Comments for McCaffrey on Mexico - 23 March 2009 at http://www.michaelyon-online.com , comment 1 to 138 out of 20 comments http://www.michaelyon-online.com Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:30:04 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18425 This morning former CIA operative Mike Baker appeared on FNC and went through the genesis of the widely quoted "90 percent of all weapons..." statistics. Mr. Baker had just returned from his own trip to Mexico to assess the situation there; and he declared that it is as dire as stated by most of the media. According to Mr. Baker Mexican officials confiscated some 26,000 weapons from drug cartel members in 2008. Of that amount background checks were run on some approximately 11,000 weapons; of which some ~5,000 were sourced to the US. So in reality, Mr. Baker asserted, the more realistic figure for weapons smuggled from the US is actually 17 percent. In his conclusion the majority of cartel purchased firearms were coming into Mexico through Guatemala and local Mexican seaports with points of origin the usual worldwide arms dealers. However, as I stated previously at this point it doesn't really matter where the weapons are coming from as the cartels funding is probably sufficient enough for them to get them from anywhere. The bigger question is how honest Mexican politicians, military, and law enforcement people are going to clean up their own house of the pernicious corruption that has aided and abetted the operations of these ruthless cartels. Unfortunately no amount of US State Department apologies or foreign aid is going to alter that equation. Keep up your excellent reporting, Mike. - Typhoon Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:25:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18282 Iƒ??ve been a follower of Michael for several years. I donƒ??t always agree with his comments, but certainly look to his information presented because of his insiderƒ??s first hand view. That view is another input worth listening to, in order to get as much info as possible. A nugget of gold may present itself, buried in all the crap floating around in the media. Regarding the Mexico/Drug/Gun situation we, the USA, are faced with a challenge that is clouded by the political powers to be in Washington. Drug use and smuggling is not constitutionally protected. International money laundering is not constitutionally protected. Gun purchases for unlawful re-sale and distribution is not constitutionally protected. Gun purchases and ownership by US citizens IS CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED BY THE SECOND AMENDMENT. The US Government has the laws in place to investigate, the personnel authorized to enforce, and the legal system in our courts to punish the folks that are at the root of this problem, on US turf. I certainly agree that more laws, regulations and bans are not needed. What is needed is active enforcement of the existing laws for illegal trafficking of drugs, money and guns, and expedient punishment through trial and conviction for the perps. It seems obvious that the BATFE, FBI, and Federal Courts have their task in plain view. What is missing in these matters is a complete lack of leadership on the part of the President and the Congress to move these use these existing tools. IE: stop wasting time and resources investigating the NCAA selection process, (Arlen Specter (sp). I believe), get serious about this countryƒ??s situation re: Mexico. Hank - Hank Dondero Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:39:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18279 I have read you for years now, but you shouldn't go attacking "gun people" like that... they're part of your base. Further, after the torture comments, your e-mails are starting to make you sound unstable. From your e-mail, "If they invest only that minimal level of attention to the guns they are apparently packing, it's just a matter of time before they accidentally shoot themselves or someone else. Attention to detail is an important component of gun safety." Sounds like you should take your own advice... Remember the propane tank (good shot) incident where you almost shot a US Army CSM and were almost kicked out of Iraq? I do. Guns kill people... so do your hands in a bar fight, Michael, as you were arrested for that... remember? I think you're stressing out too much, Michael. Stick to war writing, as I'm not really interested in any of your other opinions. "your writer" Bill - Bill Smith Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:19:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18270 Had you seen this? http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/dgifford/2009/03/31/the-america-is-arming-mexicos-drug-gangs-lie/ - Eric Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:01:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18261 I happen to know two things (and the first one, if researched properly, would never have showed up here): First, most of the guns going into Mexico are NOT coming from the U.S. And several wise posters up here have looked into, and stated that. And just because McCaffery has a "Gen. (ret.)" attached to his name does not make him an expert. Also true of Mr. Yon. Michael is a former Special Forces guy who knows a whole lot about weapons, but he's spent too much time in the Middle East to know what is happening on our southern border. That we have such a porous border in the first place is the main cause of all this upheaval. Stopping the drug trade AT THE BORDER, by force if necessary, would be a good start. Secondly, this is a big propaganda intem in Obama's administration. For a man who said he didn't want to take away our guns, he immediately started addressing gun control with things like HR45 and a host of others items. The gun conttrol issue has become by far the largest elephant in the room - why are guns disappearing off the shelves in droves? Why is it hard to find ammuntion? Why are record numbers of citizens (a lot of them seniors) filing applications for a concealed weapons permit? And Michael, you are playing right into the hands of the propagandists - if a big-time