Latino Issues, A Conservative Blog

Reuters has the full story on the May 1 immigrant boycott that aims to "close" down entire cities.. Doug Powers comments : So, no income for a day and no education? Sounds to me as if what they're boycotting is themselves . What a lesson for their kids. Got a beef? Don't go to work or school. Yeah, perpetuating poverty and denying yourself an education is a great way to get back at the gringo! A reader at Men's News Daily says , "Fight back! Mow your own lawn! Get some exercise! Have it done right!" First, allow me to point out who is behind these-- not Latino leadership. "There will be 2 to 3 million people hitting the streets in Los Angeles alone. We're going to close down Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Tucson, Phoenix, Fresno," said Jorge Rodriguez, a union official who helped organize earlier rallies credited with rattling Congress as it debates the issue. And what is it that they want? "We want full amnesty, full legalization f...

Greg Strange affirms what I have been saying in that these mass rallies are only serving to the benefit of America, and to the detriment of what the illegal immigrant advocates are hoping to achieve. What if there was a reconquista and Americans didn’t notice until it was too late? It was all moving along quite swimmingly before the recent immigration rallies when most Americans wouldn’t have known a reconquista from a chimichanga. But the word is out thanks to those rallies where hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Hispanics filled American streets waving Mexican flags, displaying insulting banners and making incredibly brazen demands of the country. Another part that caught my attention (bolding is mine): ...here’s the main thing you need to realize. If the American Southwest had stayed a part of Mexico, then you’d be trying to slip into the American Midwest, or the American Southeast, or the American Northeast, or the Pacific Northwest, or the Mid-Atlantic, or the Rocky Moun...

I was interviewed by the Waco Tribune this week on the VanTaylor campaign and the RedState.com fund-raising efforts. You can read the story here .

** Welcome to Michelle Malkin readers. Look around, and make yourself comfortable. Further reading provided below. ** This is really not that complicated. It's a national anthem--a symbol of our heritage. Like with all other symbols, there is a particular etiquette that goes with how these symbols should be treated. With the flag, for example, you are to raise it in a particular respectful way, and display it in a certain way. So it is with our national anthem. To make lyrical changes, and to sing it in Spanish amounts to a disrespect to the tradition and heritage that is inherently connected to the song. The question has been asked, and it is fair to ask, "What would the people of Latin America think if Americans where singing their songs in English, and even modifying its original words and meanings?" There would be riots. I mean, look at what the French president did the other day, just because another Frenchman was speaking in English! The pundits on the side of the...

I have joined in signing an open letter to the world making a declaration for freedom for the people of Cuba. You can read the PDF here , and the full text and post at BabaluBlog right here . Via Hentry "El Conductor" Gomez: If you agree with the letter then I urge you to electronically “sign” it by either leaving your full name and your city and state of residence in the comments section of this post or by emailing me . Here is an excerpt of the letter. We are a group of ordinary Americans, many of us Cuban-Americans, who are united in our desire to see the people of Cuba completely free of the communist dictatorship that has dominated their lives since 1959. We stand behind the President of the United States of America, our elected Representatives in the U.S. Congress, and our Senators who have made the strengthening of sanctions against the Castro regime in Cuba a high foreign policy priority. In forty-seven years since the triumph of the Cuban Revolution the United States...

Anyone know any more about this movie ? I couldn't find anything in Google. I found this at Moviemareting.biz, a site for the company doing promotion work for United 93. Email me if you know anything. Check it out here (bottom of the page) . Title: "Little Cuba" Production: 110 Below Productions Production Budget: $4 million Status: In Development. A romantic action-adventure story of a beautiful young Cuban refugee who finds love and freedom when her escape raft collides with the boat of a self-centered American college grad off the coast of Florida. Services: Created complete business and marketing plan for company and investors. Working on packaging of film with talent and development funding.

Via Hispanic PR Wire: Washington, DC--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--April 28, 2006--Today, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (NY), President of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL), called on his fellow colleagues and legislators to join in solidarity to support the immigrant demonstrations on May 1. Last month, several Hispanic state legislators participated in rally marches held in Phoenix, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, DC, New York and San Antonio, calling for immigration reform. The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) is a nonpartisan organization representing the interests of Hispanic state legislators from all states, commonwealths, and territories of the United States. NHCSL is a catalyst for joint action on issues of common concern to all segments of the Hispanic community. For more information visit http://www.nhcsl.com . Pay attention to who comes out in support.

