tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post100920349783396618..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Obama's Mexico policy so far depressingly familiarGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-57536538392304191512009-06-06T19:26:58.834-05:002009-06-06T19:26:58.834-05:00If helicopters were the answer, we would have won ...If helicopters were the answer, we would have won the drug war by now. For the last 10-15 years, our drug policy towards Mexico has consisted of throwing more helicopters at them. <br /><br />The last time we gave Mexico helicopters, Mexico gave them all back because either (a) Mexico was tired of human rights groups freaking out every time a U.S.-backed helicopter turned up in Chiapas suppressing dissidents, or (b) the helicopters were old wrecks that were no good above 5000 feet and therefore useless, or (c) Both! The old Hueys were perfectly good for suppressing dissidents even if they were useless for drug interdiction in the Sierra Madre, but it was just too much of a hassle once human rights groups figured out what the copters were really for. Human rights groups 1, helicopters 0.Lindsay Beyersteinhttp://majikthise.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-20067565319461209412009-04-06T20:54:00.000-05:002009-04-06T20:54:00.000-05:00Texas youth can drive and get married at 16 with p...Texas youth can drive and get married at 16 with parental consent, but can't legally have sex outside of marriage until they're 17.<BR/><BR/>So are you saying that if two 16 year olds decide to get it on that it's illegal and they can be charged with a crime? If the can't be charged with a crime, it looks perfectly legal, huh?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-49295237989591790872009-03-30T10:44:00.000-05:002009-03-30T10:44:00.000-05:00Anon 3:53,I guess that you failed to notice that t...Anon 3:53,<BR/><BR/>I guess that you failed to notice that the article you linked to stated that they were "unarmed" - meaning no weapons.<BR/><BR/>The use of those platforms for the FLIR/Thermal Sights to pinpoint drug smugglers isn't using them in an attack role.<BR/><BR/>Nice try though.TxBluesManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15008395777633969757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-28246457873638380212009-03-27T15:53:00.000-05:002009-03-27T15:53:00.000-05:00Do you have any examples of attack choppers being ...<I>Do you have any examples of attack choppers being used for drug interdiction?</I><BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-01-23-copter-crash_x.htm" REL="nofollow">Here's one.</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-39055748420710423022009-03-27T12:36:00.000-05:002009-03-27T12:36:00.000-05:00"Do you have any examples of attack choppers being..."Do you have any examples of attack choppers being used for drug interdiction?"<BR/><BR/>Yes Bluesman. During the 1980's US forces backing up Columbian drug enforcement teams began using Apache, Cobra, and Blackhawk gun ships in unison with Blackhawk personnel platforms to eradicate the Cocoa fields in Columbia. Although they were not successful, the choppers were used in attack situations.<BR/><BR/>The adding or taking away of the wing stubs is trivial with all but the oldest platforms having the ability to add them within an hour. ALL except medical variants carry side mounted M60, M240, or M2 "Ma Duece" 50 Cal machine guns for directfire options. Special Ops (MH series) can also be fitted with miniguns and rocket launchers. Here's a cool link from a Netherlands site showing some basic capabilities.<BR/><BR/>http://www.truveo.com/COOL2PLAY-Militairy-WAR-Infrared-Blackhawk/id/3040798094Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-48657327741257298492009-03-27T12:20:00.000-05:002009-03-27T12:20:00.000-05:00"I hope that both you and Grits do realize that th..."I hope that both you and Grits do realize that the UH-60A Blackhawk is not an attack helicopter, right? It is used primarily to transport personnel..."<BR/><BR/><BR/>You might be interested to know there are MANY versions of the Blackhawk Helicopter used for many separate mission objectives and platforms. The Blackhawk <I>I</I> think about is the MH60L DAP, The K variant, and the EH60 variants. Everyone calls all of them Blackhawks, When in essence each is very specialized. The MH variants could give a Cobra a run for its money...