tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129712412024-03-14T12:25:32.334-05:00SirimbaSirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-83329984561056346362009-05-08T22:40:00.000-05:002009-05-08T15:49:15.944-05:00Obama: Do As I Say, Not As I DoHere is a great video from Reason.TV on the DC voucher program. The Democrats have been trying to cut the program and leave many talented young DC students in the most expensive and most dysfunctional school system in the nation.<br /><br />Apparently President Obama doesn't want to give parents a choice in their children's education. I think its a bit snobbish of him to have a 'do as I say, not as I do," mentality on the issues. Obama's own children attend private school in the district, knowing full well the quality of education in the nation's capitol. He himself was a recipient of a school scholarship.<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/l7FS5B-CynM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/l7FS5B-CynM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />I grew up in a sketchy area myself. After my parents divorced we had to move in with my grandmother. And though the area was good, the school district was not. Thankfully I was provided a scholarship to a private school during grade school and got out of a possibly very bad situation.<br /><br />School choice is essential, especially for inner city children and those living in struggling school districts. Watch the video and it will tell you more.<br /><br />thanks to <a href="http://hispanicpundit.com/2009/05/08/obama-and-the-dc-school-voucher-program/">Hispanic Pundit</a> for the link.Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-76505185210552779112009-05-07T17:18:00.005-05:002009-05-07T17:46:00.228-05:00Loretta Sanchez Facing Challenger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6enV27PUaqvYluQQ3Lmb6qvQmHupJK9RvgiWiXigdxVvIWdUnU-JLa-GnybBQoms7XMQBd4Oyq9UYT-u1TFqYCp2LkoAt1PDQ6BxyJn3JTVKkAE9Kt3nBAp3FKmN3yd9i9c1B/s1600-h/lorettacard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6enV27PUaqvYluQQ3Lmb6qvQmHupJK9RvgiWiXigdxVvIWdUnU-JLa-GnybBQoms7XMQBd4Oyq9UYT-u1TFqYCp2LkoAt1PDQ6BxyJn3JTVKkAE9Kt3nBAp3FKmN3yd9i9c1B/s200/lorettacard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333216350236307586" border="0" /></a><br />Loretta Sanchez, better known for her risque <a href="http://latinopoliticsblog.com/2008/08/29/and-rep-loretta-sanchez-wonders-why-she-isnt-taken-seriously/">Christmas cards</a>, and being <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0107/2572.html">called out by colleagues</a>, might be facing a significant challenger in her next election.<br /><br />According to C.Q. Politics Asian American Republican <a href="http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/68/?p=bio">Van Tran </a>announced Wednesday he is forming a 2010 exploratory committee to run against Democratic Rep. <a href="http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=profile-000000000073">Loretta Sanchez</a> in California's 47<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> District.<br /><br />From C.Q.:<br /><p></p><blockquote style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><p>"I'm deeply concerned about our economy. California's unemployment is up 33 percent in the past five months, but we're not seeing solutions in Washington," Tran, a California assemblyman, said in a statement. "If I run for Congress, my first priority will be passing meaningful economic reforms to create more jobs and get Californians working."</p> <p>Republicans in Washington have been working to recruit Tran for a congressional bid. Tran's election to the state assembly in 2004 made him the first Vietnamese-American in the country elected to a state legislature.</p></blockquote><p></p><p>Officials in Washington (I am assuming the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NRCC</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">RNC</span>) hope that Tran will appeal tot he large Vietnamese <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">constituency</span> in the district, who are also strongly conservative Christians.<br /></p><p>Sanchez, a Latina, whose sister is also in Congress, is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">whispered</span> to be interested in running for the California Governor in 2010. But like usual, many are not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">taking her</span> very seriously. She has taken no major steps toward seeking the mega office of California <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Governator</span>. She isn't even a blimp in <a href="http://www.field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/Rls2299.pdf">major statewide polls</a> of the race.</p> <p>George W. Bush narrowly carried the district in 2004. Shockingly Barack Obama received 60 percent of the vote in 2008. John McCain received 38 percent in CA-47.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-2170060745453884702009-05-07T13:54:00.004-05:002009-05-07T13:58:51.450-05:00LULAC National President Rosa Rosales Statement On Swine Flu<span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#333333;">The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation's largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights organization in the country, National President Rosa Rosales today issued a statement in response to recent human infections with a newly discovered type A (Swine flu) virus: </span></span><a href="http://lulac.org/advocacy/press/2009/swineflu.html" target="_blank">http://lulac.org/advocacy/press/2009/swineflu.html</a><br /><br />Also, more resources for Latino in Spanish: <a href="http://influenza09.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://influenza09.wordpress.com/<em><em></em></em></a><br />.Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-79589386793454937092009-05-07T09:49:00.002-05:002009-05-07T09:53:54.038-05:00Mexico City lets all businesses reopen ThursdaySo was the Swine Flu all hype? I think not but it does feel that way. I think it was important to try to protect the public as much as possible from an unknown illness. Now Mexico is re-open and they are taking about an economic recovery package to help the country after the government enforced shutdown. Read more from the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/06/AR2009050604242.html">Washington Post</a>.