re: #372 Killgore Trout

It’s hard to predict how this would have evolved if Bush (or another Republican) was still in office. However, DOJ under Bush did recognize the problem that American bought guns are being shipped to Mexico. We are also fueling the drug war by buying all those illegal drugs. We are a very destabilizing force on Mexico. I have always been of the opinion that the real source of the outrage over the investigation was the legal gun purchases being shipped to Mexico. It’s a loophole the NRA doesn’t want closed, they would still be pressuring congress no matter who’s in office.

Drug war. Also the fact that in recent years this drug war has been amplified including under the direction of the current administration. Calderon of course has been a central figure in this controversial policy and enforcement has lead to the death of 50,000 Mexican citizens since 2006. There are huge profits to be made by the “cartels” in the drug trade. Much like alcohol prohibition led to the violent crimes of the American mafia. There is no end in sight since the majority of world leaders hold a rather conservative view on drugs.