[LUconn]

I know we've got a few residents here. Is this even a safe place to live anymore? I've been reading and hearing some pretty bad things about the border towns, although not from the mainstream. El Paso specifically looks like it might be every bit as dangerous as Juarez right across the chain link fence. How long until people start fleeing Texas?

[Sly Fox]

For the record, I am nearly as close to Lynchburg as I am El Paso. And the crime rates there aren't much different than the District or parts of Virginia metros like Hampton Roads and Richmond. The crime you are hearing about is primarily across the border in Juarez. And it is every bit as bad as you hear. But yes, there has been a big spike in crime the past 12 months.

Texas continues to lead the nation in job growth and thousands are fleeing the rest of America looking for opportunity in Texas in these recessionary times. More high paying jobs and lower cost of living. Yeah, I guess I should be loading up the moving van to escape any minute.

[LUconn]

With the impending collapse of Mexico any minute, I don't know what's gonna stop them from migrating right over the river. I mean, what if it turns into Colombia Jr.

[Sly Fox]

The lower economic class of Mexico (and Guatemala & El Salvador) are already north of the border all over America.

[Ed Dantes]

With the impending collapse of Mexico any minute, I don't know what's gonna stop them from migrating right over the river.

Cuz America isn't going to be much better, thank you very much Barack Hussein Obama?

[LUconn]

Better than a drug cartel run state. If we've already got all the lower class Mexicans I doubt the middle class will want to stick around and put up with that. I wonder what will happen to tourist towns like Cancun, etc.

[fan00]

My grandparents have (had) lived in ElPaso for the last 20 some years. Two years ago they left and moved to the Houston area. While they miss their home church, there is NOTHING else they miss! It was entirely too dangerous and they lived in a relatively "nice" part of town. However, the area in Houston where they live is wonderful-doors unlocked, sit on your front porch and chat with your neighbor-wonderful.

And, like Sly said, when they lived in El Paso, half of the trip getting there (from Lynchburg) was actually getting to the TX border. Once we had crossed the state line into TX we still had just as far to go to get to El Paso. Ugh.

[Jim Rome]

Here's what I can tell you about Texas.

It's not Southern California.

At least it's not as bad as Crapaha, Nebraska.

There are some good clones in Houston. I bet this Sly Fox guy is a clone, too. He seems to know good sports media when he sees it.

I'm Out.

[RubberMallet]

all i know about texas

[Sly Fox]

Good things to know, Mallet. Next time you know you are going to be in Austin you need to plan in advance to get ACL tix. Usually they can be had for free. But not on short notice.

It is tough for many East Coasters to get a handle on Texas because it is such an enormous and diverse place. And for the record, El Paso is barely even a part of Texas (sorry Bozlady) and 99% of Texans have never even been there.

It is like basing the entire East Coast on how much Camden sucks (sorry Sch14).

[LUconn]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 99436.html

Mexican cartels infiltrate Houston
Recent arrests in a mistaken killing point to the perilous presence of gangs


he order was clear: Kill the guy in the Astros jersey.

But in a case of mistaken identity, Jose Perez ended up dead. The intended target — the Houston-based head of a Mexican drug cartel cell pumping millions of dollars of cocaine into the city — walked away.

Perez, 27, was just a working guy, out getting dinner late on a Friday with his wife and young children at Chilos, a seafood restaurant on the Gulf Freeway.

His murder and the assassination gone awry point to the perilous presence of Mexican organized crime and how cartel violence has seeped into the city.

How far away is Houston again? My intent of this thread, really was not to insult Texas or to make fun of Texans. I actually think Texans are probably the folks best equipped to deal with this type of thing. The purpose was really to point out how all of this Mexican garbage is seeping into america.

[Maximus]

Speaking of texas,

hey sly how hard is it to get around in Austin in public transportion?

[Cider Jim]

My wife is from El Paso, and I was married there: I never visit unless I have a can of pepper spray handy, but I really should be packing a side arm as well. And all the residents in the neighborhood where my mother-in-law lives (near Andress High School) have big scary dogs to protect them.

[Sly Fox]

I assume you will be in Austin for business. If you are staying somewhere downtown. You can walk to 6th Street, warehouse district and Capitol from there. Most of the bus routes head toward UT. You can taxi to Chuy's or Barton Springs. There are plenty of great BBQ options.

Now if you are not staying downtown it gets much more complex. Let me know where you wind up staying.

I remain a huge fan of the ATX and my family plans on spending a few days there after I get back from my Lynchburg road trip.

[Maximus]

I assume you will be in Austin for business. If you are staying somewhere downtown. You can walk to 6th Street, warehouse district and Capitol from there. Most of the bus routes head toward UT. You can taxi to Chuy's or Barton Springs. There are plenty of great BBQ options.

Now if you are not staying downtown it gets much more complex. Let me know where you wind up staying.

I remain a huge fan of the ATX and my family plans on spending a few days there after I get back from my Lynchburg road trip.

I am planning on attending a UT football game. I would like to stau as close to the stadium as possible.

[SumItUp]

Better than a drug cartel run state. If we've already got all the lower class Mexicans I doubt the middle class will want to stick around and put up with that. I wonder what will happen to tourist towns like Cancun, etc.

I just returned from four weeks in Cancun. The beaches are still white, the oceans are still 10 shades of blue and green and the temperatures are 80-85 each day.
The number of tourists were down this year. Restaurants that were normally packed in previous years with 30 minute+ waits were at 50% capacity. People were staying home because of economic conditions, not safety concerns.

[Hold My Own]

I just returned from four weeks in Cancun

Recession?????? What recession!!!!!



haha seriously welcome back, we have catching up to do!

[jmdickens]

come live in the Hill country....very nice

[jmdickens]

I played a round of Golf at Lakeway then ate at the salt lick saturday......

That is some good eating Mallet

[justagirl]

I played a round of Golf at Lakeway then ate at the salt lick saturday......

That is some good eating Mallet

OMG! salt lick is my favorite! i am so jealous. visit wimberley...and gruene!