIS southern border? I wonder how the people of Panama and Guatemala feel about all this?

Right - this from Mexico. Up until 2008, illegal immigration was a criminal offense in Mexico. Anyone arrested in violation of Immigration law could be fined, imprisoned for up to two years and deported. Which country has the record for going against Human Rights, Mr. President? Officials in Mexico have been known to take bribes to keep suspects out of jail.

The law against illegal immigration in Mexico today is a civil violation, but just like Arizona, Police are "required to demand that foreigners prove their legal presence in the country before attending to any issues."

The law requires the same - but the behavior of Law Enforcement is not the same. Mexico has been cited repeatedly by human rights groups for abusing or ignoring the abuse of migrants from Central America. Just a few weeks ago, Amnesty International issued a report stating illegal immigrants in Mexico are abused, raped and kidnapped. Mexican police don't do much to stop it. Is this why President Calderón thinks Arizona police are crooked? That may be his excuse, but what is our President Obama's? And why are Americans supposed to stomach hypocrisy from President Calderón?

Well, why has Obama expected us to swallow any of the hypocrisy that he's dished out?

"Illegal immigration is down, not up," Obama asserted, "And we will continue to do whatever is necessary to secure our shared border...Today I want every American to know my administration has devoted unprecedented resources in personnel and technology to securing our border."

When did he do that? Yesterday?

By the way, the U.S. has given Mexico about $1.3 billion to fight the drug war. This includes special equipment meant to help capture drug runners as well as protect Mexican police and judges. According to Washington Post Reporter, William Booth, the equipment included "Black Hawk helicopters, night-vision goggles and armored cars and trains." Obama wants to give Mexico 310 million more in 2011.

On a more impressive note; Congressman Lamar Smith (TX-R) sent a letter to Secretary Hillary Clinton Wednesday urging her to ask Mexican officials not to interfere in U.S. immigration policy. Smith said in his statement:

"President Calderon and other officials of the Mexican government have crossed the line," "It is well recognized in international law that immigration controls are an internal matter, and not subject to international scrutiny. Yet, President Calderon has opposed the recently enacted Arizona immigration law, which in fact mirrors federal law."

Writings by Conservative Tribal Members: The Independent Indian Press
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Mexican President's hypocrisy re Arizona Immigration Law

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Well, we all knew what he thought of it.  After all, a lot of money from undocumented workers flows south into the Mexican economy.

In April, after Arizona's new immigration law passed, Mexico's foreign relations department issued a travel advisory telling Mexicans living or shopping in Arizona to "act with prudence and respect the framework of local laws."

I would hope so!  What kind of advisory is that?  - "People, obey the laws." 
Well ...on further thought, I suppose we should just be grateful that someone in authority said it.

The 'advisory' went on, "It should be assumed that any Mexican citizen could be bothered and questioned for no other reason at any moment."

Well, that was just an outright lie.  The law very clearly states that this isn't to happen and outlines specific disciplines if it should.  Almost every Arizona Latino, at this point, knows that - and knows what his/her rights to complain are, and knows what is supposed to happen if they are mistreated.  Of this I am sure, despite continued rhetoric and angry, hate-filled protests. 

Felipe Calderon, president of Mexico, also made a huge point of condemning the law prior to his Wednesday, May 19th, visit to the White House to discuss the War on Drugs. Calderón told Reuters he would 'personally' protest the law to Obama and Congress.  He was reported to have even rewritten his drug speech to Congress to include his protest.  

(What would the changes have been? "My, my, drug traffickers are bad... but how dare you racists try to arrest them?")   Apparently, we're supposed to fight drug crime without hurting any one's feelings.

In his interview with Reuters, he said,

"[the law] contains elements that are frankly discriminatory, terribly backward. The fact the law has introduced, regardless of all the nuances being used, the possibility of detaining, arresting somebody on the grounds of their physical appearance implies one of the most serious reversals that I remember."

Right, right. We should do things much more fairly - like they do in Mexico, where who ever is able to pay the policeman more goes free. (And that's not about race. While I am sure that there are honest cops south of us, there is a known culture of pay offs. It's just the way things are handled. I've waited in a car in Mexico, on more than one occasion, while the person escorting us 'handled' border guards and once 'handled' the police.) (The police were about a traffic accident. I wasn't driving, a Mexican friend was. And I didn't make  the decisions to handle anyone - our Mexican escorts did.  I wasn't even aware at first that this is what was happening.)

