I'm truly relieved that President Trump has tackled the immigration issue early on in his Presidency. Our deportation system, which at one time worked so smoothly to remove foreign national felons after they had completed their sentences, basically came to a halt under the Obama Administration. Before I get into the heart of this post, its important that I point out my experience with this issue. In 1996, I completed seven months of training at the Immigration Officer Academy, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), located in Glynn County, Georgia. This program included intensive courses on Immigration Law. Its my understanding that the law has not changed must since those days, so I feel comfortable discussing some of the more controversial aspects of Immigration Enforcement. After graduating from the Academy, I started my INS (now Homeland Security) career as an Inspector on a bridge in Laredo, Texas. That job required a solid understanding of Immigration Law, as did my next posting in Huntsville, Texas. Basically, I went from being an Immigration Inspector to being an Immigration Agent, and I was tasked with completing the necessary paperwork required to return a convicted foreign national felon to their home country. I was very fortunate in that my Supervisor assigned me to work with a former Border Patrol officer named Kelly Grimes, who knew Immigration Law like nobody's business. I learned so much from Grimes, so that by the time I left INS, I could quote from the Justice Department's Immigration Law manuals. Every Monday through Friday, and many times on Saturday, Grimes and I were interviewing and processing foreign national felons for subsequent deportation. If anyone would like to argue Immigration Law with me, I'm happy to oblige.
Within the last two weeks, an illegal alien was deported from Arizona, after she had been convicted of using a fake Social Security number. This case garnered much attention from the mainstream media, in order to promote the idea that President Trump's new emphasis on Immigration Enforcement is focused on destroying families. Actually, its the self-identified "Sanctuary Cities", incorporated areas who chose to ignore the Federal Law, who are contributing to the destruction of families. First and foremost, we are a nation of laws. Our system exists so that if a law is unjust or no longer supported by the people, the mechanisms exist to change that law. Simply put, in the United States, you don't get to pick and chose which laws you like. This reality includes cities and states as much as it includes every single American citizen. Because we have communities who advertise the fact that they ignore Immigration Detainers, undocumented persons flock to these places (an Immigration Detainer is the Federal Law which requires local law enforcement to hold any undocumented person who has been incarcerated, until a Federal Agent arrives to take custody of the individual and begin deportation proceedings). This is why you have illegal aliens getting arrested five and six times, and then being released after completing whatever obligations they had with the local authority. The number of illegal aliens who have been released by sanctuary communities, who then go on to commit felonies including rape and murder, is disturbing and continues to grow. Does anyone on the left care about THOSE FAMILIES? Regarding the case from Arizona which resulted in a Mexican national woman being deported after living in the United States illegally since 1991, the media continues to portray the woman as a victim. In particular, they repeat the lie that she was never in a position to legalize her presence in the United States. Actually, since she had two children in this country, she absolutely had the opportunity to adjust status (through her kids). Unfortunately, she would have been obliged to return to Mexico for a period of time while her case was processed, then return to the nearest Port of Entry and present herself for inspection with her new documents. Of course, this option does require hiring an Immigration Attorney. Returning to Mexico and saving the money to hire an attorney can be heavy burdens, but worth the effort from the perspective of this law-abiding citizen.
Last year I was shocked to see images of young people in the United States, waving the Mexican flag, celebrating Mexican Independence Day, and in some instances, desecrating the American flag. After the last few months, I'm no longer as sensitive to seeing people use their right to free speech as an opportunity to insult this country and all those who sacrificed to give us the life we have today. There seems to be a small but growing group of people who absolutely hate the United States, but continue to live here and enjoy the same rights and privileges I have. These people have hijacked the immigration issue, and are attempting to frame it as proof that President Trump is a racist. Trying to understand who President Trump hates from one week to the next can get confusing. First it was Mexican Americans, then the Muslims and Black Americans. These folks had better be prepared for a long struggle, because President Trump will follow through on the promises he made during the campaign.
