U.S./Mexican border

Mexico has now surpassed Afghanistan and Iraq in terms of the biggest threat to the U.S.  Only Pakistan and Iran are considered more dangerous to us.  There are now two drug cartels that have decided to join forces in an attempt to keep law enforcement on both sides of the U.S./Mexican border at bay.  What’s frightening is the fact these combined forces of the Sinaloa and Los Zetas cartels are almost equal in the number of troops Mexico has to fight this increasingly violent groups of thugs.  It’s estimated nearly 100,000 “foot soldiers” are smuggling large amounts of drugs across the border and into this country; by contrast,  Mexico’s number of troops are somewhere near 130,000.  In the past twelve months, those determined to move illegal drugs have been willing to do anything - up to and including murder; to date, there have been over 7,600 bodies abandoned along the U.S./Mexican border.  Most were decapitated or found in tanks of acid.

Mexico has shifted the vast majority of the responsibility onto our federal government and has demanded more prosecutions of those entering our country illegally, especially if there’s any suspected involvement in or knowledge of anything related to the drug cartels.  It’s simple math: the more prosecuted and jailed here mean fewer for Mexico to deal with.  The only problem with that is when many of these people are caught trying to enter this country, they’re allowed to sue - and win - American property owners who’re attempting to protect their private land.  Remember this post from a couple weeks back?  It appears there’s a figurative wall around those only wishing to legally keep trespassers off their land when there should be a literal wall ensuring they’re kept out.

If two violent drug gangs can join forces to strengthen their illegal activities, you’d think our own government would step up to the plate to protect the rights of those who are undoubtedly wishing they owned land anywhere else instead of what’s becoming a dangerous frontline near the border.  Even the drug cartels are buying loyalty from some Mexican officials, which of course is exacerbating the situation and making it difficult to determine who’s being paid off to look the other way within Mexico’s government.

This is going to get a lot worse before it begins to get better and the mixed messages our country’s sending makes us appear not united.  As a result, it most likely will be construed as a weakness and that’s just not an image we can afford.

Links to Criminal Lawyers, Immigration Lawyers and Attorneys.

As many of us are anticipating spending Thanksgiving with our families and friends, catching up on what the year’s brought and, if you’re from the south, justifying pecan pie, homemade fudge and seafood gumbo as a complete meal, we’re reminded that despite all of the gloomy news and ominous headlines of what the new year will bring, we are fortunate enough to live our lives with no fear of acid being thrown in our faces for simply wanting to obtain an education.

Atifa Bibi, 14 year old schoolgirl injured with acid

lies in a hospital bed, recovering from burns on her face and body. Kandahar’s governor, Rahmatullah Raufi, said the men would be tried in open court. That’s a start, but what the punishment will ultimately be is not yet known. If the president has his way, they’ll certainly be hung in public provided they’re found guilty (and it seems as though they’ve admitted to having done this). This case has caught the attention of the entire world and the UN is calling it a hideous crime. Even the First Lady has called these men cowards. This isn’t the first attack on girls who are attempting to obtain educations. Still, these girls continue to insist on going to school and say they won’t be frightened out of going, despite their injuries. If this isn’t a reminder to appreciate and give thanks to the freedoms we have in this country, I don’t know what is.

So, how do we feel about the acid toss prior to the hanging? Is it acceptable? We know it isn’t how things are done on American soil, but these men knew they risked losing their own lives if they were caught, whether their actions resulted in the death of any of these girls or not. The fact their only justification was to prevent these girls from bettering themselves makes it that much more despicable. According to UNICEF, there were over 230 attacks on schools in 2007 with the goal of forcing boys out of the classrooms and onto the battlefronts. This doesn’t include suicide bombings near school yards, kidnappings and threats to families who agree to allow their daughters to attend school. This has forced many from not being able to attend classes, simply because they fear the repercussions. The US Government says all of these attacks can be traced back to the Taliban. Since 2001, it’s been reported the Taliban grows weaker each day. Hopefully, there will be some way to eradicate this group of evil souls to the point that they are no longer a threat to anyone, except maybe themselves - they do seem to thrive on suicide bombings.

One thing about it, as we’ve learned over the past several years, punishment is swift and usually just to those breaking the laws in this region of the world. It’s not unrealistic to believe these men, again, provided they’re found guilty, will receive their punishments in a matter of days, versus America’s typical wait time on death row being measured in years. Attorneys aren’t even necessary, as justice is defined in different terms.

So as we anticipate the rest of this week and make our own battle plans for our 4 a.m. shopping trips Friday morning, stories like these are the very reason we shouldn’t take our own legal system for granted.