By: Alina De Varona

Why is it that the economic tragedies I’ve seen in my lifetime have been on GOP (it stands for “Grand Old Party” aka Republicans) watch?  Why is it they do business with and borrow money from the largest Communist country in the world but call themselves patriotic?  I must be missing something.

In the 70s, Richard Nixon, a Republican (1969-1974), starts trade with China.  U.S. corporations send their manufacturing jobs to China where they put millions of Chinese to work.  This new policy puts many Americans out of work but allows them to purchase goods made in China for much less than those made in America.  U.S. corporations see the growth of profit margins because manufacturing in China cuts their operating costs.

In the 80s, Republican Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) does the same with even less reserve.  His “conservative” economic policies caused huge budget deficits, quadrupling the United States national debt.  1983 was marked by high unemployment figures.

On December 17, 1992, George H.W. Bush signed into NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement).  NAFTA put another nail in the coffin which brought on a decline in employment opportunities within manufacturing industries and increases in trade deficits.

Left without places to work, the unemployed, unskilled American laborers are left to fend for themselves and we see a rise in poverty, welfare enrollment, and crime.  Drug dealing becomes a career of choice for many of the poor, and all of it affects the social landscape because what affects our neighbors, eventually affects us.

Finally, George “Dubya” Bush gets re-elected to a second term even though he was not successful in the first.  He sells us on the idea that disagreeing with his administration’s  policies means we are leftists (communists).  In his second term he occupies Iraq, a country that poses no threat whatsoever, but does have the second largest petroleum deposits in the world just sitting there.  Why didn’t he put us into debt by going to war with our open enemies like sayyyyyyy Iran or North Korea?  If one of our pretexts for going in was Saddam Hussein’s violations of human rights, why didn’t we go to war with China, the biggest violator of human rights in the world?  Naahhh.  They’re too big and too powerful and we owed them money so they’d be extra pissed.

Okay, so if you’ve been paying attention, you know that not only did we send our manufacturing jobs to human-rights-violator China and facilitated their economic growth while crushing our own by making a few richer and millions poorer, George Bush borrows money from China to compensate for outrageous spending on an immoral and unnecessary war, and leaves the country in a worse position than Reagan left it.  Sure, Obama borrowed some more to try to correct some of the mess he inherited from Bush, but he also went to China a few weeks ago to come to some kind of accord in correcting the trade imbalance.

The GOP agenda, and those that gain from it, handed our super-power status to communists.  Thanks to the GOP, we’re no longer the greatest country in the world, we’re the greediest and the least politically informed.  So, if selling your people out for profit is the “Right” thing to do, I’m proud to be wrong.

Click here and see where you fall on the Left vs. Right spectrum.

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Being Latino is a communication platform designed to educate, entertain and connect all peoples across the global Latino spectrum.  Our aim is to break down barriers and foster unity and empowerment through informative, thought-provoking dialogue and exchanging of ideas.  Being Latino seeks to give a unified voice to the multitude of communities that identify with the multidimensional culture that is Latino.
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by Rolando Ortiz aka “El Cholo Poeta”

I have been waiting four-teen years to write this blog even way before I knew what blogging was. A dear friend of mine Robert Amaya AKA: lil Toker came home from a four-teen year stay in the California Prison System. I know how I felt when I was coming home and I can just imagine what runs through his mind after four-teen years. When I seen him getting off the car a million emotions where running through my head. He made it home, he is free to get up and walk through this world he has missed out on.

Robert is an amazing artist, tattoos and on paper so I’m trying to get him to paint on canvas. You never know he can be the next Diego Rivera or Simon Silva, I just want him to stay positive and free. I took him on a shopping spree to try to change his style; you know no more dressing like a gangster. When I asked him what size he was he said I don’t know! He said he doesn’t know what’s in style. So I picked out a few things and I seen this look of happiness and appreciation on his face. The last year or so of his sentence was a difficult one and a test for that matter. He lost his mom and dad that year and was involved in a prison riot where he was charged with an assault and sent to the hole and given more time.

He was able to overcome those obstacles and keep focus on his release date. We have talked and he seems to be doing well but is going through what we all go through when we come home. We have agreed that I will be his sort of sponsor, so if he feels like he needs to talk I will be there for him. I want him to succeed and find his own identity in life as I have. The gangster life really does give you two options, death or incarceration and I think he realizes that. He has goals and he is ambitious to live a positive life, I can’t make decisions for him but I can give him advice and encouragement. All our other friends are doing life in prison and he realizes he has a second chance at life as I had. He tells me how hard it’s been getting an I.D or social security number and birth certificate. Now he will face rejection when he looks for a job as I did and I hope he doesn’t give up and from what I see he won’t, he is a smart man he did survive all that time in prison and we all know Cali prisons are no joke. So I will continue to be his sponsor and his ear and his brother and most important his friend and support. I just want him to make it out in this world, too many of us don’t and it feels good to have someone from the same tree around. He left my best friend behind, this guys is like a brother to me and is serving a thirty plus years sentence and I am just happy that Robert has a chance to do something with himself and I hope with my influence, guidance and experience he can. We can all do it, it just takes discipline and determination because nothing good comes easy.

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About Being Latino:

Being Latino is a communication platform designed to educate, entertain and connect all peoples across the global Latino spectrum.  Our aim is to break down barriers and foster unity and empowerment through informative, thought-provoking dialogue and exchanging of ideas.  Being Latino seeks to give a unified voice to the multitude of communities that identify with the multidimensional culture that is Latino.
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By: Efrain Nieves

The pope was attacked in the Vatican on Christmas Eve. A woman jumped over the guardrail and grabbed the pope bringing him to the ground.

