Latino Issues, A Conservative Blog

Podcast: Talking GOP Debate and No Child Left Behind

2007-10-13T18:11:00.000-05:00

Click here to listen to the MP3 audio of the discussion between Michel Martin, Stephen Henderson and myself on the GOP debate, and Bush's push for No Child Left Behind. The segment on the new gospel music competition reality show is a great segment -- check it out as well.

Tell Me More, October 12, 2007 · This week, GOP presidential contenders met for a debate in Dearborn, Michigan. Meanwhile, President Bush was stumping for reauthorization of the education bill, "No Child Left Behind." In this week's Political Chat, hear insights from political blogger Josue Sierra and Stephen Henderson, Deputy Editorial Page Editor at the Detroit Free Press.

You can listen on the NPR website right here.

Related Posts:
- On Air: Talking GOP Debate and No Child Left Behind
- GOP Economy Debate

Other Posts of Interest:
- Conference for Minority Journalists of Faith

Cross posted at:
http://josue.townhall.com/g/539550d0-6e62-45a9-b375-f9d534488f25

Don't Call it Xenophobia and Don't Call it Racism

2007-10-13T14:13:00.000-05:00

[This post was originaly written on September 28th, when ICE was conducting raids on employers of illegal immigrants.]

Fox news is covering the recent ICE raids on McDonalds (and other companies I think), and the accusations by Hispanic community leaders (who decides who a "community leader" is anyway?) that these raids are somehow "racist.'

I can sympathize with the plight of an immigrant who is in this country seeking a better life and seeking to provide for his/her family. Having lived in 3 different Central American countries as a missionary, so I can also sympathize with the plight of Latin Americans who are not able to provide for their families. I certainly can sympathize with the hardship created by corrupt governments in Latin America. BUT...and this is a MAJOR BUT...every action has consequences. Entering our country illegally has legal consequences, including deportation. This is standard. It may not have been enforced in the past, but not so anymore. Why is this suddenly a surprise? Everyone knows it was bound to happen eventually, and every illegal immigrant knows that this is always a possibility.

Now it is, and thank goodness some of our government officials are starting to do something about it. If you are here illegally, consider the price. This is not a race issue -- it is a simple "rule of law" issue.

Is there racism out there -- sure! I've seen it and experienced it myself. But considering the reasonable public outcry by a vast majority of citizens -- those who our government serves -- it is only logical that our government agencies (ICE) would start doing their job (they should have been doing for along time...). I wouldn't call that racism. I would call it the restoration of the rule of law.

My advice: If you are an illegal immigrant in the US, start planning a way to go back home. Get some savings, and work up a business plan to start a small business back home. I realize life in the US is so much better than in Latin America, but until citizens -- until Hondurans, Costa Ricans, Nicaraguans, Guatemalans, Mexicans, and others do something -- start protesting and pressuring THEIR governments to open up their markets, and provide business-friendly economies -- nothing is going to change. But here in the US, we still have to have a country of laws. This is, after all, what makes our economy so strong, so effective and so productive.

Ultimately, if the United States allow illegal immigrants to freely falsify identity papers, social security IDs and tax documents, this would weaken the integrity and trust we place in our systems--the very economy they are benefiting from.

I'm sorry...I really am, but that's how it has to be. I don't hate immigrants--my father is one. I don't fear Hispanics -- I am one and I am friends with many Hispanics or Latinos. This has nothing to do with it.

So, don't call it xenophobia and don't call it racism. No one is buying that around here...

Cross posted at:
http://josue.townhall.com/g/f7d18496-95d9-48e6-ab4e-839bead4475a

Josue's Employment Disclosure

2007-10-11T15:19:00.000-05:00

For public disclosure, I wanted to make sure my regular readers here know that I am no longer part of the editorial staff at Townhall.com. I've moved to other opportunities and hope to have some more free time to increase my activities around here.

I'd like to start doing more guest blogging, and have more guest bloggers on Latino Issues. If you're interested, leave me a comment below.

~ Josue

SIIA Joins Immigration Voice in Call for Green Card Reform

2007-09-18T08:50:00.000-05:00

If you thought the labor issues surrounding the immigration debate is all about farming or hospitality, you're wrong. I'm not advocating one position or the other -- I'm advocating reasonable debate and careful analysis on the real impact of inaction. Below is an informative press release from the Software & Information Industry Association that came in via email.

SIIA Joins Immigration Voice in Call for Green Card Reform

Washington, DC –Sept. 18, 2007. The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal trade association for the software and digital information industry, today joined in support with the Immigration Voice, an organization of more than 3,000 highly skilled legal immigrants, in an effort to obtain legislative reform of the green card system.

“Software and digital content companies face a workforce skills shortage that is rising dramatically,” said Mark Bohannon, General Counsel and Senior Vice President for SIIA. “And the challenge will only get greater in the coming years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs for computer software engineers in the U.S. is expected to reach 450,000 by 2014. This projected 48 percent growth reflects that this is one of the fastest growing occupations in the country, one that is certain to outstrip supply of U.S-born workers.”

SIIA has long been a leading supporter of high-skilled immigration reform, including reform of both the H-1B visa and employment-based green card programs, critical elements for U.S. companies to recruit and retain the necessary talent to compete in the global economy.

“In the Information Age, a highly educated and skilled workforce is essential as intellect and innovation give the United States its competitive edge. And yet, we have thousands of highly-skilled workers here today who want nothing more than to work in the U.S. and contribute to our vibrant and strongly-growing economy, but who are at risk of being sent home to compete with us. The price of failing to act will be steep. If we do not have green card reform this year, thousands of the talented professionals that presently work for American employers will leave to take jobs with our competitors abroad,” Bohannon concluded.

About SIIA

SIIA is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education and intellectual property protection to more than 800 leading software and information companies. For further information, visit www.siia.net.

###

RNC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

2007-09-14T09:44:00.000-05:00

The Republican Party General Chairman Mel Martinez released the following statement (via email) recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month:

WASHINGTON – Republican Party General Chairman Mel Martinez released the following statement recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month:

“This month, we celebrate the millions of Hispanics who every single day are contributing to our great nation. We honor those who have come here to live the American dream, we recognize those who have been here for generations, and we thank those who are serving our nation in uniform here and overseas.

“The Republican Party is dedicated to making sure opportunity is available for all Americans. In the last six and a half years, we have seen the achievement gap in schools narrow, Hispanic unemployment reach historic lows, and unprecedented numbers of Hispanics opening their own small businesses. We can look back with pride on what we’ve achieved, and we can look forward knowing that the future holds even greater accomplishments.”

Al Cardenas Comments on Univision Democrat Forum

2007-09-09T20:08:00.000-05:00

Al Cardenas is Chairman of Romney for President's Hispanic Steering Committee. I got the following email from the campaign.

Boston, MA – Al Cardenas, the Chairman of Romney for President's National Hispanic Steering Committee, issued the following statement regarding tonight's Democrat presidential forum on Univision:

"Tonight's Univision forum demonstrated once again the consequences that a President Clinton, President Obama or President Edwards would have on the Hispanic community. Whether it's tax increases for families and the two million Hispanic business owners, socialist-style health care, coddling dictators, opposing free trade with our allies or putting family values last, the Democrat presidential candidates made clear how out of sync their policies are with the best interests of the Hispanic community.

Mitt Romney has put in the effort to reach out to this vital bloc, and, after watching tonight's debate, I am confident his vision for the Hispanic community and all Americans will trounce the Democrats' vision in any match-up."

Considering the long history with socialism, communism and dictators in many Latin American countries, I think most voters of Hispanic heritage would agree with this assessment. The exception would be within the college aged--which is no surprise considering the type of academic oppression against conservatives going on in major universities across the country. Of course, as with any voting block, I think a lot of people tend to like what they hear, and don't consider the consequences when it comes to the ideas, values, and vision that Democrats have for America. I've certainly seen plenty of that happen in Latin American elections, as it happens in ours.

Gov. Romney: End Sanctuary City Policies

2007-09-08T13:03:00.000-05:00

Excellent comments by Romney on the issue of sanctuary cities. I also loved the fact that he made the distinction between legal and illegal immigration, and addressed the fear many legal immigrants may be feeling as they see the growing frustration with illegal immigration in our country.

Also, check out this clip where Romney comments on the debate and the difference between him and Rudy.

Cat 5 Felix Aiming for Honduras

2007-09-02T20:54:00.000-05:00

Via the Sun Sentinel.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Felix was packing maximum sustained winds of 165 mph as it plowed westward toward Central America, where it was expected to skirt Honduras' coastline Tuesday before slamming into Belize on Wednesday as a hurricane capable of massive destruction.

Let's hope it misses it, and that its damage is minimum. I'll be traveling to the Southern coast of Honduras this coming October, and just visited La Ceiba on the Northern coast a few months ago.

Labor Shortage Will Depress the Economy

2007-09-01T10:22:00.000-05:00

Rudy Carrasco at Urban Onramps is blogging about those jobs Americans won't do and an Associated Press article that reports on help wanted ads that are going unanswered in the west.

The article doesn’t even mention the word “immigration.” (Well, not by name.) But read it and you will get a picture of what things might be like once the government follows through on this immigration crackdown thing. There has been a big debate on the concept of “jobs Americans won’t do,” but up to now it’s been pretty theoretical. Well, from now on, it won’t be.

I don't have a problem with the illegal immigration crackdown--the laws need to be enforced--but I do have a problem with the fact that nothing is being done to fix the legal immigration process. It needs to be safer, more efficient, and provide for the labor needs of the country. Either that, or the real labor shortage issue needs to be addressed. It seems quite obvious we have a serious need for a comprehensive temporary worker program in many sectors of our economy.

Rudy quoted the following in the AP article:

John Francis, who owns the McDonald’s in Sidney, Mont., said he tried advertising in the local newspaper and even offered up to $10 an hour to compete with higher-paying oil field jobs. Yet the only calls were from other business owners upset they would have to raise wages, too. Of course, Francis’ current employees also wanted a pay hike.

“I don’t know what the answer is,” Francis said. “There’s just nobody around that wants to work.”

The final paragraph in the article was worth paying noting:

"The hardest thing is to keep the economy growing at a strong rate when you have a low unemployment rate," he said. "Take a company that wants to expand. Where is the next worker going to come from?"

Americans need to STOP being so combative, emotional and irrational when discussing the immigration debate, and need to start discussing solutions and ideas. I'm not asking anyone to change their views or to compromise on their position -- I'm asking people to start listening and start being solution-oriented in our discussions. Yes, border security is urgent. Yes, the laws need to be enforced. But there is a deeper underlying economic problem that seems to me is being ignored in all the rhetoric.

The fact remains that if our country continues to experience the labor shortage we are experiencing, the economy is going to slow down and prices are going to go way up. It's basic economics! And while many middle class and affluent Americans might look at their check books right now, and say "I'm ok with that...I can pay higher prices" the fact remains that millions will be negatively affected by an economic slowdown.

Being myopic about this issue is not going to help our country. Saying exciting, passionate and short-sighted sound bites for the cameras might get you invited back on Fox News, but it won't solve our country's labor and economic challenges. It truly is time conservatives start looking for solutions. What is it going to be?

Feel free to leave your ideas, suggestions or thoughts in the comments. What solution do you think America should pursue? What would you suggest Congress, the Senate and the future President should pursue?

Cross posted at Josue.Townhall.com

New CIS report: Immigration and U.S. population growth

2007-08-30T11:58:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone. I got this in my inbox this morning. I want to highlight a key point in the policy discussion section.

Some see a deteriorating quality of life with a larger population, including its impact on such things as pollution, congestion, loss of open spaces, and sprawl. Others may feel that a much larger population will create more opportunities for businesses, workers, and consumers. These projections do not resolve those questions. What the projections do tell us is where we are headed as a country. The question for the nation is: Do we wish to go there?

Regardless of your views on the issue, I think its important to note that it is American citizens -- voters -- who should get to choose on the direction America will take. The law is already clear about much of the issues being debated -- why are we debating it? America DOES have a right to determine its own future and what guests it welcomes. The push to legitimize illegal immigration is ultimately only harming law-abiding, legal immigrants who get caught up in the wave of discontent with our uninvited guests.

Here is the rest of the email.

IMMIGRATION TO ADD 100+ MILLION TO U.S. POPULATION BY 2060
New Report Takes Detailed Look at Different Levels of Admissions

WASHINGTON (August 30, 2007) -- A new report from the Center for Immigration Studies projects how different levels of immigration would impact the future size of America's population. The findings, carefully modeled on earlier projections by the Census Bureau, show that the current level of immigration will add 105 million to the population by 2060, while having a small effect on the aging of society.

The report, entitled ''100 Million More: Projecting the Impact of Immigration on the U.S. Population, 2007 to 2060,'' will be online at http://www.cis.org . Among the other findings:

* Currently, 1.6 million legal and illegal immigrants settle in the country each year; 350,000 immigrants leave each year, resulting in net immigration of 1.25 million.

* If immigration continues at current levels, the nation’s population will increase from 301 million today to 468 million in 2060 -- a 167 million (or 56 percent) increase. Future immigrants plus their descendants will account for 105 million (or 63 percent) of the increase.

* The total projected growth of 167 million is equal to the combined populations of Great Britain, France, and Spain. The 105 million from immigration by itself is equal to 13 additional New York Cities.

* If the annual level of net immigration was reduced to 300,000, future immigration would add 25 million people to the population by 2060 -- 80 million fewer than the current level would add.

* The above projection follows exactly the Census Bureau's assumptions about future birth and death rates, including a decline in the birth rate for Hispanics, who comprise the largest share of immigrants.

* Net immigration has been increasing for five decades; if that trends continues, the increase caused by immigration will be higher than the projected 105 million.

* While immigration has a very large impact on the size of the nation's population, it has only a small effect in slowing the aging of American society.

* At the current level of net immigration (1.25 million a year), 61 percent of the nation's population will be of working age (15 to 66) in 2060, compared to 60 percent if net immigration were reduced to 300,000 a year.

* If net immigration was doubled to 2.5 million a year it would raise the working-age share of the population by one additional percentage point, to 62 percent, by 2060. But that level of immigration would create a U.S. population of 573 million, double its size in the 2000 Census.

Policy Discussion: The findings of this study make clear that the debate over immigration should not be whether it makes for a much larger population -- without question it does. Consistent with the findings of the Census Bureau, these projections also show that the debate over immigration should not be whether it has a large impact on the aging of society -- without question it does not. The central question this study raises and that Americans must answer is what costs and benefits come with having a much larger population and a more densely settled country. Some see a deteriorating quality of life with a larger population, including its impact on such things as pollution, congestion, loss of open spaces, and sprawl. Others may feel that a much larger population will create more opportunities for businesses, workers, and consumers. These projections do not resolve those questions. What the projections do tell us is where we are headed as a country. The question for the nation is: Do we wish to go there?

Methodology: This report uses the Census Bureau's assumptions about future birth and death rates from its most recent projections and then simply varies the immigration component. The last Census Bureau projection, released in March 2004, incorporated only one immigration scenario into the projection, so immigration's impact was unclear. The new Center for Immigration Studies report is the first to show the impact of so many different levels of immigration. At present, elected officials have no way of knowing how 200,000 immigrants a year versus two million immigrants a year might affect the population in, say, a 20- or 50-year time period. These projections provide the answers. The new projections are based on the most recent immigration data, whereas the March 2004 Census Bureau projections were based on data collected in the 1990s prior to the results of the 2000 Census, and assumed a much lower level of immigration than was actually the case.

In my inbox: RNC Responds to Chuck Schumer

2007-08-27T13:45:00.000-05:00

I guess it was to much to hope that the Democrat congress could avoid making the Justice Department into a partican issue.

"RNC Chairman Robert M. “Mike” Duncan released the following statement today in response to Chuck Schumer’s comments on the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales."

“Chuck Schumer, the Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, has wasted no time appearing on the airwaves today to make the resignation of Alberto Gonzales – and the appointment of a new Attorney General – into a partisan issue. The appointment of a new Attorney General should not be about scoring political points, and it should not be about fundraising for the next election; it must be about selecting the best possible person to be our nation’s next top law enforcement official.”

Putnam Statement on Resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales

2007-08-27T10:23:00.000-05:00

Congressman Adam Putnam (FL-12), Chairman of the House Republican Conference, issued the following statement on the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales:

“The Department of Justice now has the opportunity to benefit from fresh leadership. What the American people need is an effective, independent Attorney General who will be undistracted in his or her efforts to enforce our laws, secure our borders, and vigorously prosecute the war against radical militant Islamists.

“The Congress will soon take up debate on permanently modernizing our intelligence gathering laws. A new Attorney General should have the necessary credibility on Capitol Hill to give our intelligence and law enforcement communities the tools they need to intercept terrorist communications and stop attacks before they happen.

“Finally, it is incumbent upon both the new Attorney General and Congressional Democrat leaders to put an end to the politicization of the Justice Department.”

I'll second that last idea -- how about the Democrats stop politicizing the Justice Department? Is that to much to ask for?

On NPR's "Tell Me More" later in the day

2007-08-27T09:22:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure if its going to be for today's show, or tomorrow's. I'll be talking about the Alberto Gonzalez resignation. I'll update as I know more. Check out Michelle's blog here.

BREAKING: Gonzalez resigns!

2007-08-27T07:42:00.000-05:00

Understandable considering the distraction the Liberals have made out of him. It's to bad. Now that the Libs have lost Rove, AND Gonzalez, I wonder what Boogie man they will go after next?

NY Times has the story.

Chavez Power Grab: Venezuelan Constitutional Changes Approved

2007-08-25T20:28:00.000-05:00

This week's Economist had a short blurb in the "The World This Week" section on how the Venezuelan National Assembly -- all Chavez cronies -- unanimously approved the constitutional change that removes term limits on Chavez. How surprising! And all it took them was 6 hours of debate.

Hugo Chavez and his enablers indeed! An Aug 16th article also on the Economist had more details on the Venezuelan Constitutional changes.

The plan to abolish presidential term limits is part of a bundle of constitutional changes unveiled by Mr. Chávez on August 15th. These would remove the last remaining checks and balances to presidential power in Venezuela. They would strip the Central Bank of all autonomy, allowing the government to spend the country's foreign reserves. The government would be given power to expropriate private property by decree, and to promote co-operatives and state enterprise.

Perhaps in the midst of these dark days for Venezuela, there is still some good news.

The president remains popular, thanks to a bond with many poorer Venezuelans reinforced by quantities of oil money for social programmes. But there is much polling evidence that a large majority oppose socialism and value democracy.

My mother used to say, "tell me who you hang around with, and I'll tell you who you are." Less America forget about who exactly is Hugo Chavez, I'll let Michael C. Moynihan tell you about the sort of man he is.

...he is also the man who has declared his eternal friendship with Libya's Col. Gaddafi, Belorussian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, Iranian leader Ahmadinejad, Zimbabwean tyrant Robert Mugabe, Sandinista commandante Daniel Ortega, imprisoned terrorist Carlos the Jackal, Saddam Hussein and, of course, Fidel Castro. Amongst the gringo masses, this side of Chávez is rather less well-known.

Make sure to check out Moynihan's entire piece at Reason.com.

