View Full Version : There is no border problem....Move along
Ii dunno about the Examiner, but for what it is worth :eek:
http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2010m7d24-Los-Zetas-drug-cartel-takes-control-2-US-ranches-in-Texas
Los Zetas drug cartel seizes 2 U.S. ranches in Texas
July 24, 11:18 AMSan Diego County Political Buzz ExaminerKimberly Dvorak
In what could be deemed an act of war against the sovereign borders of the United States, Mexican drug cartels have seized control of at least two American ranches inside the U.S. territory near Laredo, Texas.
Two sources inside the Laredo Police Department confirmed the incident is unfolding and they would continue to coordinate with U.S. Border Patrol today. “We consider this an act of war,” said one police officer on the ground near the scene. There is a news blackout of this incident at this time and the sources inside Laredo PD spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Word broke late last night that Laredo police have requested help from the federal government regarding the incursion by the Los Zetas. It appears that the ranch owners have escaped without incident but their ranches remain in the hands of the blood thirsty cartels.
Laredo Border Patrol is conducting aerial surveillance over the ranches to determine the best way to regain control of the U.S. ranches, according to the Laredo Police department.
The approximate location of the U.S. ranches are10 miles northwest of I-35 off Mines Road and Minerales Annex Road. Just off 1472 (Mines road) near Santa Isabel Creek south of the city of Laredo, Texas.
The Los Zetas drug cartel is an offshoot of the elite Mexican military trained in special ops. The mercenary organization is said to include members of corrupt Mexican Federales, politicians as well as drug traffickers. The group was once part of the Gulf cartel, but has since splintered and now directly competes with the Gulf cartel for premium drug smuggling routes in the Texas region.
The new leader of Los Zetas is Heriberto “El Lazca” Lazcano and is considered the most violent paramilitary group in Mexico by the DEA.
Recently the drug organization has kidnapped tourists, infiltrated local municipalities and continues to smuggle narcotics into a very hungry U.S. market.
The violence south of the border continues to spin out of control and has left Nuevo Laredo, Mexico on virtual lockdown with businesses refusing to open the doors. Last week a particularly violent attack by the Los Zetas included the use of grenades and resulted in a dozen deaths and 21 injuries.
The hostile takeover of the ranches has met with silence with local and national media; however sources say they could be waiting to report the stories once the ranches are back in U.S. control. This journalist questions if this was a Middle Eastern terrorist attack if the media would sit on their hands.
Scary. I've been following the story...
San Antonio is way too close to that mess.
incarcerated
07-24-2010, 19:29
http://www.thecypresstimes.com/article/News/National_News/BREAKING_MULTIPLE_RANCHES_IN_LAREDO_TX_TAKEN_OVER_ BY_LOS_ZETAS/31835
BREAKING: MULTIPLE RANCHES IN LAREDO, TX TAKEN OVER BY LOS ZETAS
Published 07/24/2010 - 2:30 p.m. CST
Publisher's Note: We are now receiving numerous conflicting reports regarding the veracity of this article. Numerous sources on the web (found via Google search) are picking up on this report, just as we did at The Cypress Times. The original writer for this article stands by his sources. If you wish to inquire about the sources, please visit the original story source URL listed in the article body below. I can tell you that as of now The Cypress Times has been unable to confirm the story. - John G. Winder, Publisher - The Cypress Times.
by Digger - republished with permission from DiggersRealm
UPDATE: Story is now 100% confirmed by second source within the Laredo Police Department
The bloodbath continues along our southern border and now word is coming in that Los Zetas, the highly trained killers formerly with the Gulf Cartel, have crossed into the United States and taken over at least two ranches in the Laredo, Texas area. I am receiving word that the owners of the ranches have evacuated without being harmed.
Founder of the San Diego Minutemen Jeff Schwilk tipped me off to this story and passes along the following information on the location. The ranches are said to be "near Mines Rd. and Minerales Annex Rd about 10 miles NW of I-35".
Update - Statement from Mr. Schwilk)
I can personally vouch that this info came in late last night from a reliable police source inside the Laredo PD. There is currently a standoff between the unknown size Zeta forces and U.S. Border Patrol and local law enforcement on two ranches on our side of the Rio Grande. The source tells us he considers this an "act of war" and that the military is needed on the border now!
Whether it is lone members or squads is not certain.
Anonymous sources in law enforcement in the Laredo area tonight have passed on word that US law enforcement agencies are in the area and are weighing their options regarding the ranches. The media has been silent on this incident and some law enforcement in the area says that they are furious that the media is not reporting the whole story of the continued violence along the border. Their frustrations are understandable because keeping the truth suppressed continues to hamper law enforcement from receiving the true support they need along the border.
The ranch assaults come on the heels of attacks in Nuevo Laredo that shut the city down as a gun-battle raged in the streets. Los Zetas blocked off intersections with vehicles and used fragmentation grenades to attack Mexican law enforcement. In the end 12 were killed and 21 injured in the assaults. Citizens in the area were told to stay in their homes and bullets whizzed all around.
Cypress Times
The U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo had posted warnings on its website hours before the gunfire was reported by Texas citizens, “We have received credible reports of widespread violence occurring now between narcotics-trafficking organizations and the Mexican army in Nuevo Laredo.”
The U.S. Consulate went on to say, “The consulate confirmed that fragmentation grenades were used in the attacks and that suspected drug-gang members had blocked several roads, adding that it advised ‘all U.S. citizens in Nuevo Laredo to remain indoors until the security situation improves.’”
US Citizens in Laredo called 911 after hearing gunfire and explosions just across the border. Laredo police spokesman Joe Baeza deflected the concerns of citizens with what I see as utter contempt. He said there was no spillover violence onto the US side and "We were getting reports from people who live on the river's edge that they could hear gunfire and explosions from the Mexico side," Baeza said, "We didn't have any incidents on the American side. It's hard for people to understand who don't live here ... They're not Vikings, they're not going to invade us, it doesn't work that way."
This was said just a day before the reported breaking news on the ranches being taken above.
Violence has been on the rise along the border. In April 2010 a Border Patrol agent in Laredo shot and killed an lllegal alien drug smuggler near the Rio Grande
The Los Zetas are highly trained killers initially trained by United States Special Operations forces to combat the drug cartes within Mexico. As the drug war heated up the Zetas saw more money in working for the cartels and joined up with the Gulf Cartel.
In March, 2010 there was a fracture between the Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel when a Zetas leader was said to have been assassinated by the Gulf Cartel. They demanded that the killer be turned over to them. When the Gulf Cartel refused the Zetas captured 16 Gulf Cartel members.
Since March Los Zetas abandoned their stronghold in Reynosa and moved to Nuevo Laredo, just across from the border with Laredo, Texas. There are estimated to be over 1,000 Zeta members there.
Additional Sources: Houston Chronicle, Borderland Beat
Visit DiggersRealm.com for more info.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: This article is re-published in its entirety from DiggersRealm.com, any requests from media, or others, wishing to learn more about the content of this article should contact DiggersRealm.com HERE - Thank you, John G. Winder, Publisher - The Cypress Times
See also:
http://www.thecypresstimes.com/Monarch/Widgets/ArticleWidgets/GeneralWidgets/SlideShowPopupWidget/SlideShowPopupWidget.cfm?articleID=31835
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jul/24/gunbattles-paralyze-mexican-city-across-from-texas/
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/203368.php
Drug Cartel Gunmen Invade Texas, Ranches Seized
July 24, 2010
(Laredo, Texas) This report should be the headline story put out by the American media. The idea that drug cartel raiding parties are attacking and seizing territory inside the United States is major.
There is currently a standoff between the unknown size Zeta forces and U.S. Border Patrol and local law enforcement on two ranches on our side of the Rio Grande. The source tells us he considers this an "act of war" and that the military is needed on the border now!
It's unforgivable that this story isn't being reported by the elite media. More at the link.
http://www.diggersrealm.com/mt/archives/003439.html
Scary. I've been following the story...
San Antonio is way too close to that mess.
In reality the cartels have been in every major US city for years....but we've been missing the violence.
incarcerated
07-24-2010, 20:00
In reality the cartels have been in every major US city for years....but we've been missing the violence.
You’re such a cheery guy…:D
You’re such a cheery guy…:D
I know...I need to lighten up ;)
GratefulCitizen
07-24-2010, 20:17
Looks like the story has reached critical mass.
Should go viral in the next day.
Maybe "dear leader" will furrow his brow and look concerned.:rolleyes:
incarcerated
07-24-2010, 20:46
Maybe "dear leader" will furrow his brow and look concerned.:rolleyes:
Nah.
dr. mabuse
07-24-2010, 20:51
*
Anyone up for a road trip?
mojaveman
07-24-2010, 21:03
To the sound of "Garry Owen" send in the armored cavalry!
incarcerated
07-24-2010, 21:06
Can I say it!? Have 300 WM, will travel. :D:D:D
Anyone up for a road trip?
I’m beginning to see why they might want to keep this under wraps. Enthusiastic ‘help’ could easily show up in significant quantity. Alelks and QPs, of course, would be fine, but the rest of us would just get in the way.
Kyobanim
07-24-2010, 21:07
Here's where the story originated from http://www.diggersrealm.com/mt/archives/003439.html
Click the Home tab for digger's blog.
I don't get it. {shakes head}. :confused:
When is enough, enough. I often contemplate the effectiveness of controlled vigilantism, and this appears to be a good enough reason.
What shocks me even more, is that our fed gov turns the other cheek.
dr. mabuse
07-24-2010, 21:13
*]
I am a peace-loving guy, but this is a situation where the hammer needs to meet the anvil, the anvil being between the ranches in question and the border.
In reality the cartels have been in every major US city for years....but we've been missing the violence.
There is a local publication...frankly, of less than sterling repute...which writes some cogent, well researched articles. I refer now to the San Antonio Current.
It seems that we have an extensive drug operation in our city that is largely tolerated. I do not doubt that other cities have similar presences. The excerpt below tells the tale.
LINK (http://www.sacurrent.com/news/story.asp?id=71324)
Last month’s “Project Deliverance” federal drug-trafficking sweep netted arrests and drug seizures across the country — but not in the Alamo City. In the Western District, administered from San Antonio, the operation produced arrests in El Paso, Midland, and Alpine, charging defendants with links to Mexican drug-trafficking organizations out of Ciudad Juárez. Following the sweep, authorities trotted out more ominous assessments. “Drug trafficking across the Southwest border has led to a surge of drugs in neighborhoods across the U.S.,” said Kevin Perkins, assistant director of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division.
But if you haven’t noticed a surge in your neighborhood, you’re not alone. In the first article in this series [“A dry spillover,” May 12], the Current debunked official federal reports that San Antonio serves as a logistical hub for Mexican drug-trafficking organizations, and this latest federal enforcement action echoed our findings. This year’s National Drug Threat Assessment from the U.S. Justice Department and the National Drug Intelligence Center indicated illegal drug use has remained stable over the past five years, while the use of some drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamine, has actually declined.
(Excerpt. Please see attached PDF for the entire article if the link doesn't work)
Can I say it!? Have 300 WM, will travel. :D:D:D
Truth be known, people are talking about vacationing down there in the coming months. And they have been advised that 'Dirty ACU' works well in the environment and to bring plates, lots sunscreen, hydration carriers, extra boots.
Anything could happen and some of it isn't good.
There is a local publication...frankly, of less than sterling repute...which writes some cogent, well researched articles. I refer now to the San Antonio Current.
It seems that we have an extensive drug operation in our city that is largely tolerated. I do not doubt that other cities have similar presences. The excerpt below tells the tale.
LINK (http://www.sacurrent.com/news/story.asp?id=71324)
Last month’s “Project Deliverance” federal drug-trafficking sweep netted arrests and drug seizures across the country — but not in the Alamo City. In the Western District, administered from San Antonio, the operation produced arrests in El Paso, Midland, and Alpine, charging defendants with links to Mexican drug-trafficking organizations out of Ciudad Juárez. Following the sweep, authorities trotted out more ominous assessments. “Drug trafficking across the Southwest border has led to a surge of drugs in neighborhoods across the U.S.,” said Kevin Perkins, assistant director of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division.
But if you haven’t noticed a surge in your neighborhood, you’re not alone. In the first article in this series [“A dry spillover,” May 12], the Current debunked official federal reports that San Antonio serves as a logistical hub for Mexican drug-trafficking organizations, and this latest federal enforcement action echoed our findings. This year’s National Drug Threat Assessment from the U.S. Justice Department and the National Drug Intelligence Center indicated illegal drug use has remained stable over the past five years, while the use of some drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamine, has actually declined.
(Excerpt. Please see attached PDF for the entire article if the link doesn't work)
A drive through Kansas City and you will find MS13 and Latin Kings tags, and you can find their members working for local lawn services in the suburbs.
There is no problem
The bloggers are having a spat over the validity of the story......
http://confederateyankee.mu.nu/archives/303950.php
ZonieDiver
07-24-2010, 22:30
The bloggers are having a spat over the validity of the story......
Darn! Now I have to unpack the car and tell the dog to 'stand down'! :D
Unfortunately, I think it's going to take some innocent families getting gunned down by these cartels for there to be a big public outcry to really do something and enforce the border (at least that area).
That's already happened...and yet the border is still a sieve.
My retired O6 neighbor's kids live way to close to this.
I forwarded the link(s) with a suggestion they MOVE..
Thanks..
I found a blog pissing contest that suggest the "INVASION" is not..
Texas Hasn't Been Invaded (http://confederateyankee.mu.nu/archives/303950.php)
:confused::confused:
I found a blog pissing contest that suggest the "INVASION" is not..
Texas Hasn't Been Invaded (http://confederateyankee.mu.nu/archives/303950.php)
:confused::confused:
The bloggers have a had a bad time this week, first with Sherrod and now this. Sherrod was nothing more than using the MSM's accepted practice of subjective sound bites to ruin someone.
This thing in Texas however, this is bizarre and it will be interesting how it plays out.
Kyobanim
07-25-2010, 11:42
Comon, look at the source http://www.diggersrealm.com/mt/archives/003439.html. Do you really think this guy has a souce worth a shit?
This is horse doodie. If something like this had happend msm would be all over it, at least fox would.
This is definately a 'move along, nothing to see here'.
Comon, look at the source http://www.diggersrealm.com/mt/archives/003439.html. Do you really think this guy has a souce worth a shit?
I hear you, but actually some of those in this fray have brought things like the ACORN scandal to the forefront. Would you take Chris Matthews or Keith Obermans word over Diggers? At best I would put them on the same plain.
http://video.foxnews.com/v/4292170/texas-border-city-on-lockdown
Laredo is apparently on 'Lockdown', The Laredo Mayor says they have had '12 killed'........but it is contained on the Mexican side and Laredo is a safe city.
Team Sergeant
07-25-2010, 12:42
Comon, look at the source http://www.diggersrealm.com/mt/archives/003439.html. Do you really think this guy has a souce worth a shit?
This is horse doodie. If something like this had happend msm would be all over it, at least fox would.
This is definately a 'move along, nothing to see here'.
Whoa there a minute partner..... the internet is your free source of information, this story is going viral and it seems there's some truth to it:
http://www.breitbart.tv/laredo-texas-on-lockdown-as-mexican-drug-war-crosses-border/
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jul/24/gunbattles-paralyze-mexican-city-across-from-texas/
I've got an idea, "HEY Ambush Master, there's a gunfight in your neck of the woods and no one invited you!" (There, we'll soon know if Laredo,Tx. is under siege or not!)
I've got an idea, "HEY Ambush Master, there's a gunfight in your neck of the woods and no one invited you!" (There, we'll soon know if Laredo,Tx. is under siege or not!)
LOL, now you've gone and done it...;)
Actually, since he's jumping out of a plane today, may already have re-routed the pilot, oh, let's say a little south of the original DZ.:D
IIRC one of the better lines from The Magnificent Seven comes from the bandit leader Calvera,
Calvera: You'll do much better on the other side of the border. There you can steal cattle, hold up trains... all you have to face is sheriff, marshall. Once I rob a bank in Texas; your government get after me with a whole army... whole army! One little bank. Is clear the meaning: in Texas, only Texans can rob banks
Seriously though, life is stranger than fiction, it would seem hard to pass up for the MSM, but then I'm still baffled by the lack of immediate response to Nogales...
incarcerated
07-25-2010, 14:02
it would seem hard to pass up for the MSM, but then I'm still baffled by the lack of immediate response to Nogales...
The Rio Grande river runs between Nuevo Laredo and Laredo, and is all that is separating the White House from the Nuevo Laredo shootout story. Any conspicuous coverage of the Cartel problem will damage the President’s Immigration Reform efforts and his prospects for acquiring 20 million+ new voters. He’s going to need them in two years. They would certainly offset his current poll numbers.
What is conspicuous is that MSNBC, The Laredo Morning Times, or any other news source, does not have an enterprising young reporter out on Mines Road, interviewing two ranch families about how there‘s nothing happening at their place as they live peacefully at the center of a growing internet hoax.
Seriously though, life is stranger than fiction, it would seem hard to pass up for the MSM, but then I'm still baffled by the lack of immediate response to Nogales...
If you haven't done so, please try an experiment. Sit down and watch the evening national news on television. Make sure you won't be disturbed for the 30 minutes this will take. If you'd like, get a small pad of paper and a pen to make a few notes.
Now, watch the news. Only, instead of concentrating on the stories and what they say, look at the content of the newscast objectively. I believe you'll find some interesting results.
First, there will be a story about BP and the oil spill, which will include some pictures of dead wildlife, the ships on top, and the well at the bottom. There will be scenes of the beach, and some unhappy business owners.
Next, there will be a second "serious" story - perhaps something about the German techno-music festival where several were trampled to death. That may be old news by now, so perhaps it will be something equally unimportant.
You'll notice several other brief stories, generally including something with the President - for example, his latest vacation. There will be something about the economy. And, perhaps, a story from Afghanistan. Today, it will be about the two missing sailors.
Finally, there will be something heart warming about someone, somewhere volunteering to do something.
Of course there are commercials.
Notice that none of the items are particularly informative, nor do they have any useful details. They convey the impression that one is informed with none of the reality. In my opinion, they represent the intellectual equivalent of a Twinkie.
Discussing the southern border might lead to more pressure to control our southern border. The Democrats don't want this, because they want more votes. The Republicans don't want it, because they want cheap labor. More pointedly, The Powers That Be (TPTB) do not want to secure the southern border. The Republicans held control of congress and the Whitehouse. Nothing was done. The Democrats have control of congress and the Whitehouse. Nothing is being done. My conclusion - TPTB don't want to do anything.
And who owns the networks? GE owns NBC. Disney owns ABC. CBS is a big company on its own. These are not folks inclined to upset political applecarts. They are part of TPTB. They will rub shoulders with each other. They will not rub shoulders with the likes of you or I. What could be more natural than to avoid stories that might disturb the current status-quo?
All MOO, YMMV.
incarcerated
07-25-2010, 14:19
Disney owns ABC.
That explains it.
All of that broadcasting from, uh, here:
Anyone notice the lack of "Richard content",, Must be out scrounging up more ammo??
:D
If you haven't done so, please try an experiment. Sit down and watch the evening national news on television. Make sure you won't be disturbed for the 30 minutes this will take. If you'd like, get a small pad of paper and a pen to make a few notes.
Now, watch the news. Only, instead of concentrating on the stories and what they say, look at the content of the newscast objectively. I believe you'll find some interesting results.
First, there will be a story about BP and the oil spill, which will include some pictures of dead wildlife, the ships on top, and the well at the bottom. There will be scenes of the beach, and some unhappy business owners.
Next, there will be a second "serious" story - perhaps something about the German techno-music festival where several were trampled to death. That may be old news by now, so perhaps it will be something equally unimportant.
You'll notice several other brief stories, generally including something with the President - for example, his latest vacation. There will be something about the economy. And, perhaps, a story from Afghanistan. Today, it will be about the two missing sailors.
Finally, there will be something heart warming about someone, somewhere volunteering to do something.
Of course there are commercials.
Notice that none of the items are particularly informative, nor do they have any useful details. They convey the impression that one is informed with none of the reality. In my opinion, they represent the intellectual equivalent of a Twinkie.
Discussing the southern border might lead to more pressure to control our southern border. The Democrats don't want this, because they want more votes. The Republicans don't want it, because they want cheap labor. More pointedly, The Powers That Be (TPTB) do not want to secure the southern border. The Republicans held control of congress and the Whitehouse. Nothing was done. The Democrats have control of congress and the Whitehouse. Nothing is being done. My conclusion - TPTB don't want to do anything.
And who owns the networks? GE owns NBC. Disney owns ABC. CBS is a big company on its own. These are not folks inclined to upset political applecarts. They are part of TPTB. They will rub shoulders with each other. They will not rub shoulders with the likes of you or I. What could be more natural than to avoid stories that might disturb the current status-quo?
All MOO, YMMV.
Exactly! There is little to no substance to the news.
The irony I find with the TPTB brain trust is that should (more like when) amnesty or open borders become the norm, they themselves will likely be swallowed by the monster they created. ABC, NBC, CBS will be dwarfed by El Mundo and Hispanic Politicians will push their agenda.
Nmap,
Fair points,
I must confess ignorance to the evening news, since frankly other than Nat Geo, the History channel, or sports I don't watch much tv, because " reality tv" or " 1001 ways to bash white males in 30 minutes" is kinda dull...
My question about the border stuff in AZ and now apparently TX is aimed at the Republican/Libertarian leadership, basically WTF? Why aren't prominent respected mainstream Republican leaders like John McCain, Arnold, or Bobby Jindal raising a massive stink about this stuff? The Dims took all sorts of heat over lack of security issues with the Times Square bomber, etc. This with the economy seem to be open wounds to exploit for the coming elections.