Green Beret Iraq War correspondent thinks our president is right, well, then, it's time to start taking the guns away from U.S. citizens. I've been with you for a long time, Mike. You even live in my neck o' the woods (Central Fla.) so I thought of you as a neighbor. But the time has come to part ways. Stick to writing about the Middle East, and leave the 2nd Amendment alone. You might like your guns, but if you don't stand side-by-side with those who believe in our Constitution, and especially the 2nd Amendment, then you believe that the federal government has total control, and there are no state's rights. And soon, your guns will be in the cross-hairs, and it will be too late to "stand shoulder to shoulder with other Americans who want to keep theirs." I'll also be cancelling my subscription. - Gary Barth Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:45:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18190 Mr. James, You say that the important thing to take from what Mr. Yon said; "Once again: So when you do have a gun problem just come on back because Mr. Yon said: *I am a gun-owner. *I have no plans to give up my hardware *I'm not giving up my guns and I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with other Americans who want to keep theirs. MAYBE you missed that part!" Unfortunately, Obama, Biden and Clinton have all said almost IDENTICAL things and what THEY mean when they say those things is "We won't take your guns, but you don't need semi auto guns or scary looking guns or hand guns and you don't need to store them in your home." Mr. Yon hasn't responded to many requests that he clear up his position so we're left with what he has already said. I can take a hint. Mr. Yon, Good luck in your future endeavors. I expect CNN will be offering you a job soon and I'm sure you'll fit right in. Sincerely, Bo Seppenfield - Bo Seppenfield Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:41:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18181 Michael: Here are two sources that would refute the common assertion that the cartels are getting most of their weapons from the US: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-mexico-arms-race15-2009mar15,0,229992.story The story from 3-15-09 states that: "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 semiauto- matic and conventional weapons purchased from dealers in the U.S. border states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California." The second source is testimony given before the Senate Judiciary Committee 3-17-09 http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=3718 While the US could indeed be the majority source of the weapons imported by the cartels; at this point they appear to have so much money at hand they can get them from any number of suppliers. In the long view this situation is more serious than Pancho Villa's April 1916 raid on Columbus New Mexico. In response to that President Wilson sent Pershing into Mexico and 15,000 National Guardsmen were called up to patrol the border. I wonder what the response of our government will be to something far worse and much more ruthless... Keep up the great work! - Typhoon Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:01:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18173 "Smacking down" the U.S. with drugs is part of the global jihad. How do you win against a much bigger opponent? You first disable them somehow. We buy the oil and the drugs that fund jihadists. Is it coincidence that we also supply some of the guns used in our own smack down? The trademark of jihad leaders is to use desperate, expendable (to them) people like suicide bombers and abused women and American militia and Mexican youth, etc., etc. We need to stop participating in our own take down. - Mary Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:17:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18172 "Smacking down" the U.S. with drugs is part of the global jihad. How do you win against a much bigger opponent? You first disable them somehow. We buy the oil and the drugs that fund jihadists. Is it coincidence that we also supply some of the guns used in our own smack down? The trademark of jihad leaders is to use desperate, expendable (to them) people like suicide bombers and abused women and American militia and Mexican youth, etc., etc. We need to stop participating in our own take down. - Mary Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:13:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18170 It seems like with every dispatch of yours, Yon, you piss away more and more of your hard-earned credibility. If you're going to opine on this subject, show some facts. Pointing to another opinion piece of someone who is helping with the Democrats apply their full court press on gun rights in this country is not evidence. I gave up on contributing money to you a while back, and now you've got me questioning why in hell I'm subscribing to your emails. - Sean Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:08:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18159 Mr. James, In reading the whole of Mr. Yon's comments, he does provide argumentative cover for himself regarding gun ownership. However, let us look at what McCaffrey, the Obama Administration, and the Democratic Leadership in the Congress propose as a means of handling the situation: a re-instatement of the Clinton era "Assault Weapons" ban, updated and permanent. Increased regulation and stipulation of and on ammunition. And those are just the starters. These are the people Mr. Yon has sided withon this issue, declared in the case of McCaffrey, de facto, if not de jure in the case of the administration and congressional leadership. So when we "pick apart" the argument presented us, perhaps it is because we in the community of gun rights supporters will no longer allow the opposition to frame the argument. For too long we have accepted the anti-gun's declared "We only want common sense gun control." Their idea of common sense is the ultimate banning of private weapon ownership. For too long have we put up with the situation where the opposition says "Let's compromise" and both sides