Re: Politics
7511Greenland's PM has already turned down the hospital ships of Emperor Dingus, going on to criticize America's healthcare.
I'd rather be throwing darts.
Re: Politics
7512Anyone seen what's happening in Mexico? It's not being reported on as much as I would have thought. But the Mexican government killed a cartel king pin and the cartel retaliated by taken over parts of Mexico, one area being Puerto Vallarta. I probably wouldn't have heard about it, if it weren't for the fact that my elderly parents are stuck there, held up in a timeshare. I remember my dad telling me about 5 or so years ago that one reason they love going down there (which they've been doing for 20 years) was that it's completely safe because the cartels make sure it's safe. Who knows what is going to unfold there. I'm just making sure to keep in contact with them. I wonder if things will start getting more dangerous in Mexico if the cartels are feeling the pressure of the government. There's a lot of saying it's gonna blow over, but I just feel like that is denial. I don't really know enough to have an informed opinion, I'm just going with my gut. I would think that one of the most powerful cartels in the country, who have a paramilitary force at their disposal, is going to be looking for leverage in order to hold onto their power. That could mean anything from shutting down economies, which is the looks of it from Puerto Vallarta. I would also assume using foreigners as hostages or bargaining chips is probably a worthwhile endeavor. As far as I know, as of this morning all flights are canceled through the airport.
What is really fucked up is last night I could only find information on this through Al Jazeera and CBC. Barely anything from US News, which I would expect would love to exploit this story.
What is really fucked up is last night I could only find information on this through Al Jazeera and CBC. Barely anything from US News, which I would expect would love to exploit this story.
Re: Politics
7513Yikes.cakes wrote: Mon Feb 23, 2026 10:42 am Anyone seen what's happening in Mexico? It's not being reported on as much as I would have thought. But the Mexican government killed a cartel king pin and the cartel retaliated by taken over parts of Mexico, one area being Puerto Vallarta. I probably wouldn't have heard about it, if it weren't for the fact that my elderly parents are stuck there, held up in a timeshare. I remember my dad telling me about 5 or so years ago that one reason they love going down there (which they've been doing for 20 years) was that it's completely safe because the cartels make sure it's safe. Who knows what is going to unfold there. I'm just making sure to keep in contact with them. I wonder if things will start getting more dangerous in Mexico if the cartels are feeling the pressure of the government. There's a lot of saying it's gonna blow over, but I just feel like that is denial. I don't really know enough to have an informed opinion, I'm just going with my gut. I would think that one of the most powerful cartels in the country, who have a paramilitary force at their disposal, is going to be looking for leverage in order to hold onto their power. That could mean anything from shutting down economies, which is the looks of it from Puerto Vallarta. I would also assume using foreigners as hostages or bargaining chips is probably a worthwhile endeavor. As far as I know, as of this morning all flights are canceled through the airport.
What is really fucked up is last night I could only find information on this through Al Jazeera and CBC. Barely anything from US News, which I would expect would love to exploit this story.
US news may have been slow to report but it is the headline on CNN right now.
I sincerely hope the best for your parents.
jason (he/him/his) from volo (illinois)
Re: Politics
7514It's front page, multiple articles, at NY Times. LA Times has it kind of buried though, which seems kinda weird.cakes wrote: Mon Feb 23, 2026 10:42 am Anyone seen what's happening in Mexico? It's not being reported on as much as I would have thought. But the Mexican government killed a cartel king pin and the cartel retaliated by taken over parts of Mexico, one area being Puerto Vallarta. I probably wouldn't have heard about it, if it weren't for the fact that my elderly parents are stuck there, held up in a timeshare. I remember my dad telling me about 5 or so years ago that one reason they love going down there (which they've been doing for 20 years) was that it's completely safe because the cartels make sure it's safe. Who knows what is going to unfold there. I'm just making sure to keep in contact with them. I wonder if things will start getting more dangerous in Mexico if the cartels are feeling the pressure of the government. There's a lot of saying it's gonna blow over, but I just feel like that is denial. I don't really know enough to have an informed opinion, I'm just going with my gut. I would think that one of the most powerful cartels in the country, who have a paramilitary force at their disposal, is going to be looking for leverage in order to hold onto their power. That could mean anything from shutting down economies, which is the looks of it from Puerto Vallarta. I would also assume using foreigners as hostages or bargaining chips is probably a worthwhile endeavor. As far as I know, as of this morning all flights are canceled through the airport.
