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I didn't think this segment really began to do justice to the topic. 8 minutes of information does not start to education listeners on a rwanda-like complex topic.
-the listener comment that the drug gangs should just keep killing each other is a symptomatic comment and it was poorly countered by the guests.
Start with more time.
give more facts.
this is what you do so well on domestic issues, and it looks like this IS a domestic issue.
1. the mexican "drug czar" just uncovered recieving a 450K payment from multiple mafia families. THIS is not like kids on your lower east side corner hiding crack in the mailbox when the police drive by.
2. explicitely detail the terror and scope of the impact on the general mexican population and the border population. THIS is not isolated to a small area like "don't walk down east 105th they sell crack there". This is like montauk to jersey X25. An example would be recent claims by teachers on the border that they are being extorted by drug mafias for their year end bonuses!
3. explain the relation and impact on the usa. this would include:
-failed drug war in columbia
-drug use in the usa
-gun sales in usa
-income bound disincentives to change. this is exactly like illegal immigration to Mexico. why would the gov'nt stop it since it FUNDS a major % of their economy with its influx of money. There is no incentive.

PLEASE try this topic again with a better layout and more time.

Unfortunately legalization won't do the trick I believe. That is because the distribution is in the hands of criminals who are economically motivated to maintain the channels of distribution. Legalization will increase the market supply trying to meet demand, but the distributors will be invested in limiting others entering the marketplace. Therefore the criminal behavior continues, making the Michoacan and Sinaloan states terrorist locales and the borders with our country even more treacherous for police and innocent civilians.

Fercho,

Whether I agree or disagree with much of what you share is irrelevant. I simply want to live in a country of laws. If the country feels that the laws are outdated, then the laws should be changed. Until then, I believe in enforcing the laws as well as possible. Israel patrols borders well whether you like them or not. The US consults on many levels with Israel, why not on patrolling the border?

Cynthia,

I don't know what you are talking about. When you are ready to talk about issues, Peter from Sunset is here.

Peter @ #14,
If that is the case then the US should also erect segregation fences with Canada, Cuba and the Caribbean, and anywhere it has a border.

Anyway, I agree that laws should be upheld and enforced (unlike what we did with Native American populations.) However, borders are artificial constructs especially in a globalized world. The whole world is moving toward borderless regions i.e. European Union, ASEAN countries, South American nations. This capitalistic globalized model fosters issues such as drug-trafficking, immigration, disease, etc that know no borders. Therefore, affected bordering nations and their governments need to partner-up in an equal standing to control such issues.

---Suspicious of the "with-us-or-against-us" "Anti-terrorism" propaganda...it sounds so BushEney!

If torture, slavery, Genocide and rape are not litmus test, I don't know what is?

Cynthia,

Pleaese be civil and show me the same respect I show you. I am sorry that you choose to have a litmus test approach towards discussing topics.

Your friend in Sunset,

Peter

Cynthia,

I don't believe that this topic has anything at all to do with torture. I am confused as to why you are bringing it up. Could you explain?

Israeli Policies have been a Human Catastrophe, Including the Wall. So to advocate Israel as a model is a joke.

How is decriminalizing such a bad thing? The people who use drugs only hurt themselves, our criminal system should only consider the the trespass of our neighbors upon our freedoms. This is still a free country right? Right??

The comment by Arthur is ridiculous. No fight is ever tight and contained.
This type of violence always spills out of control and people's living standards suffer gravely.
May I remind Arthur that Genghis Khan also started out pursuing a very small vendetta.
READ PEOPLE!

We in America need to work along with Mexico to combat this problem it is not their problem to deal with alone when we are a huge drug consuming society, we feel not in our back yard, when we are the ones aiding this problem on the borders of Mexico and the Caribbean.

Yes Brian! Suggesting de-criminalization of drugs is the way to go. I wish more folks in the media brought this up as a real option. Bravvo!

Has anyone actually watched the gangland series on History channel? A good reiteration of this discussion.

legalize drugs!
and tax them!!

Dear Moderator,

You can't talk about a "Drug War" without context, consequence and nuance. The first topics stand on target and it is hoped that Brian could paint the whole picture in the air.

Fercho,

My opinion is that we either have border laws or we don't. If we have laws, we should enforce them. If the country wants an open border, then that is a real discussion to have. I know many people who actually believe that the US, Mexico, and Canada should have no borders at all. But until the law is changed, I feel that border laws should be enforced. That being said, Israel does it better then anyone with miles of censors and detection strategy, so why not consult with them?

