It's better to die upon your feet than to live upon your knees

Since taking office on Dec. 1, 2006, Calderon has sent more than 40,000 soldiers to battle drug trafficking across Mexico. So much has been said, and not said, concerning Mexico's war on drugs. Different medias, international and national, display constant conflicting opinions: Some say President Felipe Calderon is not doing enough, others say he's doing too much by unleashing tens of thousands of combat ready soldiers to patrol our streets. Regardless of which side you tend to believe, their conclusions are the same: Mexico's war on drugs is futile and failing.

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I tend to disagree. While I am, obviously, not happy with our living situation: fear of crossfire, kidnapping, and extorsion, we must take a stand. Our very nation, every life of every citizen: man, woman, and child, is at risk. We are on a fast track to a failed state. With the stakes, what they are, can we justify a simple "come what may" stance?

Mexico has become more violent since Calderon declared war. Drug related deaths rose 117% in 2008, to over 5700. Corruption and Cartels have spread through our nation like an end stage form of malignant cancer; indescriminatly devouring and destroying lives. In 2009, it is predicted, we will only see an increase in blood, violence, and death as Cartels clash and unite against eachother and the government. While the statistics and predictions are not pretty, advances have been made, unfortunatly; as ofton is in life, it tends to get worse before getting better.

"We know that the results are far from what society demands, but that's why we'll keep fighting these criminals across the country. Without rule of law, Mexico's security is always in danger.

It's clear that the federal government has not negotiated, nor we will negotiate, with any organized crime. We will fight anyone who tries to threaten the life, security or peace of mind of all Mexicans.

We know the challenges are many and that the road that we have to travel is long and difficult. But we cannot and will not back down." -President Felipe Calderon

The point is, we finally have a President who is willing to fight for our nation, our beloved Mexico. I may not live to ever see the Mexico I once knew, as a child; but I would gladly weather the fight for the opportunity for my children and future grandchildren to know what it is to live in peace, without fear.

May God help us.

¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!

I prefer to die standing than to live forever on my knees.

-Emiliano Zapata, leading figure in the Mexican Revolution of 1910.