take one step forward, followed by the oppostition then taking three steps back and repeating the process. We will no longer accept "compromise" that means surrender, and "common sense" that means nothing of the sort. Vigorous enforcement of the laws already on the books (straw sales are illegal, so prosecute) will do more to stem any ant trail or flood of arms to the cartel than infringing upon the rights of Americans. - Michael Moriarty Sun, 29 Mar 2009 12:48:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18153 As a fellow political scientist, I asked General McCaffrey for any source whatsoever for his claims that RPGs, automatic weapons, and other weapons are flowing south into Mexico. I cc'd my request to the department chair and dean at West Point, where he currently serves as associate professor. To date he has never answered my request, and I have yet to find any evidence whatsoever for his - or any similar - claims. - B. Bates Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:08:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18146 LA Times...... "There is only one reason to have bulk explosives," said Thomas G. Mangan, spokesman in Phoenix for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "An improvised explosive device. A car bomb." In addition to grenades, high-powered guns such as the .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle have become a weapon of choice in narcotics traffickers' arsenals, Mangan said. Unlike grenades and antitank weapons, the .50-caliber guns can be obtained by ordinary citizens in the U.S. and smuggled easily into Mexico, like the tons of assault rifles and automatic pistols. Mexican law enforcement, such as the police in Zihuatanejo, is grossly outgunned. Officers have protested, seeking better protective gear, weaponry and pay. Stop picking this apart.....Mexico's problem is a problem for all of us.....I really think that is Mr. Yon's point. Everyboby here says show me this and show me that......Mr. Yon has shown you a problem with Mexico, guns and drugs. This topic from his posting is now up front and on the minds of many more people. Once again: So when you do have a gun problem just come on back because Mr. Yon said: *I am a gun-owner. *I have no plans to give up my hardware *I'm not giving up my guns and I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with other Americans who want to keep theirs. MAYBE you missed that part! - R. James Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:48:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18145 Michael, should you decide to become informed on what is really going on along the border, as opposed to the perverted fantasy advanced by political officer McCaffrey, you could do worse than starting with this story. Note the reference to "criminal weapons smugglers": EXCLUSIVE: Hezbollah uses Mexican drug routes into U.S. Works beside smuggler cartels to fund operations http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/27/hezbollah-uses-mexican-drug-routes-into-us/ [Excerpt:] Hezbollah is using the same southern narcotics routes that Mexican drug kingpins do to smuggle drugs and people into the United States, reaping money to finance its operations and threatening U.S. national security, current and former U.S. law enforcement, defense and counterterrorism officials say. The Iran-backed Lebanese group has long been involved in narcotics and human trafficking in South America's tri-border region of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. Increasingly, however, it is relying on Mexican narcotics syndicates that control access to transit routes into the U.S. Hezbollah relies on "the same criminal weapons smugglers, document traffickers and transportation experts as the drug cartels," said Michael Braun, who just retired as assistant administrator and chief of operations at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). "They work together," said Mr. Braun. "They rely on the same shadow facilitators. One way or another, they are all connected. [End Excerpt] Follow the link. Read it and learn. Tom Cox Charlotte, TN - Tom Cox Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:30:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18143 Mr. Yon, Comparing the so-called flow of arms from the U.S. into Mexico with the aid provided by Iran, Syria and Pakistan to our enemies in Iraq and Afghanistan is going too far. The preferred narcoterrorist weapon in Mexico is the hand grenade...please point me to a Yankee gun shop or show that stocks them. Many if not most of the arms are coming from corrupt Mexican soldiers and police. This article has cost you a tremendous amount of credibility. Add my name to those who will unsubscribe from your mailing list. - B. Lester Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:45:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18142 Thanks, Michael, for allowing us to voice our opinions. I've gotten mad at you for your stance on torture & guns, but by allowing us this free flow of opinions, it's been informative. - NK Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:28:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18140 Iƒ??m reading Michaelƒ??s article what is the part that really upsets everyone here? This line: *but we must be honest here and help curb flows that are killing Mexicans and Americans. Ok itƒ??s a problem and does need to be fixedƒ??..