As predicted, Pres. Obama granted amnesty to an untold number of illegal aliens. Walter Russel Mead has some thoughts on the subject: Obama’s Big Miscalculation
President Obama’s new initiative is unlikely to succeed politically—in part because Democrats are overconfident that rising Hispanic immigration will deliver them a permanent, left-leaning majority.
In many ways Latinos face less prejudice than Jews or Italians did in the 1880s, and have more opportunities to integrate into American society at large than those earlier generations of immigrants did. The evidence if anything suggests that Hispanic immigrants are more open to the cultural influences of American political and social ideas than were earlier waves. While very few Italian, Jewish or Greek immigrants, for example, converted to evangelical Protestantism, 24% of hispanic adults in America are now former Catholics. Hispanics are a large and varied group, but by and large they are learning English, starting businesses, joining Protestant churches and voting Republican at levels that suggest that they are anything but a permanently alienated racial underclass in formation.
And then there’s the Democrats’ assumption that “Hispanics” are a homogeneous group.
ARGENTINA
Fitch Cuts IMPSA, WPEI, and Venti to Default
A more accurate translation is “The Falklands are Argentinian”, Argentina rules all public transport must state: ‘The Falklands are Argentina’
Argentina’s congress passes a law which states that all public transport and stations must display a sign reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”
BOLIVIA
Influx of Cheap Peruvian Quinoa Riles Bolivia
Authorities are investigating allegations that the companies formed a cartel to drive up the value of contracts with state-controlled energy giant Petróleo Brasileiro SA PETR4.BR +11.89% and paid bribes to the Petrobras executives and Brazilian politicians.
The prosecutors’ targets include Brazilian-based multinational construction companies Odebrecht, Queiroz Galvão and OAS, who together are partners in billions of dollars of contracts for the Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Petrobras Bonds Decline With Builders Amid Graft Probe
COLOMBIA
Colombia Prepares Areas Where FARC Will Release Hostages
CUBA
La máquina de matar: El Che Guevara, de agitador comunista a marca capitalista
Cuba says measures to make food more affordable fall short
Mosque for you? Maybe….. ($$$$$$?)
ECUADOR
Iranian Nobel Laureate to Inaugurate UNESCO Chair at University of Ecuador
GUATEMALA
100,000 Guatemalans Could Benefit from Obama’s Executive Order
GUYANA
Guyana’s Main Opposition Demands Elections Now
HONDURAS
Four Involved in the Murder of Miss Honduras World and Sister Sent to Prison
Mexico Is Fed Up and This Time, It’s Different
Teeth and Bones: Mass Abduction Reveals a Decaying Mexican State
Remains of Father John Ssenyondo found in grave near Iguala in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Please pray for repose of his soul.
— James Foley (@JamesFoley20) November 16, 2014
NICARAGUA
Yeah, right, Nicaragua canal: Construction to begin in December. Heed my advice and don’t be the next Lord Crawley.
PANAMA
The French School Where Panama Canal Pilots Train in Cute Little Ships
PUERTO RICO
Opinion: Puerto Ricans will be hurt the most by President Obama’s executive action
Puerto Rico Sees Slight Drop in Unemployment Rate
URUGUAY
Same old, Vazquez Is Favorite to Win Uruguay Presidential Vote
VENEZUELA
Alek Boyd tells us how he was robbed of his lap tops, and only them
Oligarco Works The Fascist Phone Line
Venezuelan Consumers Get Creative Amid Shortages
The week’s posts and podcast:
The Iran-Cuba-Venezuela Nexus
Ecuador: Assange granted political asylum
Countdown to amnesty, continued
Cuba: The Nation’s Valentine’s cruise
Amnesty: I told you so UPDATED
Colombia: Government suspends peace talks after FARC kidnaps general
At Da Tech Guy Blog:
Amnesty: A slap in the face to all of us, not just to #Fruitpickers and #Bedmakers
Why weren’t taxes an issue in the last election?
Podcast:
US-Latin America stories of the week with Silvio Canto, Jr.
“Life starts…” Do you suppose we could get him to run for president, instead of Mitt or Jeb?