Latino Issues, A Conservative Blog

Guests anticipating Hurricane Dennis batter Havana's malecon on July 8. Cuba's deadliest hurricane in 40 years gathered strength as it moved over the Gulf of Mexico, after killing at least 10 people. (AFP/File/Adalberto Roque)

I admire Giuliani. For someone who is favor of abortion, I have to say he displays more character and fortitude in the face of liberals and politics, than some of our conservative leadership. Of what use is moral statements, valid as they may be, if the same individual does not display steadfast leadership? Let us all hope, now in the face of two retirements from the Supreme Court, our President demonstrates leadership in keeping his campaign promise of nominating strict originalist to the court. This article caught my attention . It's a case study of left v. right and the consequences of being moderate or centrist. We miss Rudy; even some of the people who could barely stand him at the time miss him. The administration of the current mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has turned out to be, as Fred Siegel puts it in this very insightful and very argumentative book, a 'moderately competent muddle.'' The Giuliani years were neither moderate nor muddled. Giuliani was...

I feel bad for the Holmes. The way she has gone about this whole thing is absolutely insane. Read it here .

by Caleb H. Price The on-going controversy surrounding Focus on the Family’s Love Won Out conference reveals the hypocrisy of liberals who call for “tolerance” and unquestioned acceptance of “diversity” yet attempt to stifle all opposing views to their politically correct, pro-gay agenda. As a result, another liberal mantra – the freedom to choose – is denied to those seeking to walk out of unwanted homosexuality. Apparently, in today’s America you can still Be Who You Want to Be – so long as it isn’t “ex-gay.” Even more troubling is the vitriol unleashed against those who dare to consider the notion that homosexuality is not an immutable characteristic. Pro-gay activists regularly charge that messages such as those shared at Love Won Out are “vile,” “dangerous” and “deplorable.” Much of their most virulent rhetoric is saved for the debate over the cause of homosexuality. Read the full article .

Here is a solid article from Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Family News in Focus. It clearly points out the distortions in how the liberals paint what they call extremist, and how they are extreem. A look back at a certain judicial nominee throws light on the Democratic filibusters. http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/commentary/a0036866.cfm

Phil Cooke has a production company in LA. I met him and heard him speak at an event in Frt. Lauderdale, FL some years ago. I was emailed the following special report from the site of the london underground explosions. by Phil Cooke (July 7th, London) This week, the Cooke Pictures crew is in London shooting a documentary film, and on the way to our first location today, we were driving less than a block from the explosion at the King's Cross Underground station. As you undoubtedly know by now, London was hit with multiple subway and bus explosions today and the chaos has literally brought this historic city to a standstill. The subway and bus systems are shut down completely, and motorists are urged to stay at home and off the roads. Much of the city is blocked off with police lines so the investigations can begin, making it incredibly difficult to navigate in a car. We didn't realize the totality of the events until we were filming later outside Parliament, and a se...

Combined with the problems of social security, the challenges of employment and welfare, and the urgent need to improve security, here is another good reason why the government needs to reform immigration . This is not a problem that is going away. The future of our children depends on the decisions we make now. Feel good, poll-based, politically correct decisions are not the solution. Nearly a quarter of all births in the United States are to immigrant mothers, a record higher than during the peak of the previous great immigration wave in 1910, a study released Thursday found. The study found that 42 percent of births to immigrants are to mothers who are in the United States illegally. As a result, nearly 10 percent of children born in the United States are born to illegal immigrant mothers, it said. Here it is in summary. The study concludes, therefore, that the problem of illegal immigration will only get worse if left unchecked.

It's good to see Conservative Hispanics speaking with one voice. I tried finding a web site for this group, but could not. Does anyone know who they are? I had never heard of them. Denver post comments on the pending decision for the next judicial nominee to replace O'Connor. On Friday, the Rev. Miguel Rivera, president of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders, an advocacy group that represents more than 6,000 Latino evangelical churches, sent the president a letter urging consideration of "a true conservative Latino nominee": Garza. In a telephone interview late Friday, Rivera said he had so far received no response. "All the meetings we have had in all the different groups today we have not heard anything to reassure us that he is out of the loop," Rivera said of Gonzales. The reason conservatives will not support Gonzales, and the primary reason I am against his nomination, is the fact he has made statements about setting a...

In what appears to be the first major break in the London terrorist attacks, U.S. authorities tell ABC News that British police have recovered two unexploded bombs in London.

