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Daniel Helkenn's avatar

Finishing a great year of your work. It’s the best value on Substack for sure. It’s like having an “action movie” channel for the simple cost of a subscription. Plus you direct the readers to a lot of other great content. Well done.

I go rock and roll on your vids. Still remember as a kid seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan. That changed everything.

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Ahh, a vote for Rock and Roll and memories of the The Beatles on Ed Sullivan. I have seen that clip and it is regarded as a seminal moment in the history of popular culture. Great to have been there. Damn, I might use this as a blurb - "It’s the best value on Substack for sure. It’s like having an “action movie” channel for the simple cost of a subscription." Happy Crimbo friend.

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Daniel Helkenn's avatar

🎄🎅🤘🎸

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Tom Johnston's avatar

Thank you very much for the shoutout and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. And let me be sacrilegious and tell you I was never a Beatles fan nor ever purchased a Beatles record. Hardcore rocker then and even more so now. But I have to admit, not too many death metal fans at 74 years old. But what the hell, if I am ever placed in rest home against my will, I will tear down those walls with Cannibal Corpse.

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Ha ha. Dissent is most welcome here. I knew you liked hard rock, but Death Metal is a step harder still. I was into punk and saw a few extreme bands back in the day. I respect it all but I like a melody. Watch out for Cannibal Corpse!

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Carmen Amato's avatar

Many thanks for sharing the Detective Emilia Cruz series, Ioan! Between your factual reporting and my fiction, awareness of the situation is growing. Poco a poco, as they say. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Stay safe.

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Thanks much there Carmen. "Poco a poco!" Happy Christmas.

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Jonathan Ramos's avatar

Do you think this cartel civil war will end any time soon or will it continue sporadically for years to come?. Obviously cartel infighting isn't anything new in Mexico. And can you believe osiel Cardenas is going back to Mexico. That guy practically changed the fate of Mexico for the worst. I don't think he should ever see the light of day. Obviously this Christmas season has not been good for me. So I hope it will get better next year but we will see. Reading your stories always helps cheer me up.

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Difficult to predict these things and I hope this war in Sinaloa winds down - but fear it Will be at least months if not years...

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Jonathan Ramos's avatar

Also it's cool the beatles has a following in Mexico. I grew up listening to 60s British invasion bands myself. Thanks to my dad. He loves the doors. Yes they were American. But the uk was such a big part of 60s music. What's your favorite Beatles album?

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Sargent Peppers or Abbey Road for My fave I think. Like I say, I like the psychadelic phase.

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Jonathan Ramos's avatar

Did you ever see Peter Jackson's get back documentary?

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Yeah, fun watch. The following of The Beatles in Mex City is huge, like two radio shows of their songs. Not so much in the North of Mexico I think but the singer of Tucanes de Tijuana told me he is a fan.

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Jonathan Ramos's avatar

Obviously here in the states the beatles are like rock gods. They had such an impact here. Lennon of course loved America and considered it his second home. Unfortunately he was just another victim of gun violence like many Americans

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Yeah, I generally prefer the Lennon songs than the McCartney ones though like them both (and some of the Harrison numbers. Ringo, however...)

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christopher o'loughlin's avatar

Ioan,

Fantastic work product. Crash Out fearlessly reporting truth to power, on all sides, with evidence. Updates and insight into the present warring cartel factions in cities and countryside in Sinaloa. Grupo Help is awesome, psychedelic vote here.

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Ioan Grillo's avatar

Thanks Christopher - and that makes two on the psychadelic camp then...

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