Showing posts with label Laredo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laredo. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
My book is available.
Link: "Mukhabarat, Baby!" website: www.MukhabaratBaby.com
It has been a strenuous, educational, and at times, frustrating experience, but my book, "Mukhabarat, Baby!" is available for purchase online at my website, and Amazon. I have
received a bit of grief regarding the choice of the name for the book. Actually, for me it was a no-brainer. "Mukhabarat" was one of the first Arabic words I learned in Iraq. I spent a good amount of time in Baghdad with the U.S. Army, and even though I was armed, I stood out because of my civilian attire. The kids immediately started pointing me out, with the word "Mukhabarat" being repeated. I asked the military linguist the meaning of the word, and he replied that it was common word used to describe Secret Police and spies. The more time I spent on patrol with one particular military humint (human intelligence) collection team, the more I heard the term. Some of my military buddies started calling my partner Mark and I "The Mookies". This explains the evolution of my choice for a book title. To be reasonable, I understand that most people will not understand the word. But I'm confident that it will engender enough curiosity to encourage folks to take a closer look. And "Viola!", I have planted the definition right at the top of the back cover of all versions of the book. The definition is also included at the very beginning as well.
Trying to decide which company to select for the printing and dissemination of the book was a tiresome task. Thank goodness a few people have done my homework for me, and broken down/ranked the numerous companies in all the important categories, including prices, time, quality, people skills, history, and, most importantly, reviews. I chose BookLocker for two reasons: their immediate, clear, useful response to my initial inquiry, and the reams of positive reviews from satisfied customers. Up to this point, you can certainly add my name to the list. The interaction with BookLocker is totally in email, but I can't recall the last time I received such one-on-one attention. I was uniformly happy with the work that was done, especially the amazing cover, but the real positive thing about the company is their sincerity. The charge a pittance of what some of the others charge, and if you get things done quickly up-front you might just get a discount like I did. I realize that it sounds a bit moronic to say that BookLocker buys in to the success of every book, because of course they do; they make money off of the sales as well. But these folks want you to succeed on a real personal level, and any guidance an author might request regarding marketing, etc., will be addressed.
The next paragraph is where I will hide my subliminal message to everyone that they MUST buy a hardback copy of my book for themselves and for every member of their family, including left-wing Great Aunt Olive, who stills brags about voting for Adlai Stevenson for President in '52. The truth is, the only way for a self-published book to be successful is through word-of-mouth. It's what makes the process so special. Its truly rewarding that people might enjoy my book enough to take time to recommend it to family or friends. For books that have opted for the traditional, Publishing company route, the path to success truly is smoother. Of course the Publisher is determined to see the book sell, so the company reaches out to contacts in the media, and in no time at all, reviews in major newspapers have been scheduled. Then it's time for television. The Author's Literary Agent and Publisher will set up short interviews on CNN, Foxnews, MSNBC, etc. And all the while, as a Self-Published Author, I'm sitting in front of the local VFW (a quiet crowd of thirteen or fourteen), listening to someone else's war stories. The real rub is that I know I have a good book, and that I have really unique experiences to share with folks. I was raised in a two-language household, and traveled to Africa to work, right out of college. After returning to the U.S., I accepted a job as a Federal Agent in Laredo, TX., for INS (formerly Immigration & Naturalization Service), and gained tremendous life experience working on the International Bridges to Mexico. Eventually I accepted a position with the CIA, and during my career I was fortunate enough to serve on four continents. I was poisoned early on in my career, but I continued working, and completed a tour in Iraq. A great deal of my book focuses on my Iraq experiences. That is my book, in a nutshell. And Brandi Glanville of the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" writes a book about her life, and it gets launched directly onto the best-seller list. Sometimes all you can do is say, "screw it", laugh a little, and move on.
