Monday, May 14, 2012

Border Insecurity

A friend of ours farms almost 1,000 acres near us. One of his part time tractor hands, a high school boy named Justin, works hard and already has his plans set on majoring in agriculture science in college.

Justin was plowing a remote field about five miles from us last week. He stopped the tractor and climbed down to make an adjustment. While he worked over a disc on the plow, three men emerged from the brush. Two had pistols. They ordered Justin to his knees, hands behind his head. One of the men talked to the other two in Spanish about what they'd do "with the body". He ordered Justin to bow his head and Justin felt the tip of the pistol at the back of his head.

At that moment, the chop- chop sound of a helicopter flying overhead sent the men scurrying back into the brush, allowing Justin to run an adrenaline laced race to the road and escape in his truck.

This is one of several more frequently occurring episodes.

My parents, who live a pasture away from us, have a lovely sun-room at the back of their house, with floor to ceiling windows and a view of their pool. They enjoy taking their morning coffee in this room. One morning before sunrise, my dad left early for an appointment. My mom made several trips through the sun room, tidying things as she went. She heard a noise in the semi darkness outside, and thinking one of their animals might be getting into something, she opened the sun room door and stepped out. There, a set of WET human footprints on the sidewalk leading from the pool to the sun room door stood as stark evidence that someone had indeed been there very shortly before, probably watching  her through the uncovered windows.

There are other stories, too numerous to tell. Not long ago, we always helped people who came through, needing food, sometimes with a pair of shoes or a jacket to keep warm. These were people looking for work, even family groups with small children moving at night through the brush. I have strong feelings about doing things legally, but my heart will never allow me to turn away someone who asks for food or a warm blanket for their child.

These new travelers through the brush are different. They are cartel related. At best they cut fences and kill cattle. At  worst, they leave a grisly wake, especially on the Mexican side of the border, of decapitated bodies, warnings carved into flesh, and worse. Many of these cartel related people literally worship a demon god with rituals so evil I cannot speak of them here. The news media in the U.S. does not report the severity or frequency of what is happening.

It is not all areas in this part of Texas that are having these problems. The beaches, towns, and other tourist areas are safer than the gold at Fort Knox. These folks who deal violence like cards from a deck prefer keeping to uninhabited, remote areas and away from towns and cities. Like cockroaches, they are drawn to dark, unlit areas. They walk a distance through brush and pastures to avoid Border Patrol checkpoints and patrols until they meet their pick-up people at predetermined points on the highway two miles from our house.

Our friends who are Border Patrolmen tell us about things that go on that would unsettle many who feel secure in our border's safety. It's not just Mexican drug cartel laborers who are moving through, but operatives from other countries hostile to the U.S. There are very sophisticated measures now in place to detect people going through who shouldn't be, but they are targeted mainly at checkpoints on the highway and at railroad freight cars.

This has altered my life. At my husband's insistence, I am having to reconsider the regular runs I take through our remote back pastures, as my husband has found the remains of their small campfires there. After the incident with Justin, the area farmers and ranchers have now armed themselves, even when plowing and planting.

We have shored up security at our house, as have my parents. I do not like guns, but I know where my husband's are, where the ammo is, and how to use them. Our daughters do, too.

I do not know what the answer is that will end this.

More than being scared, I am sad. I miss the days when we could be an outstretched hand of help instead of an outstretched hand holding a gun in self defense.

I apologize in advance for this post. I usually try post things that will be uplifting and/or positive, and I know this is neither. It is something, though, that weighs heavily on my heart.



64 comments:

  1. You need not apologize for the post. It is timely and carries a message your readers need to grasp. The down-side is that we all (the nation) need to understand this and address the problem.

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    1. "Down-side." I really meant to indicate that everyone should read this and wake up.

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    2. vanilla: I do hope the state and federal government will wake up soon, before it's too late.

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  2. Do not apologize. I so appreciate this post. Thank you for educating all of us on what is happening. How sad for our country, but especially for you and your neighbors who are essentially being held hostage by such evil. I hope you never have to use that gun, but I'm so glad that you have the right to do so if needed. My blood just boils thinking about the near tragedy that almost occurred with Justin.

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    1. Felt Family: What happened to Justin is the straw that has broken the camel's back. I really shudder what to think is going to come next without some strong intervention from the Border Patrol or the military.

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    2. And you're right- what could have happened with Justin- a kid weeks away from graduation with a college scholarship in his pocket. I don't have the words for it.

