The conclusion to draw is rather clear: in the nation which pretends to shelter every human being regardless of race, creed or color, at least declaratively, there are many who don't share those ideals. So it isn't unusual for other candidates of the same party to pontificate about the necessity of building walls to keep the infidels out of the Promised Land. Read more.
The MexicoBlog of the Americas Program, a fiscally sponsored program of the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), is written by Laura Carlsen. I monitor and analyze international press on Mexico, with a focus on security, immigration, human rights and social movements for peace and justice, from a feminist perspective. And sometimes I simply muse.
Showing posts with label U.S. Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S. Politics. Show all posts
Oct 7, 2015
U.S. Republicans Expose 'Dark Face' of a Nation
La Jornada (Translation by World Meets): Few would have imagined Trump's rebound in the opinion polls after his rude declarations against migrants, women and the gay community. Reality put the lie to those who doubted him. A few days after each of these statements he again appeared atop the opinion polls - the preference for a large segment of voters. Moreover, surgeon Ben Carson, who not long ago was last on the list, has rose high after declaring the unsuitability of Muslims to be president of the United States.
Oct 15, 2013
Nations Should Quickly Heed Advice of Greenwald, Assange
October 11, 2013
In reference to the scandal about spying by U.S. government agencies on the governments, institutions, companies and individuals in many countries, journalist Glenn Greenwald, who has published classified material obtained by former analyst Edward Snowden, talks of the need to eradicate U.S. dominance of the Internet and form groups of nations to operate independent paths of access to the Worldwide Web. The Guardian reporter has suggested that Argentina and Brazil, as well as the European Union, would be well advised to build their own Internet - something only China has done so far. Meanwhile, Edward Snowden, being pursued by Washington, has taken refuge in Russia. Read more.
Aug 1, 2013
U.S. and Mexico: The Indecisive Empire and its Stuttering Colony
Proceso
By Sabina Berman
Translated by Stuart Taylor
Mexico Voices
For Fey Berman, my Mexican-American sister
According to conventional measurements of power, the United States is an empire. Actually, it is the most powerful empire that has ever existed. Its ideology conquered the entire world in the 20th century. Even once reluctant China is now part of the great Free Market that the U.S. spread throughout the planet and, at times, forced upon unwilling nations.
Today, its armies and security agencies patrol the streets and sidewalks of around twenty countries in crisis, such as Mexico, where, hidden behind national security forces and later independently, they fight and capture drug lords.
Its culture dominates other cultures; its movie stars are the celebrities of the globe; its academics dictate universal discourse and American English is the lingua franca of today, just as Latin was during the Roman Empire.
Above all, and at the base of its power, the giants of U.S. capital govern the transnational economy, businesses that acquire surpluses from the four corners of the planet on a daily basis to deposit them on Wall Street, the street filled with skyscrapers in whose windows the sun turns gold. Read more.
By Sabina Berman
Translated by Stuart Taylor
Mexico Voices
For Fey Berman, my Mexican-American sister
According to conventional measurements of power, the United States is an empire. Actually, it is the most powerful empire that has ever existed. Its ideology conquered the entire world in the 20th century. Even once reluctant China is now part of the great Free Market that the U.S. spread throughout the planet and, at times, forced upon unwilling nations.
Today, its armies and security agencies patrol the streets and sidewalks of around twenty countries in crisis, such as Mexico, where, hidden behind national security forces and later independently, they fight and capture drug lords.
Its culture dominates other cultures; its movie stars are the celebrities of the globe; its academics dictate universal discourse and American English is the lingua franca of today, just as Latin was during the Roman Empire.
Above all, and at the base of its power, the giants of U.S. capital govern the transnational economy, businesses that acquire surpluses from the four corners of the planet on a daily basis to deposit them on Wall Street, the street filled with skyscrapers in whose windows the sun turns gold. Read more.
