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Posts Tagged ‘military

barack-obama2Ok, remember how Mexico caught a whole bunch of drug traffickers a few weeks back? And how they were paraded in front of national Mexican television, and how it was the U.S. that basically funded the capture with money and weapons?

Well, the U.S. government doesn’t have a problem with any of that, and it wants us all to know that.

President Obama said Monday the United States remains Mexico’s partner in the fight against drug cartels, despite some calls in the United States to delay counter-narcotics aid because of alleged human rights violations by Mexican soldiers.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and human rights in his offensive against the cartels, Obama said.

Some $100 million in anti-drug aid, known as the Merida Initiative, could be delayed because of concerns about human rights violations, it was reported last week.

“We have been very supportive of the Merida Initiative, and we remain supportive,” Obama said.

Obama also said the United States would work to reduce demand for drugs and stop the illegal flow of weapons south to Mexico.

The remarks came at a summit of North American leaders in Guadalajara, Mexico.

As I said earlier, I don’t really see this “war” ending until there is 1. either drug legalization efforts and/or 2. a national policy in the U.S. enacted whereby drug addiction is recognized as a disease needing treatment rather than a crime needing imprisonment.

So it’s incredibly disappointing to see that Obama, the liberal almost communist dictator, declaring the U.S.’s continued support of military options to Mexico–while also speaking out of both sides of his mouth on “ending U.S. demands for drugs.” If Mexico’s drug trafficking is a matter of national security, why isn’t treatment here in the U.S.? If Mexico can get millions and millions of dollars for military supplies, why can’t your local rehab clinic get some new chairs and a computer?

Oh, I forget, we have to use that money to imprison drug users.

veterans.jpg Today is a day filled with memorial services and speeches in the name and for those who have served and continue to serve in the armed forces of the United States. While it is great to offer words and moments of silence, actions really do speak louder than words. As efforts to recruit young people of color and the numbers of Latinos in the military rise, many veterans return asking the U.S., what have you done for me lately?

After serving in foreign wars, many young soldiers return to the United States injured emotionally and physically and unable to find a job. According to a DiversityInc article, nearly 15 percent of veterans between the ages of 20-24 were unemployed in 2005. Compare that to the general civilian unemployment rate of 9 percent.

Read more…

More Latinos Enlisting

9:31 am By Maegan La Mala · Politics| society · Comments Off

7 Nov 2005

milicothumb.jpgMaybe the rock en Español campaign is working. While overall military recruitment is down including among blacks and whites , according to the Defense Department, the recruitment of Latinos increased 15.2 percent in 2004. This could be in part because of targeted advertising within the Latino community as well as incentives being offered by branches like the army, which has been offering to help undocumented immigrants solidify their status if they enlist. Many young Latinos are also lured by large monetary incentives and the promise of college scholorship money.

Via / DiversityInc

Bush bringing Gifts to Latin America

8:56 am By Maegan La Mala · Paraguay · Comments Off

4 Nov 2005

smallforce.jpgPresident G.W. Bush is visiting Latin America this weekend, mostly to push free trade agreements like CAFTA. Like every good diplomat he is bringing a little something for his hosts, U.S. Special Forces stationed in Paraguay. A military deal between the U.S. and Paraguay according to a statement by the U.S. embassy officials has

U.S. personnel in small numbers, generally between 10 to 20 people, will train with their Paraguayan military colleges during periods from two to six weeks.

This of course is done in the name of humanitarian aid, counter-terrorism and the never ending (and dare I say losing battle) war against drugs. Skeptics inside and out of Paraguay think the U.S. has other plans, like to establish a permanent presence in the area. Reasons for the U.S. wanting to do that range from access to nearby resources like natural gas reserves in Bolivia to control of underground water aquifers. One of the most compelling possibilities is that the U.S. wants to keep tabs over what is known as the Triple Border, where the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet and where there are accusations on the part of the U.S. of Arab merchants sending millions, perhaps billions, of laundered dollars to Middle East terrorist groups annually.

What is troubling about the added presence of U.S. troops in South America is that word of these activities was officially released on July 7th of this year, nearly four months ago. With Plan Colombia in place and the U.S. drooling over overthrowing Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez, this new development certainly raises concerns.

Via / AlterNet

batanga.jpg File this under “nothing in this world is free”. Batanga internet radio has teamed up with the U.S. Air Force to create a cd featuring some big names in the rock en Español scene including Peruanos Libido. All visitors to the Batanga website need to do is take a little quiz about the U.S. Air Force and enter all their personal information and they will get their “free” cd but also loads of information and probably some phone calls on how to join the U.S. Air Force.

Does this strike anyone else as shady? I know the U.S. military has had trouble getting recruits to fight their wars lately, but given that the Batanga’s target demographic is Latinos ages 14-34, this match up makes me uncomfortable. Isn’t it bad enough that our young people are targeted as soon as they enter high school by the armed forces? Given the growing lack of educational and career opportunities for Latino youth doesn’t this rock cd “giveaway” exploit our young people and lead them straight to the front lines? Somehow getting harassed to join the U.S. military via the mail and telephone in exchange for a cd of canciones people can get by other means doesn’t seem like a fair deal.

Batanga Air Force Rocks


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VivirLatino is a daily publication published by 2 Mujeres Media, dedicated to featuring all the latest politics, culture, entertainment of interest to the diverse and influential Latino and Latina community in the U.S.

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