I realize this might be a few days old, but hearing about Cindy Sheehan's "rolling" hunger strike made me think about this man. Cindy and her buddies are a joke!

I don't know what is his status as of late, but I thought it would serve well to cheapen the liberal's attempt at activism. Like I said--a joke.

AP has a sad story of desperate people, and human smugglers who are making a profit of their plight.

A boat overloaded with Cubans being smuggled into the U.S. tried to ram a Coast Guard vessel in rough seas early Saturday, and a woman aboard the boat died, authorities said.

The 36-foot, go-fast boat ignored orders to stop when the Coast Guard tried to intercept it 4 miles south of Boca Chica around 6:30 a.m., said Petty Officer James Judge, a spokesman for the Coast Guard.

Alfredo Mesa, the executive director for the Cuban American National Foundation made a statement:

I'm confident that the Coast Guard took every precaution to when disabling the boat using gunshots. As a matter of fact, it would seem to me that considering the smuggler's behavior, disabling the boat was a priority for the safety of the passengers. Amazing what people will do in desperation when 'fleeing tyranny."

Read the latests from the Yahoo News World Cup news link. I just think France needs some humble pie...no offense. Check out some of the pictures of fan's reactions too while you are it.

Most of the times--not always--I like what Linda Chavez has to say on immigration. Here is an old post from this past February.

Interesting comentary on the State of the Union speech by Linda Chavez at TownHall.com (The state of the president).

The president was resolute, unapologetic, at moments even defiant when addressing the war on terror, Iraq and the Democrats' neo-isolationism. He did a good job painting his critics as clueless pessimists. One of the best lines in the speech -- "hindsight alone is not wisdom, and second-guessing is not a strategy" -- summed up perfectly why the Democrats have failed to convince most Americans they would keep the country safe in this dangerous, post-9/11 world.

Tuesday, February 7 -- The problem of illegal immigration is a difficult problem for local communities, but it must be addressed! Marc Fisher's Washington Post column calls it "The Wrong Approach to Illegal Immigration," but reading through what he writes, I don't see a problem. Local authorities must be empowered to maintain order, and uphold the laws of the law. This is not about race, or discrimination, but about being within the boundaries of the law. To many "feel-good" socialist and leftist policies are at the root of the problem. If our laws had been enforced from the beginning, we would now see much less incentive for illegals to enter our country.

The House of Delegates has passed a bill to give state police the authority to enforce immigration laws; if the Senate and governor approve the plan, Virginia would become the third state to let police become immigration cops when they, for example, make a traffic stop.

I agree that it's the children that will suffer the most, but that is why we are a nation of liberty; individuals are held responsible for their actions. That is the exact message that would-be illegal immigrants need to get: if you enter our country illegally, your children will not necessarily have it better off.

Having said that, it is also time something was done about our current immigration laws and quotas. I'm no expert, but from what little I know, it seems to me that there is more work than available labor. Anyone in this country that wants a job, will and can eventually get one. Sure, it may take some time, months even. But there is plenty of work. We need to allow a safe, secure and orderly process through which we can welcome immigrants willing to work, contribute and integrate into our society.

Del. Jeff Frederick (R-Prince William), whose mother is an immigrant from Colombia, supported the ban as a disincentives to illegal immigration. "Look, my mother obeyed the laws and worked her butt off to come here," he said. "Like millions of other people, she waited her turn and played by the rules.

"People are fed up with illegal immigration, and they're demanding we do something about it. It's the overcrowded houses, the job market with the day laborers bringing down wages, the health system with hundreds of millions being spent in Virginia hospitals on illegal aliens, and all those ESL [English as a Second Language] classes taking away resources from other kids."

It just has to be done--no offense to the many honest, good men and women who have made the mistake, and committed a crime, in coming into this country illegally.

Just to get off on the right foot:

Email Policy: Unless you request otherwise, I reserve the right to post the contents of any email I receive related to this blog. I will not disclose your identity if you so request.

Comments Policy: I welcome and encourage everybody to let me know what they think. It's OK to disagree with me, just be nice about it and link to your references. I reserve the right to delete comments which are uncharitable. If you want to be credible, show proof, and provide links.

UPDATE 07/08/2006
Finally making the move away from Blogger.com. Google has take steps in the wrong direction, but besides that, I just want to join the great blog migration. I'll be moving over the archives eventually somehow, and will be posting more exclusively on immigration issues here. Welcome. Feel free to post comments. Its good to be home!


UPDATE (02/12/06)

I thought I would provide a short update to my comings and goings since my last welcome post. In my continued quest to grow as a professional, I accepted a job offer in the DC metropolitan area where I am now living. I've been here for about 3 weeks now, and I am enjoying the energy and the people I have met.