I'm not the first person who ends up in this position: trying to adequately thank the many folks who read my blog regularly and who will be reading my book. You can't imagine how grateful I am to the validation that comes with a book sale. Writing the book was not easy. This book is extremely personal, and writing was a bit of a cathartic experience. God bless all the amazing people who I've been fortunate enough to know, and thanks again to everyone out there, for being my friend.
It has been a strenuous, educational, and at times, frustrating experience, but my book, "Mukhabarat, Baby!" is available for purchase online at my website, and Amazon. I have
 |
| Click here to read a free sample |
Trying to decide which company to select for the printing and dissemination of the book was a tiresome task. Thank goodness a few people have done my homework for me, and broken down/ranked the numerous companies in all the important categories, including prices, time, quality, people skills, history, and, most importantly, reviews. I chose BookLocker for two reasons: their immediate, clear, useful response to my initial inquiry, and the reams of positive reviews from satisfied customers. Up to this point, you can certainly add my name to the list. The interaction with BookLocker is totally in email, but I can't recall the last time I received such one-on-one attention. I was uniformly happy with the work that was done, especially the amazing cover, but the real positive thing about the company is their sincerity. The charge a pittance of what some of the others charge, and if you get things done quickly up-front you might just get a discount like I did. I realize that it sounds a bit moronic to say that BookLocker buys in to the success of every book, because of course they do; they make money off of the sales as well. But these folks want you to succeed on a real personal level, and any guidance an author might request regarding marketing, etc., will be addressed.
The next paragraph is where I will hide my subliminal message to everyone that they MUST buy a hardback copy of my book for themselves and for every member of their family, including left-wing Great Aunt Olive, who stills brags about voting for Adlai Stevenson for President in '52. The truth is, the only way for a self-published book to be successful is through word-of-mouth. It's what makes the process so special. Its truly rewarding that people might enjoy my book enough to take time to recommend it to family or friends. For books that have opted for the traditional, Publishing company route, the path to success truly is smoother. Of course the Publisher is determined to see the book sell, so the company reaches out to contacts in the media, and in no time at all, reviews in major newspapers have been scheduled. Then it's time for television. The Author's Literary Agent and Publisher will set up short interviews on CNN, Foxnews, MSNBC, etc. And all the while, as a Self-Published Author, I'm sitting in front of the local VFW (a quiet crowd of thirteen or fourteen), listening to someone else's war stories. The real rub is that I know I have a good book, and that I have really unique experiences to share with folks. I was raised in a two-language household, and traveled to Africa to work, right out of college. After returning to the U.S., I accepted a job as a Federal Agent in Laredo, TX., for INS (formerly Immigration & Naturalization Service), and gained tremendous life experience working on the International Bridges to Mexico. Eventually I accepted a position with the CIA, and during my career I was fortunate enough to serve on four continents. I was poisoned early on in my career, but I continued working, and completed a tour in Iraq. A great deal of my book focuses on my Iraq experiences. That is my book, in a nutshell. And Brandi Glanville of the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" writes a book about her life, and it gets launched directly onto the best-seller list. Sometimes all you can do is say, "screw it", laugh a little, and move on.
I'm not the first person who ends up in this position: trying to adequately thank the many folks who read my blog regularly and who will be reading my book. You can't imagine how grateful I am to the validation that comes with a book sale. Writing the book was not easy. This book is extremely personal, and writing was a bit of a cathartic experience. God bless all the amazing people who I've been fortunate enough to know, and thanks again to everyone out there, for being my friend.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
So Who and What Is "Mukhabarat, Baby!" Anyway?
As my book "Mukhabarat, Baby" gets closer to publication, I will use the blog to provide excerpts for the audience to enjoy (or not). My profile provides a bit of information about me, but I think this is a good time to expand a bit. I was raised overseas, mostly in France, but I spent most of my formative years in Texas. I consider my home to be San Antonio and I am one of those very proud Texans, which means I root for the Dallas Cowboys and I say "y'all". My first language was French, and since then I have added English, Spanish, Afrikaans and a smattering of Zulu to the list. I started my career in the early 1990's in what was then called the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and is now under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). During my stint in Federal Law Enforcement I worked on the International Bridges in Laredo and in the State Prison System in Huntsville, arranging deportations of foreign national felons. I joined the CIA in the late 1990s as a Case Officer. My tours took me to eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Near East, Africa, and some places I forget. During my career I was poisoned, which eventually obliged me to retire sooner than I would have liked for health reasons. In 2010 I started writing stories, detailed from my career, as a form of therapy. It blossomed into both this blog, and the book which I hope to see published soon.
