READER COMMENTS ON
"Massive protests snarl Mexico City!!!"
(38 Responses so far...)
COMMENT #1 [Permalink]
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NEZUA LIMON XOLOQUINTA-JONEZ
said on 8/1/2006 @ 5:38 am PT...
Frozen Heart of Hearts? Ha! Interesting. Unfreeze, vato! Unfreeeeze.
Yes, I've been following for a bit, too. Interesting (and in a good way) to see coverage of Mexico on BradBlog.
COMMENT #2 [Permalink]
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Konnie
said on 8/1/2006 @ 5:57 am PT...
too bad we didn't do this here in the states in 2000. the world would have been a better place today if we had taken to the streets then, instead of hunkering down for another 2 years of "making us safer".........
how bad does it have to get here before there are marches in our streets?
COMMENT #3 [Permalink]
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Agent99
said on 8/1/2006 @ 6:06 am PT...
Konnie, I sure remember the ones who tried! There was a pretty good crowd of people who did not want to take that lying down. I was am crestfallen that it fizzled out.
COMMENT #4 [Permalink]
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big dan
said on 8/1/2006 @ 6:35 am PT...
Democracy NOW! is covering this...(of course)
COMMENT #5 [Permalink]
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big dan
said on 8/1/2006 @ 6:38 am PT...
How come Bush steps in only "selectively" when other countries claim vote fraud??? He's said nothing about stepping into Mexico's claims of vote fraud! He doesn't like Hugo Chavez, so we should "take him out"...he likes the Mexico results, so he says nothing about the obvious fraud there.
Naturally, the MSM doesn not point this out...on purpose. In the Ukraine, CNN and all the MSM covered 24×7, the discrepancy between the exit polls and the "final count"...
COMMENT #6 [Permalink]
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Dredd
said on 8/1/2006 @ 7:00 am PT...
Another issue which I think voting rights litigators should pursue in the US, which can not be done in Mexico, when alleging constitutional violations, is personal liability.
In a recent case the Chief of Police, and others, who violated or conspired to violate the civil rights of protesters can be sued personally:
The D.C. Circuit today ruled that "The mass arrest at Pershing Park violated the clearly established Fourth Amendment rights of plaintiffs. . ." The Court of Appeals ruling rejects the appeal by Chief of Police Charles H. Ramsey, in which Ramsey claimed that he should not be held personally liable for these sweeping constitutional rights violations, clearing the way for a trial on Ramsey's responsibility. The Court also upheld the District Court's denial of qualified immunity to Assistant Chief of Police Peter Newsham who also commanded the arrests.
(link here, bold added). Nothing like a multi-million dollar judgment against an official, personally, to help them to begin to get it and get it good.
It works in America because some value goodies above all else ... even the US Constitution ... and they tend to be members of the republican dictatorship.
COMMENT #7 [Permalink]
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Robert Lockwood Mills
said on 8/1/2006 @ 7:49 am PT...
That makes a lot of conspiracy theorists, doesn't it? Maybe our missing trolls are now selling tin-foil hats to Mexicans, or maybe they've been stunned into silence by observing how the democratic process actually works.
COMMENT #8 [Permalink]
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Styve
said on 8/1/2006 @ 8:06 am PT...
Hey BB crowd~
I noticed that the excerpted article described the size of the demonstration in terms of "thousands", whereas I have also seen it put at 2.4 million?! It seems like GOP tactics at work in the press, manipulating the reporting to quell, or lessen public response.
Any information on law suits being pursued to subpoena email and communications that might implicate the Bush Administration in Mexican Election Fraud?
Thanks,
Styve
COMMENT #9 [Permalink]
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Ada
said on 8/1/2006 @ 8:38 am PT...
It makes me proud to see other countries fighting for their voting rights, yet so sad that as Americans we have allowed the rape of our voting rights, not just in 2000, but in 2002, 2004 and it appears 2006 since 'nothing' has been legally done! Yes we have little battles won, but bottom line the Democratic party has not acknowelged this great American fraud and until it does it will not be fixed!
Today I wish we would stop traffice for our rights!
Set the date, I'm there!
COMMENT #10 [Permalink]
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NEZUA LIMON XOLOQUINTA-JONEZ
said on 8/1/2006 @ 9:32 am PT...
COMMENT #11 [Permalink]
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Barbara
said on 8/1/2006 @ 9:34 am PT...
Whatever the actual size of the Mexico City demonstration, it is the biggest 'manifestation" ( demonstration) in Mexico's history.
