Deseret News | Reader comments: Brother of kidnap victim killed in Mexico

Reader comments
Brother of kidnap victim killed

Anonymous | 4:20 p.m. July 7, 2009

When we the Mexican government really bother dealing with these thugs. For too long, it turned a blind eye. It's time for Mexico to send in the military to root them out or ask someone else to do it for them.

Just at a price | 4:32 p.m. July 7, 2009

The government and soldiers you speak of are the the same as the thugs - they only do what they are paid for. Bring in the bucks and they do what you want.

Since when is Mexico's government considered responsible or accountable to anyone other than to he who has money.

George W. | 5:16 p.m. July 7, 2009

I suggest we keep the borders open and allow total access to our country. This will show the criminals that we are tollerant and have compassion. That ought to do the trick and solve the problem.

Comments continue below

Titanious Anglesmith | 5:19 p.m. July 7, 2009

If either of you were semi-informed you would know that the most recent rash of violence is a response to a government crackdown on drugs and violence.
Presidente Calderon and his military have had the guts to take on the outlaws, which has sparked a war between them and the Mexican Government, local and national. His administration has taken down quite a few notorious and violent king pins - and the only way to get the violence to stop is to continue the fight against corruption.

What we should be worried about is the fact that in the recent mid-term elections, the ruling party (the one who has tried to do something about the problems) lost many seats in congress.

What are we doing to curb gun-smuggling from the US to Mexico?

Do you think the good old USA is any different regarding just doing what your paid for, or only being accountable to those with money?

Stereotypes never get you anywhere.

The story is confusing | 2:04 a.m. July 8, 2009

Besides the historical significance of polygamous families moving here- what is the connection to Utah for this man? Were these men polygamous or LDS? The story is very confusing, except that these Mexican thugs are running the country. I pray not only for the family of these men but everyone in the area.

Richard Bueche | 2:29 a.m. July 8, 2009

Let Mexico vote for US statehood, with the right to come in as two states with four senators. If the vote passes, we can crack down on the drug cartels. If the vote fails, put up the fences between us and Mexico. Even as the 51st and 52nd states, there will be some corruption, but none of this kidnapping and killing that goes on now.

To Titanious | 2:35 a.m. July 8, 2009

Yeah, yeah, everything that happens in Mexico is our fault. Same old song.

The automatic weapons, hand grenades, and rocket launchers used by the cartels in Chihuahua are NOT imported from the US. They're not even available in the US, unless imported here by the cartels, which they are increasingly doing.

While the Mexican army has done a few good things, it is notoriously corrupt and has been involved -- on the side of the drug runners -- in much of the cartel-sponsored violence.

Presidente Calderón is a politician, just like any other. He'll act when he thinks he has to, take a bribe when he can. He's not particularly worried about a few medio-gringos in the northern desert who won't pay him off, either in cash or votes.

So, don't expect any serious government action anytime soon. And don't make plans to visit your relatives in the Colonies. It's just too dangerous.

Presidente Calderón may accomplish what Pancho Villa and Venustiano Carranza couldn't -- the permanent ouster of the Mormons from Chihuahua.

Calderon is the problem | 4:24 a.m. July 8, 2009

Living in Mexico, I can tell you the problem is with the PANistas running the government, such as Pres. Calderon. Crime is worse than ever thanks to the thugs in the government and the army. Calderon's phony war on the mafia and narcos is ridiculous. In fact, there is evidence the army has favored the Sinaloa cartel run by El Chapo Guzman. The problem is the government, not the narcos. The narcos tend to leave you alone in most cases if you don't mess with them. It is time to decriminalize drugs to get rid of their profit motive and stop the insanity on BOTH sides of the border. This has to stop.

Robert Y. Valentine | 4:49 a.m. July 8, 2009

The Deseret News and other media should go to the so-called "Mormon Colonies" south of El Paso to find out how the white Mexicans are being treated. I hear rumors that their properties are being confiscated and that the Mexican government is looking the other way. We need a full report to find out what is happening to minority whites in Northern Mexico.