When I made the decision to turn my stories into a book, it was because I saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the genre. Books about the CIA, intelligence operations and individuals abound, but not much exists that really puts a face on the human piece of the puzzle. Like all government Agencies, the CIA is built from carbon matter. People have always made the Agency what it is, and still do to this day. My book will introduce the reader to Frenchy, who as an infant was raised in a Japanese-run Prison Camp in Indonesia, spent his career in Agency special operations all over the globe, and continued as a beloved trainer (and fixture) at one of the intel agencies. You will meet a host of characters from my training class, and discover that laughter and friendship can make almost anything bearable. And then we have the beautiful Turkish embassy employee Tansu, who broke the heart of every man in Kosovo, until she met her match in Johnny from New York City. With great pleasure I will introduce you to Poofy, a wonderful, brave man who not only risked his life for our interests (and for no compensation), but managed to wear more make-up and expensive clothes then Dolly Parton on tour. It would be impossible to not include a few words about Madame Rus, the ancient linguist who taught a number of different languages to officers headed out to the field, and always smelled like Chanel perfume and flirted with every young man she met. These are just a few of the characters that come to life in my book.
"Mukhabarat, Baby!" is about people, but it takes place during the various U.S. conflicts of the past two decades, including Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Not all of the characters are funny, pleasant or brave. And that is the nature of the business. As necessary a Case Officer must work on the edges of society, where the black market and the sociopaths come together. You will meet an Iraqi who smuggled everything imaginable, from cigarettes and liquor, to AK-47s and eastern European prostitutes. The episode in which I was poisoned is also covered in detail. Every Case Officer is well prepared by the best training modules ever developed and by the most dedicated instructors available, to rub elbows with the dregs of society in order to get the intelligence that our government needs. In Iraq, it was about saving the lives of American soldiers, and every Agency officer in the field regularly threw caution to the wind in order to get the job done. No tally exists to demonstrate how many lives were saved by the dedication of the CIA officers in the field, and the brave men and women who provided the valuable intelligence. Somehow, someway, the process of selecting Agency personnel works, because I cannot imagine a collection of more dedicated, brilliant and honest people. Almost from the very beginning (and to this very day) I became part of a very special family, one that is trusted with the security of the 400 million Americans who go about their business every day. It can be a tremendous burden, and even CIA folks like to complain. But for the most part, as is necessary in this business, its all kept in-house.
I was a young, excitable Case Officer on the morning of September 11, 2001. By the end of the day, I had, like all Americans, aged in some nondescript, hard-to define way. I welcome the opportunity to share my September 11 story in "Mukhabarat, Baby!". Because my stories are a true reflection of actual events, I was able to avoid getting overly political. If I wanted to write a political book I could have. Some of my blog posts exemplify my willingness to call elected leaders to task. But "Mukhabarat, Baby!" is not about politics. You won't find a chapter debating the decision to invade Iraq, nor will you discover a section detailing the foreign policy errors of various administrations. Please enjoy my book for what it is....a peek behind the curtain into the human functions of the CIA. At the end of the book you should come to the same conclusion I did very early on in my career: that people are basically the same regardless of where they work. Everyone likes a funny joke, no one wants to fight rush-hour traffic, and pompous-ass Chiefs should be avoided at all costs! My book takes you through the everyday functions of a CIA Case Officer serving in the Balkans, in Iraq, in Africa, and stateside, to give you an up-close glimpse of some of the more recent current events. At the same time, meet the people that make the machine work, and discover that they really aren't any different than you.
