Name: Anonymous 2009-02-27 19:15
Discuss it here.
I miss talking about Obama and McCain and Clinton and all the theatrics of American politics! I was so much happier when I didn't care about all the crap going on down here. I was blissfully unaware of my fellow countrymen's ignorance and stupidity.
But I'm not anymore. As you know, I got interested on local politics when our governor (a woman from a very small village with a very small education) installed checkpoints throughout our city in September 2008, violating our rights to privacy and free traffic as recognized in our Constitution and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
But then in December I got bullied, searched and vindictively arrested by some power-crazed jerk. All for taking photographs in the streets.
It was all "for my own good" as he said. His name was Angel Ocejo, he's a three star commander for the SSP (Department of Public Safety) and even though I filed a formal complaint with the CODHEY (the local organization in charge of defending human rights, even though they seldomly do so) absolutely nothing happened to him. All I got after talking with Aldana Solis - the department's attorney - was a warranty that if I got picked up taking pictures again I wouldn't be treated like that. Great! I get to carry out a perfectly legal activity without being searched and questioned! What a victory!
Angel Ocejo didn't face any real consequences for his actions. I don't care that much about him but the fact that the SSP arbitrarily detains people, harasses and scares them and that the offending officers never have to pay for those acts.
I found some support, but the majority of the so-called educated people are okay with all of this. They don't mind that our country is on the way of becoming a military regime again or that human rights are violated by the police and the army on a daily basis.
You know how people on Third World hellholes aren't very informed and all. Many do believe that the army isn't corrupted and that any acts of evil committed by them are justified and necessary. But what can you expect from a country where the four must trusted institutions are the family, the Catholic Church, the army and - don't laugh - the Presidency?
Calderon's federal government is declaring a de facto martial law and sending the army to the streets in violation of our rights. They enter homes illegally, steal, threaten journalists and treat civilians as their subordinates and the supporters of this President are just happy that something is being done. And when you criticize him they go all "It's very easy to criticize but what would you do?"
But I am not grateful. Even though crime is tough, going back to the times where police where on the street and people where under their command is not the answer. That's not freedom, therefore it's not worth it.
I hope Calderon fails miserably, because if he succeeds there will be no reason left to live and work.
So, like I said at the beginning, following American politics is so much more fun!
Original article found at: http://p3epesblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/mexico-is-on-its-way-to-becoming.html
I miss talking about Obama and McCain and Clinton and all the theatrics of American politics! I was so much happier when I didn't care about all the crap going on down here. I was blissfully unaware of my fellow countrymen's ignorance and stupidity.
But I'm not anymore. As you know, I got interested on local politics when our governor (a woman from a very small village with a very small education) installed checkpoints throughout our city in September 2008, violating our rights to privacy and free traffic as recognized in our Constitution and The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
But then in December I got bullied, searched and vindictively arrested by some power-crazed jerk. All for taking photographs in the streets.
It was all "for my own good" as he said. His name was Angel Ocejo, he's a three star commander for the SSP (Department of Public Safety) and even though I filed a formal complaint with the CODHEY (the local organization in charge of defending human rights, even though they seldomly do so) absolutely nothing happened to him. All I got after talking with Aldana Solis - the department's attorney - was a warranty that if I got picked up taking pictures again I wouldn't be treated like that. Great! I get to carry out a perfectly legal activity without being searched and questioned! What a victory!
Angel Ocejo didn't face any real consequences for his actions. I don't care that much about him but the fact that the SSP arbitrarily detains people, harasses and scares them and that the offending officers never have to pay for those acts.
I found some support, but the majority of the so-called educated people are okay with all of this. They don't mind that our country is on the way of becoming a military regime again or that human rights are violated by the police and the army on a daily basis.
You know how people on Third World hellholes aren't very informed and all. Many do believe that the army isn't corrupted and that any acts of evil committed by them are justified and necessary. But what can you expect from a country where the four must trusted institutions are the family, the Catholic Church, the army and - don't laugh - the Presidency?
Calderon's federal government is declaring a de facto martial law and sending the army to the streets in violation of our rights. They enter homes illegally, steal, threaten journalists and treat civilians as their subordinates and the supporters of this President are just happy that something is being done. And when you criticize him they go all "It's very easy to criticize but what would you do?"
But I am not grateful. Even though crime is tough, going back to the times where police where on the street and people where under their command is not the answer. That's not freedom, therefore it's not worth it.
I hope Calderon fails miserably, because if he succeeds there will be no reason left to live and work.
So, like I said at the beginning, following American politics is so much more fun!
Original article found at: http://p3epesblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/mexico-is-on-its-way-to-becoming.html