Notably, Trump has done nothing with regard to NAFTA that alleviates the massive negative impact that it, and other trade agreements, have had on Mexican domestic agriculture - and - largely due to NAFTA there is almost no other form of income remotely approaching the economic influx from the drug trade for the regions in which the cartels operate openly. Engaging in a 'hot war' on these regions would endanger many civilians, including those only loosely (or not by choice) affiliated with the cartels and would destroy the local economies where most of the money coming in is in one way or another connected to the drug trade. Don't give me any bullshit about "precision strikes" or "targeted raids" either. This is the Trump administration we're talking about here.
So, whether they realize it or not, they're talking about a "War on Terror" style Yemen-ifying or Iraq-ifying, if not fully Gaza-fying large swaths of interior and coastal Mexico. You wanna talk about "blowback"? Think about it. They'll create opportunities and incentives for not just active cartel members, but other Mexican citizens, to undertake armed resistance there, and likely guerilla or "terrorist" tactics elsewhere in the hemisphere.
In short, this will be a disaster which will have long-term ramifications not just in Mexico, but here in the US. And besides, I thought Trumpists and conservatives understood "the market." There would be no cartels supplying drugs in the first place if Americans didn't demand the f*ck out of them.
Thanks. I appreciate it. And I didn't even mention that if they wanted to "go to war" on the cartels, they could easily start with Eli Lilly or Perdue Pharma cartels (and others). The only reason we have a fentanyl crisis to begin with was the decade or so in which the Rx companies flooded the streets with strong opioids like oxycontin and then fentanyl and got so many Americans addicted. The Rx firms of course walked away pretty much scot free, and TMK nobody or very few people ever saw the inside of a jail cell let alone the business end of a Hellfire missile fired from a Reaper drone.
Again, you are so right! I'll spare you my rant on Big Pharma. And the one about Big Ag. Oh, and remember the mortgage crisis? Power corrupts. . . absolutely.
Instead of using military BANG! POW! why not have US Customs hone in on arms smuggling across our border to Mexico. For years Mexico President Sheinbaum and her predecessors have been asking for US help to stop the arms smuggling but to no avail.
Trump loves money above all but second to that he loves the use of force. The old saying that if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail applies to Trump. He glories in the humiliation of others as has been seen in the "you're fired!" thing which he loves to use because it is a statement to the world that Trump is the power and all others are subject to that power. It can be gathered from the daily news that Trump is continually thinking of things he can do to show his power. If anyone is offended by an action he takes, so much the better because it only shows how powerless the offended are to stop him.
I can't imagine anyone less suitable to be president than Trump. One year sure is taking a long time. Three to go.
A multi layered situation and congrats Ken for the acknowledgement. Again, this is yet another example of highly selective and corporate-backed targeting of and creation of an "other, brown skinned enemy". I don't see any feds--- let alone troops--- storming the gates of US corporate drug cartels such as Pfizer and the rest of Big Pharma. But one can always hope!
Notably, Trump has done nothing with regard to NAFTA that alleviates the massive negative impact that it, and other trade agreements, have had on Mexican domestic agriculture - and - largely due to NAFTA there is almost no other form of income remotely approaching the economic influx from the drug trade for the regions in which the cartels operate openly. Engaging in a 'hot war' on these regions would endanger many civilians, including those only loosely (or not by choice) affiliated with the cartels and would destroy the local economies where most of the money coming in is in one way or another connected to the drug trade. Don't give me any bullshit about "precision strikes" or "targeted raids" either. This is the Trump administration we're talking about here.
So, whether they realize it or not, they're talking about a "War on Terror" style Yemen-ifying or Iraq-ifying, if not fully Gaza-fying large swaths of interior and coastal Mexico. You wanna talk about "blowback"? Think about it. They'll create opportunities and incentives for not just active cartel members, but other Mexican citizens, to undertake armed resistance there, and likely guerilla or "terrorist" tactics elsewhere in the hemisphere.
In short, this will be a disaster which will have long-term ramifications not just in Mexico, but here in the US. And besides, I thought Trumpists and conservatives understood "the market." There would be no cartels supplying drugs in the first place if Americans didn't demand the f*ck out of them.
Thank you for this, Tom. Always love it when I see others able to connect the dots. This shit doesn't just. . . happen.
Thanks. I appreciate it. And I didn't even mention that if they wanted to "go to war" on the cartels, they could easily start with Eli Lilly or Perdue Pharma cartels (and others). The only reason we have a fentanyl crisis to begin with was the decade or so in which the Rx companies flooded the streets with strong opioids like oxycontin and then fentanyl and got so many Americans addicted. The Rx firms of course walked away pretty much scot free, and TMK nobody or very few people ever saw the inside of a jail cell let alone the business end of a Hellfire missile fired from a Reaper drone.
Again, you are so right! I'll spare you my rant on Big Pharma. And the one about Big Ag. Oh, and remember the mortgage crisis? Power corrupts. . . absolutely.
Congratulations on the recognition!
Instead of using military BANG! POW! why not have US Customs hone in on arms smuggling across our border to Mexico. For years Mexico President Sheinbaum and her predecessors have been asking for US help to stop the arms smuggling but to no avail.
Wilson vs Pancho Villa, 1916. Pancho VIlla won.
This is why I subscribe. This right here.
:)
Ditto
Trump loves money above all but second to that he loves the use of force. The old saying that if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail applies to Trump. He glories in the humiliation of others as has been seen in the "you're fired!" thing which he loves to use because it is a statement to the world that Trump is the power and all others are subject to that power. It can be gathered from the daily news that Trump is continually thinking of things he can do to show his power. If anyone is offended by an action he takes, so much the better because it only shows how powerless the offended are to stop him.
I can't imagine anyone less suitable to be president than Trump. One year sure is taking a long time. Three to go.
Some days it feels like we’re trying to make an enemy of everyone
If I’ve learned one thing, it’s to never doubt you, Ken, when you reveal a leak. Mexican-American War, Part II, is just what we need.
A multi layered situation and congrats Ken for the acknowledgement. Again, this is yet another example of highly selective and corporate-backed targeting of and creation of an "other, brown skinned enemy". I don't see any feds--- let alone troops--- storming the gates of US corporate drug cartels such as Pfizer and the rest of Big Pharma. But one can always hope!
I hear that, but they insulate themselves with huge campaign contributions.
Great work as usual Ken. "Ordinary People?" Hey, I resemble that remark.
I do too !!
Amazing work, Ken!
Thanks Amelia !! Hope you’re doing well
You must be proud.
Well Done!
Well done, Ken!
Persistence for the common good does eventually pay off.
Was this plan lifted from the Sicario movies?
No, Clear and Present Danger with Harrison Ford.
Lol