Memo and Juan

—I finally see you! I've been meaning to see you for a while. I looked you up last week. I heard you were in Jerusalem to see the holy sites, and I thought, "What's this guy doing there? Doesn't he know all the trouble there is in the Middle East?" —Juan says, worried.

"What can I say? Some time ago I promised my wife I'd go with her, and coincidentally, we were traveling around this time," Memo explains.

Juan, laughing, jokes, “Memo, there are cheaper and less risky ways to send the lady to heaven.”

"Don't be a jerk," Memo replies, "please don't joke about that."

"Forget it," says Juan, "but do you happen to know how many people have died in the conflict between Jews and Palestinians in the last ten years alone?" Juan asks.

—No—says Memo.

—Approximately 60,000 —Juan illustrates.

"And do you know how many victims, including violent deaths and disappearances, there have been in Mexico during that same period?" Memo replies defiantly.

"I have no idea," Juan answers.

"Ten times more; more than half a million people," Memo responds. "So what are you implying? That we shouldn't move, or travel, or do anything? Wherever you are, when it's time, it's time!" Memo adds, a little irritated.

"Don't get so worked up," Juan comments. "It's true that things are complicated in many places around the world, and Mexico is no exception, so it's important to be aware of what's going on."

"And why do you expect me to have a conscience?" Memo reproaches.

"What do you mean, 'Why?'" Juan asks. "So we can protect ourselves and demand that the government restore order. That's its main responsibility: to keep our families safe."

A good administration that hadn't allowed gasoline theft (huachicol), waste at the AIFA (National Institute of Agricultural Development), the Mayan Train, or the refinery that doesn't refine, would have established order, and we wouldn't have the mess we're dragging along. That's the legacy of "hugs, not bullets." Do you understand now, or should I explain it again?

"Oh, wow!" Memo acknowledges, scratching his head. "You're right. Security, healthcare, and education are a disaster. Look at Guerrero, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Tabasco, and what about Sinaloa? The entire country is full of missing persons and clandestine cemeteries! And, not to go any further, there's Teocaltiche, Teuchitlán, Ocotlán, Puerto Vallarta, and I don't know how many other cities where, presumably, cunning rules."

Juan adds, "If we add the deaths of Gatell, who was just awarded for his handling of the pandemic, you'll realize what a disaster the López Obrador administration was, and they're still pretty bad."

—Part of the problem is that we've grown accustomed to living in this environment of violence, and since it's the government's obligation to confront organized crime, we don't want to acknowledge our responsibility, says Memo.

"So what can we do? Get a gun and start shooting? We're not crazy!" Juan exclaims, his face straight.

"The answer isn't that simple. Next time we meet, we can bounce some ideas off each other," Memo adds, signing off.