Helping Mexico fight drugs more in U.S.A. interest than fighting in Afghanistan

As blogged July 29, Mexico has an image problem. Today news media worldwide splashed this story, 17 shot dead in Mexico’s drug war. It was bigger news than the earthquake in Indonesia.

The Associated Press reported, CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico – Gunmen broke into a drug rehabilitation center, lined people against a wall and shot 17 dead in a particularly bloody day in Mexico's relentless drug war. The brazen attack followed the killing of the No. 2 security official in President Felipe Calderon's home state.

The U.S.A. has sent all its national guard, the ones that are suppose to stay behind and protect the country while its armed military forces fight elsewhere, to Iraq and Afghanistan. This has been the deadliest year ever for U.S. troops fighting in Afghanistan. Even George Will advocated getting out of Afghanistan in Sunday’s Washington Post.

Yesterday it was reported the U.S.A. gave $214-million to Mexico to help fight the drug killings in Mexico. This is a pittance of what it should be. The $214-million was reportedly for five helicopters. This is like the cash-for-clunkers program. Boeing is probably making the helicopters, so the U.S. is actually paying Boeing, a U.S. company (thank goodness and hopefully) to give helicopters to Mexico’s militia.

For those who don’t live within 200 miles of the border, as I do, you have not seen the violence reported in your area. Daily the Arizona mainstream media reports break-ins and murders conducted by Mexico’s drug cartel in our own country.

What’s the difference between people being murdered in the U.S.A by Mexico’s drug cartel and the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center? One happened in New York and received all sorts of mainstream media coverage. The other happens in impoverished parts of the nation from Texas to California and the media ignores it. More interested in covering Michael Jackson’s death for two months than real issues.

Time we got out of Afghanistan – which ruined USSR and doing the same to our nation – and assist Mexico to eradicate its drug dealers. It’s in our national interest.

Addendum: Here's the most current (of continuous stories) about how Mexico's drug cartel impacts Phoenix,

1 dead, 1 injured in Phoenix home invasion

Hundreds of suspected gang members arrested in sweeps state and federal authorities arrested 271 suspected gang members and seized guns, drugs and vehicles in two gang taskforce operations.