*but most of you gun show keeping my AK, AR and FN until the cows come home need to slow down a little here. Now letƒ??s look at what else Michael said: *I have no plans to give up my hardware *I'm not giving up my guns and I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with other Americans who want to keep theirs. Now this sounds like a guy that thinks like almost everyone here who has left an ugly comment. Now letƒ??s look at Gen. Barry McCafferyƒ??. Michael points out Gen. McCafferyƒ??s article and if it was not for Mr. Yon doing so most of you would still be in the basement cleaning your bullets. Gen. McCaffery has a lot of experience in Mexico and I would bet more experience than the combine total number who people that has left comments here. What's got everyone upset here? Maybe this: *effectively interdicting the huge US flow of automatic weapons Yea maybe it is a mistake to have used the word *automatic* but other than that one word does the value of the story out weight the word *automatic*?? So Mr. Yon says: *but we must be honest here and help curb flows that are killing Mexicans and Americans. So Gen. Barry McCaffery says: *automatic* Here is a little side note: Go to Amazon and type in the word ƒ??conversion AR or AKƒ?, Most everyone here who has left a comment already knows what you will see in the search results; books on how to convert your AK or AR to full auto. Oh you need a permit, got to have a permitƒ??please! You people are in a world of hate and fear with your guns. You hate or fear anyone that is not like you. Michael Yon was a Green Beret a weapons specialist I think, has supported our soldiers, has placed himself into harms way for YEARS to help bring the news of our sons and daughters to light. Cold, tired, wet, sleeping on rocks and in combat right there with our troopsƒ??ƒ??.what you think being there is parting like a rock star? If your married or live with someone there is often two points of view in the house, my guess is you donƒ??t go out and get a divorce every time you donƒ??t see eye to eye. To do that might make you feel better but overall would be stupid. I think most of you are feeding off of the comments and are not looking at what was said and the fact that action does need to be taken to fix that problem. Everyone here is worried about their gun being taken from them and not the serious problem next door. So when you do have a gun problem just come on back because Mr. Yon said: *I am a gun-owner. *I have no plans to give up my hardware *I'm not giving up my guns and I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with other Americans who want to keep theirs. MAYBE you missed that part! - R. James Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:28:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18134 Yon, I'm ashamed. It makes way more sense for guns to be flowing from central american countries such as El Salvador, as they have just had civil wars and have a huge abundance of guns that are otherwise illegal in the US. Also the border with the US is fairly well watched, it makes more sense for the guns to be coming from far less watched areas. Mexico itself has been having a small civil war in the Chipas regon for decades now and would have plenty of guns in that area. - Jorge Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:09:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18133 I would be most interested in finding out which American gun stores and gun shows are selling the fully automatic rifles, grenades, and rocket launchers the cartels are supposedly buying. Can you or General McCaffrey tell us? I find it difficult to understand why cartels with so much influence and money would need to purchase an "ant's trail" of semi-automatic rifles from north of the border, when they can buy wholesale from Chavez or Castro, and in selective fire, no less. - Michael Moriarty Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:26:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/mccaffrey-on-mexico-23-march-2009.htm#comment-18132 (maybe I'll finally get to post this darn thing, been trying for two days) Now, I've very carefully reviewed both posts, and determined the problem here. Mr. Yon, you are guilty of horrible timing. You see, today on the news we all heard Secretary Clinton invoke AmMex as a prime reason to reinstate the assault weapons ban. You turn this phrase; "I have no plans to give up my hardware, but we must be honest here and help curb flows that are killing Mexicans and Americans. " ..without any corroboration or real explanation. In the mind of the reader, who has just had the world painted in terms of Mexico==AWB thanks to Hillary, you just said "Ain't gettin' rid of mine, but some's got to be rid of". McCaffrey uses the same idea in his post, but a little clearer. "We owe the Mexican people better protection of their security forces by effectively interdicting the huge US flow of automatic weapons and laundered drug money back south. (26,000 weapons seized last year.) " Heuristically, exactly the same as your sentiment (I gather, as you are unclear). Interdiction of illegal arms trade does not equal AWB, and would likely be highly supported by the community of shooters. There is nothing patently offensive to the "gun crowd" in McCaffrey's NJO writing. It's quite supportable. But the TIMING is AWFUL, particularly to bring it up in the midst of a vague and "buzzword" filled post, which paints the NJO article and colors it's tone by association. And yes, your post is rather vague and buzzy, given the "mood of the day". And if that wasn't bad enough, Mr. Yon, I've seen your initial reply, even though it's off the site. It's offensive, both directly and indirectly to the intelligence of the reader. "My work is misquoted around the world every day, but nowhere as often as on my own site. " Fantastic. Unfortunately in this instance your work was misquoted because the definition and intent was not clear at all. "If they invest only that minimal level of attention to the guns they are apparently packing, it's just a matter of time before they accidentally shoot themselves or someone else. Attention to detail is an important component of gun safety." Oh, Mr. Yon. On the defensive, and antagonizing the audience. That's not a very wise move, particularly when the vast crowd who's disturbed by the original post consists of more than a few supporters... or ex-supporters. You shifted to a high-handed tone and patronized an angry mob of "hurt" people who thought you were "one of the guys". It's a mistake, I'm telling you. And you'd best consider your next response to these people and make a clear, unequivocal statement on your stance and the intent of your post or they will, as they have already started, eat you alive in front of the altar of Zumbo. I don't want to see that happen, you do good work. Godspeed, DrStrangegun - DrStrangegun Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:35:00 +0100