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.