Without this show of power, Lopez Obrador will never get the recount of the election that I , for one, believe that he won.
As for U.S. influence and interference...can there be any doubt?
We know for sure that there were Bush advisors at work with Felipe Calderon. We know that Choice Point was at work in Mexico ( since 2001!!!).
We know that this was the first Presidential campaign ever to be so hateful and devisive, with very clear swift-boat tactics by Calderon. ( So much so that the electoral oversight body pulled some of his ads as illegal).
We know that Bush was ready to recogise Calderon as the winner long before it was ( and still is not) confirmed.
We also know ( but I have noticed that outside of Texas not too many people DO know) that this admistration is planning to build - starting nest year- a very controversial 12 lane super TOLL highway across Texas...from the Mexican border to the north. Details of this project are being illegally kept secret from Texans. Excuse me for being paranoid...but I am sure that this will involve Mexico ( North American Union? Google it..), and that Calderon ( but NOT Lopez Obrador) will on board with it.
I live half time in Mexico, and have for many years.
There is a lot of corruption and abuse, to be sure. But I know that with Calderon as President, it will be a continuation of the status quo...that is...the poor will stay poor...and get poorer. Why do American think that so many Mexicans are coming north? It is because of poverty and hopelessness...and it is hurting Mexico.
This electoral crisis is difficult for Mexico...but I am proud of the Mexicans for fighting so valiantly. May we watch and learn!!!
COMMENT #12 [Permalink]
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MEP
said on 8/1/2006 @ 10:03 am PT...
Once again, thank you WP for adding to the mix.
#8 Styve
Yes there are connections to the Bush Cabal. ChoicePoint was operating in Mexico prior to election day. I don't have time to track down the exact links but research Greg Palast, narconews.com, and I think Daniel Hopsicker also did some digging into the Fox crowd getting direct help from Karl and Co. Fox and the Bush family are best buds.
COMMENT #13 [Permalink]
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MEP
said on 8/1/2006 @ 10:10 am PT...
Seems Barbara #11 is all over the Bush connection. Sorry for being redundent. WP, be careful linking to the San Jose Mercury lest you be visited by the Ghost of Gary Webb, may he rest in peace. He has to be smiling.
COMMENT #14 [Permalink]
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sorseress
said on 8/1/2006 @ 10:21 am PT...
#11 Barbara is right about the 12 lane superhighway. It is scheduled to start at a port in southwest Mexico, and travel through Mexico, no stop for customs at the US border, and end at a terminal in Kansas City. At that point it will divide with one branch heading northwest, and one branch heading northeast. Both branches will cross into Canada and continue on, the western branch ending in Vancouver BC, and the eastern ending either in Ontario or Quebec. I can't remember which. Part of the purpose of this is to totally bypass the ports of the Western US in order to deal a death blow to unions. The trucks and drivers would be Mexican, and as many of you know, Mexican trucks do not have to meet the same safety or environmental standards as in the US. There are also to be rail lines that parallel the highways. Joy Williams know the details, or could possibly provide a link.
COMMENT #15 [Permalink]
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Charlie L
said on 8/1/2006 @ 10:41 am PT...
ADA (#9): November 8, 2006. Your Capital Building (there should be 50 of them). See you there!
COMMENT #16 [Permalink]
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Grizzly Bear Dancer
said on 8/1/2006 @ 11:56 am PT...
i'd like to invoke some soreness.
TWO rigged presidential elections have produce what outrage and demonstration by Americans??
Bush orchestrated 9/11 have produced what outrage and demonstration by Americans??
Since many don't get that 9/11 was an inside job work backwards:
1. Patriot Act, Homeland Security Act, and wire tapping Americans used to reduce US citizen's rights.
All laws Bush signed he attached an executive order so his administration is not held accountable.
2. War of Iraq based on lies tied to 9/11 and WMD story. refer to downing street minutes/Plame affair
3. Blatant disregard of our environment in crisis. Put this thought in your head 300 years ago humans weren't dumping any shit into the atmosphere - what about today? Bushit administration in disregard and denial of Global Warming is selling off the Western wild lands and has reversed over 200 environmental laws.
4. Continue oil war now dubbed war on terror and escalating world violence and nukes. Aggressive stance of losers who do not learn from experience, or use constructive critism/wisdom gained from doing the wrong moves which define the Bushit administration.
5. If "we the people" do not eliminate electronic voting run by companies of convicted felons and put a cap on Corporate contributions to political parties, political corruptness will continue. The interests of "we the people" WILL NOT BE REPRESENTED AND THE RIGGED VOTING MACHINES WHICH WE PAY FOR WILL KEEP THESE CRIMINALS IN POWER.
