Received photos from the school administrator in Acuna: photos are of last weeks flooded roads. I think it is telling that she did not forward photos of people afraid to go outdoors because of potential violence, as reported on some blog sites. It seems that the authors of those blogs are a wee bit out of touch.
The other big news in Acuna is the expansion of the Bendix plant. Think about it! A company is expanding their operations, sending in more American managers, and investing in Acuna while the know-it-alls are talking about the constant fear and danger. The sky is not falling.
Yes, the cartels certainly present a potential for sudden violence. However, after the losses they took in nearby Piedras Negras from the Mexican army, maybe they will think a little more carefully.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Another Tranquil Week in Acuna
No horrible news in Acuna and that means nobody will share the fact that things remained peaceful this week. For those that do not know, I search the Internet for stories about Acuna, Mexico, drug cartels, etc. and telephone at least two people in Acuna every week to keep up to speed. It is always interesting to read posts on news agency and blog sites. Sometimes, the screen-names tell me a lot about the people.
One,who uses the screen name of 'anonymous' wrote that Mexicans are cowards and should stand up to the cartels. This guy is so afraid he will not even post a real name or some name that might give a clue to his identity. Yes, he should know all about cowardice.
Then there is 'confused', a highly opinionated writer that is certain the world should follow his/her ideas about immigration. Wouldn't it be great if politicians has to use names like 'confused'? Some people would STILL vote for confused!
Anyway, things are quiet in Acuna. There were ferocious gun battles in Piedras during the past week. Although I was in town, I missed the gunfights. These will not be overly reported. The Mexican Army won and they keep winning. (Based on the news reports, I bet you thought they were losing).
There is at least one mission group still operating and planning missions in Acuna. I hope to talk with them next week and then do some thinking about Paper Houses.
I just received another phone call, from Acuna. My friend Dennis said that all remains tranquil.
One,who uses the screen name of 'anonymous' wrote that Mexicans are cowards and should stand up to the cartels. This guy is so afraid he will not even post a real name or some name that might give a clue to his identity. Yes, he should know all about cowardice.
Then there is 'confused', a highly opinionated writer that is certain the world should follow his/her ideas about immigration. Wouldn't it be great if politicians has to use names like 'confused'? Some people would STILL vote for confused!
Anyway, things are quiet in Acuna. There were ferocious gun battles in Piedras during the past week. Although I was in town, I missed the gunfights. These will not be overly reported. The Mexican Army won and they keep winning. (Based on the news reports, I bet you thought they were losing).
There is at least one mission group still operating and planning missions in Acuna. I hope to talk with them next week and then do some thinking about Paper Houses.
I just received another phone call, from Acuna. My friend Dennis said that all remains tranquil.
Overly Focused
All of the news should be reported, without bias. The reality is that almost every news story has some type of a slant. When it come to news about Mexico, the slant is negative
The reporting about the violent deaths in Mexico is part of the story about Mexico's realistic and winning approach to stem the flow of narcotics into the United States and to fight the corruption embedded in the country after 70-years of one party rule.
Instead, the media makes the story about violence. For those that think this is the story, consider this fact.
In the United States, there are 91-people killed in vehicle accidents every month. Suppose all of the news media ran a story about each death on the day it occurs? Think about the psychological impact of bloody photos of 3 fatal accidents every single day. The impression would be that speed and red light cameras should be at every intersection. Police resources should be pulled away from burglaries, thefts, and even sexual assaults! No crime can compare with auto accidents when it comes to the number of people injured, the number of people killed or the amount of monetary loss.
The media has great influence on how we perceive the news that is reported or even what news is reported. Reports about actions to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the United States is an important story that deserves constructive stories that rally support, not derision.
The reporting about the violent deaths in Mexico is part of the story about Mexico's realistic and winning approach to stem the flow of narcotics into the United States and to fight the corruption embedded in the country after 70-years of one party rule.
Instead, the media makes the story about violence. For those that think this is the story, consider this fact.
In the United States, there are 91-people killed in vehicle accidents every month. Suppose all of the news media ran a story about each death on the day it occurs? Think about the psychological impact of bloody photos of 3 fatal accidents every single day. The impression would be that speed and red light cameras should be at every intersection. Police resources should be pulled away from burglaries, thefts, and even sexual assaults! No crime can compare with auto accidents when it comes to the number of people injured, the number of people killed or the amount of monetary loss.
