Drug Tunnel Found at U.S.- Mexico border

 Jordan Saunders

November 26, 2010

5:03 p.m.

There was an underground drug tunnel found at the United States and Mexico border on Friday. The drug tunnel was said to be about half a mile long, which was directly under the border line. The tunnel which has 30 tons of marijuana among other drugs is believed to have been dug by hand which is why it was not known about. The tunnel was a comfortable working station. Inside there was lighting, ventilation, and a railing system. The issue of drug trafficking and drug trading has been occurring in Mexico for a while. As it is known 30,000 people have died already since 2006 from this problem. Drug dealers have now found a new way to transfer and transmit their products. The tunnel seems to be easier way that is less likely to get caught, until now. As I have focused a lot on the issue of the drug war going on in Mexico, it has become clear that the drug war is closely affecting the United States. This tunnel has made it easy for Mexican drug dealers to have access to the United States, and release their drugs among the country. Most of the trading with this tunnel has been taking place in the states of Arizona and California. The United States already has a drug problem of their own, and with tunnels such as this one coming from Mexico it is not helping ease the situation.  

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101126/ts_nm/us_drug_tunnel_3;_ylt=AiHQaaRL.ZyIbBPoaZ3KgGr9SpZ4

Britsh couple held captive are now free

Jordan Saunders

4:25 p.m

November 17, 2010

        Recently retired British couple Paul and Rachel Chandler was kidnapped on their way to Tanzania by local pirates. The Chandler’s were sailing from the Seychelles toward Tanzania on their private yacht in October of 2009. They were three days into their trip when they were attacked and then kidnapped by the pirates.  As kidnapped prisoners the Chandler’s were forced to sail toward Somalia on their yacht with the pirates aboard. Soon after the attack the couple was forced off their own yacht and onto a container ship. All together the couple was kidnapped for thirteen months, as they waited for their ransom to be paid. Paul Chandler said as the pirates impatiently waited for their ransom his wife and him were put into separate areas of solitary confinement before making their first public plea on television.  The pirates wanted a ransom of $7 million dollars from the British government. During the beginning of the kidnap the British government said that they would not pay ransoms or negotiate with any pirates.  The British government said that giving into a ransom would give pirates and kidnappers power and influence them to do it again. Although the pirates did not get their $7 million dollar ransom, they received $750,000 from an unknown donor. Information from the International Maritime Bureau states that one hundred pirate attacks have occurred along the coast of Somalia over the past seven months. Navy vessels have decreased the numbers from last year by observing the coast frequently.  The pirates knew that they were going to get some type of ransom, because if they didn’t then they probably would have killed the couple after awhile or they would have kidnapped them so other reasons. The couple was never seriously harmed, because the pirates knew if they had a chance of getting the ransom the couple could not be hurt. Pirates want to control the area and show that they have power over the government. These pirates were probably from the slums and never had any structure or stable income. Some factors that they might have been exposed to could have influenced their current lifestyle, and caused them to engage in kidnapping and other illegal actions.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/11/16/kenya.pirate.couple/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/11/12/chandler.somalia.hostages/index.html

 

Gulf Drug Cartel leader is killed

Jordan Saunders
Nov 12, 2010
4:44 p.m.

During a clash against the Mexican government, one of the leaders of the Gulf drug cartel was killed. The former leader of the cartel was Antonio Ezequiel Cardenas Guillen, known as Tony the storm. Guillen was killed in Matamoros, Mexico, which is where the Gulf drug cartel is based. As the war against drug cartels and the Mexican government has been going on for years, the death of another leader is proving that there is a chance in stopping these violent cartels.

The Mexican government and authorities need to get control over these drug cartels and gangs, because this issue is not only affecting their society but also the United States. Since Mexico is just a boarder away from the United States people from both sides have easy access to each other. Because of the violence in Mexico universities in the United States, such as Texas Southmost College have had to cancel their classes. Members of the local colleges in Texas said that they could clearly hear gun shots.  

The violence between the Mexican government and the drug leaders and gangs is going to cause economic and population problems if some type of control or peace is not made between the two parties. Mexicans and other ethnic groups living in Mexico are going to want to migrate away from the violence, causing the population to decrease. As this issue is publicized in the United States and other countries, no one is going to feel safe enough in Mexico to come and travel, causing the tourism income to decline.

