US, Mexico leaders trade barbs on drug violence

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

April 2, 2012 11:01 PM
US, Mexico leaders trade barbs on drug violence

(AP) WASHINGTON - The explosion of drug-fueled violence along Mexico's border with the United States could harm relations between the two nations, President Barack Obama said Monday; Mexico's leader retorted that much of the problem of drugs and guns begins on the U.S. side of the line.

In the thick of political contests in both the United States and Mexico, Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon traded unusually direct claims about the cause and effect of the drug violence that has consumed a swath of northeastern Mexico. They were cordial and complimentary to one another, but did not hide the degree of worry on both sides about a six-year spasm of violence that has killed more than 47,000 people.

"It can have a deteriorating effect overall on the nature of our relationship," Obama said. "And that's something that we have to pay attention to."

Calderon made a government crackdown on warring drug cartels the hallmark of his six-year term, which expires later this year. His center-right party has seen its election chances fall in the face of a wide perception in Mexico that the crackdown has not worked.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57408411/us-mexico-leaders-trade-barbs-on-drug-violence/

[demosincebirth]

1. Calderon is right. The demand for illegal drugs is right here in this country. Legalizing marijuana

in the U. S. would put a big dent in the Mexican drug cartel's profits.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. And closing up the gun show loophole

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

6. Way back in the middle sixties there was a shift in Mexico

to want weapons for pot.
You could trade and get about twice as much pot for weapons than for the same dollar amount.
The Mexicans wanted weapons and trading for them was the easiest way to acquire them.
The going rate for weed at that time in San Diego was about $30 a kilo, or as we called them a bricks.
I knew then that nothing good would come from that practice.
We never used, or needed a weapon for a transaction.
Now the best way to counter the violence here and there is to simply legalize, something that is long overdue.

[arely staircase]

3. calderons policies have led to the deaths of thousands of mexicans

I'm talking about a militirization of the drug war to a level that has caused tragic and predictable results. He is right about us drug demand and us prohibitionary policies are correct. But there are other Mexican leaders who are more outspoken us.policy who aren't supportive of Calderon's human rights violating internal military campaign.

[IndyJones]

4. I agree with you there. Remember how mortified Caleron was at the thought of California legalizing

marijuana? Things that make you go "hmmmmmm".

[bemildred]

5. He chose to be a tool, and he got used. nt