<br /><br />Here is some interesting information about the economic impact from the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Mexico"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">WSJ</span></a>.Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-22673642846331080122009-05-07T09:44:00.005-05:002009-05-07T09:47:59.355-05:00Shameless SenatorToday in <a href="http://www.capitolhillcubans.com/">Capitol Hill Cubans</a> an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">unknown</span> Senator is blocking a resolution calling for the release of unjustly imprisoned journalists in Cuba. Sponsored by Senator Mel Martinez is trying to pass civil rights resolution in the Senate but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">apparently</span> a Cuba loving Senator who is anti-Free speech and pro-torture is trying to block this peaceful resolution.<br /><br />Read more here: <a href="http://www.capitolhillcubans.com/2009/05/shameless-senator.html"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Shameless</span> Senator</a>Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-54053089312056955202009-05-06T10:04:00.004-05:002009-05-06T10:05:56.108-05:00Two Democrats on an EscalatorI don't think much more is needed to say after watching this video. Here is the Democrat's vision of the world, waiting for someone to bail them out.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RWttKddn_Hw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RWttKddn_Hw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-39982214621122495672009-05-05T11:29:00.004-05:002009-05-05T11:59:57.861-05:00Pres. Lincoln to Mexico: Thanks for Cinco De MayoMany Americans (gringos) incorrectly assume that Cinco De Mayo is <a href="http://www.inside-mexico.com/featureindep.htm">Mexican Independence day</a>. They are misinformed on the significance of May 5th to Mexicans and how the triumphant battle in Puebla, Mexico, which the celebration honors, helped assure American unity and victory for Union forces.<br /><br />Watch the video:<br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/srYi5eUZ1xI&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/srYi5eUZ1xI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm">Long story</a> short, the French hated that the American were becoming a stronger national power. The Mexicans had defaulted on payment as the county went bankrupt. The newly elected President Benito Juarez made deals to pay the loans, the Spanish and English were satisfied, but the French had other ideas. The French wanted to take over Mexico and claim it as part of their empire. Peasant farmers in Mexico fought off the uber-organized French military, the most powerful army in the world. Before the French could take over Mexico and help the Southern Confederates create a divided America, a smaller threat to French interest, the Mexicans kicked thier Parisans booty and won the war.<br /><br />Happy Cinco De Mayo!!Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-15037768916495564582009-05-04T16:07:00.000-05:002009-05-05T16:09:43.839-05:00Pennsylvania Teens Acquitted In Murder of Mexican ImmigrantVery sad news.... When people tell me there is no xenophobia I point to cases like this. Its sad I know more stories like this.<br /><br />La Plaza: <a href="http://blog.latinovations.com/2009/05/04/pennsylvania-teens-acquitted-in-murder-of-mexican-immigrant/">Pennsylvania Teens Acquitted In Murder of Mexican Immigrant</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">As reported by the Associated Press, an all-white jury late Friday acquitted two Pennsylvania teenagers of all serious charges against them from the fatal beating of an illegal Mexican immigrant named Luis Ramirez.</span> <a href="http://blog.latinovations.com/2009/05/04/pennsylvania-teens-acquitted-in-murder-of-mexican-immigrant/">READ MORE</a>Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-80265145729174690542009-05-04T10:38:00.006-05:002009-05-04T10:56:27.047-05:00Should you be angry at the “Republican Party” about backing Specter before he bailed on us?<span style="font-size:100%;">Great post today on the Next Right entitled : </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://thenextright.com/chris-faulkner/should-you-be-angry-at-the-republican-party-about-backing-specter-before-he-bailed-on">Should you be angry at the “Republican Party” about backing Specter before he bailed on us?</a></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8qVOZ7v0xb36AYzd-tbzSV5LnkiVBPg0SVd15KYltIqimhajMnLAs02fblsQwBXxEmfjG8LlM4hBlP1IBJYGRuClwPgQvUAy5Zs-LqOdtrG-q1q9GKS5o-cOMJSj8nD4i1Qn/s1600-h/RNC%2520logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 138px; height: 123px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8qVOZ7v0xb36AYzd-tbzSV5LnkiVBPg0SVd15KYltIqimhajMnLAs02fblsQwBXxEmfjG8LlM4hBlP1IBJYGRuClwPgQvUAy5Zs-LqOdtrG-q1q9GKS5o-cOMJSj8nD4i1Qn/s320/RNC%2520logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331997871153138434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />Chris Faulkner, who has worked on dozens of campaigns tries to explain Republican Party structure to the masses. Clearly there were many upset with the Specter defection. Some activists were upset at the NRSC (National Republican Senatorial Committee) for previously supporting Spector.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Many conservative activists don't understand the Republican party structure. They vote on</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> ideology but don't understand the RNC, NRCC and NRSC are not ideological organizations. As noted by Faulkner:<br /></span><blockquote style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Keep in mind the RNC, NRSC and the NRCC are NOT issue driven organizations. They are <b><i>member</i></b> driven organizations with only ONE goal…majority status, that’s it, no other reason for being."</span></blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;">The NRSC and NRCC are organizations aimed at helping officials who have been popularly elected by their communities to represent them in Washington D.C. They aim to maintain the power of the Party.