Forums > General > General Forum

HarryinNM

Feb 5, 2009, 6:05 PM

Post #1 of 23 (4938 views)

Shortcut

Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

Our discussion about concerns for the MX government have been thoughtful and enlightening. Take a look at the irresponsible stuff this dolt posts at http://libertyjustincase.com/

In Mexico, Good Guys NEVER Win
Posted by redsatellite on February 5, 2009
If I were you, I’d skip that vacation to Cancun. Down in Mexico…the bad guys always win. Yesterday, the anti-drug chief turned up dead….after ONE DAY on the job.
A recently retired Mexican army general whose bullet-riddled body was found Tuesday near Cancun had taken over as the area’s top antidrug official less than 24 hours earlier, officials said.
Retired Gen. Mauro Enrique Tello Quiñonez, his aide and a driver were tortured before being killed, said Quintana Roo state prosecutor Bello Melchor Rodriguez y Carrillo. He said there was no doubt Tello and the others were victims of organized crime.
“The general was the most mistreated,” Rodriguez said at a Tuesday night news conference monitored by El Universal newspaper. “He had burns on his skin and bones in his hands and wrists were broken.”
An autopsy revealed Tello also suffered broken knees and was shot 11 times, Mexico City’s Excelsior newspaper said.
Gee, how pleasant.
Why would anyone take that job? I mean…unless Mexican President, Felipe Calderón, sends in a MASSIVE force of National Guard to eradicate the drug lords and the drug cartels in places like Acapulco and Cancun, nothing is going to change.
Perhaps, he deserves some response.
HarryinNM

raferguson

Feb 5, 2009, 6:53 PM

Post #2 of 23 (4921 views)

Shortcut

Re: [HarryinNM] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

Whether or not you agree with his interpretation, the blog that you quoted is based on facts, as reported in the US and Mexican media. This is not the first, or even the fifth, law enforcement leader killed recently.

In the USA, we cannot imagine police chiefs being shot and killed with impunity, but in Mexico, it has been happening with alarming frequency. In the USA, criminals do not generally kill the police, because they know that the police respond rapidly, effectively and harshly when one of their own is killed, regardless of rank. Unfortunately, in Mexico, this type of crime generally goes unpunished.

A recent Pentagon study indicated that Mexico is at risk of being a failed state, sort of like Somalia. I am not endorsing the view of Mexico as a failed state, but I am saying that you don't need to be a member of the lunatic fringe, or have anti-Mexican views, to be seriously concerned.

http://online.wsj.com/...206674721488169.html

You may not like what the blogger has to say, how he says it, or agree with his interpretation, but his views are based on the facts. Serious commentators and analysts are also very concerned about the stability of Mexico.

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

nancyinpdx

Feb 6, 2009, 8:15 AM

Post #3 of 23 (4866 views)

Shortcut

Re: [HarryinNM] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

I don't think the article is stupid but I do think it's stupid when the writers of such articles try to make it look like the whole country of Mexico is already like Somalia or Iraq or Palestine, etc., and say that it is foolish or dangerous to travel there. The average tourist there is less likely to be a victim of violence in Mexico than in a large city in the U.S. and even here it is highly unlikely. The sky is falling..... Eeeeek! It gets old. Tons of people are terrified to go to Mexico now.

Gringal

Feb 6, 2009, 8:41 AM

Post #4 of 23 (4856 views)

Shortcut

Re: [nancyinpdx] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

If, indeed, the blog is based on facts....Mexico has some serious problems that are not being "fixed" as yet.

This kind of alarm will scare people off, and not surprisingly. Since I live in a part of Mexico teeming with retired expats, I'm only seeing a little piece of the problem.

Mexico is not Disneyland for tourists, especially those vacationing on the coasts and maybe, just maybe, trying to score some drugs.

