Last week, after her trip to Mexico, Hillary Clinton came under fire from right-wing pundits for her comments about the current drug wars in Mexico. In a public address, the Secretary of State boldly claimed that failed U.S. policies, as well as our insatiable desire for drugs, have fueled the Mexican drug war. As always, American nationalists (under the perverted guise of patriotism) rebuked Clinton for daring to critique American policy in full public view. In doing so, they ignored mounds of compelling evidence that shows how the current crisis in Mexico actually begins North of the border.

A big reason for the unbridled violence in Mexico is the competition among drug cartels for American business. This competition only exists because the United States continues to prosecute its senseless “war on drugs.” Since the beginning of this so-called war, drugs have only gotten cheaper, easier to get, and increasingly potent. In addition to these obvious indices of failure, civil liberties and public health have been compromised by our legislative stubbornness. Instead of lowering demand by focusing on drug prevention, and treating addiction as a medical rather than legal problem, we continue to create a fertile market for drug gangs through prohibition.

Another key issue that must be addressed is our nation’s lax stance on guns. Currently, through loopholes and wrongheaded legislation, weapons of destruction like assault rifles annd cop-killer bullets can be legally purchased with relative ease. Many of these killing machines quickly make their way to Mexico, where they become the instruments of terror used to sustain the drug war. Since there is no acceptable reason for Americans to have them anyway –who needs an AK-47 to hunt?—banning them would help to stem the tide of Mexican violence considerably.

Although Hillary Clinton would not admit this in public, American trade policy is a critical factor in the Mexican drug crisis. Since NAFTA was enacted in 1994, liberalized marketplaces have not only allowed for the free entry of legal American goods into Mexico, but also created bi-directional access for narcotic manufacturers. Also, by snuffing out the economic prosperity of smalltime Mexican farmers, NAFTA has only increased the number of people willing to sell, manufacture, and smuggle drugs across the border.

Until we accept these facts, our government will continue to spin its wheels fighting a war that it is actively instigating. Then again, maybe that’s just how they want it.

‘ER’ Draws To Close

After 15 years, the NBC hospital drama ER is coming to an end tonight. What do you think?

Lee Zimmerman,
Kick-Plate Installer
“I hope they tie up the big loose end by finally treating that bearded extra who’s been sitting in the waiting room since season seven.”

Aric Hoyer,
Hoist Operator
“Maybe they’ll finally reveal what ‘ER’ stands for in the last episode.”

Kelly Duffy,
Loan Review Analyst
“I wonder if George Clooney will make a last-episode appearance? I’m sorry, I was just trying to imagine being one of those people who actually says things like that.”

This might be the WACKEST album cover/title that I’ve ever seen.

Today’s video of the day comes from the O’Reilly Factor, where I discussed the funeral of Lovell Mixon, which was attended by hundreds of Black activists.

Tonight, I’ll be appearing on the O’Reilly Factor. The show airs at 8PM and 11PM on Fox News Channel. Topic: Oakland Police, Lovelle Mixon, and police brutality.