Although the amount of deaths in relation to drug cartel violence keeps increasing at a steady rate, hopefully the death of one leader can bring some positive attention to the situation and then defuse the situation.  

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/11/05/mexico.violence/index.html

He took a bullet for me, in Falcon Lake

 Jordan Saunders

11-5-2010

1:25 p.m.

Mexico has had a large issue with drug cartel violence over the past few years. But it seems to not get that much attention in the United States. The amount of cartel victims is increasing every year, which it seems that our society does not fear too much about since most of the victims are Mexican citizens. Since the year 2006 more than 28,000 lives have been taken by these acts of violence. Earlier this week recently widowed Colorado native Tiffany Hartley made an appearance on “The Today Show” for the second time, and also appeared on Dr. Phil’s television show in reference to the killing of her late husband David Hartley. David Hartley was numbered the 54th U.S. citizen to be killed this year in relations to the violence of drug cartels. The Hartley’s were married for 8 years, and were currently beginning to plan a family. The couple had a lot of experience traveling around Mexico and other countries around the world over the course of their marriage. The Hartley’s site seeing and traveling ended on September 30^, 2010. The Hartley’s were making one last trip to Falcon Lake in Mexico before moving back to Colorado, after living in Texas for awhile. While on their jet skis the couple stopped to take pictures on an old deteriorating church, they began to be chased by armed gunman. During their attempt to escape the gunman David Hartley was shot in the head. The gunman left, and as Tiffany Hartley held on to her husband’s live jacket the gunman returned. She pleaded to not shoot, and they left again. Soon after, they returned this time firing their weapons again. Tiffany was forced to leave her husband and save her own life. The gunmen have not been caught and authorities have not found the missing body of David Hartley. Although Tiffany Hartley was able to escape the situation twice, she still feels the need to fight back and speak openly about this ongoing issue of drug cartel violence in Mexico. In an interview she stated, “People in America need to know what’s happening in our backyard”. Tiffany feels that with her exposure she can speak up for not only herself and her family, but also other victims who are too afraid or threaten to voice their opinion. 

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/10/28/hartley.falcon.lake/index.html?npt=NP1 

Another massacre takes place in a Mexican carwash, killing 15 men

Jordan Saunders
October 29, 2010
2:31 p.m.

This past Wednesday another massacre took place in Mexico. With the increase of violence in Mexico over the past few years, the death of fifteen men would be one of three massacres this week.  The massacre took place at a local carwash in the city of Tepic. Most of the victims were recovering drug addicts who were employed at the carwash. It is thought to be believed that the employees were washing stolen cars, but there is no know connection to the shooting. With the increase in violence and murder, another carwash owned by the same owners lost a man the day before in a shooting. Investigation is taking place to see if there is a connection between the two shootings. The gunmen suspected in these shootings are in drug and gang organizations. There seems to be a connection in reference to drugs among the gunmen and the victims in the same shootings.  For example in Tijuana there was a shooting at a drug rehabilitation center, killing thirteen drug addicts who were currently in recovery. The victims may have had a previous relationship with some of the gunmen, or maybe the gunmen who are part of the organizations are trying to send out a physical message to the government and the local people. Also in Tijuana 135 tons of marijuana was taken into police procession. Following the drug bust a message was verbally said to the police department. Someone hacked into the police department’s radio line and threatened to kill 135 people in the city. As the drug production continues to increase cartels will continue to try and defeat the government and over power it. These shootings and massacres are a message to the government and will continue, because this groups want the attention and fear they gain from committing these attacks.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/10/27/world/main6996877.shtml

25 Killed in Mexico

Friday, September 3, 2010

25 Killed in Mexico

Jordan Saunders
SOC 202
Sept 3, 2010
25 Killed in Mexico


Last week in Nuevo Leon, Mexico 25 people lost their lives during a shoot out at a training camp occupied by gang bangers. The military fought against the drug dealing gang members in hopes of trying to end this chain of murders that have been continuously happening at high numbers; starting since 2006. These gang bangers have been selling not only drugs, but also humans throughout northern Mexico. These behaviors are thought to be a result of the war between the Gulf gang and the Zetas. These actions are playing an important in the trust and support of the government and the military. Citizens are being exposed to violence, war, and terror in their own communities. The violence and control of gang bangers and drug dealers is increasing as the murder rates and kidnapping are increasing; leading gang bangers to continue these crimes without fearing getting punished.
Current president of Mexico Felipe Calderon is trying to reassure citizens that "criminals can be controlled". Calderon is trying to gain the support of the citizens during this time; although the violence is continuing. Who should be to blame for these violent acts? Is the government responsible for "controlling the criminals", or should the community as a whole have some input in dealing with the situations that are effecting everyone and endangering their lives. Many may question the role of Calderon, and the how he was appointed president of Mexico in 2006. This the same time the wars among these gang bangers and drug dealers took a high hit. The question is can these criminals be controlled or stopped, or does the government not want to control them in fear of losing their own control?