The media has great influence on how we perceive the news that is reported or even what news is reported. Reports about actions to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the United States is an important story that deserves constructive stories that rally support, not derision.
Reporting in a Constructive Tone
We read the news and blogs about the violent battles between the government of Mexico and the drug cartels that are responsible for keeping the pipeline of drugs flowing through the United States faster the oil pumps out of BP's collapsed rig with the hope that 'the good guys' will win. I'll take any win that means the power of the cartels to bring drugs into my country is weakened.
However, every story and blog focuses upon the shock value of violence instead of the consistent good news that the cartels are suffering constant losses and could end up being crushed. Every corrupt politician that is arrested is a victory. The suspension and five step testing of major city police departments is a victory. Weapons seized that were destined for the cartels is a victory. Somehow, after reading the stories, I feel depressed. The consistent theme in every story is not that Mexico is winning, but that Mexico is a violent, corrupt and evil place.
However, every story and blog focuses upon the shock value of violence instead of the consistent good news that the cartels are suffering constant losses and could end up being crushed. Every corrupt politician that is arrested is a victory. The suspension and five step testing of major city police departments is a victory. Weapons seized that were destined for the cartels is a victory. Somehow, after reading the stories, I feel depressed. The consistent theme in every story is not that Mexico is winning, but that Mexico is a violent, corrupt and evil place.
Perspective
The news about the Mexican Government's war on drugs should reflect the successes as successes. All news about this war has a negative bias in the way the stories are presented. If the press had reported D-Day in with the same bias against our military, we would have concluded that the loss was too much, with no end in sight!
Today there were major victories in Piedras Negras, a city of 200,000 that is on the Rio Grand, across from Eagle Pass, Texas. The Mexican Army was assessing neighborhoods that are prone to flooding because of the recent rains and street flooding when members of a drug cartel ambushed the soldiers. The soldiers fought back. One soldier was killed and another wounded. The soldiers fought the gunmen to a standstill and the gunmen surrendered. The soldiers seized 12 guns, including 10 assault rifles, and unknown quantity of ammunition and bulletproof vests.
This week, there should (but will not) be a news report that outlines the many recent arrests, deportations and successful investigations related to the drug cartels. Police departments are being investigated and cleaned up. High ranking politicians are being investigated, regardless of party affiliations. While all of these stories are buried, the public is left thinking that Mexico is a narco-country.
There was also a shootout involving cartel members outside of a popular restaurant in Piedras.
Today there were major victories in Piedras Negras, a city of 200,000 that is on the Rio Grand, across from Eagle Pass, Texas. The Mexican Army was assessing neighborhoods that are prone to flooding because of the recent rains and street flooding when members of a drug cartel ambushed the soldiers. The soldiers fought back. One soldier was killed and another wounded. The soldiers fought the gunmen to a standstill and the gunmen surrendered. The soldiers seized 12 guns, including 10 assault rifles, and unknown quantity of ammunition and bulletproof vests.
This week, there should (but will not) be a news report that outlines the many recent arrests, deportations and successful investigations related to the drug cartels. Police departments are being investigated and cleaned up. High ranking politicians are being investigated, regardless of party affiliations. While all of these stories are buried, the public is left thinking that Mexico is a narco-country.
There was also a shootout involving cartel members outside of a popular restaurant in Piedras.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
News - Can There Be Too Much?
May 26, 2010
Another peaceful day in Acuna, Mexico. Rumors about cartel violence continue, but known facts are not very exciting. Perhaps that is why, in this soap opera world of gossip that we've created, the rumors persist.
Blogs about "Violence in Mexico" such as the Borderland Beat, are reduced to editorializing about recent violence in Jamaica. I never knew we shared a border with Jamaica!
The truth is that stories can be over-reported. Too many people are running around like Chicken Little shouting, "The sky is falling!"
We hope that news agencies report legitimate news stories, without agendas. Sadly, there often is an agenda. Most blogs, on the other-hand, exist with an open agenda. Many blogs are simply manifestations of a need to 'be an instant authority' and know all there is to know about a topic.
Rumors are helpful for these bloggers. After-all, it is impossible to disprove most rumors. These bloggers are easy to spot. They mention 'secret' sources that only they are privy too, because (wait for it . . .) the blogger is SPECIAL.
Let's stick to the facts. Honest sources with information that frightens the public should either stand up and be counted or shut up and stop causing alarm. When raising an alarm, there must be a purpose beyond attracting attention to one's self.
