marcodavalos

It's all about maps ... LOL .

The moment your map includes the Palestinian territories, a huge step towards peace will be achieved. .

Frankie is back! .

Funketeer Intoxicates From Alcohol .

Are TNT basketball analysts always right? Do they really make millions? .

That was a re-run from a few months ago Funk ... .

. . . . . . . . . . . What's the latest you've watched? I finally saw last nite Sophie Scholl. Still trying to find words to describe it and don't lessen this piece of art. Also watched a couple days ago Rabbit-Proof Fence, an Australian movie on the "lost generation" of aborigenes that were separated from their families to be "educated". Slow but deep. Both highly recommended movies. .

My new South Beach Midnite Boardwalk Workout Mix is great Osquitar. On spot. Hadn't seen the post 'til yesterday afternoon ... congratz bro. .

Woot! Woot! Woot! Nice Obby and Frank. .

Paolo'll Never Walk Alone. Good stuff David. .

Obby ... you just made it impossible to read and shut. There are a few issues in which you are purposedly misleading. First, these protests come NOT from illegal immigrants or undocumented voters ... it is the come together of latin american background AMERICANS. In support of other latin americans who are presently undocumented ... in response of the House's proposed law. That’s not completely true. Too rosy(IMHO). These protests do include a plethora of illegal immigrants. Undocumented is spin for ILLEGAL. Let’s not get “Johnny Cochran-ishâ€. In response to a house bill? This has been brewing for a while! The movement is based by AMERICAN citizens, of Latin descent. The # of illegal immigrants participating is a blank question. It would be easier to refer to a national census and find out what is the voice of this segment of the population. Are they a majority? No. Do they have a right to express how they feel? Yes. Does it mean that you, the majority, the Executive or Congress have to agree? No. Yet, there were hundreds of thousands peacefully voicing what they believe is fair. Secondly, to imply that May 1st is a Soviet Union holiday is just plain ignorance. In most countries worldwide- including Spain, May 1st is the The Day of Work ... what in the US is celebrated the 1st Monday of September. Why are they choosing May 1st and not Labour Day? Because the issue needs to be attended today, not in 4 months. Fair enough,,,Well said. Np. Third, there is no easy solution to this issue without closing the borders. That is the first step that ALL will agree. Afterwards, just play politics and find a compromise between opposing ends ... those who want to kick them out now and those who want amnesty. I don't stand in any of the extremes. But thousands, if not millions of AMERICANS, are demonstrating peacefully to defend their opinion and voice in a democracy. Very true. There is no easy solution. These ILLEGAL immigrants are lucky America does not enforce it’s immigration laws like Mexico enforces theirs. I believe the issue NEEDS to be addressed(sooner than later). First, Ameirca needs to stop the bleeding and implement the current laws. SEAL THE FRIGGIN’ BORDER! Then, work on a solution for the illegals in country and the business that lure them here. We agree Obby. Fourth ... after 14 years of the Free Trade agreement with Mexico, it is wrong to intentionally blind yourself and not realize that the main problem lays in the US subsidies to their agro ... which makes most farm workers in Mexico lose their jobs in their homeland, and decide to leave everything they are born to love to migrate to this country to do the same job they were doing at home. These are mostly uneducated people. Unheard in their country, unheard here. You better believe that this is a HUGE factor for their migration. Don't forget that Mexicans are among the most nationalistic citizens ... from wars to the monolitic political party that governed them for decades. Here’s where you and I part ways. Everything that happens in the world is not Americas fault. Looking at the worlds problems through that prism is intellectually dishonest, at best. I blame MEXICO for Mexico’s problems. At it’s core, top to bottom, a gov’t corrupt beyond beliefe! Let’s start there, shall we? As for Mexico’s history, I have to say “okay, and???†(Note: I don’t mean to sound heartless, but I care about America first!) It is a problem. How much of a US problem? You need to quantify it at some point. No "free trade agreement" is fair if there are subsidies. Specially in critical segements of a nation's economy that give employment to vasts segments of the population like agro. It is in the best interest of ALL AMERICANS to identify if this is an issue that has accelerated in the past decade the illegal immigration. Who is benefiting of it if it can be quantifiable? Look at the graph and locate 1992. And see the progression of the curve. Free trade agreements are signed by governments ... who are usually influenced by lobbies in their respective nations. Those Mexican farm workers are not a problem for the US until they crossed the border. Without the cheap labor, US farm products would need to be further sudsidized. You figure out who is benefitting from all these at the end. I am not justifying any action. But public opinion and the media can and should alert Congress if they find this to be a problem that CAN be solved on this side of the border. If quantifiable. Fifth ... from Colombia to Haiti to Venezuela to Peru to Bolivia to Nicaragua to Guatemal to El Salvador ... there are thousands and thousands who also fled political persecution and radicalization in their homelands. And I won't get into the reasons nor the sources of this mayhem, as each case is unique in their own time and source. It ain't an exclusivity of the handful of communist countries. Bottom line: It’s the law of the land. Is it unfair in favor of the Cuban immigrants? Maybe? But it’s still the law of the land. Period! Illegal is illegal, is illegal! Only congress can change that. Protest to congress to have them change that “wet foot/dry foot Cuban policy†for all I care. But to illegally enter this country and demand you be rewarded for it while keeping a straight face,,,I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH! Anglos and Black in America won’t stay silent forever. Remember, America is still a white country! The majority of America is white,,NOT black or latino, etc…(IOW….CAREFUL,,don’t bit the hand that feeds you). Do you think blacks are eager to loser their precious minority status to latino’s? Do you think anglo’s will sit back and watch illegals strain the average tax paying citizen? This was a direct refute to your differentiation of a Cuban and a Mexican. As not all Latin immigrants are Mexicans (see point 4 for that issue). I was leaving the Mexicans case aside. There are hundreds of thosands of AMERICAN citizens that came from Latin America other than Cuba. That is what I meant. Many thousands who entered the country as political assyles, fleeing the horrors back home. The horrors are not exclusive of a repressive communist government. Among many others forms of immigration. To give you an example, there are 5 million Salvadoreans in El Salvador ... 