Update: HotAir has the video . The illegal alien strike advocate's name is Javier Rodriguez. Update 2: Read T. Otamendi comments, " This guy also was today with Lou Dobbs and called President Bush an immoral. Agree with you; this people are damaging our heritage. " *** You watching Fox news? Dayside just had a spokesperson for the pro-illegal immigration rallies on the air--I didn't write down his name (wasn't in a journalistic mode there). This guy was insane. I just don't know what else to call what I heard. As soon as I find someone who has the video, I'll link to it. They guy came across really bad. I keep saying it--the unions are using common desperate latinos, both legal immigrants and illegal. The guy brought out Iraq, and said some real anti-American statements. A lady in the audience, with a son in Iraq, got REAL angry. It was very evident that he had no love for America, regardless of what he said, and that his loyalties are not with the Unit...

Via Pat Cleary at RedState.com We thought it was bad enough that Fidel Castro can drill for oil 45 miles off our shores when we can't, but now comes Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID), to call attention to the fact that fierce US competitor China is partnering with Cuba to explore these same oil fields. Lou Dobbs reported on this on Thursday , too -- as did Fox News -- but Lou's reporter Kitty Pilgrim got it a bit wrong saying, "But U.S. companies, because of the U.S. embargo of Cuba and hostile relations with Fidel Castro, are locked out of the game." She is right that there is an embargo in effect with Cuba. But the big problem isn't that US companies can't tap Cuba's oil. The big problem is that we are not allowed -- by our own government -- to tap US oil! Eighty-five percent of this treasure trove of oil and gas (80 billion barrels of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of gas) are subject to a federal embargo. We have no one to blame but ourselves, the...

This came in from Human Events Online. May 1 is going to be "A Day Without Illegal Aliens." This is supposed to frighten you. Why? Because you are an American -- weak, pampered, spoiled and allegedly incapable of taking care of yourself. You need the illegal alien servant class just to survive. Those who want amnesty for immigration criminals -- illegal aliens, pandering politicians, ethnic grievance agitators and the politically correct media -- have swallowed their own propaganda and believe that the American economy is totally dependent for its greatness on unskilled illegal labor and the corrupt underground economy it fosters. Read the full story here Top 10 Places to Shop and Eat on May 1 Vote: Nominate a Business to Support Tags: Politics , border , Homeland Security , MEXICO , Immigration , Illegal Aliens , Border Security , GOP , Democrats , Immigrant , Mexico, the great invader

Update: Other blogger reviews via HotAir.com . *** I just came home from watching United 93. As I start to type this, I am not even sure what to tell you. As I drove home, I tried to rehearse the words I wanted to use to describe this film, and rode next to my wife practically in silence the entire 30 minute drive. The movie was... POWERFUL... DISTURBING... SOMBER... As the ending credits roll across the screen, the silence was deafening. You could feel the weight on men's shoulders, as we stepped out to the aisle. It was like walking out of a funeral for a loved one. The cheery AMC employee greeting people as they walked out clashed with the somber mood everyone was feeling. Powerful. This was the word I kept hearing. It will inspire righteous anger in any red-blooded American. The movie is the most emotionally powerful piece of film I have seen in a long time. The time is right--should have been done earlier. The movie is very well done, and honors the victims with dignity and re...

Amazing article that should be read by all--immigrants or native born. It is a fresh reminder about the greatness of being an American, and the importance of fighting for ou liberty. Here is an excerpt. It's long, but it is well worth your time. Born American, but in the Wrong Place Now, with the revolution failing, came the final straw for my Dad. On one of his trips out to secure some bread, a hand grenade landed next to him but, miraculously, it did not go off. The spark that should have set off that grenade set off my father instead. He came home and announced to my mother that that was it. He said he was going to leave the country whether she would come or not. Mom said, "O.K., William. We will come if Peter agrees. Ask Peter." My mother tells me, though I don’t remember saying this, that I told my father I would follow him to hell if he asked it of me. Fortunately for my eager spirit, hell was exactly what we were trying to escape and the opposite of what my father ...

I participated and gave a small contribution to a piece by Newhouse News Service on the meaning of national allegiance. Here is my little part--make sure to read the whole article. As a son of refugees, I was blessed to be born in this nation. America was founded on the idea that our rights are endowed by the creator -- life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness -- regardless of who you are. These are values that transcend my ethnic heritage. I stand loyal to America and the values espoused in the founding documents. My allegiance means that I will continue to believe in and defend what America is and will continue to be -- a great and blessed nation. Dru Sefton : You probably missed it last May when President Bush called on you -- well, specifically, "the people of the United States" -- to observe Loyalty Day by reaffirming allegiance to the nation and flying the flag. In fact, presidents have been doing this since 1959, after a joint resolution of Congress designated May 1...