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  3. Citizens should feel relatively safe in their own country. This is just terrible, Shelly. I'd read there was trouble but I didn't know it was this bad and done to innocent civilians. Our world has become a frightening place. Our city has drug gangs who kill each other. It used to be a quiet, safe place to live. Drugs has ruined that.

    Something must be done and I hope the residents can get together and protest or something. I can't say enough on how bad I feel for you and your neighbors.

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    1. Belle: I am so very sad that this pollution has infringed all the way up here (we are about two hours from the border). It is incredibly frustrating because border security seems to have become a political football instead of a real life problem.

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  4. I told my sister Liz about your problems and she said when she lived in Florida she got a large dog for protection. She never had any trouble from anyone after that. I know that is a big commitment but I would also feel safer with a dog who could warn you and defend you.

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    1. Belle: Thank you so much. Our last dog was killed about a year ago. Shot. By who, we don't know. We are miles from our nearest neighbors, other than my parents. It could have been a hunter, but then it could have been one of them. My husband's already looking into it again.

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  5. oh my goodness..that is scary. Everything! Justin and your feelings of safety...
    My oldest son is in Texas as I write on some type of college leadership class and is spending a month in Mexico this summer doing some type of school work too...the whole scene makes me nervous...especially for a kid who has no experience.
    God bless us all.

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    1. Annmarie Pipa: I don't mean to make it sound like Texas is a lawless zone, because it's really safe in most places, but I live in a remote, very rural area where houses are few and far between. The interior of Mexico is generally much safe than the areas that border Texas. For some reason, several drug cartels have decided to battle it out for supremacy there.

      My older daughter was an exchange student in Mexico during her junior year in college (in Saltillo) and she had no problems.

      Where will your son be in Mexico?

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  6. Dear Shelly, this might sound silly but I ask God to put angel wings of protection over you, your family and everyone who is affected by the evil that is lurking right outside your door. It is difficult for me to think about you in this situation and to trust God that he will protect you. My first impulse is to want to offer a place of refuge if you and your family ever need it. I know that it will probably never come to that, but my door is open. There are people in my city, and even people in my family, who didn't approve of my decision to teach English to new arrivals. They didn't like that I would provide assistance to people who they felt were here to steal our jobs and abuse our public funds. But I did what I felt was right, for a time. I later ended up leaving my job because of the threat of daily violence, of gangsters with guns in the parking lot waiting for their targets to emerge from the library. It was terrifying. I pray you never have to use your gun, nor do your husband, daughters and parents. Thank God Justin was spared. If you ever need me, night or day, I am here.

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    1. Oh, Jenny, thank you for your most generous and kind offer. And most of all, thank you for your prayers. I often pray that and don't think it's silly at all.

      What you said made me think. We can meet our end just as easily from a homegrown thug, as from a foreign thug. It just tells me we have to keep on doing the best we can with what we know is right, no matter the circumstances.

      I, too, pray that we'll never have to use those guns, and that we'll be able to go back to a gentler, less vigilant life before it's all said and done. I should be more thankful as there are those who have it much worse.

      Thank you, my friend!

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  7. Scum of the earth whoever pointed a gun at Justin.
    Up north here in MN we love to hunt but also know how to protect ourselves if need be. Boys get gun training at age 11.

    Scum.

    I read an article in the National Geographic about that horrible satan worshiping they are doing down there.

    Just what is wrong with people. Where is the compassion?

    The good guys need to go clean shop and get rid of the scum.

    Keep yourself safe. Sorry about your doggy.

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    1. Christine: It's hard to believe that people who call themselves human can do the things they are doing. And if you've read of some of the human sacrifice stuff they are doing, you know they have absolutely not a shred of decency in them.

      My husband's an avid hunter, and I grew up in a family of them. In fact, although I don't hunt, I'm actually a very good shot with targets and skeet, although I personally don't like guns too much. If I have to use it, though, I can.

      I am praying for someone to clean shop in Mexico, before that country is completely corrupted and ruined. Then, we need to establish much safer borders on our side.

      Thank you so much-

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  8. Oh my gosh I missed the part about your dog! That's horrible!

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    1. Jenny: At the time, we thought it was a hunter, and I still kind of feel that, although we can't be sure. Miss him-

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  9. Never apologize for your feelings - especially done with such emotions and respect.

    I am horrified at what goes on and it saddens me as well. My sister lives in California and they can't go to visit Tijuana either. I am not sure what is happening to Mexico.

    Or the world for that matter - some times.