Anti-Terrorism Advocate - Peter

[[BL Moderator Writes:
Folks, please try to stay civil and relevant to the discussion taking place on the air. For one, this discussion is primarily about violence WITHIN Mexico. Either way, it's hard for a comment posted twenty minutes before the segment even begins to directly address what is being discussed on the air. No comments have been removed, but let's try to aim for more civility.
Thank you,
-BL Show-]]

A few years ago there were a high number of women who were murdered in Ciudad Juarez, were those related to the drug turf wars?

And how has this effected the tourist industry?

It's a good thing the drug war was a topic of debate during the election. Why can't we just legalize everything already? Oh wait, that would actually help put an end to violent drug trafficking...who wants that? More money the country does not have gets spent on DEA nonsense.

Peter,

Consider me your fellow American friend too.

Standing against irrational, religious, "chosen-people" Zionism does not mean that I dislike a secular Israel.

Anyway, let's bring SEGREGATION WALLS into our own Hemisphere!! This will separate the brown DRUG TRAFFICKERS to the South (600 million people) from the "well-to-do innocent" inhabitants of the North. I REALLY THINK OBAMA STANDS FOR THIS!

Fercho,

If the US wants to protect the border, it seems only logical to me that they consult with governments that do a better job of it. I am curious if the US has done so. You don't have to like Israel to see that their humane barrier is clearly effective at stopping illegal crossings.

Please try and keep it civil. Just a reminder.

Your friend,

Peter from Sunset

Peter,
Let's not infuse Zionism into this conversation please. Since racial anxiety could not be instilled in Anglo Americans to prompt them to support Israel during the continuing Gaza invasion and massacre, another racial angle in the form of a segregation wall is being propelled now. Somebody must be smoking it!

Interesting...Now that this inclement failed "War" is coming close home after over 20 years of spilled blood and human suffering in Colombia, Americans have started to worry. It shows the hypocritical nature of our American ways, many people are willing to become Vegan or stop driving SUVs, but still consume drugs on a regular basis.

Anyway, in addition to weapons sales to cartels, which must be stopped. Corporations must also stop selling and shipping identifiable chemicals used to process drugs.

Please ask Mr. Calderon:

Israel has built a barrier that is mostly comprised of ditches and a fence, and in some limited areas a wall. This barrier has completely stopped suicide bombings in Israel and is viewed as a huge success by Israelis. Has the US and/or Mexico consulted with Israeli officials on such a humane barrier? Is the US/Mexico border just too long for such a barrier? Can Israel's attention to safety and the dignity of human life help the US and Mexico protect and patrol the border?

Americans need to understand that our economic and political policies and our huge drug consumption economy have led tot he violence in Mexico and that if nothing really serious is done we will see this violence spread throughout the US within the next 10-12 months.

We have prevented the Mexican people from having independent democratic institutions so it has been very easy for the drug cartels to take over the Mexican government (Federal) (State) and (Local). Pretty much EVERY Mexican state bordering the Pacific or our southern border is under the control of organized crime.
We need to ACT NOW! We might start by stopping the US arms dealers from selling military weapons to the cartels.

As a Colombian-American, I am on the side that that America's "War on Drugs" has grossly failed for various reasons. A new Obama approach is required:

1. As long as American voracious appetite for drugs is not curbed, the lucrative trade is poised to continue. Americans must grow-up and take responsibility for UNDERMINING DEMOCRACIES and DISTABILIZING the entire Latin America region AND for KILLING the AMAZON RAINFOREST (thereby contributing to global warming) at a rate of 4 meters per each gram of snorted coke according to Colombian Vice-president Santos.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/19/cocaine-rainforests-columbia-santos-calderon

2. Plan Colombia (and now Mexico's Plan Mérida) is the wrong strategy to fight drugs in LatAm because over 70% of this aid is going to the military which has increased its gross Human Rights violations on left-leaning civilians and sympathizers, including gross massacres by paramilitary and right-wing armed militia groups that support President Uribe. http://www.hrw.org/legacy/englishwr2k8/docs/2008/01/31/colomb17754.htm

3. A more targeted approach would be to create a "Marshall Plan" for LatAm in which fair-trade, true economic development, social justice and prosperity are the main goals. Perhaps Obama and Clinton might consider this option.