Casino Royale

The term "Casino Royale" conjures up images of glamorous Europeans, doesn't it? However, since yesterday's terror attack on a casino in Monterrey, Mexico will never again equate "Casino Royale" with James Bond or anyone like that.

Instead, I will forever think of workaday Mexicans being burned to death and dying of smoke inhalation in a tawdry casino with the improbable name of "Casino Royale."

Drug cartels will often extort casinos and other businesses, threatening to attack them or burn them to the ground if they don't cooperate. Also, casinos and hotels have been known to launder money for the drug cartels. Maybe this casino was laundering money for a rival cartel. Who knows?

Yesterday afternoon 6-24 (depending on reports) armed assailants charged into the casino swearing and shouting for customers and employees to get out. Some got out in time, but others (53-plus people, mostly women) weren't so lucky.

Different versions of the attack state that either the armed gunmen doused the interior of the casino with accelerant before setting it on fire, or that they detonated some explosives, allegedly grenades obtained by the United States.

The death warrants of many people were signed by blocked emergency exits. Here in the States, we may dismiss the various departments of building and safety as being a waste of taxpayer money, but look what happens when building and safety codes are violated. People die.

Many terrified victims fled farther inside the casino to escape gunfire where they died trapped amid the flames and billowing smoke.

The first responders saved many lives by knocking down walls of the establishment. However, this attack happened during rush hour and the heavy traffic delayed rescue efforts.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon has declared three days of mourning for the victims of this terror attack. He angrily said that if Americans..."are resigned to consuming drugs, then they need to find alternatives...and establish clear points of access different from the border with Mexico, but this situation can't keep going on like this."

Well, I agree wholeheartedly with this assessment. It's just that I don't know how to stop all of the unethical behavior--the drug users whose demand for the drugs contributes to the violence, the horrible people who will do anything for a quick buck. Come on, amigos, serial killers won't do this kind of thing!

I humbly acknowledge that I can't control what other people do. But when I see these horrible tragedies I become even more committed to being a good person and being of service to others. I want to encourage my children to feel the same way--responsible and ethical and all of that. My oldest boy, Charlie, is almost ready to knit. I read something online about teaching kids to knit with their fingers. Maybe he can help me with a couple of scarves for the homeless this winter.

Best Wishes,

Jen :)