Website : https://webmail3.ghi.com/

Indonesian Soldiers attack Papua

Recently videos have appeared surfaced the web in reference to two men being violently tortured by Indonesian soldiers.  The abuse took place in Papua, Indonesia, which is east of the capital of Jakarta. Papua has been trying to separate from Indonesia for over forty years, because the city does not want the control of the Indonesian government. In 1965 Papua developed the “indigenous Free Papua Movement”. With this issue in place rebel groups and separatist groups have developed in reference to independence from Indonesia. The soldiers involved in these attacks claimed that the two victims had relations to rebel and separatist groups, and that they were carrying weapons on them.

The two victims were both local male farmers, and are said to have not been armed with any type of weapon. One of the victims was stripped of all of his clothing and forced on the side of the street naked, while suffering the pain of having his genitals burned. The other victim was also forced to the ground, and threatened with a knife against his face and neck. Both victims were questioned and verbally abused during the actions and “interrogation” by the Indonesian soldiers.  

With all of these actions recorded on video and exposed internationally, a lot of questioning and attention has been brought to Indonesia’s government and military. Human Right Watch, along with other human rights activist groups fear that no punishment will be taken against the soldiers involved in the tortured attacks against the two victims. Attacks such as this one have occurred in the past and no type of action of authority was taken against the soldiers involved. The Indonesian military said “Human rights violations are a thing in the past, and it provides regular training to soldiers, advising them on their conduct while in the field”.  If the military does not believe in human rights violations then how can the country feel protected by the military? The issue of Papua wanting its independence from Indonesia is causing a war between the people and the military. Although the actions of the soldiers are thought to have been unprofessional and excessive, this thought is not going to be enough to stop future attacks.

Mexican Immirgant Murdered during Hate Crime

Jordan Saunders

October 15, 2010

11:20 p.m.

Two years ago on July 12, 2008 Luis Ramirez was attacked and beaten to death in Pennsylvania. The accused individuals are twenty year old Derrick Donchak and Brandon Piekarsky from Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. The victim Luis Ramirez was a member of the two young gentlemen’s neighborhood, which was the main problem, and reason for the attack.

Luis Ramirez was an illegal Mexican immigrant whom while in the United States became a father of two children and a spouse to his children’s mother Crystal Dillman. Because of his race and his appearance Ramirez was violently attacked in an unfair match between him, and Donchak and Piekarsky.

On the night of July 12, 2008 Ramirez was both verbally and physically attacked. During the attack Piekarsky and Donchak were said to have used racial statements and words toward the victim in reference to disrespect his ethnicity. They also used their feet to repeatedly kick Ramirez in the head, bringing him into a coma.

After the attack Ramirez was in a coma for two days, and then died on July 14, 2008. The defendants are stating the attack as a simple fight among the three gentlemen. They are also stating that Ramirez attacked them first, and that alcohol played a major role in their actions during the fight.  The defendants had no legal or moral right to dislike or discriminate against Ramirez just because of his racial status or ethnicity.

It seems that a lot of under age and of age alcoholic drinkers lean on alcohol as their excuse and reason for committing deviant actions. Whether you have alcohol in your system or not you should always know right from wrong, especially in a serious matter such as this one. The United States fights and promotes equality of all genders, religions, races, and ethnicities no matter what the circumstances are. The two defendants knew what they were doing and lost control of their behavior. The outcome of the situation got them what they wanted the entire time.

After the state court the trial was taking to federal court in reference to hate crimes. During this trial the two defendants were found guilty of murder of Louis Ramirez and may receive the death penalty.   

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/10/14/pennsylvania.hate.crime/index.html?hpt=T1

Militia group leader is taken in for rape in the Congo

Jordan Saunders

10/6/10

 12:57 a.m.

