See other Editorial Articles
Title: Civil liberties and war in Mexico - Mexican president Felipe Calderon is instituting crackdowns that make George Bush look like a member of the ACLU.
Source:
The Guardian
URL Source: http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk ... _liberties_and_war_in_mex.html
Published: Jun 4, 2007
Author: John Ackerman
Post Date: 2007-06-04 20:40:23 by mirage
Keywords: None
Views: 164
Comments: 16
Like George Bush, Mexico's Felipe Calderon came into office after a bitterly contested election. And he is using the same methods to unite his people behind him. Just as President Bush's war on terror successfully boosted his support during his early years, President Calderon is now declaring war on both crime and terror. Calderon's war promises to be even more destructive for civil liberties. In an attempt to combat narco- violence and discourage subversive activities, he has already ordered unilateral military takeovers of seven states and disarmed local police corps. The military has begun operating random checkpoints throughout the country. He has modified the criminal code so as to facilitate the jailing of anyone who looks to "pressure the authorities". Calderon also wants to amend the constitution to allow the attorney general to conduct wiretaps, detain suspects and conduct searches without a court order. These initiatives go far beyond those Bush has contemplated. Bush would never think of ordering the military into California, setting up roadblocks on our national highways or amending the fourth amendment ban on "unreasonable searches and seizures". But apparently things change once we move south of the border. Here, the president feels unhindered by America's constitutional principles and supports the flagrant violation of basic civil liberties. In his recent trip to Mexico, Bush stood up and applauded Calderon's program. The US government has recently donated a $3m communications-intercept system to Mexico. The new system will boost the government's capability to intrude on personal communications, including those involving Mexicans residing in the United States. At present, Mexico's constitution includes clear protections for individual rights. Mexico's equivalent of the fourth amendment prohibits government officials from "bothering" citizens unless they obtain a "written order which sets out the legal grounds for the procedure". There is only one exception. The president must gain congressional consent for a state of emergency, asserting that the country is in "grave danger". But Calderon has made no effort to involve Congress. Instead, he seems bent on riding atop the "imperial presidency" constructed by his authoritarian predecessors. Contrary to popular belief, the Mexican presidency is not a particularly strong constitutional office. Its unilateral decree powers are extremely limited when compared to the executive office in most other Latin American countries. The presidents of Brazil, Colombia and Peru, for instance, have much more unilateral authority than does Calderon. As in the US, Mexico's founding fathers carefully designed the country's institutions so as to avoid the abuse of power by the executive branch. But throughout most of the 20th century, generations of corrupt leaders from the ruling party systematically trampled the Mexican constitution. In clear violation of the law, the presidency became de facto the centre of all decision making. Both Congress and the judiciary were ignored, leading to the erosion of the rule of law. With the election of Vicente Fox, his National Action Party promised to change all this. But the party's second president threatens to shatter these great expectations. Narco-violence is a very serious problem in Mexico today, causing more than 1,000 assassinations so far this year. But the ends do not always justify the means. In fact Calde ron's violation of constitutional principles has made the situation worse since it sets a dangerous example of disrespect for the rule of law. The confusion created by the widespread use of the military in civilian operations has allowed narco commandos to use military dress themselves to carry out a number of recent assassinations. Calderon should lead by example. The fundamental rights of citizens should be restricted only in times of real emergency and with full cooperation of all three branches of government. Mexico's new president should move quickly to ask for congressional approval for his draconian strategies. If he continues on the present path, he will be leading Mexico back at least a generation in its search for democratic stability and the rule of law.
Poster Comment: Read the comments for a real look at the violence in Mexico.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: mirage (#0)
The daily newspaper Reforma quoted Sinaloa police as saying the victims were members of two families traveling to a funeral in a remote area near the Sinaloa-Chihuahua border.
There are people who think 'Anywhere is better than here' - kind of like Alec Baldwin who has yet to leave the US and Bush is about to exit his second term.... I un-understand it myself.
America is not at war. The military is at war. America is at the mall and the Congress is out to lunch.
Comment No. 617895 June 4 20:51 USA So an article about corruption and drug gang violence in Mexico just HAS to start with spurious comparisons to Bush. How Guardianesque. How long before Iraq/Iran/Israel pop up, not to mention AdamGh-petrodollarswerealldoomed12341 ? [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.] Wasn't/Isn't there a Yak on FR? Maybe we should report this comment as offensive.
"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism." ~George Washington
I could care less who leave this formerly great nation, but once gone, why would someone choose to "teach" those he left behind on how to achieve a better nation? Especially when his new nation is a toilet? Some people are stone cold weird.
Hey now. You're describing Californians! Californians get fed up with California - go somewhere else - turn that place into an unlivable outhouse, get annoyed, move on, turn that place into a sewer.... ...and then eventually go back to California to "reclaim" it ...
America is not at war. The military is at war. America is at the mall and the Congress is out to lunch.
bullshit
RON PAUL or REVOLUTION
is there a leader of any country who isn't a power hungry tyrant? some are just worse than others.