As for the MSM, yes they have a liberal bias but their primary loyalty is to ratings and dollars. If Obama were to have an affair etc. or damning incident why wouldn't they turn on him the same way they turned on Clinton? As folks have pointed out the media honeymoon ended long ago, IMHO media scruples/loyalty are a thing of the past they will turn on anyone for ratings. No?
Team Sergeant
07-25-2010, 14:52
While the drug cartels may not actually hold two Texas ranches :rolleyes: they have made the mayor of Laredo very nervous, nervous enough to ask the White House for help.......
I can see the White House now;
"If we send troops it will clearly show we have a problem on our borders, and if we do not send troops and the shit hits the fan, Americans are killed, we are done."
Want to bet everyone in Laredo Texas has locked and loaded..... it's time to fill sandbags people!
Laredo mayor: 'It's time for action'
by KENS 5 Staff
kens5.com
Posted on July 25, 2010 at 11:07 AM
Updated today at 11:22 AM
Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas stopped by KENS 5 for an exclusive interview to discuss the threat of violence from across the border and what the U.S. government must do to help its cities. He also described how Laredo has been responding to the issue.
Salinas stressed a number of times, however, that Laredo, Texas, is safe.
"There's an increase [of violence], but it's happening throughout the country of Mexico, and that violence is contained within Mexico," Salinas said. "On the U.S. side, Laredo side, we have been able to use our resources that we have to ensure that we don't have a spillover of that violence on our side of the border."
But more resources are needed for this ongoing effort.
The Laredo Police Department has kept the violence from spreading beyond the border, Salinas said but "we need more boots on the ground, more equipment, more resources."
Laredo has asked for help from the White House and from the state.
"I would like to see for the government to really give us a helping hand, because we need it," Salinas said. Let's not wait until something crazy to happen. Let's act now before something serious happens."
The violence has fostered collaboration among the police department, federal entities like the FBI , customs and border protection, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Mexican authorities. They're working together to monitor the border carefully.
"When you talk about border protection, if you don't get the resources, how do you want the job done?" Salinas asked. "Enough with the rhetoric, it's time for action."
http://www.kens5.com/home/Laredo-mayor-Its-time-for-action-99195579.html
My question about the border stuff in AZ and now apparently TX is aimed at the Republican/Libertarian leadership, basically WTF? Why aren't prominent respected mainstream Republican leaders like John McCain, Arnold, or Bobby Jindal raising a massive stink about this stuff?
Self preservation and potential votes.
Why aren't prominent respected mainstream Republican leaders like John McCain, Arnold, or Bobby Jindal raising a massive stink about this stuff? The Dims took all sorts of heat over lack of security issues with the Times Square bomber, etc. This with the economy seem to be open wounds to exploit for the coming elections.
If they raise a stink, they gain some votes from one subpopulation - but they lose votes from one or more other subpopulations. Is the net effect a gain in votes, or a loss?
My reading of their behavior suggests they believe it is a loss. Therefore, they would not touch this hot potato.
As for the MSM, yes they have a liberal bias but their primary loyalty is to ratings and dollars. If Obama were to have an affair etc. or damning incident why wouldn't they turn on him the same way they turned on Clinton? As folks have pointed out the media honeymoon ended long ago, IMHO media scruples/loyalty are a thing of the past they will turn on anyone for ratings. No?
I agree, they love ratings. But which group of consumers do they wish to attract? One subpopulation is aging, has few children, and is not growing in size. Another subpopulation is growing, has children, and is young - and hence is in an acquisitive stage.
Which group would you want to attract?
Guntry Kong
07-25-2010, 16:33
There comes a time when regular citizens have to take protecting themselves, families, and property into there own hands. Its has become clear that the government is more interested in passing their healthcare bills and financial reform bills over protecting the citizens. Its time to "Lock and Load" and take matters into your own hands when no one else will. It is my firm belief that when you stand up to bullies they leave you alone. If all the citizens arm themselves to protect their own we can bring true harm to those that mean us and our families harm.
In no particular order, early American settlers viewed the right to arms and/or the right to bear arms and/or state militias as important for one or more of these purposes:
deterring undemocratic government;
repelling invasion;
suppressing insurrection;
facilitating a natural right of self-defense;
participating in law enforcement;
enabling the people to organize a militia system,
If they raise a stink, they gain some votes from one subpopulation - but they lose votes from one or more other subpopulations. Is the net effect a gain in votes, or a loss? My reading of their behavior suggests they believe it is a loss. Therefore, they would not touch this hot potato.
Self preservation and potential votes.
Nmap & Paslode,
If this is in fact the rationale amongst Republican leadership trepidation for our Republic is warranted. We can blame Zero and the Dims all we want, but if the Republican leadership doesn't have the stones to rally around such an issue, they deserve to be replaced on grounds of "pussification" alone, is the inevitable shedding of innocent blood the only catalyst here? Even if you assume politicians despite their stripes are rank opportunists/populists, if anything were a bipartisan issue this would be it. Frankly IMHO it isn't an issue, an issue has two sides. Healthcare, the death penalty, and immigration, are issues despite one's views there are plausible arguments on either side.
In this case, we are all Americans here, so the facts;
1) There are armed illegal cartels occupying hilltops and national parks in Az.
2) These cartels have the brass to threaten US cops doing their jobs on American soil.
3) Whatever the exact details, the mayor of Laredo, TX is asking for help.
If you are an American whatever your region, politics, ethnicity, tax bracket or religion how could you say anything other than, if true WTF, deal with this immediately and severely. Just as we would expect local firemen to put out a blaze, or local LEO to respond to a hostage situation at a school. Frankly if Gumby stood up and pounded the table for immediate action here I would cheer him.
If you are an American whatever your region, politics, ethnicity, tax bracket or religion how could you say anything other than, if true WTF, deal with this immediately and severely. Just as we would expect local firemen to put out a blaze, or local LEO to respond to a hostage situation at a school.
It isn't likes of ZD and TS asking the willing to be a go-fer boy, recon or possibly sending small objects down range.....if it were I'd tell the wife I'll see you in couple weeks. What we have are persons that remind me of the cast of a UFO Channel Documentary or the Men who stared at Goats and some that didn't pass the smell test at OTC and one madman with a death wish.
So as it stands you have a dramatic pointman in Pinal Co. that claims to have lead men and a blogger doing whatever. Both are requesting the assistance of able bodied persons and donations for an OP in the near future.
So who and what is going to be there when you arrive at the desert from the green plains of the Midwest? Is their motivation protecting the border or as Los Zetas contends ambushing drug runners and retrieving booty to bankroll whatever?
Lots of questions and no one seems to know the answers to those and many other important questions?
arizonamilitia dot com
ZonieDiver
07-25-2010, 22:08
I don't pretend to have the answers, or to even have the questions. All I know is that U.S. citizens who live on OUR side of the border ARE, and have been for some time, having their lives interupted by forces on the OTHER side of the border. A border is, at its root, a pretty simple thing.
Those who oppose what is going on (Sheriff Joe - with whom I rarely agree, or Sheriff Babeu or Sheriff Dever) are shouted down or portrayed as racists. As I said before, 'push' is coming to 'shove' and it isn't going to be pretty!
As I said before, 'push' is coming to 'shove' and it isn't going to be pretty!
Cheery thought. Your dog can stand down for now. Don't unpack the car, though. ;)
Pat
ZonieDiver
07-25-2010, 22:43
The frickin' dog's asleep, like America (ala "Casablanca" and Rick's pov). It takes a while to rouse him, but once he's awake - look out!
The frickin' dog's asleep, like America (ala "Casablanca" and Rick's pov). It takes a while to rouse him, but once he's awake - look out!
Dogs are like that. Fortunately, they spring into action a little more quickly.
You did leave room in your car for a couple of cases of wine, didn't you? Cab and Chard will do. :D
Pat
Ciudad Juarez car bomb shows new sophistication in Mexican drug cartels' tactics
By William Booth
Thursday, July 22, 2010
MEXICO CITY -- The car bomb that exploded near the U.S. border in Ciudad Juarez last week was a sophisticated device never before seen in Mexico, triggered by cellphone after police and medical workers were lured to the scene, according to Mexican and U.S. investigators.
The attack, which killed a police officer, a doctor and a man used as a decoy, represents a clear escalation in the weapons and tactics employed by Mexico's powerful drug trafficking organizations, U.S. law enforcement agents say.
Bomb experts with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who have been training their Mexican counterparts, scrambled to help reconstruct the device. Parts of it recovered from the scene in downtown Ciudad Juarez were flown to Mexico City, where top officials from the United States and Mexico were briefed on the heightened threat.
U.S. and Mexican officials said they are taking seriously a message found after the attack that warned of more violence and demonstrated how closely the United States and Mexico are intertwined in the fight against the cartels.
Graffiti left on the wall of an elementary school Monday specifically warned the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration that more car bombs would follow in the next two weeks unless U.S. agents investigated alleged ties between Mexico's "corrupt federal authorities" and Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's Sinaloa drug cartel, which is fighting for control of the billion-dollar smuggling routes to the United States.
U.S. and Mexican investigators who have examined the bomb debris found that the assailants placed as much as 22 pounds of Tovex, a water gel explosive commonly used as a replacement for dynamite in mining activities, into an old Pontiac parked on the curb.
The assailants drew police and medical workers to the scene by leaving a bound, wounded man in a police uniform near an intersection and then calling in a false report that an officer had been shot.
The bomb was then detonated by cellphone by someone within the line of sight of the Pontiac. Metal objects were packed around the device, increasing its lethality by producing a spray of shrapnel.
"Somebody knows what they're doing," said a U.S. law enforcement official with knowledge of the improvised explosive device, or IED, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing security protocols. "It was complicated. It was not unlike the kinds of IEDs you see in Iraq, but not quite as sophisticated," the official said.
Bomb technicians in the United States said instructions for making such bombs are not easily gleaned from the Internet. "It's not like making a pipe bomb, which is relatively easy," one expert said.
Nongovernmental security experts in Mexico said they suspected that someone from Colombia's drug trafficking organizations or guerrilla forces might have supplied instructions or built the device, though they offered no evidence to support the speculation.
Diplomats, police and officials scrambled to assess the new threat.
In Washington, Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan told Congress, "What is important is not to create the perception that it was an indiscriminate act against civilians. It was not placed in the middle of a market. It was clearly directed against the police."
The U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Carlos Pascual, said the violence in Mexico is disturbing but has not reached the level of terrorism.
"The bomb we saw in Ciudad Juarez and at the Nuevo Laredo Consulate, where they threw a grenade, are obviously acts that we have to worry about," he said. "But we must differentiate between what is terrorism and what is not."
Terrorism, the U.S. ambassador said, refers to the acts by groups with political objectives that seek to control the government.
"These drug cartels, they have enormous amounts of resources at their disposal," said U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley. "They can buy any kind of capability they want. But we are determined, working with Mexico, to do everything in our power to reduce this violence."
In Mexico, opposition politicians and editorial writers scoffed at the assertion that a car bomb attack at a busy intersection in Ciudad Juarez was not terrorism and said that U.S. and Mexican government officials were playing down the threat because their actions -- and failures -- were partly responsible.
"Mexico confronts a serious situation like no other in history since the 1910 Mexican Revolution," the leader of Mexican Senate, Carlos Navarrete, said this week. "It is a struggle that has exhausted our government and the armed forces but has shown no reduction of the consumption of drugs or the availability of drugs in America."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/21/AR2010072106200.html
greenberetTFS
07-26-2010, 06:17
Anyone notice the lack of "Richard content",, Must be out scrounging up more ammo??
Your right,when Richard is quite,you better watch out because he's up to something that's for damn sure................:eek::eek::eek:
Big Teddy :munchin
I don't pretend
And many that are involved in these citizens ops are and do pretend and that is a problem....IMO.
DJ Urbanovsky
07-26-2010, 11:53
"The U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Carlos Pascual, said the violence in Mexico is disturbing but has not reached the level of terrorism."
Really? Really? That's completely retarded. Here in the USA, one bomb is all it takes, and they're waving the terror flag.
And I just love how everything now is an IDE or a WMD. Our media is even calling pipe bombs WMDs.
Your right,when Richard is quite,you better watch out because he's up to something that's for damn sure................
Big Teddy :munchin
Big Teddy,
Sir,
Was reading this entire thead, and thinking the same damn thing!!!:cool:
Cheery thought. Your dog can stand down for now. Don't unpack the car, though. ;)
Pat
Pat,
Not unpacking the car yet...my little cats have not arrived!;)
Holly
http://bigjournalism.com/mfrazier/2010/07/26/the-msm-in-the-fog-of-war-whats-going-on-in-laredo-tex/
Kyobanim
07-26-2010, 20:38
Just fanning the fire
Your right,when Richard is quite,you better watch out because he's up to something that's for damn sure................:eek:
Big Teddy :munchin
Don't worry, he's just traveling. He can do that now that he has new tires. ;)
Pat
Don't worry, he's just traveling. He can do that now that he has new tires. ;)
Pat
To get away from the boarder???
:D:D:D
Just been busy browsing around in old barns, attics, junk shops, and yard sales for a few more mirrors to add to all the smoke. :p
IMO - if NXI = (Fr + Hr) - (O + R + Ts) then we're running a government level deficit. :rolleyes:
And so it goes...
Richard's $.02 :munchin
To get away from the boarder???
:D:D:D
I'm pretty sure he said that he re-tired. :D
Pat
Utah Bob
07-27-2010, 10:37
To get away from the boarder???
:D:D:D
He took in a renter??:p
I'm pretty sure he said that he re-tired. :D
PSM will be here all week, folks...and please don't forget to tip your waitstaff! :D
Seems as if Pima County is having a bit of a 'border problem' these days...
Richard :munchin
An Arizona Morgue Grows Crowded
NYT, 28 July 2010
The Pima County morgue is running out of space as the number of Latin American immigrants found dead in the deserts around Tucson has soared this year during a heat wave.
The rise in deaths comes as Arizona is embroiled in a bitter legal battle over a new law intended to discourage illegal immigrants from settling here by making it a state crime for them to live or seek work.
But the law has not kept the immigrants from trying to cross hundreds of miles of desert on foot in record-breaking heat. The bodies of 57 border crossers have been brought in during July so far, putting it on track to be the worst month for such deaths in the last five years.
Since the first of the year, more than 150 people suspected of being illegal immigrants have been found dead, well above the 107 discovered during the same period in each of the last two years. The sudden spike in deaths has overwhelmed investigators and pathologists at the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office. Two weeks ago, Dr. Parks was forced to bring in a refrigerated truck to store the remains of two dozen people because the building’s two units were full.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/29/us/29border.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Crazy Americans doing what the Media fails to do.
http://patdollard.com/2010/08/the-time-is-now-safe-and-the-safe-borders-project-need-your-support/
Friday Update, What We Saw: Our trip down the road was successful. The terrain was hilly, 4×4 mandatory, and we spotted several likely spotter and sniper positions in the rocks above. It was quite clear that this road was neither designed or used for any sort of “normal” civilian traffic. Given that it was daytime, we didn’t run into any apparent narco-insurgent activity. We preserved the GPS coordinates of several positions. There is a second road that we will be scouting either tomorrow or Monday. We took some prep video, but had a battery issue that prevented any taping of the road itself or what we saw, at a different location, later. As soon as I process and edit the video, we’ll post clips. After the second scout, we’ll make a decision as to how much of the information about the roads we should make public, given a variety of factors such publicity will affect.
As for what we saw later, let me say that it was entirely unexpected and entirely stunning. I (of all people) was left speechless for nearly a minute. We were scouting, in our 4X4 and on foot, a very hot (in terms of insurgent and illegal immigrant activity) area about halfway between Nogales and Sasabe , when we came to a gate at the crest of a hill. We had just detected several trails, along with campsites strewn with layers of illegal immigrant debris. At one point, we moved several obvious directional markers used by the immigrants. We were on the hunt to trace this network of trails back from the points where it joined the roads in this ranch area, to its source across the border. This gate was our latest obstacle to solving this Rubik’s cube of an organized illegal immigrant route system. As always, we took the liberty of opening it, crested the top, and at the instant we flattened out, slammed into the stunning vision of the mothership of the illegal immigrant invasion that nightly pours across the 40-mile stretch of border between Nogales and Sasabe. On the sweeping Mexican hills ahead of us, was something that might be described as the foot version of a large international airport, a massive staging ground and its system of highways dug wide and deep by the feet of an unending horde of foreign invaders; and on a visceral level I instantly felt that what I was seeing was wrongful, a threat, dangerous, hostile. In my mind, I was now, for the first time, squarely facing at its very source, a large-scale and years-old foreign invasion. To me, these unbiased hills gave testimony that was full and final evidence that what we were all facing as a nation was best characterized as a hostile invasion, because if the army that had scarred the vista ahead of me was supposed to be here, and if its presence had been vetted and was welcomed here, then I would not have been seeing in front of me, what I was seeing.
And to me, it was if the Age of the Conquistadors, whose dawn had been presented in the final scene of Mel Gibson’s “Apocalypto”, had come full circle. For just as in that scene, as our hero burst out of the jungle onto the open beach to be overwhelmed by the site of the Conquistador’s alien and threatening ships, so had the same happened to us, as we rounded that corner and saw this modern Mexican army’s own alien and threatening vehicle of invasion, the tables turned, as the descendants of “Apocalypto’s” natives were now threatening to conquer the United States, the bastion of the new world that the Conquistador’s had founded.
Let's see now...
Central and South America have large (and growing) populations, many of whom live in dire poverty.
The U.S. is perceived as wealthy relative to where they now are.
The U.S. has largely unsecured borders, and the Federal Government actively prevents the states from stopping the flow.
So the U.S. ends up with a large, poor, desperate population that has demonstrated a willingness to break the law.
What could possibly go wrong?
Central and South America have large (and growing) populations, many of whom live in dire poverty. The U.S. is perceived as wealthy relative to where they now are.
It's interesting there was a chapter in George Friedman's The Next 100 Years predicting a second war with Mexico towards the end of this century, my initial though was yeah right whatever, with what army? If 5th generation warfare is defined as information war, maybe immigration conflict is 6th? Interestingly enough folks from Central and South America have to make it through Mexico first, and from what I've read their policies on immigration are pretty rough.
While I admire their gumption, those civilians scouting out cartel positions are likely to end up in hot water, if the local police are outgunned by these seasoned cartel killers, as folks here have mentioned it's not a movie, and no place for well meaning amateurs.
just my $.02
It's interesting there was a chapter in George Friedman's The Next 100 Years predicting a second war with Mexico towards the end of this century, my initial though was yeah right whatever, with what army? If 5th generation warfare is defined as information war, maybe immigration conflict is 6th? Interestingly enough folks from Central and South America have to make it through Mexico first, and from what I've read their policies on immigration are pretty rough.
While I admire their gumption, those civilians scouting out cartel positions are likely to end up in hot water, if the local police are outgunned by these seasoned cartel killers, as folks here have mentioned it's not a movie, and no place for well meaning amateurs.
just my $.02
Maybe immigration conflict brings us back to a much earlier time...
Collapse, by Diamond is readable, insightful (in my opinion), and suggestive of where we're headed.
Immigration conflicts have been going on for a long time, down Mexico way. Several hundred years ago, the rain patterns shifted and population movements destroyed a civilization.
So maybe it's 0th generation warfare cycling back again. If so, it will be more bloody than I want to imagine.
GratefulCitizen
08-07-2010, 22:31
Mexico looks like it's past the PNR.
It will be a pseudo-failed state, with the cartels carving the country into little fiefdoms.
Local warloads will "tax" their serfs out of the remittances received from relatives working across the border.
If the cartels become the de facto government, would the activities of their criminal syndicates in this country be considered an act of war?
http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2010m8d10-Mexican-cartels-takeover-Texas-ranch--NOT-A-HOAX-Police-blotter-confirms-story
Rancher claims Mexican cartels takeover Texas ranch -Police blotter confirms story is not a hoax
August 10, 2:00 AM · Kimberly Dvorak - San Diego County Political Buzz Examiner
After 16 days of denials by Laredo law enforcement and local officials regarding a Mexican drug cartel takeover of a Laredo area ranch, a Texas police blotter proves the alleged incident did in fact happen and that multiple agencies responded to the scene of a seized U.S. ranch.
Think about it for a moment.
One of the most brutal drug cartels operating in Mexico crossed the U.S. border and took a ranch from its lawful owner.
Intimidation has arrived along the southern border.
The police blotter tells the story of the events that unfolded on July 23rd;
“On Friday 7-23-10 Laredo Webb informed that their county SWAT Team is conducting an operation in the Mines Rd. area. According to LT. Garcia with LSO (Laredo Sheriff Office) received a call from a ranch owner stating that the Zetas had taken over his ranch. As per the 17 (reporting person) he informed them that they stated La Compania (area name for Zetas) was taking the ranch and no one was permitted on the ranch without permission. SO (Sheriff Office) will have an unmarked green Ford Taurus with two officers stationed at Los Compadres and a white Chevy Tahoe with two officers stationed at Mineral Rd. The LSO (Laredo Sheriff Office) will maintain surveillance in the area and advise if action is taken. Susp (suspect) Veh (vehicle) are described as a gray or silver Audi, a BLK (black) Escalade or Navigator and a van truck with a logo of a car wash spot free on the side. Border Patrol also has their response team on scene. Also known info of BMW’s and Corvettes entering and leaving the area. Auth LT Lichtenberger if assistance is requested LPD (Laredo Police Department) will secure the outer perimeter. (07/24/10 07:42:10 NR1873)”
Cartels have crossed the sovereign borders of the United States causing multiple agencies to respond and the end result was a media blackout. It’s well documented that media blackouts in Mexico are happening because the cartels are threatening reporters and news outlets with bodily harm. The question is why American law enforcement agencies are giving reporters the “We can neither confirm nor deny the incident happened line?”