    Love, sandie

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    1. Sandie: I guess it's mostly the whole southern border of the US. The narcos have infiltrated so many levels of government down there that who's to know who can be trusted? I certainly hope for change-

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  10. Oh Shelly, my heart aches for this. I've often felt that our lack of need for God is the foundation of our arrogance....and yet, our country losing its safety, its security and peace is such a high price to pay for returning to the Lord. *sigh*

    I was raised in a home that had a loaded gun on a rack above every door. When I was five, my father shot a rabbit ten feet away from us after letting us play with it alive. It wasn't "traumatic," it was highly effective. Every one of us girls knew absolutely that guns were tools, not toys--a lesson that today's youth are missing in our video game/movie generation. I learned to shoot when I was nine--we had bears, mountain lions and wolves that would come for our ranch stock. Only once did my father go to greet a stranger on our property armed. That stranger left. And killed one of our neighbors for his car. Life is so damn hard sometimes. You and yours will be in my prayers.

    Oh, and please go buy a bunch of solar-powered, motion activated spotlights! (you can put them anywhere) xo

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    1. Chantel: We were just talking exactly about what you said in your first paragraph. Yes, we are paying a high price for returning to the Lord.

      My husband's an avid hunter and I grew up in a family of them. I can shoot the whiskers off a billy goat, but I don't really care for guns. I have to start caring about them now, though. I hope this thing gets under control soon.

      Thank you- my husband's been to Lowe's and we are adding more to what's already there. We are going to be lit up like a Christmas tree when it's all said and done~

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  11. Don't apologize: things can't improve if problems aren't discussed. I've been led to believe that illegal immigration is at an all time low, but this drug cartel problem is totally out of control in Mexico and the Mexican government seems incapable or unwilling to deal with it.

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    1. Stephen: I have high hopes at each presidential election in Mexico with all the promises made, and then they are dashed. My mom is from Mexico, and it really hurts her heart to see how far the government in Mexico has let the people down.

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  12. I'm just returning home from many hours on the road, Shelly, and late getting to your blog. Your post is unsettling. I can understand how the people in your locality are terrified. Those barbarians are robbing good and decent people of their peace of mind. They are stripping you and your neighbors of your sense of security. No peace loving American should be deprived of those things. I abhor violence; but I have seen enough documentaries about the daunting task of protecting remote areas along the border to realize that until the entire length can be secured the only solution to this threat is to adopt a pioneering spirit and defend your land, your household and your family by any means necessary, even if it means owning and using weapons. I am heartsick about this, dear friend. You have better things to do with your time than to spend it worrying about these malicious renegades.

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  13. Shady: You're right- it's such a shame when all the time spent on this issue (and money) could so easily go to better things. I truly hope Mexico gets a handle on this soon. That country is getting too close to a social collapse, and if that happens, may God help us all.

    Thank you, my friend, for stopping in when you've had such a long day. It always means so much that you would go to the trouble of doing that!

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  14. Shelley this is horrible. We hear about things (California being another border state) but we have more problems with the ones here illegally than with the rest (largely because where I live is so densely populated.) Take care and stay safe. I'm glad you're taking precautions with guns, lighting, etc. We aren't able to depend on our government to come to our assistance (at least not now...) because they don't seem to feel there's much of a problem. So it's up to us to take care of ourselves. We should all be self reliant anyway. It makes it hard when you want to be compassionate because it's just not totally safe to do so now.

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    1. Karen: You're right- resources are so strained here that we need to take care of ourselves and be ready for whatever comes. I've lost a lot of my innocent point of view. You all stay safe over there, too, my friend~

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  15. No apology needed Shelly, this is the real world as it is. I am glad that you are taking it serious and being prepared. I just hope you don't have to use any of the weapons. Take care.
    Odie

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    1. Odie: Thank you. To be prepared for the worst but then not need it is what I hope for.

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  16. I'm back again just this one more time to say that my husband Richard will come down and help defend you and your family.

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    1. Jenny: What a wonderful, compassionate friend you are! I think we are going to be fine- we just need to be extra vigilant right now. I won't be running in the fields anymore, no one will go out into the fields alone, and we will all be watching carefully.

      An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
      I believe the words of your prayer, that God has heard them and is doing just that.

      Your kindness truly touches my heart!

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  17. Oh Shelly, this sounds both alarming and sad, that you can no longer be compassionate and also have to feel threatened in this way. Do you have any idea why the cartels are now involved when they weren't involved before?

