Comments on: Spring Break in Mexico: Do the Math, Kids

By: KimG

KimG — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:53:29 +0000

American bureaucrats aren’t very good at doing the math in any case. Take 9/11 for example. About 3,300 people died in that sad and tragic incident. But we’ve now lost more Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan than died on 9/11, and the numbers are still going up. And don’t even begin to count the poor Iraqis who’ve died. I guess God doesn’t value their lives as highly as ours.

Take the example of airline security. Surely we could save more lives more cheaply than doing all of those excessive airport screenings.

And what about that most risky and all-American activity, driving? Almost everyone does that, even though it’s one of the most dangerous things you can do. And no one warns against that as a matter of course.

So no. American public policy is not directed by any rational analysis of the numbers. It is run to create as much public theatre as possible.

Saludos,

Kim G
Boston, MA

By: eddieMex

eddieMex — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:59:27 +0000

Great article I just happened to stumble upon… There is a great fear of traveling to Mexico right now. It really depends on where you are going. But I must state that I feel for the people who unfortunately happen to find tragedy down in Mexico.

By: Mexican

Mexican — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:38:01 +0000

Kudos for the article! Thanks for telling it like it is!

By: trina o

trina o — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:01:42 +0000

I am wanting to move to Queretaro with my four children. However, I am affraid because of the crime and killing in some cities. Would someone please give me the truth about places like Tequisquiapan.

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:16:14 +0000

Thanks, W. This is what happens when English majors try to do math.

So, when we factor back in the 130 “thugs,” we get 200 deaths (rather than 70) per 60 million visitors, for a survival rate of just 99.9997 percent.

I’m sorry if I gave the impression that Mexico was not dangerous.

By: W

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:54:31 +0000

Some of your statistics are misleading. You cannot remove the “thugs” from the number of deaths, but still count them as visitors in the denominator to your survival calculation. You’re clearly trying to show the relative safety of Mexico by showing how unlikely it is to be murdered if visiting purely for innocent tourism. However, its not as meaningful as you suggest unless you can count that as a percentage of how many Americans traveled to Mexico for innocent tourism during that period. Clearly, if you were able to do that, the survival rate would be lower. I don’t know if it would be significantly lower, but it would certainly be lower.

By: Comfy & Comfortable in Dallas

Comfy & Comfortable in Dallas — Fri, 22 May 2009 01:41:38 +0000

Hey all,
Ok, so my company has offered me a “package” for a job in queretaro, mexico for a year (aerospace industry). I’m 24, born and raised in texas, college in texas… I’ve been thinking about it intently and have pretty much decided that I want to go. I have some concerns, some serious concerns…but everything i read on the internet seems pretty positive???

By: coto

coto — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 02:42:32 +0000

It’s indeed a great post, I live in Tijuana, and what i’ve seen and lived, most U.S citizens just come here to one big street in downtown, where drugs are available to all and CHEAP, and just get drunk, later on return home safely… The problem as you say is that many of them are into drug dealing. Name one place? Ensenada LOT of drug going in there, Mexican police is corrupted, few cops remain in the law’s side, while most of them are into cartel’s service. Some of my neighbours have narco-partys I mean cops and very high drug capos drinking side by side, hearing that horrible music, and talking about their miserable life and money. Perhaps many of you guys haven’t read about this fact, for all U.S. citizens living in tijuana to note this you just have to listen to the “music” lyrics in a party and you’ll know when a narcoparty is going on.

Military guys are different, regulars are not bribed nor corrupted, neither sargents officers etc. But they all submit to Mr. President who is friend of Genaro Luna, with several acussations of drug dealing(you can read this in proceso magazine, the only remaining serious publication about the REAL situation on the drug bussiness), and covering drug capos, military guys really want to bust this garbage out, but they just simply aren’t allowed to…
That’s why when you read about a “drug operative” most of them are military convoys that detect some suspicious vehicle (by its horrible music, and the finese of their clothes) and start the shooting, because most citizens know where drug capos hide, but they wouldn’t tell the military because of fear… fear of being executed by cartels. Cops know, citizens know where drug capos reside, they aren’t going to tell, but military doesn’t know that’s the bad thing. Is a very dangerous time, with money, and politics going around. I’ll be glad to read your comments about this. What do you think?

By: Cathy "Amerimex"

Cathy "Amerimex" — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:28:05 +0000

Thanks Frank for an incredible article.
Our Firm sells properties in Puerto Vallarta, Litibu, Punta de Mita, Mazatlan, and Rivera Maya. Our statistics show Millions of Baby Boomers leaving the U.S. in the next several years. They are tired of high costs, lay offs, taxes, bail outs, foreclosures, and their money being worth very little.

Many of those people have already purchased, vacation, live part time,or have retired to Mexico. There money is worth 35% more in Mexico. Since they lost much of their retirement. Only makes sense to move somewhere their money can buy more.
The U.S. knows they will lose Millions of $$$ when these people move.
My opinion is they are trying to deter people from leaving the states by causing them to fear Mexico.

Moved from Florida to PV a year ago and have never felt safer even when I am walking alone at night. Have traveled though out Mexico and have never had a problem, even though I speak very little Spanish. In fact, think most people will agree the Mexican people are friendlier and more accominating.

Hope everyone comes to visit, and see for themselves. Don’t need to speak Spanish and you can drink the water!

By: BajaBrent

BajaBrent — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:18:50 +0000

Excellent article, however, it still alludes that the “victims” might in fact, be tourists. I reside in Baja where there are 200,000 US citizens registered as full time residents. It is estimated that another 50-80K may be living in the free-zone, as unregistered. So up to 300K reside there. Other estimates claim up to 1 million US citizens reside in Mexico. I personally went throuught the Houston Chronicle database of the supposed 230 murder victims, I focused on the 90 alleged to be in Baja. 68 of the victims had no id to determine citizenship, residency, sex, age, etc. Many were found in TJ wrapped in blankets w/ hands/feet tied. There was NO EVIDENCE that any of these were either US citizens OR were in fact, murdered in Mexico (they coulda been murdered in San Diego and driven over and dumped—the perfect murder).

As for the balance of victims, almost all were FULL TIME RESIDENTS, some of which were associated wi/ the drug trade. In the end 4-5 murder victims in Baja MIGHT have been tourist or visitors OVER 6 YEARS. But Baja also welcomes 6 million US tourists every year….DO THE MATH, you are far more likely being a murder victim in a mass killing spree in USA…

Final comment, TJ, has its problems as well, but to paint ALL OF NORTHERN BAJA with the same wide brush is likewise disingenious. I live 40 miles south of TJ and 20 miles south of Rosarito Beach, the latter of which has endured the same punishment…its not Iraq here either

well done Sr. Queretaro

bajabrent