Talk about unpredictable side effects: I saw an article in the local newspaper. As most of you know, Bellingham is only about 20 minutes away from the Canadian border. The major city of Vancouver is only a few minutes away, once you cross the border. The gorgeous city of Vancouver is focused on getting ready for the 2010 winter Olympics.
Vancouver has recently had an increase in gang-related violence. Police and authorities are blaming that violence largely on the drug war in Mexico. Obviously, President Calderon's drug war against the cartels must be having an impact because police in Canada say it has reduced the supply of cocaine. In so doing, that has made the prices go sky-high and the gangs are killing each other off to get the product. According to the article, many Canadians are, rightly so, upset by this turn of events. In some cases, gunfire has occurred on busy streets and innocent parties have been killed. The murder rate is up in Vancouver.
It is interesting that this war on the drug lords in Mexico -- an action that is praised by all and considered a bold move by a President of Mexico -- is causing so much violence and unrest as far north as Vancouver, BC. That is a ripple effect that would not have been predicted. Hopefully, if the government of Mexico can keep up the pressure, things will get less violent all over. I guess we will just have to wait and see. I know that, sometimes, things have to get worse before they get better. You can read the full article from the Bellingham Herald here.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
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