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-3123857679823863132009-03-27T07:26:00.000-05:002009-03-27T07:26:00.000-05:00I just hope that the relationship with Canada won'...I just hope that the relationship with Canada won't go as bad as with Mexico so far. The Mexico policies are just full of mistakes and just create more problems. So what if you place helicopters at the border, it won't solve anything. The drug cartel will find a way around it anyways. <BR/><BR/>Take care, LorneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-32854692698679032002009-03-26T17:29:00.000-05:002009-03-26T17:29:00.000-05:00You and I Can't Buy the Guns Mexican Cartels OwnTh...You and I Can't Buy the Guns Mexican Cartels Own<BR/>The Administration is Not Dealing Straight With Us on Mexico's Gun Problem<BR/><BR/>http://www.gunnewsdaily.com/rw807.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-39142431683785551182009-03-26T16:36:00.000-05:002009-03-26T16:36:00.000-05:00Former Air Force Intelligence Officer Terry Reed E...Former Air Force Intelligence Officer Terry Reed Exposes CIA Drug Running<BR/><BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3nF8k_8KgwAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-17601195710382409222009-03-26T15:51:00.000-05:002009-03-26T15:51:00.000-05:00Don't be dismayed Grits by the Presidents Mexico p...Don't be dismayed Grits by the Presidents Mexico policy.<BR/><BR/>And why should we not do more for our neighbors to the south.<BR/><BR/>After all, Hillary Clinton said yesterday that the United State shares the blame for the drug war in Mexico. She as much admitted the border is unsecure when she said that traffickers "are motivated by the demand for illegal drugs in the United States and are armed by the transfer of weapons from the United States." <BR/><BR/>We should consider reparations and make monetary payments for the mistreatment of illegal aliens in our country.<BR/><BR/>Asked by a Mexican reporter about the "mistreatment" of Mexican workers in the United States, she said, "We are certainly sensitive to and understanding of the great concern for your co-nationals in the United States." <BR/><BR/>She added: "We believe there have to be changes made, and we hope to pursue these in the coming months," without going into detail. <BR/><BR/>And finally, Foreign Minister Espinosa was asked whether there were any areas of Mexico where she would not take Clinton. She replied that there were. <BR/><BR/>"I would like Secretary Clinton to come very often to Mexico and I would like to take her to many, many very beautiful places that we can share in our country," Espinosa said. "Of course, there are some places where I would not take her, and I believe she would not take me to some places in her country." <BR/><BR/>To which Clinton replied: "Well said."<BR/><BR/>I wonder where those places are in America?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-20146195221484511272009-03-26T13:56:00.000-05:002009-03-26T13:56:00.000-05:00Surprise, Surprise! The Freud in Chief Obama backs...Surprise, Surprise! The Freud in Chief Obama backs out of a campaign promise again, except the pot issue. I'm sure he's laid back with Rom, Axelrod and Eric with a rolled up big one. Puffin away talkin how they fooled um again. And they said Bush was a liar!! When this guy gets though, hell we'll wish for even Jimmy Carter again!!! Remember we could have voted for Ron Paul. At least we would not be the New Socialist State, Right Comrade.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-6892620831067699422009-03-26T13:53:00.000-05:002009-03-26T13:53:00.000-05:00Anon 12:49,Grits did not say anything about the UH...Anon 12:49,<BR/><BR/><I>Grits did not say anything about the UH-60A Blackhawk and neither did the news article he referenced, or did I miss something?</I><BR/><BR/>Look at the 3rd paragraph, especially the last sentence. Anon 10:26 was quoting Grits... The Blackhawk typically used is the UH-60A, especially in drug interdiction roles. There is a significant difference between a personnel carrying chopper and an attack chopper.<BR/><BR/>Your statement on the pylons is disingenuous. Do you have any examples of attack choppers being used for drug interdiction? If so, why wouldn't the Mexican Army use the ones they already own?