In HispanicBusiness.com : "This trade agreement is long overdue," said Washington Association of Wheat Growers Director of Issues, Gretchen Borck. "By gradually eliminating the tariffs on exports into Central America and the Dominican Republic, the playing field will finally be leveled for Washington goods and services." The agreement would immediately eliminate 80 percent of the tariffs currently in place on U.S. exports to the region, with the remaining tariffs being phased out over the next 10 to 15 years, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Since a majority of Dominican Republic and Central American goods already enter the United States with little or no tariffs, the agreement is important to ensure a reciprocal relationship between the two markets. "Without passage of CAFTA-DR, our products will continue to lose significant market share to suppliers from competing countries," said Northwest Horticultural Council President Chris Schle...

Adding to the tension is word from court sources that ailing Chief Justice William Rehnquist also will announce his retirement before the week is over. That would enable Bush to play this game: Name one justice no less conservative than Rehnquist, and name Gonzales, whose past record suggests he would replicate retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on abortion and possibly other social issues. Thus, the present ideological orientation of the court would be unchanged, which would suit the left just fine. I don't think Bush would do this. At this point, I would be surprised if Bush nominates Gonzales. It would be a disaster for the Republican party that is already hurting from lack of backbone on the filibuster issue. That's all the party would need to lose seats come 2006.

Good article by by Don Feder in the FrontPageMagazine.com web site on the battle looming over the nomination of the next Supreme Court Justice. Check it out . If the president keeps his word (repeatedly given) to pick a strict constructionist of the Scalia/Thomas mold to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the Left will come after said nominee with everything it has--broken bottles, nail-studded clubs, brass-knuckles, even nuclear weapons.

I had never considered the effects of Hispanic immigration on the low-income African-American community. This is an interesting article that got me thinking about it . I am not sure where I stand, or what to think about it. The issue of Hispanic immigrants taking up certain jobs is sensitive, because in some industries such as construction or hotels and restaurants, it is so damaging to Blacks that one remembers the old sign, 'no blacks need apply.' Indeed, labor statistics show that in the five years between 1985 and 1990, the deepest drop in the type of Black employment was in the construction and mechanical workers (9 percent-6 percent), while between 1990 and 2000, the deepest drop was in Black service workers (23-20 percent.).

In today's world where more and more denominations are capitulating to the winds of political correctness, it is refreshing to see the Roman Catholic church making a stand for life . Reuters reported about an 88-page working document for a synod of bishops to be held in October. ...the Vatican decried dwindling attendance at Sunday Mass, and reaffirmed a rule that Catholics who divorce and remarry outside the Church cannot take communion. Reuters writes that the Vatican on Thursday said ...too many Roman Catholics were not taking their religion seriously and that those faithful who receive communion and still support abortion rights were behaving scandalously. Scandalously. You can't have it both ways. You are either a true sincere person of faith, and live as such, or you are not. Pretending to be one for the sake of polls and public opinion is, well, scandalous. Let's not get confused. All people of faith are imperfect people, with flaws and a history of mistakes. This ...

By Josue Sierra (CA--Los Angeles) The Los Angeles Metropolitan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce announced today the visit to LA by Peru's Ambassador, with the intent of fueling interest on Andean Free Trade Agreement. As part of an ongoing effort to inform on The Andean Treaty, Eduardo Ferrero, Ambassador of Peru to Washington will address the agreement as the keynote speaker at the closing of three days activities for a Peruvian Trade Delegation visiting Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose, California on July 11 through 15 Mr. Ferrero will speak about the agreement between the Andean Countries (Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru) and the United States that, once implemented, will regulate the trade and investment relationship between the parties in a comprehensive manner, with the aim of increasing trade and investment flows and contributing to the economic and social development of the signatory countries. Beyond market access and rules in trade in goods, services, investment, and gove...

This here illustrates the root of the problem. Liberals love making themselves look like the caring people and defenders of poor immigrant's rights. This has nothing to do with disapproving or not of illegal immigrants. Government officials should be concerned with enforcing and following the law. Read the story and you tell me what you think ? "To say you should shut it down because you disapprove of some of the people who are receiving these services is at best ridiculous."

The Spanish Congress voted to overturn a Senate veto and legalize gay marriage by a vote of 187 to 147, making Spain the third world nation to do so on a national level. My sources tell me that pro-family groups served Spanish President Zapatero with a petition signed by 4 million opponents of this legislation. This basically means that the Spanish government is obligated to let the voting public decide for themselves via a referendum within two years whether they want this decision to stand. The way the citizens seem to have mobilized, I have no doubt they will have enough votes. We'll see how Zapatero's administration responds, and whether they accept the rule of law. Internal memos I read report that just within the evangelical community, approximately 700,000 signatures where contributed to this petition. This is not just a catholic issue. This is not just a religious issue. This is about the stability and strength of a society.

