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Pirated DVDS on sale in the lakeside area


Taaffe

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I just read an article in the Proceso magazine that states that the UN has come out with the fact that Criminal Organizations make most of their money selling drugs and pirated dvds. ( http://www.proceso.com.mx/?p=314246). I know that the cheap dvds sold here by Super Lake and in the Plaza and other stores are tempting, but if we think that every time we buy one we are putting money in the pockets of killers, kidnappers, and human traffickers, we might want to do without.

Boycotting lettuce and grapes in the 1960s and 1970s was a valid way to get fair wages for migrant workers; boycotting pirated dvds is a way that we can express our disapproval for these criminals. Thanks for reading this.

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We haven't bought any of those dvds since we found out about the cartels profiting from their sale, about 2 years ago. It hasn't always been easy to stick to this resolve but we've managed and also seen just about everything we want to see - abeit not as conveniently. I know that it doesn't hurt anyone's business when it's only the 2 of us doing it but, as you said, the more people who refuse to buy them, the more of an impact it might have.

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I just read an article in the Proceso magazine that states that the UN has come out with the fact that Criminal Organizations make most of their money selling drugs and pirated dvds. ( http://www.proceso.com.mx/?p=314246). I know that the cheap dvds sold here by Super Lake and in the Plaza and other stores are tempting, but if we think that every time we buy one we are putting money in the pockets of killers, kidnappers, and human traffickers, we might want to do without.

Boycotting lettuce and grapes in the 1960s and 1970s was a valid way to get fair wages for migrant workers; boycotting pirated dvds is a way that we can express our disapproval for these criminals. Thanks for reading this.

It's only common sense that the producers and sales network of pirated items like DVDs aren't a mom and pop operation. DVDs have got to be at least as profitable as drugs - and without the "overhead costs." (although admittedly the market is far larger for the former.)

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This had been known for a while and I had mention this for a while in the Chapala.com website. If you use drugs you are in part contributing to the death and mayhem and if you buy pirated DVD, after having the information of this connection, you are also involved in the drug business. We have an extensive movie collection but we stopped buying pirated movies years ago when the first report about this situation came in the news. How bad do you want to watch a movies even when you know where the money is going. Hey, you can go to the movies, pay a few pesos more, and see the movies, legally, and at the same time give your money to those who really work hard for it. The drug business is not only on the manufacturing, distribution and selling of the merchandise. They have to find ways to laundered the billions they make. A brother of one of the drug cartel kingpin is in jail in Texas. He was running a thoroughbred horse farm as a way to divert his family money. The brothers wife is in jail too. Who could had thought.

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Shall we also close our HSBC accounts and stop using HSBC ATMs here?

HSBC Handled Dirty Money from Drug Cartels and Potential Terrorists - Report

US Senate to probe "pervasively polluted" culture within bank's US operation

By IBTimes Staff Reporter:

July 17, 2012 8:52 AM GMT

Banking giant HSBC was used for global money laundering by drugs cartels and potential terrorists, according to a US Senate report.

The report, commissioned by a Congressional watchdog which strives to root out financial wrongdoing, says the "pervasively polluted" culture at HSBC left it open to exploitation by drugs cartels looking to channel their money through a reputable bank.

HSBC Handled Money from Iran & Mexican Drugs says US Senate Report

The authors claim a particularly large sum of money was moved from Mexico, which was designated as a "low-risk" country by HSBC analysts, even though the country's drugs gangs are known to launder funds via money-changing businesses.

It is reported that HSBC's Mexican branch transported $7bn to its US division between 2007 and 2008, even sending bank notes by car and aircraft at one stage.

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I read that about HSBC and also that their legal adviser is the former assistant for financial terrorism for the US government; so in answer to your question, yes I would boycott HSBC banks as well as any other narco-connected institution.

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Have you ever wonder why movie houses stay in business when they have no customers and they will show movie several times a day to no customers or why some restaurants or high end hotels stay open with no customers and so on and so forth. The cartels are making and washing money a zillion way so I would not think your impact on the dvd market is going to make a iota of difference. Large banks are washing money and getting caught once in a whie as well . Are you going to keep your money in your mattress? I boycotting makes you feel better go for it but do not expect results too soon.

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If you buy pretty much buy anything in Mexico, eat at a restaurant, stay in a hotel, you're feeding the cartels.

http://articles.lati...ortion-20120319

Here's a small excerpt: From mom-and-pop businesses to mid-size construction projects to some of Mexico's wealthiest citizens, almost every segment of the economy and society has been subjected to extortion schemes, authorities and records indicate. Even priests aren't safe.

Extortionists have shut entire school systems, crippled real estate developments, driven legions of entrepreneurs into hiding or out of the country.