It's sad news indeed and a dark time for Venezuela.

On NPR's "Tell Me More" -- Obama's Miami-Herald Op-Ed

2007-08-24T08:01:00.000-05:00

I’ll be talking about Obama’s Miami Herald op-ed, the Univision debate and other political subjects. Read more here.

Update: You can check out Michelle Martin's Tell Me More blog right here. I had a great time talking with Michelle, as always! I believe the audio will be available online around noon.

UPDATE II:

Crossposted on my Townhall.com blog.

You can listen to the audio clip of the segment of Tell Me More.

Tell Me More, August 24, 2007 · In this week's political chat, Bloggers Marisa Trevino, of LatinaLista.net, and Josue Sierra of Townhall.com discuss Sen. Barack Obama's pronouncements on Cuba policy, which White House hopefuls are confirmed to attend a fall presidential forum sponsored by the Spanish-language television network, Univision and, overall, what the candidates must do to appeal to Latino voters.

On the subject of Obama's Miami Herald op-ed, and the Cuba embargo, check out Babalublog.com for real good analysis of the South Florida community and voting trends. I pretty much voiced Henry Gomez's perspective on Obama's op-ed ( I learn from the masters on the subject, since I haven't lived in Miami for quite a few years now).

I just realized that the strategy is not about getting Cuban-Americans to vote for the Democratic candidate next November, it's about getting Cuban-American Democrats to vote for Barack Obama in the Florida primary in January. Obama has staked out a position that differentiates himself from Hillary Clinton who is the front runner and therefore being more cautious in her approach.

Henry is predicting that Hillary has the campaign in the bag. I'm no political science expert, but it does seem that way to me as well.

The dialoguero Cuban-Americans will vote for the candidate that represents most change from the current policy. If they perceive that that's Obama, they'll vote for him. But in November you can't lose votes you never had. Hard-liners and Republicans aren't going to vote for Clinton or Obama anyway so it's a smart move on Obama's part but as I said, Clinton has this thing in the bag.

Matt Lewis thought this was a gaff by Obama, but reading Henry's perspective, as well as today's The New York Sun's op-ed in response to Obama, I would have to disagree. I don't think its going to help him in South Florida, but it certainly was better than nothing -- it will get him a few more Democrat votes and it certainly got him some airtime.

Mr. Obama's debate remarks might have been an accidental blunder, but it's harder to pass off an op-piece under the candidate's byline as some sort of gaffe. On a trip to South Africa last year, Obama said that the struggle against apartheid there was an inspiration for his own political career. As the Cuban Liberty Council said in a statement this week, it's too bad Mr. Obama doesn't see the parallel between the struggle for democracy in Cuba and the one in South Africa, where economic sanctions helped bring about historic change of the sort that is dreamed of by Cubans from Miami to Havana.

Henry broke down the FIU poll of Cuban-Americans -- read it here.

That was comment on another post about Obama's strategy to differentiate himself from Hillary Clinton. As I analyzed that situation I realized that Obama's advisers probably used data from that FIU poll of Cuban-Americans to devise the strategy. They noticed one of the "disconnects" in the data.

He has more here as well.

So the Democrats have their work cut out for them. In my opinion, they need to fight the natural tendency for the recent arrivals to somewhat change their views over time, they need to get them their citizenship faster, convince them to register to vote, and then go against the trend of registering Republican and finally getting them to vote for a Democratic candidate. Could it happen? Sure. I'm not holding my breath.

"El Conductor" said it best.

FW: Help in the media war: Freedom's Watch

2007-08-22T10:53:00.000-05:00

Just a heads up on the media war. Check out the links below.

Folks:

Just a quick note to draw your attention to a multi-million dollar advertising campaign that is launching today on our side of the debate.

The campaign's sponsor, Freedom's Watch, is a brand-new organization with a brand-new website that you can visit here. From their press release:

August 22, 2007, (Washington, D.C.)—Today a new organization named Freedom’s Watch announced it is launching a nationwide grassroots campaign aimed at ensuring Congress continues to fully fund the troops with the ultimate goal of victory in the War on Terror. Freedom’s Watch will spend approximately $15 million on radio and television ads as well as grassroots activities from now thru mid-September and has partnered with a host of veteran’s organizations in an effort to ensure terrorism is confronted all over the world.

I'd encourage everyone to visit the Freedom's Watch site and watch their television ads online.

The tide is turning on the national debate, and with help from groups like Freedom's Watch, we can ensure that our troops get the support they need to win. Thanks to all for your support...

N.Z.
The Victory Caucus

Governor Romney On Senator Obama's Cuba Succession Policy

2007-08-21T13:01:00.000-05:00

Quick and rapid response from Romney campaign on Obama's short-sighted Cuba Succession Policy. Good job Romney campaign!

Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 1:14 PM
Subject: PRESS RELEASE: Governor Romney On Senator Obama's Cuba Succession Policy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2007

GOVERNOR ROMNEY ON SENATOR OBAMA'S CUBA SUCCESSION POLICY

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney issued the following statement on Senator Barack Obama's Cuba succession policy, outlined today in the Miami Herald:

"Senator Barack Obama continues to demonstrate through his words that he does not have the strength to confront America's enemies or defend our values. First, Senator Obama said he would make it a priority to meet with Castro in his first year in office. Now, he's proposing that we begin to lift sanctions against the Castro regime.

Unilateral concessions to a dictatorial regime are counterproductive, helping to secure a succession of power and repression instead of a transition to freedom. They will only embolden those who cling to power at the expense of the Cuban people. We must not weaken our policy on Cuba until the Castro regime is dismantled, all political prisoners are freed and Cuba transitions to free and fair elections."

The Missing Headlines

2007-08-20T09:22:00.000-05:00

The AP headline this morning says, "Immigration Activist Deported to Mexico." It goes on to tell you what a brave cause she struggled for, and made sure to even give you the tear-jerker details on how she left her son behind.

Her 8-year-old son, Saul, is now living with Coleman's family. During a news conference in Los Angeles after Arellano's arrest, the boy hid behind the pastor's wife and wiped away tears.

But just in case you lose sight of what the real story is, let me remind you...

Arellano, 32, arrived in Washington state illegally in 1997. She was deported to Mexico shortly afterward, but returned and moved to Illinois in 2000, taking a job cleaning planes at O'Hare International Airport.

She was arrested in 2002 at O'Hare and convicted of working under a false Social Security number. She was to surrender to authorities last August but instead sought refuge at the church on Aug. 15, 2006.

False Social Security number, breaking airport security, evading arrest. I'm not saying this lady is a "dangerous" criminal, but she DID break the law, and she DID circumvent our security protocols, and SHE chose to enter this country illegally well aware that this could and would eventually happen. That IS dangerous and highlights the critical nature of our broken immigration system and unsecured border. The fact is that the Liberal puppet masters managed to get to her and use her -- yes, that's right: USE HER -- to promote their left-wing pro-illegal immigration cause.

In my opinion, our country is in grave danger of seeing the "victim mentality" that was propagated among the African American community since the 60's repeated among the Latino immigrant population -- legal and illegal. The root of our social unrest is found in the manipulations of the socialist academics and activists that are using individuals like Elvira Arellano to tug at America's hearts with the help of the typical left-wing media manipulation.

Personal consequences. I am the first one to advocate for an improved legal immigration process that does not separate families, but when an individual chooses out of their own free will to put themselves outside the protection of the law, it is their choice that brings about consequences. Whether the boy stayed in the US with friends, or eventually leaves to be reunited with his mother is his mother's choice -- the government is not to blame in any way.

Arellano has repeatedly called for a stop to immigration raids that break up families with some members who are in the U.S. legally and others illegally. She has said her son would be deprived of his rights as a U.S. citizen if he had to go to Mexico simply because she did.

Well, I'll call myself a "Legal Immigration Activist" and I'm calling on illegal immigrants to STOP the break-up of families in Mexico and Central America -- stay home with your families, petition to your government for better economic opportunities for yourself and your children, and respect the laws of your neighbors. Educate yourselves about the candidates that run for positions of power in your city, province and country, and demand integrity and transparency. When Latin America's voters stop putting up with government greed and corruption, and when Latin America's journalists start doing their job in exposing these, then we'll see change start happening.

How about it Arellano? How about focusing all that "activist" energy at your government? Maybe we can get some real change.

McCain: Immigration Issue Led to Threats

2007-08-16T10:06:00.000-05:00

I can relate to the inflamed passions. Its baffling and at times irrational (though I have never received any death threats). Someone did mock me once by saying that my name must really be "Jose"... I still haven't figured that one out! LOL It's amazing how many freedom loving conservatives would quickly opt to silence my opinions, despite the fact that I am against illegal immigration.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Wednesday that the issue of illegal immigration angered people unlike no other, including the unpopular war in Iraq, and sparked unprecedented death threats against him.

"It is unbelievable how this has inflamed the passions of the American people," the Arizona senator said in remarks at The Aspen Institute, a public policy forum. In an interview, he declined to elaborate on the threats he had received.

Veterans Organize National Response to MoveOn.org Bullying Tactics

2007-08-16T08:23:00.000-05:00

Just got this in my email and I wanted to pass it along.

From: The Victory Caucus [mailto:news@victorycaucus.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 12:47 AM
To: Josue
Subject: Call for Victory Day Thursday 8/16

Folks:

Apologies for a second message this week, but tomorrow (Thursday 8/16) is an important day and we need your help. Several pro-victory groups including Vets for Freedom and Families United are planning a national call-your-Congresspeople day to counter efforts of defeatist groups. Please, please, take five minutes and call or fax your Representative and Senators and let them know you want them to be strong on the war and support our men and women in uniform until their mission is a success.

To make this easy, Victory Caucus has a new page where you can easily look up your Rep and Senators. Just go here, type in your zip code, and you'll get your Representative and Senators telephone number, fax, and web contact info.

Included below is more information. Please call / fax / send a pro-victory smoke signal tomorrow, and thanks!

NZ

Iraq Veterans, Families of Soldiers Focus on Cost of Defeat in Iraq

Organize National Response to MoveOn.org Bullying Tactics

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 – Veterans of the Iraq war have joined with families of those serving and sacrificing in Iraq to focus on the cost of a U.S. defeat in Iraq. On Thursday, August 16, they will fight back against efforts by MoveOn.org to bully the American people into ending the mission just as it is showing significant signs of progress.

“As families of those who are serving or have made the ultimate sacrifice, we must educate our fellow Americans about the need to continue the mission and the terrible price we will pay if we retreat now,” said Merrilee Carlson, the president of Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission.

Added Pete Hegseth, executive director of Vets for Freedom: “Moveon.org will talk a lot about the money we are spending. But what they won’t discuss – and what in truth they just don’t care about – is the overwhelming cost of U.S. and Iraqi lives and security if we give up too soon and lose this war. As veterans of Iraq who have served on the ground, we understand the progress that is being made and we know the consequences if we were to pack up and leave without defeating al-Qaeda.”

They noted that possible outcomes of defeat include:

A bloodbath in Iraq, costing hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi lives and possibly destabilizing the entire Middle East region.

A failed state in Iraq and a safe haven for Al Qaeda to plan future attacks against America and her allies.

An emboldened Iran in pursuit of nuclear weapons and a victorious Al Qaeda in pursuit of new ways to kill Americans at home and around the world.
Both organizations are urging Americans who support the mission to use August 16, 2007 to educate their members of Congress about the cost of defeat, to write to their local newspapers explaining the consequences of a precipitous withdrawal, and to engage their fellow citizens to discuss the issues at stake.
With more than 7,000 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, Vets for Freedom is a leading voice representing troops and veterans. Its mission is to educate the American public about the importance of achieving success in these conflicts by applying its members first-hand knowledge to issues of American strategy and tactics—namely "the surge" in Iraq.   It supports policymakers from both sides of the aisle who stand behind the great generation of American warriors on the battlefield, and who have put long-term national security before short-term partisan political gain.

Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission is a non-partisan, non-profit coalition of Gold Star and Blue Star families, including some with loved ones in harm's way, veterans, and Americans who share a deep appreciation for our men and women in uniform and support them in their efforts to make America safer by allowing them to complete their mission.

# # #

We need your organization to join us! Details below:

Cost of Defeat Day

National Education Effort

Thursday, August 16, 2007

www.vetsforfreedom.org

www.familiesunitedmission.com

Sponsored by Vet for Freedom & Families United.

This Thursday, August 16, 2007, radically defeatist group, Moveon.org, plans to bully Americans into an immediate retreat from Iraq, guaranteeing our defeat.

Recently, even the NY Times has reported the progress being made on the ground by the Gen. Petraeus and the brave U.S. troops. They are driving al-Qaeda out, securing neighborhoods, and helping Iraqis rebuild their lives and society.

Moveon.org will talk a lot about the money we are spending. But what they won’t discuss – and in truth, what they just don’t care about – is the overwhelming cost of U.S. and Iraqi lives and security if we give up too soon and lose this war.

Possible outcomes of defeat include:

A bloodbath in Iraq, costing hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi lives and possibly destabilizing the entire Middle East region.

A failed state in Iraq and a safe haven for Al Qaeda to plan future attacks against America and her allies.

An emboldened Iran in pursuit of nuclear weapons and a victorious Al Qaeda in pursuit of new ways to kill Americans at home and around the world.

Our message of hope and freedom for Iraq is silent unless YOU act!

We need people like you to join our Cost of Defeat Day, this Thursday, August 16. It is critical that we educate Members of Congress, the media, and our fellow citizens about the cost of defeat and the importance of completing this mission.

Commit to educating your community. Write letters to the editor of your local papers. Then, this Thursday, call your Senator and Member of Congress.

1.        Let them know that you support Gen. Petraeus and you want to win the war on terror!

2.        Let them know that the cost of defeat is a price you are not willing to pay.

To locate you representative, visit www.house.gov & www.senate.gov .

"Sicko" documentary is banned in Cuba

2007-08-11T09:47:00.000-05:00

Cross posted at josue.townhall.com

This latest news from inside Cuba is that Michael Moore's "ill intentioned documentary" Sicko amounts to nothing more than communist propaganda, and has been banned from viewing. Clearly, Moore's place in history has been cemented as that of a willing puppet of the Cuban dictatorship.

The article reprinted below was written originally in English, with thanks to Dr. Roberto A. Galloso for the English translation. I read the Spanish version, and the translation is accurate.

I want to call your attention to the extensive list of Cuban government officials and even medical staff who regularly go to France, England and Spain for medical treatment -- not exactly a vote of confidence in the Cuban healthcare system. I agree that there is much that could be done to improve our healthcare system--starting with tort reform! But, read this article and ask yourself, "Am I sure I want a socialized, government-controlled healthcare?" My answer is a very loud NO! (Bold in article is mine)

For those that don't follow the news inside the prison island, Dr. Darsi Ferrer was imprisoned in 2006 for his opposition to the Castro regime. I assume he has since been released. I'll find out and update this post.

Comisión de Derechos Humanos
Junta Patriótica Cubana
Mayda Cardín
Traducción: Dr. Roberto A. Galloso
Comisión de Relaciones Públicas.
(305) 448-9898
jpcdh@bellsouth.net

By Dr. Darsi Ferrer, Director of Health & Human Rights Center "Juan Bruno Zayas"

Havana, August 6, 2007 -- There is no doubt that the Cuban authorities will not allow the Cuban people the possibility of watching this documentary by Michael Moore, a leading movie producer and ideological ally of the Cuban regime.

Although it might look contradictory, the propaganda used in the film to discredit the USA health system while trying to highlight the excellence of the Cuban health system, turned out to be considered "subversive" by the Cuban regime. It so happens that he based his arguments on gross lies that do not represent at all the Cuban health drama.

It is well known over the world that Fidel Castro went to look for a Spanish doctor when he had a health crisis. A few years ago the Under Secretary of Health, Abelardo Ramirez, went to France for medical treatment where he underwent surgery for a gastric cancer that eventually took his life. In the same manner, the neurosurgeon Domingo, a doctor who is part of Fidel Castro's personal medical team and Chief of the CIMEQ Hospital, went to England to avail himself of Ophthalmologic services for surgical treatment for his eye problems, periodically returning there for checkups.

How come that those who are part of the top echelon of the government, having access to all the privileges and resources the country offers to them, when their own health problems are at stake they showlittle or no confidence in the "competent revolutionary medicine".

The Cuban health system can be described with one word: Chaos. The majority of the installations are in ruins, with continued great physical deterioration coupled with disastrous operating conditions. In contrast, the exclusive medical institutions, reserved for foreigners with hard currency, members of the "ruling elite" and the high ranking military personnel offer excellent medical services. These institutions are: International Clinic "Cira Garcia", International Clinic of Retinosis Pigmentosa, International Center for Neurological Restoration (CIREN), Center for Medical Chirurgical Investigations (CIMEQ), Koly Clinic and the best (exclusive) floors of the "Almeijeiras" and "Frank Pais" hospitals, among others. In these centers, to which the access is denied to the Cuban people except the above mentioned, the medical staff is highly qualified with a superb professional status, conditions are optimum, the hygiene is adequate, there is cable television, piped music and they are well equipped and have all the necessary resources.

There is within the health system what the regime falsely calls "international missions" which is the only possibility for the health staff to obtain a few dollars to satisfy some of the pressing daily life necessities required to survive in the country But, there is always a catch under the Cuban regime, the "internationalists", as they are called, are exploited as cheap labor and are forced to participate in the psychological manipulation of the people of the countries they are sent to because "their real mission" is to propagate the Marxist-Leninist totalitarian model.

Those who have read our previous article on this subject are familiar with the details of disastrous Cuban health system. However, we should add that the main problem facing that system is the lack of motivation among the health professional because they unable to satisfy the minimum life necessities with the meager salaries they receive. This situation generates a high level of iatrogenic ailments (ailment generated or induced by the physician's manner of handling or discussing a case), deficiencies and negligence in the daily provision of medical services.

Another important factor contributing to damper the motivation of the health professional is the number of limitations imposed on them for their professional development. They are denied access to the internet and free participation in international courses and events. Up to date medical literature and opportunities to keep up to date with the scientific advances worldwide are not there at all. As a matter of fact, thousands of physicians and other health professionals who have the aspiration of professional development and growth have been waiting for years to be "liberated" lo leave the country. Many of them are held in akin to hostage conditions and many of them, with their relatives out of the country, suffer the trauma of being separated from them.

In conclusion, it does not surprise anybody in Cuba, that Michael Moore would choose the "Almeijeiras" Hospital to demonstrate the excellence of the Cuban Health System. The explanation is simple: none of the ruinous hospitals available to the Cuban people could have been used to film his ill intentioned documentary. And, of course, the tyranny can not afford to have the people see this documentary showing what everybody knows is not the reality of the Cuban health system, one of several show places where the average Cuban
citizen is denied access.

For this reason the documentary is banned in Cuba.

HT: Stefania at Free Thoughts

GOP doing a better job of reaching out to Hispanics

2007-08-09T11:11:00.000-05:00

This is great news published today by the Associated Press. But it also shows that there is still a lot of work to be done by conservatives in spreading the conservative message.

