In the 1990s I did advance work and camera work for a TV travel series. At one point we did interviews with personnel at an Ixtapa todo incluido. The general manager told us that all of their supplies came from Mexico City because it was cheaper than buying locally. He also said that food and beverages (open bar) came to under US$10/person/day. (This would have been about 30 years ago, so adjust for inflation.)

A general manager at a non-inclusive hotel at about the same time said that the hotel sold the room portion of the same vacation package of airfare and hotel at lower prices in the American market than the comparable Canadian market. (Think Seattle/Vancouver; Toronto/Buffalo; etc.)

The reason was that Canadian guests spent significantly less “in hotel” than American guests. Canadians would go across the street for breakfast while Americans would have the hotel buffet. Canadians would go across the street for drinks; Americans would go to the hotel bar.

He said the hotel tracked every dollar spent in the hotel by room number.

Interesting info. Yay Canada! Thank you for being adventurous visitors!

A general manager at a non-inclusive hotel at about the same time said that the hotel sold the room portion of the same vacation package of airfare and hotel at lower prices in the American market than the comparable Canadian market. (Think Seattle/Vancouver; Toronto/Buffalo; etc.)

The reason was that Canadian guests spent significantly less “in hotel” than American guests. Canadians would go across the street for breakfast while Americans would have the hotel buffet. Canadians would go across the street for drinks; Americans would go to the hotel bar.

He said the hotel tracked every dollar spent in the hotel by room number.

Hey rob hope your well - great analysis of Zona hotelera 1 - what surprises me is that you say it continues to decline - I thought by now it would have declined all it was going to decline. Like can’t get worse but wow if it has it must be horrible for the locals as all that revenue just goes out to conglomerates. What would be some of your ideas ? If you’ve already expoused over and over on the blog no need to repeat - was just wondering what your bullet points were on that. Anyways cheers ! Be well.

The shopping centers in Ixtapa continue to fall into disrepair, and of course with the old mayor running for office again the municipal government, led by a family that sells cement, would love to dig it all up and pour new cement. But that's only putting makeup on a cancer patient. It isn't solving the problem. Ixtapa needs tourists with money to spend wandering around in the shopping centers.

The municipio, not the federal government, administers Ixtapa, so they have a wide array of legal and administrative tools at their disposal, if they wished to influence the hotels into diversifying their offerings instead of only offering all-included packages at the waterfront hotels across the street from the shopping centers.

Trump, comparing sex to Vietnam, said in 1998 he should receive the Congressional Medal of Honor

Trump. “The problem is that sometimes your own chemicals take over and you can’t wait.”

“So you’ll just have straight intercourse with a rubber with them right?” Stern asked.

“Well, I don’t know, you know there’s lots of different ways of doing it. It’s a very complicated subject. They say that more people were killed by women in this act than killed in Vietnam, OK,” Trump said.

“Yes, that is true,” replied Stern.

“You know, you get criticized for that statement, but that statement is very easily true,” added Trump.

Stern responded, “I even went as far to say that you’re braver than any Vietnam vet because you’re out there screwing a lot of women.”

“Getting the Congressional Medal of Honor, in actuality,” said Trump.

“I’m having a good time, but Howard, you know the one negative: It’s very, very dangerous out there,” said Trump.

“Yes it is, it’s your Vietnam,” added Stern.

“It’s Vietnam,” added Trump. “It is very dangerous. So I’m very, very careful.”

I wonder whether that too is part of “normal Christian” teaching on the right.

I also enjoy Bill Maher. Yes, he mentioned Kamala, the Clintons, OAC, Zohran Mamdani and Elizabeth Warren consistently turn him down, yet DeSantis, Bill Barr, Ted Cruz and Steve Bannon constantly show up and are ready for debate. Bill said, "Think about that, they're afraid to come on the show of a guy who voted for them. It took eight years and petition to book Barack Obama". Interesting.