Feb 17, 2013
U.S. Immigration Reforms Demand Mexican 'Firmness' (La Jornada, Mexico)
"For Mexico, Obama's second term represents an opportunity to restore the imperative of immigration reform to the place it should never have lost. ... Of course, this depends not only on the correlation of political forces North of the Rio Bravo, but on the capacity of our national authorities to handle bi-national relations with an attitude of respect, and at the same time with sovereign firmness, leaving behind the shameful submission toward Washington that characterized the previous administration."
La Jornada, February 16, 2013
Translated By Halszka Czarnocka for World Meets
In an anachronistic private ceremony, president of the United States Barack Obama has begun the second term he won in the November election, to remain at the head of the country for the next four years. In contrast to January 20, 2009, when the first African-American was installed in the White House, on this occasion there is no exuberant optimism in the neighboring country, and the sensation of participation in a historic moment has been left behind.
The electoral triumph of the former Senator for Illinois over his Republican rival, Mitt Romney, is not a result of his society's bet on the future, as happened in 2008, but a victory of common sense. While the defeated presidential candidate was unable to express sensible and viable solutions to the urgent problems facing the most powerful country in the world, his Democratic opponent proved in his first term to be an efficient manager, even if his leadership brought better results for the corporate and geopolitical interests of the superpower than for the unresolved needs of the U.S. population.
La Jornada, February 16, 2013
Translated By Halszka Czarnocka for World Meets
In an anachronistic private ceremony, president of the United States Barack Obama has begun the second term he won in the November election, to remain at the head of the country for the next four years. In contrast to January 20, 2009, when the first African-American was installed in the White House, on this occasion there is no exuberant optimism in the neighboring country, and the sensation of participation in a historic moment has been left behind.
The electoral triumph of the former Senator for Illinois over his Republican rival, Mitt Romney, is not a result of his society's bet on the future, as happened in 2008, but a victory of common sense. While the defeated presidential candidate was unable to express sensible and viable solutions to the urgent problems facing the most powerful country in the world, his Democratic opponent proved in his first term to be an efficient manager, even if his leadership brought better results for the corporate and geopolitical interests of the superpower than for the unresolved needs of the U.S. population.
Jan 14, 2013
Obama Will Seek Citizenship Path in One Fast Push
The NY Times: Julia Preston
January 12, 2013
WASHINGTON — President Obama plans to push Congress to move quickly in the coming months on an ambitious overhaul of the immigration system that would include a path to citizenship for most of the 11 million illegal immigrants in the country, senior administration officials and lawmakers said last week.
Mr. Obama and Senate Democrats will propose the changes in one comprehensive bill, the officials said, resisting efforts by some Republicans to break the overhaul into smaller pieces — separately addressing young illegal immigrants, migrant farmworkers or highly skilled foreigners — which might be easier for reluctant members of their party to accept.
The president and Democrats will also oppose measures that do not allow immigrants who gain legal status to become American citizens one day, the officials said.
Even while Mr. Obama has been focused on fiscal negotiations and gun control, overhauling immigration remains a priority for him this year, White House officials said. Top officials there have been quietly working on a broad proposal. Mr. Obama and lawmakers from both parties believe that the early months of his second term offer the best prospects for passing substantial legislation on the issue. Read more.
January 12, 2013
WASHINGTON — President Obama plans to push Congress to move quickly in the coming months on an ambitious overhaul of the immigration system that would include a path to citizenship for most of the 11 million illegal immigrants in the country, senior administration officials and lawmakers said last week.
Mr. Obama and Senate Democrats will propose the changes in one comprehensive bill, the officials said, resisting efforts by some Republicans to break the overhaul into smaller pieces — separately addressing young illegal immigrants, migrant farmworkers or highly skilled foreigners — which might be easier for reluctant members of their party to accept.
The president and Democrats will also oppose measures that do not allow immigrants who gain legal status to become American citizens one day, the officials said.
