New Judges

Mexico has sworn in 19 new federal judges whose responsibilities will revolve around combating drug traffickers. Six of the judges have been labeled "controlled" officials, a slightly ominous-sounding designation which actually means that they will have greater freedom to sign arrest and search warrants and arraign suspects in a matter of minutes, via phone, fax, or internet. The selectiveness of the group will hopefully allow the government to safeguard the portion of the judicial branch that has its hands closest to the meat grinder. (For whatever reason, I've lately been thinking a lot about the summer I spent work in the prep kitchen of a meaty restaurant; does it show in that last metaphor?)