COMMENT #17 [Permalink]
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Konnie
said on 8/1/2006 @ 12:29 pm PT...
oh,grissly - and exactly how would we get to these changes? How much money do you have stashed away to buy a few hundred politicans to do our bidding?
COMMENT #18 [Permalink]
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sorseress
said on 8/1/2006 @ 12:55 pm PT...
COMMENT #19 [Permalink]
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Charlie L
said on 8/1/2006 @ 3:48 pm PT...
People in the street are FREE.
I live in Portland, Oregon, where the metropolitan area has a population of about 1M.
Pre-war, about 30,000 people brought Portland to a standstill. I would think that 100,000 (one in 10) would pretty much close down Portland and render the local police and (non-existant) National Guard useless.
So, 100,000 in each of 50 state capitals or major cities is just 5 million of our population.
Are there just 5 million people who give a damn?
I guess we'll find out on November 8, 2006.
COMMENT #20 [Permalink]
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calipendence
said on 8/1/2006 @ 5:09 pm PT...
#14
No checkpoints? Hmm... Perhaps a good way to launch a terrorist strike into the U.S. by those not having to go through normal security checks! GREAT! So much for these bums being better "protectors" of our security.
COMMENT #21 [Permalink]
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popeye
said on 8/1/2006 @ 5:51 pm PT...
in this crazy world it is good to know that some things never change. namely, liberal nimrods are always going to get upselt in mass when they loose and make total asses of themselves.
it is the kind of stability that is somehow comforting.
COMMENT #22 [Permalink]
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Agent99
said on 8/1/2006 @ 6:05 pm PT...
popeye
Yes, nimrods do always get "upselt" when they "loose"....
Very "comforting".
COMMENT #23 [Permalink]
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Arry
said on 8/1/2006 @ 6:45 pm PT...
#21 - We are all "loosing", you....uninformed person... ghost of ancient propaganda and faint echo from the benighted past.
COMMENT #24 [Permalink]
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oldturk
said on 8/1/2006 @ 8:31 pm PT...
Fresh pitcher of KOOL AID,..
# 21 POPEYE - would you like some ice-cubes with a
nice tall glass of that ?
COMMENT #25 [Permalink]
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NEOCONVICT
said on 8/1/2006 @ 8:38 pm PT...
The difference between the US and Mexico is startling. In Mexico, they're used to being cornholed. They can smell it a mile away. And the candidates aren't afraid to say "bullshit."
The Democrats, and even the MoveOns and Michael Moores, have a lot to learn. They MAY learn it after they have the congressional and senatorial races stolen from them in November. Remember Rove's permanent Republican majority? They're not going to let pesky voters get in the way of that.
So after the elections are stolen in November, maybe finally the Dems will grow a spine and start protesting. But don't count on it. Anyway, it will be too late. Because the NeoCons already control absolutely everything.
Buy gold, folks. Because the days ahead are truly dark...
This moment of sunshine and light brought to you by NeoCon --- Helping Destroy the World One Lie at a Time.
COMMENT #26 [Permalink]
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Jerry O\\\'Riordan
said on 8/1/2006 @ 9:39 pm PT...
Remember the Ukraine, 2004.
COMMENT #27 [Permalink]
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Laura
said on 8/1/2006 @ 10:34 pm PT...
This is what Democracy looks like! Good for the Mexican People. I wish to God 5 million Americans would show up for our constitution. The only thing is will 5 million give up their couches, remote controls, beer and FOOTBALL for their very survival? Most people can't be concerned to believe that things are all that bad. I hate it that our country has turned into a bunch of lazy sloths! Consumer driven lazy sloths!
COMMENT #28 [Permalink]
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Mar
said on 8/2/2006 @ 5:14 am PT...
Sorseress # 18 and Joy
Many thanks for posting those links. A couple of months ago I saw the map of the proposed highway but neglected to save it.
That is ONE scary project...!! Not only would it render your borders less secure than they are now, if that's possible, but it could sound the death knell for your trucking industry as well as ours up here, north of the border.
Another thing that bothers me is how your 'powers that be' can even contemplate spending that kind of money on such a project when your fighting forces overseas are being short changed as far as the latest life saving military equipment, supposedly due to lack of funds in the defence budget.
Good luck in your fight to regain true democracy and in ridding yourselves of the corrupt admin currently raping and pillaging your nation, and you can bet your bippy that I will be forwarding both those links to all my contacts here as well as my Member of Parliament and our Prime Minister with a request for accountability as to where our government stands on this issue.