It was a law enforcement officer on the scene that also confirmed the incident in fact happened and officers on the ground said they “considered this an act of war.”
The cover-up surrounding this story has reverberated throughout other federal law enforcement agencies. A recently retired ICE veteran, John Sakelarides had plenty to say about the latest U.S. incursion.
“What do you call an invasion by foreign nationals who are armed and occupy territory belonging to a sovereign nation? An act of war. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it's a duck. Anyone who is denying this is what has occurred and that it constitutes an act of war is either an idiot or is somehow involved in this act of war.”
He continues to say, “If they (those covering-up the story) are elected representatives or government officials and they are aware that an act of war has been perpetrated against the United States, and refuse to admit it has occurred, much less do anything about it, is violating their oath of office.”
The approximate location of the U.S. ranch taken by the Zetas was 10 miles northwest of I-35 off Mines Road and Minerales Annex Road.
The Los Zetas drug cartel is an offshoot of the elite Mexican military trained in special ops, many of whom were trained by the U.S. military. The mercenary organization is said to include members of corrupt Mexican Federales, politicians as well as drug traffickers. The group was once part of the Gulf cartel, but has splintered and now directly competes with the Gulf cartel for premium drug smuggling routes in the Texas region.
The leader of Los Zetas cartel is Heriberto “El Lazca” Lazcano and the Zetas are considered the most violent paramilitary group in Mexico by the DEA. These drug cartels routinely kidnap tourists, infiltrate local municipalities and smuggle large quantities of narcotics into the U.S. marketplace.
A media firestorm ensued after this reporter posted a story on Saturday July 24, 2010. Now that the story is corroborated, it will be up to local media to track down what events took place after the Zetas seized a U.S ranch.
Stay tuned for updates reports throughout the week.
The Blotter (http://image3.examiner.com/images/blog/replicate/EXID10317/images/resized_Laredo_TX_1.jpg)
Kimberly Dvorak
Copyright 2010 Examiner.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
mark46th
08-11-2010, 13:33
Sounds like Los Pepes need to make a comeback...
The cover-up surrounding this story has reverberated throughout other federal law enforcement agencies. A recently retired ICE veteran, John Sakelarides had plenty to say about the latest U.S. incursion.
"What do you call an invasion by foreign nationals who are armed and occupy territory belonging to a sovereign nation? An act of war. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it's a duck. Anyone who is denying this is what has occurred and that it constitutes an act of war is either an idiot or is somehow involved in this act of war.”
He continues to say, “If they (those covering-up the story) are elected representatives or government officials and they are aware that an act of war has been perpetrated against the United States, and refuse to admit it has occurred, much less do anything about it, is violating their oath of office.”
This pisses me off on so many levels. I know our relationship with Mexico is screwed up on many different levels, but squelching the truth seems to embolden the criminals.
A media firestorm ensued after this reporter posted a story on Saturday July 24, 2010. Now that the story is corroborated, it will be up to local media to track down what events took place after the Zetas seized a U.S ranch.
Why is it "up to local media" to get the truth out? That is so wrong. The ones tasked with protecting us should be telling us the truth.
My simple-minded .02.
The ones tasked with protecting us should be telling us the truth.
Many (maybe most) of those tasked with/sworn to uphold and protect the Constitution and Us the People.....are more interested in garnering favor with a particular voting block that will in time (with their assistance) become the majority of citizens and voters.
Their interest is self preservation of their party and themselves.
My jaded 2 bits
Many (maybe most) of those tasked with/sworn to uphold and protect the Constitution and Us the People.....are more interested in garnering favor with a particular voting block that will in time (with their assistance) become the majority of citizens and voters.
Their interest is self preservation of their party and themselves.
P-
I understand and completely agree. However, I refuse to be assimilated into the borg, and I over-caffeinated this afternoon. Back to my corner.....
o5
Crazy Americans doing what the Media fails to do.
http://patdollard.com/2010/08/the-ti...-your-support/
Thanks for the link Paslode, the intel reports from SAFE are enlightening
> http://patdollard.com/2010/08/border-patrol-agent-x-grizz-and-reloaders-second-safe-borders-project-report/
I’m thinking how nice would retirement be :D
DJ Urbanovsky
08-13-2010, 05:57
While I admire their gumption, those civilians scouting out cartel positions are likely to end up in hot water, if the local police are outgunned by these seasoned cartel killers, as folks here have mentioned it's not a movie, and no place for well meaning amateurs.
just my $.02
Maybe a lot of those people aren't the amateurs that you're assuming they are. And at least they're displaying a willingness to nut up and attempt to do something about a problem that our government refuses to acknowledge.
Of course it's dangerous down there. The landscape and wildlife alone will kill you. But life is a crapshoot anyway. You might slip and fall in the shower.
Part of the problem is that nobody is facing up to the cartels. They've been built up into these monsters and people fear them. The only way to combat their evil is to stand up to them and, if they refuse to desist, kill them by the most violent means imaginable. Wherever there are found. You're a cartel member? You're dead. Cooking meth? Dead. You've got MS13 tattoos? Dead. These people prey on innocence and have no concept of mercy. We need to send a message: If you make war on our innocent civilians (and that's exactly what these cartels are doing), we'll send you back to your family dismembered in a 55 gallon oil drum and see how you like it. Maybe that would send an appropriate message.
And that's my point - a lot of the rest of the world believes that America has become soft. And that's our own damn fault, because in many ways, they are right. The bottom line is that we haven't made violating our laws unattractive enough to those cartel scumbags. That's why they continue to do what they do. For them, the risk doesn't outweigh the benefit. Why do you suppose Switzerland was never invaded during either world war? Because they made it known what a horrifying prospect that was going to be for any invading army.
Bear in mind, as I type this, I'm sitting comfortably in my well padded computer chair, sipping my delicious morning coffee. With my pinky fingers ever so delicately extended. So maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.
DJ Urbanovsky- Entire Post
I don't disagree with you, but for whatever reason the authorities are ignoring this, regardless of what side of the aisle they are on. IMHO this will not get any attention until more innocent US blood is shed, the cartels will gun down some LEO's just doing their jobs, or ambush/kidnap some of these well meaning civilians with dire results. At that point both parties will trip over themselves showing a powerful rapid response while blaming the other's inactivity.
just my Jaded $.02
IMHO this will not get any attention until more innocent US blood is shed, the cartels will gun down some LEO's just doing their jobs, or ambush/kidnap some of these well meaning civilians with dire results
You’re probably right, BUT, much better to die a quick violent death doing something you believe in, than laying in a nursing home for months on end in a semi-comatose state, with stage IV decubitis, having tattooed nurses wipe my….well, you know :D
You’re probably right, BUT, much better to die a quick violent death, than laying in a nursing home for months on end in a semi-comatose state, with stage IV decubitis, having tattooed nurses wipe my….well, you know :D
Whoa, tattoo'd nurses, nice! I've always liked the naughty type, a real Betty Page.
but for whatever reason the authorities are ignoring this, regardless of what side of the aisle they are on.
Red tape and job security for boot on the ground. If your a politician you straddle the fence to maintain favor with that new voting block while minimizing the damage you receive from your current voting base.
IMHO this will not get any attention until more innocent US blood is shed, the cartels will gun down some LEO's just doing their jobs, or ambush/kidnap some of these well meaning civilians with dire results. At that point both parties will trip over themselves showing a powerful rapid response while blaming the other's inactivity.
For the sake of the Party Agenda and political gain they are expendable and acceptable collateral damage.
Are the catels today any more deadly or dangerous than the cartels of yester-year? Some would say they are better equiped, better intel, etc., but more deadly?
I'm betting Pablo Escobar is he was alive today would be putting some of these younger start-ups to shame.
ZonieDiver
08-13-2010, 16:31
Whoa, tattoo'd nurses, nice! I've always liked the naughty type, a real Betty Page.
With my luck, it will be something more along these lines:
With my luck, it will be something more along these lines:
No kidding.... mine too :D
Too Funny. I will be back in the area mid Sep., what ya say we kidnap Team Sergeant and find a bar the serves Red Breast?
WD
ZonieDiver
08-13-2010, 16:39
Too Funny. I will be back in the area mid Sep., what ya say we kidnap Team Sergeant and find a bar the serves Red Breast?
WD
Sounds good to me. It'll be a LOT nicer in mid-September! Thanks for that introduction, by the way. That's all I need another "friend" like Red Breast! :D
Are the catels today any more deadly or dangerous than the cartels of yester-year? Some would say they are better equiped, better intel, etc., but more deadly?
No. But in the past it seemed far, far away in Columbia, now with the fighting just across the border we are more conscious of the presence and the danger.
alright4u
08-14-2010, 00:27
anyone has any doubts about what these illegals think of us and our country, check out these pictures taken by an acquaintance of mine who went to the rally in Phoenix Saturday 7/31/10 in response to SB 1070. The illegals had written all over the AZ and US Flags, laid them on the ground, and were walking on them!
The photos exist. I just cannot post them on this thread due to size.
Notice the toilet paper in this one
No. But in the past it seemed far, far away in Columbia, now with the fighting just across the border we are more conscious of the presence and the danger.
FWIW - Columbia is the poetic name for America, and the feminine personification of the United States of America. Ever wonder why our seat of national government is called the District of Columbia?
IMO - cartels (Colombian or otherwise) exist simply to fulfill a demand for their goods and services. :mad:
And so it goes...
Richard's $.02 :munchin
FWIW - Columbia is the poetic name for America, and the feminine personification of the United States of America. Ever wonder why our seat of national government is called the District of Columbia?
IMO - cartels (Colombian or otherwise) exist simply to fulfill a demand for their goods and services. :mad:
And so it goes...
Richard's $.02 :munchin
Maybe...to honor Columbus.
They do exist because of supply and demand, without customers they have no business. Yet as business has grown over several decades, they have acquired more wealth which could allow them to diversify into other areas to manage/maintain that wealth.
With wealth comes power. Cartels could pull strings, influence policy and policy makers in like fashion of a another seedy character George Soros.
anyone has any doubts about what these illegals think of us and our country, check out these pictures taken by an acquaintance of mine who went to the rally in Phoenix Saturday 7/31/10 in response to SB 1070. The illegals had written all over the AZ and US Flags, laid them on the ground, and were walking on them!
The photos exist. I just cannot post them on this thread due to size.
Notice the toilet paper in this one
Like these?
Pat
The officer needed to grow a set and snatch those flags from them, especially the US flag!
They do exist because of supply and demand, without customers they have no business. Yet as business has grown over several decades, they have acquired more wealth which could allow them to diversify into other areas to manage/maintain that wealth.
With wealth comes power. Cartels could pull strings, influence policy and policy makers in like fashion of a another seedy character George Soros.
Definitely! They have the ability to pander to the greed of those in power. They have been doing so to their own governments for years, and probably some of our own as well.
alright4u
08-14-2010, 11:39
Like these?
Pat
You got them.
Conceding the existence of stupid questions, in this specific instance under 1070 are these jackwagons stepping on our flag doing anything which is sufficient cause to check them for ID and catapult them back across the border if they are illegal? Or is it the same as some loser burning a flag and getting away with it. As Rdet1 mentioned they are free to express themselves, but might also provoke a donkey stomping of biblical proportions.
Conceding the existence of stupid questions, in this specific instance under 1070 are these jackwagons stepping on our flag doing anything which is sufficient cause to check them for ID and catapult them back across the border if they are illegal? Or is it the same as some loser burning a flag and getting away with it. As Rdet1 mentioned they are free to express themselves, but might also provoke a donkey stomping of biblical proportions.
My guess is that the illegals avoided the area and that these are SEIU members looking to have the LEOs do just that.
Pat
Or is it the same as some loser burning a flag and getting away with it. As Rdet1 mentioned they are free to express themselves, but might also provoke a donkey stomping of biblical proportions.
IMO, they are free to express themselves by burning a flag, as long as they wrap themselves up in it first. :rolleyes: The more, the merrier.
incarcerated
08-15-2010, 01:04
Like these?
I don’t understand. Why isn’t this ‘hate speech’?
I don’t understand. Why isn’t this ‘hate speech’?
So - you would you consider peaceably protesting a proposed governmental policy 'hate speech'? :confused:
Ever take a Civics or US Government class? :confused:
It is in some countries when citizens protest against a proposed governmental policy or action - fortunately we have the 1st Amendment to our Constitution which allows us to do this.
Amendment 1
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or
of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the Government for a redress of grievances.
And so it goes...
Richard :munchin
IMO, they are free to express themselves by burning a flag, as long as they wrap themselves up in it first. :rolleyes: The more, the merrier.
:lifter Co sign
I don’t understand. Why isn’t this ‘hate speech’?
In the Old Days we didn't need hate speech laws for things like that and there were repercussions that didn't require Law Enforcement intervention. Fact is LEO's would watch hippy flag burners get their asses kicked by patriotic minded folks.
Cousin Charlie showed up to Thanksgiving or Christmas with a American Flag sewn to his ratty jean jacket and Grandpa J told him leave. Then all the way home Dad discussed desecration of the Flag and how he would kick my ass if I ever pulled a stunt like Charlie.
So now, all those flag burners who received repercussions like Cousin Charlie, Mark Potok, Morris Dees and members of the ACLU make and influence laws to limit the rights of Patriotic minded people, and to make their Kumbaya world. Hate Speech laws were intended for people like my Uncle Jimmy whom would and did incite acts of violence on a particular race through speech......Look at Malik ShaBaZZ as present day example when the Hate Speech Law should be used.
They want us to believe it is only a piece of fabric....why would you fight for a piece of cloth And of course Patriotism is mindless stupidity:mad: Unless it is patriotism to the planet or Globalization And like the Free Love they all endorsed, they endorse a world without borders.
Those folks in PSM pics should have felt the boot heel for their actions, then they should have been rounded up and been given a one way ticket to the country of their choice.
I'm siding with Tom.
It is always better to have no ideas than false ones; to believe nothing, than to believe what is wrong.
-Thomas Jefferson
And so it goes...
Richard :munchin
doctom54
08-15-2010, 08:57
So - you would you consider peaceably protesting a proposed governmental policy 'hate speech'? :confused:
Ever take a Civics or US Government class? :confused:
It is in some countries when citizens protest against a proposed governmental policy or action - fortunately we have the 1st Amendment to our Constitution which allows us to do this.
Amendment 1
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or
of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the Government for a redress of grievances.
And so it goes...
Richard :munchin
A friend of mine once told a reporter he would kick someones ass if they burned the flag in front of him.
The reporter was VERY upset and said, "What about the 1st Amendment?"
My friend replied,
"The 1st Amendment protects you from the government NOT from me."
http://bigpeace.com/pdollard/2010/09/14/american-rancher-x-part-1/
I remember using the Jeep Cherokee’s door for cover, moving fast, hunched over, running zig-zag from tree to boulder to tree for cover, instinctively, as if I was still in the sniper hell of Ramadi. This was the very first time I had dismounted on a recon mission near the border in southern Arizona. Given that we were scouting an extremely rough, remote dirt road that we had been told was only used at night by Mexican cash mules heading south to Mexico, and given that it was surrounded by perfect hilltop sniper hides, this made sense. As disorienting as it was to be doing this mere miles form my home, it just made sense.
The day ended without incident, and the next day began the same. We were heading to another key trafficking area, and were going to go right up to the border. Two of our team, non-journalist, non-militia civilians, wanted to engage in a little for-the-camera horseplay, and piss on Mexico. Despite knowing better, I told them it was okay, and that I’d take the shot. I had begun to think that I was taking things too seriously the day before, and should lighten up.
Getting closer to the border, we continued our regular task of finding, tracking, mapping, and decoding what we were discovering to be a vast network of illegal immigrant trails. Many of the trails were strewn with every type of human debris imaginable, some of it layered so thick it was clear that the layers were years in the making.
We tracked the trails toward a hill, and remounted our vehicle to overtake it. Cresting it, we made our way forward down one of the typical dirt roads through this ranch land, and about a mile later found ourselves finally smack up against the border for the first time. How did we know? About ten feet in front of us was a rambling, rusted fence with a gate featuring a small hand-painted sign that read, “Mexico.”
We got out and horsed around. Grizz and Reloader did their comedy routine, and I shot the comedy video. We all took more photos around the sign. The whole 15 minutes wasn’t too terribly silly, but it certainly wasn’t up to operational standards, especially security-wise. Fuck it, we were on simple ranch land in motherfucking Arizona, USA. We mounted back up and followed the dirt road, parallel to the ramshackle fence, east over a hill. Cresting it and rolling down, we noticed our second vehicle hadn’t followed over. Nailer, its driver, suddenly appeared at the top, waving his arms. Something was wrong. We doubled back.
Nailer had disappeared from the top but we saw him stopped about halfway down the hill, looking up, waiting for us. When we reached him, he sidled up and pointed further down to where Black Flag and Havoc were being confronted by a man on a horse, gesticulating with his cowboy hat.
“That’s the fuckin’ rancher. He wants us to get off his ranch. He says we’re gonna get him killed.”
“Yeah?” I responded to Nailer.
“Yeah.”
I looked at the trio again. Black Flag was nodding and heading back toward his vehicle.
“He says we’re in the middle of some bad shit here.”
“Yeah? I wanna go to talk to this fuckin’ guy.” I grabbed a pen and a little notebook and jumped out of the Jeep. As I closed the 30 meters between us, I caught the rancher’s attention. He stiffened back on his horse, pulled his hat off his head, closed it to his heart, and then swept it out to his right until his arm was at a full 90 degrees. That arm suddenly appeared to be ordering me out as I closed the last few steps and he first spoke to me, “I’m sorry, but I have to ask you to leave, because they’re watching us right now, and they will kill me.”
Keep in mind, all of us were toting very serious combat rifles and pistols.
“Well, first of all,” I started as I stopped, “This is your land, so we’ll just go if you want us gone, you don’t have to give us an explanation.” I stuck my hand up to shake his. “But my name’s Pat Dollard, and I’m a journalist, and I’m tryin’ to figure out just what the fuck’s going on down here,” I said, as we shook and he introduced himself, “X.”
“I’m just tryin’ to get the truth, because I don’t think anybody’s down here, really getting it, or down here at all.”
grizz12Grizz, in Mexico, saluting something
“No, no they aren’t.”
X looked relatively young and healthy to me, 43 maybe, but he was tense, and he looked beleaguered. Tired, brittle, coiled even. Thin, leathery skin, hat and arms banded with sweat, average height, imperfect and stained teeth, old Lee jeans and a faded white cowboy shirt.
Grizz, a very religious medical marijuana dealer, suddenly interjected with some shit about the truth and God, and I cut him off fast before he stained me with his syrup. I understood his emotionalism given X’s introduction, but I needed this rancher to respect and trust me.
“I’d like to get your story, and get it up on one of Andrew Breitbart’s websites. Andrew runs the sites Big Government and ….”
“I know who he is,” he interrupted with a tight nod.
“So, are you telling me fucking cartel guys are looking at us right now?”
“Yeah. And they see you, and they don’t know what the fuck you’re here for, but they presume you’re here to steal their money and their drugs. And if you do, after they’ve seen me talking to you, I’m dead. And maybe they just don’t want to wait that long, and they drop us both right now.”
X was country, but at the same time, sharp as a New Orleans street hustler, and a tough little fucker, I could just tell. You’ve seen enough shit, and been around enough men who deal with it, and you get a read for them, fast.
“No shit.”
“No shit.”
“With binos, on us, right now?”
“Yeah.”
“Where in the fuck are they?”
Nodding to a different hill with each mentioned location, “Right there, right there, and right there.”
I immediately imagined Grizz’s chest exploding as he pissed on Mexico. And I was just as immediately disturbed at how close our situation here on the border, right here at home in the USA, really was to the sniper hell of Ramadi, according to X.
“Look,” he said, leaning forward on his horse, “here’s how it works.” And we were off to the races…
http://patdollard.com/2010/09/and-the-featured-post-this-morning-at-big-peace-is-my-latest-safe-report/
The well-documented existence of liberal bias within the MSM has awakened a sleeping giant.
Obama’s unprecedented assault on security and his war on Arizona will eventually come to bite him in the A$$ :mad:
Go Ray! :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWpOcZVnBrc
GratefulCitizen
09-14-2010, 21:49
I fear the time for effective action has passed.
The drug cartels are too emboldened, have gained too much wealth/income/power, and will not yield it without a fight.
They probably view themselves as having standing to negotiate settlements with our government, given that it has already worked in Mexico.
When the inevitable day comes that someone pushes back hard; be it federal, state, local, or random civilians, the cartels will up the ante.
Then the people of this nation will start to abandon restraint.
Self-appointed/self-important "social leaders" with media power will try to intervene.
Accusations of racism, oppression, and the like will fly from one side, accusations of federal takeovers, one-world government, and the like will fly from the other...
Combine all this will rancorous political division within our government and economic hardship among the people and it amounts to a powder keg.
How long is the fuse?
Gunmen kidnap 9 Mexican state lawmen, 2 found dead
Associated Press/AP Online
ACAPULCO, Mexico - Gunmen kidnapped nine police officers investigating a death in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero, and the bodies of two of the lawmen were found later, authorities said Saturday.