Democrats hold an edge with Hispanics in national elections, but Latinos' growing tendency to register as independents and split their vote between parties is buoying Republican prospects for 2008.

Younger and college-educated Hispanics in particular offer fertile ground for the GOP, new data show. And while no one suggests Republicans have become the party of choice for the nation's fastest-growing minority, Democrats have been gradually losing ground.

I can still remember the nice older lady in my church in Miami who kept going around telling everyone that Bush was going to take away retiree's benefits, and that they all needed to vote for Gore. Somebody had to give her a little reality check and a scolding for believing everything she heard on TV!

Economic and generational forces are influencing Hispanic politics.

I wonder if this has to do with Latin America's political heritage. Frankly, many recent Hispanic immigrant may not really know what a good effective capitalist government works like, and so I could see how they would be drawn to socialist and liberal arguments (just speculation by my part). As the following generations assimilate, and experience our democratic process, it would make sense they would start seeing the truth about big government and false liberal promises.

Democratic pollster Andre Pineda, who is advising New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's presidential campaign, conducted research after the November 2006 elections that identified a generational shift in Hispanic voter patterns.

Pineda said Hispanic immigrants who become citizens and register to vote become Democrats in nearly 70 percent of the cases, with Republican registration at 18 percent. In the next generation, Democratic registration drops to 56 percent and GOP registration increases to 25 percent. By the third U.S.-born generation, Democratic and Republican registration among Hispanics is nearly equal.

You have to consider how amazing these results are when you consider the concerted efforts of the extreme liberal left in academia. Despite the 4 years of indoctrination-U, with each passing generation, Hispanics are shifting more and more to the conservative camp.

This is a good moment to remember Reagan and his thoughts on Latino's and the GOP:

In 1980, as he was preparing to run for president, Ronald Reagan asked Lionel Sosa, an advertising executive from San Antonio, to lead his outreach to the Hispanic community. Reagan told Sosa his job would be easy: "Latinos are Republican. They just don't know it yet."

Shunning Tancredo: Hewitt Analyzes Tancredo Campaign

2007-08-06T19:01:00.000-05:00

Hugh Hewitt offers an interesting perspective on the Tancredo campaign.

A lot of Iowa voters are expected to cast ballots for Tom Tancredo at the Ames straw poll this week. Until recently a vote for Tancredo would have been understood as a vote against indifference to illegal immigration and for the idea of deportation. But the general and instant rejection of the proposed immigration "reform" bill undercut Tancredo's candidacy as all of the leading GOPers came out against the bill and managed to do so without sounding nativist in the least degree. Suddenly you could be for strong borders and coherent regularization without being for Tancredo, and his "protest" candidacy sputtered, and then began to bomb, burdened as well by Tancredo's own debate performances. Ron Paul became the marginal candidate with the biggest band.

Read Hugh's full post here. Hugh is not holding back, and based on his recent comments, I tend to agree with him -- not because of Tancredo's views on immigration, but because of his careless comments in regards to the fight against terrorism.

A vote for Tancredo --even a straw vote at Ames-- is a vote for religious war and increasing the risks to our troops and the pressures on our allies.

RealClearPolitics: The Democrats Dither on Trade

2007-08-06T16:49:00.000-05:00

The backtracking on free trade in South America has been among the frustrating news for me coming out of the beltway. Considering how the economic downturns in Latin America affect us through the increase in illegal immigration, I would think more Americans would be fighting for this one as loudly as they fought for the failed Immigration legislation.

Democratic presidential candidates like to talk about "turning a page" in America's relations with the rest of the world. But what does that mean, in practical terms, on bread-and-butter issues such as trade? Are today's Democrats a party of open markets and economic development, or of market restrictions and job protection?

The answer is that leading Democrats seem to want both -- they favor economic development overseas but not at the cost of U.S. jobs. That sounds like a coherent position until you begin to look carefully at the political choices in Latin America, a part of the world where U.S. trade policies are tightly interwoven with national security interests. Tougher trade policies could embolden the anti-Americanism embodied by Venezuela's rabble-rousing president, Hugo Chávez.

The problem is that most Democrats (and many Republicans) lack the basic clear understanding of economic principles. Trade is not a zero-sum game. Economic development overseas does not translate in less jobs in the US. And, David certainly has a point that taking steps back in our Trade agreements would only embolden Chavez and the rest of the socialist crazies.

So what are the Democrats doing about trade? Well, they dither. Democratic leaders in Congress say they may bring trade agreements with Panama and Peru up for a vote this fall, after gaining concessions on workers' rights and the environment. As for the Colombia agreement, it appears dead for this year. The Democratic presidential candidates, meanwhile, are scurrying to follow the party's base, rather than trying to lead it, on trade. The Democrats want to turn a page, but in the case of Latin America, they may be turning it backward.

In My Inbox: What America's STILL Saying About The Stolen Immigration Vote

2007-08-06T13:31:00.000-05:00

I got this in my email today. It speaks for itself.

What America’s Still Saying About The Stolen Immigration Vote

“… Democrats ruled that a GOP motion had failed even though, when the gavel fell, the electronic score board showed it winning 215-213 along with the word FINAL.”

“Democrats undid a vote they had lost over the issue of subsidies to illegal immigrants … you don't change or ‘fix’ the score after the game has been played.”

“Even [Democrat Rep. Rick] Larsen, who voted with his party, wasn't certain how the roll call moved that night. ‘I looked up and the board had changed,’ he said.”

The Wall Street Journal’s John Fund: “The House of Representatives almost turned into the Fight Club Thursday night, when Democrats ruled that a GOP motion had failed even though, when the gavel fell, the electronic score board showed it winning 215-213 along with the word FINAL. The presiding officer, Rep. Mike McNulty (D., N.Y.), actually spoke over the clerk who was trying to announce the result.

“In the ensuing confusion several members changed their votes and the GOP measure to deny illegal aliens benefits such as food stamps then trailed 212-216. Boiling-mad Republicans stormed off the floor. The next day, their fury increased when they learned electronic records of the vote had disappeared from the House's voting system.

“Speaker Nancy Pelosi made matters worse when she told reporters, ‘There was no mistake made last night.’ Majority Leader Steny Hoyer had to rescue her by acknowledging that, while he thought no wrongdoing had occurred, the minority party was ‘understandably angry.’ Under pressure, the House unanimously agreed to create a select committee, with subpoena powers, to investigate Republican charges the vote had been ‘stolen.’” (Wall Street Journal’s John Fund, 8/6/07)

Seattle Times: “What ensued is now the subject of a congressional investigation, which will determine how an apparent 215-213 victory by Republicans became a 216-212 win for Democrats. Even [Washington Democrat Rick] Larsen, who voted with his party, wasn't certain how the roll call moved that night. ‘I looked up and the board had changed,’ he said.” (Seattle Times, 8/6/07)

The Daily Briefing

Columbus (OH) Dispatch’s Daily Briefing: “GOP Fumes Over Democratic Vote Change. Republicans like Rep. Pat Tiberi of Genoa Township are still angry today over the actions of House Democrats late last night during a close vote on a GOP procedural motion. Republicans last night initially thought they had won the vote when it was gaveled closed, 215-213. But then the vote was declared not over, and Rep. Zack Space of Dover was one of several Democrats who changed their votes. In the end, the official result was Democrats defeating the GOP motion, 216-212. … ‘Last night, I joined my fellow Republicans and walked off the floor of the House in disgust,’ Tiberi said. ‘The Democrats' maneuver last night as they trampled House rules by changing members’ votes, in order to defeat a Republican measure that would have banned illegal immigrants from receiving certain government benefits, showed a blatant disregard for House rules, policies, and practices.’” (Columbus Dispatch’s Daily Briefing, 8/3/07)

KHTS Radio (Santa Clarita, CA): “McKeon Votes To Oppose Providing Illegal Immigrants Benefits. He is ‘appalled by Democrats unethically changing final vote.’ Yesterday, Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon made the following statement on the Democrat maneuver late last night to reverse the outcome of a vote that would have barred illegal immigrants from receiving taxpayer-funded benefits: ‘Last night’s unethical maneuver by the Democrats to overturn the final vote on a motion to send the agriculture funding bill back to committee was disgraceful, but even more outrageous was the unjust defeat of the motion that would have also kept American taxpayer dollars out of the hands of illegal aliens.’” (KHTS, 8/4/07)

Troy (NY) Record: “Rep. Michael McNulty, D-Green Island, made his way onto the popular video Internet site YouTube after enraging Republicans Thursday night when he gaveled a tight vote to close. McNulty, who was sitting in for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, found himself drawing boos mostly from the minority after he apparently gaveled in favor of Democrats on a motion to bar illegal immigrants from receiving federal funds in an agricultural spending bill. The close vote was gaveled away by McNulty to a 214 to 214 failure, but Republicans argued the tally was really 215 to 213 in their favor. Angered over the loss, Republicans began chanting ‘shame, shame, shame,’ and then walked out in protest – a scene that was posted on the Internet video Web site YouTube shortly after the incident [sic] irrupted.” (Troy Record, 8/4/07)

Real Clear Politics: House Democrats' Unforced Error. Late Thursday night there was a significant uproar on the House floor as Democrats undid a vote they had lost over the issue of subsidies to illegal immigrants … While the general public may not understand all the nuances of parliamentary tactics, they do understand that you don't change or ‘fix’ the score after the game has been played … The stolen vote wasn't just 'inconvenient' for Republican politicians; it was an affront to the millions of Americans we were representing … This little episode may not gather a lot of attention with the broader public and the press, but the Democrats, through a needless unforced error – made significantly worse by a lack of judgment as to how to deal with losing a vote they did not have to lose – have given the Republicans a club...” (Real Clear Politics, John McEntire, 8/6/07)

“House Forms Special Panel Over Alleged Stolen Vote”

The Washington Post: “The House last night unanimously agreed to create a special select committee, with subpoena powers, to investigate Republican allegations that Democratic leaders had stolen a victory from the House GOP on a parliamentary vote late Thursday night.

“The move capped a remarkable day that started with Republicans marching out of the House in protest near midnight Thursday, was punctuated by partisan bickering, and ended with Democratic hopes for a final legislative rush fading. … The agreement to form a special committee was extraordinary. Such powerful investigative committees are usually reserved for issues such as the Watergate scandal and the funneling of profits from Iranian arms sales to the Nicaraguan contras in the 1980s. ‘I don't know when something like this has happened before,’ said House deputy historian Fred W. Beuttler. He called the decision ‘incredible.’ …

“GOP lawmakers had marched out of the House chamber about 11 p.m. Thursday, shouting ‘shame, shame’ and saying that Democrats had ‘stolen’ a vote on a parliamentary motion to pull an agriculture spending bill off the floor until it incorporated an explicit denial of federal benefits to illegal immigrants.” (The Washington Post, 8/4/07)

Los Angeles Times: “The GOP measure would have amended the agriculture bill to ensure that no funds could be used to employ or provide housing for illegal immigrants — about half of the 2.5 million workers on U.S. farms. … The move infuriated Democratic leaders, who saw it as a political maneuver to force their party's vulnerable freshman members to take a difficult vote that could be used against them next year on the campaign trail. … In a maneuver that recalled the high-handed tactics of House leaders from generations past, the Democrat lawmaker presiding over the chamber brought down his gavel, ending the vote…” (Los Angeles Times, 8/4/07)

The Washington Times: “It usually takes several years for a House majority to overreach like Democrats did Thursday night. But now we see enraged House Republicans credibly accusing Democrats of stealing a vote, followed by a Republican walkout, the first in the House in years. …The short version: Republicans sought to send the agriculture bill back to committee to block federal employment and rental assistance for illegal aliens. Democrats supported these agriculture-bill loopholes.

“Glitch or no glitch, this was an outrage. Democrats at minimum were content to appear to tell Republican lawmakers that their vote and their silm apparent victory didn't count. On Friday, House Minority Leader John Boehner and Minority Whip Roy Blunt vowed to halt all House business except foreign intelligence surveillance reform and bridge-safety legislation until the matter is resolved — as they should. …

“A vote is a vote. It is particularly egregious for House Democrats to attempt to rescind the outcome on an issue so clear-cut as public assistance for illegal aliens. Illegal aliens who disregard our immigration laws should not also be allowed to enjoy public benefits courtesy of the American taxpayer.” (Editorial, The Washington Times, 8/4/07)

Chicago Tribune: “…House Republicans remained spitting mad. At one Capitol Hill press conference, Republican lawmakers to a person, referred to the Democratic leadership as the "Democrat leadership" a subtle difference that upsets many Democrats because of the fondness of conservative bloggers to emphasize the last syllable. … Republicans framed the issue as Democrats violating the rules of the House as well their own rules in order to transfer taxpayers' money in the form of welfare benefits to illegal immigrants. If you're in the Democratic leadership, that's got to give you a headache.” (Chicago Tribune, “The Swamp” blog, 8/3/07)

“Vote cutoff creates furor in House”

Cleveland Plain Dealer: “The trouble began about 11 p.m. Thursday, as Republicans tried to send an agriculture spending bill back to the drawing board. They said it needed to be altered to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining taxpayer- funded food stamps. Furious Republicans shouted ‘Shame, Shame, Shame,’ before leaving the House floor. Republicans want the vote to be reversed, said Cincinnati Republican Steve Chabot. ‘They don't count our votes any more,’ added Springfield Republican David Hobson. ‘They ran for these jobs and accused us all of holding votes open and doing chicanery to them, and now they're doing worse. Our people are just enraged by it.’” (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 8/4/07)

“Democrats Cheat On House Vote”

The Rush Limbaugh Show: “We're laughing at this but this is a serious thing. The Democrats are hell-bent on getting these illegal immigrants here and making them voters. They're hell-bent on expanding the redistribution of wealth. They are hell-bent on getting them in here and getting them on our welfare rolls and the social safety net, which we, more properly, have termed here the hammock. The Republicans thought they defeated it last night, and I'm sure they did, and the Democrats just couldn't put up with that so they just stole the vote. The Republicans are not letting go of this.” (The Rush Limbaugh Show, 8/3/07)

Associated Press: “Republicans continued to steam … over the episode in which they appeared to be the winners by a 215-213 tally on a procedural motion designed to make sure illegal immigrants would not get certain benefits from an agriculture spending bill. … Republicans prevailed upon their Democratic rivals to establish a special panel to investigate the manner in which the vote was handled.” (AP, 8/3/07)

A Source of Shame to the Immigrant Community

2007-08-03T22:10:00.000-05:00

I regularly get America First 2008 email updates in order to stay in touch with what they are doing (this is not an endorsement). I got an email this evening that just angers me. (see below)

I would be all in favor of harsh sentences for gang-related crimes, and until our border has been secured, we should not be deporting arrested gang members, just to have them sneak back in. They should simply be locked up!!

This is the exact sort of thing that is at the heart of the cultural backlash against immigrants of Latino heritage. I wanted to make a public statement in calling to all Latino civil rights groups to publicly denounce the use of threats by MS 13 and Latin Kings. Whatever your view on immigration, race, and the border, violence and the threat of violence will not resolve anything, Latino community leaders must make that clear and loudly denounce it before the cameras!

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE LAKEWOOD, NJ RALLY PROTESTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ON AUGUST 25TH HAS BEEN COMPLETELY CANCELLED!!!!

I HAVE JUST SPOKEN TO OUR POLICE CHIEF HERE IN LAKEWOOD; WE HAVE CONCLUDED, AFTER RECEIVING THREATS FROM GANGS SUCH AS MS 13 AND LATIN KINGS HAVE THREATENED THE SAFETY TO OUR SPEAKERS, ORGANIZERS AND SUPPORTERS:

AND

WE DO NOT HAVE THE HUGE AMOUNT OF FUNDS TO OFFER SUCH PROTECTION AS WAS GIVEN IN HAZELTON AND MORRISTOWN THEREFORE, WE MUST TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE SAFETY OF OUR TOWNSHIP OUR WONDERFUL SPEAKERS AND OUR SUPPORTERS.

I WANTED TO PERSONALLY THANK AGAIN, ALL THOSE SPEAKERS WHO AGREED TO COME AND SPEAK AT THE RALLY - YOU WILL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH IT MEANT TO ME. I WANT TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO I NEVER EVEN MET, WHO HELPED ME IN COUNTLESS WAYS - WITHOUT ANY OF YOU, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO ALL THAT I DID.

I REFUSE TO ALLOW THE HATRED OF OTHER AMERICAN CITIZENS AND ILLEGALS TO DESTROY AND GIVE ANY OF US A BAD NAME -

PLEASE POST AND PASS ON THE WORD THAT THE RALLY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY CANCELLED SO THAT NO ONE SHOWS UP FOR A RALLY THAT WILL NOT BE TAKING PLACE.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL FOR THE LOVE OF YOUR COUNTRY -

THIS IS MERELY A BUMP IN THE ROAD, AND IT CERTAINLY WON'T STOP ANY OF US FROM DOING WHAT WE FEEL IS RIGHT AND PRESERVING OUR NATION - THE BEST D___ COUNTRY IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!!!

Paul Streitz

www.americafirst2008.com

amfirst@optonline.net

Truly a shame that a group's free speech would be infringed upon by a group of simpleton thugs and criminals!

Hispanic Trending: Leave your name at the border

2007-08-03T16:01:00.000-05:00

Most people miss the fact that Hispanics do not consist of a single ethnic group. Besides that, the heritage that each one of the many nationalities represented in our immigrant population is diverse in itself. As I read Manuel Muñoz's post on his assimilation experience, I can tell you mine was nothing like his.

But I can relate to this paragraph. My niece's name is Katie Belle (Sierra).

It's intriguing to watch "American" names begin to dominate among my nieces and nephews and second cousins, as well as with the children of my hometown friends. I am not surprised to meet 5-year-old Brandon or Kaitlyn. Hardly anyone questions the incongruity of matching these names with last names like Trujillo or Zepeda. The English-only way of life partly explains the quiet erasure of cultural difference that assimilation has attempted to accomplish. A name like Kaitlyn Zepeda doesn't completely obscure her ethnicity, but the half-step of her name, as a gesture, is almost understandable.

My wife and I plan on giving our children English language names, and work to instill in them an appreciation and value for their Hispanic heritage, but I fully expect them to identify themselves as Americans, and nothing else. I know many of my Hispanic friends and associates would probably not agree with this perspective, and perhaps later on I may change my mind (or call my kids by their Spanish name equivalent, the way my parents called me by my English name equivalent).

I just don't think its a big deal either way. I'm pretty assimilated, and yet enjoy and value my heritage just fine. I am not afraid that my children will not grow up to be loyal Americans, nor am I afraid that my children will be embarrassed or ashamed of their Hispanic heritage.

Univision #2 Network Among All Adults 18-34 During July Sweep

2007-08-01T15:22:00.000-05:00

These are impressive numbers and a loud statement about the reality of the immigrant population in our country.

Univision #2 Network Among All Adults 18-34 During July Sweep

Beats ABC, CBS, NBC, or FOX on 9 Out Of Every 10 Nights during Sweep

Miami, FL--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--August 1, 2007--With the July Sweep period nearly over, Univision captured the #2 network ranking among all Adults 18-34, not just Hispanics, and outdelivered ABC, CBS, NBC, or FOX on 23 out of 26 primetime nights, or 89% of the sweep period.