What is really fucked up is last night I could only find information on this through Al Jazeera and CBC. Barely anything from US News, which I would expect would love to exploit this story.
Also, it should be easily understood that if cartels are keeping you safe, you're not safe.
That sucks about your parents. I hope they are OK.
Last edited by enframed on Mon Feb 23, 2026 11:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Politics
7515My partner’s brother is in Cabo right now. Doesn’t seem like a prime target currently but they’ve taken tourists hostages at (I think) Guadalajara airport so anything seems possible.
(Edit ok it isn’t code red currently)
(Edit ok it isn’t code red currently)
Re: Politics
7516I feel the same, even before this. They keep asking us to come down there with our kids. I think it's wild to imagine going somewhere where the criminals run everything, and the local population could be suffering while tourists play tennis and eat at fancy restaurants. That's just as terrible as having a corrupt government and pretending everything is fine by the privileged. It wouldn't even matter if the cartel had a good rapport with the local population, they are just fodder when shit hits the fan. It doesn't matter that it's been safe for 20 years, it's sure as hell isn't now.enframed wrote: Mon Feb 23, 2026 10:53 am Also, it should be easily understood that if cartels are keeping you safe, you're not safe.
Re: Politics
7517This all comes with a huge caveat of "I'm not expert on the narcotrafficing politics and corruption of the Mexican government" but:
I get the impression that in addition to possible kickbacks with former presidents, there has also been a "leave it alone" approach to the problem because every Mexican president has known that if you wanted to clean it all up, you'd basically have to have a civil war to do it.
I'd love to think Sheinbaum is making a calculated risk here to straighten everything out and that their military has the might to do it.
I'd hate to think that Sheinbaum picked one cartel with the support of another (see my opening caveat).
Jalisco is one of my favorite states in Mexico. Aside from the dinner buffets and Señor Frogs of Puerto Vallarta, there is a legitimate, multicultural, urban center in Guadalajara: kickass architecture, food etc. I always wanted to assume that bad stuff was happening in states I don't visit.
I get the impression that in addition to possible kickbacks with former presidents, there has also been a "leave it alone" approach to the problem because every Mexican president has known that if you wanted to clean it all up, you'd basically have to have a civil war to do it.
I'd love to think Sheinbaum is making a calculated risk here to straighten everything out and that their military has the might to do it.
I'd hate to think that Sheinbaum picked one cartel with the support of another (see my opening caveat).
Jalisco is one of my favorite states in Mexico. Aside from the dinner buffets and Señor Frogs of Puerto Vallarta, there is a legitimate, multicultural, urban center in Guadalajara: kickass architecture, food etc. I always wanted to assume that bad stuff was happening in states I don't visit.
Re: Politics
7518Yeah, this is where my head went first: they didn't think to secure parts of Mexico to avoid this? Or is the cartel that big that any attempt was going to cause a stir that could not be avoided?
In my naive assessment, I also think this has been avoided because it would stir a civil war-like situation. It certainly looked like the start of one yesterday.
In my naive assessment, I also think this has been avoided because it would stir a civil war-like situation. It certainly looked like the start of one yesterday.
Re: Politics
7519After hearing about how HRC's deposition went yesterday..
I'm pretty sure viewership records would be broken if Bill's deposition today was actually televised. I'd definitely watch it.
I'm pretty sure viewership records would be broken if Bill's deposition today was actually televised. I'd definitely watch it.
jason (he/him/his) from volo (illinois)
Re: Politics
7520My impression is she was busy saying absolutely nothing when that dipshit Boebert posted a photo and got caught. I'd love Bill to get some kind of "They're all going down with me" aging gunslinger attitude, but I predict more of a Lewinsky 2.0 "I did not have sexual relations..." kind of thing.jfv wrote: Fri Feb 27, 2026 8:05 am After hearing about how HRC's deposition went yesterday..
I'm pretty sure viewership records would be broken if Bill's deposition today was actually televised. I'd definitely watch it.
I like the idea that possibly by 2030 the Trumps will be as irrelevant as the Clintons who are almost as presently irrelevant as the Bushs. I'm really just counting on Lord Chronos to fight my battles for me.