To Mr. Valentine | 7:37 a.m. July 8, 2009

Unfortunately, these "White Mexicans," like Mennonites and other fundamentalists in the north of Mexico stick out like a sore thumb. They are like the Colorado City and other polygamist enclaves. They don't intermarry with other natives and continue to cling on to their American citizenship. They become a target amongst themselves for failure to integrate. Nevertheless, I concur with your premise that it is a problem.

Rupert | 8:36 a.m. July 8, 2009

I will never go to Mexico again, the place is scary there are a thousand other vacation spots I would consider first. I would rather vacation in my back yard then get within fifty miles of mexico.

To Mr. Valentine 7:37 | 8:46 a.m. July 8, 2009

What is happening here? There are a group of people demanding and threatening the people living in that area. Mexico is no better than Pakistan or Afghanistan. The country is corrupt. That is why so many want to come to the land of the Big PX, to escape terror. Except terror follows and with it brings drugs, violence and evil. What would our ancestors have done?

Maybe we should start looking at how those generations took care of this type of problem rather than setting around and hoping for a "fix" to save us.

wallace | 9:03 a.m. July 8, 2009

fly over Tijuana 1000 miles south and enjoy Cabo San Lucas.Not a single person kidnapped while fighting a Marlin,golfing ocean front,or scuba diving here.The fishing is hot,the weather is great,golf is cheap,hope to see you here!

No self defense | 9:12 a.m. July 8, 2009

You would think that the colonists would band together to defend themselves.

Oh, that's right, Mexico bans private possession of any guns.

I guess the thugs who killed these two innocent men did not realize that.

When people are unable to defend themselves, they will be victimized by whatever band of thugs, or corrupt government feels like doing so.

Wallace | 9:45 a.m. July 8, 2009

private gun ownership in Mexico is legal,if certain proceedures(and there are several) are followed,and only smaller caliber hand guns and sporting arms are permitted..357's.9mm,etc are reserved for military and police.Just thought no self defense might be curious.

deseret news | 10:12 a.m. July 8, 2009

you would do bett.er if you just interviewed one of the illegals from that area say tommorrow as there is a fresh bunch arriving everyday

Anonymous too | 10:48 a.m. July 9, 2009

Maybe I'm old fashion or maybe I just can't get that movie from the 80's (Scarface) out of my head, but doesn't the drug cartel shoot you in the back of the head if your messing with their territoy? Maybe there is more to this story.

AnneBonny | 11:51 a.m. July 9, 2009

Are these ppl Mexican by birth or Americans who chose to live in a foreign country? I can't see the reason to live in Mexico. If it's so wonderful why are there hundreds of Mexicans coming across our border every day.
There might be lots of things wrong in the good old USA but at least most of us don't have thugs kidnapping and terrorizing our families.
I would not go to anywhere in Mexico for any reason.
I will spend my money here and stimulate my economy.
As far as living in a foreign country without the ability to be armed, NEVER. Remember the saying:
If guns are outlawed only outlaws have guns..

No B | 3:51 p.m. July 9, 2009

Sad as hell. i feel sad for his family & pray for them.
God bless

Raul | 4:53 p.m. July 9, 2009

Before you blame the Mexican government, the military and any other convenient target for this situation, please look up the history of the Le Baron clan. The Le Barons have been the instigators of violence and murder for decades and that same violence is at the root of this tragedy. A close friend of mine was in the Le Baron clan and saw the murdered bodies of other members of the "family". Her husband and young daughter were both murdered by the Le Barons. Please know what you are talking about before offering your opinions.

I am getting ready to move to Mexico where I plan to live the rest of my retired life. I have always found that the Mexican people are wonderful, hard working and enjoyable people to be with. You don't have to go to Cabo. Just get past Tijuana to enjoy a quality of life like no other in the world.