According to the Nielsen Television Index (NTI), for the seventh consecutive sweep Univision ranked as the 5th broadcast network after FOX, ABC, CBS, and NBC and ahead of CW and MNT in primetime – that’s for all Adults 18-49, not just Hispanics.

Sweep Overview - During the July 2007 Sweep

-- Univision was the # 2 broadcast network in primetime behind FOX among Adults 18-34 (1,040,000), Persons 12-34 (1,255,000), and Kids 2-11 (420,000) beating ABC, CBS, NBC and CW

-- Univision was the #1 broadcast network in primetime among Adults 18-34 on five nights during the July 2007 Sweep

-- Univision was the #1 broadcast network in primetime among Adults 18-49, on two nights during the July 2007 Sweep

-- Univision had 2 of the top 20 shows of the July Sweep among Adults 18-34, the Copa America 2007 Mexico vs. Argentina match (#3) and Univision’s annual youth awards show "Premios Juventud" (#17)

-- Univision and its sister network TeleFutura were the youngest broadcast networks in primetime with an estimated median age of 33 in the July 2007 Sweep

Network Median Age

TELEFUTURA 33

UNIVISION 33

CW 36

FOX 43

MNT 46

ABC 48

NBC 50

CBS 54

-- Univision delivered three times more Total Viewers 2+ (3,075,000 vs. 1,037,000), Adults 18-34 (1,040,000 vs. 319,000) and Adults 18-49 (1,777,000 vs. 594,000) than Telemundo in primetime

Program Highlights - During the July 2007 Sweep

-- Univision’s 4th annual airing of "Premios Juventud 2007" (The Youth Awards) on Thursday, July 19th from 8-11pm:

-- Premios Juventud 2007 delivered impressive audiences across key demographics:

Persons 2+ 4,903,000

Adults 18-34 1,755,000

Adults 18-49 2,773,000

Teens 12-17 533,000

Kids 2-11 881,000

Persons 12-34 2,288,000

-- For the entire night from 8pm to 11pm on Thursday, Univision ranked:

#1 among Persons 12-34, Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11

#2 among Adults 18-34

#3 among Total Viewers and Adults 18-49

-- Premios Juventud 2007 was the #1 program of the entire night out-delivering every English-language program among Teens 12-17 and Kids 2-11 including the first-run programs "Don’t Forget The Lyrics," "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?"

-- Univision’s Copa America 2007 Mexico vs. Argentina match on July 11, 2007 was among the Top 5 programs on all networks for the July 2007 Sweep among Adults 18-34, beating the MLB All-Star Game, and among Men 18-34

-- Univision’s Copa America Mexico vs. Argentina (7/11/07) match ranks #6 among all networks among Adults 18-49

Source: NTI, 7/5/07-7/30/07

Locally, Univision stations enjoyed equally impressive July 2007 Sweep results:

-- Among total Adults 18-34 in all of Univision’s owned-and-operated People Meter markets (Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas and San Francisco), the top 2 programs of the entire July Sweep belonged to Univision’s Copa America matches/post-match shows

Primetime Highlights

-- Univision stations ranked #1 during primetime in Los Angeles, New York, Dallas and San Francisco among total Adults 18-34. Univision also over-delivered its competitors in Primetime among total Adults 18-49 in Los Angeles and Dallas, and among total Households in Los Angeles and Miami

-- Univision also enjoyed viewership increases year-to-year during primetime among total Adults 18-34 in Chicago (+25%), Dallas (+11%) and San Francisco (+19%)

Broadcast Primetime definition: ABC/CBS/NBC/IND/SLTV Mon-Sat 8P-11P/Sun 7P-11P ET/PT; Mon-Sat 7P-10P/Sun 6P-10P CT and FOX/MNT/CW Mon-Sat 8P-10P/Sun 7P-10P ET/PT; Mon-Sat 7P-9P/Sun 6P-9P CT

Local News Highlights

-- Univision stations posted the #1 Early and Late Local News among total Adults 18-34 in Los Angeles, New York, Dallas and San Francisco. Also among total Adults 18-49 Univision claimed the #1 Early and Late News position in Los Angeles, Dallas and San Francisco

-- Univision’s Early Local News enjoyed viewership increases year-to-year among total Adults 18-34 in New York (+31%), Chicago (+60%), Dallas (+29%) and San Francisco (+80%); among total Adults 18-49 in Chicago (+11%), Dallas (+21%), San Francisco (+40%); among total Households in Houston (+6%), Chicago (+15%) and San Antonio (+36%)

-- Univision’s Late Local News enjoyed viewership increases year-to-year among total Adults 18-34 in New York (+21%), Chicago (+50%), Dallas (+35%) and San Francisco (+36%); among total Adults 18-49 in New York (+7%), Chicago (+14%), Dallas (+18%), San Francisco (+8%); among total Households in Los Angeles (+11%), New York (+19%), Chicago (+17%) and San Antonio (+42%)

Local news definition: Early – M-F 6-6:30pm ET/PT, 5-5:30pm CT; Late – M-F 11-11:30pm ET/PT, 10-10:30pm CT

Source: NSI (7/5/07-7/30/07)

AP: Chavez calls Honduran cardinal a 'clown'

2007-07-24T15:49:00.000-05:00

Chavez clearly has a problem with dissent and has no respect for religious leaders.

President Hugo Chavez called a cardinal from Honduras an "imperialist clown" after the Roman Catholic prelate warned of increasing authoritarianism under the Venezuelan leader.

"Another parrot of imperialism appeared, this time dressed as a cardinal. That's to say, another imperialist clown," Chavez was quoted as saying in a bulletin posted Tuesday on the state-run news agency's Web site.

How did this un-educated fool ever get so much power!?

Michael Ramirez illustrates the situation in Venezuela quite well!

MEDIA ADVISORY: Mitt Romney To Address Hispanic Republican Convention

2007-07-21T08:44:00.000-05:00

He seems to be the only one putting effort to address the population of Latino heritage. Whether he is being successful, or whether he has a message that resonates is to be determined, but the effort will count for something.

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2007    Contact: Bettina Inclan
Phone: 202-281-0891

MEDIA ADVISORY

Mitt Romney to Address Hispanic Republican Convention

WHAT:

Governor Mitt Romney will meet with Hispanic Republican leaders at the Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) convention. Gov. Romney will be the keynote speaker during a Sunday Prayer Breakfast with the RNHA. The event is the closing ceremony of the four day convention.

WHEN:
Sunday, July 22, 2007
8:00 – 10:00 AM

WHERE:
Hotel Palomar
Phillips Room
2121 P Street, NW, Washington D.C

WHO:

Governor Romney will be the keynote speaker during a Prayer Breakfast on Sunday. Reverend Sam Rodriguez, President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) will lead the Morning Prayer. Among the participants are the RNHA state chapter presidents and national leadership.

DETAILS:

The Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) National Convention is taking place from July 19 – 22, 2007 in Washington D.C. Scheduled to speak at the event are GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, President of Americans for Tax Reform Grover Norquist, ABC Network Correspondent Manny Madreno, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart and many more. For tickets call 202-281-0891.

CONTACT:

Bettina Inclan, 202-281-0891, bettina.inclan@gmail.com. For press credentials

visit http://www.rnha.org/convention.htm or contact Bettina Inclan.

###


The mission of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly is to build a membership organization to foster the principles of the Republican Party in the Hispanic community, provide Hispanic Americans with a forum to play an influential role in local, state, and national Party activities, increase the number of Hispanic Republican elected officials, and create and maintain a network of Hispanic Republican leaders.

Immigration News Link Round Up

2007-07-20T10:56:00.000-05:00

Here is what various conservative organizations are writting on the issue of immigration.

Border Patrol Union president supports pardon for imprisoned agents
(AgapePress)
U.S. City Gives Illegal Immigrants Official ID
(Judicial Watch)
Middle Easterners Smuggled Into U.S.
(Judicial Watch)
Zvesper on Citizenship
(Claremont Institute)
The Fairness Doctrine Lives!
(Campus Report)
Kennedy on Citizenship
(Claremont Institute)
Illegal Aliens Sue for $100 a Day for Jail Time
(American Civil Rights Union)
Beyond Senate: Illegal Immigration Issue LIVES on
(American Civil Rights Union)
The "Fairness Doctrine" Power Grab
(Family Security Matters)
Plan B
(WORLD Magazine)
Anti-immigrant, Anti-Business Hysteria in Arizona
(Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council)
What to Do With Unlawfully Present Population?
(Heritage Foundation)
The Need for Upholding Our National Language
(Heritage Foundation)
Poll: Bush Base Erodes on Immigration Debate
(American Conservative Union)
ID Cards for Illegals?
(American Civil Rights Union)
Immigration Key Vote: Bingaman Amendment
(Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council)
Deal or no deal?
(WORLD Magazine)
Common Sense on Immigration?
(Claremont Institute)
Xeno, Phobia Princess
(Claremont Institute)
Bias of Border Studies
(Campus Report)

Conference for Minority Journalists of Faith in NY

2007-07-16T21:34:00.000-05:00

I’ll be a guest panelist during the Conference for Minority Journalists of Faith this coming November 2-3, 2007. I believe the topic of the panel will be the power of blogging and internet writing. Should be a spirited discussion and a great learning experience. I learn a lot by engaging with the young aspiring journalists, as well as through conversations with the WJI faculty.

Here is what the conference is going to be about:

Working and aspiring minority journalists of faith will gather together for the annual World Journalism Institute weekend conference for minority journalists of faith in New York City at The King’s College in midtown Manhattan.

Those who attend will be encouraged and challenged to integrate their Christian faith and journalism practice in a fashion appropriate for today’s mainstream newsrooms. This unique conference provides an opportunity for meeting other like-minded journalists and learn from outstanding role models.

The two-day conference will be composed of lectures, seminars, media tours and fellowship.

You can get more information and send in your application (its competitive) right here.

The Cost of a Failed Immigration Policy

2007-07-13T12:05:00.000-05:00

Great article that shows the consequences of a failed immigration policy. You might not like the fact that our country is host to so many immigrants, but the fact is your children no longer want to do the "cheap" work they used to. Think about all these businesses that use temporary workers -- can you imagine our economy if all these businesses had to shut down?

Think about it. Every policy decision has a price to pay. Think about that next time you get into a political debate.

Why Filling Summer Jobs Is Tougher and Tougher - WSJ.com

But even as the U.S. economy becomes increasingly reliant on foreign workers, employers are having to look further afield to find them. And the collapse of the Senate immigration bill last month means that pool operators and other summer employers may face more problems next year.
Among the casualties when the bill collapsed was the expansion of a visa program called H-2B, which allows employers to recruit 66,000 foreigners a year to fill jobs for up to six months. The bill would have lifted the cap to 100,000 and would also have made permanent an exemption that now allows in thousands more temporary workers but is set to expire on Sept. 30.
LEFT: Sladjana Savic, left, and Sanala Ivosevic, recent graduates of a Serbian cosmetology school, work at a Washington-area country club on H-2B visas.
H-2B has become so popular among resort operators, race tracks, casinos, landscapers and others that this summer's supply of visas ran out in March. Democratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, where the seafood industry depends on Mexican H-2B workers to pick the meat from Chesapeake Bay crabs for canning, has vowed to attach an expansion of the program to other legislation.
But in the meantime, the story of how the U.S. came to rely so heavily on foreigners to staff its swimming pools and other seasonal venues says a lot about the changing nature of the U.S. labor force. Stephen Lavery, president of Virginia-based High Sierra Pools Inc., says that he hired neighborhood kids as lifeguards when he began his pool-management company 18 years ago, but that the labor source soon began to dry up. College students began taking internships that would buff their post-graduation résumés, or sought jobs they could continue during the school year. High-school students signed up for summer courses or exotic travel to build up their college applications.

Hispanic Republicans Celebrate 33rd Anniversary (english/español)

2007-07-12T16:54:00.000-05:00

Just got this in my inbox.

Republican National Hispanic Assembly
RNHA
Washington, D.C.
www.rnha.org


PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2007
Contact: Bettina Inclan
Phone: 202-281-0891

Hispanic Republican Assembly Celebrates 33rd Anniversary

WASHINGTON D.C. - Today the Republican National Hispanic Assembly celebrates its 33rd anniversary. On this day in 1974, Republican National Committee Chairman, George H.W. Bush, created the RNHA. The organization is now an independent membership association and will be celebrating its anniversary at their National Convention in Washington D.C., July 19 -22, 2007.

"For over three decades the Republican Party has been dedicated to Hispanic outreach. Today, the Republican National Hispanic Assembly proudly celebrates is anniversary and rich history of Hispanic involved in politics,' said Chairman Pedro Celis. "Much like our first chairman, Ben Fernandez, who was the first Hispanic to run for U.S. President, our members will continue making strides in politics."

"Hispanic are not single issue voters, clearly the staying power of the RNHA is proof of this reality. As we move forward into the 2008 election cycle, conservative Hispanics will continue to be a growing force in the political arena," stated Chairman Pedro Celis, Ph.D.

The Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) will commemorate its anniversary during their National convention. Scheduled to speak at the convention are GOP presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Jim Gilmore; Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform; Republican strategist Leslie Sanchez and many more. For a full agenda visit http://www.rnha.org.

The official celebration begins with the RNHA 33rd Anniversary Gala Dinner to be held on July 19, 2007 in Washington D.C.'s Mayflower Hotel. The RNHA will be presenting the Ben Fernandez Leadership Award, in honor of the RNHA's first Chairman, Ben Fernandez.

Among the awardees will be two Members of Congress, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX) and Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL) who will be acknowledged for their work increasing Hispanic civic involvement and engaging the Hispanic community.

Ben Fernandez, a Kansas business man, was the son of migrant workers, and in 1974 he became the first Chairman of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly. In 1980 Fernandez ran for President of the United States of America, the first Hispanic to seek to position. He appeared in eighteen Republican primaries and winning nearly a million votes. Fernandez dedicated his life to helping Hispanics become a force in Republican politics.

To send your "Happy Birthday" visit http://www.rnha.org

[continuado en español | Spanish translation below]

--------------------

Hispanos Republicanos Celebran Su 33 Aniversario

WASHINGTON D.C. La Asamblea Nacional Hispana Republicana (RNHA, por sus siglas en inglés) celebra hoy su aniversario número 33. Un día como hoy pero del año 1974, el Comité Nacional Republicano bajo el liderazgo del presidente George H.W. Bush creó la Asamblea Nacional Hispana Republicana (RNHA). Actualmente, el RNHA es una organización independiente y celebrará dicho aniversario durante su Convención Nacional en Washington D.C. desde el 19 al 22 de julio de 2007.

"Por más de tres décadas el Partido Republicano se ha dedicado a acercase a la comunidad latina. Hoy, la Asamblea Nacional Hispana Republicana (RNHA) celebra su aniversario y una larga historia de Latinos que se han involucrado en el proceso político, como nuestro primer presidente Ben Fernández, quien fuese el primer latino en postularse para presidente de los Estados Unidos, asimismo nuestros miembros continúan destacándose en la política", dijo Pedro Celis, presidente del RNHA.

"Y a medida que nos acercamos a las elecciones presidenciales del 2008, los latinos conservadores continuaremos creciendo en el terreno político" agregó Celis.

La Asamblea Nacional Hispana Republicana (RNHA) celebrará su aniversario número 33 en Washington, DC. desde el 19 al 22 de julio de 2007. Como oradores se encontrarán los candidatos presidenciales republicanos, Mitt Romney y Jim Gilmore. Además contaremos con la presencia de Grover Norquist, Presidente de "Americans for Tax Reform", la estratega republicana Leslie Sanchez, entre otros.

La celebración oficial comienza con la Cena de Gala del RNHA, la que tomará lugar en el Mayflower Hotel en Washington, DC. En la cena se presentará el premio "Ben Fernández Leadership Award," en honor al primer Presidente del RNHA Ben Fernández, quien fuese también el primer latino en postularse como Presidente de los Estado Unidos.

Entre los homenajeados del "Ben Fernandez Leadership Award" se encuentran dos congresistas republicanos, la senadora Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) y el congresista Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL). Ellos serán reconocidos por su gran labor en aumentar la participación cívica de los latinos y por su dedicación en mejorar las vidas de los Hispanos que residen en los Estaodos Unidos.

Ben Fernández, fue hijo de trabajadores inmigrantes, se convirtió en un hombre de negocios en Kansas y en 1974 llegó a convertirse en el primer Presidente del RNHA. En 1980, Fernández se postuló para presidente de los Estados Unidos, su nombre apareció en dieciocho primarias republicanas y obtuvo casi un millón de votos. Fernández dedicó su vida para ayudar a más hispanos, como él, a convertirse en una fuerza en la política republicana.

Si desea obtener más información visite nuestra sitio Web a http://www.rnha.org.

###

The mission of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly is to build a membership organization to foster the principles of the Republican Party in the Hispanic community, provide Hispanic Americans with a forum to play an influential role in local, state, and national Party activities, increase the number of Hispanic Republican elected officials, and create and maintain a network of Hispanic Republican leaders.

Fausta on NPR Talking About Democratic Presidential Debate

2007-07-05T14:41:00.000-05:00

Listen to the interview on Michell Martin's "Tell Me More" I was originaly invited to be part of the conversation, but I had scheduling conflict, so I suggested they invite Fausta. Sounds like they had a great conversation. Here is the link to the NPR audio player.

On My Radar This Morning...

2007-07-03T09:34:00.000-05:00

These clips are compiled daily by the House Republican Conference and I get them in my email in-box. They are my daily "Starting Point" for blogging ideas.

