’)So says Sec. Clinton.
“Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade,” she said, using unusually blunt language. “Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers and civilians.”
Since last year, drug-related killings and battles between law enforcement authorities and the cartels have resulted in more than 7,200 deaths in Mexico, and raised doubts about the country’s stability. The violence has begun spilling across the border.
Of course, the logical thing to do would then be to decriminalize most of this stuff, since it just ends up creating a black market like the prohibition of alcohol did in the 1920s. But that’s not likely to happen any time soon.
I could see pot being decriminalized relatively soon. All it would take is one state to legalize and tax it for it to spread nationwide.
That’s a good first step. A good second step would be to start enforcing our border security as if we actually meant it.
One would think that with the current Secretary of Homeland Security being a former Arizona governor, and Phoenix being the #2 city in the world for kidnapping (largely thanks to Mexican drug gangs), there’d be more of a push for these steps.
J.
Heaven forbid we enact some sane gun control laws to keep American guns out of the hands of Mexican drug cartels.
J.G.Thayer: “That’s a good first step. A good second step would be to start enforcing our border security as if we actually meant it.”
You are never going to do that. Border trade is too important. Although you should check ports better.
(On a side note, increasing legal immigration limits would also improve the illegal immigration situation.)
OK, pwapvt. Give us a few examples of “common sense” gun control laws. New ones. Cite a few examples of areas where we need new laws.
Strowbridge: I’ve repeatedly backed looser immigration quotas, as long as they are coupled with serious enforcement against those who break immigration laws. The last thing we need is another “Immigration Reform” like in 1964 or 1985.
Hmm… Ted Kennedy was a key backer of both measures. It might be a good idea to keep him away from any more immigration bills…
J.
My understanding of “decriminalization” is that is lightens or eliminates penalties for the possession of small amounts. So users are basically in the clear, but dealers who have to deal with larger amounts are still prosecuted. Is that correct?
Because it seems to me that’s the reason we have the current situation. Pot has more or less been decriminalized in California. Users can buy without fear, which makes the illegal trade more profitable, and hence bloodier. Basically, decriminalization outsources the violence of the business, but keeps American users safe. That’s great for us, but sucks for Mexico. Decriminalization isn’t the worst option, but it’s not the best either.
How cute. Pwapvt thinks that Mexican Drug Cartels would obey any newly-enacted gun legislation.
jay, how about the assault weapons ban? Or is that too much to ask? I know some people are really tied to the right to bear arms, and don’t seem too worked up about any of the other rights that get violated on a regular basis.
SaveF, I never said they would obey the law, but if we stop making them available it might just, maybe, make them harder to get.
Why do you feel like you have attack me for saying something like that?
Why do you feel like you have attack me for saying something like that?
Farris often attacks people for things they haven’t said.
“Why do you feel like you have attack me for saying something like that?”
Because he can’t win arguments if he restricts himself to the truth.