As always, the one thing I enjoy the most about blogging is the comments from readers. I specially like to hear from those I know read my blog frequently--your readership is greatly appreciated and valued, and your comments and feedback are important to me. Also, I can now celebrate being linked by Instapundit and Hugh Hewitt, among others, which has brought in many new readers. To all of you, welcome.

The power of the blogosphere continues to amaze me, as I, a regular individual, can earn the priviledge of having an audience for my thoughts, comments and perspectives. I've been reading Hewitt's book, "Blog, Understanding the Information Reformation That's Changing Your World" and enjoying it. To be sure, I know that a readership is an earned result of my work. As such, I appreciate those who have commented both positively and negatively, as both encourage me in my work and help me improve as a writer and pundit.

I invite all new readers to subscribe to my RSS feed, and to come back often. I make every effort to post at least once a day, and during good days, I will post 3 or 4 times. I would welcome your suggestions and comments in this regards. If you would like to write to me directly, you can do so at my email at jmsierra at josue sierra dot net.

These are some of my bloggin goals for the coming year:

1. Start earning some income from this. For that, I hope my readership increases in order to increase ad revenue. At this point, Google ads are bringing in about $10 a month.
   
2. Create a new layout and design for the blog.
3. Change my blog name. With this will come a shift in focus. While I intend to continue being a voice for Latino related issues, it is obvious that my interests go beyond that, and I want my blog name to reflect that.
   

Again, your comments and suggestions would be welcome.

Thank you for joining me in my efforts to grow in my writing and journalism skills. Keep the comments coming, and keep coming back for more.

~ Josue Sierra
A Conservative Blogger



UPDATE (10/09/05)

Welcome to the many new readers that have dropped in on Latino Issues in the last couple months. The readership has been steadily growing, and I am enjoying blogging even more. The discussions have been heated, and mostly intelligent. I have seen and learned great things through comments, as well as ugly things.

As some may notice, I am not covering Latino Issues exclusively anymore. As a Colorado resident, I have started to engage in local and state wide politics, and you will notice posts on these issues here. Most recently, I have been posting on Referendum C & D--what amounts to a tax hike for CO residents. I am also addressing national concerns before our local Senators, Salazar and Allard. I continue to grow in respect for Allard, while becoming more and more frustrated with Salazar's liberal positions and his obstruction of the president's nominations.

Well, keep coming back, keep giving me your feedback, and keep linking to Latino Issues. Latinos are in desperate need of national voice--a unified, positive, goal-oriented voice--that can unite the various ethnic groups, encourage integration, and help more Latinos become great Americans. I hope and intend to be part of that unifying voice.

I believe Latinos have a lot to offer this great nation and I believe America has a lot to teach our newest residents. Together, all different people, can work out the challenges, address the problems that are hurting us as a nation, and take positive steps forward to a better United States of America. I am excited to be a part of this great nation, and grateful for the many values, for the opportunities, and for the culture I have been integrated into. I am proud to be an American, and proud to be a voice among the many.

UPDATE (08/05/05):

It has been over a month now that I have been blogging, and the readers keep coming. Thank you to each one that enjoys this blog, and to all those bloggers that have linked to me. Keep the comments coming--they motivate, energize, and keep me in check. They also provide diversity in opinions and perspective.

I have chosen to deviate from strict Latino issues topics, as I have discovered there is a number of topics that relate, or that are of importance to Latino voters. The truth is that our country is a nation of diversity. It is hard to segregate any subject of importance. I have also enjoyed doing more International stories, such as the pro-family legislation in Peru, and the anti gay marriage protest in Spain. The ride has been fun, and I am looking forward to years more of putting my voice out in the public forum.

To all new readers, welcome. Stick around. Share your comments. Come back often. Don't forget the address: latinoissues.blogspot.com.

ORIGINAL POST (06/18/05):
This is actually the 3d blog I attempt to start, but I think in previous attempts, I lacked focus. This is really a Hugh Hewitt inspired blog, and as he recommends in one of his books, I have chosen to focus on Latino issues worldwide, and in particular within the US. Latino Issues will cover topics such as immigration reform, border security, corruption in Latino governments and why that affects us here in the US, and much more.

Come back often, post your comments and questions. I have over 25 years of hands-on cultural experience with a wide variety of Latino ethnic groups--both in Central America and South America. I have seen first hand the power of the MS13 gangs, the suffering of poverty, the deception of socialism, and the frustrating effects of corruption. I have heard the tears of the victims of senseless violence, known those wounded by gunfire. I am friends with those that drive around with body guards in every day chores, for fear of kidnapping.

If you are not sure why you should care, come back and keep reading. It does affect you. It does matter. Not for altruistic reasons, but for all the reasons that relate to security, prosperity, and freedom. These are the things all American citizens should care about.