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The century that will mark the end of US imperialism, says Hugo Chavez of our future, as he accepted The Jose Marti Award from Castro. I read this Cuban article in Granma International this morning with a feeling of hope. Better leaders, better heroes, better people.

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"Chavez, who recalled the 200-plus years of attempts on the part of U.S. imperialism to swallow up Our America, once again thanked the Cuban Revolution and people".

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Looking at America looks bleak, like all that is good about mankind could be swallowed up for a profit. But looking away from America, the US of A, to the real Americas, I see such a better view.

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And here in todays news from Mexico city, El Universal , I read of a program called the "Swap Your Guns for Coupons". A way to thin down the illegal guns in Mexico flowing across the border due to the escalating American war on drugs and migrants. No legal questions are asked. Coupons are good in grocery and department stores. A small positive solution to a massive negative problem. But little by little, or poco a poco as they say here.

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"Buying a weapon legally is extremely difficult in Mexico. The Secretary of Defense issues all gun licenses after a wait of one year or more, and they cost about US$1,900. Licenses must be renewed every two years, and there are fewer than 2,500 registered gun owners in the entire country".

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How good it would be if Mexico did not have this constant problem of having a border with a country like Untied States. It is hard to find a balance neighboring with a nation that out of control and so very dangerous and greedy.

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The last thing I read is about another type of exchange, brought on by Americas actions and needs also. It seems that no matter where you look, there it is, evidence that America is a world plague, all it touches it taints, if not just all out spoils and kills.

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Fraud Aid reports on "A system by which drug money profits are laundered through the use of international trade and blocked currency accounts". A telling of how "The drug money has thus been moved into the banking system, the broker has his new peso accounts, making money from all sides in the process, the drug dealers have their pesos, the Columbian importer has his foreign products to sell at a cheaper price, and everyone has made out like a bandit."

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Americas drug policies and their drug needs are a weapon for spreading oppression and domination, and of course, their ever present goal, profit.

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So I end my news reading for this session, too much of America too early is not good for the heart and soul. There is a better world out there, I hope it wins.