It is a country with a violent past and a macho culture that does not exactly encourage a Dalai Lama attitude in general. That's the reality. Live here and accept it, warts and all, or go where it feels safer. There really is no other way to be happy in Mexico. Worrying just drains your energy. And yes, I've been the victim of crime in Mexico, but I came here for the long haul and the roots are growing yearly.

Being a survivor type, however, it could get bad enough in Mexico and enough better in the states that I'd tuck my tail under and head NOB. Who knows?

And of course, omigosh, our property here in Mexico won't be as desirable. Bitter little LOL.

BajaGringo

Feb 7, 2009, 12:01 PM

Post #5 of 23 (4759 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Gringal] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

Facts are facts and hype is hype is hype. You can report the "FACTS" in their proper context and without trying to tie them to an agenda. Or you can use some "FACTS" to make just about any point that you want to make to support whatever you want people to believe.

Is there narco-violence in Mexico?
Yes.

Have tourists and foreign citizens fallen victims to this violence in high numbers?
No, actually your chances of falling victim to violent crime are higher north of the border in most areas.

Should we be aware of what is going on and take proper precaution?
Yes, just like you should when traveling in any large city in the world.

It is all a matter of keeping the "FACTS" in perspective.

Go ahead and flame me - I have thick skin...

Our House Building Project in Mexico...
Lomas de San Martin
Loving Life on the Baja Peninsula

(This post was edited by BajaGringo on Feb 7, 2009, 12:02 PM)

esperanza

Feb 7, 2009, 1:15 PM

Post #6 of 23 (4746 views)

Shortcut

Re: [BajaGringo] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

BajaGringo, no flames from me--I think your post is absolutely correct.

However, I think it's possible (not likely, but possible) that an innocent foreign tourist to Mexico could be caught unwittingly in a dangerous situation, whether in a big city or a smaller town or out in the middle of nowhere. Sometimes it's enough to use street smarts to stay out of harm's way, and sometimes it's not.

Again, it's possible, but not likely, that a foreigner could be hurt here.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Brian

Feb 7, 2009, 1:22 PM

Post #7 of 23 (4740 views)

Shortcut

Re: [esperanza] Idiot blogger

"Again, it's possible, but not likely, that a foreigner could be hurt here. "

The number of foreigners who have been victims of violent crime in Mexico is reportedly miniscule. It is also true that at any given time, they represent a miniscule portion of the daily population. If the baby boomers come down in the numbers projected, they will become a significant demographic group and, in my opinion, the criminal statics will begin to reflect that fact. It's all in the numbers. Not because they are somehow untouchable to those who would do them harm.

(This post was edited by Brian on Feb 7, 2009, 1:23 PM)

Rolly

Feb 7, 2009, 1:31 PM

Post #8 of 23 (4736 views)

Shortcut

Re: Personal Safety in México

| Private Reply

The most recent non-natural death figures available from the US State Department are in my article on personal safety, and they are small.

http://rollybrook.com/safety.htm

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

BajaGringo

Feb 7, 2009, 2:02 PM

Post #9 of 23 (4725 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Brian] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

I agree that no group is "untouchable". It is just that they are not "targeted". There is a difference and the numbers reflect that. If you compare the numbers of violent attacks on tourists in Baja California with the numbers of violent attacks on tourists in California State parks last year the chances are almost 3:1 that you are safer in Baja. The numbers tell the story but the reporting of the news is what tends to alter your perspective. I currently have a home in the border area of northern Baja and am building another home about a 4 hour drive further south outside San Quintin, along the Pacific coastline. I prefer the new place down south as life is quite pleasant, safe/secure and peaceful. However when we are up north in the border area we go out at night in Tijuana with friends on a frequent basis. Taking normal precautions as we do in any major city we have never felt like our lives were at risk, much less "dodging bullets". It is the reality of those who live, work, go to school, church, shop and go about their normal daily lives in the border city of a couple of million folks. Many of whom I have come to know and love and are overwhelmingly very good, decent and hard working people.

