Dancin'Days Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Happy I'm not hanging out with anti kidnapping experts in Mexico. 1. Seems rule one should be steer clear of Mexico. He was snatched and not seen since 12.10.2008 MEXICO CITY – A U.S. anti-kidnapping expert was abducted by gunmen in northern Mexico last week, a sign of just how bold this nation's kidnapping gangs have become. U.S. security consultant Felix Batista — who claims to have helped resolve nearly 100 kidnap and ransom cases — was in Saltillo in Coahuila state to offer advice on how to confront abductions for ransom when he himself was seized, local authorities said. Unknown assailants grabbed him on Dec. 10, said Charlie LeBlanc, the president of the Houston, Texas-based security firm ASI Global LLC., where Batista is a consultant. "We have notified the FBI and Mexican authorities, and they are working on the case," LeBlanc said Monday. "What we are doing is we're offering our support to the family and hoping for the best." The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City said it would not comment on the case, and LeBlanc declined to say whether a ransom demand had been received. LeBlanc said Batista had his own security business and that "he was in Mexico for business that wasn't associated with our company." "Part of that could be or may involve negotiations with kidnappers," Leblanc said. ASI Global's Web site advertises "kidnap and ransom response" and says the company has worked for major insurance companies. A woman who answered a phone number listed under Batista's name in Miami, Florida said she did not wish to comment on the case. Batista was frequently cited as an anti-kidnapping expert at conferences and in the press. A story in the December issue of the trade magazine Security Management describes how Batista organized relatives' response to a kidnapping in Mexico, even cooking the family meals at times. He advised the family during months-long negotiations that eventually reduced the ransom request to about a third of the original amount the kidnappers had demanded. The victim was eventually released. Local media reported that Batista was 55 years old, but his age was not included on his professional profile. Kidnapping has become a rising problem in Mexico, but attacks on U.S. anti-crime consultants have largely been the stuff of movies. The seizure seems to echo the plot of a 2004 movie, "Man on Fire," in which Denzel Washington played a U.S. security consultant who takes on Mexican kidnappers and is abducted himself. A series of high-profile kidnappings in which the victims were later found dead has sparked outrage in Mexico. In the past year, the bodies of the daughter of Mexico's former sports commissioner and the son of a prominent businessman have been found. Non-governmental groups claim Mexico has one of the world's highest kidnapping rates, surpassing Colombia. Earlier this year, more than 100,000 people marched through Mexico City to protest rising crime. Many people carried pictures of kidnapped relatives. Coahuila's governor set off a nationwide controversy by proposing to reinstate the death penalty for kidnappers who kill their victims. Coahuila state law enforcement officials who were not authorized to be quoted by name said Batista had been giving talks to local police officials and businessmen on how to prevent or avoid kidnappings. They said he apparently was snatched from a street outside a restaurant. A profile of Batista posted — and later removed — from the ASI Global Web site described him as "the primary case officer for all cases throughout the Latin American region." The site said Batista was a former U.S. Army major who is "known for conducting in-depth threat assessments, the successful resolution of nearly 100 kidnap and ransom cases (many on behalf of major insurance carriers) and investigations." The company denied local media reports that Batista was a former FBI agent, and warned those reports could put his life at risk. Courtest Yahoo news! I sure hope for him and fam he is found alive and well Hey Mary, this made you happy today? I think you got the wrong thread, or? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Hartman Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Hey Mary, this made you happy today? I think you got the wrong thread, or? Very happy I wasn't with him. I do find it a bit how shall I say.......ironic though. I mean a kidnapping expert, in Mexico, teaching them lessons in not kidnapping? They've been losing tourists in jails since I was a child.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancin'Days Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Very happy I wasn't with him. I do find it a bit how shall I say.......ironic though. I mean a kidnapping expert, in Mexico, teaching them lessons in not kidnapping? They've been losing tourists in jails since I was a child.... Ironic......I think it is a blatant slap in the face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Hartman Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Ironic......I think it is a blatant slap in the face. For America or Germany? I guess some job hazards are as they are. At least it appeared to be a non violent event. I think we should swap a few hundred thousand illegals for him... