Discussion for article #244468
I guess he doesn’t believe in Skype?
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I read the Penn piece. Its kind of floridly written, but entertaining – and that is the sum total of what it is – entertainment. Its not really about El Chapo – in the end, Penn doesn’t have the opportunity to obtain an insightful interview. The resulting article lays the ground work for a movie which is focused on Penn and his efforts to secure the interview. One passage struck me as particularly bizarre – in which Penn gushes that El Chap graciously ignores his fart! Penn definitely has a political point of view regarding this man and his activities – his main point being that we Americans finance the drug trade and that putting so much of our public resources into taking out one human being will do nothing to stop the flow of drugs unless we stop demanding the product Also, its clear, El Chapo, like most dictators and criminal kingpins, is a janus – presenting a charismatic and likable face on one side, but we know there is also a very frightening, murderous face on the other. He rationalizes that he only kills in “self-defense.” So many movies and TV series have depicted these negative characters – and I like others have enjoyed watching Breaking Bad, The Sopranos and Goodfellows etc. I have no doubt El Chap looks at himself as a a kind of Robinhood hero – as would any self-respecting psychopath. I guess if Sean Penn is not prosecuted, we’ll see the film in a year.
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You bookend your comment with two negative comments so its difficult to see your point. But from what I can gather…even thought Penn wrote “floridly,” made an odd comment about farting and may be prosecuted (why?) he did make a very important and valid point? Is that what you’re trying to say?
Yes – I agree with his point Penn’s point that putting resources into taking out one man is not going to stop anything or deter anyone so inclined. The only thing I think that will do that is to legalize and regulate recreational drugs. But my main point is – the piece is not even about El Chapo – its about Penn and his adventure to secure film rights. He may very well make a film which I will appreciate and will do some good in changing public policy. However, the thing that kind of creeps me out (in myself and others) is the fascination we have with criminal and psychopaths. I have read accounts that Hitler, when he wasn’t ordering mass murder, was very likable and kind to children and dogs. I think El Chapo is likely a psychopath also – in that he is particularly able to rationalize his actions and compartmentalize himself. He presented a gracious face to Sean – and Sean kind of melts – so impressed that El Chapo pretended not to notice his fart. That line did (as intended) make me laugh out loud – but it also made me think that Penn was much too grateful for the audience with the Man and beholding to his hospitality. Penn initiated this meeting under the pretext of journalism, but he went with a strong political agenda, and also an understandable desire to humanize the guy so he could portray him accurately in a film. I doubt he is capable of approaching the man with the same dispassion that a professional journalist would (and I don’t mean the clowns on TV – I mean real investigative journalists.) This is probably why he, and not a real journalist was granted access.
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American El Chapos are so much more refined sociopaths. Like El Chapo, they too respond to an unregulated market place, but do not have to slaughter people with their own guns or bodyguards. American El Chapos protect their dangerous but lucrative commercial interests by buying political influence to make sure lawmakers and executive authorities look the other way while pretending to pass “tough” laws that are actually impotent.
Wayne LaPierre is an example who immediately comes to mind. He lobbies Congress for gun show and Internet and straw sale loopholes that allow the Sinaloa cartel to obtain the thousands of guns in Texas and AZ that make their way to Mexico to slaughter tens of thousands innocent men women and children. He wraps himself in the flag and Constitution and gunmakers’s duty to shareholders to maximize profits.Then his political allies like Trump claim it is the Mexican people who are the rapists and criminals. LaPierre and Congress have the blood of tens of thousands a year on their collective hands both here and abroad.
Then there are those who knowingly pollute our drinking water with dangerous chemicals, some Wall Street hedge fund managers and Ponzi scheme profiteers, domestic terrorists who kill in the name of religion, etc. The list goes on and on.
(Edit) Sociopaths are sociopaths whether they come in Mexican peasant garb or wear suits and ties and speak flawless English.
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And with this announcement, Mexico paints a target on Sean Penn’s back.
I’m assuming that Mr. Penn will now enter the witness protection program.
Hint, hint, Savannah Guthrie…
A Mexican federal law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to comment on the issue, told the Associated Press it was the Penn interview that led authorities to Guzman in a rural part of Durango state in October.
Considering the source, I call bullshit.
Gomez said that one of Guzman’s key tunnel builders led officials to the neighborhood in Los Mochis that authorities had been watching for a month.
Much more likely.
So which is it?
“No, that is false, because the day I don’t exist, it’s [heroin addiction] not going to decrease in any way at all.” – the leader of a murderous Mexican drug cartel
“But the fact is that President Obama’s proposals would not have prevented any of the horrific events he mentioned.” – the NRA on Obama executive orders regarding gun safety
Birds of a feather.
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