Just my opinion

Over midday meal, we were continuing our never-ending conversation about the state of the world. Someone said that when he moved to Mexico many years ago, he expected that Mexico would gradually become more like the US.  He went on to say that it appeared to be going the other way.

There are now regular articles about the growing poverty in Third World America.  The divisions between the haves and have-nots is growing.  The political scene is a hideous caricature.  Between the corporatocacy, the banksters, the Villagers and an obviously corrupt system, El Norte is in trouble.  Of course, that's just my opinion.

They say that living outside the country makes one more critical and alarmist, but I would argue that it also affords us a somewhat more objective perspective.

Here in Oaxaca, we live with poverty.  We live in close proximity to death and suffering.  In Mexico, the cartels are violent and powerful.  So are the army and the police. 

There are political killings every week.  I can think of several here in Oaxaca in recent weeks and months.  No one ever seems to be caught or prosecuted.  Municipalities declare autonomy out of frustration.  The back and forth continues, the conflicts are unrelenting.  And it is no different here.  It all depends on which side you are on, what your perspective is, what your bias is.  The divisions are firmly entrenched..... sigh.

As for the shootings in Arizona, one could see this coming a mile away.  I mean, c'mon, the rhetoric is a plain as the nose on your face.  Campesinos in Oaxaca can feel that Arizonian hatred all the way down here.  It is a topic of discussion here, as it is throughout Mexico.  Hatred breeds violence.

And seriously folks.... right vs left, the false-equivalency meme is simply absurd.  Only one side was bringing guns to rallies.  Only one side had "hunting licenses" printed up.  Only one side has fomented violence on radio and TV.  However, the media, which is the supplier and beneficiary of this endless stream of bullshit and negativity must keep the meme going.  "Everyone is doing it."  Absolutely absurd.   Imagine the reaction if PETA or Latinos showed up packing heat. There is no accountability, no awareness, no compassion, just blindness and the need to CYA. 

So brace yourselves for more violence, more calls for secession, more inequities.  One of my favorite lines from "Apocalypse Now" - "You needed wings to stay above the bullshit."

Here in Oaxaca, we live with poverty, corruption, violence and frustration and have learned to adapt.  But people are not blind or stupid.  They see everything.  They are strong, resolute and pragmatic.  But they do get off their asses and protest and march.  Maybe the US can follow their examples.