Fernando Monreal Leyva, director of the State Investigative Police, said one of his agency's commanders and a team of eight agents had gone to identify and recover a body in a northern part of the state Friday. He said contact was lost with the group that afternoon, and officials learned the officers had been seized by an unknown gang of gunmen.
Searchers found the bodies of two officers near El Revelado, the community where the police group was kidnapped, Monreal said. He said the Mexican army was helping police search for the other missing officers.
Several drug gangs are battling for control of smuggling routes in Guerrero state.
In another part of Guerrero, unidentified men traveling in two vehicles threw two human heads into a refreshment stand in Coyuca de Catalan, state police said. One of the heads was blindfolded with duct tape.
Monreal said the incident was not connected to the kidnapping of his officers.
Authorities in Ciudad Juarez, a northern border city gripped by drug violence, said police arrested two alleged leaders of the Aztecs gang linked to at least 10 murders, including the killing of a federal police officer last month.
The detainees were identified as Gonzalo Dominguez Sanchez, known as "El Chore," and Eduardo Rocha, alias "El Dienton," both 29. Federal police said Dominguez was the successor to alleged Aztecs leader Jesus Ernesto Chavez Castillo, "El Camello," who was arrested July 2. Rocha was described as the gang's second in command.
Federal police said the men were caught with an AR-15 rifle, two loaded pistols and more than 1.6 kilograms of cocaine.
In northeastern Mexico, troops killed three suspected drug cartel gunmen in a gunbattle and also freed a kidnap victim near the industrial city of Monterrey, the Defense Department said Saturday.
A military statement said soldiers responding to an anonymous tip in the town of Mina, in Nuevo Leon state, were fired on by three gunmen travelling in an SUV with Texas license plates Friday afternoon. The three attackers were killed, and troops recovered three rifles, two grenades, 475 bullets and four military-style uniforms, the army said.
Later Friday, soldiers came across an SUV that had crashed against the wall of a bridge in the town of Sabinas Hidalgo, also in Nuevo Leon, the press release continued.
Soldiers found a man with a bulletproof jacket inside the vehicle, along with an AK-47 rifle and three ammunition clips. The man allegedly refused to identify himself and was detained. Another person in the car was believed to have been kidnapped and was released by the troops.
Nuevo Leon has seen a surge in drug violence since the Zetas gang split with its former employer, the Gulf cartel.
Across Mexico, drug-gang violence has claimed more than 28,000 lives since December 2006, when President Felipe Calderon took office and deployed thousands of troops and federal police to crack down on the cartels.
http://headlines.verizon.com/headlines/portals/headlines.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=headlines_portal_page__article&_article=3086684
How long is the fuse?
Todd's posting suggests that it isn't long.
I think the real question is - when will the global economy improve? Followed quickly by the followup question - how much will it improve?
My opinion (Grateful and I argue about this all the time...) is that peak oil will assert itself and the problems we see in Mexico will spread.
Team Sergeant
09-19-2010, 13:41
The well-documented existence of liberal bias within the MSM has awakened a sleeping giant.
Obama’s unprecedented assault on security and his war on Arizona will eventually come to bite him in the A$$ :mad:
Go Ray! :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWpOcZVnBrc
Kind of like when the he took on Foxnews and had his ass handed to him. Even funniner it was the left-leaning press that handed him his ass. Stupid is as stupid does.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." Albert Einstein
Kind of like when the he took on Foxnews and had his ass handed to him. Even funniner it was the left-leaning press that handed him his ass. Stupid is as stupid does.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." Albert Einstein
Very well said TS, Sir!!!!!!!!:munchin
Holly
Mexico Newspaper Asks Cartels for Coverage Rules
By JOSÉ DE CÓRDOBA
MEXICO CITY—The leading daily newspaper in Mexico's sixth-largest city, Ciudad Juárez, asked feuding drug gangs to dictate the rules of news coverage in the city after one of its photographers was killed last week.
The move by El Diario de Juárez, in a front-page editorial, raised concerns about growing restrictions on the media in Mexico, where at least 56 reporters have been killed in the past five years, making the country one of the most dangerous in the world for journalists, according to the Inter American Press Association, which includes some 1,300 publishers.
"We want you to explain what it is you want from us," El Diario said in the editorial, addressed to the country's drug lords, whose turf wars have turned Ciudad Juárez, across the border from El Paso, Texas, into Mexico's most violent city, where at least 2,200 people have been killed in drug violence this year. "What do you want us to publish or not publish, so we know what to do."
Some media groups widely interpreted the editorial, which also called for a "truce" with drug traffickers, as a capitulation to Mexico's drug lords. Increasingly, the cartels have been trying to manipulate or stop news coverage of the violence that has spread in the country since 2006 when President Felipe Calderón dispatched the nation's military and federal police on a mission to reclaim large areas of Mexico controlled by drug traffickers.
The newspaper, however, said it would continue to cover the news. "This is not a surrender. And neither does it signify we will stop doing the work we have been doing," the editorial said. In an interview, editor Pedro Torres said the editorial was a desperate attempt to "pound the table," and call attention to the violence in Juárez. "We will cover events as we have always done," he said. "But we are taking more precautions."
Until now, El Diario has continued to report on the violence in Ciudad Juárez, unlike newspapers and broadcast media in other border cities such as Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo, which have almost entirey ceased reporting on the drug violence that afflicts the region.
In its editorial, El Diario blasted the Mexican government, saying it had lost control of the city to the drug cartels. Alejandro Poire, the Mexican government's spokesman on security matters, responded, saying that Mexico would never "reach a truce with criminal groups who are the ones that kill, torture and kidnap."
El Diario's editorial came four days after gunmen killed a 21-year photographer and seriously wounded another employee. Two years ago, a top crime reporter for the newspaper was gunned down in a killing that remains unsolved.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703989304575504331265908628.html?m od=googlenews_wsj
The leading daily newspaper in Mexico's sixth-largest city, Ciudad Juárez, asked feuding drug gangs to dictate the rules of news coverage in the city
That should work out well for them and the population at large. :rolleyes:
http://bigpeace.com/pdollard/2010/09/24/american-rancher-x-part-2/
“I don’t need you here, stirring up trouble, especially by shooting. The cartels shot at two people on my land last year. A surveyor and another guy. Right over that hill.” He was referring to the one we had just doubled-back over.
“A surveyor? Like a government surveyor?”
“Yeah.”
“Damn. What the fuck was he doing that they shot at him? He’s just a fucking surveyor.”
“Well, he was surveying. Doing his job.”
I responded with the “You’ve got to be kidding me.” look you’d expect.
“This is their corridor, where they move everything. Drugs, money, wetbacks. They’ll shoot at anybody. Like I said, if you look like you’re hunting around, looking to interfere with their business, steal their stuff, nab wetbacks, whatever, they’ll shoot you.”
As he clarified later, he was describing the corridor between Sasabe and Nogales.
“Nobody can go out and do any work on this ranch alone. You always have to go out in pairs. And no one drives down the road you just did, it’s too dangerous.”
I began surveying the land around us, myself.
“There’s a dead body that’s been laying out over past that hill, too, for awhile now.”
Grizz and I looked at each other, and then he spoke up again, this time asking a key question: “How do you see all this ending, X?”
“There’s a bloodbath coming, and everybody knows it.”
Like cross-hairs on a guided missile system, my mind again locked onto Ramadi, and onto just how wrong it was that this man’s home had degenerated to the point where the two places bore comparison. His birthright as an American certainly wasn’t this, anymore than anyone who fought in Iraq deserved to come home to an America that was being steered by its leadership into this.
“They’re very well organized. They have houses all along the area right there. They watch everything from the hills all day and all night. They’ll camp out for days. Just sit and watch.”
“How long have you lived here?”
“It started as my dad’s ranch, 41 years ago.”
“Is he still alive?”
“No.”
“Has it been bad for awhile?”
“Yeah, but not like this. And keep in mind, it’s not like I can call the cops and they’ll be here in minutes. We’re alone out here. No phone lines. And I can’t even get fuel delivered anymore.”
“Yeah?”
“One day, out of the blue, a helicopter full of Mexicans, wearing all black with black ski masks, swooped down on my fuel delivery truck and my family. They got out and started asking the driver questions. They laid my family out, and started asking us questions, too. Pretty quick they realized they were on the wrong side of the border, and left. They’re trying to starve out the ranchers on the other side, and take over. The driver, the company, it was just too much for them, of course, and they won’t come back. I have to go and get the fuel and haul it back myself, now.”
“Jesus, that’s crazy. A fucking helicopter?”
“Yup. Like I said, it’s going to end up a pretty bloody bloodbath. They have helicopters, .50 caliber machine guns, night vision, everything. And they’re paranoid, because they’re in constant battle with each other, as well. Another day, there was a shootout on the other side of the fence, between Sicarios, hitmen, and the Chihuahuas. One side shot up the others truck with their helicopter. There were 11 people dead when it was all over. ”
“So they’re fighting each other over the land right on the other side of your fence?”
“Yeah. And they’re always having to watch their back for whoever’s coming up next. There’s newcomers coming up all the time.”
“Where’s the Border Patrol in all of this?”
“Too far back from the border, and often asleep, literally. I finally had to tell them that I was going to report them if I caught them asleep in their vehicles again.”
“You’re shitting me.”
“No, I walk right up to the windows of their trucks, and knock to wake them up. I told them last time, ‘If I catch you sleeping again, I’m going to turn you in to my congressman.’ They do a cut when they first get on shift, then just sit waiting for sensors to go off. They’re not working the border.”
“And you say they don’t operate close enough to it?”
“No, they just don’t get right up on it. They’re way too far back. And the new towers, they’re way too fucking far back, too. They’re worthless because the radar can’t see through the bushes.. The cartels run roughshod over this whole operation. And the guys that run those towers , EODT, they’re idiots. And they’re dangerous, like the BP often are. They cause all sorts of traffic problems. They fly down the road like maniacs, and they’ll just park in the middle of the road at night, no lights on. They almost killed my wife. One of their vehicles slammed right into hers. And then she got into another accident because of them. The sheriff told me that there was nothing he could do, because the BP have final jurisdiction over the roads, which just doesn’t seem correct to me. They’re feds, he’s the sheriff, this is his jurisdiction. I called the Department of Safety, and they said they couldn’t do anything either, same reason. So I called my congresswoman, Gabrielle Gifford, and she never called back. I called the senior officers for the BP Tucson Center, Brian Brown and Roger San Martin, who I know personally, and left a message for each that I wanted a meeting. I left the specific officer’s name and unit. Nothing. Anyway, after a long haul, basically because the BP at least have really good internal affairs, I was finally compensated for one of the accidents. And then I just let the other one go.”
“Man, I’m sorry to hear that. Was your wife okay?”
“Okay, enough.”
He was quiet for a minute.
“It was a bad year. But yeah, because the towers can’t get the job done, the BP still rely mostly on the sensors, and people. And those towers bring up another issue.”
He suddenly just stopped. It was obvious he was hesitating about passing on some live wire piece of information.
“What?”
“Well….a BP agent sold the maps of their locations to the cartels.”
“Whose your source on this?”
He gave me a smirking, “Don’t be a dumbass” look.
“You have a source in the BP. A reliable one, that you trust 100%.”
He gave me a confirming look, and a slight nod.
“Goddamn. Is there all kinds of corruption? Is it widespread?”
“I don’t know, I can’t tell you all that, but I can tell you about that incident.” After a few beats, he added, “Look, there are Border Patrol agents that sell out. That’s all I’m gonna say.”
“That’s just so fucked up. My biggest concern is about just how many of our own people, from BP, to cops, to judges, government lawyers, politicians, how many of them are compromised, either by threat or by pay-off? As we’re beginning to operate down here, I’m more concerned about being betrayed by someone on our own side, you know, dropping a dime on us to cartel guys, then I am about getting shot standing in a place like this. I’m wary of everybody, because there’s just no way to tell who I can trust. I mean, it’s how they operate in Mexico, they just buy everyone off that they can.”
“There’s something weird going on down here.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s something weird going on with the government down here. Why aren’t they doing anything? Why are the cartels acting with immunity in Arizona?”
“You think there’s collusion? You think the government – the local, the feds, whoever – are making money off of all this? You think they’re trying to facilitate an influx of Democrat voters?”
He gave me looks indicating a probable “yes” to all of my conjectured scenarios.
“You tell me. To a degree, they don’t want to spark an incident, that’s part of it. It’s bullshit, because that leaves everyone scared to do anything. And that leaves people like me, in mortal jeopardy. It leaves the whole country in jeopardy. I’ve told the BP, ‘It’s you guys who are doing this to our country. You guys who are messing it up. You are the front line guys, do your job, or get out.”
Once again, a portentious silence followed another one of X’s portentious statements.
Contd.
“This used to be a small sector for the BP, and they used to do their job. The BP old timers were good, they did their jobs, but they’re being forced out for that very reason. Retired early. Chief Aguilar, the last national head of the BP was a big part of the problem. He wasn’t worth a shit when he was the Tucson chief, and he wasn’t worth a shit as the national chief. He was so un-aggressive, he was like an appeaser. The BP was just not worth a damn under Aguilar. He’s said flat out, implying that the situation was beyond his control, that this sector, my ranch, my home, is a third world country. I was hoping Mike Fisher, the new chief would be better, but I’m not seeing any real changes.”
“And they’re scared to death to go into a large corner of my ranch. It’s a potential death zone. The cartels have had wetbacks light two different fires for them back there, as a diversion tactic. They want to do something big, smuggle something big over at a different spot, and they have these wetbacks light fires. One time, it was the BP themselves who told them to light it. The wetbacks called the BP and told them they were lost, and needed help. So the fuckin’ BP tells them to light the brush on fire so they can find them. And then I have to pay for the damage.”
He turned sideways and pointed to a large hill, northwest of us, on the American side.
“And when the National Guard was here a few years ago, right up there, they did nothing. It was ridiculous, a complete waste, They set up a camp on the hill above our house, without bullets, and did nothing but stare at us all day long. Stare at my wife with binoculars.”
“They weren’t allowed to have bullets?’
“Nope.”
I put forth a theory to him. “I think these cartels are insurgents, really. I see what they do, and it’s the same shit that was done in Iraq, with a different motive. In Iraq, it was an ideologically-driven insurgency, an ideologically-driven attempt to replace the state. This insurgency here, it’s money-driven. Because these cartels need to operate without the state shutting down their activities, they also need to replace it , or at least control it as much as possible. So they do this by intimidating, bribing, and killing politicians, judges, cops, the military, journalists, and even the citizens. They wage a war. Mexico’s President said the very same thing in an interview with the L.A. Times a few weeks ago. He flat out said “We have to no longer view this as a criminal enterprise, but as an attempt to replace the state.” And these fuckers are so crazy, so driven by greed, that there’s no way a little thing like a borderline is going to stop them. So they are importing this insurgency right into our country. And they’ve been so successful in Mexico, defeating Mexican military units on the open battlefield, controlling huge swaths of the country, that their success has made them think they can pull it off here. This is why they have hits out on Sheriffs Arpaio and Babeu. And why not? They’ve succeeded at it so far. Do you think that this process, this insurgency, has migrated northward into our own country? Do you think that’s what’s happening?”
“You bet it is. And anyone who doesn’t believe it, is a fool.”
He brought up the closest town, Arivaca, population less than 2,000, inhabited largely by Mexicans and 60’s hippies who founded a commune there, and their offspring.
“Look at Arivaca. The white hippies, they’re leftists still playing revolutionaries. Many of them provide drop houses for the cartels and…”
“Do any of them get caught for it?”
“Not that I’ve heard of. And I know that town well.”
“How in the fuck in a town of less than 2,000 people, where everybody knows everybody, do the sheriffs not know about dozens of drop houses, and therefor not arrest anybody? That’s just not possible, unless they’re being paid off, or are too scared to act.”
He looked at me with the slyest of grins. “You tell me.”
“I just spent the morning in the one cantina there, it’s like, the oldest operating saloon in Arizona or some shit.”
“You’re lucky you didn’t get made and followed”, he said, “because that’s the cartel’s main hangout in town. The other one is the bar on the hill.”
“Like I said, I guess I’m going to have to watch my back everywhere, because I can’t trust anybody, can I?”
“You bet. Yes you are”.
We spoke a bit more. He requested anonymity, although he noted that with the details he’d given me, many people were going to know who he was. “Fuck it”, he said, “I’m tired of keeping this all quiet, of not standing up. It’s gone too far, and something has to be done. We have to commit fully, and fight. In fact, you know what you should do, you should sit down with all the ranchers in the area, and do a massive interview.”
“Can you put that together for me?”
“I can talk to them, and see. But I think they’ll do it.”
We parted company. I left much wiser, I thought, sobered and educated to the fact that being in America no longer necessarily meant not being on the front lines of a true war. I was disturbed, perplexed, at how I had left Iraq to come home and find myself battling what was materially a carbon-copy insurgency. And I now carried the deepest of concerns for X, his family, and all the other ranchers in the corridor. They lived in a war zone, flat out.
The next day, I stayed behind to do administrative work in the SAFE office. SAFE, (Secure America Forever) is the information operations, political operations, citizen patrol (militia) operations, and legal operations organization that I founded to protect the southern border. The last few days in the field were the start-up of our militia activities. Grizz and Reloader went out on a scout, however, and returned that night. They were very excited about having gotten a similar download from a near-renegade Border Patrol agent, one of the old-timers that X had told us the BP was pushing out. But they were also somber, there was something they were kind of dancing around, I could tell. And then, when there was nothing left but one thing to report, they said, “BP Agent X knows Rancher X. He said we must have gotten him on a good day. He said he has good days and bad days. He said he agreed with Rancher X’s prognostication about the coming bloodbath, and so did Rancher X’s son, and he killed himself over it, last year.”
*
alright4u
09-24-2010, 23:49
http://bigpeace.com/pdollard/2010/09/24/american-rancher-x-part-2/
Contd.
On the 16th of Sept or the 15th the SOB's carried their flags through the MGM. I asked :mad:them what was the occasion? They proudly stated Mexican Independence Day. These people do not intend to assimilate. I pulled every liberal article off the internet about tyhe cost of these illegals. It is amazing. Even the NYT claims they make up 40% of all Fed prisoners.
On the 16th of Sept or the 15th the SOB's carried their flags through the MGM. I asked :mad:them what was the occasion? They proudly stated Mexican Independence Day. These people do not intend to assimilate. I pulled every liberal article off the internet about tyhe cost of these illegals. It is amazing. Even the NYT claims they make up 40% of all Fed prisoners.
Oh yeah, no doubt about it. It is allowed because some profit from it.
I got a uneducated, from the gut hunch that this hostile takeover is funded by a long and wide trail of dirty money payoffs that leads all the way to White House. The sad irony that the most advanced and powerful nation in the world will wage war to protect interests outside it borders, yet it will not find the means to protect its own borders.
It is treasonous.
That’s just so fucked up. My biggest concern is about just how many of our own people, from BP, to cops, to judges, government lawyers, politicians, how many of them are compromised, either by threat or by pay-off? As we’re beginning to operate down here, I’m more concerned about being betrayed by someone on our own side, you know, dropping a dime on us to cartel guys, then I am about getting shot standing in a place like this. I’m wary of everybody, because there’s just no way to tell who I can trust. I mean, it’s how they operate in Mexico, they just buy everyone off that they can.”
There’s something weird going on with the government down here. Why aren’t they doing anything? Why are the cartels acting with immunity in Arizona?”
I got a uneducated, from the gut hunch that this hostile takeover is funded by a long and wide trail of dirty money payoffs that leads all the way to White House. The sad irony that the most advanced and powerful nation in the world will wage war to protect interests outside it borders, yet it will not find the means to protect its own borders.
It is treasonous.
Agents' union disavows leaders of ICE
The union that represents rank-and-file field agents at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has unanimously passed a "vote of no confidence" for the agency's leadership, saying ICE has "abandoned" its core mission of protecting the public to support a political agenda favoring amnesty.
The National Immigration and Customs Enforcement Council of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 7,000 ICE agents and employees, voted 259-0 for a resolution saying there was "growing dissatisfaction and concern" over the leadership of Assistant Secretary John Morton, who heads ICE, and Phyllis Coven, assistant director for the agency's office of detention policy and planning.
The resolution said ICE leadership had "abandoned the agency's core mission of enforcing U.S. immigration laws and providing for public safety," instead directing its attention "to campaigning for programs and policies related to amnesty and the creation of a special detention system for foreign nationals that exceeds the care and services provided to most U.S. citizens similarly incarcerated.
"It is the desire of our union … to publicly separate ourselves from the actions of Director Morton and Assistant Director Coven and publicly state that ICE officers and employees do not support Morton or Coven or their misguided and reckless initiatives, which could ultimately put many in America at risk," the union said.
In a strongly worded statement, the union and its affiliated local councils said the integrity of the agency "as well as the public safety" would be "better provided for in the absence of Director Morton and Assistant Director Coven."
The statement also noted that:
• The majority of ICE's enforcement and removal officers are prohibited from making street arrests or enforcing U.S. immigration laws outside of the jail setting.
• Hundreds of ICE officers nationwide perform no law enforcement duties whatsoever because of resource mismanagement within the agency.
• ICE detention reforms have transformed into a detention system aimed at providing resortlike living conditions to criminal aliens based on recommendations not from ICE officers and field managers, but from "special-interest groups."
• The lack of technical expertise and field experience has resulted in a priority of providing bingo nights, dance lessons and hanging plants to criminals, instead of addressing safe• Unlike any other agency in the nation, ICE officers will be prevented from searching detainees housed in ICE facilities, allowing weapons, drugs and other contraband into detention centers — putting detainees, ICE officers and contract guards at risk.