<BR/><BR/>Besides that, if that is what it takes to combat the cartels, what's the problem? If their armaments are as good as you indicate, then maybe they do need attack choppers...TxBluesManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15008395777633969757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-68056797770773060602009-03-26T12:55:00.000-05:002009-03-26T12:55:00.000-05:00TxBluesManArmamentWhile not equipped with any dedi...TxBluesMan<BR/><BR/>Armament<BR/>While not equipped with any dedicated weapon systems, the UH-60A is equipped with two pintle mounts (one each located on either side of the airframe aft of the flight deck.) These pintles are capable of accepting a variety of weapons, to include the M-60 GP 7.62mm machine gun, the M-240 7.62mm machine gun, the .50 caliber GAU-19/A machine gun, as well as the General Electric M134 7.62mm 6-barreled minigun. Utilizing the ESSS system, the UH-60A can equip up to 16 Hellfire missiles, as well as 2.75" FFAR (folding fin aerial rocket) rocket pods, FIM-92 Stinger anti-air missiles, as well as aerial mine delivery systems, such as the volcano and the M56 mine delivery system.<BR/><BR/>Sounds like it can take out a village of poorly armed farmers.<BR/> Unless it gets sold to the cartel,If so they will just blame Texas gunshows. <BR/><BR/>ham2mtrAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-17319540580133392842009-03-26T12:54:00.000-05:002009-03-26T12:54:00.000-05:0012:35 I heard is a source of a lot of false infor...12:35 I heard is a source of a lot of false information. <BR/><BR/>Obama had some fun with at least one question, saying he doesn't think legalizing marijuana is a good strategy for turning around the economy. <BR/><BR/>Obama told the audience that one of the most popular questions was whether legalization of the illicit drug would help pull the nation out of the recession. The president jokingly said: "I don't know what this says about the online audience." <BR/><BR/>In a serious response, he said he didn't think that was a good economic policy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-20186148846323406842009-03-26T12:49:00.000-05:002009-03-26T12:49:00.000-05:00Blues........Grits did not say anything about the ...Blues........<BR/><BR/>Grits did not say anything about the UH-60A Blackhawk and neither did the news article he referenced, or did I miss something?<BR/><BR/>Personnel carrier or attack helo, I don't care. The point I was trying to make is the army type weapons the cartels are reportedly armed with and that you don't try to overcome them with conventional weapons.<BR/><BR/>Helos were already allocated in Merida Initiative so what's another 80 million for more of them?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-72432054026911751092009-03-26T12:35:00.000-05:002009-03-26T12:35:00.000-05:00Can you say lier lier, pants on fire. Seriously, T...Can you say lier lier, pants on fire. <BR/><BR/>Seriously, The President has a web site where he is taking questions from the public. I heard this morning that over 50 percent were about him legalizing Marijuana. <BR/><BR/>I can see it now vast fields of industrial hemp, having in the Texas sum. Replacing trees as a source of fiber.<BR/><BR/>I also see the Texas Alcohol commission sending under age buyers into a Package store to try to by some weed and being turned into the police. <BR/><BR/>The cartels and gangs loosing a source of revenue. <BR/><BR/>ham2mtrAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-62410193102811784722009-03-26T11:55:00.000-05:002009-03-26T11:55:00.000-05:00Anon 10:26,"Who are you going to use the Black Haw...Anon 10:26,<BR/><BR/><I>"Who are you going to use the Black Hawks on, the local police station in Juarez?</I><BR/><BR/>I hope that both you and Grits do realize that the UH-60A Blackhawk is not an attack helicopter, right? It is used primarily to transport personnel...TxBluesManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15008395777633969757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-78123258045156303022009-03-26T11:39:00.000-05:002009-03-26T11:39:00.000-05:00I'd like to see better interdiction and suppressio...I'd like to see better interdiction and suppression regarding our on prison gangs who are, to some extent, cooperating with the cartels. The cartels don't get a free pass to smuggle their loot into this country without some monitoring by U.S. prison gangs. Rest assured that the Texas Syndicate, HPL, MM, and the Barrio Aztecas are getting their cut and controlling the imports. They're going to protect their turf. You can also rest assured that they too, will use violence to protect that turf. Therefore, the feds need to be sure they're addressing the real needs in our own country.