Immigration

NY Times

Opinion: Use Social Security to Seal the Border

Opinion: The Founding Immigrants

The Hill

House Republicans vow to take the offensive on immigration

Washington Times

Editorial: The county and immigration enforcement

Opinion: A way forward on immigration

Must Reads

Washington Times

House GOP faults 'broken promises'

GWOT/Iraq

NY Times

U.S. Says Iran Helped Iraqis Kill Five G.I.'s

Editorial: Through Others' Eyes

Wall Street Journal

In Strategy Shift, Gates Envisions Iraq Troop Cuts

Washington Times

Security on alert ahead of attacks

Editorial: Terrorism is not the West's fault

UK Terrorism

LA Times

3 doctors among British bomb suspects

USA Today

Terrorists score some success even in failures

Wall Street Journal

Terror Attacks Resemble '04 Plot

The Independent

Terror plot hatched in British hospitals

Agenda/Lawmakers

NY Times

Legislation Could Be Path to Closing Guantánamo

Editorial: Affordable Housing

Wall Street Journal

Review and Outlook: Minimum Wage, Jobless Kids

The Hill

Dems home in on energy policy during week's recess

Opinion: Health IT - for everyone

Administration

LA Times

Opinion: Constitutional smackdown

USA Today

Talks 'very substantial,' Putin says

CSM

Bush and Congress locked in power dispute

Washington Post

A Disappointing Term

Scooter Libby

NY Times

Commutation Doesn't Equal a Full Pardon

Bush Spares Libby 30-Month Jail Term

For Bush, Action in Libby Case Was a Test of Will

Editorial: Soft on Crime

LA Times

Bush's move cheers conservative base

Bush spares Libby from prison

USA Today

Bush spares Libby from prison

Wall Street Journal

Sparing Libby Cuts Two Ways

Review and Outlook: Bush and Libby

Chicago Tribune

Bush spurned lobbying, Justice in Libby decision

Analysis: Unbowed Bush grants a get-out-of-jail-free card

Editorial: Do the crime, do the time

NY Daily News

Bush buddy Scooter's spared the time

Move 'corrupt' or correct? It depends on who you ask

The Hill

Bush commutes Libby's jail time

Politico

Bush commutes Libby prison sentence

Washington Post

Bush Commutes Libby's Prison Sentence

A Decision Made Largely Alone

Editorial: Too Much Mercy

Washington Times

Bush commutes Libby's prison sentence

SCOTUS

NY Times

Clues to the New Dynamic on the Supreme Court

2008

LA Times

Hillary Clinton aims to win over doubters

McCain slips in money race

USA Today

Marlow, N.H., will finally get its 'presidential' visit

NY Daily News

Old media vs. new in '08 Prez run

The Hill

Editorial: Obama drama

Politico

Like it or not, competence could be back

Money woes signal McCain malaise

Opinion: Romney's faith 'problem' could be blessing

July 4 parade will have extra star power

Washington Post

McCain Again Falls Short of Cash Goals

In Iowa, Clinton Relies Heavily on Husband's Star Power

Obama Takes Lead In Money Raised

Washington Times

Clinton hails Hillary as lone leader in pack

Items of Interest

LA Times

Holiday treat: Gas prices fall

USA Today

Holiday travel may cost more in time, trouble

Wall Street Journal

How Conservatives Enhanced Online Voice

NY Daily News

Sicko says peacock deserved to die

Politico

Blockbusters take aim at political pariahs

Rove fails where his hero succeeded

Washington Post

Putin Proposes Broader Cooperation on Missile Defense

Opinion: A Local Lesson That Democrats Fail

Washington Times

Putin pushes radar site in Russia

Editorial: 'Balancing' schools and race

Immigration Bill Defeat II

2007-06-28T11:00:00.000-05:00

The Townhall.com blogging community seems to be in a celebratory mood. My boss reports on the vote and has the count.

Immigration Bill is Dead

2007-06-28T10:50:00.000-05:00

It's just as well. Like I said before, I wasn't sure about the Bill. I suspect for most Democrats, this is simply a vote for the status quo.

Let's hope they can take some effort to get some border security. Here is the story from the Hill.

The comprehensive immigration reform bill that has dodged attacks from the left and right for weeks, survived “poison pill” amendments, and was once pulled from the Senate schedule failed its most important test Thursday. Passage of the legislation now appears unlikely.

Immigration Bill and Border Security

2007-06-26T20:35:00.000-05:00

I have consistently said for a long time that the border needs to be secured before any other "comprehensive" aspect of dealing with the issue of illegal immigration is addressed.

Now, I don't mind border security being dealt with in combination with other aspects of the immigration bill. I don't know enough about the current bill being debated to endorse or stand against it, so I won't. But having that said, if this is true, then I would have to stand against it.

But the business of securing our borders isn't just an issue of law and order for House Republicans - it's a matter of national security. Unfortunately, in looking for partners to work with across the aisle, Republicans have found a majority party convinced that less is more when it comes to border security - consistently voting to defer or delay the construction of hundreds of miles of security barriers along our southern border.

I'm ok if the barrier includes the use of drones, cameras, and other technology -- the point is the bleeding has to be stopped. Before we worry about the millions of illegal immigrants we have IN our country, we need to worry about the next few millions still wanting to get in. Illegal immigration is bad for the Hispanic community, it is bad for American's of Hispanic heritage, and it is bad for all Americans--for social and cultural reasons. Legal immigration, on the other hand, done in a secure and orderly fashion, can be great for the immigrant (new opportunities) and can be great for America (new opportunities).

Its pretty simple. Secure the border first, continue in the right direction of better enforcement of our current laws, and then we can talk about "comprehensive" immigration reform.

Reagan to Bush: Get tough on Mexico

2007-06-26T15:02:00.000-05:00

Reagan has it right on this -- get tough on Mexico and put a stop to the corruption! I have been saying this for years now. Why is this concept so foreign?

Saner minds, more concerned with the almost-total collapse of border security than with the longstanding issue of the 12, 15 or 20 million illegals now here, caution that we had best solve the problem of our all-but-open southern borders before even thinking about dealing with those illegals now here. Stopping more of them adding to their numbers is the first priority.

Instead of signing onto Teddy Kennedy’s bill and attacking the majority of Americans who demand that our borders be secured, George Bush should be attacking the problem where its roots lie – in Mexico.

Mr. Bush needs to hold Mexico responsible for all of these people sneaking across the border, and I’d be one of them if I were a citizen of a country run by corrupt government officials who are more dictatorial drug lords than public servants.

The only way to clean up the border problem is to use every power in our means to force the Mexicans to clean their own house, get rid of corrupt officials, shut down the narcotics traffic, and create an economy based on the country’s vast and largely untapped resources to provide jobs and opportunities for Mexico’s struggling people whose only way out now is a furtive trip across the border.

Not that I agree with everything Reagan said.

Illegal immigrants have broken our healthcare system, they have broken our education system, they have broken our jail system, they have broken our criminal justice system, and Washington just doesn’t get it.

Please -- our system was already broken...the increased illegal immigrant population simply highlights how badly its broken.

I was saddened to read his second-to-last sentence:

And, slowly but surely, the U.S. begins to look more and more like Mexico every day.

Mr. Reagan has obviously not been to Mexico in a long time. There is no comparing the corruption, the crime, the slower-moving economy, and the drug wars. Not to be derogatory about Mexico, but I would think Reagan could remember his father's attitude and positive attitude about the resilience of America. Mexico is a victim of socialism, corruption and more. There is a reason why they desperately seek to come to America. In all gratitude to God, and with humbleness, America is no where near what Mexico is in regards to economy, crime, or government.

To say so reveals more about Mr. Reagan's beliefs about Mexico, than about the state of our culture in America.

Ono a side note, the fact is if you set aside the corruption, the crime and other social problems that are plaguing Mexico, the Mexican people are a hard-working, passionate, and noble people. In my opinion, there is a lot to be admired.

Immigration Link Round Up

2007-06-25T11:02:00.000-05:00

For those of you trying to stay on top of this important issue, here is a collection of headlines and summaries for news stories on immigration (Via the Center for Immigration Studies). This is for information purposes only, not necessarily an endorsements of the positions advocated. My intent is to educate on the issue from multiple perspectives. Only then can we have a reasonable and educated discussion.

Employment Down Among Natives in Georgia
As Immigrant Workers Increased, Native Employment Declined in Georgia
By Steven Camarota
Center for Immigration Studies Announcement, June 21, 2007
http://www.cis.org/articles/2007/georgiarelease.html
http://www.cis.org/articles/2007/georgiarelease.pdf (pdf)

EXCERPT: Some businesses in Georgia argue that they need large numbers of immigrants because there are not enough native-born Americans to fill jobs that require relatively little education. However, state employment data show that as the number of less-educated immigrant workers has grown dramatically, the share of less-educated natives holding a job in Georgia has declined significantly.

Limit relatives' rights: Decide what categories of people to admit, then let in all who qualify
By Mark Krikorian
USA Today, June 18, 2007
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/06/opposing_view_l.html

EXCERPT: Rather than accelerating family immigration under the pretext of limiting it, Congress should simply eliminate all the extended-family categories. (One exception: Those who expect to get their visas within one year.) Special immigration rights for relatives should be limited to the spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens; they are -- and should always be -- admitted without any numerical caps. Other relatives should be allowed to move here only if they prove their value to the American people as a whole.

Misguided City ID Plan Undermines Security, Rewards Illegal Immigration
By Jessica M. Vaughan
The Hartford (CT) Courant, June 17, 2007
http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/CT_immi_03-14-07_5R4GG96.2201c03.html

EXCERPT: Ostensibly issued by foreign governments to keep track of their citizens, these cards have been used by Mexican consuls in recent years to provide documents to undocumented (illegally present) Mexicans or anyone claiming to be Mexican. The Departments of Justice, Homeland Security and the FBI all have declared these cards worthless as identification. Steven McCraw, then assistant director of the FBI's intelligence office, told Congress in 2003, 'There are major criminal threats posed by the cards, and a potential terrorist threat.'

Amnesty, R.I.P.: A bad deal dies
By Mark Krikorian
National Review Online, June 8, 2007
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZjZkOTYzMDBjZTk3YTNmOTU1ZDRjNDQ1ZmNkMzhhMDc

EXCERPT: It seems that the overreaching of amnesty advocates has politicized a lot of people, and not just conservatives, over the non-enforcement of the immigration law. And that's a good thing too -- if the White House concludes that amnesty is unattainable, there will be a strong temptation to end the enforcement show that's been staged over the past six months or so, with workplace raids designed to bolster the administration's credibility on the issue. A vigilant citizenry will be required to ensure that doesn't happen -- that enforcement is not only not discontinued, but that it's expanded, so we can end the Bush administration's 'silent amnesty' and get to work implementing a real strategy of attrition through enforcement.

Senate Amnesty Could Strain Welfare System
Newest Data Shows Latin American Immigrants Make Heavy Use of Welfare
Center for Immigration Studies Announcement, June 6, 2007
http://www.cis.org/articles/2007/welfarerelease.html

EXCERPT: Of course, immigrants, including illegal aliens, also pay taxes. However, because of the education level and resulting incomes levels of Mexican and Latin American immigrants, their tax payments are much less than natives on average. The same is true for illegal aliens. In a 2004 study, the Center for Immigration Studies estimated that illegal alien households used about $2,700 more services than they paid in taxes at the federal level only. We also found that households headed by a legal Mexican immigrant created a net fiscal drain at the federal level of roughly $15,000, and for those with only a high school degree the drain was a little over $3,700. However, those with more education were a fiscal benefit. A new Heritage Foundation study estimated the net fiscal drain at all levels of government created by households headed by high school dropout immigrants at about $20,000 a year. A 1997 National Research Council study found the same pattern -- less-educated immigrants create a net fiscal drain and educated immigrants create a net fiscal benefit.

Legal, Good / Illegal, Bad? Let's call the whole thing off
By Mark Krikorian
National Review Online, June 1, 2007
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YTAxZWM2OGZmNDIxN2FlZWI4ZmNmYjdlNjI1MDY1Yzk=

EXCERPT: Not only are the flows of legal and illegal immigration related, but the impacts they have on the United States are similar. The effect that illegal immigration has in reducing wages for low-skilled American workers, for instance, is only partly caused by the illegality. The majority of illegal immigrants actually work on the books, having provided a fake or stolen Social Security number, but they command low wages regardless because most of them lack even a high-school education and thus are unequipped for advancement in a modern society. In other words, the chief problem that immigration creates for less-educated or young or minority American workers is that it floods the job market with competitors, illegal and legal.

Without Merit: Why have skills-based immigration at all?
By Mark Krikorian
National Review Online, May 31, 2007
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YzhjOTdhM2UzY2Q3NjUxN2EzM2NkMmIwNjJkZWMxYjk=

EXCERPT: But to answer whether we should have a merit-based system, you need to clarify for yourself the purposes of having any immigration at all. Others may answer differently, but as I see it, immigration policy is not an employee-procurement system for American business, but rather a citizen-recruitment program for the American people. And while higher-skilled immigrants will be more likely to master the initial indicators of Americanization -- speaking English, keeping a job, paying your bills and taxes, and in general exhibiting behavior in lines with middle-class norms -- they may be less likely to develop the deeper, emotional connections that mark true Americanization. Higher-skilled immigrants are more likely to arrive here with a fully formed modern national consciousness and have both the means and the inclination to pursue transnational lives -- both through the formality of dual citizenship, and also emotionally, by living in two countries simultaneously without developing a genuine attachment to either.

Temporary Means Temporary'? No it doesn’t. And it shouldn't
By Mark Krikorian
National Review Online, May 30, 2007
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OTg5YmRmODY4OTAyZTU2NGM2Y2E3NjY2MzdmYTE1NjI=

EXCERPT: The temptation to delegate certain categories of work to menials is as old as civilization. It was the basis of the Hindu caste system, the Spartan economy, antebellum southern society, and daily life today in the oil states of the Persian Gulf. It is based on the premise that other men are labor inputs destined for those jobs that Americans (or Brahmans or Spartans or white southerners or Saudis) won’t do. It is subversive of republican virtue, moving us back toward the kind of master-servant society America was founded to transcend.

No Alien Left Behind: There’s nothing as permanent as temporary immigration status
By Mark Krikorian
National Review Online, May 29, 2007
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YmVkZjEwNDkwNDc2MWMxMTQ2MWVmYjUyNDJkMzhhYTY=

EXCERPT: Our experience with TPS leads to only one possible conclusion: Once an illegal alien gets legal status, no matter how 'temporary,' he's here for good. Sponsors of the Senate's amnesty bill know this full well.

Fort Dix Fix: Immigration policy in wartime
By Mark Krikorian
National Review Online, May 28, 2007
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=Yzg5NzcwYTFiYzA0YzkzNjQ5ZTI3Yzc3MGIzNzc2Mjk=

EXCERPT: The nation's 700,000 state and local law-enforcement officers encounter illegal aliens every day in the normal course of their duties, and police cooperation is essential to any successful federal effort at immigration control. The Senate bill, however, actually undermines security by ensuring, in Section 136(d), that 'Nothing in this section may be construed to provide additional authority to any State or local entity to enforce Federal immigration laws.'

This is especially pertinent regarding the Fort Dix plot. The three Duka brothers -- illegal aliens all -- were stopped by police on various New Jersey jurisdictions 75 times without any inquiry into their lack of immigration status.

Proper enforcement is the only solution
By Mark Krikorian
San Diego Union-Tribune, May 27, 2007
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070527/news_mz1e27krikor.html

EXCERPT: The overriding purpose of the Senate bill is to amnesty illegal immigrants -- everything else is window-dressing. Rather than go down this road, Congress would do well to put off further legislating on the issue and instead demand that the president do his job. Only when there's a demonstrated political commitment to enforce the law should Congress revisit the immigration issue. Until then, bipartisan inaction is the best policy.

Be Our Guest: New immigration law? Enforce old ones first
By Mark Krikorian
New York Daily News, May 23, 2007
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2007/05/23/2007-05-23_be_our_guest.html

EXCERPT: This insistence that the administration do its job isn't just whining. All these measures are part of an alternative to legalizing illegal immigrants -- a strategy sometimes called 'attrition through enforcement.' The goal is to enforce the law, across the board, to reduce the number of new illegal arrivals and increase the number of current illegals who give up and deport themselves.

The illegal population would then start shrinking from year to year, instead of constantly growing, gradually transforming what is now a crisis into a manageable nuisance. And we can get started without Congress passing a single new law.

Council of Economic Advisers: Immigration's Economic Impact

2007-06-24T13:43:00.000-05:00

According to the Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Edward P. Lazear, "immigrants not only help fuel the Nation's economic growth, but also have an overall positive effect on the income of native-born workers." They have a full report in PDF available over at the White House web site. You can download the PDF right here.

Here is a summary:

Introduction
In 2006, foreign-born workers accounted for 15% of the U.S. labor force, and over the last decade they have accounted for about half of the growth in the labor force. That immigration has fueled U.S. macroeconomic growth is both uncontroversial and unsurprising – more total workers yield more total output. That immigrant workers benefit from working in the United States is also uncontroversial and unsurprising – few would come here otherwise.1

Assessing how immigration affects the well-being of U.S. natives is more complicated. This is because immigration’s economic impact is complex and may play out over generations, and because not all natives are alike in terms of their economic characteristics. Even in retrospect it is not easy to distinguish the influence of immigration from that of other economic forces at work at the same time. Nor is it easy to project costs and benefits far into the future. Nonetheless, economists and demographers have made headway on many of the measurement problems. This white paper assesses immigration’s economic impact based on the professional literature and concludes that immigration has a positive effect on the American economy as a whole and on the income of native-born American workers.

Key Findings

1. On average, US natives benefit from immigration. Immigrants tend to complement (not substitute for) natives, raising natives’ productivity and income.
2. Careful studies of the long-run fiscal effects of immigration conclude that it is likely to have a modest, positive influence.
3. Skilled immigrants are likely to be especially beneficial to natives. In addition to contributions to innovation, they have a significant positive fiscal impact.

Interesting perspective during these times of debate.

Immigration and Talk Radio -- mixing it up

2007-06-23T22:20:00.000-05:00

What does immigration and talk radio have to do with each other, you might ask? Evidently, a lot.

What’s most surprising about the recent assault on talk radio is that the criticism came first from a Republican. Sen. Trent Lott (Miss.), who had grown frustrated with the steady drumbeat of opposition to the immigration bill, lashed out at talk-radio hosts, suggesting they were ignorant and needed to be brought into line.

When anyone starts lashing out as a result of healthy debate on any political issue, you know the conversation has been poisoned. We cannot let the personal emotions impact our ability to have a rational and respectful debate on the issue of illegal immigration, farm labor, legal immigration, and the American culture. It's detrimental to all and to our country.

But for as bad as Lott’s comments were — for him personally and for their negative impact on the immigration bill — they were mild in comparison to the assault coming from the left.

Two liberal groups, the Center for American Progress and Free Press, last week issued a report claiming 91% of talk radio is conservative. Their recommendation: Get the politicians in Washington, D.C., to fix the problem.

Now that's a novel idea...get the government to fix it. There are to obvious problems with this statement, if you didn't catch it. One, talk radio is not broken. Free market forces have shaped the industry to what it is. Like Heritage Foundation's James Gatusso said, "...conservative talk radio is more successful because it is more popular." He has a full post on this talk radio issue over at The Technology Liberation Front titled "Correcting the Consumer: New Report Urges Washington to Fix Talk Radio “Structural Imbalance.”

HT: Rob Bluey

Six National Latino organizations Against Immigration Bill

2007-06-23T22:02:00.000-05:00

Diversity Inc. is reporting "the groups in opposition are the Hispanic Federation, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, and the William C. Velasquez Institute." They are calling it, "immigrant apartheid."

Interestingly enough,

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the nation's largest Latino civil-rights group, was not part of the coalition of six groups.

Antonio Gonzalez, president of the William C. Velasquez Institute Antonio Gonzalez had this to say:

"If enacted, the current Senate proposal would codify a system of immigrant apartheid as United States policy, which is despicable and not supported by the Latino community."

I don't know enough about the immigration bill to have an educated opinion, but since I am blogging about it, I'll need to do some further research. But, considering who is opposed to it, it makes me wonder if its going in the right direction?

These groups are not alone. Labor groups including the AFL-CIO announced yesterday that they also want the bill scrapped. "This takes a problem we have and, instead of solving it, makes it worse," stated Richard L. Trumka, secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO.

I'm concerned that La Raza is not fighting against it... I wonder why?

The Invisible Hand and the Immigration debate

2007-06-23T21:28:00.000-05:00

The whole idea that the American economy would collapse without immigration labor is false. It goes against basic economic principles. If American farmers didn't have cheap immigrant labor, they would adjust and figure out a way to get the harvest in.