And although it is not considered a violent crime, violence readily engulfs victims: When a casino in the industrial city of Monterrey failed to pay off extortionists last year, the place was firebombed, killing 52 people, primarily middle-aged women playing bingo.

Extortion has grown as the largest drug-trafficking cartels consolidate power, leaving many of the smaller groups searching for new sources of revenue.

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just remember one thing: the "pirate dvd" sellers in the streets are not narcos, they are poor people lake most in this Country, and they sell this trying to make a living, the "wholesalers " are the cartels.....aaaaaaaaaaanyway!

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I know someone who is installing 'Redbox' in 7/11's in Guad. For those of you who have been in the States in recent years I am sure you know what these are. They are kiosks where you can rent movies, computer games, etc. They have become quite popular in the States.

We had a converstation and he felt that he might not do so well in this area as there are so many pirated copies. My opinion is that people are tired of renting poor quality pirated copies and would be happy to have a Redbox installed in this area and they would become quite popular.

I wonder if a few of you have any comments on this, if a Redbox would be popular in this area or not?

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You can throw up your hands and decide you can't make a contribution or you can take personal responsibility for your little bit of the universe and do whatever you can to not support the narcos. Not buying dope or pirated DVDs is an example of that.

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just remember one thing: the "pirate dvd" sellers in the streets are not narcos, they are poor people lake most in this Country, and they sell this trying to make a living, the "wholesalers " are the cartels.....aaaaaaaaaaanyway!

Sounds a lot like the drug trade. The narcos are the wholesalers and the poor are selling the dope on the streets - trying to make a living.

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Gringos boycotting pirated DVDs,that should have a huge impact.In a country where the minimum wage is 5 bucks a day how do Hollywood big shots justify charging 15 bucks a pop for bad movies,the only problem I have with pirated DVDs is the quality of their production.

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Totally agree with cbviajero. I have and will continue to buy dvds from the plaza, whilst a few of my friend's look at it with discern and yet enjoy their Friday night joint. but to them it's ok as they only do it on a Friday. I refuse to also pay the ridiculous fees for pathetic movie stars in the US. Today it was revealed that Britney Speers is having a hard time on Xfactor under the pressure. i'll gladly take her place for 15 million for 4 months work.

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pay a few pesos more, and see the movies, legally, .

$20 - $35 pesos pirated vs. $250 to $350 pesos legit.

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While Hollywood bigshot earn big buck for bad moviess (and good ones - which are the one that are most popular), there are a lot of others who make their livings in the entertainment industry. Think of those people who sell tickets, work behind the snack bar, or are members of the production crew, etc. What if you work hard to create an item, set a price and find your neighbor has stolen your idea and is selling it for a fraction of the cost. OK. You're rich, he's poor. Does that change things? And the customers, if they can't afford the original item, should we let them buy the stolen one. Isn't that the perogative of the person who produced the item?

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If the movies are "pathetic" don't watch them. (The successful ones that are profitable as pirated editions are probably not "pathetic.") Why should the customer have the right to determine the "fair" price or buy from thieves? Wait until these pathetic movies are on TV. There are sound reasons for intellectual property rights. If everything was available in pirated editions and that drove legitimate films from the market, we would have truly pathetic entertainment. Ever watched a North Korean film? Now there's art (for the people and free). There are a lot of problems with Western Capitalism, Piracy is NOT the answer

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Oregonduck, I understand what you are saying, but that is a problem for the system in the US. Let them check that the money is distributed in a more even way.

I might agree with much of that. But . . . buying pirated videos doesn't solve the problem. Taken to it's logical conclusion it destroys the industry and no one benefits.

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If the movies are "pathetic" don't watch them. (The successful ones that are profitable as pirated editions are probably not "pathetic.") Why should the customer have the right to determine the "fair" price or buy from thieves? Wait until these pathetic movies are on TV. There are sound reasons for intellectual property rights. If everything was available in pirated editions and that drove legitimate films from the market, we would have truly pathetic entertainment. Ever watched a North Korean film? Now there's art (for the people and free). There are a lot of problems with Western Capitalism, Piracy is NOT the answer

Explain that to the average Mexican family who might like to enjoy watching a"pathetic" movie in the comfort and safety of their own home without breaking the bank,while I shed tears for the Hollywood studios.

BTW you don't know it's pathetic till you plunk down the 15 bucks and watch it.

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Piracy is theft no matter how you paint it. I guess if the poor are not "stealing" from you (just the fatcats and their employees), it's OK. There's a lot of injustice in the world. Cheap pirated movies, clothes, watches don't even begin to address the problem. ("Safety and comfort of their own home" seems to go back to the OP's original point about the cartels.)

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When everyone in my neighborhood had a TV (in the 50) we had none. My parents could not afford one. My father did not go out to steal one for the family. We had to wait longer. The same here, I won't go and steal a movie (pirate) so I can have some entertainment.

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