Via BabaluBlog.com comes news of change at the Miami Herald. From Miami Herald executive editor Tom Fiedler, sent to the Herald staff via e-mail on April 12, 2006: To the staff, All of you who have stepped off an elevator into the Miami newsroom in recent days cannot have missed the wall-mounted flat-screen monitor constantly displaying and refreshing the MiamiHerald.com site. And if you've attended any of the morning or afternoon news meetings, you will have heard an opening discussion about what's on that site, how many hits each article has received, and what's coming to the site later in the day. These may seem like the incremental markings of evolutionary change, mere head-nods toward on-line as we continue to think of ourselves as newspaper people first, foremost and -- perhaps for some -- always. But that cannot continue to be. Today we change. Today, as in NOW. Make sure to read the entire memo. Val Prieto reacts: Using the internet and radio and every ot...

Visit VanTaylor.com | Why This Matters From RedState.com : Chet Edwards is a Democrat representing TX-17, the congressional district the President's Crawford ranch is in. That district also voted for the President by 70% in 2004. That district is very Republican. No one who supports taking away your property and giving it to someone else should be in that seat. A Democrat should not be in that seat. There is a way to kick Chet Edwards out of Congress. Support Van Taylor. He is a Republican and he is conservative. Van Taylor is also a veteran of the Iraq War. We can strike a blow for property rights by helping Van Taylor. Let's help him raise $10,000.00. We're almost there. Give what you can give. Add $0.06 to the total to make sure they know where you are coming from. Got this via email from Casey Phillips, the Campaign Manager for Van Taylor for congress. ...we are so appreciative of the fact that the netroots has gotten behind us. It is a great opportunity to pick up a ...

Interesting link on some smart marketing by Sony VIAO from Gizmodo. Not quite sure what to make of this VAIO from Sony. Priced at $1,400, it’s got a bunch of “Spanish language” features including, but not limited to, not much that you can’t do during the initial Windows install. However, it will be available in multiple colors and purchasers can get a personalized soccer jersey. Looks like either a ham-handed attempt to reach out to our Spanish speaking friends or a solution looking for a problem. Que piensas? A reader thinks its racial stereotyping. Yay racial stereotypes! "If they speak spanish, the HAVE to love soccer!" by NotJonGreco I just call it smart targeting.

Terence Jeffrey has a great column on a great solution to employer immigration law enforcement. This is only part of the solution--employers still have a huge need for labor. I don't buy the whole "jobs Americans won't do" line, but I do believe there is a bigger labor need than our population can provide. So, enforcement needs to be matched with a secure immigration process that welcomes hard working immigrants ready to make America their home, or wanting to come to work on a temporary basis, and then return home. Read the whole column--interesting. I asked the inspector general's office last June for the name of the security guard company and, in October, for the name of the state government agency. Each time, I was given the same answer: Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code prevents the SSA not only from giving the public the names of these employers, but it also prevents SSA from giving their names to the Department of Homeland Security (outside the cont...

If you added up the costs of illegal immigration--whatever those might be--I wonder if this idea the French are trying would be economicly feasable? Of course, it doesn't address the fact that a large percentage of Central and South Americans come to the US seeking a more secure environment for their families, and the lack of border security. But, hey--the French are getting desperate. Just pray our problem never gets as bad as they have it. At least the chicano "reconquista" activists aren't resorting to terrorism...yet. France offers illegal immigrants increased financial incentive to return home HT: RedState.com reader, Gideon1789 .

Here is the summary : Technorati now tracks over 35.3 Million blogs The blogosphere is doubling in size every 6 months It is now over 60 times bigger than it was 3 years ago On average, a new weblog is created every second of every day 19.4 million bloggers (55%) are still posting 3 months after their blogs are created Technorati tracks about 1.2 Million new blog posts each day, about 50,000 per hour This was interesting. A better indicator of the growth of the blogosphere than simply the number of new blogs created each day is the rate of postings to those blogs. Daily Posting Volume tracked by Technorati is now over 1.2 Million posts per day, which is about 50,000 posts per hour. The blogosphere also reacts to world events. I've pointed out a number of the spikes in posting volume that have accompanied major news events in the chart below of posting volume. Check out the chart and the events that went with each spike. I am looking forward to a take-off for blogging in Latin Am...