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancin'Days Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 (edited) For America or Germany? I guess some job hazards are as they are. At least it appeared to be a non violent event. I think we should swap a few hundred thousand illegals for him... 1st, what does Germany have to do with it? 2nd, I would have to say the slap was directed at the Mexican government for bringing in a consultant, on kidnapping, to work with the local authorities. Do you actually think this was a random kidnapping? edited to say, they might give him back if America takes a few hundred thousand more illegals with him. Edited December 16, 2008 by Dancin'Days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Hartman Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 (edited) DD, it doesn't matter. I just hope he gets home as soon as possible. I have no idea if they hired this consultant or what. He wasn't an FBI agent, so whoever started that rumor may be a clue in finding him. Topic change. DD made me laugh. That was good. Edited December 16, 2008 by Mary Hartman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PennyLane Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 (edited) Opened a package with 3 Belgian Chocolate Bars! My favorite. Edited December 16, 2008 by PennyLane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bustle In My Hedgerow Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 FINISHED WITH FINALS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancin'Days Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 What would make me happy is to see the new LZ official forum 2009 member calendar. I think it was DZLDOC that made it last year and it was great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxie Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I see the after a dreary morning. That's a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucyinthesky Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 NO LATIN TOMORROW IN SCHOOL! YAY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footsteps of Dawn Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 We now have chili pepper lights up around the window, hehe! (on a steek) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsaeb eht Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 i got a smile when i saw a drunk man and his mate playing slot machines and his girlfreand walked up to them calling them fags and yelling and shouting so this is where you are you and your faggot mate she walked off he won a jack pot so he threw the money all over the place yelling cash for head jobs slut an old lady stood up yelling hay you stop that as she picks up the mony in a frendzey he stoped then securety gards came up shut up anmd get out he replyed ok i am going ill finish whats left so he won again then he started again throwing mony the old lady was saying stop but picking up the money once again shes saying bloody ideot bloody dick head she still picked up the money it was so random she was having fun i was larfing he won twice and its so hard to win like that he would have been so happy if he was not drunk especialy now it is xmas and gave it to an old lady all the winnings lol lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I have a nice long break coming up; after tomorrow (Fri) I work on the 29th but am otherwise off until the 5th! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucyinthesky Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I'm off for a great night out with my chums and my secret love in an hour! I'm soooo excited if he will do the final step tonight and ASK ME! For hell's sake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melanie_72 Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 We had a cookie exchange at work today and my mom got a gift basket with lots of chocolates too, so we are all set to satisfy our sweet tooths for a while! My brother's girlfriend sent me a new purse as a Christmas gift, I was so happy and it was such a nice surprise!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blah Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Finalized my registration for second semester of College. Looking foward to Cognitive Development hahaha whaaaaaaaaat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirchzep27 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 i finished a job, top floor of a two family house. and bought a twelve pack of becks and got a 4 dollar rebate. 4 bucks, thats pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE FIRST LEDZEP Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Burger King Cologne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LedZepChick Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Too much beer and talking about green socks...Haha!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manderlyh Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 I GRADUATE IN THE MORNING!!!!!!!!! My mom and sister came over to my house today and cleaned it from top to bottom while I prepared lasagna for 25-30 people for my graduation party tomorrow night, (Friday). Yayayayay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Hartman Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 I GRADUATE IN THE MORNING!!!!!!!!! My mom and sister came over to my house today and cleaned it from top to bottom while I prepared lasagna for 25-30 people for my graduation party tomorrow night, (Friday). Yayayayay! Congrats What ya'll gonna make a spaghetti western or what? Good luck on the job search..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 I GRADUATE IN THE MORNING!!!!!!!!! My mom and sister came over to my house today and cleaned it from top to bottom while I prepared lasagna for 25-30 people for my graduation party tomorrow night, (Friday). Yayayayay! Congratulations and very best wishes to you!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucyinthesky Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 holidays...freedom...no more pencils no more books...200 motels and larry the dwarf...everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Hartman Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 The last several days have been long, fast and demanding. However it's brought many rewards and a lot of fun. The show was quite lovely, seems I was recognised which is quite fine lol. On that note, everyone have fun. Merry X-Mas. I'm expected with fam and pals for the next 48. Cheers>>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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