• Senior leadership ignores reports that ICE internal investigations by the office of professional responsibility conceal agency and supervisor misconduct and are used to retaliate against employees who make whistleblower-type disclosures or question inappropriate policies and procedures.
ICE spokesman Brian Hale said the agency meets regularly with representatives of the union to discuss its goal of ensuring public safety by focusing on finding criminal aliens and removing them from the country.
"We have fundamentally reformed immigration enforcement, and we are removing record numbers of criminal aliens because of it," Mr. Hale said. "Half of the people we have removed so far this year have been convicted criminal aliens — up from 35 percent a year ago.
"We understand the union's reason for engaging in creative collective-bargaining tactics and, regardless, we remain committed to working with them to address substantive issues in the interests of making our communities safer," he said.
ICE documents show that during the first nine months of fiscal 2010, a total of 279,035 noncitizens were removed from the U.S. as a result of ICE enforcement — a 10 percent increase over the total in fiscal 2008, the last fiscal year of the Bush administration.
But according to the union, illegal immigrants now being held in state and local jails seek out ICE agents for deportation to avoid prosecution, conviction and prison terms. It said criminal aliens "openly brag" that they are taking advantage of a broken immigration system and will be back in the United States within days to commit crimes — while U.S. citizens arrested for the same offenses serve prison sentences.
"ICE senior leadership is aware that the system is broken, yet refuses to alert Congress to the severity of the situation and request additional resources to provide better enforcement and support of local agencies," the statement said.
The no-confidence vote, taken in June and made public last week in a letter by the union, said the agency's senior leadership dedicated "more time to campaigning for immigration reforms aimed at large-scale amnesty legislation than advising the American public and federal lawmakers on the severity of the illegal-immigration problems."
The vote, first reported by the Washington Examiner, said Mr. Morton and Ms. Coven also ignored the need for more manpower and resources within the agency and responsible detention reforms for noncriminal individuals and families.
Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee and a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, told The Washington Times that the Obama administration is "simply not serious about enforcing all of our immigration laws."
Mr. Smith said ICE doesn't have the resources because it didn't ask for them, adding that "the Obama administration did not request a single new detention bed in their most recent budget request."
"So the limits on detention capacity that they now claim hold them back from further enforcement are of their own making," he said. "What's more, ICE is running under its average daily detention capacity — the Obama administration is not even using all the resources it has."
Michael W. Cutler, a retired 31-year U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) senior criminal investigator and intelligence specialist, said the no-confidence vote "makes it clear that the leadership at ICE has politicized a major component of national security at the behest of the administration."
"It is clear that the marching orders coming from the administration have nothing to do with securing our nation's borders or enforcing the immigration laws," Mr. Cutler said.
"It is an absolute absurdity to believe that our nation can successfully wage a war against terrorists who are determined to enter our nation and then embed themselves in our nation with virtually no fear of being identified, arrested or removed from our country," he said.
Janice Kephart, director of national security policy at the Center for Immigration Studies, described the no-confidence vote in a statement last week as an example of how ICE's mission was being "skewed towards supporting an unflinching goal of amnesty by refusing to allow agents to do their job."
Ms. Kephart, former counsel to the Sept. 11 commission and a nationally recognized border-security authority, suggested that ICE leadership — particularly Mr. Morton — needed to pay attention to the no-confidence vote and the concerns expressed by the rank-and-file agents.
"May I suggest that a significant problem with dismissing a no-confidence vote from your entire employee population is, when you run an agency of 7,000 officers and agents, you can't do your job unless they do theirs?" she said. "Oh wait, that is the whole point, is it not?"
Mr. Morton recently announced new guidelines telling ICE agents to focus on apprehending terrorists and criminals, causing many of agency's rank-and-file agents to wonder who, then, is responsible for tracking down and detaining the millions of other illegal border-crossers and fugitive aliens now in the country.
The new guidelines noted that ICE "only has resources to remove approximately 400,000 aliens per year, less than 4 percent of the estimated illegal-alien population in the United States," and that as a result, it needed to focus wisely on the limited resources Congress had provided the agency.
He said the agency would "prioritize the apprehension and removal of aliens who only pose a threat to national security and/or public safety, such as criminals and terrorists." Lesser priorities were given to foreign nationals caught crossing the border illegally or using phony immigration documents to gain entry, and those identified as fugitives after failing to show up for immigration or deportation hearings.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/9/agents-union-disavows-leaders-of-ice/?page=4
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/09/26/20100926arizona-white-supremacist-militia.html
Officials wary as militia groups tout freelance desert patrols
by Lindsey Collom - Sept. 26, 2010 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic
Outdoor enthusiasts for years have been drawn to the Sonoran Desert National Monument to explore its wildlife and arid beauty.
These days, however, posted signs warn that visiting the area may come at a cost: "Travel caution - smuggling and illegal immigration may be encountered in this area."
That doesn't sit well with Harry Hughes.
"People should be out here having fun and not be afraid to come out here because of that," Hughes said, pointing to one of the signs on a recent trek to western Pinal County. "We're 70 miles away from Mexico. That's pretty far away from the border to be having border problems."
Authorities seem to agree with Hughes on that point.
What concerns them is what Hughes and his counterparts are doing about it.
Hughes, a member of the White supremacist National Socialist Movement, regularly leads a heavily armed militia on desert patrols in the national monument about 50 miles south of Phoenix. So, too, does the U.S. Border Guard, a group steered by former Marine and reputed neo-Nazi Jason "J.T." Ready.
Critics say these men are not simply neighborhood groups or avid outdoorsmen: They are members of extremist organizations with agendas that go well beyond helping Border Patrol do its job.
"These are explicit Nazis," Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project told the Associated Press. "These are people who wear swastikas on their sleeves."
Law-enforcement officials concede the groups add eyes and ears out in the field but remain apprehensive about their presence in known smuggling corridors.
Mario Escalante, spokesman for the U.S. Border Patrol's Tucson sector, said these groups are "taking the law into their own hands" and should be cautious.
"There's certain groups of individuals that are trained to do the job," Escalante said. "We ask people to allow those trained individuals to do that job . . . We're the ones who are the experts."
On a recent evening, Hughes walked beyond a water tank once used to sate thirsty cattle. An M-4 semiautomatic rifle was slung over his shoulder. He'd found nearly a dozen people - two of them passed out - huddling in the tank's shadow while on patrol south of Interstate 8 weeks earlier. Hughes said he had given them water while waiting for the Border Patrol to arrive.
Downslope, he stopped on the banks of a wash strewn with backpacks, clothing, Mexican pill bottles and toiletries.
"I've been coming up to these mountains for nearly two decades for recreation," said Hughes, 47. "Late last summer, we started going up through here and we started seeing the garbage, bottles and people running away from us. We found out this is a major drug corridor. There were no law enforcement doing anything about it."
Despite additional Border Patrol agents, Minutemen and the arrival of hundreds of National Guard troops to the border, Hughes said he and others like him are attempting to fill a void. The Minutemen, another anti-illegal-immigrant group, have conducted desert patrols since 2005.
"When (Pinal County Sheriff Paul) Babeu got up on the TV and said the cartels control this area, that he didn't, that really struck a nerve with me," Hughes said. "No, this is the United States - no Mexican cartel, no foreign national is going to control this land."
Babeu made that claim after one of his deputies was injured in a gunbattle with what authorities say were drug-cartel members in April, one week after Gov. Jan Brewer signed Arizona's strict new law designed to curb illegal immigration. Parts of that law are now on hold while being challenged in federal court.
Deputy Louie Puroll's account was questioned last week after a Phoenix tabloid reported that ballistic and forensic experts opined the evidence didn't support his claims. Babeu said an investigation corroborated Puroll's statements.
The sheriff has called for federal assistance to secure the border and address escalating violence from drug and human traffickers in Pinal County. But Babeu has said that he does not want help from untrained groups that could cause "extreme problems" and put themselves and others in danger. He is particularly leery of groups with extremist agendas.
The National Socialist Movement, a neo-Nazi group based in Detroit, espouses White supremacist theories and believes that "all non-White immigration must be prevented," according to its website. "We demand that all non-Whites currently residing in America be required to leave the nation forthwith and return to their land of origin: peacefully or by force."
Ready, 38, left the NSM earlier this year. The U.S. Border Guard, he said, welcomes members of all races and religions. However, Ready has been quoted as saying he wanted to lay a minefield along the border to combat illegal immigration.
That sort of talk makes Babeu nervous.
"I'm not inviting them," Babeu said. "And in fact, I'd rather they not come, especially those who espouse hatred or bigotry such as (Ready)."
Rebuff aside, Ready said his group is making an impact. Just how much of an effect is difficult to assess because law enforcement is hesitant to discuss the efforts of these groups. Even questions posed to them have been difficult to get answers to.
"Had it not been for me and other people out in the desert this summer, dozens of people would have died," Ready said. "I mean, literally, life was poured into them with water and medical equipment and getting Border Patrol to them and rescue operations."
Hughes keeps extra water in his truck in case he encounters a group of people in the desert. In one instance, he was too late. He found a woman's remains in a wash beneath a paloverde in early August and called the Sheriff's Office. Weeks later, the ground where her body lay was oily from decomposition.
"I don't really want to find dead people," Hughes said. "I don't want to find live people. I want to deny smugglers the access to this area just by being out here. A deterrent above all, that's the primary objective."
Hughes said his group's presence in the area has tripped up cartel activities, forcing traffickers to change routes and pushing them farther east. He's heard transmissions in Spanish emanating from a scanner on his tactical vest. He said his group once encountered three men carrying drug loads shortly after hearing activity on the scanner. Surprised, the men fled on foot. Hughes said he wasn't going to chase them.
Sgt. Brian Messing, a supervisor of the Search and Rescue Posse of the Sheriff's Office, said militia groups are "helpful to an extent."
"They've got their cameras out there, and eyes out there reporting bodies," Messing said. "At what risk is it? It helps, but I'm just really concerned we're going to have an engagement of either us with them or them with a group of smugglers."
Ready and Hughes try to steer clear of such a scenario by letting law enforcement know where they'll be ahead of time. Still, they say, all this could be avoided if the government would do one thing: stop the flow of people and drugs across America's southern border.
"If they don't like the way I'm doing it, if they don't like me as a person doing it, if they don't like the groups that are coming out, good," Ready said. "Then let's change it. Let's secure the border, and I'll go home."
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/09/26/20100926arizona-white-supremacist-militia.html#ixzz10e75kdVo
Officials wary as militia groups tout freelance desert patrols
I didn't see any wary Officials quoted in the article......only a spokesman and a racist political hack.
I didn't see any wary Officials quoted in the article......only a spokesman and a racist political hack.
Well, let's face it - the author of the original article...Collom...wrote a piece that I view as willfully slanted. The inclusion of a Nazi is simply a tactic to cast anyone in favor of controlling the borders in a negative light. The discussion of weapons and minefields is, likewise, used as a tool to persuade readers of the supposedly radical views of the proponents of border control. Of course, I merely belabor the obvious, I realize.
It would be more interesting if someone, somewhere did some quality work on the real costs of illegal immigration, and who bears those costs. In addition, who profits from the existing policy, and in what ways. Finally, some worthwhile material on why policy is as it currently is. The media could do a considerable service to our society if it got solid, validated answers and published them. It could start a societal debate that might actually lead to some viable consensus.
I won't hold my breath.
Man Killed by Mexican Pirates on Texas Lake
Woman Tried to Save Her Husband as They Fled on Their Jet Skis
KEVIN DOLAK
Oct. 2, 2010
Search teams are combing a Texas lake for the body of a man who was allegedly shot and killed by Mexican pirates when he and his wife were ambushed after crossing into Mexican waters on their personal watercraft.
David Michael Hartley, 30, and his wife Tiffany Hartley, 29, were attacked on Falcon Lake, near the southern tip of Texas, police said.
Tiffany Hartley told police her husband was shot in the back of the head as the couple fled to U.S. waters.
The gunmen are suspected to be Mexican pirates who have been marauding on the lake, law enforcement officials said.
Hartley fell off his watercraft after he was shot, according to his wife, who told rescuers and police she attempted to circle back to save him, but the gunmen were still firing shots so she had to abandon the rescue attempt.
Texas Department of Public Safety officials said Friday they believed that David Hartley was dead, but his body has yet to be found.
U.S. Border Patrol spokesman Narcizo Ramos told The Associated Press that he didn't know whether Mexican authorities were searching their side.
According to Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez Jr., Tiffany Hartley said she and her husband were returning to U.S. waters after sightseeing and taking photos when they saw armed men aboard some boats.
The couple "observed some boats coming at them at a pretty high rate of speed, noticed that some of the boats were armed so they immediately started, according to her, revving it up and gassing it up to the U.S, side of the border to prevent them getting hurt," he said. "Then, of course, shots started being fired at them.
"She said she was seeing bullets hitting close to her in the water and realized that her husband had been hit behind the head," he said. "She went back trying to find, trying to help him. She went in the water trying to load up her husband to her Jet Ski ... trying to get his body and Jet Ski back to the U.S. side.
"She was being shot at so she finally had to let go of the body, climb back in her Jet Ski and head back over here to the United States," he said.
Tiffany Hartley told The Denver Post she believes that her husband was shot five to six miles from the Texas shoreline. Once she was able to reach the shore in Zapata, she parked and called for help.
One of the boats may have crossed into U.S. waters briefly while trying to run her down, she said.
Gonzalez said police at first were not sure whether to believe her story, despite the history of violence on the lake, but another person came forward and said described seeing a woman on a watercraft being chased by men in a boat.
A Recent Increase in Violence
Falcon Lake, part of the Rio Grande situated directly on the Texas-Mexico border, has recently become a haven for the pirates, and there have been at least five reported run-ins with pirates on the lake so far this year, though this is the first instance of a death.
The sheriff said many of the pirates are teens or preteens, and some "barely even know how to use a weapon."
But despite that, he said he has long feared that someone would be killed.
"The one thing I dreaded on Falcon Lake has happened," he said. "The lake is not secure, the border is not secure because the incident that I dreaded the most has in fact happened. We cannot go to Mexico, we cannot recover that body, we cannot conduct an investigation, we have to tell the family we can't do anything about it."
According to ABC Rio Grande, Texas, affiliate KRGV-TV, there have been at least four previous incidents on the lake over the past five months:
April 30: Four heavily armed men boarded two boats near the Old Guerrero area demanding money.
May 6: Two armed men approached a boat and demanded cash.
May 16: Five armed men boarded a boat on the United States side of the lake.
Aug 31: Pirates, using a small boat marked "Game Wardin" tried to stop a Texas fisherman.
State Representative Aaron Pena, a south Texas lawmaker briefed on the pirates earlier this year, has suggested that residents stay off of Falcon Lake altogether.
"I wouldn't do it. When I go out there I have all the protection Texas can provide. But the average fisherman doesn't have that," Pena said.
Pena added that he is certain that the pirates are working in operation with Mexico's violent drug cartels, who wouldn't allow the pirates on the lake otherwise.
Texas public safety officials said that the pirates use AK-47s or AR-15s to intimidate their victims. They also said that they believe they use local fisherman to man the boats to get as close as possible to American vessels.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry said this week's deadly shooting points to the need for further border security.
"It's really become substantially worse in the last 18 months with the drug cartels having almost free rein," Perry said Friday. "This is about our citizens', on both sides of the borders, safety."
http://abcnews.go.com/US/mexican-pirates-shot-tourist-head/story?id=11784598&page=3
Investigator in Falcon Lake 'Mexico pirates' attack is beheaded
Tuesday, October 12th 2010, 9:38 PM
The lead Mexican investigator working to solve the case of an American allegedly attacked by pirates has been killed, and sources say he was brutally decapitated.
Rolando Flores was the commander of a team of police investigating the disappearance and reported shooting of David Hartley on a Mexican border lake last month.
Ruben Dario-Rios, spokesman for the state prosecutor's office in the area, confirmed his death, telling The Associated Press that authorities "don't know how or why he was killed," and that they "don't have any details on how died."
Flores' headless body was left in a suitcase in front of a Mexican military compound on Tuesday, Texas Rep. Aaron Peña told CNN.The investigator had been out searching the Falcon Lake area for clues to Hartley's disappearance on Monday, but never made it home.
"Shortly afterward, they found his head in the suitcase," Lesley Lopez, press secretary for U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Tex), told CNN.
Lopez said Cuellar's brother, Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar, was her source.
Hartley, 30, was reportedly shot while jet skiing with his wife Tiffany on Falcon Lake, which straddles the Mexico-Texas border.
Tiffany has said pirates appeared, attacked her husband, and continued to shoot as she fled to safety.
David Hartley's body still has not been found.
Since the incident technically happened in Mexican waters, the U.S. has no jurisdiction over the case and Mexican authorities are handling the investigation.
U.S. officials called on Mexico to push harder on the case last week, and authorities had reportedly named two suspects in the case over the weekend.
But Rios denied knowledge of any suspects on Monday, saying, "We have nothing official about suspects in the disappearance of David Hartley. I do not know where that is coming from."
Cuellar has called the area where the Hartleys were reportedly attacked a "hornet's nest" for the Zetas drug cartel.
David Hartley's father Dennis was deeply saddened by the news of Flores' death on Tuesday.
"I just, I'm in shock about this right now," he told the AP. "I really don't have any hope that David will be found. I really hate other people putting their lives at stake. We don't need more sons lost. If this is true, I'm just really heartbroken that this happened."
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/10/12/2010-10-12_investigator_in_mexico_pirates_attack_case_at_f alcon_lake_killed_beheaded_accord.html
Investigator in Falcon Lake 'Mexico pirates' attack is beheaded
Tuesday, October 12th 2010, 9:38 PM
The lead Mexican investigator working to solve the case of an American allegedly attacked by pirates has been killed, and sources say he was brutally decapitated.
Rolando Flores was the commander of a team of police investigating the disappearance and reported shooting of David Hartley on a Mexican border lake last month.
Ruben Dario-Rios, spokesman for the state prosecutor's office in the area, confirmed his death, telling The Associated Press that authorities "don't know how or why he was killed," and that they "don't have any details on how died."
Flores' headless body was left in a suitcase in front of a Mexican military compound on Tuesday, Texas Rep. Aaron Peña told CNN.The investigator had been out searching the Falcon Lake area for clues to Hartley's disappearance on Monday, but never made it home.
"Shortly afterward, they found his head in the suitcase," Lesley Lopez, press secretary for U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Tex), told CNN.
Lopez said Cuellar's brother, Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar, was her source.
Hartley, 30, was reportedly shot while jet skiing with his wife Tiffany on Falcon Lake, which straddles the Mexico-Texas border.
Tiffany has said pirates appeared, attacked her husband, and continued to shoot as she fled to safety.
David Hartley's body still has not been found.
Since the incident technically happened in Mexican waters, the U.S. has no jurisdiction over the case and Mexican authorities are handling the investigation.
U.S. officials called on Mexico to push harder on the case last week, and authorities had reportedly named two suspects in the case over the weekend.
But Rios denied knowledge of any suspects on Monday, saying, "We have nothing official about suspects in the disappearance of David Hartley. I do not know where that is coming from."
Cuellar has called the area where the Hartleys were reportedly attacked a "hornet's nest" for the Zetas drug cartel.
David Hartley's father Dennis was deeply saddened by the news of Flores' death on Tuesday.
"I just, I'm in shock about this right now," he told the AP. "I really don't have any hope that David will be found. I really hate other people putting their lives at stake. We don't need more sons lost. If this is true, I'm just really heartbroken that this happened."
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/10/12/2010-10-12_investigator_in_mexico_pirates_attack_case_at_f alcon_lake_killed_beheaded_accord.html
Holy Crap! I didn't hear that one today. I would say that lays to rest any rumors that the wife wasn't being truthful. How long are we going to be able to stand by and let politics play out? Everyone living in that region is going to have more than they can stand before long.
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/immigration/mexico-turf-war-az-desert-10152010
Excerpt:
Friday, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu released part of the memo he got from the Department of Homeland Security. It warned about a team of cartel assassins coming to Pinal County who will kill anyone who tries to rip off their drug loads.
"The competing cartels are actually working in concert together to protect drug loads in America," explained Sheriff Babeu. The memo detailed a meeting that took place in Rocky Point between rival cartels.
Green Light
10-16-2010, 11:47
This will not end any time soon.
Look at the basic differences between the way Mexicans and Americans think. When Americans are attacked like this, when thugs take over, when we're just downright unhappy, we take to the streets and protest. When we are attacked, we take up arms and drive out the aggressors (even when progressives like GW Bush and BO do their level best to stop citizens protecting themselves).
When things get pushed around, are oppressed, or are murdered by the thousands, they just leave. They don't fight back, they don't converge on Mexico City to register their disgust of government corruption. They either just accept it or flee to the US.
Why? Mexico was conquered and subjugated by the Spanish and, later for a short period, by France. They have no tradition of freedom. They've never had a popular uprising, only strongmen who have formed armies of revolution. This isn't going to stop until, IMO, we fence them into their own country and force them to face their country's problems. They're using the US as a refuge (not to mention a market place for their poisons). It's gotta stop. This isn't a problem of racism (Mexican isn't a race), it's a matter of security. These folks will drag us down with them.
greenberetTFS
10-16-2010, 12:12
This will not end any time soon.
Look at the basic differences between the way Mexicans and Americans think. When Americans are attacked like this, when thugs take over, when we're just downright unhappy, we take to the streets and protest. When we are attacked, we take up arms and drive out the aggressors (even when progressives like GW Bush and BO do their level best to stop citizens protecting themselves).