    We have heard even here in England about the grisly drug-related problems in Mexico, so I do not under estimate how difficult things must be. It sounds as if you are doing the right things to deal with the situation. I think your idea to be prepared and then not need it is probably nearest to the truth.

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    1. Jenny: I believe the cartels are wanting to control the main highways into the US and we are very near a main one. They have been encroaching bit by bit, further and further north.

      In a Mexican border town two hours from here, they hung the tortured bodies of two bloggers, a man and a woman, from a bridge because they'd dared blog about the violence. These cartel people are more terroristic than anyone in the Middle East.

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  18. No apology needed, in fact I found this to be very interesting I had no idea how dangerous it is where you are living. Being in a different country these things are seen in movies and tv shows but we don't know how true the stories are so reading about it from someone I more or less know makes it all the more real........So in fact I want to thank you for highlighting this and telling it how it is........

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    1. Jo-Anne: It is very peaceful here and is generally safe. However, it's that disgusting drug element that threatens to come in and try to disrupt. People are getting stirred around here, and I think eyes are being opened.

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  19. This sounds very alarming and rather dangerous. I hope that people in your area get some more protection in the terms of police and patrol arrangement for night time as well.
    How are you and your family?
    I have to catch up on reading so many blog entries by different blogger friends. I have not been feeling very well.y asthma attacks have increased in number and I can hardly sleep at nights.

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    1. Munir: We have a border patrol station that is a couple of miles away, and the sheriff's department will be increasing patrols, so those are good things. We are doing fine, thank you.

      I'm so sorry to hear of your asthma attacks- I truly hope they will stop and you can get some rest. Have you been seeing your dr.?

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  20. Just this evening the topic of killings and the border came up on on some early news program. This is such a scary situation and those wet foot prints outside your mother's sun room ... I hope she knows how to use a gun. The "hairs off a billy goat?" Shelly, I know this is not a laughing matter but was a new one I had not heard. I have just said a prayer for you and your family. Take care ... have a good and safe night of sleep. ♥

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    1. Cindy: :) I should have said "the chin whiskers off a billy goat"! Thank you so much for your prayers. That's how we're going to win this war- not with all the bullets and guns in the world.

      I appreciate you, my friend!

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  21. Don't ever apologize about what you post, Shelly; we post from our heart and this was on your heart and I can see why. We aren't affected like this because we aren't that close to the border (about 10 miles from it though) but we don't even consider crossing it and warned our son do not go down there under any circumstances. There are wonderful people down there but I do worry so much about the cartel; they are the ones, like you said, doing the most damage with their violence. It is just so sad and I fear it will get worse before it gets better. I think you are wise to take the precautions you are taking.....

    betty

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    1. Betty: We are about two hours from the border, but it is encroaching this far north here. I feel so bad for the people of Mexico. They have it so much worse. I have more and more students who are moving up here from there. I hope you stay safe, too.

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  22. This makes me sick. Truly ill. I shudder when I think of the the evil rituals performed by these people shrouded in darkness. The evil in this world IS unspeakable. I'm sorry Justin had to endure those few awful moments. But what a miracle he was spared.

    I have not been to visit my family in Mexico for a couple of years now because of how bad things have got with the cartels. I don't dare travel along those roads right now.

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    1. Crystal: We haven't been to Mexico, either, for several years, although my parents still go. (They are very stubborn about it). That an entire nation has been hijacked by evil, and that the same evil is now affecting all of us here makes me boiling mad.

      I know you all have the same stuff going on in your state. We can't be too careful, especially with the speculation about what happened with Isabel Celis. Did they find any more clues on that precious little girl?

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  23. Dearest Shelly,
    OMG, you have that kind of dangerous situation now☆☆☆
    I think blog world should help us widen our insight, so I agree with others that it is an important information!
    Firstly, I feel SO sad for you to know that your treasurable time has to be bothered by these people.
    When I was a kid, we don't even care about if we locked the door or not. But we do not feel secure any more. We sure need the answer for these drug dealing criminals putting innocent civilians in danger.
    Take Care of Yourself my preciou friend in America,
    Love you always, xoxo Miyako*

    ps> so sorry for my belated comment. Whew busy schedule(^^;)

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    1. Orchid: Thank you, my dear friend Miyako, for stopping by when I know you are so busy. I have still have some relatives who don't lock their doors here and I am talking daily to them to get that to change.

      I hate drugs and the evil they bring into a society.

      Take care of yourself, my friend. I hope your dad is doing better!

