Mexican Drug Cartel Uses VBIED To Take Out First Responders

As most of you know by now, a Mexican drug cartel has for the first time, used a car bomb detonated by remote cell phone as a weapon. The weapons used in the Mexico have been growing exponentially in their destructive caliber over the last year. From small arms, to automatic weapons, to grenade's and RPG's and now Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's).

Not only did they create and use an IED, detonated with a cellular phone, but they targeted and lured first responders by dressing an injured civilian in police clothing and calling it in as an injured police officer.

It is reported that some of the Mexican drug cartels have been working with former Colombian drug lords who have also used such tactics. 

The violence in Mexico has had a marked increased again lately, and though many reports are comparing the attack as reminiscent of past attacks in Colombia, the Chicago Times made some interesting references to terrorist organizations (the Chicago Times article is below in the references).

Reports have been made that Mexican drug cartels are working with international terror organizations before, and I wrote about it once last year here: Connection Between Mexican Drug Cartels and Terrorists Clear in which General Craig McKinley, the head of the United States National Guard said the link between terrorism and drug cartels along the United States border with Mexico is increasingly clear.

Other interesting tactics are being used as well, such as heads being cut off, bodies hung from bridges, and the comparison is made in the Chicago Times article to certain area becoming like "Iraq."

As I write this the White House has officially announced that ICE is increasing the number of National Guard Troops on the U.S. Mexican border.

Happy Fourth of July

I'd like to wish you all a Safe and Happy Fourth of July.

Thank you for all your support during the past year.

Keith

Disaster Tip of The Week: Don't Tell Others About Your Emergency Supplies

One very important rule of thumb about keeping supplies and having disaster or emergency plans and kits is to not tell others about it, especially if you don't want them showing up on your doorstep or even worse they could make taking your supplies part of their plan.

You may even want to have some extra supplies built in to give to some people so they will leave if the do show up. But you must be careful with this strategy as well since they may return with more people to try and take what you have.

These are of course worst case planning scenarios, but that is exactly when you want to keep what you are doing a secret.

This also goes for other locations you plan on heading to. If others know, all your stuff may be gone when you get there, or someone may have taken over your place. Keep everything a secret and tell your family to do so too.

Disaster Tip of The Week: Make Sure You Bring Items To Entertain The Kids

A basic but often over looked area when building your preparedness kit is to have items to keep the kids entertained and occupied.

Having them pack a an electronic gaming device like a Game Boy or Nintendo DS, or even an ipod are great ways to keep them entertained. Make sure you have battery backups, a solar or wind up charging device to keep them powered.

Another great way is pack some of your favorite board games, great not just for the kids but the entire family and will help to pass some time if you are waiting something out while sheltering in place. It also presents a way to make friends at your community shelter if you must go there.

Giving them pens, pencils or even crayons and blank paper can be useful as well.

As a last resort you can always share stories and story telling to pass the time, another great way to learn about one another or a new group of people.

Again, this is not the most important item in a survival kit, but if you have kids an excellent idea.

Happy Fathers Day

Just want to take a moment to wish my dad, and all the other dads out there a big

HAPPY FATHERS DAY