1 million of them in L.A. . These AMERICAN citizens are out there marching peacefully. Their aim is to have their voice heard by Congress ... not to change Cubas' “wet foot/dry foot policyâ€, but to request a policy towards their own problems, or better said, their brothers', neighbors' or friends' problems. It is their right to request. It is no one's obligation to satisfy their requests. Cuba is far less dangerous than most of those cases described above. Where bullets come/came from both sides and civilians were caught in the middle. Forget about freedom of expression and thought. There is/was not even freedom for life. Haiti, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador ... all of them and many others worldwide fall into this category. And I haven’t mentioned a single illegal immigrant here nor in my prior post/paragraph. As most of these people are political assylees, which means they are legal atm, or residents and AMERICAN citizens. Many of their cases, atm, do rest in a limbo thou, after years and years living here. There are many other factors to put into an equation. The hardships of most legal immigrants to this country are far more complex than taking a raft for 80 miles. Or to arrive with the "Mariel". And those millions who are now AMERICANS will have a say no matter what your political view is. That is a democracy. And it’s a a country governed by the RULE OF LAW! Key words here are "legal immigrants". Re-read my paragraph. And many are already AMERICAN citizens. These people were stuck in the middle of guerilla wars, terrorism, etc. Their option was not to grab a raft, as geographically it was impossible. They had to find a way to “be approved†to reach this land, to have the economic resources to do so, leaving everything behind to give their families a safer place. And waited for years for their situation to be solved. Most people from the countries I listed fall in this category. Lastly, I object any kind of boycott. But support a democratic movement. And being this issue as delicate and complex as it is, it will need a compromised solution that fits the best interest of this nation. This will probably include controlling the borders, re-evaluating farm subsidies, and the process to assimilate the undocumented workers- if it gets that far. Again, illegal is illegal! Let’s trash this “undocumented†mumbo-jumbo! I finally talk about illegal/undocumented immigrants in my closing paragraph, as that is the reason of the movement organized by AMERICANS of Latin descent. They are illegal immigrants ... and undocumented workers at the same time. Tonite the national media was using both of the terms to describe those people’s situation. It’s a very complex issue and I for one, have no magic pill. I simply believe that these ILLEGAL immigrants must first acknowledge and appreciate the opportunities this country offers. They must know this given that they’re here and not in Mexico? It is a diificult issue. Tonite, the national media interviewed many corporation executives, from textiles to meat packing to agro to restauranteurs. They all agree it is a very delicate issue and tend to sympathize with those 12 million undocumented workers. But ... what makes you think they don't acknowledge and appreciate? The House law was certainly their worst case scenario. They are almost entirely non-political ... only hard working people. They are given a chance to themselves by AMERICANS of latin descent, not all latins as you might have realized, who organized these marches. What is so difficult to understand? Just as the Cuban that first touches land in America. He arrives to embrace himself to what Cuban Americans have lobbied for them. All those protests, marches etc organized by Cuban Americans and in many cases supported by the entire Latin community, specially in South Florida. It is the same thing. Without your continued support, and lobbying, Cubans in the island wouldn’t have a hope to get here. You do so being a minority ... At Catholic church least, the conservative in LA and Mexico has discouraged a boycott and encouraged a peaceful march ... we start to find common issues with the heart of the GOP. Even if minimal. That’s always a good thing, but I wouldn’t let that influence my opinion one way or another. The catholic conservative church also agrees that abortion is the murder of the innocent, unborn child,,,,yet we still find a way to co-exist? Go Fig’r? Bottom line…..this immigration thing is complicated and this being an election year, this will become even more cloudy! For every person that claims this is a racist, republican crusade, there are others who’ll say it’s typical liberals pandering to a large entitlement-minded voter group who’ll desperately vote for anyone who promises more free “stuff†at the expense of the Ameircan tax payer. Remember, over 60% of America budget is spent on entitlements(which include education, medicare, ss, welfare, unemployment, etc..etc..). It was sponsored by a Republican, in a Republican controlled House in an election year. (Note that you are bringing up the partisan issue- of which 12 million human beings shouldn’t be the trophy) Something that might have FINALLY shifted the atention away from Iraq, New Orleans and the popularity polls at least for a few weeks. It could be in the best interest of Republicans to polarize public opinion in this issue, and to keep it in the forefront of the political public debate. To possibly re-invogorate their bases. Even if no resolution is arrived to before November. But at the same time, this House bill has waken up and for the first time united latin immigrants, legal and AMERICAN citizens. In defense of the uncoumented workers, out of which 75% are latin american. As I'm pretty sure, in the near future, it will umbrella immigrants from all other nationalities/races. There are 1 million Asian, 1 million European ... 1/4 million African undocumented workers. They are in the same boat. .