I refuse to accept that this is the future of America, and I can guarantee that America will NEVER allow it. They are waking a slumbering giant. HT: Michelle Malkin Via Free Republic : Yesterday, there was a Chicano Park celebration in San Diego attended by thousands. Not much different than the marches and rallies we've witnessed by illegals over the past weeks. These photos are just a window into the goals and mindset of the Mexicans and others who are currently invading the American Southwest. They are taking back what they claim is theirs. You be the judge. Do you want maybe 100 million folks like this living amongst us in a generation clamoring for the same nonsense? According to most polls including those on this Forum, most Americans do not want this. Please alert your Congresscritter now and let's work for secured borders and a sane immigration policy. Tags: Politics , border , Homeland Security , MEXICO , Immigration , Illegal Aliens , Border Security , GOP , Democrat...

The Orlando Sentinel has an interesting article on the issue of immigration and labor in my home state of Florida. It features an old family friend, who will be guest posting here some interesting thoughts on the issue of illegal immigration, Mexico, and the danger to America. One of five illegal-immigrant workers in the country is in construction, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. Victor Carpintero, 48, of Orlando was one of them. "I was illegal," he said recently. "I made a very good living, too," doing construction work in California in the 1980s before moving to Florida. Carpintero's story is common among the nearly 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States. Originally from Honduras, he entered from Mexico on a tourist visa, overstayed his visa and melted into the vast illegal network. Now a U.S. citizen, thanks to Reagan administration amnesty, Carpintero speaks out about a "threat to American sovereignty" as a result of th...

If you have a camera, check the details out here . On May 1, illegal immigration activists are calling for a strike and related activities (or non-activities, like not buying anything). Demonstrations are scheduled for many cities in conjunction with the strike; the complete list is here . The day's events should be interesting from a number of perspectives. Immigration activists are divided over the strike tactic, and some have urged illegals not to participate. Conflicts have developed over leadership of the "movement," with some leaders trying to distance themselves from International ANSWER. Some activists want to preserve the mischievous toddlers image; others present quite a different picture. Once again, we are asking for volunteers to participate in gathering raw news data in the form of video footage. This time, we are expanding on our initial experiment. We don't want to give away too much, but production of the finished video will be supervised by a prof...

While I'm on the subject of FRC and immigration, here is something you might be interested in if you are in the beltway area. FRC will host a Family Policy Panel Discussion entitled: Faith, Culture, and Law in the Immigration Debate. Participants include Senator Sam Brownback, Congressman Tom Tancredo, and Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, Jr. among other prominent figures. Sign up today as space is limited for this special event. Here is more information, including a guest speaker list. Its a diverse group of people, so the debate should be lively and interesting. I wish I could be there, but I think I'll only be able to see it via the streaming feed. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) Congressman Tom Tancredo (CO-6) Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, Jr. National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference Richard Land Southern Baptist Convention Joan M. Maruskin Church World Service Immigration and Refugee Program John O'Sullivan Hudson Institute Brent A. Wilkes LULAC (League of United Latin Amer...

The results are in via FRC. Make sure to read the whole thing. Here are a few that caught my attention. To values voters, judicial activism continues to be a priority. 1. In order of importance, with number "1" being the most important issue, and number "5" the least important, and using only one number for each issue, where would you rank the following issues? Judicial activism 21% Reforming health care 6% Protecting man-woman marriage 19% Protecting human life from abortion 37% Stopping illegal immigration 17% Interesting. For all the religious groups that are involved in the mass rallies, it is clear that there are plenty of good people of faith that find enforcement of our laws consistent with the Judeo-Christian worldview. I would have liked to have seen this question posed about legal immigration--Legal immigrants enter the United States as strangers searching for a better life for themselves and their families and they should be welcomed. What do you think? L...

Got this via email today. The flawless English tells me they evidently have the support and help of American non-profits. Its interesting to say the least. From what I can tell, there some good work going on in support of these "widowed" women. I'm going to try to get in touch with some of these women directly and get more. I have said it before--these are the victims of our convuluted immigration policy and lack of enforcement backbone. Click here and read the transalated messages from wives, mothers, and sisters begging for the return of their men . Please: Close the United States Border to Illegal Migration. Help us to Keep Our Husbands Home with our Families Dear friends in the United States.... We are Mexican women from villages in the southern Mexico state of Guerrero . Our brothers and husbands have left us for work in the US. We strongly support closing the US-Mexico border to illegal entry. We did not want our men to leave and we want them to return to us. As we ...