<br /><br />I really liked Faulkner's call to action. Instead of complaining that the party doesn't represent you, become part of the party structure.<br /></span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><blockquote style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">"So if you want the committee to be ideologically pure you should cool your jets. They are not think tanks, they are membership retention organizations. If you are mad at the NRSC for backing Specter in the first place call your own Senator and yell at him/her.</span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Is the RNC not conservative enough for you? Then check your state party. State Party too liberal for you? Work your county party."</span></div></blockquote><div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><span style="font-size:100%;">Good luck to all and get involved. No one likes a political back seat driver. </span>Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-61515015688686688472009-05-04T10:25:00.005-05:002009-05-04T10:33:47.763-05:00Two cents on the House GOP videoOn Friday i wrote about the CHC upset they were in a video with Barack Obama.<br /><br />While I still feel they are fair game I wanted to add some additional thoughts on the content of the video.<br /><br />When I first saw the video I really wasn't taken back. Nothing new to see. Republican saying they are stronger on national security has been a mantra for some time now. I thought the timing was odd but I was distracted by the CHC's objections<br /><br />While speaking to some friends on the west coast they made me realize something crucial about the video. On top of the timing is odd, how is it really helpful? What does it add to the debate?<br /><br />Clearly liberal Hispanic/ Latinos have used it to their advantage. They have successful branded it as another example on how the "evil-privileged" GOP is demonizing the "poor-humble" democratic Latinos. While this is hog wash, the message got repeated in Spanish media.<br /><br />At the end this is a message war. While I applaud the House GOP on trying to get ahead and be pro-active creating a video, they have to be more critical on what they are doing and think of every possible angle. And be more relevant to the current debate (i.e. economy!) It's not easy, but it could help if they diversified their staff a bit. Just sayin'.Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-6367130410238207442009-05-01T14:23:00.007-05:002009-05-01T15:04:54.123-05:00Hispanic Democrats Mad They Are in Video with BHO?Apparently the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is furious they are in a video with President Obama. And, of course, they are asking for an apology.<br /><br />Yesterday Minority Leader Boehner put out a video (see below) asking "Do you Feel Safer?"<br /><br />The Hispanic Dems quickly responded staying the Minority leader and the Republicans were insulting ALL Latinos by including an image of them in the video.<br /><br />In an article from <a href="http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/hispanic-dems-demand-apology-after-gop-terrorism-video-2009-04-30.html">The Hill</a> it quotes Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), chairwoman of the CHC as saying:<br /><br />“It’s disrespectful to the hard-working Latinos across the nation, serving in every sector of our economy and on our military’s front lines,” Velazquez’s statement continued. “The CHC demands an apology from the Minority Leader for this insensitivity and that the video be removed immediately.”<br /><br />I applaud the communications staff at CHC for their quick thinking and trying to play the minority card here but this is the reality: All the members of the CHC are Democrats. They all voted for President Obama. A vast majority of them support his policy, including ending the war as soon as possible, taking down Gitmo, and not using the word "terrorism," and millions of other things.<br /><br />I think it is fair for the Republicans, as they make the case that they are stronger on national security issues, to claim that members of CHC, as part of the Democratic Party and its leader President Obama, are contributing in making our nation less safe. It has nothing to do with thier nationality, ethnicity or color of skin, just thier voting record.<br /><br />See the video here, the Hispanic Congressional Caucus (Democrats) comes out at 1:11<br /><object width="340" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MKNbi-_Mxo8&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MKNbi-_Mxo8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="340" height="340"></embed></object>Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-89169481857836511722009-05-01T14:10:00.004-05:002009-05-03T13:50:59.266-05:00The BHO White House keeps Cuba on the state sponsors of terror, for nowToday the Miami Herald's blog reported that the U.S. State Department still lists Cuba as a state sponsor of terror, but it is definitely on a path to play nice with the communist murdering dictator and company. The Herald called the language on the report "little less bellicose."<br /><br />The report mentions the island ties with the FARC, ETA and harboring American felons. Read the rest of the MH post here: <a href="http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2009/04/state-department-cuba-still-a-state-sponsor-of-terrorism.html#more">State Department: Cuba still a state sponsor of terrorism</a>.<br /><br />What gets me the most is their statement that Cuba can't be that bad beacuse little old Fidel has spoken publicly against the FARC. News flash people, Castro says one thing and does the other. Chavez is supporting the FARC and guess who is best buddy are, the Castro brothers.<br /><br />Remember this world is a small place and meniacle, power hungry dictators stick together.Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-22105698854445585832009-04-30T11:13:00.002-05:002009-04-30T11:15:52.927-05:00Mexican President on Swine Flue<object width="425" height="344">So I guess I am postpoining any trips to Mexico anytime soon. Here is what they are telling Mexicans. <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cL9Wu2kWwSY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cL9Wu2kWwSY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-74208490857157488522009-04-30T09:36:00.005-05:002009-05-01T16:47:21.464-05:00What is "Conservative Enough"?: The Great GOP DebateIn the wake of the Arlene Specter scandal (the switch from R to D) journos have been going goo-goo-gaga trying to put their twist on what this means to the future of the Republican Party.<br /><br />The New York Times wrote a piece, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/us/politics/30repubs.html?_r=1&hp">"GOP Debate: A Broader Party of a Purer One?"</a>. In the article they ask: "<span style="font-style: italic;">Should [the GOP] purge moderate voices like Mr. Specter and embrace its conservative roots or seek to broaden its appeal to regain a competitive position against Democrats?</span>"<br /><br />For too long I have felt that the Republican party was slowing moving down a slippery slope, defining, with much precision, what it meant to be a "Republican." I felt it first hand in the immigration debate. The nativists / enforcement only folks wanted to portray anyone and everyone that didn't agree with them 100% as a RINO (Republican In Name Only.) And then I saw it more and more.<br /><br />For many the word Republican and conservative is interchangable. But they are not. Conservatives are part of the Republican party. The Republican party is a coaliton of center right organizations.<br /><br />In the conservative movement there are hundreds of groups. Each one thinks they have the formula to define Conservatism and Republicanism. Each organization will quickly (and most assuredly) call you out the minute they don't like what you are doing. With thousands of score cards, ratings and press releases. These conservative groups let EVERYONE know who has been good and /or bad.<br /><br />With President Bush's declining numbers and elections on the horizon it felt like there was a "RINO flu epidemic." People got scared and tried to "boost" their conservative credentials. No one wanted to catch the "RINO flu."<br /><br />While I think these score cards and ratings have value. (and believe me I have done but out a few of them myself!) They sometimes measure a particular issue or subject matter. At times they don't do the elected official justice because its such a small spectrum of focus.<br /><br />What happened to Specter is quite sad (though COMPLETELY selfish). I am worried some activists in the GOP want the party to become more about purity to conservative idealogy, than representing the voters and providing real ideas/solutions.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21906.html">Politico reported: </a>"Republican Senators .... blamed the Club for Growth for imposing a right-wing litmus test that chased Arlen Specter out of the Republican Party."<br /><br />Specter's move was all about self-preservation. Toomey, the former head of Club for Growth, was most likely to win the Republican primary. Yet, most pollsters unanimously agree, Toomey can't win statewide in Pennsylvania. The CLEAR reason is he is not representative of the voters of that state, he is seen as too conservative.<br /><br />So here goes the question, what is more important in a representative democracy?<br /><br />In the New York Times piece, Senator Lindsay Graham, Republican of South Carolina, said: “We are not losing blue states and shrinking as a party because we are not conservative enough. If we pursue a party that has no place for someone who agrees with me 70 percent of the time, that is based on an ideological purity test rather than a coalition test, then we are going to keep losing.”<br /><br />I agree with Senator Graham. You can't have a winning coalition and only allow a small group into the party (<span style="font-style: italic;">pun intended</span>). We do need to stick to our core values of limited government, national security, and personal responsibility. Yet we must realize that in a two party system, in a nation as large as America, there will be differences. You pick the party that has more people you agree with and has less people you'd likely strangle to death.<br /><br />Yesterday the American Spectator's Doug Bandow put up a post entitled <a href="http://spectator.org/blog/2009/04/30/the-great-gop-debate">"The Great GOP Debate."</a> Basically the Bandow tries to make make that point that the GOP is not conservative enough.<br /><br />I think the problem is not that the GOP is not conservative enough. The problem is not only have the Republican strayed away from their principles but they are seen as hypocrites. Even if people agree with us, they don't trust us.<br /><br />We must stay true to our Republican principles, but more important we must be honest.<br /><br />If loosing Spector put us on a path to honesty, so be it. But enough with the double speak and the name calling and lets get back to the business and winning back America.Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-16702218644306742552009-04-29T10:55:00.003-05:002009-04-29T11:13:13.621-05:00Swine Flue is NOT caused by illegalsAs a conservative sometimes it makes me cringe a little when I hear some of the statements that come from my right leaning colleagues. Case in point, recently a few have revved up their latest attacks on illegal immigration claiming that the sole reason for the U.S. swine flu outbreak is caused by undocumented Mexican immigrant crossing the border. Once again they are calling for a complete shut down of the border, at all levels, and stating that the government must do something about these "dirty" immigrants who they claim are causing this outbreak .....<br /><br />One word for them, <span style="font-weight: bold;">baloney!!</span><br /><br />While I agree we need to severely restrict travel to and from Mexico, (Goodness knows I won't be going there anytime soon) and take steps necessary to protect our citizens form a possible epidemic, making this health issue another spring board for xenophobic commentary isn't helping anyone. In fact it will hurt us (GOP) in the long run.<br /><br />The reality is most cases in the US of the swine flue have been caused by Americans traveling to Mexico for vacation and coming back with the virus. About half of the current cases coming from <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j5q3087kPDYmsTC57VYpL3UZ8goA">New York</a> from a group of students who recently returned from a trip to Mexico.