Is It Safe?

The question in Marathon Man was asked and the poor character portrayed by Dustin Hoffman did not have a clue about the question. Is what safe? Why are these people asking me? What are they talking about?

I know what people mean when they ask me, “Is it safe?” because they are talking about Acuña. I visit this city every month so it only follows that I should be able to answer the question.

The only fair way to respond is to pretend that I am deciding if I should take my grandchildren to Acuña.

Statistically, it is far safer than inviting the grandchildren to San Antonio. Statistically, my grandchildren would be in more danger on the drive to Acuña than in that city.

However, in the back of my mind I cannot forget the warning of my friend, Elias.

“The problem is not daily acts of violence. The problem is the unpredictable sudden acts of violence. You never know when and where they will occur. Competing cartels, the military and the police are all watching each-other. You never know.”

Elias and I recently returned to this issue and agree that if there are no violent acts between now and November, we will have a Christmas Mission to Acuña. I will invite the grandkids.