RAPEublican lying losers like Nancy Mace, Tom Homan and the losers you listed of course will accept because it helps their image. For some reason Bill seems to allow them to peddle their BS without calling them out because he wants them to come back on his show for the ratings. He's not as knowledgeable or bipartisan as he thinks he is, but every now and then he puts on a good show, has some interesting guests, and cracks some good jokes, so I still tune in to watch. His arrogance is his own worst enemy. All those folks he says won't come on his show appear on all the other evening talk shows. So there's that.

Yeah, he mentioned how he can't get any Democrats to come on his show. Thoughts?

He has them on all the time. It's a BS excuse.

Is this the “normal Christian” religion of the right wing?

https://x.com/secwar/status/1969530822127407323?s=46

Yes! It follows some of the most fundamental and sacred teachings of Christ:

Kill your enemies.

Blessed are the warmongers.

Those with the most high-tech armaments will inherit the Earth.

And the second greatest commandment is that you should love yourself above all others.

Ain't Christian Nationalism grand?

https://x.com/secwar/status/1969530822127407323?s=46

You never responded to the citations I sent about Trudeau issuing vaccine mandates.

I can't speak to mandates that Trudeau may or may not have issued. But it seems like protecting lives is about the highest priority for a government. And the Covid vaccines were tested and deemed safe and effective about 5 billion times. Countries that did so had much better outcomes. I would think it's the most responsible thing a government could do.

I think they’re being raised as normal Christians. Are you ok? You never responded to the citations I sent about Trudeau issuing vaccine mandates. You sent a lot of strong obnoxious language saying he didn’t do that. Are you allowed to admit you’re wrong in this forum?

Is that you Bob? Bob Weaver? You seem to be bobbing and weaving.

What do you mean as “normal Christians”. Feel free to go into as much theological detail. I was raised in what I considered to be a “normal Christian” household by parents that were clergy.

Yes, both my father and mother were clergy. My mother preached a sermon every Sunday, something that would be prohibited by most “normal Christians” in America.

Do these “normal Christians” you are referring to require belief in the inerrancy of the New Testament? Neither the Nicene Creed nor the Apostles’ Creed, foundational documents of Christianity make any reference to the inerrancy of scripture.

“Inerrancy” is almost uniquely American, first fully articulated in the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, yet you might be thinking that “normal Christians” have to believe it.

Do they subscribe to the provision of the Nicene Creed that,

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.

Do they believe, as required by the Apostles’ Creed, in

the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

Or do they believe in the new American god who hates his opponents, despises the foreigners in the land and wants to be worshipped unquestioningly?

Regarding your question about citations related to of the complaints of a small minority of Canadian truck drivers that they were subject to covid “mandates”, perhaps you didn’t see my response of September 18, 2025.

I read what you wrote very slowly. Did you read the citations very slowly about Trudeau’s mandates?

Yes, thank you for providing the non-paywalled link.

Again, there was no “truckers’ mandate”. There was consistent application of cross border requirements that applied to anyone entering Canada. Truck drivers under federal jurisdiction had temporarily been exempted from the requirements.

As of January 15, 2022 they were treated the same as others entering Canada. That is not some kind of “truckers’ mandate” it is consistent application of the law.

The mandate, which took effect on Jan. 15, states that all Canadian cross-border essential workers — including truckers — must show proof of vaccination at a port of entry to avoid stringent testing requirements and quarantine.

Those rules have been in effect for the travelling public since the fall. Truckers travelling within Canada are not affected by these new measures.

The government announced the cross-border vaccine policy on Nov. 19 and, after some confusion, the policy took effect on Jan. 15.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/vaccine-mandate-double-down-convoy-1.6326821

Regarding the silencing of Jimmy Kimmel, Americans would be wise to re-read what Martin Niemöller said.

My good friend and his young family have been staying in my place in La ropa for the last two weeks and have had an incredible time. They are right wing Americans and love Mexico and the USA. I hope their spending has helped local merchants and restaurants. They can’t wait to come back again!

I’m curious about these lovely people.

Do those right wing Americans love Mexico in the same way that Trump loves Canada and Gaza? He loves those places so much he wants to overtake them and possess them.