<br /><br />The first person to die of the flu in America is <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6398202.html">a Mexican 22-month-old baby boy</a> who came to the US for treatment.<br /><br />Now if some want to use the death of this toddler as their rallying cry to shut the boarder, I think they may want to reevaluate their principles. I pray for the family of this little boy and the hundreds who are suffering through this virus.Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-4302300938385806052009-04-28T10:05:00.001-05:002009-04-29T11:17:18.955-05:00C-Span Attracts IdiotsEvery once in a while I will tune into NPR or C-Span radio while running errands around the DC beltway. It's my consistent attempt to educate myself on the news of the day and multi-task.<br /><br />And every time I loose more hope for humanity. The constant stream of conspiracy theorist and disillusion news junkies makes my head spin. I find myself talking to the radio and trying to rationalize with them. (... making me look like a crazy person.)<br /><br />I don't mind a good debate of ideas but I feel that the callers act more like novice press assistants reading off talking points with no context or facts to back up their statements.<br /><br />Working on campaigns I found these people often. (way too often.) They would tell me "I am not voting for McCain because he is Bush II and Bush lied and people died." I looked at them with a blank stare upset they had just taken away precious seconds of my life that I would never be able to replace.<br /><br />Sometimes I would ask them to explain and that I was interested to learn more, usually they had no explanation just repeated the statement or rant about the war but could not tell me anything of substance. It easy to shut these people down when you read two or three actual news article instead of DNC talking points. Sometimes I would just let them be, stupid is as stupid does.<br /><br />In general I must give it to people who want to learn more and listen to NPR and watch C-Span. Yet I wish they would take the time and read, research and educate themselves. The world can not be understood or explained in a sound bite, nor was it meant to be.<br /><br />P.S. Reading now: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Know-Much-About-History/dp/0060083824/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241020237&sr=8-1">Don't Know Much About History: Everything You Need to Know About American History but Never Learned (Don't Know Much About...)</a> NOTE: It does have a liberal edge but I like learning the "other" perspective.Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-50406896232701262072009-02-02T16:19:00.002-05:002009-02-02T16:38:16.424-05:00rants... missing home...So i am trying to get back into blogging. These days my mind is over taken by 2,000,000 thoughts and activities swiveling in my gray matter. Let see, between my new job, my new side business I am trying to start, moving into my new apartment, applying to grad school and trying to figure out my gringo boyfriend (that alone can give any Cuban girl a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sirimba</span>) I am, how would you say, overwhelmed.<br /><br />As you can imagine the "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">arroz</span> con mango" that is currently my brain is not a place most people would want to be in, or deal with.<br /><br />I try to take it a day at a time. Deal with the curve balls live sends my way while living in a place I call "Gringo-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">landia</span>" (a.k.a. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">anywhere</span> in the US except Miami).<br /><br />Sometimes I miss Miami more then one should. I would give anything for the warm sunshine and a cool ocean breeze while drinking a hot cafe con <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">leche</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">tostada</span> with lots of mantequilla. I'd be enjoying the warm company of my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">abuelos</span>, parents and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">primos</span> and talk of what I should do. They would give me more advise then I need. Tell me I am too fat or too skinny, or too something. They would bicker and laugh at each other, and me. I would go half insane and half loose it in fits of laughter and wonder why after 50 years in this country do we all still speak English with such thick accents. As much as I, or we, all <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">occasionally</span> complain of our loud over-bearing Latin families, there is nothing in the world better then the obnoxious loving questioning, the Spanish conversations, the familiar sound of radio <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Mambi's</span> jingle as background noise and the sweet lingering smell of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">tabacco</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">cuban</span> coffee.<br /><br />So to my friends back home, cherish what you have.<br /><br />For now I will just have to balance my sanity on long phone <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">conversations</span> while sitting under my painting of La <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Virgen</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Caridad, sipping cafe</span> and staring at pictures of my family.Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-74241299557600422572007-12-09T17:21:00.000-05:002007-12-09T17:46:35.779-05:00The Idiot of Tom TancredoToday I was watching Univsion's Al Punto, a Sunday morning news show. Some liberal Hispanics wanted to portray Republicans as anti-Hispanic, which is incorrect. The majority of Republicans support Hispanics and have similar values. The reality is there are stupid out of touch idiots in the GOP, and one is running for president (aka Tom Tancredo) , but this a minority in the party. The reality is his presidency is a HUGE long shot says alot about our country and the GOP.