Even while Mr. Obama has been focused on fiscal negotiations and gun control, overhauling immigration remains a priority for him this year, White House officials said. Top officials there have been quietly working on a broad proposal. Mr. Obama and lawmakers from both parties believe that the early months of his second term offer the best prospects for passing substantial legislation on the issue. Read more.
Oct 5, 2012
View from Mexico: The presidential debate on immigration
CS Monitor: On the eve of the first US presidential debate, Mexicans weigh in on where President Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney stand on immigration – and offer policy proposals of their own.
By Sara Miller Llana. Oct. 3rd. MEXICO CITY. If Republican candidate Mitt Romney is trying to woo Latino voters with a softened stance on immigration as he heads into his first debate with President Obama tonight, many of the relatives of those voters in Mexico are not buying it.
“I prefer Obama, the other one is very aggressive,” says Elizabeth Martinez, sweeping the sidewalk outside of the chic baby clothes store where she works inMexico City. “He wants to make it harder and harder for immigrants.”
Pressed for months to clarify his stance on immigration, Mr. Romney told The Denver Post on Monday that he, as president, would not take away the deferrals that were granted under an Obama order announced in June, giving certain young, law-abiding undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as minors a reprieve from deportation. Read more.
By Sara Miller Llana. Oct. 3rd. MEXICO CITY. If Republican candidate Mitt Romney is trying to woo Latino voters with a softened stance on immigration as he heads into his first debate with President Obama tonight, many of the relatives of those voters in Mexico are not buying it.
“I prefer Obama, the other one is very aggressive,” says Elizabeth Martinez, sweeping the sidewalk outside of the chic baby clothes store where she works inMexico City. “He wants to make it harder and harder for immigrants.”
Pressed for months to clarify his stance on immigration, Mr. Romney told The Denver Post on Monday that he, as president, would not take away the deferrals that were granted under an Obama order announced in June, giving certain young, law-abiding undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as minors a reprieve from deportation. Read more.
Aug 4, 2012
Young Immigrants Can File to Defer Deportation Aug. 15
Aug 2, 2012
Undocumented Immigrants Launch Bus Tour
Fronteras: Jude Joffe-Block. PHOENIX — A group of undocumented immigrants is launching a national bus tour from Arizona this week to promote immigrant rights and protest deportations. The riders are planning stops in Southern states that have passed restrictive immigration laws.
The bus tour's slogan is 'No Papers, No Fear.' The riders ultimately plan to arrive in North Carolina by the end of next month, in time for the Democratic National Convention.
The bus tour's slogan is 'No Papers, No Fear.' The riders ultimately plan to arrive in North Carolina by the end of next month, in time for the Democratic National Convention.
Jun 27, 2012
Casting ballots on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border
Of the 45,000 Mexicans registered to vote from the United States for the Mexican presidential elections, a small percentage of the estimated 11 million, several share their concerns for both Mexico's future and for their own presence and that of illegal immigrants in the United States.
CNN: Carlos Coria-Sanchez remembers the frantic phone calls and the fear in his family members' voices. His nephew had been kidnapped just outside Mexico City. Men wearing police uniforms held him hostage, robbed him and released him five hours later.
Coria-Sanchez also remembers the looks on the faces of dozens of children -- his own included -- as they waited outside a North Carolina courtroom while a judge weighed whether to deport their soccer coach.
These distinct moments in the 52-year-old professor's life have little to do with campaign signs or exit polls. But they are fresh in his mind as he prepares to cast ballots in two elections. Read more.
Coria-Sanchez also remembers the looks on the faces of dozens of children -- his own included -- as they waited outside a North Carolina courtroom while a judge weighed whether to deport their soccer coach.
These distinct moments in the 52-year-old professor's life have little to do with campaign signs or exit polls. But they are fresh in his mind as he prepares to cast ballots in two elections. Read more.
Mexico laments US Supreme Court ruling upholding part of Arizona immigration law
AP: MEXICO CITY — The Mexican government says it’s disappointed that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld part of an Arizona law requiring police check the immigration status of anyone they stop.
