IT'S TIME FOR THE U.S. TO START YELLING IN MEXICO'S
EAR

We sashay our big American hips around Iraqi and Afghan politicians,
but when Mexico messes us up ... shhh, we don't want to offend our
friend to the south.

I say at least yell at Mexico. Instead, we just send money and keep
our mouths shut about the massive drug war going on -- the war that is
definitely affecting us.

Right across our river is the most violent city on Earth. And there's
nary a reaction from Washington, D.C.

Psst, Congress, there's a major national security risk right next to
one of the 25 largest cities in the land.

Meanwhile, we're over in Afghanistan "securing" ourselves. We're in
Iraq because that makes us safer here in America. The Middle East is
some 4,000 miles from D.C. Juarez is just a few yardsticks away from
El Paso.

So it was good to hear one of our area congressmen, Ciro Rodriguez,
and members on the El Paso City Council at least ask for suggestions
on what to do. As City Councilman Steve Ortega said, "If you have any
ideas, tell me. I want to hear."

OK, Steve, here's my idea: Get in Mexico President Felipe Calderon's
ear. This war is affecting the $52 billion a year in trade coming
across our El Paso ports of entry. There are 60,000 El Paso jobs
relating to that trade.

We're afraid to go from El Paso into Juarez. They shoot people on main
streets at high noon over there.

Probably the troops coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan should not
be sent into Mexico to fight the armies of drug cartel Generalissimos
Carrillo Fuentes and Joaquin "Chapo" Guzman.

How about legalizing marijuana in the U.S.? It certainly would help
cripple the drug gangs -- they take in $23 billion a year in illicit
drug proceeds.

I don't think we're ready to lift drug prohibition, although more and
more people are saying it's a logical solution. That is, grow
marijuana here. Sell it like some states sell alcohol -- in special
state-run stores. Tax the heck out of it, too.

But we've put 30 years into telling our children to "Just Say No."
Legalizing marijuana now would be like saying, "Eh, just be sure to
smoke responsibly."

And, no, don't give Mexico more drug-fighting equipment because the
$1.4 billion Merida Initiative isn't working. As it is, all the
Mexican president's men and all the Mexican president's U.S.
helicopters can't put Mexico back together again.

Washington, D.C. has been too politically correct when it comes to
another country's drug production.

As with Afghanistan, we tip-toe around Mexico's drug-making because
it's so inbred into the nation's economy. As with the example of
60,000 El Paso jobs tied to trade, think of all the jobs tied to all
the middlemen in Mexico.

Example: The drug kingpins often have a bit of Robin Hood in them. They do
fund worthwhile projects that create jobs.

When $23 billion a year is made in drugs, why not help a city by
building a hospital or a school? Druglords have mothers, too, you
know. And if they're nice to you, you might not shoot them.

Turning that around is the job of the Karzais of Afghanistan and now
Calderon in Mexico.

Geez, how can the president of a big country like Mexico be getting
his butt kicked by gangsters?

It's time the Obama administration talks to Mexico like it talks to
everybody else that messes with our economy and our national security.

So, no valentine for you today, President Calderon!