<br /><br />Tom Tancredo is an idiot. This is proven by statements like these:<br /><br />"Bilingualism is a great asset for any individual, but it has perilous consequences for a nation," Tancredo said.<br /><br />Que CM!<br /><br />While I completely belive that EVERY person planning on working and succcedding in this great nation MUST learn and speak English, Tancredo's statement of the evils of being multi-lingual is ridiculous.<br /><br />America must compete in a global world. We must prepare ourselves to speak many languages. You can see how our lack of languages is even hurting us in the war on terror, where we do not have enough Arabic speaking Americans. YET this person who wants to run for President prefers we keep our heads in the sand and only speak English while the rest of the world competes against us. Bilingualism is not a peril for our society! Keeping ones culture is not a peril of our society! Ignorance is the problem. We in the Hispanic community must make sure we learn American culture (which we do! example ME) and and master the language, as do does every ethnic group in this country.<br /><br />Speaking at a Spanish debate is not pandering, it's called communicating and using every opportunity. Maybe if Tancredo tried it, he wouldn't be in last place on every poll. But then again, his substance speaks for itself, and clearly the American people are not enchanted by this one trick pony.<br /><br />And while I wanted to scream at some people speaking on "Al Punto," (and still do) I will focus now on watching the Univision debate tonight and relish in my happiness that I don't have to listen to the likes of Tom Tancredo. Instead I will focus on all the candidates who care about EVERY American voter, while still standing against illegal immigration and finding a real solution to the problem, care enough to talk directly to Hispanic voters.Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-1146860793368346512006-05-05T15:22:00.000-05:002006-05-05T15:26:33.386-05:00Porter Goss resigns as CIA directorPorter Goss has resigned as CIA director. The former 16 year Florida Congressman took over the agency in Sept. 2004. In a joint announcement with President Bush, the Goss stated he would step down, no exact reason was given.<br /><br />This is very unfortunate. Goss, who was a CIA clandestine officer, was a good friend of the Cuban people. He worked on various issues regarding Cuba, Fidel and Che during his time as a CIA officer and truly understood the problems in Cuba. I fear that once he finally got comfortable in his position now he is leaving. This is a great travesty!Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-1146856189991720792006-05-05T13:47:00.000-05:002006-05-05T14:09:50.013-05:00Cinco de MayoToday is Cinco de Mayo. ... This Mexican celebration honors the Battle of Puebla (La Battala de Puebla ) . In 1862 the French army was the most powerful military force in the world. The French wanted to invade Mexico, but a small group of Mexican peasant, fought against the French and were victorious.<br /><br />A little known fact is that La Battala de Puebla inadvertently helped the Union win the Civil War.<br /><br />When the South succeeded from the Union they needed a government to recognize them. The English won't do it, as they had outlawed slavery. Yet the south made some agreements with the French, Emperor Napoleon was a sympathizer, and though the French did not openly recognize them, they made other agreements to help the South ..... Due to another situation, the French invade Mexico (even placing a king in Mexico - Maximillano). After invading Mexico they would continue through the North American continent North and help the South win the war against the North.<br /><br />because the Mexican peasants prevailed, we now have a free country.<br /><br />(the story is a bit more complicated then that but read more about Abraham Lincoln and Benito Juarez grate friendship)<br />More proof can be seen of thisSirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-1146854808998967392006-05-05T13:45:00.000-05:002006-05-05T13:46:49.016-05:00Chairman Concerned about BoliviaCongressman Dan Burton (R-IN) expressed grave concern on the recent events occuring in Bolivia....<br /><br /><br /><strong>CHAIRMAN BURTON EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN OVER THE FORCED NATIONALIZATION OF BOLIVIA'S NATURAL-GAS SECTOR BY PRESIDENT EVO MORALES</strong><br />-CALLS ON PRESIDENT MORALES TO RE-EVALUATE HIS DECISION-<br /><br />(Washington, D.C.) - Today, Congressman Dan Burton [R-IN-05], Chairman of the House International Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere expressed his deep concern over the forced nationalization of Bolivia's natural-gas sector by President Evo Morales:<br /><br />"Yesterday, following a trade mission to Communist Cuba where he signed a free trade agreement with Cuba and Venezuela, the newly-elected president of Bolivia, Evo Morales, announced the forced nationalization of Bolivia's natural-gas sector and ordered the Bolivian army to evict foreign companies from Bolivia's largest natural-gas fields."<br /><br />"This Castro-Chavez inspired move heralds a troubling leftist slide towards state control and a hardening of nationalist social and economic policies in Bolivia, South America's poorest country. I strongly urge President Morales to re-evaluate his decision."<br /><br />"Not only will forced nationalization hurt Bolivia's relations with its friends and neighbors, such as Brazil, but it could also have a negative impact on U.S. - Bolivia relations. Nationalization sends the wrong signal at the wrong time. Instead of fearing foreign investment and development aid, President Morales should welcome international companies into Bolivia and seek their assistance."<br /><br />"I remain committed to improving U.S. - Bolivia relations in my capacity as Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, and I am more than willing to work with President Morales and the people of Bolivia, so we can enhance and promote our mutual interests."<br />"However, in order to do so, I strongly urge President Morales to re-evaluate his forced nationalization decision, or I fear he risks further isolating Bolivia and its people."