Mexican Justice

We are all well aware of the violent world of the drug cartels in Mexico. But it looks like this violence is spreading within Mexico. Dr. George W. Grayson has published a monograph on the growing violence among those not affiliated with the cartel. Much of the violence, which Grayson refers to as vigilantism, has been spontaneous; it starts when someone notices a suspicious person(s) in the neighborhood and wants to make sure that the suspect does no harm here. Soon, church bells toll, a mob gathers and the violence begins. Some of these acts: "Mobs have torched presumed pedophiles; average citizens have beaten suspected home invaders; and passengers on buses have hit, kicked, and tortured men who have tried to rob them." Often, the police ignore the situation.

Grayson does not think that this violence has been caused by the drug cartel violence. He sees it more as the result of a failing police and justice system.

You wonder where the increasingly vocally provocative statements by some of our leaders and want-to-be leaders will take us. Moderation, compromise, toleration, respect - they are all becoming just words.