Our House Building Project in Mexico...
Lomas de San Martin
Loving Life on the Baja Peninsula

robrt8

Feb 7, 2009, 3:17 PM

Post #10 of 23 (4711 views)

Shortcut

Re: [BajaGringo] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

There was a recent story about how enrollment in the better private schools in TJ dropped by 15% last year. The reasons given were both safety and the economy, though the percentages between the two weren't known...
So that leaves 85% of these kids still going about their lives -- not hiding in a closet or Chula Vista. There are a lot of good people in Tijuana. I know a few too.

I have a pet theory about "idiot bloggers" and the foreign press. The problem is these pesky online versions of newspapers.
See, if you live somewhere and read the local paper, you don't need to read about what DOESN'T make news. You already know it. Bimbo still delivers. Kids go to school. My employee just left his wife and kid for the pretty girl up the street...
Now take some blogger -- or someone maybe in London -- who's reading the news online. It must look (as the Times of London put it last year) like "Mexico's Slipping into Bloody Anarchy" ...or something like that.

(This post was edited by robrt8 on Feb 7, 2009, 3:20 PM)

Oscar2

Feb 7, 2009, 3:22 PM

Post #11 of 23 (4708 views)

Shortcut

Re: [HarryinNM] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

I think a drug cartels aim is based on maintaining a profit margin, so why would they chop off a gringo’s users head who keeps enriching this profit margin …….? Not to be facetious but isn’t there some kind of a cushion that says: don’t bite the gringos hand that puts groceries on your table ……… Laugh

Brian

Feb 7, 2009, 3:40 PM

Post #12 of 23 (4702 views)

Shortcut

Re: [BajaGringo] Idiot blogger

"If you compare the numbers of violent attacks on tourists in Baja California with the numbers of violent attacks on tourists in California State parks last year the chances are almost 3:1 that you are safer in Baja."

OK, it is time for some Aristotelian logic here. With all due respect, there is no comparison as in your example. A very small percentage of the population at any one time in Baja is composed of tourists. On the other hand, virtually 100% (aside from the few park rangers) of those in State Parks on any given day are tourists. Therefore, of all the crimes committed in the parks, tourists comprise nearly all of the victims. Baja certainly has fewer foreign residents and tourists that just a few short years ago. One would expect that the sheer number of crimes against tourists would drop proportionately to the drop in tourism itself. It does not mean that Baja California (especially the tourist zones) is therefore safer than the California Parks which will see more and more state resident tourists given the deteriorating economy.

(This post was edited by Brian on Feb 7, 2009, 4:09 PM)

BajaGringo

Feb 7, 2009, 4:21 PM

Post #13 of 23 (4689 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Brian] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

I used numbers provided by the California State Park System and the US State Dept in their Travel Alert for Mexico. Sorry if the reality of the numbers upsets you. I am not making this up; just reporting what the same people who issue the travel alerts give out in their numbers they base that travel alert on. You can get all excited by the news coverage and reporting but when you calm down for a moment, count the actual (REAL) reports of violent attacks on foreigners in Mexico. Divide that number into the total number here and compare that with the statistics north of the border. It is simple math.

Sorry if it doesn't fit your idea of how things should be. I prefer to dwell in reality - not illusion based on sensationalized blogs...

Our House Building Project in Mexico...
Lomas de San Martin
Loving Life on the Baja Peninsula

Brian

Feb 7, 2009, 4:34 PM

Post #14 of 23 (4683 views)

Shortcut

Re: [BajaGringo] Idiot blogger

I didn't realize that my post would come across as being agitated and in need of calming down. I am sorry. My intent was not to argue but only to express an opinion about the topic.

BajaGringo

Feb 7, 2009, 4:48 PM

Post #15 of 23 (4678 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Brian] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

I am sorry too - sometimes we read things into posts that aren't there. There should be a way to capture the image of our face when we post to give a better idea of our mood/state of mind.

My avatar is probably as close as I can get - ha!

