Cartel Violence in Puerto Vallarta Meets the Hierarchy of Victims

Here is hoping — probably against hope — that a small occurrence might have us moving past the communicative tripwires in identity politics. The longtime existence of deference and demands regarding those in a protected class of people based on their interpersonal preferences has been all but entrenched. Stopping short of becoming codified, the moral police among us have been very intent on the application of what they have declared societal rectitude for these subgroups.

What's striking is that enforcers of these standards have branded any pushback as privilege — even as they impose elitist demands on others that fit that very definition. Lately, though, that resistance has been growing, and the absurdity of these requirements may be reaching a tipping point.

One of the bigger stories coming out of the weekend has been the elimination in Jalisco, Mexico, of infamous drug cartel boss Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes. “El Mencho” becoming muerte means subsequent violent reprisals erupted across Puerto Vallarta. The unrest has seen many international tourists thrown into the chaos, with flights out being canceled and lockdown orders being placed on resorts.

Along with Americans, a significant number of Canadian tourists are also ensconced in this war zone, clearly rethinking their decision to avoid vacationing in “dangerous” US enclaves. As to be expected, Canadian politicians are concerned about the developments; equally expected is the posturing over these developments. One Canuck politico in particular has garnered attention.

Let me introduce you to Heather McPherson, who is a member of the Canadian Parliament, representing her home district in Edmonton, and is running to be the head of the New Democratic Party. Heather looked at the trauma playing out in Mexico and had some concerns for those Canadians imperiled therein. She also had very specific concerns for a specific group of citizens.

Many Canadians, especially members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, are in Puerto Vallarta, where violence has quickly escalated. A shelter-in-place order is in effect.

Please stay vigilant and consult the Government of Canada travel advisories for Mexico: https://t.co/3OYCPgpZ7k
— Heather McPherson (@HMcPhersonNDP) February 22, 2026

Maybe I was wrong to go with “specific.” Her reliance on “2SLGBTQIA+” is both macroscopic and nebulous for those who do not keep up with the ever-expanding acronym class. It looks as if Heather nodded off and her forehead crashed the keyboard. But her clear stunted pandering is the issue.

How precisely are the members of her preferred protective category uniquely endangered over any other Canadian constituents? These are drug lords run amok, and I have severe doubts that they are in a mindset to have inclusivity on their to-do list, as they are enacting reprisals on the gentry.

In my Townhall media column, I have a category labeled Hardest Hitting News, where the default reaction to any dire condition is to point out that while it is an instance of suffering for most, some protected demographic is claimed to be more affected than others. Recall, a year ago, when the wildfires swept through Southern California? While thousands of people lost their homes and all possessions, we were told that the transgender community had been “hardest hit.” Despite scores of people losing everything, trans citizens lost…more than everything…somehow?

Now we see the attempt to suggest that, as Canadians face indiscriminate violence on location, the attackers might discriminate in their ambushing and firebombing, allegedly endangering the Alphabet Crowd even more. These cartel members need to be careful during their rampages, or they could be facing hate-crime charges!

This tiresome knee-bend signaling is approaching neutered status. When you feel the need to categorize with a bevy of citizens pinned down in a siege, you have lost your compass. What comes next? Sounds like during an airlift into the hot zone, the military will be announcing the first wave of extractions: “Trans women and non-binary children first!”

This kind of societal selective thinking is more than growing tiresome. The fatigue of noting any class discrepancies in any communal situation is now more likely to generate resentment than foster sympathy, yet these preening activists persist.

We are reaching the point where the labeling is no longer respected, and frankly, when any people in authority continue with this desire for designations, that should be cause for us to segregate them from the pragmatic thinkers in public.

Editor's Note: With President Trump back in the White House, the state of our Union is strong once again.

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