Mexico Seeks a Way Out of Its Drug War

Making News

Congresswoman Maxine Waters Goes on the Defensive ()

Congress is out of session, and California Democrat Maxine Waters seized the moment today in Washington to mount a public defense against charges by the Ethics Committee which has so far failed to set a date for a hearing. Perry Bacon, Jr. is a national political reporter for the Washington Post.

Guests:

• Perry Bacon, Jr.: National Political Reporter, Washington Post

Main Topic

Is Mexico Becoming a 'Failed State?' ()

President Felipe Calderón admits that his war on drug traffic is in trouble, and that Mexico's criminal gangs "want to replace the state." After almost four years of bloody warfare, cartels that sometimes outgun the army are smuggling more drugs than ever and expanding into other activities. Local corruption has allowed them free rein in many places, and kidnappings have shut down operations of state-run Pemex, a big source of national income. Calderón says he's open to changing his strategy. What are his options? Does the US have to do more to reduce the biggest drug market of all? What about legalization, north and south of the border?

Guests:

• Tracy Wilkinson: Mexico City Bureau Chief, Los Angeles Times, @latimes
• Jorge Chabat: Professor of International Studies, Center for Research and Teaching in Economics
• George Grayson: Professor of Political Science, William and Mary College
• Edgardo Buscaglia: Professor of Law and Economics, Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico

Links:

• Wilkinson's series, 'Mexico under Siege'
• Grayson's 'Mexico: Narco Violence and a Failed State?'
• Mexico and its drug war (2008 'TtP' discussion)
• Regulate, Control, Tax Canibus (CA Prop 19; November, 2010)
• California and the business of marijuana (KCRW's 'Which Way, LA?' on)

Reporter's Notebook

Legal Snag May Block Prop 8 Proponents from Appealing ()

Yesterday, federal district Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that same-sex marriage should go into effect now in California, but stayed his order until Wednesday to allow a chance for appeal. He also said the only right to appeal lies with Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic Attorney General Jerry Brown. But neither of them supported the ban on Prop 8 and both have announced they won't appeal the ruling. That still might not be enough to make same-sex marriage legal next Thursday. Erwin Chemerinsky is Dean of the Law School at the University of California at Irvine.

Guests:

• Erwin Chemerinsky: Founding Dean, UC Irvine Law School, @UCILaw