Open Thread

• Walter McKay has another great post examining the insane drug war violence in Mexico:

  The reported events that reach the media usually involve deaths, so the many gunfights that do occur with no injuries are less likely to be reported (other than through gossip networks like Facebook or Twitter). Now however, more and more, it is doubtful as to what happens even when any event is reported by government sources.
  
  THIS is one of the many challenges which face Mexico, the self-serving lies, half-truths and subterfuge in conjunction with the rampant corruption which afflicts all levels of society as well as impunity, nepotism and the class structure that directly feeds into the narco-machine that is clearly growing out of control. It is plainly clear that the drug cartels are now directly challenging the power of the state and Mexico's slide to that of a FAILED STATE is increasing its acceleration.



• A big thank you to everyone who suggested names of various public officials who might benefit from a copy of Transform's book, After the War on Drugs: Blueprints for Regulation. You can still leave names in the comments section if you want. My goal is to mail the books early next week.


• The LEAP Facebook group is now up to 13,517 supporters. Wow.


• An editorial from the Globe and Mail ponders the question: do alcohol bans in remote Aboriginal communities work? Not according to Simeon Tshakapesh:

  Dozens of aboriginal reserves have alcohol bans with good results. It's disheartening to learn, then, that one Labrador community – which drew international attention with its footage of gas-sniffing children – may lift its prohibition.
  
  Natuashish chief Simeon Tshakapesh – who as a former police officer videotaped those haunting images of Innu children – says the alcohol ban is not working. His proof: Bootleg alcohol continues to get into the remote community of 725 people. A 40-ouncer of cheap rye goes for $350 on the black market.
  
  “I don't think the crime rate has gone down,” he told The Globe. “There's a lot of criminal activity in Natuashish that doesn't get reported because people are drinking and worried about being charged under the bylaw.”