Mexico’s Foreign Relations Secretary notes that Monday’s ruling set aside as unconstitutional three parts of the controversial law, including the ability to arrest suspected illegal immigrants without warrants.
The Mexican government has openly opposed Arizona’s immigration law since it was passed in 2010. The statement said enforcing parts of the law that were upheld by the Supreme Court would lead to violations of the civil rights of Mexicans living in or visiting Arizona. It says the law doesn’t recognize the many contributions immigrants make to their communities. Read more.
Mexico’s Foreign Relations Secretary notes that Monday’s ruling set aside as unconstitutional three parts of the controversial law, including the ability to arrest suspected illegal immigrants without warrants.
The Mexican government has openly opposed Arizona’s immigration law since it was passed in 2010. The statement said enforcing parts of the law that were upheld by the Supreme Court would lead to violations of the civil rights of Mexicans living in or visiting Arizona. It says the law doesn’t recognize the many contributions immigrants make to their communities. Read more.
Jun 21, 2012
House approves waiver of border environmental laws
CBS News: WASHINGTON — The Republican-controlled House on Tuesday approved a bill that would allow the Border Patrol to circumvent more than a dozen environmental laws on all federally managed lands within 100 miles of the borders with Mexico and Canada.
Supporters said the measure is needed to give border agents unfettered access to rugged lands now controlled by the Interior Department and Forest Service. Laws such as the Wilderness Act and Endangered Species Act often prevent agents from driving vehicles on huge swaths of land, leaving it to wildlife, illegal immigrants and smugglers who can walk through the territory undisturbed, they said. Read more.
Supporters said the measure is needed to give border agents unfettered access to rugged lands now controlled by the Interior Department and Forest Service. Laws such as the Wilderness Act and Endangered Species Act often prevent agents from driving vehicles on huge swaths of land, leaving it to wildlife, illegal immigrants and smugglers who can walk through the territory undisturbed, they said. Read more.
Jun 20, 2012
Calderon Praises Obama's 'Courage' for New Immigration Policy
AP: LOS CABOS, Mexico – Mexico's President Felipe Calderón praised President Barack Obama while at the G20 summit for having the "courage" to limit the deportation of some young undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.
Calderón thanked Obama on behalf of the Mexican people for what he called a "valuable decision." Obama announced Friday that undocumented immigrants will be able to avoid deportation if they can prove they were brought to the U.S. before they turned 16 and are younger than 30, have been in the country for at least five continuous years, have no criminal history, and graduated from a U.S. high school or earned a GED or served in the military. Read more.
Calderón thanked Obama on behalf of the Mexican people for what he called a "valuable decision." Obama announced Friday that undocumented immigrants will be able to avoid deportation if they can prove they were brought to the U.S. before they turned 16 and are younger than 30, have been in the country for at least five continuous years, have no criminal history, and graduated from a U.S. high school or earned a GED or served in the military. Read more.
Jun 19, 2012
American Children, Now Struggling to Adjust to Life in Mexico
NY Times: IZÚCAR DE MATAMOROS, Mexico — Jeffrey Isidoro sat near the door of his fifth-grade classroom here in central Mexico, staring outside through designer glasses that, like his Nike sneakers and Nike backpack, signaled a life lived almost entirely in the United States. His parents are at home in Mexico. Jeffrey is lost.
When his teacher asked in Spanish how dolphins communicate, a boy next to him reached over to underline the right answer. When it was Jeffrey’s turn to read, his classmates laughed and shouted “en inglés, en inglés” — causing Jeffrey to blush. Read more.
When his teacher asked in Spanish how dolphins communicate, a boy next to him reached over to underline the right answer. When it was Jeffrey’s turn to read, his classmates laughed and shouted “en inglés, en inglés” — causing Jeffrey to blush. Read more.
Jun 18, 2012
Violence in Mexico little discussed by presidential candidates
CBS News: President Obama arrived last night in Los Cabos, Mexico, for the G-20 Summit, where he and other world leaders will spend today and tomorrow discussing how to address the European economic crisis.
