Readers;

We're also going to look at our southern border and some of the problems, including the violence from drug cartels and gangs, that plague the border and our cities. There is also an older but still relevant article that provides a great overview of the Mexican mafia.

John Wrenn
Managing Editor, Blackwater Tactical Weekly
Director, Corporate Communications

Thomas Jefferson

Something is very wrong with parents and their priorities, but it shows the problem we are facing.

A couple can't agree on which gang their 4-year-old toddler should join.

Here is an older article, but excellent analysis of Mexican gang actions and their goals to create zones where they can operate freely.

Latino thugs indiscriminately murder blacks regardless of gang membership, genocidal purge aligns with radical Aztlan theology

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Review of a new helmet cam, that is smaller, provides better details and is more reliable than previous small video cameras.

Well, here it is, the holy grail of the helmet cam world (for now) -The POV1 (POV.1) from VIO. We have been waiting for the POV1 since the inception of wearable video.

Boulder, CO - Leading global safety equipment manufacturer Draeger Safety is introducing a new line of life-saving products for tracking downed firefighters.

The company entered into an exclusive manufacturing and supply agreement on December 27 with Exit Technologies of Boulder Colorado, developer of the Tracker FRT (Firefighter Rescue Transceiver) and ET (Egress Transmitter). In advance of this agreement, Draeger launched two fireground tracking products at the 2007 Fire-Rescue International show in Atlanta, under the names Draeger FRT 1000 and Draeger ETR 1000.

A typical case of second and third order effects that spring up when a solution to a problem is implemented.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Tunnels underneath the southwest border are expected to proliferate as improved fencing makes it harder for smugglers to move illicit goods, said members of a San Diego task force tackling the problem.

Full Story

This is relevant in light of the renewed FAA emphasis on airplane inspections, and the airline's aging aircraft fleets.

According to the statistics, two-thirds of the people involved in air crashes survive. Approximately one-third of the third who do die could have survived if they had known what to do and almost all of these died from smoke or fire. If it seems certain the plane is going to crash, here's what to do while the plane is going down.

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Here is an excellent overview of Mexican gangs, and their effects on America.

The Mexican Mafia originated in the mid-1950s at the Duel Vocational Institute in Tracy, California. The prison, originally built to house young male offenders, soon became the home of many Mexican-American street gang members mostly from barrios, or neighborhoods, in East Lost Angeles.

Full Story

Tactical Equipment Evaluation

Courtesy of Steve Forgues

In the past I have evaluated other products from Guardian Protective Devices, Inc. After the last evaluation, I was sold on Guardian's products. I then had the opportunity to meet with Herb Schreiber, President of Guardian Protective Devices at the 2007 Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Expo, where he showed me some of their new products and products in development. One of those new products was their Power Blaster units that deployed a dry powder Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C.). Your probably thinking like I was, this is a gimmick. After discussing it with Herb and getting my hands on it for testing, I am sold on this product too.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

Recreational Equipment Review

Ever since I fell in love with the SOG SCUBA/Demo knife I've had kind of a soft spot in my heart for their fixed blade knives. Sure, the folders are cool and all, but for some reason the fixed blades SOG makes really appeal to me. This week I'm writing up a review of their TL-02 Team Leader knife and although it's appearing on the Recreational side of the house, it definitely would serve well on the Tactical side as well. Given its size and performance, it's not overbearing but does well in the field. It would be easily explainable to LE administrators and wouldn't overweight your kit if you're humping everything on your back. Let's take a look.

"We usually do not understand the cost of something until we have to pay for it." William Holden in the movie,"The Devil's Brigade."

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.blackwaterusa.com/btw2008/article/042108chaplain.htm

We all get injuries. Here is a nice overview of common injuries and some basic treatments.

Most people have experienced painful muscle pulls, yet when it comes to treatment, deciding on the best course of action can be puzzling. This article describes tendonitis and bursitis (two painful conditions that affect muscles); gives tips on how to talk to a health care practitioner about an injury; and explains when to treat with heat versus ice.

Full Story

We're all leading busier lives, and don't always have the opportunity for healthy home cooked meals. With a little knowledge and planning, fast food doesn't have to be unhealthy.

Grab-and-go fare has never been healthier. Here are the shining examples

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The Spy Who Billed Me (http://www.thespywhobilledme.com/)

Security firm Blackwater has had its contract to protect US diplomats in Iraq extended.

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