Obby ... you just made it impossible to read and shut. There are a few issues in which you are purposedly misleading. First, these protests come NOT from illegal immigrants or undocumented voters ... it is the come together of latin american background AMERICANS. In support of other latin americans who are presently undocumented ... in response of the House's proposed law. Secondly, to imply that May 1st is a Soviet Union holiday is just plain ignorance. In most countries worldwide- including Spain, May 1st is the The Day of Work ... what in the US is celebrated the 1st Monday of September. Why are they choosing May 1st and not Labour Day? Because the issue needs to be attended today, not in 4 months. Third, there is no easy solution to this issue without closing the borders. That is the first step that ALL will agree. Afterwards, just play politics and find a compromise between opposing ends ... those who want to kick them out now and those who want amnesty. I don't stand in any of the extremes. But thousands, if not millions of AMERICANS, are demonstrating peacefully to defend their opinion and voice in a democracy. Fourth ... after 14 years of the Free Trade agreement with Mexico, it is wrong to intentionally blind yourself and not realize that the main problem lays in the US subsidies to their agro ... which makes most farm workers in Mexico lose their jobs in their homeland, and decide to leave everything they are born to love to migrate to this country to do the same job they were doing at home. These are mostly uneducated people. Unheard in their country, unheard here. You better believe that this is a HUGE factor for their migration. Don't forget that Mexicans are among the most nationalistic citizens ... from wars to the monolitic political party that governed them for decades. Fifth ... from Colombia to Haiti to Venezuela to Peru to Bolivia to Nicaragua to Guatemal to El Salvador ... there are thousands and thousands who also fled political persecution and radicalization in their homelands. And I won't get into the reasons nor the sources of this mayhem, as each case is unique in their own time and source. It ain't an exclusivity of the handful of communist countries. There are many other factors to put into an equation. The hardships of most legal immigrants to this country are far more complex than taking a raft for 80 miles. Or to arrive with the "Mariel". And those millions who are now AMERICANS will have a say no matter what your political view is. That is a democracy. Lastly, I object any kind of boycott. But support a democratic movement. And being this issue as delicate and complex as it is, it will need a compromised solution that fits the best interest of this nation. This will probably include controlling the borders, re-evaluating farm subsidies, and the process to assimilate the undocumented workers- if it gets that far. At least, the conservative Catholic church in LA and Mexico has discouraged a boycott and encouraged a peaceful march ... we start to find common issues with the heart of the GOP. Even if minimal. .

Anyone know if a travelling surfer brings his surfboard/s on his trip to the US ... would customs allow him to bring it in? .

IMO, the wrong way to make yourself heard. Nothing Gringo May 1st A boycott is aggression, thou peaceful. Lets see what comes out of it. .

Just curious ... how is this place? Never been there. Not that it matters where, when Heather is in town. .