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MELEE
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 2583
Location: The Mexican Hinterland
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 Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:04 pm Post subject: Hope your parents don't see this. |
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Mexico usually gets bad press in the foriegn media, but I think this article goes to far.
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL16547590
The worst is that the articles states that there were "more than 2500" murders in the country last year. Then has this lovely gem,
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| (To get the death toll into context, 762 U.S. troops died in the war in Iraq last year). |
A much better context would be to tell us how many murders there were in the US last year. I did some googling and found that in 2006 there were 1,417,745 vilolent crimes reported in the US. I didn't find nationwide homicide stats but in 2007 New York City had 494 and Detroit had 404, So I'm guessing you are more likely to be murdered in the US than in Mexico. |
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throwdownyourcrutches
Joined: 02 Oct 2007
Posts: 36
Location: On the road to El Dorado
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| Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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| I just found a source that says there were 17,000 murders in the US in 2006. In real and per capita numbers that is more than the 2500 cited for Mexico. I am on my way down to DF for a visit soon and friends, family and coworkers are freaking out! I tell them "Oh, it is not that bad" but the press does not help. |
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gypsygirl1475
Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Posts: 78
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| Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I feel safer in Mexico than in the US, that is one reason I can't wait to move in 3 weeks. As I have said before we have been broken into so many times and other things. All the police can say is move. Well I am, right out of the country.  |
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TheLongWayHome
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 1016
Location: San Luis Piojosi
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| Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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How safe or unsafe Mexico is, isn't entirely dependent on Mexicans murdering each other:
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The top 10 cities where Americans were arrested, and the number taken into custody:
1. Tijuana: 520
2. Guadalajara: 416
3. Nuevo Laredo: 359
4. London: 274
5. Mexico City: 208
6. Toronto: 183
7. Nassau, Bahamas: 108
8. Merida, Mexico: 99
9. Nogales, Mexico: 96
10. Hong Kong: 90
Officials say alcohol, drugs and possession of guns at border checkpoints have long been common causes for arrests of Americans in Mexico and Canada. |
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Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Hmm...is Mexico at 'more than 2500' or is it at 13,000+? Big discrepancy there. |
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Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
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| Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:02 pm Post subject: Re: Hope your parents don't see this. |
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| MELEE wrote: |
Mexico usually gets bad press in the foriegn media, but I think this article goes to far.
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL16547590
The worst is that the articles states that there were "more than 2500" murders in the country last year. Then has this lovely gem,
| Quote: |
| (To get the death toll into context, 762 U.S. troops died in the war in Iraq last year). |
A much better context would be to tell us how many murders there were in the US last year. I did some googling and found that in 2006 there were 1,417,745 vilolent crimes reported in the US. I didn't find nationwide homicide stats but in 2007 New York City had 494 and Detroit had 404, So I'm guessing you are more likely to be murdered in the US than in Mexico. |
If you read the article correctly, you will understand that they are talking about the more than 2500 "Mexican drug war" deaths. Then that is compared with the 762 US combat deaths in Iraq. Actually, a better comparison would be the number of Mexican police/military killed by the drug cartels and violence, then comparing that to the US military death toll. That would still be pretty much meaningless, but a better comparison nonetheless.
The point is this, Mexico is a very dangerous place. No doubt about it. This ain't Main Street, Des Moines, Iowa by a long shot. The drug related violence is getting out of control, fast. The police are underpaid, under-trained, and under-equiped. Not to mention the culture of corruption. The military is seen as being a little more professional, and better trained and equipped, though still outgunned by the narcos. Pres. Calderon did give a pay raise to the troops last year, I don't know if that has done much other than to earn the PAN some more votes for giving some pan. Mexico badly needs to revamp its justice system, enforce the laws on its books, really punish violent criminals, and create a professional, well-paid and trained police force. Not an easy task, nor a quick one. But, one that can be done. |
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jfurgers
Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 442
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:30 am Post subject: |
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You think Mexico is dangerous you should see the local news for Dallas Texas. I don't even watch it anymore because they only talk about who was murdered today. Unreal. My sister calls and tells me the same thing about my hometown, Louisville Kentucky.
Dallas and Louisville are full of murders everyday. Many drug related I'm sure. What's the stats for Mexico City?? I know they say everything is out of control at the border towns with drugs and killings.
Are there a lot of crimes in DF due to drugs?? Dallas was (not sure if it still is) the most important city to distribute the drugs thoughout the rest of the States. At least that's what they were saying a couple of years ago on the news.I always feel safe when I'm in DF but not in Dallas. |
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ontoit
Joined: 18 Jun 2006
Posts: 99
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| Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:57 am Post subject: |
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| You get folks together just about anywhere on the globe and sooner or later they start doing damage to one another. |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Are there a lot of crimes in DF due to drugs?? Dallas was (not sure if it still is) the most important city to distribute the drugs thoughout the rest of the States. At least that's what they were saying a couple of years ago on the news.I always feel safe when I'm in DF but not in Dallas. |
I think DF drug related crime is more on the consumption side of things and not cartel fights like up north. You do hear about some cartel 'knock offs' here from time to time though.
The US and Mexico announced just this week a joint program to stem the flow of weapons into Mexico from the US. Cartels frequently outgun the cops and the army up north. |
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ls650
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
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| Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject: |
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| There are safe and dangerous places everywhere. The article writer is being sensational to sell papers and keep his/her job; there's nothing new there. |
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gypsygirl1475
Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Posts: 78
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| Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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Well I live about an hour and a half form Fort Le June and there was a 8 1/2 months pregnant Marine that was beat to death and then burn by another marine that is born Mexican but is legalized citizen. Now there is a world wide manhunt for him, mainly searching in Mexico. He told his friends and wife if anything happened he would flee to Mexico. Looks like that is were he is.
The crime rate here in North and South Carolina has gone through the roof the last few months. I think something is in the water, what is going on? It's just getting horrible. We can't wait to leave. |
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jfurgers
Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 442
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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Seems like the bad guys always have more and better weapons than the cops. And yes it's true, there are good places and bad places everywhere one goes. South Dallas, for example has some parts that are terrible and full of crime. North Dallas and some of the places further north are much more safe.
They keep saying on the news that there are two or more drug cartel families fighting each other so one can have control of the routes for the drugs to get into the States. I thought the new pres of Mexico was going to send the tanks to New Laredo and clean house. My wife is always saying how she feels a little unsafe when she goes to DF because of the news up here that's always saying how broken Mexico is, but then when she gets to DF she sees that everyone is going about there business just like they do here in the States.
I guess nothing will solve the drug problem with Mexico and the States as long as the DEMAND is there. |
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gypsygirl1475
Joined: 03 Dec 2007
Posts: 78
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| Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Think of it this way.... if you are not involved in the drugs and you stay clear of the areas you know have these things going on then you will be safe. People are so stupid, they go to the unsafe areas to try and get a little of something and get into a big something. I think that all of us have common sense to stay away from the bad areas, and just take safety precausions when traveling, that's all. If you use the brain and common sense God gave us then all will be fine. |
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jfurgers
Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 442
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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Good points gypsygirl!  |
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