Case in point:

Vision Robotics, a San Diego company, is working on a pair of robots that would trundle through orchards plucking oranges, apples or other fruit from the trees. In a few years, troops of these machines could perform the tedious and labor-intensive task of fruit picking that currently employs thousands of migrant workers each season.

The robotic work has been funded entirely by agricultural associations, and pushed forward by the uncertainty surrounding the migrant labor force. Farmers are "very, very nervous about the availability and cost of labor in the near future," says Vision Robotics CEO Derek Morikawa.

Not that I have any problem with migrant labor or immigration for that matter--I don't. But I do have a problem with using false absolutes as arguments for amnesty. Business interests that are pushing for relaxation of our immigration laws, or of the enforcement of our laws, are simply pushing for the status quo. Everyone knows that there is little to no innovation in the status quo.

Not surprisingly, it was a Latino socialist who stood in the way of the development of these robots.

But it wasn't just technological challenges that held back previous attempts at building a mechanical harvester –- politics got involved, too. Cesar Chavez, the legendary leader of the United Farm Workers, began a campaign against mechanization back in 1978.

Chavez was outraged that the federal government was funding research and development on agricultural machines, but not spending any money to aid the farm workers who would be displaced. In the '80s, that simmering anger merged with a growing realization that the technology was nowhere near ready, and government funding dried up.

I don't think the federal government should be spending on either -- let the farmers invest in R&D, and let the local states and counties invest in job training for farm workers in need of new work.

My opinion: We should be investing more in helping Latin American countries fight corruption (carrot AND stick...) and develop their own economies so their entire male populations don't feel the desperate life-threatening need to immigrate to the US. Please understand -- I'm not angry at the immigrant; I'm angry at the corrupt politicians who are bleeding their countries to death for their own gain.

HT: Instapundit

Hewitt: the prospects of a amnesty-light bill are growing every day

2007-04-12T10:51:00.000-05:00

Hugh Hewitt provides some comments and thoughts on the politics behind the immigration bill. So, does it have to be an all-or-nothing deal? I think there is a difference between ideals and policy, and the politics of a two-party government and the compromises that happen inside the betlway. I don't like it, but if something is going to be done about securing our borders, politics is just a reality of how things get done in Washington.

I would think a bill that mandated rapid construction of the 700 miles of double-fencing, significantly hiked fines on employers paying illegals who could not mount an affirmative defense based upon a tamper-proof ID, and the stipulation that citizenship could never be available to anyone who had entered the country illegally and who had either not returned to their country of origin for a legal entry that was separated by a period of at least some months from their exit or had served in the military. I think it might also be possible to insist on a constitutional amendment being sent to the states on the subject of birthright citizenship for the children of illegal aliens.

But Mickey and Glenn --smart guys who understand the art of the possible and are not, like Tom Tancredo, among the Ambrose Burnsides and Joe Hookers of the anti-illegal immigration movement-- aren't buying the idea that a floor exists. Their point is that any regularization, no matter how carefully crafted, will immediately sow the seeds of the next big wave of illegal immigration, just as 1986 has birthed two decades of massive illegal immigration. At a minimum they seemed to say that no regularization of any sort could happen until after the fence and sanctions had been in place for some time and the effects on illegal immigration had been studied. What I can't persuade them of is that the inflow is a massive problem that has to be dealt with asap --especially because of security reasons-- and that a "pox on everything" approach guarantees the amnesty-light bill passing without anything useful in it at all.

Response to “more immigration stuff to fight about”

2007-04-07T16:58:00.000-05:00

Should we be debating about immigration in light of free movement of labor? As I posted in my previous post, someone asked the question,

"So, what would a economic conservative view of immigration really be? Would labor move as freely as capital across international borders? Would there be less regulation on who could migrate as long as it lowered the price of labor?"

If it was that simple (free market labor), we would have found a solution long time ago. The issue is not the free movement of labor. The issue is the lives, dreams, and hopes of millions of human beings trying to make a better life for themselves.

To be clear, hope, dreams, and aspirations in no way justifies breaking the law. This in no way excuses illegal immigration, nor should it remove someone from the potential consequences of illegal immigration. But, the debate needs to be shaped in terms of human lives, no movement of labor. We are talking about People people!

Otherwise, the debate gets shaped in a way that would favor the businesses that have perhaps most benefited from being able to pay below standard wages to illegal immigrants. I'm against minimum wage caps, and subsidizing labor, but I'm also against the unjust reduction of fair wages in the course of normal free market enterprise as a result of illegal activities.

That's not capitalism, its not conservatism, and its not right.

What am I saying? I'm saying I don't agree with those who would argue in favor of a all-out amnesty for illegal immigrants on the basis of economic need. That may well be part of the reasons, but it's not just about economics.

If I heard our politicians calling America to be merciful, and to show compassion,...well, at least there is an honest argument to be had there (though I don't believe in "compassionate government"...there is no such thing). The debate on immigration cannot and should not be dictated strictly by the business lobby or on economic needs. We have to consider the social and human impact--the consequences of illegal immigration, not just on our country but on the immigrants themselves, as well as to our communities.

Here is what I think: illegal immigration hurts illegal immigrants. Illegal immigration hurts immigrants. Illegal immigration hurts marriages, children, and communities. Its that simple folks.

Immigration: Saved or Ruined Our Cities?

2007-04-07T16:42:00.000-05:00

Found this over at Urban Onramps.

From this Wall Street Journal article: Save Our Cities

During the nine-day trial that concluded last Friday, Mayor Lou Barletta argued that some 10,000 undocumented immigrants have ruined Hazleton’s quality of life: Violent crime has doubled in the past two years, unreimbursed medical expenses at local hospitals have jumped 60% and the annual school budget for teaching English as a second language has soared to $875,000 from $500. Yet business owners and landlords argued the opposite — that immigrants had revitalized Hazleton’s moribund economy, filling once-vacant apartments and patronizing once-declining businesses. As a result, Hazleton’s budget has been in the black for three years — a far cry from its $1.2 million deficit in 2000.

Urban Onramps reader Glen Peterson left this comment:

April 5th, 2007 at 8:11 am

So, what would a economic conservative view of immigration really be? Would labor move as freely as capital across international borders? Would there be less regulation on who could migrate as long as it lowered the price of labor?

I disagree. Human talent is not simply a "product" with which to trade with. Though I do believe in free market economics in regards to labor, immigration is more than the movement of labor--its the migration of lives, futures, hopes, and dreams of men, women and children. There has to be a higher, ethical approach to dealing with the challenges of immigration. It has to be in an orderly, safe, and legal way. While we certainly treat our migrant population--legal AND illegal--much, much better than say in Mexico, our system is very much in need of a major overhaul, among other things!

Me thinks many people are asking the wrong questions in regards to immigration. It's why its almost an impossible topic to debate in a calm, rational way.

Is Corporate America Pushing the Cost of Illegal Immigration on Taxpayers?

2007-04-07T10:47:00.000-05:00

Robert Bluey reports on new research by Heritage Foundation's Robert Rector.

Low-skilled workers in America cost taxpayers about $22,000 annually, according to the Heritage Foundation’s Robert Rector, who has produced a new study that should open everyone’s eyes on both sides of the aisle as Congress gears up to tackle immigration reform. Rector’s study concludes that in 2004 low-skilled workers paid $9,689 in taxes but received $32,138 in benefits. He estimates about a quarter of low-skilled workers are immigrants — both legal and illegal.

The part that caught my attention in the following video is where they talk about employer's who are "sacrificing" human lives for the sake of profit, and passing on the costs to the taxpayers. Free market economics works well within the boundaries of ethics and moral restraint. When corporations are willing to go outside the bounds of the law to make a profit, it gone beyond free market economics.

Only second in importance to the border fence, the government needs to do something about employer's who are hiring illegal immigrants. Hiring illegal immigrants is not good for the country, it's not good for the taxpayer, and more importantly, it's not good for the illegal immigrants who are victimized by our broken immigration system.

Here is the YouTube video of Rector on CNN.

There are some other articles referencing the new study at The Washington Times, and from Deborah Simmons, an op-ed also at the Washington Times, and an article in WorldNet Daily.

Hyper Connected Hispanics

2007-04-07T07:16:00.000-05:00

I found a report on a study on the NSHP.org website, entitled "Conexión Cultural/Connected Culture," that included results from a "poll of more than 2,600 18-55 online Hispanics that consume some Spanish language media weekly." Very interesting data. The original article was published on Hispanicad.com.

Online Hispanics in the U.S. are "media mavens," consuming and adopting media and technology at a higher rate than the general population, according to new research released by Yahoo! Telemundo and Experian Simmons Research. The study found that Hispanics lead the general market in "media meshing" and use of key mobile phone features as they spend more than half of each day engaged with television, Internet and technology gadgets. Overall, Hispanics identified 51 hours of total daily activities, including 14 hours with technology and 13.5 hours with media.

I thought this one line was revealing, and perhaps worth doing further research. It used to be that immigrants wanted to watch more English language media in order to master the language quicker. Perhaps this shows this is no longer the case. I don't have a problem with Spanish language media, but if that is all that Latino immigrants are watching--spanish TV--then it leaves them isolated and disconnected from the mainstream culture. Not that TV has all that much positive values as far as the culture is concerned in my opinion, but thats a whole different story.

Online U.S. Hispanics regularly combine TV and Internet to enrich their media experience and would like to see more online options in Spanish.

Michele Madansky, vice president, global market research, Yahoo! shared his comments on the study.

"In Hispanic households, TV serves as a backdrop to everyday living," said Michele Madansky, vice president, global market research, Yahoo!. "Layered on top of that, Hispanics engage with online content and use both cell phones and the internet to enhance personal connections. Hispanics are heavy users of ubiquitous media and technology because they help them stay connected to what matters most to them – culture, community, friends and family – in both the U.S. and their countries of origin."

Dramatized NIV Bible in MP3

2007-03-22T22:31:00.000-05:00

Rudy over at Urban Onramps blogged about getting a dramatized bible in audio and it got me thinking. With the amount of media I consume, having the Bible in MP3 format would be perfect.

So, I got a set from Zondervan for my birthday and started listening to it in the last couple weeks. Its awesome. Its easier to concentrate, and easier to do while I brush my teeth, for example. The dramatized voices ads to the emotional connection, and I find myself smiling at certain passages. I certainly find this medium of scripture "reading" very much engaging.

New Layout, Larger Font Size

2007-03-21T10:29:00.000-05:00

Since I have decided to get back to blogging here at Latino Issues, I thought a wider layout and slightly bigger font might make it easier for you all to read. I need to clean up and update my blogroll, and hope to ad some new features sometime soon as well.

For those of you who have been reading my stuff for years now, thank you for your loyal readership. For those of you who might be new to Latino Issues, please leave your comments and introduce yourself. I always enjoy hearing from readers.

MEDVED: DIVIDE AND CONQUER ON ILLEGAL IMMICRATION

2007-03-20T15:37:00.000-05:00

One of the issues that motivated me to start blogging, and one of the most common topics here on Latino Issues is immigration. It is a complex subject, and one I know from having lived among the victims of illegal immigration and the corruption of Latin American business environment. There is no easy answer.

The one thing I didn't see here was more about fencing and border security. I think the following quote is a great perspective on the reality of illegal immigration. You can read the whole article for yourself here.

Anti-immigrant activists distort reality when they suggest that the undocumented are predominantly gang members, welfare chiselers and uneducated burdens on the taxpayer. Most illegals actually work hard and pay billions in taxes, while many own their own homes, go to church, raise decent children and give to charity. At the same time, it's ridiculous to suggest that all illegals count as good neighbors, loving parents and inspiring examples of the work ethic. About 400,000 have run afoul of the law, with warrants out for their
arrest as they defy governmental efforts at deportation.

In short, like every other group , illegals include examples of both the worst and the best of humanity: some of them damage our society through criminality, abuse of the social safety net and insistence on ethnic separatism, while many others toil tirelessly at their jobs while raising decent children and longing to take their place in the mainstream.

A commenter over at USA Today had this to say:

Do you actually think Hispanics will vote Republican in ten years while the Democratic party shifts as the party that speaks for the American Minority?

I don't know what Medved would say, but I don't think this has anything to do with votes. And if you think the Democrat party is speaking for the American minority, you are truly deceived. The only growing minority the Democrat party is interested in speaking for is the Union bosses, and the radical groups like ANSWER.

The root of this debate has to do with millions of human beings. I think both parties have done plenty to alienate the voters -- perhaps they should start thinking about doing what is right.

Here is where I suggest they can start:

Apply full diplomatic pressure to Latin American countries to encourage true free market reforms and entrepreneurship. Make a list of "worst reformers" and give incentives to countries that makes it easy for their citizens to start and run a business. Encourage American multi-national corporations to contribute to the fight against corruption.
Build the fence. I'm not opposed to technology like cameras, sensors, drones, and all of that. But, listen to the experts. If they say a physical fence is needed, then so be it. I imagine in populated areas, a fence is the only effective way.
Fix the mess and bureaucracy in the legal immigration process. Make it safe. Make it secure. Make it effective. Make the legal process work with promptness and provide a quality service.
Start taking steps to find solutions to the challenge of dealing with the present population of illegal immigrants. The important thing when brainstorming for possible solutions is to listen!

Please, stop the fear mongering. Its not constructive. If we don't find a solution, the results could have long term negative consequences.

Ultimately, even the most stringent effort to expel illegals will leave millions remaining in the USA, and the most important goal for this mass of humanity is assimilation —following the path of previous immigrants into the national mainstream.

At the moment, the biggest obstacle to such assimilation involves the impossibility of ever achieving legal residency. When the law makes it impossible for an immigrant to correct his illegal status, he faces greatly reduced motivation to embrace a new American identity.

Make sure you read the full article, then feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. But, be warned -- I won't allow insults, or personal attacks. Let's talk about it -- I welcome all points of views.

ESPN Deportes La Revista Unveils List of 'Next Hispanic Athletes'

2007-03-20T14:31:00.000-05:00

In the email inbox today. If you are wondering, I barely follow any sports at all, but its good to see the media highlighting these Hispanic's contributions.

Its already a thread in our American culture.

New York, NY--(HISPANIC PR WIRE - BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 2007--ESPN Deportes for the second consecutive year, ESPN Deportes La Revista, the only general sports Spanish-language magazine in the U.S., will unveil its list of the "Next Hispanic Athletes." The list, to be unveiled in the April issue, features the 14 most outstanding Hispanic young athletes of today who promise to become the sports stars of tomorrow. Florida Martins HANLEY RAMIREZ graces the cover.

The complete list includes CARLOS VELA, considered by many to be the heir to Hugo Sanchez; FRANCISCO GARCIA of the Sacramento Kings; DIEGO SANCHEZ, future UFC champion; Paraguayan golfer JULIETA GRANADA; VERONICA CHARLYN CORRAL, of Mexico's Under-20 Women's National Team; AARON HERNANDEZ, first Hispanic to be selected to U.S. Army American Bowl; Chivas USA soccer players DAVID ARVIZU and FRANCISCO MENDOZA; BRYAN ARGUEZ of the U-20 U.S. Men's National Team; boxer JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ, JR.; professional skateboarder PAUL RODRIGUEZ JR; ROBIN PRENDES, who represented the U.S. in the 2006 FISA Junior World Rowing Championship and Mexican race car driver SALVADOR DURAN.

To celebrate its annual NEXT Hispanic Athletes issue, ESPN Deportes La Revista is hosting the NEXT Hispanic Party at Finnegan's River in Downtown Miami, Tuesday, March 27.

Also in this Issue:

-- Barcelona's dynamic duo: Lionel Messi and Javier Saviola came to the Spanish club as child prodigies. Although the quality of both players is undeniable, the first has been covered in glory while the second has been relegated to the background and is only now beginning to have a real opportunity on the team. In this article, the Argentinean soccer players reflect on the situation.

-- De la Hoya vs. Mayweather Jr. There's been a lot of talk about what seems to be the final bout between two of the best boxers in recent times. Oscar de la Hoya will be seeking to retire with a grandiose flourish: as the only boxer with ten titles in six divisions, coupled with the defeat of the welterweight champ and pound-for-pound best boxer in the world; meanwhile Floyd Mayweather, Jr. will attempt to spoil the fun for the "Golden Boy." The two points of view about the most eagerly awaited fight of the year will be featured in our April issue.

-- The 10 Reasons to see Major League Baseball. One of the most respected writers on the subject of baseball, Enrique Rojas, conducts an in-depth analysis of what promises to be a history-making season for the Big Leagues. Will Barry Bonds break the home-run record? What can we expect from Daisuke Matsuzaka? Who will Roger Clemens be playing with? The answers to these and many other questions are in the April issue of ESPN Deportes La Revista.

Other interesting subjects:

-- The best season ever for Major League Soccer. The difficult years for the U.S. soccer league are over. The hiring of stars such as David Beckham, the building of new stadiums, the expansion towards Canada, and the new talent springing up are some of the indications demonstrating that Major League Soccer is ready to take root and flourish with an audience that had seemed interested only in football and baseball.

-- Everything for soccer: After an accident that left his legs paralyzed, Colombian soccer player Diego Fernando Cortes is now fighting - not just to walk again, but to actually return to the soccer field. In our April issue, Cortes himself tells us about his rehab and what he's planning so he can touch the ball again.

-- No criticism: This issue marks the debut of a new section of short interviews with Mexican soccer star Mario Mendez, who tells us how things have gone with his adaptation to Argentinean soccer on the Velez team.

Who wants Alberto Gonzales' job?

2007-03-20T14:18:00.000-05:00

Its to bad. It will show weakness by the White House if they end up letting him go. Conservatives have to stop letting the left conjure controversies out of thin air.

A Republican source said Tuesday that Bush is "unmoved" and that Gonzales will not be pushed or fired, but instead will depart if he concludes he has lost his effectiveness because of the furor over the firing of eight U.S. attorneys.

At the same time, the president will be prepared if Gonzales steps aside. Republicans close to the White House continued to discuss potential replacements, including John Danforth, an Episcopal minister and former Republican senator from Missouri. "I think it is going to come down to who is willing to take the job," said an official close to the process.

Among the names floated Monday by administration officials were Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and White House anti-terrorism coordinator Frances Townsend. Former Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson is a White House prospect. So is former solicitor general Theodore B. Olson, but sources were unsure whether he would want the job.

Notice the quote: "I think it is going to come down to who is willing to take the job."

It's becoming clear, I'm sure, that taking a job for a Republican administration is asking for unfair attacks. Who would want that? Liberals have turned public service into a three-ring circus -- they are the clowns with the big plastic squeaky hammer running around annoying everyone.

HT: Instapundit

Cuban Ladies Protest For Political Freedom, Jailed Husbands

2007-03-20T12:48:00.000-05:00

Impressive pictures speak a thousand words! Click here and look at this amazing collection of images of the Cuban "Ladies in White" via Stefania's Free Thoughts.

Independent journalist Carlos Serpa Maceira sent me the following beautiful photos showing some Ladies in White marching in Havana last Sunday, marking the 4th anniversary of the crackdown on 75 peaceful dissidents.