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  24. This was so unsettling to read, but no need to apologize. It's a sad reality. I hope you never have to use one of those guns to defend your home but, if need be, I pray you are fast enough to get the ammo in the gun and deal with the situation. I grew up in a home with guns and was taught to use them by my father after we were robbed twice. We don't own one now and I hope to never need one. I'm sorry you've had to change your running route to stay safe. Your home and property should be a safe haven for you and your family. Terrible to hear about your dog, too. I'm so sorry that happened, hunter or cartel...either way, it sucks. I didn't realize those people worshiped satanic gods, either. That is very disheartening. I prayed for your safety after I read this last night and I will continue to do so.

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    1. Jenn June: Thank you, Jenn. I think more than anything I am upset and maybe even mourning the loss of things I have always taken for granted. These folks are more evil than al quaida's ever thought about being. Thank you for your prayers. They are much appreciated.

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  25. Hi Shelly. I agree with the others - there is no need for you to apologize for this post. I can quite understand why this whole situation troubles your mind so much, and you must be worried about your mum and dad as well. You are right to know how to use the gun, but I pray that the need will never arise and that you all keep safe my friend. Drugs have such a lot to answer for, don't they? I certainly think that your husband is wise to warn you about where you go running though. It's awful that you have to think about things like that really, but it seems to be a sign of the times in the world that we live in at the moment. Hugs.

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    1. Thisisme: I hate drugs- what they do and what they cause. People give up their humanity over them. I hope it is better in England. Hugs back to you, my friend~

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  26. Hi Shelley,

    OMG! You opened my eyes! I had no idea that something like this could happen. Hugs. I hope the authorities take some desperate measures to curb this type of trepassers.

    Now I feel really safe to think that I live on a small Island nation with water all around.

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    1. Romance Book Haven: It is a little surreal to me that this kind of stuff is happening now in this day and age. The authorities are to HAVE to wake up soon. Thank you for your kind words~

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  27. Hi Shelly, We just watched the news today and are horrified. Looking at the comments, it is amazing to realize how little we all know about the situation. As you know, I am a pacifist, but I think I might be loosing my finger hold on those beliefs. Why is our military overseas when we need them here, now?

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    1. Jenny: I fully agree. We need to secure our own nation first. I don't know why it is so vastly underreported, even in the state media. I think some folks have just kind of gotten used to it.

      But, we have faith in God, and nothing can trump that!

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  28. I was horrified at the recent news of the beheadings, but your story goes to show just how much in "our backyard" they are. Sadly, they make people afraid of the ones who are not transporting drugs, but fall into that profile.

    I can understand your concern and it does sound like this has gotten out of control. Good luck and keep us posted on these events!

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    1. Crack You Whip: Those kinds of things happen all the time, but only get reported every now and then. This hijacking of so many things we hold dear has got to stop. Thank you for your good wishes!

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  29. I too would be very concerned. Drugs are a blight. I have no idea how to address this problem, but I can't help feeling that there is a solution.
    Take care.

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    1. Life 101: It's going to take a lot of multi-national governmental cooperation, which isn't on the horizon, sadly.

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  30. How horrific! I never know if what I hear on the news about the drug cartels is hype or if such things are really happening. I wish it were just hype. I am so sorry you and your community have to deal with this.

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    1. Missed Periods: Oh, how I wish it was just hype. Thank you~

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  31. The days are evil and the evilness grows....prayers for you and your family will be added to my prayer list...No greater need we have than to trust in the LORD in the time we live in .....sharing your experience with us brings us to unity in prayer for you, our Sister in the Lord

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  32. Dear Shelly, . . . learning from a first-hand experience is important to me. So thank you for this posting. Members of the drug cartel certainly seem to have let the darkness within them take over. I believe all of us have a place with us that is negative and dark. Witness the years of Nazis and the Holocaust: 12 million people died at the hands of the Nazi, 6 million of them Jews.

    The cartel also has let loose the hounds of darkness They have embraced it and their actions are not filling your life and your parents and all the farmer and all of you who live close to their pathways with fear and terror.

    Like you, I have no idea how to begin to solve this problem. There's an enormous difference between immigrants who are looking for a better life in a new place and gangs who feed on death.

    I will keep all of you surrounded by light within my hear.
    Peace.

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    1. Dee: Thank you. This is first a spiritual problem, a bankruptcy of goodness, and prayer is going to have to be the first defense. Good will triumph over evil. Of that, I have no doubt.

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