Speaking English in Texas Committee Hearing
Antolin Aguirre has lived in the U.S. since 1988. He testified last week in a Texas committee hearing regarding an immigration bill. He chose to speak in Spanish and use an English interpreter to communicate with the Texas Senators, despite having lived in the U.S. for approximately 23 years. Senator Chris Harris challenged Aguirre’s use of Spanish given Aguirre’s residency of over two decades but specifically includes the caveat “if he knows English”. Aguirre’s English isn’t up to snuff – he couldn’t understand Harris’ challenge to him....
Read MoreRacism and the Denial of Immigration Reciprocity
I have an especially experienced perspective on the reality of how Latin American countries treat the immigration issue. I am a victim of immigration fraud. In 2009 I was approached by Bolivian immigration officials because of the color of my skin and was later detained due to a lack of documentation resulting from the fraud committed against me. Racial profiling? Papers please? Been there, done that. The Story: Part One ; Part Two ; Part Three. Bolivian law was changed in December 2007 to require new, complicated, applied-and-paid-for visas of United States citizens entering Bolivia....
Read MoreShakira: How & Why She’s So Very Wrong
Shakira, of Colombian and Portuguese citizenship, was interviewed on CNN for her thoughts on the Arizona immigration issue. She dropped the following statement on Constitutional law: Let’s get this out of the way: Wrong. Very wrong. Really, really wrong. How Is Shakira Wrong ? (Simplified): The Constitution is a document that frames and limits the United States Federal Government. Over time many portions of the Constitution have been applied to the States. The Constitution specifies existence of U.S. citizenship. The existence of this stipulation creates a division between citizens...
Read MoreAnalysis of Bolivia and How Evo Could *Truly* Win
We heard some fascinating political and legal analysis on current events from a top-notch specialist in Bolivian law. I’m not naming him here simply because I didn’t get his express permission to do so. Kindly, deal with it. I’m posting the analysis, and then we can all go about researching it as we wish. Prior to the Ambush in the Pando, Evo expelled almost all of the press. That is a significantly contributing factor as to why we have so little visible evidence and sound accounts of what really happened. Earlier today on a radio station in Cochabamba it was announced that...
Read MoreA Fairly Normal Cochabamba
Since the election 8 days ago, everything has been rather… normal. The early days were a bit quiet, but otherwise one wouldn’t generally know that anything was different. I haven’t any idea what happened with the folks marching on the city from the Chapare – as far as I could tell, they never arrived. I almost regret that. I’m not advocating violence; I am advocating resolution. Sometimes resolution requires a set of confrontations which causes the various involved parties to kick into gear and get things done. Very little of that really happens in Bolivia, and...
Read MoreAbout Lorien
I vote as a libertarian influenced by Hayek and Burke, and I think as an anarchist guided by the biblical principles of liberty. I have fenced foil in a diaper-suit and run for political office in a skirt-suit, but my shoes were always fabulous. Both dreadful politics and inspiring design are likely to make me teary.
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