<br /><br />International Venezuelan Council for Democracy (IVCD) is a non-profit organization comprised by Coordinators of multiple Venezuelan organizations around the world, working to strengthen Venezuelan Democracy in defense of human, political, and civil rights, committed to safeguard democratic values and institutions, promoting citizen participation, openness and accountability in government in accordance to the principles established and agreed upon in the Democratic Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS). IVCD is a civil and independent organization with no affiliation to political parties. P.O.Box 24 Erie, CO 80516 Phone 1-888-291-2093 E-mail ivcd@ivcdteam.org . president@ivcdteam.org . <a href="http://www.ivcdteam.org/">http://www.ivcdteam.org</a> . <a href="http://www.blog.ivcdteam.org/">http://www.blog.ivcdteam.org</a><br /><br />IVCD<br />PO Box 24<br />Erie, CO 80516<br />1-888-291-2093Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-1146759392173102332006-05-04T10:50:00.001-05:002009-04-29T10:54:55.741-05:00Living In DC and hating SocialistOver the last few days I have been looking for a new place to live. I currently live up in upper DC close to Maryland. While the neighborhood is great and the rent is amazing, my roommate and I want something more local (downtown) and private (less roommates).<br /><br />I am not sure what is up with DC lately but I've been meeting alot of crazy, Che loving, socialists.<br /><br />Take today for instance. I went to go look at a house in the transitional neighborhood of Colombia Heights. The ad made the place look great. It was 4 blocks from the Metro (subway). A nice 2 bedroom, 2 bath private home with a little backyard. I thought it would be great. I called to make an appointment with the current tenant and she seemed very nice.<br /><br />Early this morning I met her to see the house. She seemed friendly but not what I was expecting. She was a small-framed, thin, fair-skinned gringita apparently still in her work out clothes. Bikes were piled outside on the front porch and I scrambled through them to get into the house. As we began to examine the location there was anti-Bush propaganda, socialist posters, Signs for the black Panthers and a pop-art rendition of Che Guevera a'-la' Andy Warhol. I figured me telling her I had an event in the White House later in the day wouldn't score me any points.<br /><br />Somehow I managed to bite my tongue as the house looked great. Part of me figured I can just get it sanitized later and hope any negative socialist tendencies will leave with the tenants. And then the girl showing me the house raised her arm to brush her hair out of her face. For a second I wondered if I was in some French film or was it that all Che loving socialist women find it empowering to not shave their armpits. (clearly I don't know any personally.) I tried not to make a face ( I can be VERY expressive). I managed to keep myself from looking down and noticing if the same fate was given to her legs.<br /><br />We chatted more for a bit and she gave me an application form, printed on what she called scrap paper. The paper was the reverse side of some school paper, she is majoring as a social worker. I tucked the paper in my bag. Trying not to read it too much. I thanked her for her time and left the location.<br /><br />I quickly read the "scrap paper" (aka school project). It was enough to make me a little sick. If she googles me up, for sure I will have no chance at the house. Me a pro-Bush, anti-communist, socialist hating capitalist.<br /><br />For your pleasure here is a small blurb of the paper:<br /><br />"Title: Building Socialism, Fighting Racism"<br />"I worked with the international Socialist Organization (ISO) to fight racism in Washington D.C., and to build a socialist movement that will be able to fight against all forms of oppression.... My work consisted of logistical community organizing of protest and demonstrations, flyering, weekly tabling, mobilizing contact, fundraising, and chairing ISO meetings. I prepared a talk and discussion on the Communist Manifesto .... ""<br /><br />It goes on but as you can imagine I ran away screaming in my head...... poor idealistic little white girl who thinks all the worlds problems can be solved in a constantly failing experiment....<br /><br />Long Live A Free Cuba!!!! Long Live Capitalism!!!<br /><br />Oh yeah, i am still looking for a place to live.....Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-1146757795512103712006-05-04T10:47:00.000-05:002006-05-04T10:49:55.533-05:00Oh how I love those Australians!!If you missed here is a great article on the Wikipedia controversy!!! I've always love Australians. My cousin married one last year and they are great people and know Castro stinks. (also there is a semi-large Cuban community there, mostly by the last name Rodriguez.. yeah we are everywhere).....<br /><br />Cuba entry in Wikipedia stirs controversy<br />BY PABLO BACHELET<br />Knight Ridder Newspapers<br /><br />WASHINGTON - One editor complained that Havana sympathizers were transforming a scholarly enterprise into "their own private Fidel Castro fan page." A user was tossed out after threatening to sue another for libel.<br /><br />The fuss is over the Cuba entry in Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia created, edited and administered entirely by volunteers with the aim of becoming a Web-based knowledge repository for humanity.<br /><br />But the Cuba entry, like those on President Bush and abortion, has been snared in intense political divisions over everything from the impact of U.S. sanctions on the communist-ruled island to whether it should have a separate section on its human rights record. Russia and North Korea do not.<br /><br />There have been so many dueling edits - 30 entries on April 27 alone - that the article has been placed off-limits to first-time or unregistered users. The article has notices alerting readers that the neutrality of four sections is under dispute.<br /><br />A central tenet of Wikipedia is that articles must be written in a neutral point of view. But, as the debate on the talk page attached to the Cuba article demonstrates, neutrality is often in the eye of the beholder.