Corruption of LOL

Local officials along the U.S.-Mexican border welcome a new federal crackdown against border violence despite concerns that it will create lines of idling cars through neighborhoods and deter crossover traffic.

[From U.S. tightens security at Mexico border - USATODAY.com]

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Well, it’s too bad that it’s come to this, but there are no alternatives.

The situation in Mexico is out of control, and the United States needs to take measures to protect its people.

I’ve spent most of my life living very close to the border, and danger is very real. It’s in your face everyday.

Protect yourself, protect your family

Unfortunately, it really has come to the point where people living within any reasonable proximity to the border need to start looking after themselves. The violence follows the drugs. Where there’s drugs, there’s violence. Steer clear of it all as best you can, and make sure your family is educated. If you have children, know where their minds are at when it comes to drugs. The act of buying the drug might be more dangerous than the act of taking the drug.

Don’t live in fear, but keep in all in mind. Do your best to avoid any situations before you find yourself in the middle of one.

Self protection value AND it’s free?! What now?!

Now, this isn’t exactly a secret to Google Voice users, but it’s something that you might not think of right off the bat.

The following can be an invaluable tool for anything from productivity to maintaining your personal safety. Constantly having the capability to make phone calls wherever you are is an extremely important concept in personal security.

Please keep in mind, however, that Google Voice does not allow 911 access, so it’s also a very good idea to keep the local numbers for authorities in your contacts. (Mmm, I smell another article topic =p )

Think about it: you can now have a FREE (yes, it’s absolutely, completely, and in all other ways, FREE) internet phone wherever you have internet access within the United States. This can be of use if your particular location does not have good cell phone reception, or simply if you want to use your existing internet connection (or your neighbor’s, hehe) instead of a landline or cell phone minutes that you have to pay for.

Do it like this.

1. Get Google Voice (it’ll be public soon enough if you don’t already have an account).
2. Sign up for Gizmo5.
3. Follow this Google tutorial.

Basically, you now have the equivalent of SkypeIn (which costs money), SkypeOut (which costs money) as well as additional features that not even Skype has–such as the ability to make calls right from the browser.

That means that you can make calls from anybody’s computer! Even public computers!

Explore the possibilities for yourself, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Also, let me offer my apologies for being so in love with Google Voice. Deal with it. It’s worth it. Trust me.

Until next time, my motivated ass offers you your complimentary OORAH! Free of charge. Take it home with you.

Even I am guilty of buying into this but, hey, better safe than sorry.

Last night (18March2009) there was an elaborate rumor/hoax that spread across the nation, widely via text message, that there were going to be “gang initiation shootings” at Wal-Marts across the nation.

There were many variations of the hoax nationwide–the one that concerned me was out of Tucson, Arizona and threatened that the gangs were going to murder three women at local Wal-Marts that night.

But, alas, the scare was largely a hoax, with no real threat behind it. See the LA Times story here.

However, it is very important to realize that once a threat like this has been so widely publicized, it is a very real possibility that there will be “copycat criminals” who will get ideas from the threat and, in the worst of scenarios, carry them out themselves.

Remember the Columbine school shootings? And the huge number of similar shootings in the following weeks?

If you’re a Wal-Mart shopper, don’t stop shopping there–that’s being ridiculous–but keep your eyes open and maintain your situational awareness. Wal-Mart may not be as safe as it used to be.

One of the best ways to keep yourself safe is to know what types of crime occur most commonly in your area.

This way, you can tailor your techniques to what suits you and your situation!

My recommendation for finding detailed crime stats in your area is:

Narrow down by state, then city, or my favorite–BY UNIVERSITY, for all of us college students out there.

More to come regarding safety on college campuses!

I always try to stay up-to-date on recent incidents involving personal security. Knowing the actions of others and studying them with the benefit of hindsight can help you stay safe in the future.

This story comes out of Watsonville, CA.

Read the story on mercurynews.com

Stay safe, folks!

Seems like it’s time for another article. Don’t worry though, this one is short and sweet.

As you’re reading, keep in mind, some parts of this technique should be used by everyone, while others may not be applicable to you in particular (e.g. guys named Bruce who live at Gold’s Gym). Adopt what you think will help you stay safe. Of course, take your gender, strength, and overall physical competence into account when deciding which of these techniques to adopt.

Background

Many people do the same thing over and over again on a daily, weekly, or other repetitive basis. This kind of behavior is what humans naturally resort to, and the bad guys know this. The best criminals (and even some dimwits for that matter) know that surveillance is key if they want to pull something off. They want to know what to expect and when to expect it.

What they are trying to do is eliminate any intentional or unintentional element of surprise that their prey might have over them.

If you incorporate easy and appropriate counter-surveillance techniques into your daily schedule, you are likely to either stay off the bad guys’ radar completely, or at least give yourself a leg up if something does happen.

One particular time when people are very vulnerable is when they are walking to or from their vehicles.

Approaching/departing your vehicle (mostly applicable at night time)

• Try not to use the same route to and from your vehicle – walk up one row when you are leaving your car; walk back down another row and cut over on your way back.
• When parking at your residence, use a private, locked garage if at all possible. If you do not have a garage, make sure you have motion-sensing flood lights that activate upon your arrival.
• If you live and park in an apartment complex, try not to always park in the same spot. Switch it up randomly, even if you have to walk further. (Use your judgement here.)
• If you have an assigned parking space, do not always drive straight to it, especially at night. Circle the complex and come back from the other direction, or pull into someone else’s spot, then back up and pull into yours.
• Always maintain a high level of situational awareness when entering or departing your vehicle.
• Do not display your keys for very long before or after you enter the vehicle. If at all possible, lock and unlock your vehicle with your keys still in your pocket.
• If you ever return to your car and find that you forgot to lock it, make sure it is unoccupied. If it is daylight, simply look inside. If it is night time, press your “panic” button (or activate approach lights if your car has them) prior to approaching the car. This will frighten and confuse anyone in the car, as well as draw attention from others nearby.

Driving your vehicle

• Become very familiar with your vehicle – know how it acts and handles at various speeds. Consider taking classes on advanced driving techniques. BE CAREFUL. Knowing your limitations and the limitations of your vehicle prior to practicing is very important. You are NOT a stunt driver. Don’t act like one.
• In city driving, keep your doors locked. This prevents entry into your vehicle while it is still.
• In highway driving, keep your doors unlocked. No one will enter your car while you are going 75. This will make it easier for rescuers to reach you should you be involved in an accident.
• Women only: at night and/or in isolated areas, do NOT stop if you are being pursued by a police car. Call 911 on your cell phone and ask the dispatcher if the car behind you is really a police officer. If you do not have a cell phone, drive (obeying all traffic laws, of course) to the nearest police station or well-lit public area and pull over. If on the highway, pull to the side of the road and continue at a slow (but not dangerously slow) rate of speed until you have confirmed that you are being pursued by a real police officer.
• Men, apply the technique above only in very special circumstances.
• Remember cars in your immediate area while driving.
• If you have reason to believe you are being followed, circle a block, drive to a police station, or call 911. Under no circumstances do you drive to your home or any other place that you frequent.
• If you are involved in a minor car accident, call the police immediately and drive to a public, well-lit area to pull over.
• If you are involved in a major accident (meaning that your car will no longer operate), make sure you are in a well-lit, public area before exiting your vehicle. If you are not in such an area, remain in your car with the doors locked until authorities arrive.

Thanks for reading! Questions or comments, post them here or email or call me.

Until next time, Semper Fi, folks.