<BR/><BR/>TJDOAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-78073110106009377222009-03-26T10:54:00.000-05:002009-03-26T10:54:00.000-05:00“For starters, security matters aside, Congress sh...“For starters, security matters aside, Congress should never have passed and President Obama should never have signed legislation banning Mexican truckers, which not only violated a treaty but immediately inspired new Mexican tariffs on US products.”<BR/><BR/>You may be dismayed, but surely not surprised.<BR/><BR/>Wednesday, February 28, 2008 Teamsters Endorse Barack Obama <BR/>Hoffa Makes Announcement Following Texas Meeting With Obama<BR/><BR/>You are correct in addressing law enforcment corruption, I hope that you might be as vigilant and aggressive in calling for an overhaul of the apparent legal corruption that exists between politicians and special interest endorsements and money contributions.<BR/><BR/>Otherwise, continue to be dismayed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-42871487527571872932009-03-26T10:38:00.000-05:002009-03-26T10:38:00.000-05:00Mr. HensonIt amazing me the broad based knowledge ...Mr. Henson<BR/><BR/>It amazing me the broad based knowledge and insight you have. Is there a social policy issue you don't have keen insight into? You are a true Texas treasure!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-17088013244901392442009-03-26T10:26:00.000-05:002009-03-26T10:26:00.000-05:00"Who are you going to use the Black Hawks on, the ..."Who are you going to use the Black Hawks on, the local police station in Juarez?"<BR/><BR/>Maybe on those using military type weapons.<BR/><BR/>In the escalating U.S. media war to vilify firearms and make licensed dealers and gun shows look like chaotic arms bazaars, increasingly bogus stories about the U.S. war on drugs are implying or flat-out insisting that Mexico's drug armies are equipped by U.S. store owners.<BR/><BR/>Missing from the stories are news of 18,000 deserters from the Mexican army in 2008, and the arms they took with them when they left. Underpaid, poorly fed and run by corrupt officials, the desertions are no surprise, putting military training, tactics and weaponry into the hands of ruthless vegetable-product exporters.<BR/><BR/>Now, in a surprising moment of candor, the LA Times, facing extreme violence on its state's border, is finally reporting that attacks by the drug lords on police are using hand grenades, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, M203 40-millimeter grenade launchers, fragmentation grenades, anti-tank weapons, dynamite, high-grade bulk explosives and other military ordnance that cannot possibly come from U.S. retail shops (though the Times forgot to make that point explicitly).<BR/><BR/>"Most of these weapons are being smuggled from Central American countries or by sea, eluding U.S. and Mexican monitors who are focused on the smuggling of semiautomatic and conventional weapons purchased from dealers in the U.S. border states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California," the Times said, though other "news" outlets failed to pick up on this critical breaking news.<BR/><BR/>Some outlets been mentioning plans in Congress to go after law-abiding American gun owners, using Mexico's cartel wars as an excuse.<BR/><BR/>"The Mexican government said it has seized 2,239 grenades in the last two years" says the LA Times. No apology for implicating licensed American retail stores has been made.<BR/><BR/>By the way Grits, Hillary Clinton said yesterday that traffickers "are motivated by the demand for illegal drugs in the United States and are armed by the transfer of weapons from the United States. Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers and civilians."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-24825758207486163552009-03-26T08:52:00.000-05:002009-03-26T08:52:00.000-05:00Not so fast. DEA Raided a Marijuana Dispensary in...Not so fast. DEA Raided a Marijuana Dispensary in San Francisco on 3/25/09 so it's not ended.<BR/><BR/>http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/25/BA5B16N9LR.DTLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com