When things get pushed around, are oppressed, or are murdered by the thousands, they just leave. They don't fight back, they don't converge on Mexico City to register their disgust of government corruption. They either just accept it or flee to the US.
Why? Mexico was conquered and subjugated by the Spanish and, later for a short period, by France. They have no tradition of freedom. They've never had a popular uprising, only strongmen who have formed armies of revolution. This isn't going to stop until, IMO, we fence them into their own country and force them to face their country's problems. They're using the US as a refuge (not to mention a market place for their poisons). It's gotta stop. This isn't a problem of racism (Mexican isn't a race), it's a matter of security. These folks will drag us down with them.
Excellent post GL,but sad to say we'll just sit and watch as we begin to start going down the tubes!...........:(
Big Teddy :munchin
It seems the courts do not care to enforce some laws.
LINK (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7249505.html)
In the month after Homeland Security officials started a review of Houston's immigration court docket, immigration judges dismissed more than 200 cases, an increase of more than 700 percent from the prior month, new data shows.
The number of dismissals in Houston courts reached 217 in August — up from just 27 in July, according to data from the Executive Office for Immigration Review, which administers the nation's immigration court system.
In September, judges dismissed 174 pending cases — the vast majority involving immigrants who already were out on bond and had cases pending on Houston's crowded downtown court docket, where hearings are now being scheduled into 2012.
Roughly 45 percent of the 350 cases decided in that court in September resulted in dismissals, the records show.
The EOIR data offer the first glimpse into Homeland Security's largely secretive review of pending cases on the local immigration court docket.
In early August, federal attorneys in Houston started filing unsolicited motions to dismiss cases involving suspected illegal immigrants who have lived in the country for years without committing serious crimes.
News of the dismissals, first reported in the Houston Chronicle in late August, caused a national controversy amid allegations that the Obama administration was implementing a kind of "backdoor amnesty" — a charge officials strongly denied.
In recent weeks, some immigration attorneys reported the dismissals have slowed somewhat, while others reported they now have to ask ICE trial attorneys to exercise prosecutorial discretion in order to have their cases dismissed. Others, however, said they are still being approached by government attorneys seeking to file joint motions for case dismissal.
"They're still doing it," said immigration attorney Steve Villarreal. "They're just doing it quietly."
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials declined this week to discuss specifics of the docket reviews and dismissals, which are also going on in several other cities, including Dallas and Miami.
In response to the Houston EOIR data, ICE spokeswoman Gillian Brigham noted that immigration judges can terminate cases for other than prosecutorial discretion, such as when ICE does not meet its burden of proof. The Houston immigration courts averaged about 38 case terminations each month in the 10 months prior to the DHS review.
Broad set of criteria
ICE has tried to downplay the docket reviews, suggesting in some media accounts that they were limited to cases involving illegal immigrants with pending petitions filed by U.S. citizen relatives.
However, EOIR's liaison with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Raed Gonzalez, said he was briefed on the guidelines in August directly by DHS' deputy chief counsel in Houston and described a broader set of internal criteria.
Government attorneys in Houston were instructed to exercise prosecutorial discretion on a case-by-case basis for illegal immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for at least two years and have no serious criminal history, Gonzalez said. To qualify for dismissal, defendants also must have no felony record or any misdemeanor convictions involving DWI, sex crimes or domestic violence, he said.
Several dismissed cases examined by the Chronicle involved defendants without U.S. citizen relatives but with arguments for dismissal on humanitarian grounds, such as illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children who have stayed out of trouble and are enrolled in college.
Supporters of the review called it a necessary, common-sense step to reduce the system's staggering backlog, which hit an all-time high this year. In June, the number of pending immigration cases nationally reached 247,922, including 7,444 in Houston.
By moving to dismiss cases for people who have stayed out of trouble, the agency will be better able to use its limited resources to more rapidly deport those with serious criminal records, supporters said.
"It makes all of the sense in the world," John Nechman, a Houston immigration attorney, said of the review, which has led the dismissals of cases for several of his clients.
Dismissed, but still illegal
The dismissals essentially mean that officials are no longer actively trying to remove defendants through the immigration court system, though they can refile such charges at a later date.
The dismissals do not convey any kind of legal status, so recipients remain illegal immigrants and cannot work legally in the U.S.
But critics still charge that the dismissals show the government is not enforcing the law.
"When you have this kind of mass dismissal, it sends a very clear message to illegal immigrants, and to society at large, that the government is not serious about enforcing the laws," said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, an organization that advocates for stricter border controls.
"This type of action muddles the message so both the public at large as well as illegal immigrants don't know what to think."
GratefulCitizen
10-16-2010, 19:27
It seems the courts do not care to enforce some laws.
The federal government is losing its power due to the growing non-discretionary spending (entitlements, interest).
It's actions and inactions are causing it to lose legitimacy with the people.
When those who hold great power become aware that they are losing it, what desperate actions will they take to retain their power?
The federal government is losing its power due to the growing non-discretionary spending (entitlements, interest).
It's actions and inactions are causing it to lose legitimacy with the people.
When those who hold great power become aware that they are losing it, what desperate actions will they take to retain their power?
If we go there we'd be delving into Alex Jones territory :eek:
Guardsmen killed in Mexico went despite warning
The Associated Press
Thursday, October 21, 2010; 6:35 PM
EL PASO, Texas -- A Texas National Guard soldier gunned down in violent Ciduad Juarez crossed the border despite the Guard urging soldiers not on active duty to stay out of Mexico, officials said Thursday.
Pfc. Jose Gil Hernandez, 22, and another man were killed Wednesday on a street in the bloody border city. The Guard said Hernandez had been a soldier since 2007 but was not on active duty.
The Guard prohibits soldiers on active duty from going into Mexico, and urges those who are not to forgo crossing the border unless absolutely necessary, Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada said. It was not clear why Hernandez, who lived in El Paso, had gone into Juarez.
The Guard and the FBI said Thursday that Hernandez's death was under investigation.
"The Texas National Guard family has lost a friend and fellow Soldier and he will be missed," the Guard said in a statement.
Ciudad Juarez has become one of the world's deadliest cities amid a turf war between the Sinaloa and Juarez drug cartels. More than 2,000 people have been killed this year in the city, which is across the border from El Paso.
Soldiers at the Army's Fort Bliss are no longer allowed to cross the Rio Grande and travel into Juarez, whose nightclubs were once a popular place to party.
Hernandez is at least the third American serviceman killed in Juarez since the drug war began. Last year, an off-duty U.S. airman from New Mexico was killed along with five other people when gunmen shot up a bar.
In 2008, a U.S. Marine Corps reservist was shot and thrown off a cliff in the city.
Hernandez was a student when not on duty with the Guard, which he served as a fire direction sensor specialist. He was assigned to the Headquarters Battery 3rd Batallion, 133 Field Artillery.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/21/AR2010102105458.html
Rest in peace Pfc. Hernandez.
Mexico: 13 Dead in Massacre at Ciudad Juarez Party
Oct. 22, 2010: AP
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico – Gunmen stormed two homes and massacred 13 young partygoers in the latest large-scale attack in this violent border city, even as a new government strategy seeks to restore order with social programs and massive police deployments.
Attackers in two vehicles pulled up to the houses in a lower-middle-class neighborhood late Friday and opened fire on about three dozen youths attending a party. The dead identified so far were 16 to 25 years old, the Chihuahua state attorney general's office said Saturday in a statement. Fifteen were wounded, including a 9-year-old boy.
Police found 70 bullet casings from assault weapons typically used by drug gangs whose bloody turf battles have killed more than 2,000 people this year in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas.
The attackers escaped, and police said they had no immediate information on any suspects or possible motive.
Ciudad Juarez has become one of the world's deadliest cities amid a turf war between the Sinaloa and Juarez cartels, which frequently go after each other in mass attacks on bars, drug rehab centers and parties.
Some have resulted in apparently innocent people being killed, either because someone else at a gathering was the target or gunmen simply had the wrong address.
Most recently, attackers stormed two homes on Oct. 17, killing seven at a party and two more in another house nearby.
And in January, gunmen massacred 15 people at a party in a house not far from the site of Friday's killings. Most of the victims were teenagers, students and athletes.
Investigators later said the attack was apparently carried out by Juarez cartel gunmen looking to kill allies of the Sinaloa cartel. There is no evidence the youths were the targets, and police said the killers may have hit the wrong house.
The city was outraged by the January massacre, leading President Felipe Calderon's government to vow to implement a new strategy for restoring order in Ciudad Juarez, where the army had by then had replaced the disorganized, outgunned local police.
In April, federal police took over public security duties from the army, and about 5,000 federal officers were deployed in Ciudad Juarez.
The federal government also stepped up social programs to try to break the cycle of poverty, broken homes and lack of opportunities that make the city's youths a fertile recruiting ground for the gangs.
Cash aid programs, neighborhood improvement initiatives, educational and job-training programs were part of the new strategy, together with ubiquitous convoys of blue federal police trucks patrolling "safe corridors" throughout the city.
But in light of the recent mass attacks, it is unclear whether the new strategy for the city is having an effect so far. While the bustling industrial hub was known mainly throughout the 1990s for the grisly series of murders of more than 100 young women, the city's youths now bear the brunt of the violence.
In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this month, President Felipe Calderon said the Juarez strategy is a long-term policy.
"We cannot think that all the ground lost regarding opportunities for these young people can be recovered in a few weeks," Calderon said. "If we are building five new high schools and two universities, don't tell me it's not working if classes started a month ago."
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/10/23/mexico-dead-massacre-ciudad-juarez-party/
Green Light
10-26-2010, 04:58
Mexico: 13 Dead in Massacre at Ciudad Juarez Party
Coming to a neighborhood near you! :munchin
Some of you have probably seen Richard's thread "Iran - CIA Spy Speaks Out" (http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24443)
The Iranians fueled up their first nuclear reactor today. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11625058)
Do you all think that this border issue is more important than the Iranian one? And if so do you think we have the wherewithal and intestinal fortitude to properly handle them both?
I believe that our border issue is more important than what's going on in Iran, and that we cannot handle them both at this time.
Some of you have probably seen Richard's thread "Iran - CIA Spy Speaks Out" (http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24443)
The Iranians fueled up their first nuclear reactor today. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11625058)
Do you all think that this border issue is more important than the Iranian one? And if so do you think we have the wherewithal and intestinal fortitude to properly handle them both?
I believe that our border issue is more important than what's going on in Iran, and that we cannot handle them both at this time.
The are both important, and they both effect our national security. And maybe to some degree are related if you consider Iran funds Hezbollah, Hezbollah among others is rumored use the border to gain entry in to the US. And you also have rumors of Iranian QUDS in South America.
On the other hand, if someone is breaking into houses in my neighborhood, I would likely secure my family before worrying about my neighbors and their homes.
Green Light
10-26-2010, 17:25
The are both important, and they both effect our national security. And maybe to some degree are related if you consider Iran funds Hezbollah, Hezbollah among others is rumored use the border to gain entry in to the US. And you also have rumors of Iranian QUDS in South America.
I'll bet you can't swing a dead cat in Venezuela without hitting one!
I'll bet you can't swing a dead cat in Venezuela without hitting one!
I agree, but we (average civilians) are not likely to get confirmation and/or hard evidence until they have kicked the door in and taken hostages.
dr. mabuse
10-26-2010, 19:38
*
incarcerated
10-26-2010, 23:05
The are both important, and they both effect our national security. And maybe to some degree are related if you consider Iran funds Hezbollah, Hezbollah among others is rumored use the border to gain entry in to the US. And you also have rumors of Iranian QUDS in South America.
http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28589
http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=338233&postcount=33
WRMETTLER
10-27-2010, 10:34
So, there’s nothing happening in the Arizona Desert. The government has the problem well in hand. But, here are some articles from the Arizona Republic on Oct. 26, 2010.
http://www.azcentral.com/community/pinal/articles/2010/10/26/20101026pinal-county-marijuana-seizure-abrk.html
One Million of Drugs captured in Pinal County, but how much isn’t?
http://www.azcentral.com/community/pinal/articles/2010/10/26/20101026pinal-casa-grande-shot-killed-drugs-abrk.html
Drug smuggler waiting his deportation hearing shot in the middle of the street in Casa Grande, Pinal County, Arizona. This guy’s specialty was setting up the scouts for the smugglers in Pinal County.
http://www.azcentral.com/community/pinal/articles/2010/10/26/20101026pinal-dps-vehicle-stolen.html
Smuggler beats up a DPS officer, steals the officer’s DPS car and flees. Incident happened in Casa Grande, Pinal County, Arizona.
http://www.azcentral.com/community/pinal/articles/2010/10/25/20101025blm1026.html
And last but not least, the federals send people into the Pinal County desert to clean it up and try to shut the smuggling routes down. Note they take out 11 tons of trash from the smugglers’ lookout hides. OK, so this article is from 10/25, and not 10/26, but it shows the depth of the problem in that desert.
Nope, it’s all under control.
Ret10Echo
10-28-2010, 08:30
Nope....nothing to see here....
Where "Political Correctness meets idiocy" you have the political tap-dance around the problem. Of course those closest to the issue present a more realistic take but the general attitude in Washington, D.C. is:
"You can't see it from my house."
Just Another Day on the Texas Border
by Rep. Ted Poe (more by this author)
Posted 10/28/2010 ET
It was just another day in south Texas as gunfire erupted in the border town of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and warnings went out to people on both sides of the border. I had just landed in Laredo and was briefed by local law enforcement of a shootout between the drug cartels and the Mexican military that had taken place right across the border from the local grocery store in the United States. Things like this are so commonplace that they rarely even make the local news anymore. It was just another day on the Texas border.
Mexico’s northeastern border with Texas has taken center stage in the deadly turf wars between the narco-terrorists vying for control and an out-gunned and out-manned Mexican military trying to salvage what is left of law and order. Unfortunately, good folks on both side of the border are caught in the deadly crossfire.
The recent murder of David Hartley on Falcon Lake prompted the national news to shed some light on the war along our southern border, albeit minimally. Mr. Hartley’s body remains missing, and those responsible for his murder remain at large. As the news moves on to the next story, the violence on our border rages on, and our country is no safer now than it was before.
I arrived at Falcon Lake three weeks to the day of the Hartley murder. As state and local law enforcement, wearing bulletproof vests, retraced the route along the lake that Tiffany Hartley took as she frantically raced back to the shore for help, there wasn’t another person on the entire lake. No fishermen, no boaters, and certainly no other law enforcement operatives. As I surveyed the massive lake by air, it was eerily quiet. The 87,000-acre lake, with 432 total miles of shoreline, was wide open for business—illegal business.
The local sheriffs do the best they can, given the scant resources they have. But they simply cannot do their job of protecting their counties while doing the federal government’s job of protecting the border. Like our sheriffs, our game wardens have added responsibilities and risks as well. The days of friendly fishing license checks on the lake have been replaced with bulletproof vests and M-16 semiautomatic rifles.
I have been from one end of the Texas border to the other, and every time I go down there I shake my head in disbelief of what has become of our border. As we drove through these little border towns, signs for Friday night’s football game lined the fences, and I would almost forget that more than 28,000 people had been brutally murdered in Mexico’s drug war just yards away.
Our countries are not divided by miles, fences, or even posted welcome signs. In some places, the Rio Grande River can be accurately measured in yards. Unlike those in other states, Texas landowners can own property right up to the river’s banks. Mexico is literally a stone’s throw away from residential and business communities, and stray bullets and crime, like the drug cartels, don’t recognize international borders.
Border towns are unique, and Texas border towns have their own personalities like no others. For some people they are lyrics in country songs, backdrops for movies and stories of college days that are forever gone. But for the folks who live there, it’s their home: It’s all they have ever known. Like almost every local Texas sheriff along the border, they all grew up there. As a matter of fact, they grew up together in the same neighborhoods, and so did their parents and their grandparents. But now their way of life, their pursuit of happiness, is being threatened by uncontrolled violence on both sides of the border.
As we passed the Wal-Mart in Rio Grande City, the deputy with us told me that his cousin had been targeted for her car last year at Christmas time. You see, the drug cartels have wish lists too. But instead of doing their shopping inside the store, they take to carjacking in parking lots on our side of the border. His cousin was kidnapped at gunpoint and driven across the border. Fortunately, authorities on both sides of the border responded quickly, and she was rescued, but not before she was taken across the border. Others have not been so lucky.
He told of another similar instance in which a local judge and her daughter were kidnapped and taken to Mexico. They were rescued after a chase, but not before she was thrown from her car. She later died from complications from her injuries. These things are happening here in our country, on our side of the border. The violence is not on the brink of spilling over: It’s been flooding in for years, and now we are on the brink of disaster.
The United States government has to do more. I have filed legislation requiring 10,000 National Guard troops to be deployed to the border at the request of a state governor. The current deployment of 250 troops is woefully inadequate. The Texas-Mexico border is 1,256 miles long. That’s farther than the distance between New York and New Orleans.
The lack of urgency in responding to the Hartley murder is just one more example of our government’s being on the wrong side of the border war. The State Department’s stance on the issue is that it will help in the investigation if asked to do so—that is just the politically expedient way of saying that they are not planning to do anything.
As the headlines of David Hartley’s murder are replaced with the latest antics of celebrity nobodies and professional reality-show idiots, the federal government will continue to be a day late and dollar short when it comes to border security. The rest of the country will move on, and until another innocent American is gunned down on a slow national news day, nothing more will be said or done. Like most everything with the federal government, at the end of the day there is usually more said than done. To them, it’s just another day on the Texas border.
And that’s just the way it is.
Original column is here (http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=39615)
Oct 20: Mexican Federal police seized 135 Tons of marijuana after three raids in Tijuana, The drugs were found stored in tractor trailers and houses wrapped in different colors and labeled with apparently coded phrases and pictures that included the cartoon character Homer Simpson. Mexican police say the marijuana appears to originate from the Sinaloa cartel that runs a major distribution center and uses the “Tijuana corridor” to transport the drugs to the U.S. The cartel’s leader, Joaquin “Shorty” Guzman, has expanded the reach of his cartel along the U.S.-Mexico border since escaping from prison in 2001. The Sinaloa cartel controls distribution in neighboring Sonora state and the city of Mexicali, only 120 miles east of Tijuana. It also controls areas to the east and is warring for control of the border city of Cuidad Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas. Later that day a message of unknown origin was transmitted on the police frequency, the voice said “there will be 135 killings in response to what was stolen from us”.
Oct 20: State police officer killed in front of his Juarez home.
Oct 23: 14 killed at Juarez birthday party.
Oct 25: 10 killed at Tijuana drug rehab center.
Oct 27: 15 killed at a car wash in Nayarit, most of the employee’s are recovering addicts.
Oct 27: 3 Mexican federal police officers were killed in Ciudad Juarez as they waited for a person to cross a bridge from El Paso, Texas.
Oct 28: 9 police officers were ambushed and killed in their vehicles in Jalisco.
It appears the cartel is making good on its promise.
greenberetTFS
10-29-2010, 05:19
Nope....nothing to see here....
Where "Political Correctness meets idiocy" you have the political tap-dance around the problem. Of course those closest to the issue present a more realistic take but the general attitude in Washington, D.C. is:
"You can't see it from my house."
Original column is here (http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=39615)
No offense to any of you guys living in southern AZ,but I'm glad I live here in southern MS.......... :eek: Sure we have drug problems here but nothing like what's going on down there on USA land!............... :rolleyes: It's really unbelievable......:(
Big Teddy :munchin
dr. mabuse
10-29-2010, 18:06
*
Yet another story that was quickley moved from the front pages.
http://ktar.com/category/us-news-articles/20101029/Arizona-beheading-raises-fears-of-drug-violence/
No problems here...
Derek
TheUnknownDC
11-03-2010, 20:48
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11690556
a tunnel with railing, ventilation, lighting.
move along, no problem here.
Ret10Echo
11-04-2010, 05:37
Wonder how many more of these exist
a tunnel with railing, ventilation, lighting.
move along, no problem here.
A lot...
UTEP student fatally shot while visiting Juarez, fifth American killed in six days.
Nov. 3, 2010, 10:09PM
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico — A U.S. university student died Wednesday from a shooting attack on a car in Ciudad Juarez, making him the fifth American slain in the violent border city in six days.
Eder Diaz, 23, a student across the border at the University of Texas at El Paso, was attacked Tuesday evening along with classmate Manuel Acosta, 25, the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez confirmed in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press.
Gunmen opened fire on a car in which the two were traveling, according to an investigator from the state of Chihuahua, where Ciudad Juarez is located. The investigator spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case.
Acosta was killed at the scene, while Diaz died early Wednesday at a Juarez hospital, university spokesman Steve Lazarin said. Diaz was a business major and Acosta a computer information systems major, he added.
In a recent photograph from the El Paso Times, the two are shown smiling and high-fiving a car dealership owner as he entered a classroom for a talk with students.
The consulate said it had not yet confirmed whether Acosta was also a U.S. citizen. The investigator said he was from Chihuahua’s capital of the same name.
Diaz was the fifth U.S. citizen to be killed in Ciudad Juarez since Friday. All the victims were from El Paso, Texas, which is located across the border from Ciudad Juarez.
Luis Carlos Araiza, 15, a student at Bowie High School in El Paso, and Joanna Herrera, 27, were fatally shot while traveling in a BMW sport utility vehicle near the Zaragoza international bridge Saturday. Mexican officials said they had criminal records but would not elaborate.
Edgar Lopez, 35, was shot and killed Saturday at a residence in Ciudad Juarez, while on Friday, Lorena Izaguirre, 24, was killed at a tortilla shop.