(Anyone interested in updates on the release of "Mukhabarat, Baby" and appropriate excerpts of the book as they become available, please feel free to send your email address to: mukhabaratbaby@gmail.com.)
When I made the decision to turn my stories into a book, it was because I saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the genre. Books about the CIA, intelligence operations and individuals abound, but not much exists that really puts a face on the human piece of the puzzle. Like all government Agencies, the CIA is built from carbon matter. People have always made the Agency what it is, and still do to this day. My book will introduce the reader to Frenchy, who as an infant was raised in a Japanese-run Prison Camp in Indonesia, spent his career in Agency special operations all over the globe, and continued as a beloved trainer (and fixture) at one of the intel agencies. You will meet a host of characters from my training class, and discover that laughter and friendship can make almost anything bearable. And then we have the beautiful Turkish embassy employee Tansu, who broke the heart of every man in Kosovo, until she met her match in Johnny from New York City. With great pleasure I will introduce you to Poofy, a wonderful, brave man who not only risked his life for our interests (and for no compensation), but managed to wear more make-up and expensive clothes then Dolly Parton on tour. It would be impossible to not include a few words about Madame Rus, the ancient linguist who taught a number of different languages to officers headed out to the field, and always smelled like Chanel perfume and flirted with every young man she met. These are just a few of the characters that come to life in my book.
"Mukhabarat, Baby!" is about people, but it takes place during the various U.S. conflicts of the past two decades, including Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Not all of the characters are funny, pleasant or brave. And that is the nature of the business. As necessary a Case Officer must work on the edges of society, where the black market and the sociopaths come together. You will meet an Iraqi who smuggled everything imaginable, from cigarettes and liquor, to AK-47s and eastern European prostitutes. The episode in which I was poisoned is also covered in detail. Every Case Officer is well prepared by the best training modules ever developed and by the most dedicated instructors available, to rub elbows with the dregs of society in order to get the intelligence that our government needs. In Iraq, it was about saving the lives of American soldiers, and every Agency officer in the field regularly threw caution to the wind in order to get the job done. No tally exists to demonstrate how many lives were saved by the dedication of the CIA officers in the field, and the brave men and women who provided the valuable intelligence. Somehow, someway, the process of selecting Agency personnel works, because I cannot imagine a collection of more dedicated, brilliant and honest people. Almost from the very beginning (and to this very day) I became part of a very special family, one that is trusted with the security of the 400 million Americans who go about their business every day. It can be a tremendous burden, and even CIA folks like to complain. But for the most part, as is necessary in this business, its all kept in-house.
I was a young, excitable Case Officer on the morning of September 11, 2001. By the end of the day, I had, like all Americans, aged in some nondescript, hard-to define way. I welcome the opportunity to share my September 11 story in "Mukhabarat, Baby!". Because my stories are a true reflection of actual events, I was able to avoid getting overly political. If I wanted to write a political book I could have. Some of my blog posts exemplify my willingness to call elected leaders to task. But "Mukhabarat, Baby!" is not about politics. You won't find a chapter debating the decision to invade Iraq, nor will you discover a section detailing the foreign policy errors of various administrations. Please enjoy my book for what it is....a peek behind the curtain into the human functions of the CIA. At the end of the book you should come to the same conclusion I did very early on in my career: that people are basically the same regardless of where they work. Everyone likes a funny joke, no one wants to fight rush-hour traffic, and pompous-ass Chiefs should be avoided at all costs! My book takes you through the everyday functions of a CIA Case Officer serving in the Balkans, in Iraq, in Africa, and stateside, to give you an up-close glimpse of some of the more recent current events. At the same time, meet the people that make the machine work, and discover that they really aren't any different than you.
(Anyone interested in updates on the release of "Mukhabarat, Baby" and appropriate excerpts of the book as they become available, please feel free to send your email address to: mukhabaratbaby@gmail.com.)
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