Several people have visited the colonias of Mexico at my urging and after reading my website. I've recently confirmed an unacceptable level of violence in Acuna and Piedras. For that reason, I have an affirmative obligation to publish the fact that the violent struggle for control of Mexican cities by drug cartels has reached a point where Paper Houses Across the Border suspended mission trips into the colonias. I continue to visit the colonias to deliver help to the poor and to assure them of our commitment to helping them. I cannot, at this time, take responsibility for encouraging others to join me in the colonias.
Beyond reporting facts I know to be true, I will not do more. I am not an expert, although my decade of experience in building, assessing, and implementing processes that gathered, assessed and developed strategies to use information about crime in Houston, does give me some insight into evaluating information and putting it to use.
If the lack of violent activity continues, the bloggers may consider posting on other blogs. Elvis lives. Extraterrestrials live among us.
Or the Mexican bloggers can find the people with super-secret information about Mexico and the sources that risked their lives by letting them in on the big secrets. They can also wait a little while. In a country as large as Mexico, something is bound to happen.
Another peaceful day in Acuna, Mexico. Rumors about cartel violence continue, but known facts are not very exciting. Perhaps that is why, in this soap opera world of gossip that we've created, the rumors persist.
Blogs about "Violence in Mexico" such as the Borderland Beat, are reduced to editorializing about recent violence in Jamaica. I never knew we shared a border with Jamaica!
The truth is that stories can be over-reported. Too many people are running around like Chicken Little shouting, "The sky is falling!"
We hope that news agencies report legitimate news stories, without agendas. Sadly, there often is an agenda. Most blogs, on the other-hand, exist with an open agenda. Many blogs are simply manifestations of a need to 'be an instant authority' and know all there is to know about a topic.
Rumors are helpful for these bloggers. After-all, it is impossible to disprove most rumors. These bloggers are easy to spot. They mention 'secret' sources that only they are privy too, because (wait for it . . .) the blogger is SPECIAL.
Let's stick to the facts. Honest sources with information that frightens the public should either stand up and be counted or shut up and stop causing alarm. When raising an alarm, there must be a purpose beyond attracting attention to one's self.
Several people have visited the colonias of Mexico at my urging and after reading my website. I've recently confirmed an unacceptable level of violence in Acuna and Piedras. For that reason, I have an affirmative obligation to publish the fact that the violent struggle for control of Mexican cities by drug cartels has reached a point where Paper Houses Across the Border suspended mission trips into the colonias. I continue to visit the colonias to deliver help to the poor and to assure them of our commitment to helping them. I cannot, at this time, take responsibility for encouraging others to join me in the colonias.
Beyond reporting facts I know to be true, I will not do more. I am not an expert, although my decade of experience in building, assessing, and implementing processes that gathered, assessed and developed strategies to use information about crime in Houston, does give me some insight into evaluating information and putting it to use.
If the lack of violent activity continues, the bloggers may consider posting on other blogs. Elvis lives. Extraterrestrials live among us.
Or the Mexican bloggers can find the people with super-secret information about Mexico and the sources that risked their lives by letting them in on the big secrets. They can also wait a little while. In a country as large as Mexico, something is bound to happen.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Schools Close in Acuna
May 21, 2010
After the bomb threat at a private school in Del Rio, there are rumors of threats to blow up a school in Acuna.The schools have sent children home until Monday.
Army patrols seem to be everywhere during the night. People are frightened and everyone has a rumor to share. It is frustrating that the media does not provide solid information, but their reluctance to report specifics is understandable. Reporters in other Mexican cities were killed for reporting the facts.
Rumors of kidnappings and car-jackings are the most common rumor I hear. If nothing occurs this weekend it is another victory for the Mexican government. The show of military force may intimidate the cartels. Just like last weekend, many predict this will be a violent weekend. Last weeks predictions were wrong. Now, the city waits for nightfall.
After the bomb threat at a private school in Del Rio, there are rumors of threats to blow up a school in Acuna.The schools have sent children home until Monday.
Army patrols seem to be everywhere during the night. People are frightened and everyone has a rumor to share. It is frustrating that the media does not provide solid information, but their reluctance to report specifics is understandable. Reporters in other Mexican cities were killed for reporting the facts.
Rumors of kidnappings and car-jackings are the most common rumor I hear. If nothing occurs this weekend it is another victory for the Mexican government. The show of military force may intimidate the cartels. Just like last weekend, many predict this will be a violent weekend. Last weeks predictions were wrong. Now, the city waits for nightfall.
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