Anti-immigrant crusaders in the United States scapegoat Mexicans. Never mind that Mexicans provide the cheap labor that is to the US economy what rock cocaine is to a crack head.
Likewise, anti-drug crusaders scapegoat Latino drug traffickers. Never mind that Latino drug traffickers are only supplying the US demand that fuels the never-ending war on drugs.
Well, all indications are that America’s new commander in chief, President Barack Obama, gets it. Because he has indicated his intent to deploy increased resources to fight the good fight against drugs (and related violence) right here in the USA.
Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade. Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the death of police officers, soldiers and civilians. So yes, I feel very strongly we have a co-responsibility.
(US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, New York Times, March 25, 2009)
Of course it is appropriate that Clinton traveled to Mexico to announce this shift in strategy and to acknowledge America’s complicity in the drug trade. After all, Mexicans have now supplanted Columbians as the most prolific traffickers of drugs into the US.
Notwithstanding this belated acknowledgment by the US, however, the Mexicans seem determined to inform the world that the Americans have no moral authority to lecture them on the duty to fight drug trafficking:
There is trafficking in Mexico because there is corruption in Mexico… But by the same argument if there is trafficking in the United States it is because there is some corruption in the United States… It is impossible to pass tonnes of cocaine to the United States without the complicity of some American authorities.
(Mexican President Felipe Calderon, BBC News, March 30, 2009)
But talk of Obama deploying US troops to the Mexican-US border is hysterical nonsense. In fact, I am confident that the coordinated efforts now underway between Mexican forces and US border guards will prove effective in quelling the drug-related violence that has escalated along this border in recent months.
At any rate, I regret that Obama’s enlightenment in this respect does not extend to doing the only thing that will guarantee victory in this war: decriminalize drugs!
Related commentaries:
Marching for (illegal) immigration rights
Legacy Note: With over 5,600 posts spanning 20 years, I am easily the most prolific blogger on the most eclectic array of topics on the web. That makes The iPINIONS Journal an unparalleled archive of informed political and cultural commentary. Visit the ARCHIVES section in the sidebar or search by topic. You won’t find a more consistent, independent voice on world affairs.
Karl Inge says
I`m writing an article on my norwegian blog about the drug war, and would love to use your “CAnt you do something about..” drawing in my article as I think it makes an important point. Hope to getv your permission to use it.
YS
‘KArl Inge