Krystal International Vacation Club KIVC: Is there an end to the violence in Mexico?

Just a couple of days ago, we read of Jaime Zapata, an immigration agent, who was in Mexico, brutally assasinated in a hail of bullets. This has concerned Americans, because the violence in Mexico is out of control and authorities seemed helpless. Certainly, no one wants that type of violence to spill over and invade our cities. Worse, if the cartels come to the US in full force, we can see widespread kidnappings taking place. While we analyze some facts, lets take a look at history.

Lt. JOSEPH PETROSINO

Why am I comparing a great Italian American to a great Hispanic American? Because there are interesting parallels. In the late 1800′s through the early 1900′s, America, especially in New York City, was plagued by the Black hand, an early form of the Italian Mafia. Crime was out of control and small Italian businessmen were being harassed by the Black Hand. Many had to pay protection dues in order to continue to operate.

A great man by the name of Joseph Petrosino saw this and decided to do something about it. He joined the police force and fought cime. As he rose in the ranks, he put many a mafioso behind bars. Not being satisfied, he went to the main hub in Sicily, Italy, to put them out for good. Unfortunately, he was discovered and was murdered. Nevertheless, his death served as a big blow to organized crime, putting those responsible behind bars for life.

Joseph Petrosino was a model for Italian Americans and, along, with many others, he was a great American. Ernest Borgnine did a movie on the life of Joseph Petrosino, which I would, highly, recommend; unfortunately, I can’t remember the title of the movie. My question is, will Jaime Zapata be the next Joseph Petrosino? One can only hope so!

NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES

Just like Italian Americans were stereotyped as Mafiosos in the 60′s and 70′s, we are seeing this thrend now within Hispanic Americans. Movies like Carlitos Way and Scarface mar the image of the decent Hispanic man who wants to make a decent living for himself and family. Not all Hispanics sell drugs nor kill people but many in the media would have you believe that.

Hispanics just want to work and be left alone, but the media focuses on a few bad apples and we, all, suffer. Many yell and scream-Send those Mexicans back to where they belong! Let them go to the legal process. What is not reported is that the “legal process” can take up to 10 yrs. When you and your family are starving and you have a fellow cayote charging you a fee to get you through the border, I think the answer is obvious. For some, 10 yrs can be too late.

LETS LEGALIZE DRUGS!

As we see what is happening in our borders, some are yelling-Let’s legalize drugs! Lets go back to the days of prohibition. Liquor was illegal, even some police officers were drinking and receiving payoffs. Then, voices for pro liquor grew until the government legalized alcohol. Since then, we had families suffer unnecessary deaths on the road, teenagers dying because of alcohol overdose and the tremendous cost of treating alcoholism.

History repeats itself again. Part of why we have a drug problem in America and Mexico is because of corruption. People in high places and law enforcement officers fall prey to money. Money talks!! That is why some politicians are calling for drug legalization. Can you imagine the tax revenues? That is not justification in itself when it pales blue to the effects on the family and other factors. Not to mention the added burden of treating a wide scale of drug addicts.

LETS SOLVE THIS BORDER PROBLEM

I am, for solving this border problem and want to see changes. I consider myself a conservative, but I part with my colleagues when it comes to immigration. First, I want to make it clear that I am an American, born in New York City of Puerto RIcan descent. I love America and have served 4 years in the Navy.

Nevertheless, I have a stake in this immigration issue. My son, Joshua, who is proudly serving in the Navy is married to a Mexican. She is a wonderful lady but has no papers. Should she get deported, her daughter would be separated from her mother and God,only, knows when she can see her. This is, clearly, something that separates families.

Thank God, my daughter in law is, now, about to get her papers to be legal, but what about the rest? I serve in a church as a co-Pastor in which we minister to many Hispanics. All are decent and hard working. Are we going to split families as well? Why not do, something, to help those in the US and at the same time close the borders? I am not talking about amnesty, but lets look at other ways. Maybe make the process of immigration a lot easier and reduce the wait time? I know that with the threat of terrorism, we have to be careful, but we can make a system to cover that too.

I realize that my views may have been radical. Many are passionate and have some great inputs. First, lets be civil and share our views. I will, promise, to be open to all points of views. One thing we can,all, agree on is to pray for this border issue-We need it.