The Ladies give gladioluses to people in the streets of Havana. The Cuban people learned to know and love them, that they even ask them how their loved ones are doing.

Here is one that caught my eyes -- no fear!

Talking Politics and American Idol on NPR

2007-03-20T08:36:00.000-05:00

I had the opportunity to talk politics on "Rough Cuts" with Michelle Martin.

Political Blogosphere -- Bloggers Kim Pearson and Josue Sierra discuss this week's news: Bush's visit to Latin America, the recent controversial firing of U.S. Attorneys and the biggest election of all right now... American Idol.

Check it out and listen to the RealMedia stream (Click on "Political Blogosphere"). You can leave your comments below, or on NPR's website here.

For those that are wondering, I made up my mind -- I am back! Things are still going to be a bit light here as I still have to blog on my two other blogs, but expect a tidbit here and there. I always welcome good guest blog posts, so if you want to share your thoughts with the Latino Issues readership, send me an email.

The Case of Eric Volz, An American Accused of Murder in Nicaragua

2007-02-17T21:02:00.000-05:00

A co-worker brought this story to my attention. Having lived in Central America, I can understand how corruption could taint the judicial process. Usually, most murders go un-punished even when they know who the killer is. I do not understand why, considering the evidence, Mr. Volz would be accused. Read it for yourself. I am copying the whole statement of Facts right here. According to their updates page, he was handed a guilty veredict by the judge just yesterday.

Statement of Facts in Connection with Eric Volz' Whereabouts on November 21, 2006

Doris Ivanez Jimenez was murdered on Tuesday, November 21, 2006, between 11:45 am and 1:00 pm, inside a clothing store she owned, Sol Fashion, in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.

On the day of her murder, Eric Volz was over two (2) hours away in Managua. The proof that Eric was in Managua and innocent of this crime is conclusive. Many witnesses have given written statements and will testify that Eric was in Managua on the day of the murder. These statements are available to anyone who would like to review them. In addition to these many eyewitnesses, no physical evidence exists that would connect Eric to this murder.

Throughout the evening of November 20, 2006, Eric was in Managua at the house where he lived. Eric's house also serves as the offices of EP magazine, a bilingual Central American magazine. Eric awoke there the morning of November 21, 2006, and entered the office area at around 9:15 am. The housekeeper, a security guard and no fewer than five EP workers were there at the time, saw Eric, and have given written statements confirming this fact. Eric's defense counsel has these written statements, which are available for anyone to review.

At around 10:30 am, Eric received a visit from Maria Mercedes, who works at Etica y Transparencia, a non-profit organization. Maria had been on the cover of the launch issue of EP. Maria Mercedes brought along a friend and they met with Eric at the offices for about half an hour, until approximately 11:00 am.

Around 11:30 am, Eric met with Ricardo Castillo, a potential contributing editor who is a journalist working with diverse foreign media including the BBC of London and America Economia. Several EP workers observed the meeting with Castillo. This meeting also included a telephone conference call with Castillo and a business contact in Atlanta, Georgia (USA), Nick Purdy.

This 54-minute conference call ended at 1:15 pm and is documented by phone records that are available to anyone who wishes to review them. Also available are Nick Purdy's personal notes and instant messages (IM) from Eric showing that in total the two were engaged in intensive, back and forth business communications from approximately 9:21 am until 2:07 pm. In addition to these telephone records, cell phone records for Eric's cell phone also confirm Eric's use of his cell phone in Managua that day.

Eric then had lunch with Mr. Castillo and an EP employee at the same house in Managua. The lunch, prepared by the housekeeper, Martha Aguirre, was witnessed by other EP colleagues. Castillo left the house around 1:30 pm. Mr. Castillo and Mr. Purdy have provided written statements that are also available for anyone's review.

Eric was at his house in Managua with at least five people when he received the tragic news that Doris was dead. Around that same time, 2:30 pm, yet another witness arrived, a hair stylist who had been previously scheduled to be there. She, too, saw Eric at the house in Managua.

At about 3 pm, Eric rented a car, as he had done many other times, to get to San Juan del Sur and help Doris' family. Although Eric had a car in Managua, the rental vehicle was better suited to pass slow traffic on the road to San Juan. The car was delivered by the rental agency to the Managua house. Eric did not meet with the rental car staff himself. One of his employees brought the rental car credit vouchers inside the house for Eric to sign. Eric's Nicaraguan counsel has copies of the vouchers showing that Eric signed the credit voucher for the car. Cell phone records show that Eric was using his cell phone in the greater Managua area until 4:31 pm that afternoon. On his way to San Juan del Sur, Eric went to Rivas to pick up Doris' father, Ivan Jimenez. They then proceeded to San Juan del Sur where Eric assisted the family with Doris' funeral arrangements and attended her funeral.

After her funeral, Eric stayed in San Juan and pressed the police to take action. On November 23, 2006, Eric was arrested for the murder. The prosecution alleges that Eric was in San Juan del Sur at the time of the crime and that he, along with two others, raped and killed Doris. Despite the conclusive proof that Eric was in Managua at the time of the crime, he remains imprisoned pending a trial now set on January 26, 2007. While in prison, Eric at least twice has been physically threatened, and on one occasion Eric was almost killed by a mob of over 200 outside the courthouse.

Here is how to locate your government representatives:

Senators
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Click on the above link and locate your two State Senators

Congresspersons
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml
Click on the above link and locate your Congressional Representatives

From their website:

Call, or email their office and ask to speak with Chief of Staff. If s/he is not available, ask for the Legislative Assistant. Tell them you have a friend who is an American citizen who has been falsely accused in Nicaragua and you would like the Senator or Congressperson to be made aware of the situation. For a Fact Statement of the case, please direct them to the web site: www.friendsofericvolz.com.

Inform them that the office of Senator Lamar Alexander of TN (Eric's parents' home state) has initiated contact between a number of Senators and Congresspersons and the U.S. State Department. If your Senator/Congressperson's office would like contact from the persons coordinating this effort, please have them contact us via the web site and we will facilitate the exchange.

I Think I'm back...

2007-01-13T13:52:00.000-05:00

It's been a while, but I'm thinking I should get back to blogging at Latino Issues. Anyone still out there? If you read this, and have enjoyed my past Latino Issues blog posts, would you leave me a comment?

With the '08 election coming up, immigration and the Latino community is going to become a bigger issue. I hope I can ad perspective.

Josue Sierra is now blogging at Townhall.com

2006-09-15T12:00:00.000-05:00

For those still coming by, I am no longer keeping this blog updates. I am now at http://josue.townhall.com and staying on top of the latest conservative news, opinion, and blogging. Drop on by and make sure to update your blogroll and links -- http://josue.townhall.com

Understanding the African American culture

2006-08-08T08:31:00.000-05:00

I have been tracking this blog by Dutch Martin, a great writer, who articulates without aplogies many of the cultural issues affecting the African American family. Check out his blog here.

Dutch Martin: A Sorry Baby Momma
Men's and fathers' issues columnist and radio talk show host Glenn Sacks recently co-authored a column criticizing the Philadelphia Daily News for unfairly stereotyping noncustodial fathers. He takes reporter Dana...

technorati tags:black, minority, Family, Fatherhood, African-American, Dutch, Martin

Blogging at Townhall.com

2006-08-01T09:32:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to let old and new readers know that I am now blogging full time at townhall.com, as part of my duties as the Townhall.com Associate Editor and Online Community Manager. I have a couple posts on the news of Castro's hospitalization. Check it out.

Go to http://josue.townhall.com

Robert Myers on Honduras

2006-07-01T09:32:00.000-05:00

Robert Myers will be writting a series on Honduras, and is traveling in that area. Head on over to PubliusPundit.com to check it out, and make sure to note the tip jar at the bottom--this is independent journalism at its best.

It's so sad. I lived in Honduras for over 14 years. There is so much potential. The Honduran people want something better, but corruption and injustice kills their hope.

This was the one story that illustrates Hondurans much to well--a unhealthy facination with brands and looks and apperances. Liike I said--its sad.

We arrived at the entrance, ready as ever to eat. But, again, there was a problem. We were underdressed. T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers didn’t impress the bouncer and he was refusing to let us in. This was apparently one of the more exclusive, ritzier night clubs in Honduras; a place for young millionaires and the children of the country’s wealthy elite to blow their allowances. There was no way we’d get in.

But Phillip has a big mouth and wouldn’t have that.

“Do you see this shirt? Do you see this shirt?” He pulled the front side of his collar toward the bouncer’s face. We were going to get our asses kicked. Applebee’s was looking really good now. “This shirt is Emporio Armani!”

Are you serious? Did he just say that he’s wearing a $400 t-shirt?

“Buena, pasan.” He frisked us and let us inside. I still can’t believe that it worked. He must not have known better.

Keep the stories coming Robert.

Where has Josue been...

2006-06-30T21:47:00.000-05:00

This is what has kept me so busy, I have not been able to post to the blog once!

The Revolution Begins July 4th

Newsweek has the story

I'll be moving my blogging over there officially, but I'll have more on that once I actually have time to blog...

Come on by and check it out on the 4th. And a Happy Fourth of July to everyone--specially to our service men and women.

Setting Priorities -- Christianity, capitalism, compassion, and sex.

2006-06-14T21:07:00.000-05:00

Worth a read.

Coulter "more unapologetically than any other pundit at her level of fame and access to the airwaves."

2006-06-14T20:53:00.000-05:00

Coming from Focus on the Family, and knowing how cautious they are about appearances of endorsements, this is what I would call a strong endorsement. Here is what Citizen Editor had to say about Godless:

There's plenty of this sort of sauciness in the 281 pages that make up Godless, too, but this is the first of her books where it isn't the stuff you'll remember most after you've read it. I'm not sure if that means there are fewer cracks about Michael Moore's weight, Ted Kennedy's driving and Bill Clinton's sexual indiscretions than in her previous works, only that there's a lot more meaningful meat to her other observations and arguments -- and a lot more personal revelation, too. Here, for the first time, Coulter comes across not just as someone who's not in their camp, but as someone who is in ours.

Sure, she doesn't defend the pro-family cause exactly the way we would. But she is defending it more unapologetically than any other pundit at her level of fame and access to the airwaves. That, at the very least, is worth a "thank you" from most of us in the movement.

Quote if the day

2006-06-13T08:40:00.000-05:00

Sorry blogging has been very slow in the last week. I have been on deadline working on a project for my employer.
But, for now, here is a good quote I got in my in-box from CitizenLink.

"All power is inherent in the people." - Thomas Jefferson, 1824

Francine Busby -- “You don’t need papers for voting.”

2006-06-03T12:05:00.000-05:00

This is just plain wrong. Francine Busby, the Democrat candidate in the California 50 special election, was caught on tape speaking to a Latino audience “You don’t need papers for voting.” This was in response to someone in the audience who asked in Spanish, "I want to help, but I don't have papers."

I hope America is getting the message loud and clear. This is what the Democrats have to offer--more corruption, more of breaking the laws, and more of power plays with no regards American citizens.

Listen to the audio.

Full article link here.

Sounds to me like "mano peluda" like people would say in Honduras.

NAHJ to interview Ricardo Alarcon at 24th Annual Convention

2006-06-02T14:40:00.000-05:00

Cross posted at TownHall.com C-Log:

I've been lazy about blogging all this week since I got back from the Memorial holidays, but this is a story I could not let pass.

This is just mind-boggling news coming via a press release from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. This is the same Ricardo Alarcon, of the Cuban Communist party and part of one of the deadliest regimes in our hemisphere!

Washington, D.C. - The National Association of Hispanic Journalists will hold “A Conversation with Ricardo Alarcón,” the president of Cuba’s national assembly, via satellite from the Caribbean nation to open the association’s 24th Annual Convention and Media & Career Expo to be held June 14-17 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Are they insane? What conversation? What they need to do is ask some tough questions about the firing squads, the gulags and the jailed independent journalists rotting away in castro's prisons.

Here is what castro's internet nemesis, blogger Val Prieto, had to say :

Yes folks, that's right. Ricardo Alarcon, the world's premiere liar and manufacturer of information is set to open this years National Association of Hispanic Journalist's convention, interviewed by none other than fence straddler Mirta Ojito.

Here is some of their stated goals :

To organize and provide mutual support for Hispanics involved in the gathering or dissemination of news.
To encourage and support the study and practice of journalism and communications by Hispanics.
To foster and promote a fair treatment of Hispanics by the media.
To further the employment and career development of Hispanics in the media.
To foster a greater understanding of Hispanic media professionals' special cultural identity, interests, and concerns.

I guess they are to busy defending politicly correct ideology--fair treatment of Hispanics in the media--to bother practicing some good old journalism. What ever happened to courageously reporting the truth and exposing human rights violations?

Like "La Ventanita" said:

Don't get me wrong, you want to interview the guy, go ahead. But ask questions, many questions about the torture, the political prisoners, the oppressed dissidents, the lack of food and supplies for the common Cuban. Ask REAL questions

Here is a Cubani'sm that says it best:

Le ronca los cojones.

Now, do something about it:

Write NAHJ and give them your suggestions for questions to ask Alarcon. Tell them what you think about the sort of "support" they are providing for America's Hispanic journalists.

Daniela Montalvo, (202) 662-7152
dmontalvo@nahj.org
Executive Director
Ivan Roman
iroman@nahj.org
Deputy Director, Communications and Media Policy
Joseph Torres
jtorres@nahj.org
Parity Project Director
Kevin Olivas
kolivas@nahj.org
Development Director
Azuree Salazar
asalazar@nahj.org
Finance Director
Jerry Crute
jcrute@nahj.org
Parity Project Associate Director (West Coast)
Rosa Maria Santana
rsantana@nahj.org
Parity Project Associate Director (Texas)
Michele Gonzalez
mgonzalez@nahj.org
Professional Development Manager
Marissa Silvera
msilvera@nahj.org
Educational Programs Manager
Christie Gomez
cgomez@nahj.org
Communications and Research Coordinator
Daniela Montalvo
dmontalvo@nahj.org
Membership Coordinator
Claudia Araujo
caraujo@nahj.org
Executive Assistant
Yaneth Guillen
yguillen@nahj.org
Parity Project Researcher/Administrative Assistant
Leticia Salazar
lsalazar@nahj.org
Program Assistant
Virginia Galindo
vgalindo@nahj.org

Happy Memorial Day

2006-05-27T17:00:00.000-05:00

I'm blogging and working from under some evergreen trees, enjoying the breeze, and the amazing fresh air. The in-laws neighbours, who go to the same church as they do, have a wireless connection I can reach only from the front yard picnic table.

Tomorrow morning its off to church, and then camping for the rest of the day and evening. Let's not forget the heroes who make our celebrations possible through their sacrifices. Take a moment to remember and pray for our men and women in combat--for the safety and continued success.

Letting Vicente Take Credit for the Immigration Bill

2006-05-27T16:55:00.000-05:00

Publius Pundit gives us something positive that can result from the mushy immigration bill that came out of the Senate. If you have been following the news of Vicente Fox's visit to the US, you might have heard that he is taking credit for the passing of the immigration bill. A.M. Mora y Leon had this to say.

Go on, let him take credit.

Vicente Fox’s center-right, free-market PAN party, and its candidate, Felipe Calderon, is likely to reap big.

This is good news for everyone, including us in the U.S.

The PAN party is running on a platform of job creation, and of opening Mexico’s closed energy sector to put Hugo Chavez out of business and provide more oil for us since the clowns in U.S. Congress still don’t get it about offshore drilling.

Mexico’s gains in transparency, in better market regulation, in sound stable currency, in fiscal discipline and in a rising stock market - and believe it or not, job creation - will continue apace and not be rolled back by an inward-looking Hugo-Chavez-style populist in Mexico.

Let's hope that greater transparency means reduction in corruption, and better opportunities for every hard working Mexican--not just those with connections.

Reuters has more on the story here.

Critics Say Bill Diminishes Due Process for Immigrants?

2006-05-26T06:49:00.000-05:00

Diminishes due process? They are here illegaly! The bill is meant to secure the borders, and yes--enforce the LEGAL (due) process of immigrants. Hidden traps--thats what they call enforcement...hmm.

The legislation approved by the Senate yesterday would offer many illegal immigrants a chance at citizenship. But advocates of expanded immigration rights complain that "hidden traps" woven through the bill's 300 pages erode significant due-process protections for all foreign-born people living in the United States.
A coalition of civil rights, religious and legal groups says the legislation would make it easier for the government to detain or deport immigrants -- whether in the country legally or not -- while making it more difficult for them to prove they deserve asylum or naturalization.

Well, if you have a hard time proving you deserve asylum or naturalization, perhaps it will make others consider immigrating legaly...now thats a novel idea!!

Tags: Politics, MEXICO, Bush, Illegal immigration, border, News, immigration

Immigration Bill -- Now its off to Conference...

2006-05-26T06:26:00.000-05:00

Whatever it is that passed in the Senate yesterday is NOT what will be law. Thank God! But it is yet to be seen what comes out of conference. One thing I know HAS to stay there is a good solid fence--physical and electronic. The question of the year is--at what cost?

Like all good politicians, this bill has turned into an entitlement giveaway and in its present state, it is full of large holes! Spend, spend, spend--even if we don't have enough to go around. But, what else is new? And never mind about the details of how we are going to enforce the specifics of the law...

The Senate approved a wide-ranging overhaul of immigration laws Thursday, voting 62-36 to bolster security at the Mexican border and to grant many illegal immigrants a path toward citizenship.

But the inclusion of that path sets the stage for a battle with the House of Representatives, which passed a stricter bill in December.
Several senators said after the vote that President Bush's participation in the political maneuvering will be key to crafting a compromise.
"I believe we can do it," Sen. Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, told reporters. "I believe the president will put a very heavy shoulder to the wheel."

The way they split who is eligible for what is what has me most concerned about this bill--it is just asking for abuse. What sort of proof do they require? From what I have heard, its a lot easier to fake than a Social Security card--and we know illegals can easily get those!

Under the Senate bill, he said, those who have been in the country two to five years would enter a temporary-worker program, while those inside longer would be eligible for legal status or citizenship after an 11-year probationary period. They would first have to meet other criteria, including learning English, and paying a penalty and back taxes.
Under the Senate legislation, illegal immigrants in the United States less than two years would be returned to their home countries.

CNN provided this rundown of its provisions:

Security

Authorizes enhanced border security measures, including the addition of a 370-mile, triple-layer fence along the border.
Authorizes President Bush's plan to send 6,000 National Guardsmen to the U.S.-Mexican border.
Bars those convicted of felonies or three misdemeanors from becoming legal residents or citizens.
Punishes employers who hire illegal immigrants with a fine up to $20,000 and three years in prison after an electronic verification system is established.

Guest workers

Creates a guest-worker program that would allow workers to work in the country for three years and be eligible for a three-year extension. The number of temporary-worker visas would be limited to 200,000 per year.

Legalization

Establishes a three-tiered path-to-citizenship program, which divides the 11 million to 12 million illegal workers in the United States into three groups:

Illegal immigrants here for more than five years could gain their citizenship after working for six years, learning English and paying a penalty and back taxes.

