The other day, news broke that has everyone scratching their heads and asking, “Did I miss the memo about us being at war?” Apparently, Secretary of War Pete Heg had authorized a series of airstrikes on what some folks are calling the greatest narco boat operation since “Finding Nemo.” But really, who knew that sunbathing by the beach could involve dodging war crimes? It’s a plot twist worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, minus the popcorn.
Now, here’s where it gets wild. Some characters involved claimed they were merely innocent fishermen on a leisurely trip, perhaps hoping to catch the catch of the day—or in this case, a fine haul of illegal substances. The act of going fishing apparently transformed into a full-throttled fishing expedition for trouble. You have to wonder if they packed bait or just large quantities of something a little stronger. Maybe fishing poles were just props to help them blend in. Who knew that in these waters, the only thing you’re likely to reel in is a whole new set of charges?
People have gotten pretty riled up about these strikes being labeled “war crimes.” War crimes? Are we suddenly living in a world where targeting drug cartels is tantamount to playing tickle monster with terrorists? As the world grapples with this sound bite of morality, it seems everyone forgot there are more than 70,000 reasons—namely, the annual death toll linked to fentanyl trafficking in the U.S.—to treat these cartels less like misunderstood artists and more like the dangerous miscreants they reportedly are. Imagine the Cavemen seeing an incoming asteroid and deciding to have a yard sale instead of, I don’t know, building a far sturdier cave?
Once our Secretary notes the cartels as designated terrorist organizations, he’s treading similar waters that our troops splashed through while battling al-Qaeda and ISIS. You know, the kind of people who make Halloween costumes out of body parts? Because in this scenario, letting terrorists roam free is about as wise as giving a toddler a bucket of paint and expecting the walls to remain white. The military’s response wasn’t about handing out “Better Luck Next Time” mugs. No, the answer involved a lot more noise—and probably a few very regrettable decisions on the part of the bad guys. If it weren’t for a pile of international red tape, some folks might call it a clean sweep.
Of course, in this day and age, there’s a good chance a few people will stand up for the so-called narco fishermen. They argue that these individuals might have just been misled or didn’t know breaking the law could be a career option. Picture a high-society dinner discussion about mythological creatures, and don’t be surprised if someone pitches the idea of treating these individuals to a “How Not to Be an International Drug Trafficker” seminar instead of hitting them with the full force of the law. The absurdity is enough to make one want to throw in the towel, or at least a fishing line.
In summary, as Uncle Sam stares down the challenges of crime along the coast, he certainly doesn’t seem to be throwing back the biggest fish caught. Meanwhile, the debate about the morality of military action continues, drifting precariously along a line that seems a bit blurry when dealing with true criminals. Last we checked, laying the emotional groundwork for drug dealers isn’t going to bring the laundry list of drug-related deaths any closer to resolution. Next time you find yourself debating war tactics over your morning coffee, remember: sometimes, you have to fish in deeper waters to catch the real criminals.