Amen! | 6:58 a.m. July 10, 2009

I second Raul's comments. I am an American citizen married to a Mexican and currently live in Mexico. Most of the nation is peaceful and frankly there are not as many problems as you would think.

I watched a video produced by the Mexican newspaper El Milenio, which interviewed Erick Le Baron about being kidnapped. I was appalled by his profane language and then the subsequent threats issued by members of the Le Baron clan, threatening those who even get close to their territory. You don't make those types of threats, especially to the "narcos."

What is worse right now is the coverage from Mexican media, claiming they are "Mormon leaders!" It makes me ill, because these people are not as squeaky clean as you might think.

iam mexican | 11:05 a.m. July 10, 2009

lets start thinking, where the mexicans cartels obtain the guns? from where? ok i ll tell u where. they obtain them from your country usa, yea there, who is the first consumidor of drugs in the world?
ok i ll tell u too, YOU ARE.THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT IS THE RESPONSABLE HERE.speciality in chihuahua, it is a TIERRA DE NADIE, there is not law who can take the control there. ok the last thing, listen to me right..all mexican we arent chihuahua, we are a noble people, friendly,humanist, we have have show u a several times,dont mark us saying mexico is as afganistan or any name like that, we arent like them.
mexico is open to all world, if you arent safe here. its a answer for u, DONT COME. STAY IN YOUR PLACE, IN YOUR COUNTRY. and follow killing boys in theirs schools, like you had done before.
conclution.ALL PEOPLE ARE WELCOME HERE, IN MY COUNTRY,BUT IF YOU ARE AFRAID DONT COME STAY IN UR HOME,sorry about my english,iam learnig. WE ARE AMIGOS, I HAVE A GOODS FRIENDS THERE, IAM NOT RACIST, NOTHING OF THIS. LOVE AND PEACE

Elias | 1:44 a.m. July 23, 2009

People talk about the violence in Mexico as if it were some terribly odd thing. It is no worst than Chicago and other U.S. urban cities during the 1930's. It was alcohol then, today it's drugs, but the result is the same: power struggles by very wicked people with a heck of a lot of resources ($$$) at their disposal. Sadly I'm sure that many will die before those resources dwindle. Powerful as they are, the governments involved (Mexico & US) have more resources and are far bigger and just as with the cold war, will eventually (hopefully soon enough) outspend their enemies.

On another front, I am an LDS (Mormon), the Le Barons, from what I gather here are not the same as I am nor the nearly 12 million other members of the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" headed by leaders in the Salt Lake headquarters. Please keep that distinction. We live (at least try) by very different standards than the Le Barons. Please don't call them "Mormons" and think they are the same as the young men riding bikes or those in your local U.S. LDS Churches.

Kevin | 10:01 p.m. July 27, 2009

I spend a great deal of time in Mexico where I run an agricultural company - 18 days of every month in the north-central region. I see and agree with everything said; Mexico is extremely dangerous if you're put in a bad situation, but it is also home to an amazingly friendly society. Your situation will dictate your exposure, and I'm vigilant and nervous every day. I live with kidnappings in my area there and if you're successful you're a target, but I take precautions and know that I bring badly needed jobs to a rural where few exist. And you're not seeing Mexico when you're in Cabo - you might as well go to San Antonio.

Elias is correct; in many ways it's no different than any crime-ridden city in the U.S. with one major distinction; law enforcement enforces the law in the U.S., not always true in Mexico.

We can't solve this situation, and we can't hope that it goes away either. I don't have the answer, but I know the important point is that these human beings were murdered - that diminishes all of us.

Morgan Myles | 10:25 a.m. Oct. 21, 2009

wow!! dhat iisz crazzyy.... people iin dhiisz world dnt hve nuthn else 2 du iin liife but ruin everybodhii iin liife dhatsz tryna be succesful !! iim soo.. srryy wat happened.... n mah heart iisz wiith yhaw :)

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