<br /><br />The debate over Cuba turned intense after Adam Carr, who identifies himself as having a Ph.D. in history from the University of Melbourne in Australia and a gay rights activist, introduced this sentence high in the article: "Cuba is a socialist republic, in which the Communist Party of Cuba is the sole legal political party, and is the only state in the western hemisphere that is not a democracy."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/14498364.htm">Read the full story and controversy</a>Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-1146518850767708562006-05-01T16:25:00.000-05:002006-05-01T16:46:13.246-05:00White House Correspondents DinnerThe White House Correspondents Dinner provided a few laughs for President Bush.. Check it out at <a href="http://www.c-span.org/">http://www.c-span.org/</a>.... You'll find the 2 Bushs 52 min into the dinner (but some funny clips are found through out the event... enjoy)......Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12971241.post-1146511759990468032006-05-01T14:22:00.000-05:002006-05-01T14:29:20.006-05:00Latin Leftists Forge CooperationShouldn't be news to some of you but just in case here is an article talking about the trade agreements with the leftiest governements in Latin America (Cuba, Venezuala and Bolivia). Fidel keeps training Chavez.... and trying to stengthen thier power in the region...<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Latin Leftists Forge Cooperation</strong></span><br />Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba up the ante in challenging U.S. influence<br />Alex Argote (alexphil) <a class="writer" href="javascript:memo_send(" at_code="327563')""></a><br /><a href="http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?no=288997&rel_no=1">http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?no=288997&rel_no=1</a><br />Published on 2006-05-01 16:34 (KST) <br /><br />Three leftist Latin American leaders recently inked an accord on Saturday which promises to strengthen their countries' economic and political ties against the macho posturing of the United States.<br /><br />The trio -- Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, Cuba's Fidel Castro, and Evo Morales of Bolivia -- met in Havana late last week to discuss the future of their respective nations and of South America as a whole.<br /><br />At the conclusion of their summit, the three decided to reject the American form of free trade and formulate a socialist version of regional economic and political cooperation. Dubbed as the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas, the pact was ostensibly created as a counterweight to the U.S.-backed FTAA -- the Free Trade Area of the Americas -- and the Andean community bloc. By forming a strong trade alliance with Cuba and Bolivia, Chavez hopes to dilute the heavy North American influence and control in the region.<br /><br />In the deal, Cuba promised to send physicians to Bolivia to offer medical help to indigents and educators to assist in literacy campaigns. Venezuela will send fuel to the nation and wrap up a US$100 million fund for development projects, as well as an additional $30 million for social support programs. Also, to alleviate Bolivia's agricultural market woes, Venezuela and Cuba agreed to buy the nation's soybean products after Bolivia was left in the cold with the signing of a free trade pact between Washington and Columbia.<br /><br />Morales reportedly said, "In Cuba and Venezuela, we find unconditional solidarity." He added, "They are the best allies in changing Bolivia."<br /><br />Garbed in his trademark olive-green uniform, Castro, who will turn 80 in August, said he was most happy in sharing the spotlight with younger leaders with the same mindset and principles.<br /><br />The Cuban strongman led a brutal revolution in the late 1950s against the capitalist regime of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulgencio_Batista">Fulgencio Batista</a>. Years later, the CIA launched an ill-fated counterrevolution and invasion by several hundred Cuban exiles in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_of_Pigs_Invasion">Bay of Pigs</a>.<br /><br />A former military officer, Chavez led a failed coup d'etat in 1992. Undaunted, he changed tactics in ascending to the top job and founded the leftist Fifth Republic Movement, which greatly helped in propelling him to power in the presidential elections of 1998. Reelected in 2000, Chavez launched his pet organization, the enormous Bolivarian Missions, to fight malnutrition, illiteracy, disease, poverty, and other social problems. He also railed and acted against the imperialist Washington consensus by propping up alternative models of economic programs and called on Third World countries to develop their own economic forums and cooperation that will be fair to every one involved.<br /><br />Increasingly vocal against American domination of South American affairs, Chavez earned the ire of Washington, and he strongly believed that the United States orchestrated the 2002 coup against him and the recall referendum to remove him from the presidency. Having survived both attempts on his political star, Chavez now firmly believes that the CIA is now plotting an elaborate, complex military plan to remove him from the picture.<br /><br />In the meantime, Chavez is almost frantically working to shore up his defenses and regional support by encouraging the rise of ideologically friendly politicians in neighboring countries, particularly Bolivia, Peru, and Nicaragua.<br /><br />According to Gary Hufbauer, an economist at the Institute for International Economics, "The agreement is a clever mixture of politics and commerce, and weighted toward the politics."<br /><br />Being the world's fifth largest oil-exporter and a major gas supplier to the United States, Venezuela is quite awash with greenbacks and thus can afford to challenge the West. By seriously backing Peruvian candidate Ollanta Humala and encouraging the political rebirth of leftist Daniel Ortega in the Nicaraguan scene, Chavez is slowly, deliberately nurturing a socialist bloc in Latin America, which may be the ultimate political solution to oppressive Western control over the southern hemisphere.Sirimbahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257114112595064563noreply@blogger.com0