Take a look at this article from San Miguel Writer's Conference

[colleen]

When Martha posts the State Dept warnings, I get upset but don't post anything. I suppose it's part of Martha's job as whatever it's called working for/with the consulate. The fear that is jacked up in the US is a real problem for those of us with businesses or rentals. I am closing Donkey Jote bookstore because of such low tourism. The locals aren't my customers (but you invited to come down and buy some books at the going out of business sale).

Anyway, here's the link to a good article http://sanmiguelwritersconferenceblog.or...feuerberg/

Here's a quote: According to the 2012 World Fact Book ?s report on crime related deaths in 2011, (compiled by the CIA) the US ranked 87th for deaths per one thousand people, while Mexico ranked 188th. The data also showed the US coming in as the number one country in the world for total reported crimes. Mexico came in number 12. On average, the murder rate here is 2 murders per 100,000 in most states. That?s about the same as Evansville, Indiana or Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. In Mexico City, the average is 8 per 100,000, which is low for the most populated city in the western world.

It's a good article and an interesting website.

[peddler665]

Lo Siento Collen! I stopped in your store on my too brief first visit to Guanajuato in March. I was looking forward to returning to your store on my longer visit this Winter.
It's a shame that such lovely place must close.
Good Luck in the future.

[ohpaco]

While media sensationalism certainly plays a role in this issue, it's also worth considering that the State Dept, like all government agencies depends on public support in order to exist. Therefore, it has to do something occasionally to give the appearance of value to the public thereby supporting its continued funding. Every time there is an "event" in MX; the next thing we hear is an announcement from the government advising us that we should avoid that area. Personally, I believe its all a sham and I pay absolutely no attention to what they say.... The greatest public service the State Department could perform would be to disolve itself.....Paco

[doncoulter]

I checked out the article Colleen linked to. Here's its first sentence: "The US Department of State released a warning on June 13, 2012 that all Americans should avoid travel to Mexico."

That's simply not true. The writer is either ignorant or dishonest. I saw no point in reading further.

I'm not in favor of hysteria about Mexico, but neither am I in favor of hysteria about the United States or the warnings of its State Department. Like most expat Americans, I take those warnings with a grain of salt, but I don't think it's helpful to exaggerate what they say.

Anyone curious to see what the June warning actually said can find it at this link, right here on Gtolist. It was posted by Martha Roberts. Thanks, Martha.

Don

[sirsanto]

While I am sad to see any small business close, Colleen says that locals are not her customers. My question is, "Why not?" Is the point being proposed that the state department's warning is somehow responsible for the closing of your bookstore? I hope not.

I appreciate doncoulter's reply.

[colleen]

Is the point being proposed that the state department's warning is somehow responsible for the closing of your bookstore? I hope not.

You hope not? Why would you care? I only mentioned the book store closing. The point of the link was to show the actual statistics of crime and MX "danger" vs what is reported in the US.

You ask why locals aren't customers. Because they get their books sent to them from Amazon by way of La Conexion mail service in San Miguel. My business is a tourist business with a small but loyal group of Gringos who live in Gto coming into the store. We've had some nice events and I'll miss those. That's another post. This one was about the actual lack of danger to the traveler in nearly all of MX. Don't go looking for conspiracies.

[doncoulter]

Those "actual statistics of crime" are highly suspect, Colleen. You say, "Don't go looking for conspiracies," and yet you swallowed those extremely dubious statistics, for which the writer does not provide useful sourcing. As I pointed out, the article you linked to begins with an absolute falsehood. After reading that lie, I'm not inclined to credit anything that follows.

Don

[colleen]

OK. Nevermind. (it won't let me say that so I have to add more letters. This should do it.)

[The Duck]

It sure does. Keep up the good work!

[David Austen]

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