How are these children being raised? Do the accept the instruction of the God of Abraham and Moses regarding foreigners in the land?

Leviticus 19:33–34 commands that, "When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God".

Are they being raised to love the undocumented aliens in America?

Or maybe they are being raised with the teaching of Jesus?

Luke 6:27-28:

But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Matthew 5:43-45:

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies

Or maybe they teach their children to mimic the new God of right wing white evangelicals. A vengeful God who is so egomaniacal he can not even attend a memorial without making it about himself…

“I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry, Erika. But now Erika can talk to me and the whole group, and maybe they can convince me that’s not right, but I can’t stand my opponent.”

The Prince of Peace would shudder at the pagan worship of a God who created a Department of War.

I think they’re being raised as normal Christians. Are you ok? You never responded to the citations I sent about Trudeau issuing vaccine mandates. You sent a lot of strong obnoxious language saying he didn’t do that. Are you allowed to admit you’re wrong in this forum?

Just to reiterate what I said- my friends had a great time in Zihua and can’t wait to visit again!

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies

Two back-to-back MAGA mass murders have the cult a bit quiet. North Carolina, and Michigan.

My good friend and his young family have been staying in my place in La ropa for the last two weeks and have had an incredible time. They are right wing Americans and love Mexico and the USA. I hope their spending has helped local merchants and restaurants. They can’t wait to come back again!

I’m curious about these lovely people.

Do those right wing Americans love Mexico in the same way that Trump loves Canada and Gaza? He loves those places so much he wants to overtake them and possess them.

How are these children being raised? Do the accept the instruction of the God of Abraham and Moses regarding foreigners in the land?

Leviticus 19:33–34 commands that, "When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God".

Are they being raised to love the undocumented aliens in America?

Or maybe they are being raised with the teaching of Jesus?

Luke 6:27-28:

But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Matthew 5:43-45:

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies

Or maybe they teach their children to mimic the new God of right wing white evangelicals. A vengeful God who is so egomaniacal he can not even attend a memorial without making it about himself…

“I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry, Erika. But now Erika can talk to me and the whole group, and maybe they can convince me that’s not right, but I can’t stand my opponent.”

The Prince of Peace would shudder at the pagan worship of a God who created a Department of War.

I have to say, the more I watch the government of the USA ruin the country and tear it apart, the more thankful I am to be here where we are progressing. That feeling of hope, innovation and inspiration from the 60's that pretty much died out in the 70's in the USA is still very much alive and well and flourishing in Mexico. Life continues improving for us while we watch incredulous at what is happening to our neighbor. Death to tyrants, fascists and pedophiles! ¡Viva México!

Wait a minute! Are you saying that you are anti-fascist? Does that make you ANTIFA? Aye! Rob, you are now on a list of terrorists! Even though there is no official organization by the name of ANTIFA. No leadership. No membership. It is anyone who the Orange Mussolini doesn't like. How convenient. Please read or reread 1984. Trump had his eternal enemy who is everywhere and nowhere. His enemy is anything and anyone that he wants his enemy to be. Please, Dear MAGA members, chime in. How can you defend this man anymore? How do you see his actions other than that of a power hungry dictator who believes he is above the law?

The event last night was simply delightful. I enjoyed myself immensely. It makes me glad to be finally starting to put down roots here. Rob, I saw your lovely wife in the audience but didn't see you. I guess you were upstairs taking pictures. That awesome picture gives those of us afraid of heights vertigo.

The bar service was better where I was, so I stayed put and finished my evening post so I could enjoy Bill Maher, though his guests have been sucking big time in recent weeks.

Wait a minute! Are you saying that you are anti-fascist? Does that make you ANTIFA? Aye! Rob, you are now on a list of terrorists! Even though there is no official organization by the name of ANTIFA. No leadership. No membership. It is anyone who the Orange Mussolini doesn't like. How convenient.

Who knew Felon 47 could convince MAGA to clap for fascism.