I have blogged about Hispanics and Social Security already, but in case my opinions do not have enough credibility (I'm not an economist after all), here is a good article on the subject . Earlier this week, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) released several short reports on Social Security’s importance in the retirement plans of Hispanics. These reports, “Hispanics Large Stake in the Social Security Debate” and “Hispanics And Social Security: The Implications Of Reform Proposals,” essentially argue that Hispanic Americans’ lower average incomes, higher life expectancies, and lower average savings (including pensions) make them rely more on Social Security.[1] The studies’ authors go on to argue that reforming Social Security in the way that President Bush has proposed would put Hispanics’ retirements at great risk. I agree with the author that Hispanics are more family oriented, develop and maintain stronger ties, and would be the one group that would benefit the ...

Great article by Nile Gardiner on the problems with debt forgiveness and all the feel-good anti-poverty campaigns going on. Rather than end poverty, more aid would "perpetuate a culture of dependency in the continent," impeding necessary reforms. And too much aid has wound up with political elites, cementing their power. The conclusions is priceless! This is real solutions for real world problems. Why can't Advancing Economic and Political Freedom in Africa Africa’s problems cannot be solved simply by spending more money on development assistance, and President Bush should not hesitate to convey the message that the United States will not support a huge increase in foreign aid.At the G-8 summit, President Bush should argue that the specter of poverty in the African continent can best be challenged through open trade, increased foreign direct investment (FDI), and sustained political pressure on African governments to liberalize their economies and advance economic and po...

Hispanic consumers avidly watch the late local news on TV , according to a recent analysis by Scarborough Research . The study also found that multicultural viewers of late local news are more likely to buy certain types of vehicles and to spend more on wireless services than mainstream consumers. According to Scarborough, Hispanic consumers are 26% more likely than all consumers nationally to cite late local news as a program they typically watch. "U.S. Hispanics tend to be younger than the general market, as are viewers of late-night television," Cheryl Greenblatt, Scarborough senior VP of broadcast television services, said in a statement. "This is one reason why Hispanic consumers are more likely to tune into late local news broadcasts." The report’s analysis of Hispanic late-news TV watchers also concluded: They are 16% more likely than the average American to live in a household that is planning to buy or lease a new luxury vehicl...

I have nothing else to ad. Read the whole letter by CPL CASEY L. ALLEN, U.S. MARINE CORPS. He makes me proud to be an American. To anyone opposed to the war on terror, or America's policing role in the Middle East, I challenge you to go on a patrol with any platoon in 1st Bn, 6th Marines. Walk down the streets of Fallujah and see the look in an Iraqi child's eyes as he waves and cheers you by. Shake the hand of an Iraqi man thanking you for his family's freedom. I know I belong here because I see what they don't show on CNN. What they don't print in the newspapers. I see what President Bush is trying to tell the world, if they would only be quiet long enough to listen. Take a walk in our boots, but make sure you give them back. We're not finished here yet. If you want to do something tangible in support of our troops, this is the site to go to. Check both of them out. www.treatanysoldier.com has some pre-set packages you can send out, that have been proven t...

Incredible story. New author Mike Yankoski tells Dr. James Dobson about his journey as a homeless man. If you want to hear the interview, go here . Glancing up to catch the fleeting traces of several frightened rats scurrying under a nearby fence I shake my head, thankful they are only rats. Last night it was not a group of rats wrenching me from my sleep but rather someone rummaging through my backpack, only a foot from my head. In the morning I realized that my only sweatshirt had been stolen. Quite a bummer. However, considering there was someone I didn’t know bending over both me and my pack, I am rather grateful they decided to take my sweatshirt rather than to give me a brick in the head. Besides, it’s too hot to for a sweatshirt anyway. Tomorrow Sam and I are going to go to Zacchaeus’ Kitchen for breakfast. The food is good, and they usually have enough for seconds. That is probably the only meal we’re going to eat, unless we panhandle in Georgetown. ...

Interesting. I'm not sure what to think. AAGamer’s Urban Video Game Academy teaches videogame design to African-American and Latino youth to help counter some games’ negative portrayals of minorities, while also helping students learn math and science. Read more .

The problem with the courts has nothing to do with the legalization of abortion, but with the interpretation of the constitution and the role of the courts in our government. The courts have exceeded their boundaries time and time again. I read an LA Times article (subgscription required) today, and various posts on WorldMag Blog that provoked these thoughts. From Peter Wallsten: Strategists worry that overturning Roe would make abortion a top-tier political issue again, galvanizing liberals and moderates who have long assumed that the issue was settled. At the same time, it would eliminate a major organizing principle of the evangelical movement that gained prominence in last year's elections. And Republican candidates, who have long sidestepped the issue by assuring moderate voters that judges have the final say on abortion, would suddenly be forced to say how they would vote on a woman's right to choose. About the article, I think it is a lie meant to scare moderate...