And last but not least, an attaboy to the Mexican protesters......I love their passion....pitching tents and snarling Mexico City.....te amo, mis hermanos mexicano...!!!! The majority of the Mexican people don't have much in the way of a decent standard of living, but they sure know how to protest..!! You guys should do the same in Washington D.C.
COMMENT #29 [Permalink]
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Laura
said on 8/2/2006 @ 10:45 am PT...
COMMENT #30 [Permalink]
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MEP
said on 8/2/2006 @ 11:29 am PT...
#29........Laura
Thanks for the link. I rarely go over to Alternet any more cause they had morphed into Progressive Light. I'll have to consider putting them back on my daily check list. Thanks again
COMMENT #31 [Permalink]
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phil
said on 8/2/2006 @ 1:09 pm PT...
#6
Another issue which I think voting rights litigators should pursue in the US, which can not be done in Mexico, when alleging constitutional violations, is personal liability.
Qui Tam is good to prove a point. But someone was RESPONSIBLE for the actions taken. I want those bastards out of politics and elections for life. You get busted you shouldn't BE in our government anymore.
Ought to be a Zero Tolerance for government corruption (not to be confused with hiding your personal sex life)
In a recent case the Chief of Police, and others, who violated or conspired to violate the civil rights of protesters can be sued personally:
The D.C. Circuit today ruled that "The mass arrest at Pershing Park violated the clearly established Fourth Amendment rights of plaintiffs. . ." The Court of Appeals ruling rejects the appeal by Chief of Police Charles H. Ramsey, in which Ramsey claimed that he should not be held personally liable for these sweeping constitutional rights violations, clearing the way for a trial on Ramsey's responsibility. The Court also upheld the District Court's denial of qualified immunity to Assistant Chief of Police Peter Newsham who also commanded the arrests.
link here, bold added. Nothing like a multi-million dollar judgment against an official, personally, to help them to begin to get it and get it good.
It works in America because some value goodies above all else … even the US Constitution … and they tend to be members of the republican dictatorship.
When they value goodies above all else they BROKE THEIR OATH OF OFFICE!!!
See how well the constitution worked in the
2004 Republican National Convention in NYC
Nevermind that it's totally irrelevent now and Off Topic for Mexican elections.
Mexicans are not playing our BS games.
POWER TO THE PEOPLE MAN.
JAIL FOR THE CORRUPTION.
COMMENT #32 [Permalink]
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Bluebear2
said on 8/2/2006 @ 3:43 pm PT...
I'm not seeing anything regarding counter-protests.
A few reports of people complaining because of the inconvenience, a slam by the Fox government, but no counter-protest.
That fact in itself makes one wonder about how much support Calderon really has!
COMMENT #33 [Permalink]
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Laura
said on 8/2/2006 @ 4:44 pm PT...
COMMENT #34 [Permalink]
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Laura
said on 8/2/2006 @ 4:47 pm PT...
Mep You know come to think of it I didn't go to Alternet myself. I got this link at What Really Happened.com. Check it out, Its a good site.
COMMENT #35 [Permalink]
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Laura
said on 8/2/2006 @ 4:49 pm PT...
COMMENT #36 [Permalink]
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Laura
said on 8/2/2006 @ 7:32 pm PT...
COMMENT #37 [Permalink]
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Barbara
said on 8/2/2006 @ 10:11 pm PT...
Another link to the Oaxaca story is on the site;
http://www.narconews.com
"Narco" is Mexican slang for drug dealer, and this site has helped to expose some of them. It is an excellent resource for non-mainstream news about Latin America.
The protest in Oaxaca has been going on for months. It began as the annual teachers strike ( and they have a lot to strike about, in Oaxaca). The Governor of Oaxaca sent troops against them, and a number of people were killed , including children.
This, as one might imagine, inflamed the public into support for the strikers, and a movement to bring down the Governor..who is the very worst in a rather long line , and who was not legally elected ( Hmmmmm....).
And because there is a lot of support for Lopez Obrador in the South, this , too has exacerbated everthing.
This is pretty simplified...but it is an interesting situation.
COMMENT #38 [Permalink]
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Laura
said on 8/3/2006 @ 7:02 am PT...
Barbara Thanks for the info. I find it fascinating whats going on in Mexico. I think Mexicans should take their country back just like Americans should. Time to stand up for ourselves and our rights. I guess until we get fired on by police we will be too comfortable to take to the streets and stand up. Remember Ohio State? I was just a kid and did not understand at the time but I sure do now.