On the other hand, while people can be paid off in any institution, I have had less reason to fear the north side of the border. Further, I think the US border patrol and Arizona state police are experienced enough to know that while most people crossing the border illegally have darker skin, not all do.  It's their job to be aware of that and watch the behavior of ALL colors of people - especially with terrorists trying to come in to hurt Americans.  Do the critics think our men in blue are not only racists and red-necks, but idiots, too?  It's pretty insulting to assume that all Arizona police and border guards are crooked, racist, thugs. Again, from my own experiences on both sides of the border, I'll take the team on the north side anytime. And by the way, many of the Arizona police and border patrol ARE Latino.

Today, Calderon's visit to DC was supposed to be about the war on drugs, but he and Obama made sure that the 'War on Arizona' was included. Thanks President Obama, for sticking up for your own people.

Calderon self-righteously said in his speech, "My government cannot and will not remain indifferent when these kinds of policies go against human rights." He added that the law discriminated against Mexicans and called for an immigration policy that did not force people to live in the shadows "with such laws as the Arizona law, which is forcing our people to face discrimination."

Right - this from Mexico, the country that greets 'immigrants' on it's own southern border with gracious hospitality. Up until 2008, Mexican law made illegal immigration a criminal offense. Anyone arrested in violation of Immigration law two years ago in Mexico could be fined, imprisoned for up to two years and deported. Going against Human Rights, Mr. President?  Officials were known to seek bribes to keep suspects out of jail.

Today illegal immigration in Mexico is a civil violation, but their law is no different than Arizona's!  It says that police are "required to demand that foreigners prove their legal presence in the country before attending to any issues."


The law is the same - but the behavior of Law Enforcement is not the same. Mexico has been cited repeatedly by human rights groups for abusing or ignoring the abuse of migrants from Central America. Just a few weeks ago, Amnesty International issued a report stating illegal immigrants in Mexico are frequently abused, raped and kidnapped. Mexican police do little to stop it.  Is this why President Calderón thinks Arizona police are crooked?  That may be his excuse, but why is our President Obama expecting Arizona police to be corrupt, and why are Americans supposed to stomach hypocrisy from President Calderón?

Activist Al Sharpton, who purports to be reverend and represent civil rights - but misses them both by a wide margin - has also chimed in with a threat to organize big protests if a lawsuit fails. Not at all concerned about the treatment of illegal immigrants in Mexico, he said,

"We're going to bring people into the state of Arizona and refuse to show our IDs and openly walk the streets with people that appear Mexican."

Bravo, good and righteous soul, who has a comfortable home out east - far from the border. Go out of your way to make the situation harder on everyone.  And again, never mind the human rights of those that have family homes near the border, let alone the lives of Mexican citizens living in Mexico or the people from Central America.

By the way,  the U.S. has given Mexico about $1.3 billion to fight the drug war.  This includes several pieces of special equipment meant to help root out drug runners as well as protect Mexican police and judges. According to Washington Post Reporter, William Booth, this includes "Black Hawk helicopters, night-vision goggles and armored cars and trains." Obama wants to give them 310 million more in 2011.  We sure are nasty toward people that appear Mexican.

Enough of attacking Arizona, President Calderón.  YOU have a personal responsibility to keep the borders secure and Mexicans safe.  This isn't about just Arizona.  Juarez has become a war zone, over run with violence, and El Paso is feeling the violence on their side now.  Recently, friends of ours were forced to leave their home in Juarez and move to El Paso (legally) because their children had been threatened. Her father is a Mexican businessman.  Still, they don't feel entirely safe because cartel members are known to find their way across the bridge, so they are keeping their address private.

Kidnappings happen all the time! People need those armored vehicles we send south just to protect their children. Heads are being cut off!! And yet President Calderon thinks the Arizona law is DRASTIC? Calderon has taken some steps to fight drug cartels and that is admirable - but has he failed? Maybe he needs to do something much more drastic than Arizona's traffic stop law.

Obama, in yet another speech last Friday, failed to apologize for not having been any better than his predecessors in taking action to protect the border, and blamed Congress, (who he had forced into a year long pre-occupation with health care) for failing to enact 'comprehensive reform.'  He then made another 'promise' that if Congress continues to waste its time pandering to his agenda, "We will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country."

He ended his blame of Congress by insulting the people of Arizona yet again, saying that the absence of a federal resolution opens the door to irresponsibility by others," citing "the recent efforts in Arizona, which threaten to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans."

By the way, Calderón has also been scheduled to attend a lavish state dinner at the White House - unlike the Israeli Prime Minister, whose country is not smuggling drugs and crime into ours, and who, to the best of my knowledge, has never condemned one of our states - essentially calling Arizona's police force and legislature racist. Calderon was also given the blessed opportunity to address both houses of Congress.

There seems to be a theme here; Neither Israel or Arizona have permission to do what is necessary to defend their citizens against attack.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20100517/wl_ynews/ynews_wl2102
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