I applaud Mexican President Felipe Calderón for his honesty and courage in calling for a debate on drug legalization to help reduce the bloody war in Mexico (“Thinking the unthinkable”, August 14th). Former President Vicente Fox has since gone further and called for an end to prohibition. Their openness and frankness are in stark contrast to the Obama administration. Barack Obama’s drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske, has repeatedly said not only are he and Mr. Obama opposed to legalization, but that the word is not even in their vocabulary.
America has sent Mexico $1.3 billion in aid to buy guns and tanks. What Mexico really needs doesn’t cost a penny. It needs America to open up a debate about the causes of and solutions to the violence in Mexico. All options need to be considered when coming up with an exit strategy for this un-winnable war.