Outside the security-heavy convention center, a different crisis is raging. In January, the Mexican government announced that 47,515 had been killed in drug-related violence since the start of President Felipe Calderon's term in late 2006. (The data counted deaths only through September; it is widely expected that the figure will hit 60,000 by the end of Calderon's term in December.) In 2011, there was a drug war-related death in Mexico roughly every half hour. Read more.
Outside the security-heavy convention center, a different crisis is raging. In January, the Mexican government announced that 47,515 had been killed in drug-related violence since the start of President Felipe Calderon's term in late 2006. (The data counted deaths only through September; it is widely expected that the figure will hit 60,000 by the end of Calderon's term in December.) In 2011, there was a drug war-related death in Mexico roughly every half hour. Read more.
Apr 5, 2012
Dem Senate candidates talk about Mexico’s drug war
NMPolitics.net: "Hector Balderas pledges to “stand up for the rule of law” in combating Mexico’s drug war and illegal drug use in the United States; Martin Heinrich says the conventional drug war “is simply not working” and supports a comprehensive approach to solving the problem." read more
Mar 10, 2012
Drug Policy Debate: End The Drug War, Mr. President
The New Republic: "If he were to earn a second term, Barack Obama should at least initiate the process of ending the War on Drugs. One reason is that the War on Drugs has been a massive failure by any serious estimation." read more
Mar 5, 2012
U.S.-Mexico Relations: U.S. sees the possibility of a woman president as "normal": Vázquez Mota
Milenio: "Mexico City • At the end of her meeting with U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, the PAN's candidate for President of the Republic, Josefina Vazquez Mota, described the meeting as "cordial, friendly and warm" and commented on the position of U.S. government towards her candidacy.
"I saw him as respectful of the Mexican electoral process and with a view that for Mexico to have a woman president would be absolutely normal. These aren't his words verbatim, but again, he was very respectful and he spoke of the importance of female winners, successful ones, and the effort it represents," she told a news conference.
Vázquez Mota asked Biden to expand and diversify the bilateral agenda, not just in security matters. The candidate also stated that the U.S. official expressed to her the desire of President Barack Obama to have a "more flexible" immigration agenda.
In this regard, she said: "I asked the vice president that both governments work to prevent the migration agenda from becoming an electoral agenda, one of polarization, given that 12 million Mexican citizens are living in the United States."
During the closed-door meeting that lasted for 50 minutes, the vice president acknowledged the federal government's strategy on security and addressed the issue of combating money "laundering".
Regarding political affairs, the PAN candidate raised the need for a coalition government: "I shared with the vice president my plan to build the first citizen coalition government for Mexico, the first coalition government that allows us to strengthen the country's agenda, building agreements in Congress that are required for the reforms that the country and millions of Mexicans demand."" Spanish original
"I saw him as respectful of the Mexican electoral process and with a view that for Mexico to have a woman president would be absolutely normal. These aren't his words verbatim, but again, he was very respectful and he spoke of the importance of female winners, successful ones, and the effort it represents," she told a news conference.
Vázquez Mota asked Biden to expand and diversify the bilateral agenda, not just in security matters. The candidate also stated that the U.S. official expressed to her the desire of President Barack Obama to have a "more flexible" immigration agenda.
In this regard, she said: "I asked the vice president that both governments work to prevent the migration agenda from becoming an electoral agenda, one of polarization, given that 12 million Mexican citizens are living in the United States."
During the closed-door meeting that lasted for 50 minutes, the vice president acknowledged the federal government's strategy on security and addressed the issue of combating money "laundering".
Regarding political affairs, the PAN candidate raised the need for a coalition government: "I shared with the vice president my plan to build the first citizen coalition government for Mexico, the first coalition government that allows us to strengthen the country's agenda, building agreements in Congress that are required for the reforms that the country and millions of Mexicans demand."" Spanish original
U.S.-Mexico Relations: Biden agrees not to intervene in the electoral process: AMLO
Milenio: "Mexico City • After an hour-long meeting with Joseph Biden, the candidate of the left, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, said that the vice president of the United States pledged not to intervene in the electoral process and to accept the results next July 1.
