But you always bring up some interesting stuff.
The situation in Michoacan has settled down of late. We were in Morelia for the big quake, which lasted about 30 seconds. Biggest I've felt in 20 years. We spent a few days in Michoacan over Easter, and we drove through the areas where the local vigilantes have been standing up to the Knights Templar. It's a classic wild west power struggle.
That said, we drove a lot of back roads through small towns, encountered no problems. The military and federales have a strong presence throughout Michoacan and the rest of Mexico. And for good reason. The cartels are a scourge funded by the US. Legalize drugs and they'll disappear overnight.