Mexico continues to collapse into total narco-statism, as evidenced by recent skirmishes of its drug gangs in once desirable locales. The government remains powerless to prevent drug cartel violence even in presumably valued vacation areas.

Not that many years ago, Acapulco was a glamorous international vacation spot — Elvis made a beach movie there. Now it is just another violence-riddled war zone where the battling cartels shoot each other up at will, because the drug gangs are more powerful than the government. Naturally, the locals are concerned: “Acapulco fears being ‘Narcapulco.’”

In Acapulco, assailants lobbed grenades at a police station and a prosecutors’ office early Friday, causing building damage but no serious injuries. The perpetrators escaped without being identified.

Remember that a “failed state” is a government which cannot maintain even the basics of law and order. We can expect to see far more violence as Mexico turns into Colombia.

Another victim is the free press in border towns, where journalists get no protection from the police against cartel thugs. Last week, several drug gangsters entered the office of La Manana in Nuevo Laredo and shot down reporter Jaime Orozco Tey who was critically wounded (“Mexico needs to protect journalists”).

On Tuesday, Ramon Cantu Deandar, the owner and general manager of La Manana, announced a “zero investigations” policy regarding the drug trade.

“They are forcing us to do that, to not inform about violent incidents so that the city’s image and credibility are not stained,” he told the Laredo Morning Times.

Can you recall a previous instance where a newspaper has openly thrown in the towel on honest reporting out of fear? Neither can I.

Instead, when more “sophisticated” editors (like those in the United States) want to hide, they claim they are exercising editorial judgement by not publishing disturbing items like the Danish cartoon images of Mohammed which could bring a nasty case of headchopping.

Apparently, U.S Rep. Ted Strickland (D- Ohio) is running for Governor of Ohio. Some accord him a fair chance of success.

This has exposed him to a major bullying effort. Strickland had the courage and sagacity to vote for HR 4437, the “Border Protection Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005”.

According to Cleveland’s The Plain Dealer Immigration bill protesters converge on Strickland’s office – Brian Albrecht - Sunday February 12 2006[Access requires free registration]:

A staccato drumbeat and shouts of “No mas!” (no more) pounded at the door of U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland’s new gubernatorial campaign office on Detroit Avenue Saturday afternoon

Guests attending the office’s grand opening…hurried through the chilly chants of “Migration is not a crime!”

Illegal immigration not a crime? The term “Immigration” is no doubt deemed obsolete because of the widespread Mexican attitude that all American territory belongs to Mexico. One wonders if the Plain Dealer would have been so calm if a group of native Buck Eye Staters had gathered shouting “America for Americans” and “—- illegal immigrants” (Ancient Anglo Saxon colloquialism at least as legitimate as “No Mas” in American political discourse.)

Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, no doubt under the stress of an election campaign, Rep. Strickland is wavering:

After meeting with members of the coalition, Strickland said he understood and shared some of their concerns. …”I assume and hope that a lot of the onerous provisions will be removed,” he said. “If not, I will not support it in its final form.”

Encourage him

Ask Plain Dealer reporter Brian Albrecht why no immigration reform perspective was allowed in this piece of propaganda

If you have a minute, there is a poll in the Daily Herald newspaper from Central Utah that you should take.

It’s about illegal aliens and whether they should receive a break in college tuition and pay in-state fees.

Here is the poll but you have to scroll down a bit.

Thanks!