Things changing for the better

briansue wrote:
MM49,

Tips on how and where to travel in Mexico are mentioned daily on this forum by those who use it daily. Above I said I would not go to Nuevo Laredo and you talk about Nuevo Laredo - I would not go to Detroit either - so I do compare them. These are well known high crime areas known to just about anyone who pays any attention anywhere in the world. As I am sure you recall I have shown official US FBI and Dept of Justice statistics with official United Nations statistics from around the world - and have mentioned that Mexico does not rank in the top 20 in the world for homicide - but if Detroit were a country it would rank right up there with the worst in the entire world - as would places like Nuevo Laredo and Ciudad Juarez - which is why we don't go to any of those places. So if Detroit is among the worst in the world should we avoid Michigan altogether. Why? If you claim these things happen in Nuevo Laredo - and I don't say they do not - does that mean all of Mexico is to be avoided? Dumb question? Why go to Michigan and not go to Mexico? Seems a rather naive conclusion to me. Areas of the US are not safe and areas of Mexico are not safe. Lots of places are not safe. But lots of places in Mexico are very safe. Why would anyone condemn an entire country because of a few areas? Why not condemn the whole US for the crime in Detroit? Your logic continues to amaze.

Once again, same tactics, all things are not equal! The crime in Detroit can’t be compared to Mexico. The criminals in Detroit want money, the Cartel in Mexico want a country. I have never advocated not traveling in Mexico, I love Mexico. You just have to be very careful in how you travel. Assuming all things are equal will get you into trouble quickly. Cartel membership in certain areas is 100%. The Cartel will pray on the weakest members of society and forces them to do their crimes. Have you ever wondered why a 70 year old farm couple will be searched a checkpoint and a gringo will be passed. The Federaley knows that the old farm couple has been targeted by the Cartel to do their bidding. The old couple might be protecting their family from murder by committing the Cartel crimes.
When I was returning from Anahuac I saw a drug addict at a stop light in Monterrey begging for money. The addict had both legs cut off at the knee. The addict must not have been a good credit risk.
All thing are not equal.
MM49