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Brian

Feb 8, 2009, 6:27 AM

Post #1 of 7 (2739 views)

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Everythings gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

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One man's musings. Perhaps of interest to those of us who are current or former "border rats"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/...ml?hpid=opinionsbox1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzTxGn1bREM

(This post was edited by Rolly on Feb 8, 2009, 7:31 AM)

Rolly

Feb 8, 2009, 9:41 AM

Post #2 of 7 (2698 views)

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Re: [Brian] Everythings gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

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Several members of my extended adopted family live in Juarez. They say they are very frightened, not so much by the drug wars as by common home-grown criminals -- home invasions, kidnapping, muggings, etc -- the sort of thing that doesn't often make the news. The latest scam is extortion of schools. The gang enters the school, accosts the headmaster demanding money, or they will kill a student.

They say they would leave Juarez if they could, but they have jobs and own homes, so relocation does not seem to be in the cards.

Rolly Pirate

Brian

Feb 8, 2009, 11:10 AM

Post #3 of 7 (2680 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Everythings gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

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"The latest scam is extortion of schools. The gang enters the school, accosts the headmaster demanding money, or they will kill a student."

To some, I suspect this would seem far-fetched. I remember just a few months ago posting on a San Miguel forum about a similar extortion tactic in Celaya, Guanajuato. That time the threat was made against a nursing home with the warning that, unless the head nun forked over a quantity of money, the facility would be blown up. One individual (who is also a member of this list) replied that he thought it was preposterous, scare-mongering and even funny in it's absurdity. It just proves the disconnect between the perception of insecurity in Mexico between some foreigners and the native residents. In Celaya, we are now also hearing about merchants who are being dictated to by the Zetas to the extent that some say they can no longer survive in business and those who have the financial resources have moved north of the border rather than live in fear.

Brian

(This post was edited by Brian on Feb 8, 2009, 11:12 AM)

Carron

Feb 8, 2009, 11:36 AM

Post #4 of 7 (2666 views)

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Re: [Brian] Everythings gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

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One of the major scams here in the Amistad area is stealing very expensive cars from dealerships in Del Rio. This is the technique: a young man demands a test drive in the most expensive vehicle on the lot. Of course he can't do the test drive without a salesman going along for the ride. One salesman was told he was going to Mexico along with the car but managed to open the door and fling himself out onto the pavement with minor injuries. Another talked the kid into letting him out unharmed just at the toll booth to the International Bridge. Car dealerships are reluctant to refuse anyone a test drive because business is so bad they are afraid to alienate a potential customer.

When Zetas want a vehicle (mostly expensive SUV's, Hummers, etc.) they usually go to a small dealership or an individual and say "give me the car". No one I know who has had this happen has refused.

Camille

Feb 8, 2009, 8:14 PM

Post #5 of 7 (2599 views)

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Re: [Carron] Everythings gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

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OK, one of you clever ones needs to write the lyrics and music to what I'm sure would be a hit....
"Everything's Gone Straight To Hell Since Sinatra Played Juarez" ..... I smell a Grammy!

colibri1

Feb 8, 2009, 8:32 PM

Post #6 of 7 (2595 views)

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Re: [Camille] Everythings gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

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It's too depressing for that.

Brian

Feb 9, 2009, 7:41 AM

Post #7 of 7 (2558 views)

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Re: [Camille] Everythings gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

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In Reply To

OK, one of you clever ones needs to write the lyrics and music to what I'm sure would be a hit....
"Everything's Gone Straight To Hell Since Sinatra Played Juarez" ..... I smell a Grammy!

Tom Russell gets the credit. Here ya go:

Uncle Tommy Gabriel, He played the blue piano
While Frank and Ava Gardener danced the wild Juaurenzi tango
Those were truly golden years my Uncle Tommy said
but everythings gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

I wish life was still like that my Uncle Tommy said
But everythings gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez
You could get a cheap divorce, get your Pontiac tuck and rolled
You could take your dolly to the dog track in her cheap chinchilla stole.

The Fiesta Club, The Chinese Palace, The Old Kentucky Bar
The matadors and baseball heroes and great big movie stars.
Those were truly golden years my Uncle Tommy said,
cause everythings gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

Now Uncle Tommy Gabriel he still plays Fats Domino
He speaks that border spanglish well, He owns a carpet store
He lives out on his pecan farm, I dont cross the bridge he says
cause everythings gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

Those were truly golden years my Uncle Tommy said,
but everythings gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

Yes, Everythings gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez