The Mexican Cartel Drug Wars rarely touch the Midwest where I live, in any significant way other than their products are consumed and injected on our streets and byways. However, when I ran across an article about jesus vicente zambada niebla being in federal custody in our local paper I thought it was cool but not earth shattering till I did some research. He really popped up. I have a rule, in hard news the more outlets propagate a story the more significant it becomes in my mind. Here is a list and a couple lines from that day from the different news sources that I encountered, starting from Chicago where he ended up and then pulling out. 30 is a big fish for a change.
1. Son of Mexican drug kingpin pleads not guilty in US court
(AFP) – 2 days ago
CHICAGO — A leading Mexican drug figure suspected of plotting attacks on government buildings in the United States and Mexico pleaded not guilty in a US court Tuesday to trafficking charges.
Jesus Vicente Zambada-Niebla is the son of one of Mexico's top drug lords, Sinaloa cartel chief Ismael "el Mayo" Zambada-Garcia, and led its operations, logistics and security, Mexican officials said following his March arrest.
Shackled at the ankles and wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, Zambada-Niebla stood quietly with his hands clasped behind his back as his lawyer entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf and an interpreter translated the brief proceedings.
2. Mexico to Chicago: Cartel leader extradited (Chicago Examiner)
In what has been heralded as a significant step forward in the war on drugs, a high ranking member of the Sinaloan drug cartel has been extradited to Chicago from Mexico. Jesus Vicente Zambada-Niebla is described as a second generation cartel leader that was responsible for the import of over $50,000,000.00 worth of Cocaine into the United States with Chicago being the hub of the operation.
3. Alleged Sinaloa drug cartel leader denies Chicago charges (Chicago Sun Times)
A man described by authorities as a high-ranking leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel pleaded not guilty today in federal court in Chicago to wide-spread drug conspiracy charges that accuse him and others of bringing massive amounts of cocaine and heroin in to Chicago.
4. Alleged Mexican cartel figure pleads not guilty (The Washington Post)
By MIKE ROBINSONThe Associated Press
Tuesday, February 23, 2010; 3:51 PM
CHICAGO -- A man accused of being one of the leaders of a powerful Mexican drug cartel pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that he conspired to import and sell large amounts of cocaine and heroin in the United States.
5. Mexico: Alleged "narco-junior" Vicente Zambada extradited to the U.S. (Los Angeles Times)
Vicente Zambada, son of one of Mexico's top drug kingpins and allegedly a major operator in his own right, was extradited Thursday to the United States, where he will stand trial on federal trafficking charges, authorities in both countries said.
Zambada, 34, was flown to Chicago and will be arraigned on Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Ruben Castillo.
He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.
I usually get sick twice a year at most. But this is the third one this winter and this is also the first year I did not get my flu shots. Well lesson learned.
Psalm 38:3
Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin.
I am not really sure how I stumbled on Ricky Skagg's and the Kentucky Thunder Album Live at the Charleston Music Hall. I am not a bluegrass aficionado and at the time I was not following any Christian musicians. But I found this album and specifically the song "A Simple Life". It really struck home and has become my unofficial theme song slash personal credo. My wife knows it and both of my children can sing it word for word because I played it so many times since I discovered it. I find myself getting bogged down in all the disappointments, stresses and distractions of modern life and this song helps remind me that the truly important things are not complicated and worth focus. I easily take to heart every line. Enjoy and start to live the Simple Life. (I think you can just listen to the music and ignore the picture-mentally put yours in).
I was at a dinner party last night and the conversation turned to Christian Rockers. We went through the current ones that we have recently gone to see in concert (Mercy Me, Jeremy Camp, Newsboys). One of the couples was from one generation removed from my wife and I and they started talking about the Christian Rock groups that they used to go see back in the 70's and 80's (mainly the Jesus People movement). That spurred my memory back to the first Christian Rocker that I really hooked into. Back in the (yes Rich I am aware that is not a proper sentence and this one is not also) easly 80's I was complaining to my youth pastor Dave Barber that the reason that I did not like any of the current Christian groups (Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, Michael W Smith) was because they were lame, sugar coated, pop songs that never delt with the real world. Dave then pulled out a Larry Norman album that had the song Why Don't you look to Jesus. I was blown away. These lyrics in a "Christian Song?!?" I immediately became a fan and played the h-e-double hocky sticks out of that tape. Here is a live performance of this song, worth a listen.
Well I eventually moved on and forgot about Larry and his ass-kicking for Jesus till last night and of course as usual with my timing he has shed this life for the next about a year and change ago, so I will not have the opportunity to see him live. But man that guy was on the street, playing for the whores, tell'n them about Jesus. How cool is that!
This is what Larry wrote the day before he died.
In a message he wrote on Saturday, Feb 23, the day before he passed away, Norman said:
"I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God's hand reaching down to pick me up. I have been under medical care for months. My wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly home. I won't be here much longer. I can't do anything about it. My heart is too weak. I want to say goodbye to everyone. In the past you have generously supported me with prayer and finance and we will probably still need financial help. My plan is to be buried in a simple pine box with some flowers inside. I'd like to push back the darkness with my bravest effort. There will be funeral information posted on my website, in case some of you want to attend. We are not sure of the date when I will die. Goodbye, farewell, we will meet again.”
“Goodbye, farewell, we'll meet again
Somewhere beyond the sky.
I pray that you will stay with God
Goodbye, my friends, goodbye."
A Brief Bio of Larry
Feb. 25th, 2008, Salem, Oregon - Larry Norman, the singer, songwriter, and producer known as the "father of Christian rock music," died of heart failure on Sunday (Feb. 24) in his Salem, Oregon home. He was 60.
Norman was an eccentric visionary whose songs drew controversy from both the conservative religious establishment and the secular music press for his lyrical mix of radical religious, political, and social themes. His 1969 solo album Upon This Rock was the first Christian rock record, and his milestone 1972 release Only Visiting This Planet is considered one of the best albums in the genre. His music was an influence on such diverse artists as U2, John Mellencamp, and the Pixies.
"Larry was my door into the music business and he was the most Christlike person I ever met," former Pixies singer Frank Black said Monday upon hearing of Norman's passing.
Norman was born on April 8, 1947 in Corpus Christi, Texas. At the age of 3 he relocated to San Francisco, California with his family and in the mid-'50s became fascinated with the music of Elvis Presley. During this time he also frequently accompanied his father on Christian missions to prisons and hospitals. At the age of nine, Larry began writing and performing original rock and roll songs at school, experimenting and incorporating a spiritual message into his music. In 1959 he performed on Ted Mack's syndicated television show The Original Amateur Hour on CBS. Upon moving to San Jose, California, he began recording for Capitol Records with his band People! in 1966 and for the next 2 years performed concerts supporting The Doors, The Who, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix, among others. People! scored a Billboard Chart hit in 1968 with a cover of The Zombies’ song “I Love You.” Norman left the band the day People!’s debut album was released.
His solo albums recorded in the 1970s on his own independent label Solid Rock, and the albums of other artists he discovered and produced, laid the foundation for what would eventually become the Christian rock music industry, a genre which largely shunned him and his music. According to Portland news/radio station KXL, Norman's early social positions caused a stir among many conservative Christians. His views against racism and poverty caused him to receive multiple death threats in the 1970s. A widespread ban on Norman's music, which is largely still in effect today, existed in Christian stores. This ban was due not only to Norman's social positions, but his preferred company as well. Said Norman in a separate interview, "The churches weren’t going to accept me looking like a street person with long hair and faded jeans. They did not like the music I was recording. And I had no desire to preach the gospel to the converted."
Time Magazine once called Norman “the most significant artist in his field.” Over 300 cover versions of his songs have been recorded by artists such as Petula Clark, Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Black, and Cliff Richard. His songs have also been recorded by contemporary Christian artists like DC Talk, Rebecca St. James, and Audio Adrenaline. He performed for The White House, twice - and in Moscow at the 80,000 seat Olympic Stadium. He headlined venues like The Hollywood Bowl, The Sydney Opera House, The Palladium and London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall, which he sold out six times, once filling it twice on the same day. In the last 40 years Norman has released nearly 100 solo albums.
In 2001 Norman was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame alongside Elvis Presley. At the time of his death he was working on an album with Frank Black and Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse, which will be released later this year.
For everyone who loves Christian Rock this is your founder. RIP Larry till I see you when I see the Lord face to face and your with him.
If you have read this blog for any length of time I am almost always a Police apologist and supporter, primarily because I am one and secondly, the information used to criticize an Officer's conduct is usually either wrong or demonstrates a gross lack of understanding of our profession.
However the following story is an exception to my stance. While this Sergeant is 1) stupid 2) a disgrace 3) morally bankrupt 4) should be locked away for at least 20 years...it is..... 5) really funny.
Charges: Cop using squad car to deliver pot
February 2, 2010
By MATT HANLEY mhanley@stmedianetwork.com
An Earlville police sergeant who lives in North Aurora is facing multiple felony charges after he allegedly made a marijuana delivery while on duty.
Sgt. Sergio Fuentes, 41, was charged with felonies possession of a controlled substance and official misconduct, according to the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team.
On Friday, Fuentes delivered marijuana to a person who was working with the narcotics team, police said. Fuentes was on duty at the time of the alleged delivery and drove his Earlville squad car to the delivery.
Fuentes was arrested a short time later at the Earlville police station.
After the arrest, officers found more marijuana in Fuentes' personal car, then recovered another illegal drug -- Clonazepam, a muscle relaxer -- during a search of his squad car, police said.
According to the Earlville Mayor Mike Hall, Fuentes has been suspended without pay. At the advice of the city's attorneys, Fuentes' medical benefits remain in place for the time being, Hall said.
Hall said Fuentes had been with the department several years and was generally thought to be doing a good job. He hurt his knee on the job and had been out on workman's compensation, returning a few months ago.
"As a city, obviously we're very disappointed," Hall said Monday. "We're shocked. The state's attorney and those people are handing this. We'll obviously cooperate in any way we can."
Official misconduct carries a possible sentence of up to five years. If convicted of possession of marijuana, Fuentes could be sentenced to up to three years.
The Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team consists of police departments from LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties.
Psalm 14:1
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
