Slog - Comments on Winning the War on Drugs

Comment by kinaidos

kinaidos — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 21:23:23 -0800

The stories in the Mex City press feature interviews with kids who claim that tear gas was fired into the club and that the exits were blocked by police who were beating thouse who ran out.
This is playing out in the press as a rich-Mexico-city-establishment finds an excuse to harass, beat, and murder poor working class kids.
You can see that in the response from the Mayor, who was apologetic, but said that the Madero delegacion (i.e. those stupid poor people) were at fault for not policing themselves better (and thus warranting a beating from the rich folks who needed to send a message).

Comment by mj

mj — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:27:49 -0800

Police here are IDIOTS!

These people were not poor people. They were working class which means their parents are teachers, doctors, lawyers etc...

Who knows why the police showed up at that club but I guarantee you it was not because they were serving minors. There was another reason and now 12 people are dead.

Comment by keshmeshi

keshmeshi — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:36:44 -0800

I'm flummoxed by anyone in Mexico trying to curb underage drinking. I don't know about Mexico specifically, but it seems like most other countries have much more sensible attitudes about alcohol.

Comment by ellarosa

ellarosa — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:21:11 -0800

2, protection money not forthcoming on time, maybe?

Comment by robot2501

robot2501 — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:10:15 -0800

Probably some concerned parent tipped off the cops. I wonder how long the anonymous tipper will feel ashamed of himself/herself?

Comment by Kim in California, currently working in Mexico City

Kim in California, currently working in Mexico City — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:57:55 -0800

@2 Mexico City isn't really known for its huge healthy middle class. I've been living here for the last five weeks, and its very clear that there's a very rich class, a much poorer working class and then people with hardly any resources at all.

I can see how this is playing out as a class thing.

Comment by Jerod

Jerod — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:23:14 -0800

Even in the U.S. "teachers, doctors, lawyers etc" are not considered working class professions.

Comment by mj

mj — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:13:55 -0800

@2 Maybe, but probably the owner was getting in the way of something or someone.
It was probably a whole lot about the owner and a little bit about serving minors.

@7 the sad thing is that here in Mexico even doctors and lawyers make a minimal living. They do Ok by our standards here in Mexico but by State Side standards it would
probably be pretty poor. There is a strong middle class up and coming here but when they said kids were trampled in a club I knew they were not poor kids because poor kids are on the street not in clubs.

@6 Mexico can be confusing as far as their class system goes to Americans. A lot of the poor working class you see is the middle class. They would never call themselves poor and it would be offensive to them to read American news calling them poor.
Poor people are the people you see washing windows in the street and asking for money and food at your door step.

Comment by n.g.t.m.c.w.t.r.

n.g.t.m.c.w.t.r. — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:56:01 -0800

Ive been to those clubs in D.F. and they are fucking PACKED, like nothing you can imagine or have ever seen here. I felt like I was going to be stampeded to death when shit was normal, this isnt surprising...Tear gas doesnt help...

Comment by Greg

Greg — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:31:26 -0800

Everybody involved in this comes off sounding pretty bad.