This is a great piece by Ken Hughes ! I've been talking here about the need for economic and social reform in the countries supplying the illegal immigration. The immigration problem isn’t going away with a lot of, political rhetoric. The first step is to recognize the things that entice illegals to come to America. Employment, health care, education, freedom of expression, all the things they lack in their own countries. When America exports it’s culture it must expect repercussions, in this case illegal immigration. To the rest of the world Americas streets are paved with opportunity. Like it or not America is big brother to the world, America is the brass rings on the Mary-go-round. I like how he concludes his piece : Is America losing sight of the fact we’re a nation of immigrants? The Lady in New your harbor holds a torch guiding the path to America. Granted she has her back turned on our southern neighbors I doubt it was intentional. America’s always been inundated by imm...

This is a scary article , but it is reality. We need to stop the racist, politicized approach to illegal immigration, and sit down and start talking real solutions. According to the report, the USBP says there has been a dramatic increase in the number of OTMs – other than Mexicans – being apprehended along the U.S. southwest border. In all of 2003, the patrol says its agents caught 39,000 OTMs, but already this year that figure has climbed to more than 85,000 – more than double two years ago . Of this number, the largest ethnic group is comprised of Brazilians – in excess of 12,000 in the first half of this year alone. ThatÂ’s bad news, especially for the USBP. But the reason this phenomenon of an increase in OTMs is significant has less to do with the problem of illegal immigration than it does with the ever-present threat of terrorism. Many of these OTMs come from countries we suspect of supporting terrorism against the United States or, at a minimum, of at least looking the other ...

Mr. Bush, We can appreciate your loyalty and friendship to Mr. Gonzales. But this is not personal and it is not about friendship. This is about who you will pick to the Supreme Court, and this is about our freedoms, about the preservation of life, and about the rule of law through originalist interpretation of the constitution. I'm happy for you that Gonzales is your friend. You are going to need to set that aside for a moment, and consider the will of the people. That is what we elected you for! Don't take it personal. " Al Gonzales is a great friend of mine, " Bush told USA Today. "When a friend gets attacked, I don't like it."

I was looking through the Human Rights reports from the State Department for El Salvador , and found this to be very insightful. Here is the root of the immigration problem in this country. The country has a market-based economy focused on services and light manufacturing, while simultaneously opening its markets. The country's population is over 6.9 million. Remittances from abroad are the largest single source of foreign income, equivalent to approximately 15 percent of GDP, and they continue to grow in value. (emphasis added) Agriculture remained the largest source of employment. Coffee and sugar are the principal export crops. The rate of real economic growth changed little during the year and was estimated at 1.8 percent, with inflation at 5.4 percent. According to the Ministry of Economy's statistics and census office, in 2003 approximately 36.1 percent of the population lived below the poverty level, compared with 38.8 percent in 2002. Poverty, corruption, and out-of-co...

Read a great post at World Blog that I agree with. Interesting comments as well. I am a Hispanic, but I do NOT want to feel "honored" by getting a Hispanic justice who flip-flops on issues, and doesn't stick to the constitution. I do not want another justice that produced constitutional rights from the figment of his or her imagination. We need a reliable originalist who is capable and experienced, and who has a track record of faithfully interpretation of the constitution--nothing less, nothing more. No more affirmative action for our supreme court! All the senate has managed to do by all its obstruction is to politicize the courts. Now judges have to be concerned about how their decisions would be seen by the senate should they be nominated for a higher post. It puts the courts at the mercy of the winds of public opinion and PC. Read the article by Thomas Sowell on Justice O'Connor's retirement, at townhall.com: The political temptation may be great to appoint...

These are sobering numbers. I am proud to be a part of NSHMBA and do my part for private, corporate driven, support for Hispanics in higher education. This is the way it should be done. Not through racially focused affirmative action. Not through government mandated quotas. Let the free market forces take care of itself. Businesses need Hispanics and need diversity. If the business world worked together, put funds together, we can eliminate the economic and cultural barriers and help more Hispanics get a higher education. Read the numbers . Do something about it. Don't expect or ask your government to do it for you!

Amazing that a Democrat would demonstrate such leadership, but there it is . Where is our party, the Republican Party, going? This is a great article , and it makes me ashamed to say I am a Hispanic. Truth be told, some Hispanics, such as those mentioned here, have no regard to public decency and civic duty. Why should they--they emigrate illegally, and are protected by wacky laws that afford them rights never given by the constitution. Why should they care if we as a nation don't care that they care. We don't require them to leave. In some states, immigrants are allowed to take the citizenship oath in Spanish! That is ridiculous! If you want to be a part of this country, if you want to enjoy the rewards of the price that was paid by our men and women through out history, then you should be willing to learn our history, develop an elemental grasp of our language, and seek to integrate and contribute to our culture. I don't advocate immigrants abandoning their rich culture, ...