Illegal immigrants here from two to five years would have to return to an entry point and apply for a guest-worker program.

Workers here less than two years would have to return to their countries of origin.

Language

Declares English the "national" language of the United States.
Also declares English the "common and unifying" language of the United States.

Tags: Politics, MEXICO, Bush, Illegal immigration, border, News, immigration

Immigration Bill Vote

2006-05-25T20:55:00.000-05:00

Here is what the vote came down to.

Click a party to list individual members.

Party	Yes	No	Not Voting
Democratic	41	2	1
Independent	1	0	0
Republican	31	23	1
Total	73	25	2

Listening in on the Hugh HewittShow

2006-05-25T18:11:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: I got to sit in on the show during the start of the second hour, so I missed this. He's right--to many talking heads doing a lot of talking, without having read what they are talking about. This is why I have not talked about it.

You owe it to yourself to know what this guy is saying, and about the looming confrontation we're facing as a nation, and what the next two elections here will say about whether we're going to face up to it or not.

RadioBlogger has the audio file.

But, during the second segment (I think) of the second hour, Hugh made a striking comment on the similarities Iranian's expatriates are feeling these days--seeing how Mahmoud Ahmadinejead is destroying Iran,--and what Cuban's feel about what castro has done to Cuba. It's not very often you hear that sort of comparison.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejead and Castro--two monsters of the same kind. After all, its not about ideology, about making life better for the people, or even about any sort of religious beliefs. Like Hugh's guest said, at the end its all about power.

****

I have the honor of sitting in on the Hugh Hewitt show today. He is talking about Brian Ross' and ABC's Reputation "In the Mix(er).", the immigratin reform bill that just passed, and the Debra Livingston nomination.

A solid source tips that Debra Livingston, Vice Dean of Columbia Law School, will be the next Administration nominee for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

I love the radio business, so this should be fun.--and intresting. Hugh is making some compelling comments on the immigration bill. Listen in.

Quote of the Day: people needing supervision

2006-05-25T17:50:00.000-05:00

Truth can be found in the simplest of statements.

"Three groups spend other people's money: children, thieves, politicians. All three need supervision."

Dick Armey

News You Won't Hear on the TV

2006-05-25T13:29:00.000-05:00

The headline: Q1 GDP growth fastest in 2-1/2 years. Don't get to carried away with all the doom and gloom talk on the mainstream media.

This was the second reading of economic growth for the first three months of the year. The government revises the data twice after each initial estimate and its final tally of first-quarter performance will not be available for another month.

Somewhat surprisingly, spending on housing was moderately stronger than had been initially thought, growing at a revised 3.1 percent rate instead of 2.6 percent estimated a month ago. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress last month that one of the reasons economic growth was likely to moderate in coming months was that housing markets were showing signs of softening.

But of course, no one is going to give credit where credit is due--less taxes among other things. Remeber those words come election: "Reduce the taxes" Democrats won't do it. Republicans will. Its a choice.

They "could no longer live in Cuba"

2006-05-25T13:15:00.000-05:00

Diario La Prensa, Spanish language Honduran newspaper, reports that approximately 150 Cubans have arrived in Honduras escaping castro's prison island. Four women and 13 men where the last to arrive on the 20th, taking them 12 days in open seas due to bad weather.

A married couple, Rodyn Brito and Eslen González said their objective was to get to the US, as "they could no longer live in Cuba."

Would you be willing to risk your life and spend 12 days in open seas in bad weather to find freedom? What sort of country would cause such desperation? Think about that next time you read some pro-castro propaganda in the papers.

An Immigrant Underground -- Literaly

2006-05-25T13:06:00.000-05:00

Enforcement becomes more and more urgent. Half-baked enforcement will only continue to endanger lives, and enrich coyotes willing to risk human life for a buck. I'm glad to hear about more use of technology, improved detection methods, etc. Read this story.

The stocky 28-year-old from Oaxaca had followed the smuggler into a vast labyrinth of drainage pipes under Otay Mesa, a booming commercial area of San Diego 15 miles southeast of downtown.

The 23-mile network leads to about 500 manholes scattered across about three square miles. From those openings into the bowels of the city, mud-covered migrants crawl out into streets, busy intersections and parking lots, creating a dizzying guessing game for U.S. Border Patrol agents.

"They're popping up all over the place," said Joe Perez, the agent in charge of the area.

The migrant traffic below truck-clogged streets and new office parks underscores the persistence and desperation of people faced with crossing one of the most heavily fortified sections of the border.

Illegal crossings will soon get even tougher. President Bush is sending 6,000 National Guard troops to the border, Congress is mulling its own enforcement plans and starting next month this busy frontier across from Tijuana will be monitored by remote surveillance cameras.

So the underground beckons.

Illegal Immigration -- the greatest embarrassment!

2006-05-24T17:11:00.000-05:00

This from Vicente Fox:

Mexican President Vicente Fox said Wednesday that immigration is the most pressing challenge to the relationship between his country and the United States, but is also their greatest opportunity.

Oh, ya--he left out the part about how embarrassing it is that so many Mexicans can't find work, and don't want to live there.

How about the embarrassment that US dollars sent back by families is higher than the total profits from oil sales to the US! He is an embarrassment to his people--him and all corrupt government officials that line their pockets and sink their people further into poverty.

So much to do, not enough time...

2006-05-23T21:03:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, I wish I had the powers of the Joshua of Biblical times, who in need of a few more hours to defeat their enemies, called out to the sun to stop on its path. Scripture says the sun stayed in its place--I forget for how long--allowing Joshua and the Israelite armies to defeat their enemies.

Now, I'm not fighting any war--other than the war of ideas--but I sure could use a few more hours! This is all just to say sorry for the lack of posts today. I'm on deadline to code some major sections of a new site, and was not able to even take a short break to comment on the events of the day.

I did want to mention that I am now blogging over at TownHall.com's C-Log, under the leadership of Steve Muscatello. Steve and I are now co-workers, since my employer aquired TownHall.com (I know there is a press release somewhere, but I can't find it). Today, to start off, I just reposted some comments already posted here. I hope you will make me look good, and head on over and add it to your blogroll and bookmarks list.

Join the effort -- $$ to paint the map red

2006-05-21T21:50:00.000-05:00

I'm going to join Hugh, Rightwingsparkle, and Abigail in focusing efforts in retaining or gaining in red seats. As I said here, we can over-focus on the problem, or take action and be a part of the continued effort to find effective solutions.

Here is the question, "Are you willing to invest $500 in the future by contributing to the nine GOP Senate candidates that are best positioned to either retain their seats or take a blue seat red?"

...no matter what the problem is, the answer can't be more Democrats.

I'll second what Hugh said--more democrats in congress is certainly not going to offer a better alternative.

And from Abigail:

We can argue about all the things that Republicans may be doing wrong, but at least we can agree that the Democrats won't be doing anything more right.

In case you are having a hard time remembering what are the issues at stake:

...the stakes are incredibly high, including success in the war and the ability to confirm good judges to the Supreme Court and the lower federal courts.

I'll ad the protection of marriage, and reduced spending. I know the GOP is not doing great in the area of spending, but over time, we CAN pressure them into changing...the democrats are certainly not going to spend any less!! And, do you expect the left to do anything about the Marriage Protection amendment? Doubt it.

Here is the list. These ten GOP Senate candidates are "best positioned to either retain their seats or take a blue seat red."

Arizona's Jon Kyl

Maryland's Michael Steele

Minnesota's Mark Kennedy

Missouri's Jim Talent

Montana's Conrad Burns

Nebraska's Pete Ricketts

New Jersey's Tom Kean

Ohio's Mike DeWine

Pennsylvania's Rick Santorum

Washington State's Mike McGavick

I'll be walking the walk, and submitting my contributions first thing in the morning or later tonight, after I have talked it over with the wife. Who can beat me to the punch? If you contribute , let me know, and I'll link to your blog right here.

Update: After talking to my wonderful and frugal wife, I'm sorry to say I won't be able to rise to the full challenge, but I'm not staying sitting down. I've already submitted my first, 25$ to Steele in Maryland. This is my wife's home state and in serious need of some Red Paint. I'll be doing two more tomorrow morning... join in the fun!

Maxine Waters is spending money in the primary for the first-time in her 16 year congressional career

2006-05-21T21:38:00.000-05:00

Got an email from Carl McGill. Here is the clear call to action. Again, this is the first time I have ever endorsed a Democrat, and I don't expect it will happen again.

Here is McGill's link to put in your support. He wants $1000 to $2000 -- piece of cake for a couple hundred supporters. I'm inviting other bloggers to join me--copy and paste the donate button below and get your readers involved. It's a couple missed Starbuks visits--no big deal!

$25.00

My opponent Maxine Waters is finally spending money in the primary, for the first-time in her 16 year congressional career. At this point, the best fundraising activity would be through my website. On the homepage of www.carlmcgill.com, there is a fundraiser page link,which leads to credit card or atm (with Visa or Mastercard logo) able donations from $5 to $1,000. If I could receive donations totaling $1,000 - $2,000 in the next couple of days, it would help me with some signs.

For example,

If could get 200 or more to donate $10 or $20 through my website, that would be very helpful.

Thank you for your support,

Carl McGill

Checks or money orders can be mailed to:

Carl McGill for Congress,
5155 W. Rosecrans Ave. Suite 1022,
Hawthorne, CA 90250

Related Links:

Val provided these links in reference to his opponent, Maxine Watters.

Im sure you all remember Maxine "Elain Gonzalez belongs with his father" Waters, dont you?

Here are some other items of interest regarding good ole Maxine and here's a letter stating she supports murderer Asata Shakur who is hiding out in Cuba.

Oh, and did I mention Maxine is a member of the Progressive Caucus, the one started by the one time leader of the Democratic Socialists of America?

What else do you need?

Slow weekend--taking a break and enjoying the arts

2006-05-21T21:17:00.000-05:00

For the regular readers who may have been wondering where I was over the weekend, I spent it with family, and went on Saturday evening to the Grand Opera House in Wilmington, DE. We enjoyed Beethoven Symphony No. 9, directed by David Amado and performed by the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. It was magnificent, and an enjoyable time with my wife and the in-laws.

I'm making serious attempts to ensure I prioritize and spend the necessary time with my wife and away from the computer. Since internet is spotty at best at my in-laws, I just relaxed, worked on a few chapters of The History of the American People (by Paul Johnson) and just bummed around! It was great!

This sort of thing will happen from time to time, and I think I won't always be letting readers know. But never fear--I'll always be back and refreshed ready for more. I've already posted a couple quick comments about the news from the weekend. Hope you all had a great weekend.

Brendan Loy: "Mayor who fiddled while New Orleans drowned has been re-elected"

2006-05-21T21:11:00.000-05:00

They said it best. I just couldn't believe my ears when I heard. Nagin's incompetence is so evident--why is it that a majority of a city just can't see the facts? What sort of worldview would allow a human being to believe that this major is what's best for New Orleans? It's hard to comprehend--they live in a different dimension!

Glenn Reynolds: Louisiana's political class isn't just greedy -- it's greedy and stupid. Louisiana will pay the price. And probably complain of unfairness when it does.

Tags: Hurricane Katrina, blanco, flood aid, Katrina, New Orleans, Nagin, News

Surgeon: Barbaro's Injuries Catastrophic

2006-05-21T21:04:00.000-05:00

I was watching the race on TV at a Applebees Saturday night--it's terrible. Everyone in the restaurant stopped talking and eating, and where watching the TV screens when it happened. I hope the horse doesn't have to be put down.

Barbaro sustained "life-threatening injuries" after breaking bones above and below his right rear ankle at the start of the Preakness Stakes.

"You do not see this severe injury frequently because the fact is most horses that suffer this typically are put down on the race track," said Richardson, the chief of surgery for the center. "This is rare."

Tag: barbaro

Statement By RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman On Cuban Independence Day

2006-05-19T14:55:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman, Ken Mehlman issued the following statement today, in celebration of Cuban Independence Day:

“On May 20, 1902, the Cuban people victoriously concluded a long and arduous struggle against oppression and political persecution to establish a freely elected Cuban government. This passion for a free Cuba still lives in the hearts of many Cubans – many of whom have escaped to the United States to pursue freedom. The Republican Party recognizes the accomplishments and contributions Cuban Americans have made to this country, and joins them in their desire to witness once again the end of a dictatorship and the beginning of a Cuban democracy.”

Its a nice gesture.

The Cure for Illegal Immigration and Latin America's Economic Problems -- True Capitalism

2006-05-17T19:05:00.000-05:00

I've written before here that the reason Latin America seems to have a distaste for Capitalism is that what they know as capitalism is really what economist Gary Becker calls "crony capitalism." Glenn Reynolds writes about this in his latest GlennReynolds.com post.

Here are Becker's thoughts:

One legitimate reason for the opposition to capitalism in Latin America is that it frequently has been "crony capitalism" as opposed to the competitive capitalism that produces desirable social outcomes. Crony capitalism is a system where companies with close connections to the government gain economic power not by competing better, but by using the government to get favored and protected positions. These favors include monopolies over telecommunications, exclusive licenses to import different goods, and other sizeable economic advantages. Some cronyism is found in all countries, but Mexico and other Latin countries have often taken the influence of political connections to extremes.
In essence, crony capitalism often creates private monopolies that hurt consumers compared to their welfare under competition. The excesses of cronyism have provided ammunition to parties of the left that are openly hostile to capitalism and neo-liberal policies. Yet when these parties come to power they usually do not reduce the importance of political influence but shift power to groups that support them. A distinguishing characteristic of Chile since the reforms of the early 1980's is the growth in competitive capitalism at the expense of crony capitalism. This shift more than anything else explains the economic rise of Chile during the past 25 years that has made Chile the most economically successful of all Latin American nations.

A while back, I reacted to news that the IADB it was going to cancel the debt to Honduras and other third world countries. Honduras This Week had reported that "fifteen Hispanic legislators of the US House of Representatives claimed that the move [would] aid development in the countries involved and help to halt illegal migration into the USA."

They added that this must be done 'without imposing economic conditions and with urgency since the delay costs lives'.

My reaction in that blog post:

What these US [House] representatives SHOULD be doing is putting pressure on third world country governments, and providing assistance, in getting rid of corruption! Debt forgiveness without reform conditions is only an incentive for further debt and corruption. These sort of policies continue to enslave the regular folks who desperately want to be able to work and provide for their families, but can't be competitive because of the corruption in the system.

Meanwhile, the Zelaya government is making the mistake of promising fuel price freeze for the next two weeks. Union bosses continue to incite strikes, putting pressure on the government to reverse common sense free market policies.

Don't tell me capitalism doesn't work when you are not really practicing free market economic policies. Don't tell me capitalism hurts the underclass, if you are going to let bully union bosses dictate economic policy, further crippling the national economy.

From Glenn Reynolds, here is the sad truth about the economic situation in Mexico:

If Mexico were to reduce corruption and cronyism, and promote openness and the rule of law, its economy would grow and the flood of immigrants to the United States would shrink to a trickle. Unfortunately, the Mexican "right" is wedded to state power, and it seems unlikely that a Mexican leftist regime would enact those sorts of decentralizing economic reforms. That's too bad, as a Chilean-style economy would solve a lot of problems on both sides of the border.

My message to the GOP is very simple:

You want more "Latino" votes? Start putting pressure on Vicente Fox, and the rest of the Central American countries, to make real strides in the fight against corruption. Start putting strong conditions on loans and handouts. Start sending common-sense economists to Central and South America so that they can experience the creation of wealth of a true free market in an environment of justice and law.

Here is part of the truth from the mouth of a leftist.

Illegal immigration to the United States is "Mexico's disgrace," caused by the government's failure to create enough jobs, the country's leftist presidential candidate said on Tuesday.
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who trails conservative Felipe Calderon in polls ahead of July 2 elections, accused President Vicente Fox's administration of causing the flight of millions of Mexicans to the north, which prompted President Bush to order National Guard troops to the border.
"They are the ones mostly responsible for what is going on because there is no employment, there are no jobs in Mexico so people need to emigrate," Lopez Obrador said on his morning television show."

Becker provides great concluding thoughts in regards to the shift to the left in Latin American countries. It provides hope for those of us concerned about Venezuela and Bolivia. I'll ad to Becker's thoughts on Cuba--more than disappointment, Castro's policies have cost lives! Thousands of people are dead at the hands of a maniacal communist. Unfortunately, there is a real cost to these social experiments.

I believe that the leftward move in Latin American governments indicates only a temporary tiring of neo-liberalism. The overall trend during the past several decades in practically all countries of this region has been toward more open economies with greater competition within industries, with much more reliance on private enterprise, and with a reduced role for government mandates, government-run enterprises, and cronyism. Since these policies have provided greater benefits to all classes than the socialist policies of a Fidel Castro or a Hugo Chavez, the vast majority of people that live under such leaders will be, or in Cuba have been, disappointed by the unfulfilled promises. They are likely to come back to parties that support more market policies as long as free elections are preserved.

Of course, Glenn is right-on on the issue--not just for Mexico, but for all of Latin America.

If Mexico were to reduce corruption and cronyism, and promote openness and the rule of law, its economy would grow and the flood of immigrants to the United States would shrink to a trickle. Unfortunately, the Mexican "right" is wedded to state power, and it seems unlikely that a Mexican leftist regime would enact those sorts of decentralizing economic reforms. That's too bad, as a Chilean-style economy would solve a lot of problems on both sides of the border.

Talking about the Da Vinci Code controversy...

2006-05-17T16:03:00.000-05:00

Something to consider.

One of the developments that’s recently disturbed me is the growing number of religious organizations in America that are constantly “against something.” Every month, I get magazines and direct mail from organizations and ministries upset about the latest movie, court decision, TV show, cartoon series, or mad at the homosexual community or some other special interest group. For a long time it’s bothered me, because as Christians – of all people – we should be known as “people who are for something.” We have the greatest story in the world to tell, but instead of focusing on that story, we continually get distracted by turning our focus on issues that are peripheral to our real calling.

I worked at a large Christian non-profit and have wondered myself. I still look forward to the possibility of working within Christian organizations. It is one thing I enjoy about working for Gran Comision Latin America--they are for action and solutions that change lives in Latin America.

It’s a real paradox that we criticize mainstream news organizations for reporting on negativity, rather than paying attention to positive stories of hope. For the networks, it’s all about ratings, and negative, sensational stories score higher ratings. But the fact is, when it comes to fundraising, Christians do the same thing. The negative, the lurid, and the evil gets a bigger response. I guess it’s just the part of human nature that makes us gawk at car accidents when we pass by on the freeway.

In fairness, it’s not just religious organizations that should be blamed. Political groups, activists, environmentalists, and others do the same thing. Demonizing an enemy gets the supporters worked up and the cash register rings.

I'm glad many churches are welcoming the Da Vinci code controversy, and using the opportunity to engage in their communities and spreading the gospel message--the true gospel message. If you are from the North Virginia area (Manassas), check out this web site.

FrontPageMag.com -- "Bush's Immigration Speech Hit All the Right Notes"

2006-05-17T09:40:00.000-05:00

Good article over at FrontPageMag.com reacting to President Bush's speech. Check it out.