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Hope your parents don't see this.
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Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Mexico
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MELEE



Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 2583
Location: The Mexican Hinterland
PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:04 pm    Post subject: Hope your parents don't see this. Reply with quote
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.
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throwdownyourcrutches



Joined: 02 Oct 2007
Posts: 36
Location: On the road to El Dorado
PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
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
PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
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. Laughing
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TheLongWayHome



Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 1016
Location: San Luis Piojosi
PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
How safe or unsafe Mexico is, isn't entirely dependent on Mexicans murdering each other:

Quote:
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!
PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Here are the 2007 homicide statistics for the USA taken from the CDC NCHS web site: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/homicide.htm

Mortality

All homicides

Number of deaths: 17,357

Deaths per 100,000 population: 5.9

What is it in Mexico?

According to this web site: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_percap-crime-murders-per-capita

Mexico comes in at sixth for murder in the world, with 13,829 murders

The USA is at #24.

You can also read about Mexico's stellar human rights record:
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78898.htm

All that being said, I don't feel in any more danger in DF than in most other large cities, actually I feel safer.
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Guy Courchesne



Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
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!
PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:02 pm    Post subject: Re: Hope your parents don't see this. Reply with quote
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
PostPosted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
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
PostPosted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
You get folks together just about anywhere on the globe and sooner or later they start doing damage to one another.