Mexican Federal Police officers keep at a checkpoint at Miguel. January 24, 2007 Author: CECILIA DEL OLMO | Mexican Federal Police officers keep at a checkpoint at Miguel Aleman Avenue, in the touristic town of Acapulco, Mexico 24 January 2007. Mexican President Felipe Calderon's government launched a campaign to fight the organized crime in the states of Michoacan, Baja California and Guerrero.
Bush (or add any other pols name) might do it but I'm thinking such a response by our fed gov. would bring at least 10% (7 million) of the gun owners out for a final fight. In fact, I'd take 5% of the gun owners (3.5 million). That's the difference bet. us and 3rd world slums. Many here would die for our freedom, while making damn sure they took some down before they left for the dirt nap.
That is a Fabrique Nationale (FN) FAL (.308) it looks like to me. Hard to say, but it looks like one of the newer lightweight models. Calderon has started a crackdown on the drug cartels and corrupt authorities who are in cahoots with them. There have been quite a few shootouts in the streets of cities in the north of Mexico recently. If it keeps up, it could go two ways, the Mexican government and Calderon will be victorious or the cartels will put the hit on Calderon and he will be out of the picture. Knowing that the Bush Crime Family is deeply entrenched in the drug smuggling picture in this hemisphere, I expect there will be an assassination in Mexico's future, though it may be an "accident" like many of the others. My advice to Calderon is do not get on an airplane.
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
I think there are a couple of small South Pacific islands where they send everything out to the people for a vote first - but all the "big" countries want to regulate everything. If you haven't noticed, Scotland is getting more restless by the day. They got the English to back off quite a bit and there is now a Scottish Parliament once again.... It seems to be a pendulum. Back and forth. Centralized, decentralized. Power to anarchy.
America is not at war. The military is at war. America is at the mall and the Congress is out to lunch.
Think 1963, JFK v the Federal Reserve. Then Bobby Kennedy v the Mob in '68. Yes, Calderon better not fly anytime soon.
Yeah riiight! It ain't even worth the tortilla it's written on. No more than our 4th protects us from unreasonable search. The "authorities" have a bag of tricks such as "I have to search you for officer safety". Or "Oh - I stopped you for a burned out tail light and may I take a look in the trunk of your car? If you refuse, I'll have to call for a canine unit."
“I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.” - Thomas Jefferson
It ain't even worth the tortilla it's written on. funny :)
Uh - I think Jorge Bush is doing that too. ============================================================================= Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force, of the people. . . . [There is also an] inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud, growing out of a state of war, and . . . degeneracy of manners and of morals. . . . No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare. . . . (The government is supposed to fit the Constitution, NOT the Constitution fit the government!) Well, Ecuador is no freedom paradise either. Certainly it has it's problems, and the amount of power assumed by presidents here is not the least of them. On the other hand, recent history shows they can nonetheless be tossed out of office. Been about 9 presidents over the last 7 years or so here. Corruption is a problem but at least that gives you a chance to have things go your way once in a while, as opposed to judges constantly invoking the "compelling government interest" fiction to strip us of rights. Total freedom does not exist anywhere, even in the wild. So what constitutes "freedom" can be a reasonably deep philosophical subject. In sum, shopping around for the best deal *for you* is not an unreasonable thing.
I half way understand the ILLEGAL exodus, but to expat there?????
World
Report: soldiers kill 3 children, 2 women in northern Mexico
#2. To: Jethro Tull (#1)
#3. To: mirage (#0)
Yak40
#4. To: mirage (#2)
#5. To: Jethro Tull (#4)
I could care less who leave this formerly great nation, but once gone, why would someone choose to "teach" those he left behind on how to achieve a better nation?
#6. To: mirage (#0)
Bush would never think of ordering the military into California, setting up roadblocks on our national highways or amending the fourth amendment ban on "unreasonable searches and seizures".
#7. To: mirage (#0)
#8. To: mirage (#2)
#9. To: all (#6)
bullshit
#10. To: Jethro Tull (#8)
Mexican Federal Police officers keep at a checkpoint at Miguel Aleman Avenue, in the touristic town of Acapulco, Mexico 24 January 2007. Mexican President Felipe Calderon's government launched a campaign to fight the organized crime in the states of Michoacan, Baja California and Guerrero.
#11. To: christine (#7)
is there a leader of any country who isn't a power hungry tyrant?
#12. To: BTP Holdings (#10)
or the cartels will put the hit on Calderon and he will be out of the picture.
#13. To: mirage (#0)
At present, Mexico's constitution includes clear protections for individual rights. Mexico's equivalent of the fourth amendment prohibits government officials from "bothering" citizens unless they obtain a "written order which sets out the legal grounds for the procedure".
#14. To: tzf90 (#13)
Yeah riiight!
#15. To: mirage (#0)
There is only one exception. The president must gain congressional consent for a state of emergency, asserting that the country is in "grave danger". But Calderon has made no effort to involve Congress. Instead, he seems bent on riding atop the "imperial presidency" constructed by his authoritarian predecessors.
- James Madison
-dcwusmc (from FR)
#16. To: mirage, Jethro Tull (#2)
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest