Venting their anger by writing

After reading the numerous comments posted by readers in Mexican newspaper in regards with the disappearance of former presidential candidate and former Senator Diego Fernández de Cevallos, one can get a very good idea of how disappointed Mexicans are about their authorities and how deep their resentment against politicians is.

Thousands of comments have been posted in almost all national newspapers since Saturday, when Fernández de Cevallos -also a prominent lawyer-, was reported missing. Some of the comments are really rude, as the ones celebrating the kidnapping and anticipating, if not demanding, a tragic outcome.

Several readers justify or explain the kidnapping as a result of Mr. Fernandez’s wrongdoings as a politician and as lawyer. They claim he deserved it. Many other readers complain about the national coverage this particular case is getting in comparison with the minimum attention  that ordinary citizens get when victims of crime. Some other comments can be funny, as the ones asking the kidnappers to kidnap more politicians, including President Felipe Calderon. Just few, very few readers regret the disappearance of Mr. Fernández and show some kind of respect for the National Action Party politician.

 In general terms, the majority of the comments are visceral, which means that they are not the result of thought, deep analysis or research. Readers write from their gut and because of that, their writing reflect anger, disenchantment and cynicism. They are venting their frustration and you can’t blame them for those feelings. As Frankv wrote in his comment in El Universal “only in countries were corruption is too high, people can feel happy when something like this happens to one of its ‘leaders’. Ordinary citizens don’t feel sympathy for their politicians. Most people are against them.”

However, whatever their reasons are, it is deplorable that citizens can celebrate the tragedy of others. What happened to Mr. Fernandez is one more sign that reveals the deterioration of life in the country and we shouldn’t celebrate it.

If law enforcement agencies can’t find and rescue Mr. Fernandez in the next few hours, citizens will have a new evidence of police force’s inability to face organized crime. If Mr. Fernández doesn’t appear alive soon, if the kidnappers get away with their crime, they will have shown their capacities to bend the state forces. And that would be a real tragedy for the entire country.

 

 

Comments

[CLopez]

Thanks for keeping this audience up to speed on this situation

[Peon]

You have got to be kidding? If any country today should wish death on it's leaders... Mexico is at the top of the list. It must be nice to be so smart and well informed to look down upon us peons on the ground who are afraid of our government and it's institutions! Ever been a victim of crime and not bothered to call the police? That is the norm in Mexico. If you think Mexican law enforcement is fighting the good fight you are a naive twit! Stick that in your elitist pipe and smoke it!