Type of Equipment Bound for the Texas-Mexico Border (I was planning on writing on anything but politics this week but various events on the border had dots that needed connecting. My goal is to attempt telling stories of broader interest than just political absurdities, but I must jump into the breach when required. My plea here again is that you might share this work, if you appreciate it, and consider subscribing, if you have not. I love readers, and hope some of you will be compelled to get a paid subscription. I promise to avoid the mundane and offer narratives and perspectives that are not easy to find. Your support thus far earned me a label as a “Substack Bestselling Newsletter.” - JM)
Thanks, John. I've long made the argument it is foolish to think cartels are going to risk shipping their product a little at a time in the backpacks of immigrants. Most of it tends to cross, as you know, at ports of entry. Cartels just play a statistics game, knowing every vehicle cannot be inspected or commerce would come to a near halt. But I had not seen these Cato stats. Mexico's crises end, mostly, when Americans give up their drug use, which will never happen, and is why we need legalized control.
Texas is a hard place, Mauri, as you already know. Much about it is glorious, and easy to love. But I am confounded by the people who vote to keep people like Greg Abbott in power and allow these injustices to stay alive. I'm not even sure how much longer I can take it.
BTW, congratulations on being Substack’s bestselling newsletter. There’s much be a passel of them so that’s saying a lot. Too bad it’ll only get you a couple of tanks of gas and a cell in Abbott’s political prison, but it sure ain’t a stick in the eye.
Thank you for the well-researched and well-crafted assessment. While I am a Texas native by birth, I have not lived there for a long time. The state of the State breaks my heart. For a humanizing look at refugees, watch the movie “The Swimmers” on Netflix. True story.
This is yet another alarming development in the militarization of the Texas-Mexico border, about which you have reported so well. Sadly, it has been done, it must be stressed, solely for performative political gain. Nationally, the militarization of police that began with the preposterous but well-intentioned "War on Drugs" 40 years ago has resulted in bloated police department budgets and civilian casualties. This will now become "Condition Normal" for the border, and a generation from now children will ask their parents, "Mommy, what was it like before armored personnel carriers drove up and down the streets of Laredo?"
Well dang it, Jim, the voters and non voters have spoken. They’ve put Jubilation Cornpone Abbott and his merry band of swindlers back in office. Texas, once again, can lead the nation (sorry Florida, you lose) in ignorance and stupidity. Oh empire wide and glorious…..
Thanks, John. I've long made the argument it is foolish to think cartels are going to risk shipping their product a little at a time in the backpacks of immigrants. Most of it tends to cross, as you know, at ports of entry. Cartels just play a statistics game, knowing every vehicle cannot be inspected or commerce would come to a near halt. But I had not seen these Cato stats. Mexico's crises end, mostly, when Americans give up their drug use, which will never happen, and is why we need legalized control.
Texas is a hard place, Mauri, as you already know. Much about it is glorious, and easy to love. But I am confounded by the people who vote to keep people like Greg Abbott in power and allow these injustices to stay alive. I'm not even sure how much longer I can take it.
BTW, congratulations on being Substack’s bestselling newsletter. There’s much be a passel of them so that’s saying a lot. Too bad it’ll only get you a couple of tanks of gas and a cell in Abbott’s political prison, but it sure ain’t a stick in the eye.
Your outrage is the appropriate reaction.
Thank you for the well-researched and well-crafted assessment. While I am a Texas native by birth, I have not lived there for a long time. The state of the State breaks my heart. For a humanizing look at refugees, watch the movie “The Swimmers” on Netflix. True story.
This is yet another alarming development in the militarization of the Texas-Mexico border, about which you have reported so well. Sadly, it has been done, it must be stressed, solely for performative political gain. Nationally, the militarization of police that began with the preposterous but well-intentioned "War on Drugs" 40 years ago has resulted in bloated police department budgets and civilian casualties. This will now become "Condition Normal" for the border, and a generation from now children will ask their parents, "Mommy, what was it like before armored personnel carriers drove up and down the streets of Laredo?"
Well dang it, Jim, the voters and non voters have spoken. They’ve put Jubilation Cornpone Abbott and his merry band of swindlers back in office. Texas, once again, can lead the nation (sorry Florida, you lose) in ignorance and stupidity. Oh empire wide and glorious…..
Great work. The Political "gumrunners" rule in Texas... so sad... They now even run from those institutions whose ideas they used to champion, just so they can stay in office and spread fear: https://www.cato.org/blog/fentanyl-smuggled-us-citizens-us-citizens-not-asylum-seekers