'PREPARE YOURSELF' FOR TRUTH ABOUT DRUG WAR

If Mexican drug violence reaches Victoria, Rusty Fleming can say, "I
told you so."

Fleming, a Dallas-area filmmaker, spent three years in Mexico and on
the border to document a new era of narco-terrorism. He, like many
law enforcement experts, say this unsettling war creeps north on U.S.
highways.

His film, "Drug Wars: Silver or Lead," offers an inside look at the brutal
Gulf Cartel, Mexican drug war and violent spillover into Texas.

Fleming, 45, agreed to premiere his film in Victoria.

"We are never going to find a solution until we recognize what the
problem is - most Americans, even the ones living on the border,
don't really know just how dangerous this situation is," Fleming
said. "This film is an eye-opening and shocking expose into the most
prevalent threat to the security of our nation."

Fleming doesn't speak in hyperbole. Mexican drug traffickers who pair
with U.S. gangs to smuggle drugs are the biggest organized crime
threat to the United States, the U.S. Justice Department reported
just weeks ago.

Fleming's film gives graphic legs to this federal warning.

To document the story behind Mexico's unprecedented levels of
violence, Fleming met face-to-face with cartel bosses, assassins and
kidnappers. He traveled from Nuevo Laredo to San Diego, and Mexico
City to Washington, D.C.

His film:

Details the rise of cartel enforcer groups, and the violence they
employ

Explains the cartels' sophistication and organization

Illustrates widespread corruption on both sides of the
river

Delves into problems Texas law enforcement faces

Tells the story of Americans kidnapped by the cartels

Suggests the U.S. left its back door open to a major terroristic
threat.

The film premieres Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Leo J. Welder Center for
the Performing Arts in downtown Victoria. Admission is free. Doors
open at 6 p.m. Because of its graphic nature, the film is not
recommended for children.

Following the film, an expert panel will discuss the drug war and
field your questions. Experts include Victoria County Sheriff T.
Michael O'Connor; two border sheriffs; Fred Burton, a former U.S.
State Department counterterrorism special agent; William Slemaker,
whose daughter the cartels kidnapped.

Fleming will sign his DVD and book, "Narco-warfare in the 21st
Century," following the roundtable.

"All I can say to the people that come to watch this film is prepare
yourself," Fleming said.

"Drug Wars: Silver or Lead".

Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts.

7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30.

Admission is free.

Film offers inside look at Gulf Cartel, Mexican drug war and violent
spillover into Texas.

Expert panel on-hand to discuss war.

Book and DVD signings following film.