http://www.booktv.org/Program/11434/Murder+City+Ciudad+Juarez+and+the+Global+Economys+New+Killing+Fields.aspx"Charles Bowden chronicles the murders that have plagued Juarez, Mexico over the past several years. Once heralded as an economic success story and a beneficiary of NAFTA, the city is now one of the most violent and corrupt places in the world. Mr. Bowden spoke at the Los Angeles Public Library."
Bowden's book covers Juarez's descent into what to me sounds like a Conradian heart of darkness.
Juarez & the rest of Mexico, according to Bowden, is an example of a society where any and all with power use it to their own benefit and against the masses of powerless folks. It is the sort of place where the only honest journalist or cop is a dead one, but where the dead are considered the guilty and the living are the innocent by dint of still being alive.
If you wonder if Mexico is a failed state, listen to his talk and wonder if he made it all up.
A question from the audience:
"What strategy did you use to stay out of danger?"
Answer:
"Cowardice."