"It was important for him to express the commitment not to intervene in the process, it was important what he told me, that the U.S. will respect the will of Mexico and reach agreement with whomever is president," said the presidential candidate of the left.
Lopez Obrador said that there ought to be a new relationship of respect and mutual support between the two countries because they are neighboring countries which share three thousand miles of border, making it necessary to strive to have a good understanding.
Obrador handed over a document which presented more of his policies on various topics such as energy, security, education, etc.. Although, because of the time, he could not delve into all the issues, Andrés Manuel explained that the country's economic growth for employment has to be attained so that there is employment and that the violence in Mexico is provoked by corruption." Spanish original
"It was important for him to express the commitment not to intervene in the process, it was important what he told me, that the U.S. will respect the will of Mexico and reach agreement with whomever is president," said the presidential candidate of the left.
Lopez Obrador said that there ought to be a new relationship of respect and mutual support between the two countries because they are neighboring countries which share three thousand miles of border, making it necessary to strive to have a good understanding.
Obrador handed over a document which presented more of his policies on various topics such as energy, security, education, etc.. Although, because of the time, he could not delve into all the issues, Andrés Manuel explained that the country's economic growth for employment has to be attained so that there is employment and that the violence in Mexico is provoked by corruption." Spanish original
U.S.-Mexico Relations: We ought to discuss how to achieve better results against crime: Peña
Milenio: "Mexico City • Enrique Peña Nieto finished his meeting with U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden empahsizing the importance of coordinating actions for economic growth in Mexico and the intention to continue the fight against insecurity, but with another strategy.
At the end of the meeting, the PRI candidate presented to the American his interest in improving the country's economic growth that so far has had poor results, since he considers this also to be a tool to reduce the lack of security.
As regards the fight against crime, he reiterated that it is an unwavering commitment and the discussion is not whether or not to fight but how to achieve better results.
He noted that the change in administrations in both governments that will be almost simultaneous opens the opportunity to broaden the relationship and the benefits to go further in terms of trade.
Regarding the statement by the vice president, he agreed with Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador that the U.S. government has committed itself to respect the vote of Mexicans and there will be no favoritism toward any candidate." Spanish original
At the end of the meeting, the PRI candidate presented to the American his interest in improving the country's economic growth that so far has had poor results, since he considers this also to be a tool to reduce the lack of security.
As regards the fight against crime, he reiterated that it is an unwavering commitment and the discussion is not whether or not to fight but how to achieve better results.
He noted that the change in administrations in both governments that will be almost simultaneous opens the opportunity to broaden the relationship and the benefits to go further in terms of trade.
Regarding the statement by the vice president, he agreed with Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador that the U.S. government has committed itself to respect the vote of Mexicans and there will be no favoritism toward any candidate." Spanish original
Mar 2, 2012
Drug War: Rep. Michael McCaul proposes a bill that would redirect U.S. resources from Pakistan to Mexican drug war
Houston Chronicle: "Texas Rep. Michael McCaul is exasperated with the government of Pakistan and thinks that the U.S. should be spending more money to combat Mexican drug cartels.
This week, he combined his two views into a single piece of legislation.
McCaul introduced a proposal that would restrict U.S. foreign aid to Pakistan unless the Asian nuclear power can prove that it is not working with terrorist organizations (specifically the Haqqani network). The aid would be used to fight the war against Mexican cartels." read more
This week, he combined his two views into a single piece of legislation.
McCaul introduced a proposal that would restrict U.S. foreign aid to Pakistan unless the Asian nuclear power can prove that it is not working with terrorist organizations (specifically the Haqqani network). The aid would be used to fight the war against Mexican cartels." read more
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)