The FaithWalkers Daily -- Nov. 27: Mexican Mayor Murder, Record Shopping Again, UN Internet Worries

The FaithWalker’s Daily is a quick review of key news stories of the day from the perspective of a conservative Christ-follower living in, but not of, the world.

Anti-cartel Mexican Mayor Murdered by Cartels

The Basics —

The beaten body of 36-year-old Maria Santos Gorrostieta was found three days after being reported missing. The mayor of Tiquecheo from 2008 to 2011, she was famous for standing up to the drug cartels and having survived two previous assasination attempts and losing her husband in one of them.

Dig Deeper:

Via Fox News has the story here. “More than 20 Mexican mayors have been killed in the six years since President Felipe Calderon declared war on drug traffickers.”
Via Fox News Latino: Dissapearances and murders have soared in Mexico over last six years.
Mass graves and tortured bodies found. More than 50,000 killed since 2006.
Mexican beauty queen killed in shooting.
Pictures of the violence she endured in her crusade to do her job. Warning: GRAPHIC!

A Few Thoughts…

The violence on the US southern border — and often across it — has not gotten much attention, certainly not the attention it deserves. Critics who deride supporters of strong border defense offer little to no answer for the senseless violence that is a way of life in Mexico. The Obama administration has spoken much of the violence in the Arab world but has done little about what is happening to our southern neighbor. Unless, of course, you count letting guns walk to drug cartels to be used against Mexican and US citizens and then denying, obfuscating, and covering it up — ya, except for that little tragedy of justice called Fast and Furious. And let’s not forget the US drug users who make create the demand in the first place. And in the end, a lot of people are dead.

Rest in Peace, Maria Santos Gorrostieta. The world needs more leaders like you.

Record Shopping up 25% on Cyber Monday

The Basics —

Amidst all the hype about being in the worst economic downturn since the Greta Depression, shoppers hit the retail outlets this past weekend in record numbers and made Cyber Monday the best ever.

Dig Deeper:

Via Fox News: Cyber shopping up 25% on Cyber Monday from last year.
Via Hot Air: Record number of shoppers hit the stores last weekend, spending $59 billion.
Via The Huffington Post: “Greedy” CEOs say cut welfare spending and let businesses get people back to work.
My previous noting of the discrepancy between record box office receipts and record food stamps.

A Few Thoughts…

Once again I find myself stunned that we continue to spend so much on stuff we likely don’t need while in the middle of what are undoubtedly tough econonic times for many. I understand about cutting corners to make things work given my present path in life, so I guess I just do not understand where all the pain is hiding. Are we demonstrating who we are as a society by our spending habits even while others are hurting and depending more than ever on government programs to get by?

Where our treasure is, there will our heart be also.

UN May Seek Internet Censorship Again

The Basics —

At next week’s meeting Dubai, the United Nations’ International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is planning a conference to update treaty arrangements for international communications, especially considering tighter oversight and “regulation” on the Internet.

Dig Deeper:

Via Hot Air: See who the players would likely be (Putin, Ahmidenijad, etc.) and how Google is taking the news. Hint: Not lying down.
Gordon Crovitz at the Wall Street Journal calls it a sneak attack: “Having the Internet rewired by bureaucrats would be like handing a Stradivarius to a gorilla.”

A Few Thoughts…

Once again champions of the top-down approach seek to control what has been without question the most liberating tool known to mankind. It is understandable why so many dictators would seek to control it under the guise of the United Nations. What remains a mystery is why the US would continue to legitimize the corrupt organization by its continuing involvement. The Kingdom of God benefits greatly from the free and open exchange of information and ideas. Tools that defend that freedom should be defended vehemently and vigorously.