Killings of U.S. citizens are on the rise in Mexico, which has seen more than 28,000 deaths so far in its bloody, 4-year-old war on organized crime.
According to U.S. State Department figures, Americans were victims in 47 homicides in Mexico in the first six months of 2010, the most recent figures available — 13 in Cuidad Juarez as of the end of June.
That number is on track to pass 79 homicides of U.S. citizens in 2009, which saw a significant jump from 56 such homicides in 2008.
The most recent attacks represent the deadliest week for Americans in Mexico since Feb. 1, when four U.S. citizens were killed in different parts of the country. The largest previous single-city death toll for Americans was on May 9, 2009, when four U.S. citizens were slain in Tijuana, across the border from San Diego, California.
Few of the victims seem to have been targeted as U.S. citizens. In some killings, U.S. citizens apparently have been in the company of Mexican friends, relatives or acquaintances who were the targets. Other Americans have been killed by stray bullets.
In one of the most brazen attacks, U.S. consular employee Lesley A. Enriquez and her husband, Arthur H. Redelfs, were shot to death in their white SUV on a Ciudad Juarez street last March after leaving a children’s birthday party.
A man whose wife also worked at the consulate was fatally shot about the same time in a different part of the city because he left the same event in a car that looked similar to Enriquez’s.
Suspects later told investigators the Azteca gang ordered the killings, claiming Enriquez helped rival gang members get visas. Investigators deny that Enriquez was involved with drug gangs.
Ciudad Juarez has become one of the world’s deadliest cities amid a turf war between the Sinaloa and Juarez drug cartels. More than 2,000 people have been killed this year in the city.
The state department has issued a travel warning for several parts of Mexico, including Chihuahua state, adding that Ciudad Juarez is of special concern. In the warning, the U.S. government advises its citizens to defer unnecessary travel to Ciudad Juarez and to the Guadalupe Bravo area, southeast of Ciudad Juarez.
“In both areas, American citizens have been victims of drug related violence,” the warning says.
http://www.drudgereport.com/
incarcerated
11-07-2010, 14:46
The weekend ain’t over. Where’s the Anti-War crowd?
Oh yeah, that’s right: they’re all stoned.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jguIFnfNz5svKzm493iYG-L3o4bg?docId=0c6f1cd7dde74c05988a2e9123b90cda
20 killed over weekend in Mexican border city
(AP) – 1 hour ago
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) — At least 20 people were killed in drug-gang violence over the weekend in this northern Mexican border city, including seven found dead outside one house….
This is what we need to be worrying about next, not Iran. They will keep blowing how air, the cartels won't.
Blackfive noted that as of November 2, the number of U.S. citizens killed in Mexico has actually surpassed the number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq for 2010.
http://www.blackfive.net/main/2010/11/more-us-citizens-murdered-in-mexico-than-deaths-in-iraq-in-2010.html
ETA
Channel 2 Uncovers Proof Terrorists Crossed Mexican Border
"...Channel 2 Anchor Justin Farmer found documents filed in federal court in San Antonio, Texas, in May. They show an indictment against Ahmed Muhammad Dhakane for allegedly smuggling hundreds of people from Brazil to Mexico, then into the U.S. The federal indictment states it includes some Somalis from the terrorist group Al Shabob..."
Source and video: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/25596196/detail.html
incarcerated
11-14-2010, 02:20
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/he_drug_cartel_hit_man_and_he_8eHI2AemaVfJ43CzL3Ou MM
He's a drug cartel hit man — and he's 12
By SARAH GORDON
NEWSCORE/SKY NEWS
Posted: 1:05 PM, November 13, 2010
The Mexican Army is hunting a 12-year-old assassin who is allegedly employed by a drug cartel to torture and murder its enemies, Sky News reported today.
Known simply as El Ponchis — which means "The Cloak" — the young boy has been accused of helping wage a turf war in the central Morelos state.
Reports said he was paid $3,000 per murder and that he tortured his victims before killing them. He often cuts his victim's throat, leaving the head attached by just a thread.
Videos of El Ponchis attacking one enemy with a stick and cutting the throat of another have appeared online, as have photos of him posing with various weapons and standing by a dead body.
The boy allegedly works for the little-known South Pacific cartel, which has allied itself with the brutal Los Zetas — former government paramilitaries who have gone rogue — to battle the major La Familia cartel for control of southwest Mexico.
Based just outside the city of Cuernavaca, El Ponchis was said to work with a group of girls, including his sisters, who are referred to as Las Chavelas and are often responsible for disposing of the bodies.
The gang was reportedly led by a man named Julio Jesus Radilla or Padilla and was mainly made up of young people aged 12 to 23, who have posed for pictures with weapons and drugs online.
El Ponchis is known as the youngest member — and reputedly the most bloodthirsty.
Pedro Luis Benitez, attorney general of Morelos state, told a local radio station that young people were particularly easy to influence, with gang bosses making murder seem like a game to them.
"They're persuaded to carry out terrible acts, they don't realize what they are doing," he said.
There has been a significant jump in the number of young people working for drug cartels this year, according to Mexican authorities.
Green Light
11-14-2010, 16:37
I've been an arm's length from human refuse like this. Garbage like him needs to be recycled.
There's "country club" narcos and "animal" narcos. He's the latter. But just under the thin vernier, they're all the same. They look best with cross-hairs just above center of mass.
Green Light
11-14-2010, 17:33
Edited. Nothing to see here. Move along.
A lighter (but true) look at the border. LINK (http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=KTb6qdPu8JE)
Is that the correct link? It's the "I Fought for Your" video.
Pat
Green Light
11-15-2010, 06:25
Is that the correct link? It's the "I Fought for Your" video.
Pat
Hmmm. My bad. Don't know how that got in there. :confused:
GratefulCitizen
11-18-2010, 12:26
Push has come to shove.
Don't Mess with Texas!
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/18/americas-war-texas-mounts-counterinsurgency-effort/
“I never thought that we’d be in this paramilitary type of engagement. It's a war on the border," said Captain Stacy Holland with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Holland leads a fleet of 16 state-of-the-art helicopters that make up the aviation assets used by the Texas DPS to fight Mexican drug cartels.
In recent years, the cartels have become bolder and more ruthless.
They cross the border with AK-47s on their backs, wearing military camouflage. They recruit in prisons and schools on the American side. Spotters sit in duck blinds along the Rio Grande and call out the positions of the U.S. Border Patrol.
To combat the cartels, the Texas Department of Public Safety is launching a counterinsurgency.
“It certainly is a war in a sense that we’re doing what we can to protect Texans and the rest of the nation from clearly a threat that has emerged over the last several years,” said Former FBI prosecutor Steve McCraw, who runs the undeclared "war."
And now that there is added pressure on the cartels, the drug runners are employing new techniques, known as a splash down. When the heat is on, they attempt to return to Mexico with the drugs, often times in broad daylight. And because the Texas law enforcement’s authority ends at the border -- in this case the river -- they even have time to put on their life jackets.
“The cartels may be ruthless, they may be vicious, they may be cowardly ... but they’re not stupid,” said McCraw. “They’ll adapt their tactics and recently they’ve adapted their tactics to utilize smaller loads, cross with rafts, stolen vehicles on our side.”
President Barack Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano have recently said the Mexican border is more secure now than it has been in 20 years, but some along this border strongly disagree.
"To suggest the southwest border is secure is ridiculous," said Holland.
that is so friggin awsome. The feds wont to crap, I'm glad TX has the balls to take it upon themselves.:lifter
I hope AZ does the same..
Good for them......when can I move there????
that is so friggin awsome. The feds wont to crap, I'm glad TX has the balls to take it upon themselves.:lifter
I hope AZ does the same..
Good for them......when can I move there????
How long before DOJ files suit against Texas? Or liberal groups start calling for a boycott of Texas? Not that anyone in Texas would care. It would probably be a point of pride for most Texans if they did.
Longish article from the WSJ that discusses the problem. Background of the Zetas, discussion of direct confrontation between Mexican military units and the cartels.
CombatMuffin
11-22-2010, 09:50
At least someone got fed up on the Mexican sid eof the border.....LINK (http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2010/11/don-alejo-killed-in-defense.html)
"Nuevo Leon businessman Don Alejo Garza Tamez was killed at his ranch in Güemez, Tamaulipas, when he resisted an attack by gunmen who tried to strip him of his property.
Garza Tamez, 77 years old and originally from Allende, Nuevo León, and partner in the lumber El Salto, died at 05:00 on Sunday inside his country home after being attacked with guns of high caliber and fragmentation grenades.
Unofficial sources said that the businessman was an avid hunter, so he was in possession of a collection of weapons which he used to defend his property located 23 kilometers east of Ciudad Victoria on Linares road in the jurisdiction of Güemez.
Don Alejo had received threats from an organized crime group to force him to vacate his ranch, but instead, Don Alejo decided to stay and face the gunmen.
Although the Tamaulipas authorities did not provide any factual information, other spokesmen claimed that before Don Alejo fell dead by the hail of bullets and grenades, he managed to kill four of the sicarios who participated in the attack of his ranch.
The remains of Tamez Garza were returned to his family by Ciudad Victoria authorities, where they were eventually transferred to Monterrey."
A mexican newspaper reported that he received threats 24 hours prior to the incident, he basically told his workers to stay home the next day, and barricaded himself to stand his ground. He had little chances of winning, but at least he refused to kneel down to them and defended his property with whatever tools he had.
Ret10Echo
11-22-2010, 19:13
"Second highest source of foreign income after oil"
And you wonder why they will never REALLY secure the border?
BBC
LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
22 November 2010 Last updated at 13:07 ET
Mexico migrants told to form convoys
The Mexican government has advised migrants driving home from the US for the winter holidays to form convoys for their own protection inside Mexico.
They have also been asked to travel only during daylight hours.
The interior ministry said the Mexican army could provide escorts to protect convoys from attack by criminal gangs.
Mexico's northern border states are experiencing high levels of drug-related violence, making it dangerous to travel on some major highways.
Migrants returning from the US have in the past been targeted for robbery and extortion because they often bring back new cars, cash and other goods.
The interior ministry (Segob) said returning migrants should register with Programa Paisano, a government agency which protects the rights of Mexicans who travel in and out of the country.
They can also plan their routes on its website and phone free telephone lines for advice and to report any crime against them.
'Intense vigilance'
"The main recommendation to travellers is to drive by day and in groups, so we suggest they go to the offices of Programa Paisano to organise caravans to be escorted and monitored", the interior ministry said.
"For its part, the Mexican army will mount an operation of intense vigilance to provide security to people travelling on the roads".
An estimated 12 million Mexicans live in the US, and the money they send home is Mexico's second-highest source of foreign income after oil exports.
The US State Department has also warned its citizens of the danger of attack while driving in northern Mexico.
Terrorist Threat On Border With Mexico
Channel 2 Action News anchor Justin Farmer traveled to Arizona to view a detention center near Phoenix. He viewed records that show illegals in custody from from Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan and Yemen.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/23434381/detail.html
Paul Brown (R GA), who is on the homeland security comittee, said he has never seen the list of captured OTM's. :eek::mad:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/23/americas-war-smuggling-tunnels/??test=latestnews
Tunnels for drugs, terrorist personalities and what else?
Further discussion of possible threat...
http://blutube.policeone.com/Media/6608-Terror-Threat-on-the-Border/
greenberetTFS
11-25-2010, 16:15
What a f**ing mess!!!!!...:mad: We ought to just declare a war on these cartels,go in there in force like we did in Panama and put an end to all this bulls**t.....:mad: Are we forever going to sit on the sidelines bitchen about what's happening on the border........:mad: Let's either s**t or get off the pot!.........:mad:
Big Teddy
dr. mabuse
11-25-2010, 16:47
*
Alleged teen hit man arrested in Mexico
Published December 03, 2010
Mexico City – Mexican soldiers have captured a 14-year-old known as the "boy hit man," who was wanted in the central state of Morelos for several killings in which his victims were decapitated, the daily Reforma reported Friday.
Military officials consulted by Efe said they have reports that a person was arrested but were unaware if that individual is Edgar Jimenez Lugo, alias "El Ponchis" (The Cloak).
The daily Reforma, which published a photo of the minor being escorted by two soldiers, said Jimenez Lugo was arrested Thursday with two of his sisters at the airport in Xochitepec, Morelos.
The three were planning to travel to the northern city of Tijuana and from there to neighboring San Diego, California.
According to the daily, Jimenez Lugo is accused of working as an assassin for the South Pacific drug cartel and of "being responsible for decapitating and dismembering his victims."
Reforma said the suspect confessed to several murders while being interrogated by federal prosecutors in Morales amid heavy military security.
"I killed four people. I decapitated them. I felt terrible doing it (but) they forced me. They said if I didn't do it they were going to kill me. I only decapitated them. I never hung any bodies from bridges, never," Jimenez Lugo said, according to the newspaper.
"They kidnapped me and told me they were going to kill me," Jimenez Lugo said, adding that he planned to go to San Diego to visit his step-mother, who had sent him money for the trip.
One of his sisters arrested at the airport is accused of transporting dead bodies aboard stolen vehicles and dumping them, Reforma said.
"They had two cellular (phones). He (Jimenez Lugo) had one phone and his sister the other one. The proof of how they tortured people, how they killed them, all that, is in their cell phones," a military official told the daily.
The search for the boy began in October after soldiers arrested six suspected members of the South Pacific cartel.
One of the suspects told authorities that the bloodiest assassin in the group was Jimenez Lugo, whom soldiers had released because he was a minor, according to press accounts.
Morelos, which is close to Mexico City, has been caught up in a turf war between rival drug cartels.
Nearly 30,000 people have died in drug-related violence since President Felipe Calderon militarized the struggle against Mexico's cartels shortly after taking office in December 2006.
Many victims of the gangland violence have been found decapitated and hung from bridges, as the drug mobs seek more and more grisly ways to intimidate their rivals.
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2010/12/03/alleged-teen-hit-man-arrested-mexico/
Can you imagine that little bastard in the same school or any where else near your son or daughter:eek:, scary.
http://www.krgv.com/news/local/story/Possible-Mexican-Military-Incursion-On-U-S-Soil/x_-oXhrE3Um61ytja1xnKg.cspx
DaveMatteson
02-16-2011, 11:45
http://www.aztlan.net/texas_governor_invade_mexico.htm
by
Ernesto Cienfuegos
La Voz de Aztlan
Los Angeles, Alta California - November 19, 2010 - (ACN) Texas Governor Rick Perry has suddenly gone 'loco.' He now thinks that he is the incarnation of General Sam Houston. Yesterday at a conference of the Republican Governors Association in San Diego, Alta California he said that he would support sending U.S. troops into Mexico to fight the drug cartel insurgents. Not since the fall of the Alamo and the subsequent Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836 have things been so bleak between the Republic of Mexico and the Texan anti-Mexican racists.
It is now clear that Governor Perry is utilizing the infamous Texas Rangers to instigate a fight with Mexico. Today, Captain Stacy Holland of the Texas Rangers made some inflammatory statements to the media. He said, “I never thought that we’d be in this paramilitary type of engagement. It's a war on the border.” Captain Holland is making it appear as if there is already a war between Mexicans and Texas. Captain Holland, who commands a fleet of 16 heavily armed Texas Ranger helicopters, said that he is a daily witness to numerous columns of drug cartel insurgents armed with AK-47s crossing into the USA. This is a totally fabricated lie at the most or a huge exaggeration at the least. The Texas Rangers have now launched what they refer to as a ‘counterinsurgency.’
Militant Governor of Texas preparing for war with Mexico
Governor Perry has chosen a brutal armed force to carry out his planned racist campaign against Mexico and Mexicans. The evil Texas Rangers have a notorious history going back to 1835 of murdering and lynching Mexicans. Their brutal repression of the Mexican population in early Texan history was tantamount to state-sanctioned terrorism. Although the exact number of Mexicans murdered and lynched by the Texas Rangers is unknown, historians estimate that it ran into the thousands. One case is particularly heinous. In March of 1881, a posse of Texas Rangers crossed the border into Mexico and illegally arrested Onofrio Baca on trump up charges. Mr. Baca was returned without extradition orders to the United States where he was handed over to a mob and strung up to the cross beams of the gate in the court house yard until he was dead.
Governor Perry with an unidentified underage girl at the Alamo where Mexican troops defeated a bunch of renegade Texans
The terrorizing of Mexicans by the Texas Rangers continued well into the twentieth century. On October 18, 1915 a group of Mexican insurgents derailed a train travelling towards Brownsville. The sinister Texas Rangers exacted brutal revenge. Two Mexican passengers aboard the train were shot on the spot for their supposed assistance of the raid. The Texas Rangers then decapitated eight suspected Mexican insurgents and left their headless bodies along the banks of the Rio Grande to rot.
President Barack Obama should move quickly to shut Rick Perry's mouth up. With the US already involved in two wars, it certainly can not afford another one. The US armed forces are already running on their last gallon of gas and the US economy is in the gutter. We are no longer back in 1835. It is doubtful that the modern day Texas Rangers can take on the well armed Sinaloa Cartel or the Zetas. Also, let us not forget the embarrassing General John J. Pershing's Punitive Expedition into Mexico that sought to capture the brilliant General Francisco Villa.
The best solution to the problem is for the USA to cure its huge appetite for drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroin and crystal meth. There is no need to attack the supply and invade Mexico. Take care of the demand in the USA. Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush as well as Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan have used these drugs and have contributed to the problem. Do not punish Mexico.
Hector Carreon is another one of their reporters. He is a former US Army veteran who has accused the US military of supplying weapons to the cartels.
The Reaper
02-16-2011, 11:52
What do you find interesting about it?
TR
ZonieDiver
02-16-2011, 11:53
http://www.krgv.com/news/local/story/Possible-Mexican-Military-Incursion-On-U-S-Soil/x_-oXhrE3Um61ytja1xnKg.cspx
They probably read about Dozer's "incursion" years ago and decided it was time for "payback"! :D
DaveMatteson
02-16-2011, 12:08
What do you find interesting about it?
TR
The "interesting" part came from the email I got it from and was in reference to the pictures calling Perry a militant.
If you follow the link there are pictures of the Texas Rangers doing their job, Perry firing a rifle being called a militant, and Perry posing with a student at the Alamo.
But if I had to pick something that was "interesting" I would chose the fact that the reporter says we need to leave the drug supply alone.
Texas_Shooter
02-16-2011, 12:37
http://www.aztlan.net/texas_governor_invade_mexico.htm
That story was written by some left wing nut job. The problems that we are having down here on the border are real. The Texas Rangers are not armed to the teeth like he says they are, they have a SWAT team just like any other law enforcement agency. Governor Rick Perry is out there but he is not that crazy.
Here is some information on the Texas Rangers aka "Texan anti-Mexican racists"
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/texasrangers
Raine_n_Roses
02-16-2011, 12:47
I thought the National Guard was called out for the Border Patrol again?
Not that they can do much.
we did the OJS in 06-07 in Laredo, We were advised to carry personal weapons when off duty b/c some guy in Mexico put a hit out on Agents
and National Guard on the Border. 10,000$ reward for any of us shot and
killed. We would be on duty and you can see the mexican military drive around the river perimeter in thier vehicles with a gunner and weapon on top. we wondered about some of the integrity of the PD there.
The operation wasted alot of tax money, we were only allowed to do surviellance, we sat in a vehicle for 12hrs some days were good, some days were long and boring. but yet issued a side arm and 16 and were told not to use them only (used for show of force), or we would cause a international chaos. talk about the irony.
I say Qp's do your thing.
DaveMatteson
02-16-2011, 13:00
That story was written by some left wing nut job. The problems that we are having down here on the border are real. The Texas Rangers are not armed to the teeth like he says they are, they have a SWAT team just like any other law enforcement agency. Governor Rick Perry is out there but he is not that crazy.
Here is some information on the Texas Rangers aka "Texan anti-Mexican racists"
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/texasrangers
If you check out the web site you will see that they are seriously misguided. Even the Hispanic community in California has a tremendous dislike for them.
The Reaper
02-16-2011, 13:14
If you check out the web site you will see that they are seriously misguided. Even the Hispanic community in California has a tremendous dislike for them.
You mean "Alta California".
TR
greenberetTFS
02-16-2011, 13:28
They probably read about Dozer's "incursion" years ago and decided it was time for "payback"!
Zonie's right,Dozer started this whole thing!!!!..........:rolleyes::eek::p
Big Teddy :munchin
we did the OJS in 06-07 in Laredo, We were advised to carry personal weapons when off duty b/c some guy in Mexico put a hit out on Agents
and National Guard on the Border. 10,000$ reward for any of us shot and
killed.
1 U.S. Immigration Agent Killed, 1 Injured in Mexico
Published February 16, 2011
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was killed and another wounded while driving through northern Mexico Tuesday, in a rare attack on American officials in this country which is fighting powerful drug cartels.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said one agent was critically wounded in the attack and died from his injuries. The second agent was shot in the arm and leg and remains in stable condition.
ICE Director John Morton late Tuesday identified the slain agent as Jaime Zapata, who was on assignment from the office in Laredo, Texas, where he served on the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Unit as well as the Border Enforcement Security Task Force. The injured agent, who was not identified, remains in stable condition, Morton said.
"I'm deeply saddened by the news that earlier today, two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents assigned to the ICE Attache office in Mexico City were shot in the line of duty while driving between Mexico City and Monterrey by unknown assailants," Napolitano said.
U.S. and Mexican officials said they were working closely together to investigate the shooting and find those responsible. They did not give a motive for the attack.
