More on this: Published on Friday, May 25, 2007 by the Los Angeles Times Mexico to Boost Tapping of Phones and e-Mail with US Aid by Sam Enriquez http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/25/1450/
William S. Burroughs once remarked that the real purpose of the so-called "war on drugs" was to create an international police force. In fact, there is little interest in genuinely addressing the violence of illegal drug trade (nationally or internationally) or limiting its profits, as these are shared, economically and politically by both individuals and gov'ts as a whole. The solution to trafficking is simple: legalization and oversight of legalized drugs. This would "crash" the high profits (and consequent violence) of same. In fact, gov't, at every level, profits from the illegal drug trade, both in graft, corruption, social control (reconsider the CIA and crack in Los Angeles) and legitimizing increased police presence for "dangerous drugs" in poor communities (but not wealthy ones). The combination of profitable increase in private prisons in the US and the over incarceration of primarily poor people of color for minor drug offenses (NY has till not repealed the Rockefeller drug laws, even though Rockefeller finally admitted, some years ago, that it was foolish and wrong; many are serving 25 - life sentences for minor, personal use drug "crimes", while rich, white, male stock brokers, etc., are sent to rehab) has seen the largest incarceration rate in the world--a secondary "profit" from drugs. Pretending that this "cooperative" venture with the US (read Bush admin) by a Mexican president whose "election" is as tainted as that of Bush, is a dangerous and superficial claim, seeking to cover the real intent--international surveillance of citizens for political purposes in violation of human, civil and constitutional rights; it has nothing whatsoever to do w/any genuine wish to end illegal trafficking, murder and/or violence in either country. It's as plausible as the "war on terror" as an excuse for endless war, imperialism and the looting of resources from poorer countries (Africa as well as the Middle East). It is incumbent upon those concerned about the uses and abuses of technology to research these issues in their broader social, economic and political context and to speak out against such violations of human rights. Not least because such policies never stop w/surveillance alone. trina > Mexico will soon boost surveillance of phone and e-mail traffic with > help from the USA. Mexico's president Felipe Calderon says the > increased spying program is intended to better monitor drug gangs > and related crime. Law enforcement agencies in the US may also > have access to the > > data collected. > > URL: > _______________________________________________ Discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.isoc-ny.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