On Tuesday October 5, 2010 Colonel Mayele was arrested for charges toward the mass rapes that took place in the Congo. Colonel Mayele is thought to be the leader of Mai Mai Cheka, a militia group. The Mia Mia Cheka group along with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, and elements of Colonel Emmanuel Nsengiyumva are being noticed as the groups responsible these mass rapes.

A large number of mass rapes occurred this past summer. After only a few months someone is being charged, and held responsible for these horrific actions of disrespect. Although rape has been a serious problem in the Congo over the past years, the events that took place this summer were extremely dehumanizing. There have believed to be more than 300 victims of these mass rape events. More than 75% of the victims were women, adults and children. Through the mass rape processes, homes were entered against consent, along with business stores. Among the known victims, over 100 citizens were abducted from their communities and homes and taken as property.

One of the main problems with this situation is the government. These mass rapes continued on, because these invaders knew that they had the freedom and power to do so. Theses militia groups are producing these crimes to send a message. Victims and local citizens said these actions tool place by these groups “to punish and subjugate the local population whom the attackers viewed as traitors.”

It has been reported that the local police and Congolese army did not serve and protect the Congo, which allowed the mass rapes to continue. Until the government and security forces can come devote serious time, effort, and resources into this issue it will keep happening.

What type of society sits back to let events like this take place, just because they were not ready or prepared to take action. They should use force right away. These rebellious groups felt that they have control and power. But maybe now they will think twice and be more conscious.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/10/05/congo.rapes.arrest/index.html

One of al Qaeda's top commanders is killed

 The attention has been acknowledged that al Qaeda commander Sheikh Mohammad Fateh al Masri was recently killed within the past few days. Al Masri was one of the two commanders in charge of al Qaeda; which he took the place of Mustafa Abu Yazid whom was killed a few months ago during a drone strike. Commonly al Masri is said to have been killed in a drone strike operated by the United States.

 The drone strike took place in North Waziristan. A few days later another drone strike occured killing four al Qaeda suspected militants in Pakistan. Over the past year Pakistan and it's tribal region have faced drone strikes sixty five times, with this past month having the highest number of attacks.

Sheikh Mohammad Fateh al Masri had a variety of important roles throughout his militant lifetime. He was the leader of Qaidat al-Jihad fi Khorasan. Al Masri was in charge of military operations in Afghanistan; along with formulating attacks toward Pakistan. Along with being one of al Qaeda's commanders Yazid also had an important role in leadership. He was in charge of all the finances and he was the paymaster.

It seems that both al Masri and Yazid played important roles in al Qaeda's over all structure. The two commanders lead the organization through decisions and attacks, but were both killed during drone strikes. Who ever is against al Qaeda knows exactly what they are doing, and how to eliminate them from the picture. Is the United States or whom ever trying to slowly kill off members of al Qaeda? But if so what is the reason why? Are the drone strikes in hopes of preventing and minimizing more attacks from al Qaeda? 


 http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/09/28/pakistan.militant.killed/index.html?npt=NP1

A parade in Mahabad Iran was hit by a bomb, killing ten people

Jordan Saunders

This past Wednesday a bombing attack occurred during a parade in Kurdish-city in Mahabad; which is in northern Iran near Turkey. The parade was in reference to the Iran-Iraq war that started thirty years ago.  Although the bomb exploded fifty feet away from the parade it killed ten people and harmed about twenty military soldiers.  Most of the people that died were women and children; two of which were wives of military commanders.  The attackers are still unknown, but officials believe to have an idea on which group holds responsibility for the bombing.  Whichever group that created the bomb planned it in the ground near trees with a timer on it. The bomb seemed to be aimed toward the Iran military. Officials believe that a group of Kurdish seperatists are responsible. There are about forth thousand members of the Kurdish seperatists who have been attacking in Turkey in large amounts. With all the bombings and attacks going on in Iran; the government officials are apprehensive of the Kurdish population joining teaming up with the Kurds in Iraq and Turkey; by which they will create a Kurdish nation against the other countries.

The Kurds seem to want power and control of their population; and it does not seem like the attacks and bombing are going to stop. They have rights and beliefs that they are fighting for against the government; in the same way that the government is fighting against them.  This war among these groups needs to stay apart and tend to their own views.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/23/world/middleeast/23iran.html?_r=1&ref=middleeast