Feb. 15: Mexican federal police guard a U.S. Embassy vehicle after it came under attack by unknown gunmen on Highway 57 between Mexico City and Monterrey, near the town of Santa Maria Del Rio, San Luis Potosi state, Mexico. A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was killed and another wounded in the attack. (AP)
"Let me be clear: any act of violence against our ICE personnel -- or any DHS personnel -- is an attack against all those who serve our nation and put their lives at risk for our safety," Napolitano said. "We remain committed in our broader support for Mexico's efforts to combat violence within its borders."
The two agents were driving in the northern state of San Luis Potosi when they were stopped at what may have appeared to be a military checkpoint, said one Mexican official, who could not be named because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the case. Mexican military officials said they have no checkpoints in the area.
After they stopped, someone opened fire on them, the official said.
San Luis Potosi police said gunmen attacked two people a blue Suburban on Highway 57 between Mexico City and Monterrey, near the town of Santa Maria Del Rio, at about 2:30 p.m.
Police said one person was killed and another was flown to a Mexico City hospital, though they couldn't confirm the victims were the ICE agents.
A U.S. law enforcement source who was not authorized to speak on the case said the agent who died was on loan from Laredo, Texas.
Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. Arturo Sarukhan spoke with Morton to express Mexico's condolences, according to a spokesman.
"Please keep Special Agent Zapata's family, friends, and colleagues close to your heart during this difficult time. May the work we continue to do as an agency be worthy of a sacrifice as great as the one made by Special Agent Zapata," Morton said in a statement Wednesday.
Zapata, who joined ICE in 2006, had also served as a member of the U.S. Border Patrol in Yuma, Arizona. He was a native of Brownsville, Texas and graduated from the University of Texas at Brownsville in 2005. No age was given for Zapata.
Though Mexico is seeing record rates of violence from warring drug cartels and a crackdown on organized crime, it is rare for U.S. officials to be attacked. The U.S. government, however, has become increasingly concerned about the safety of its employees in Mexico amid the escalating violence.
In March, a U.S. employee of a consulate, her husband and a Mexican tied to the American consulate were killed when drug gang members fired on their cars as they left a children's party in Ciudad Juarez, the city across from El Paso, Texas.
The U.S. State Department has taken several measures over the past year to protect consulate employees and their families. It has at times authorized the departure of relatives of U.S. government employees in northern Mexican cities.
In July, it temporarily closed the consulate in Ciudad Juarez after receiving unspecified threats.
In 1985, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena Salazar was tortured and killed in Mexico. Mexican trafficker Rafael Caro Quintero is serving a 40-year prison term for Camarena's slaying.
ICE, the investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the second largest investigative agency in the federal government, enforced immigration laws and is primarily responsible for arresting, detaining and deporting people who are in the U.S. illegally. It also investigates drug cases in the U.S. and Mexico and other types of trafficking.
It was created in 2003 through a merger of the investigative and interior enforcement elements of the U.S. Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service and has more than 20,000 employees in offices in all 50 states and 47 foreign countries.
Mexico is fighting heavily armed and powerful drug cartels that supply the U.S. market. Since President Felipe Calderon launched a military crackdown against drug trafficking shortly after taking office in December 2006, almost 35,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence.
Fox News' Mike Levine and the Associated Press contributed to this report
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/02/15/immigration-agent-killed-injured-mexico/#
DaveMatteson
02-16-2011, 14:08
You mean "Alta California".
TR
I'm not sure how much of Hector Carreon's material you have read, but to explain, "Alta California" is what Carreon calls all of California as he believes it was stolen from Mexico. He was once a Los Angeles County Real Estate Management Commissioner. He has also stated that the US Army was responsible for beheadings of Americans in Iraq saying that it was made to look like terrorists did it.
Not a big wiki fan but here is some info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voz_de_Aztlan
Peregrino
02-16-2011, 20:24
If you check out the web site you will see that they are seriously misguided. Even the Hispanic community in California has a tremendous dislike for them.
You might want to do a simple web search for references to Aztlan. The concept and its principles/principals are not as "disliked" within the latino community as you intimate.
ZonieDiver
02-16-2011, 20:45
You might want to do a simple web search for references to Aztlan. The concept and its principles/principals are not as "disliked" within the latino community as you intimate.
It sure gets a lot of traction here in Arizona, especially the Tucson area... I mean "Pimeria Alta"! :D
You might want to do a simple web search for references to Aztlan.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe are popular around here, too - especially Aztlan, that big lion character. :D
Richard :munchin
dr. mabuse
02-16-2011, 20:54
*
Peregrino
02-16-2011, 21:43
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe are popular around here, too - especially Aztlan, that big lion character. :D
Richard :munchin
Cute. :rolleyes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aslan
mojaveman
02-16-2011, 22:31
I was in Campo, CA just a few clicks from Mexico this morning and got a very close look at a multi-million dollar aviation facility that's being built to support the Border Patrol/DHS operations down there. I was glad to see firsthand what's being done to counter our border problem.
Raine_n_Roses
02-17-2011, 11:49
quote from Todd1, news article:
The two agents were driving in the northern state of San Luis Potosi when they were stopped at what may have appeared to be a military checkpoint, said one Mexican official, who could not be named because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the case. Mexican military officials said they have no checkpoints in the area.
After they stopped, someone opened fire on them, the official said.
I saw that later in the day. Sad i actually knew him, not well. But we worked with him. He was a good agent.
RIP SIR.
quote from Todd1, news article:
The two agents were driving in the northern state of San Luis Potosi when they were stopped at what may have appeared to be a military checkpoint, said one Mexican official, who could not be named because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the case. Mexican military officials said they have no checkpoints in the area.
After they stopped, someone opened fire on them, the official said.
I saw that later in the day. Sad i actually knew him, not well. But we worked with him. He was a good agent.
RIP SIR.
I will not speak ill of dead and will comment that I have been taught never to "break the seal" when in an armored vehicle. It's sad that we all too often rely on incidents such as this to remind ourselves of SOPs and why protective equipment is authorized. RIP SA Zapata.
U.S. agent under attack in Mexico called for help
By William Booth
Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/18/AR2011021806308.html) Staff Writer
Friday, February 18, 2011; 7:38 PM
New details emerged Friday from U.S. officials on the daylight assault Tuesday against two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Avila and ICE special agent Jaime Zapata were traveling in an armored Chevrolet Suburban with diplomatic license plates on a popular four-lane highway four hours north of Mexico City. They were returning from a meeting with fellow agents from Monterrey, who met them at a halfway point near San Luis Potosi to exchange technical equipment.
According to U.S. officials who requested their names not be used because of security protocols, Zapata and Avila were pursued on the highway by armed gunmen in civilian clothes riding in several vehicles.
The agents were forced to the side of the road and, when their passenger-side window briefly opened, the assailants fired several rounds into their vehicle, killing Zapata, who was driving, and wounding Avila in the leg.
The agents got the window closed again, and Avila called the security detail at the U.S. Embassy. The assailants opened fire at the vehicle, but could not penetrate the bulletproof armor and glass. Investigators counted more than 80 shell cases around their SUV.
//snip//
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Tex.) said earlier that the agents identified themselves as American diplomats before they were shot.
"This was an intentional ambush against two United States federal agents, which I view as an attack against the United States," McCaul said.
http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/02/21/hezbollah-working-with-cartels/
"Hezbollah are absolute masters at identifying existing smuggling infrastructures," says former DEA Chief of Operations Mike Braun, adding that the group "is developing relations with those responsible for operating those smuggling operations and then forming close relations with them, so that they can move anything they have an interest into virtually anywhere in the world." That comment comes from former DEA Chief of Operations Mike Braun. He goes on to tell me that the Middle East terror group is "rubbing shoulders" with drug cartels around the globe.
My military and Department of Homeland Security contacts are insistent...it's not if Hezbollah operatives have been smuggled into the U.S....but how many? They note that drug tunnels are becoming much more sophisticated and striking similar as tunnels being used by terror organizations to smuggle weapons into the Gaza Strip. My contacts also say they have real concern that bombing techniques used in the Middle East to promote terror are now also being used inside Mexico, as the cartels war with each other and anyone in their way.
This comes as Mexican authorities busted a senior Hezbollah operative who employed Mexicans nationals with family ties to Lebanon to set up the network, designed to target Israel and the West, according to multiple reports. The man's name is Jameel Nasr and he was arrested after a Mexican surveillance operation revealed that he traveled frequently to Lebanon to receive information and instructions from Hezbollah commanders and he also spent several months in Venezuela working with the terror group and Hugo Chavez's people.
Meantime, over this past weekend President Calderon of Mexico sent a significant number of troops to the border regions and while they are there to help battle the cartels, they have also been sent to deal with the growing connection to Hezbollah. As one contact told me, "Mexico knows the seriousness of a cartel connection with Hezbollah and the threat to their national security."
We also know from DHS documents that over 180,000 illegal aliens from countries Other than Mexico were apprehended from 2007 through mid-March 2010 and the State Department Country Reports on Terrorism said that "smuggling rings have been detected moving people from East Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia". I am told these people and drugs are then moved up through Central America and into the Unites States through Mexico.
Congressman Connie Mack chairs the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee and says, "I think the question that we all have to ask is, when the terrorist come into Latin America, when they move into Mexico, how many have come into the United States? Our government doesn't know the answer to that question. That should make all of us very fearful."
The Congressman is critical of the Administrations response to this increased threat, "What are we going to do to secure our border step one and step two what are we going to do to confront the drug cartels in Hezbollah from continuing to create a force inside Mexico that will destabilize the United States?"
In response to this story, I contacted DHS and various departments within the administration. To be fair, they are obviously not going to give up information on operations or threats that they are working to eliminate, however, we didn't get much in feedback about our story, or in a way of a statement. I did have testimony forwarded to me from Assistant Secretary of State Arturo Valenzuela from February 15th where he acknowledges the threat to American security and says the U.S. will continue to assist in the region's need to combat drug trafficking and transnational crime.
Dozer523
02-21-2011, 13:14
They probably read about Dozer's "incursion" years ago and decided it was time for "payback"! :D :eek:Zonie's right,Dozer started this whole thing!!!!......:pBig Teddy It was the Duece's fault.
"Here's your map"
"one?"
"One. One patrol, one map."
"Five. Four trucks, four maps; and a spare?"
"No."
"No?"
"Goodbye."
"Bye?"
"YES, See ya."
"Maybe."
...it's not if Hezbollah operatives have been smuggled into the U.S....but how many?
Hezbollah...isn't that a terrorist organization (http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm)? Oh wait...nope, they're a legitimate political party in Lebanon. Sorry...my fault.
Hezbollah...isn't that a terrorist organization (http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm)? Oh wait...nope, they're a legitimate political party in Lebanon. Sorry...my fault.
Rome is definitely burning.
Peregrino
02-21-2011, 17:41
Rome is definitely burning.
Barbarian wives are starting to look like a viable plan. :(
incarcerated
02-22-2011, 01:45
Barbarian wives are starting to look like a viable plan. :(
You mean…that’s not what we already have…?
:rolleyes::D
Dozer523
02-22-2011, 08:42
barbarian wives.
You mean…that’s not what we already have…?
:rolleyes::D You mean MRFL isn't? It's a costume?
http://www.wral.com/news/political/story/9576192/
Once again, PBo is relentlessly pressing his big lie. He is pandering to the Latino community in hopes they will all back him in 2012. I guess he thinks they believe those that have family who are still in Mexico or who are illegal immigrants will find a way to vote illegally.
http://www.wral.com/news/political/story/9576192/
The bodies keep piling up and whoever/whatever keeps flowing over the border and BHO feels the need to joke about it. What an asshole.
I know he’s not the first president to ignore the border problem, but moats and alligators? Ridiculous.
Maybe he’ll do this country a favor and resign then become a low level community agitator comedian.
Ret10Echo
05-12-2011, 04:15
become a low level community agitator comedian.
Become?
http://www.wral.com/news/political/story/9576192/
Once again, PBo is relentlessly pressing his big lie. He is pandering to the Latino community in hopes they will all back him in 2012. I guess he thinks they believe those that have family who are still in Mexico or who are illegal immigrants will find a way to vote illegally.
I'm from El Paso and I asked my mother who still lives there what all happen with BHO visit. Her BLUF was her saying BHO was just here searching for Hispanic votes for next year and these dumb people are falling for it. BTW she is a long time DEM. When we talked about his message she said he hasn't done anything for immigration overhaul and mostly won't. Let's see if he does anything with the troops and Afghanistan. He hasn't had much change during his time.
Funny how a 82 Y/o women can see what her POTUS is doing. Love her!
dr. mabuse
05-12-2011, 10:17
*
incarcerated
05-12-2011, 10:59
The bodies keep piling up ....
It’s OK: they’re on the South side of the border. Forget about it!
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-05-12-drug-war-mexico-pits_n.htm
196 bodies unearthed from pits in northern Mexico
Posted 12h 26m ago |
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Eight more bodies have been unearthed from mass graves in the northern state of Durango, where drug traffickers are suspected of burying victims over several years. A total of 196 corpses have been recovered so far....
ZonieDiver
05-12-2011, 11:28
My google-fu is weak today. If this was posted elsewhere here, I apologize.
A local police officer was killed by a illegal alien-felon from Kalifornia! The big question is: even though he once had legal status, after being released from incarceration, why was he not deported?
http://ktar.com/category/local-news-articles/20110510/Sheriff:-Suspect-in-officer's-death-was-illegal-immigrant
This scumbag killed Officer Tirado, and wounded Officer Paz, who killed the creep.
"El Gran Mercado" is a huge Hispanic flea market type place not far from where I used to live in SW Phoenix.
Interesting BLOG entry
The Border War
April 15, 2011
Cartels ♥ Terrorists
In recent months, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has annexed a private aircraft hanger at the Tucson International Airport. Their presence is intended to assist the United States Border Patrol. However, they have no intention of halting drug smuggling, human trafficking, or general illegal immigration, per se. Rather, according to an anonymous officer within the Tucson Police Department, the FBI has established this post in order to observe and report upon increasing communication and collaboration between Mexican cartels and Islamic terrorist organizations – an association that the Department of Justice and FBI have long questioned and whitewashed…untill recently.
The United States/Mexico border has long been criticized as a blatant weakness which might be exploited by terrorists wishing to gain entry into our country. In 2008, the United States Border Patrol reported finding 60 pieces of Islamic paraphernalia within the Tucson sector alone. It would require little effort for a Muslim terrorist of Arab ethnicity to disguise themself as a hispanic in order to illegally cross the border. In fact, there are over 1 million people of Arab descent currently living in Mexico, and tens of millions living throughout Central and South America, which has been a popular place of emigration for Arabs and Muslims for several centuries.
However, this conversation is anything but hypothetical supposition. In 2003, a Hezbollah operative was arrested in Detroit, and had illegally gained access to the US via Mexico. Hezbollah is a Lebonese-Shiite Muslim militia, bankrolled by the Iranian government, and (as of now) is a designated terrorist group. Hezbollah has established base camps throughout South and Central America, and assists cartels in drug, weapon and human smuggling throughout the region. Throughout the 1990s, and directly corresponding with an influx of radical Islamic groups within the region, South America witnessed a wave of anti-semitic violence.
Hezbollah’s power and influence in the Americas is becoming stronger and more worrisome as of late due to dubious, curious and exceptionally open relationships being kindled between Islamic groups of the Middle East and Communist governments of Central and South America, particularly Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. This seems to have become a strategic relationship founded on anti-American spite. Chavez often hosts Hezbollah and Iranian representatives, and has traveled to Iran on several occasions.
In 2007, the FBI published and distributed a communication warning of a terrorist plan to wage an assault on the Fort Huachuca military base in southeastern Arizona. Fort Huachuca is major military communications hub, and trainer of translators serving in the middle east. The warning described how jihadists, some of whom were already within the United States, were paying cartel smuggling rings, hypothesized to be the Sinaloa Cartel, as much as $20,000 per head or in kind payments, such as weaponry or drugs. The jihadists, disguised as Mexicans, would be smuggled across the Rio Grande River near Laredo, Texas while their arms, including automatic assault rifles and shoulder-mounted rockets, would be smuggled into the United States via underground tunnels in southern Arizona.
After public reports were published in news media outlets (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2007/nov/25/us-intel-center-wary-of-terrorist-attack/), the FBI began to change their tune, downplaying the threat, and even referring to sources within their own office, within the Drug Enforcement Agency, and even cartel enformants, as “dubious” and absent of substance, despite the impressive and dramatic plethora of highly specific details contained within the report. If the threat was not considered credible, why did the FBI deem it necessary to brief the Defense Intelligence Agency, the CIA, the Customs and Border Protection, and the Department of Justice, as well as law enforcement offices throughout the country. Furthermore, why would Fort Huachuca have been prompted to overhaul their security operations throughout the base?
In March of 2011, documents (http://www.scribd.com/doc/51237749/Ahmed-Dhakane-DOJ-Sentencing-Memorandum) were obtained from the Department of Justice by Pajamas Media (http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/doj-memo-confirms-terrorists-have-crossed-the-border-pjm-exclusive/) outlining a volatile admission by federal prosecutors revealing a massive smuggling operation throughout the America conducted by a Somali and Al-Shabaab member named Ahmed Mohammed Dhakane. By Dhakane’s own admission, he stated that “he believed they would fight against the U.S. if the jihad moved from overseas locations to the U.S. mainland.”
In February 2001, Mahmoud Kourani (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8408009/ns/us_news-security)crossed the border from Tijuana in the trunk of a car, heading for Dearborn, Michigan, a hotbed of Islamic fundamentalism. Kourani, who federal prosecutors claimed (http://fl1.findlaw.com/news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/terrorism/uskourani111903ind.pdf) had received training in weapons, intelligence, and spy craft in Iran, bribed a Mexican embassy official in Beirut to obtain a visa. Kourani’s brother is a known Hezbollah agent in Lebanon.
In December 2002, Salim Boughader was arrested for smuggling 200 Lebanese, including Hezbollah operatives (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,161473,00.html), across the border. Boughader had previously worked for Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV satellite network.
In July 2004, Farida Goolam Mohamed Ahmed was arrested at a Texas airport boarding a flight to New York. According to the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A30903-2004Jul31.html), she was connected to a Pakistani terrorist group. Believed to be ferrying instructions to U.S.-based al-Qaeda operatives, authorities issued a terror alert (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/01/nyregion/01THRE.html?hp) for Washington D.C., New York, and New Jersey.
In January 2005, two Hamas operatives, Mahmoud Khalil and Ziad Saleh, were arrested as part of a criminal enterprise in Los Angeles. Both had entered the U.S. after paying a smuggler $10,000 each to take them across the border.
Rep. John Culberson said in November 2005 (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,176216,00.html) that an Iraqi al-Qaeda operative on the terror watch list was captured living near the Mexico-Texas border.
In 2007, the United States Army confirmed that 5 Iraqi military personnel (http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article/?AID=/20071206/NATION/112060084/1001) training within the United States fled during the middle of training from Fort Huachuca in Arizona - their location still remains unknown.
In February of 2008, 3 Afghan jihadists with forged Mexican passports were arrested in India en route to France.
In October 2008, several dozen Hezbollah operatives were arrested in Columbia as part of a multi-million dollar drug trafficking and money laundering ring.
The Saudi terrorist, Adnan G. el Shukrijumah (http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wanted_terrorists/adnan-g.-el-shukrijumah), infamous for his pursuit of the construction and detonation of a dirty bomb within the United States, is known to travel under the guise of a Mexican passport.
In April of 2011, the Columbian government offered to extradict Syrian narco-terrorist, and wanted criminal, Walid “The Turk” Makled (http://bigpeace.com/kpatton/2011/04/15/the-liberals-love-for-latino-terrorists/)to the United States, an (in)famous ”businessman” in Venezuela, and leading drug manufacturer in South America. The DEA estimates that approximately 60% of foreign terrorist organizations are associated with the drug trade, accumulating hundreds of millions of dollars a year – the primary funding agent for many of these terrorist groups. Eric Holder’s Department of Justice turned down the extradition – Mr Makled is now currently under the protection of Hugo Chavez.
The Border War
April 15, 2011
incarcerated
05-22-2011, 13:04
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/homeland-security-loses-track-of-nearly-6-million-immigrants/
Homeland Security Loses Track of Nearly 6 Million Immigrants
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 9:26am
by Billy Hallowell
Following Sept. 11, one would assume that the U.S. government’s broken system for tracking illegals would be better than ever. Unfortunately, reality paints the opposite picture. Despite being attacked by Middle Eastern terrorists whose visas had expired, the U.S. is still failing to properly examine immigrants’ status.
Unfortunately, there are millions of foreigners who initially come here legally, but do not maintain the proper immigration status. Judicial Watch has more:
…nearly half of the nation’s estimated 12 million illegal immigrants actually entered the U.S. legally but overstayed their visa, according to a new federal report. That’s because the agency responsible for keeping the nation safe—the Department of Homeland Security—can’t keep track of immigrants who remain in the U.S. after their visas expire.
This clearly creates a huge national security issue because terrorists can plot more attacks from within. In fact, dozens of foreigners convicted of terrorism since the 2001 attacks had overstayed their visas, according to the report, which was published by the investigative arm of Congress known as the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
Surprisingly, Homeland Security has yet to come up with a viable program that can adequately protect the nation. Aside from the basic fact that the government should ensure, to the best of its ability, that immigration laws are upheld, the fact that terrorists can (and already have) exploited these security loopholes should be cause for concern.
The report offers the following recommendations: draft a “civil overstay plan,” revisit systems used to prevent terrorists from exploiting the system and “develop outcome-based performance measures,” among other proposals.
With the nation’s security at stake, Homeland Security should take heed.