Pot grown in National Forrest by violent Mexican gangs

[HIcarry]

I don't know if this is the correct location for this, but here goes.
The issue of concealed carry in National Parks has been a topic of discussion here and in general, with many against it (including some law enforcement officials within the National Parks system) saying there was no need as the parks were some of the safest places around. Having said that, note that in the article that they fear that the violent Mexican gangs are placing the lives of "sheriffs and others" at risk, that the gangs are "willing to kill anyone" and that they have confiscated serveral different types of firearms. Yet they don't think there is a need for citizens to be able to defend themselves in the National Parks?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/08/08/pot.eradication/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

From Dan Simon
"American Morning" Correspondent


SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST, California (CNN) -- Beyond the towering trees that have stood here for thousands of years, an intense drug war is being waged.


Authorities uncovered more than $1 billion worth of pot plants in Sequoia National Forest this week.

Illegal immigrants connected to Mexico's drug cartels are growing hundreds of millions of dollars worth of marijuana in the heart of one of America's national treasures, authorities say. It's a booming business that, federal officials say, feeds Mexico's most violent drug traffickers.

"These aren't Cheech and Chong plants," said John Walters, director of the National Drug Control Policy. "People who farm now are not doing this for laughs, despite the fact Hollywood still thinks that. They're doing it to make a lot of money."

Walters spoke from a "marijuana garden" tucked deep into the Sequoia National Forest, a two- to four-hour hike from the nearest road, far removed from the giant sequoias the region is best known for.

 

[Halo]

You can carry in the National Forests, you can even hunt and target shoot there; it's the National Parks that ban firearms. That should, of course, change.

There are areas where a National Park overlaps a National Forest, and I suppose the rules of the Park takes precedent, but it just illustrates that there are dangers out there and our need to protect ourselves doesn't suddenly end when we enter a National Park. I hope we are able to get this changed.

 

[Blakenzy]

Yet they don't think there is a need for citizens to be able to defend themselves in the National Parks?

They don't think there is a need for citizens to be capable of defending themselves anywhere.

BTW legalization and regulation would solve these issues right up... How dumb are we and our law makers?... repeating the same mistakes made less than a century ago, and going strong at it.. All we are doing is feeding hard criminals.

If I am not mistaken, the rise in crime caused by alcohol prohibiton is what brought about (in part) the promulgation of the NFA... It seems that prohibition tends to be followed by curtailment of other rights...

 

[exar]

said John Walters, director of the National Drug Control Policy.

Yeah.....like I'm ever going to believe anything coming from the mouth of a NDCP spokesman.

 

[Halo]

BTW legalization and regulation would solve these issues right up

Shhhh...that's too radical! And it would instantly remove the major impetus behind decades of expanding the police powers of the state, not to mention the trend of them becoming more and more like paramilitary forces. Oh wait, maybe that was the goal all along.

 

[exar]

BTW legalization and regulation would solve these issues right up

Yeah, and take billions from the grubby pockets of the synthetics and pharmaceutical industries. Blame companies like DuPont, GM, British Petrol (back in the early 20th century).

 

[Treo]

. They don't think there is a need for citizens to be capable of defending themselves anywhere.

If one can't defend oneself against violent Mexican pot growers, one certainly can't defend oneself against the state.

Wait, did I hear someone say secure the borders & quit granting amnesty to illegal aliens ( that's English for Mojados) ?

 

[loneviking]

If one can't defend oneself against violent Mexican pot growers, one certainly can't defend oneself against the state.

Wait, did I hear someone say secure the borders & quit granting amnesty to illegal aliens ( that's English for Mojados) ?
Today 04:07 PM

Good luck! Tulare county is where I grew up and the place is full of mojados. Sequoia park is rough country that I know well. Odd, the article didn't mention the pit bulls that they usually bring along to guard the camp. Along with Sequoia you can add in Kings Canyon, Mineral King, Three Rivers etc.

I had to laugh at the quote from one of the officials that 'these aren't the guys I went to school with'---no, it's their cousin Jos A and Jos B from Mexico!

 

[jlbraun]

$1 billion worth of pot?

Someone's been weighing the entire plant plus root balls again...



Typical tactic used to boost your bust numbers.

 

[Mot45acp]

Blame companies like DuPont, GM, British Petrol (back in the early 20th century).

Dont forget Hearst Paper