Our House Building Project in Mexico...
Lomas de San Martin
Loving Life on the Baja Peninsula

HarryinNM

Feb 7, 2009, 5:54 PM

Post #16 of 23 (4662 views)

Shortcut

Re: [BajaGringo] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

No flame from here, Baja Gringo.

Exactly my point in posting it. The facts are used to "support" a false premise.

HarryinNM

smokesilver

Feb 7, 2009, 6:10 PM

Post #17 of 23 (4652 views)

Shortcut

Re: [esperanza] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

I noted that the French doctor who was assaulted at the Mexico City airport died and 100 police have been added to airport's protection.

Anonimo

Feb 8, 2009, 2:36 AM

Post #18 of 23 (4616 views)

Shortcut

Re: [smokesilver] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

In Reply To

I noted that the French doctor who was assaulted at the Mexico City airport died and 100 police have been added to airport's protection.

My understanding was that the French doctor/scientist was riding in a chauffered car, heading away from the Airport, when there car was forced to pull over. The assault (murder) apparently occurred on the boulevard or avenue.
I read this in The Mexico City News.
All generalities are suspect, including this one.

Saludos,
Anonimo

Ed and Fran

Feb 8, 2009, 6:00 AM

Post #19 of 23 (4609 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Anonimo] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

Regarding the French scientist who was shot, as Anonimo says, in a car leaving the airport, he had just changed 4,800 euros into approx $90,000 pesos at a casa de cambio in the airport. $90,000 pesos in cash sure makes anyone, foreign or local, into an inviting target. Especially as it seems there have been a string of similar attacks over the past year on people who changed large amounts of cash at the airport. Police are suspecting an inside connection between someone at one of the casas de cambio and the attackers.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of travelers change dollars/euros into pesos at the airport every day. It's a tiny percentage that get robbed. It's a tiny percentage that changes that much foreign currency into pesos.

BajaGringo

Feb 8, 2009, 10:18 AM

Post #20 of 23 (4576 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Ed and Fran] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

Again, it just comes down to common sense. I would never change that much at an exchange house, be it in Mexico, France or the USA. Such transactions should be done at banks and only as much as really needed. Nothing is a guarantee but a bank is a much safer environment and you are not so likely to stand out. I have never exchanged more than a hundred dollars at an airport.

Our House Building Project in Mexico...
Lomas de San Martin
Loving Life on the Baja Peninsula

Carron

Feb 8, 2009, 10:35 AM

Post #21 of 23 (4569 views)

Shortcut

Re: [BajaGringo] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

I am aware that we have a lot of violence here in Cd. Acuna, but it seems drug related and far, far away from me and my personal lifestyle.

My son and husband both work at a large car dealership across the river in Del Rio. Twice a year they have a major sale event and bring in additional sales personnel from other parts of the country. These are young, clean-cut men, very well-dressed, with expensive watches, but seriously lacking in local knowledge. They also like to party. Last year a sale finished on the Saturday night before Easter. They all got paid and, with pockets full of fresh cash, came over to Mexico to party and score for drugs. One wandered away alone from the tourist area into a neighborhood even the locals bypass, looking to buy drugs. He was murdered and robbed.

Two of the others were arrested and jailed here by Mexican police. I don't know what the charges were. Another pair were arrested at the Border for attempting to smuggle drugs back into Texas and went to jail in Del Rio. Let's hear it for youth and stupidity, a really bad combination.

BajaGringo

Feb 9, 2009, 10:36 AM

Post #22 of 23 (4494 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Carron] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

I look at some of the dumb things I did when was younger and am amazed I "made it out alive", looking back. I suppose that I knew where the "line" was of going too far and common sense took over. It seems like there is less and less of that today going around...

Our House Building Project in Mexico...
Lomas de San Martin
Loving Life on the Baja Peninsula

Moisheh

Feb 11, 2009, 5:56 PM

Post #23 of 23 (4374 views)

Shortcut

Re: [nancyinpdx] Idiot blogger

| Private Reply

Nancyinpdx:

There is no country with the name "Palestine".

Moisheh