Why would someone attack another person for no apparent reason is beyond me and on Christmas eve, but goes to show the kind of world we live in.

Here is the raw footage para que ustedes lo vean.

Your thoughts?

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About Being Latino:

Being Latino is a communication platform designed to educate, entertain and connect all peoples across the global Latino spectrum.  Our aim is to break down barriers and foster unity and empowerment through informative, thought-provoking dialogue and exchanging of ideas.  Being Latino seeks to give a unified voice to the multitude of communities that identify with the multidimensional culture that is Latino.
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via (Latinos Doing Their Thing)

Mariela Dabbah

Mariela Dabbah is an award-winning, best-selling author of several books that help Latinos navigate the American system. Amongst her titles: “Latinos in College: Your Guide to Success”, “Help your Children Succeed in School,” “Help your Children Succeed in High School and Go to College,” “How to Get a Job in the US,” and “The Latino Advantage in the Workplace,” co-authored with Arturo Poire.

As a professional national speaker Mariela conducts keynote speeches, workshops and seminars for corporations such as General Electric, American Express, Exxon/Mobil, Citigroup, HBO, Goldman Sachs, Verizon, JPMorgan Chase, AIG, and McDonald’s, for professional associations such as the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and at universities such as Harvard, Yale, NYU and University of Michigan.

She is a frequent guest on TV and radio shows such as: “Good Morning America” “Today in New York”, “All things considered” (NPR), “Despierta América”, “Noticiero Univision con Jorge Ramos y Maria Elena Salinas,” News 12, and numerous other local and national shows. She’s currently the education/career online coach for AOL Latino “Tu Voz” and contributes to numerous publications and websites.

Since 2006 Mariela has been the National Spokesperson for McDonald’s Education Program for Latinos..

Mariela received her Masters degree in Philosophy and Literature from the University of Buenos Aires.

To Find out more about Mariela, go to:

www.marieladabbah.com

www.marielablog.com

www.latinosincollege.com

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That’s Mariela Dabbah’s story

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About Being Latino:

Being Latino is a communication platform designed to educate, entertain and connect all peoples across the global Latino spectrum.  Our aim is to break down barriers and foster unity and empowerment through informative, thought-provoking dialogue and exchanging of ideas.  Being Latino seeks to give a unified voice to the multitude of communities that identify with the multidimensional culture that is Latino.
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By: Rolando Ortiz aka “El Cholo Poeta”

I received a call last week from my friend @Felix Zuniga and his wife @Martha D.-Z. They wanted me to come speak at a town hall meeting in Coachella, California. This small city has had an increase in gang violence. There have been three murders in the last three weeks. The community has taken a stand and decided to have a meeting with Women Against Violence and other community members. As I drove up towards the local park, I was quickly awaken by the sea of white chairs and people.  People that care about their community. These people are taking a stand against gangs and violence. They are not waiting till the gang problem becomes overwhelming. They are fighting this issue as a community. Mothers, fathers, sons and daughters were all present to discuss the issues.

I was so honored to be a guest speaker and to witness the unity of this community. One person in particular caught my attention- @Dr. Raul Ruiz. Ruiz was born and raised in Coachella. After graduating college, he decided to come back to serve his community. He serves as an inspiration to me and others in the community. People talk about Latinos not being united and this just proves that we are and we are growing as a people. This show of unity and support almost made me forget for a second that three young men lost their lives in order for this to happen. Those three young men didn’t meet an early demise for nothing. They met an early demise to wake up the sleepers in their community. Coachella needed to show their unity and the people from Coachella surely answered that. They opened their hearts and minds to residents and strangers to wake up the sleepers. They held candles as a sign of unity and posters as a message of unity. As they walked around the park, you can feel the power of unity. They even walked to the site where the last young man met his early demise. As they served pan dulce and hot chocolate (thanks to Martha’s parents) I was talking to teens from the community.

I was fortunate to speak with the person in charge of the local boys and girls club about working with them and their kids. What it comes down to is that we need to be united as a community to make a real difference. What I witnessed in Coachella is a testament to that and I would like to thank the following people for making this happen, Felix and Martha Zuniga, Dr. Raul Ruiz and @ Cirenia Guerrero and most important the residents from Coachella who showed up to take back their community.

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About Being Latino:

Being Latino is a communication platform designed to educate, entertain and connect all peoples across the global Latino spectrum.  Our aim is to break down barriers and foster unity and empowerment through informative, thought-provoking dialogue and exchanging of ideas.  Being Latino seeks to give a unified voice to the multitude of communities that identify with the multidimensional culture that is Latino.
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by Lee Anthony Nieves

Where is the love in politics?  You know, that mushy, feel-good warmth that makes the body and mind quiver and cave in to just about anything just for the sake of getting along, not making turbulent waves, not wanting to upset another so as to avoid a crisis, unless, of course, it’s with American conservatives.  That is the question many on the right are asking today.

Never mind that President Obama did not get the support of conservatives in the last election.  There’s no love lost in that regard.  He didn’t need them either way to reach the pinnacle of power.  He ran a campaign around the country and to Berlin proclaiming a New American Left vision of peace and prosperity in our time.

However, what’s happened since January 20, 2009 is remarkable.  The left has become embittered of Obama for his lack of an outright binding international agreement to curb what they see as man-made global warming (despite clear evidence there is no such phenomenon).

His healthcare legislation before congress is so confusing to read (2,000 pages long for each house version) the only way it’s been able to get support from many in his party is for the Democratic congressional leadership to bribe members with millions in pork.  Thus, bringing the cost up for “free universal healthcare” considerably beyond what the Democrats say.

Obama’s reluctance to even send more troops to Afghanistan, dithering for 90 days before reaching a decision in late November, didn’t appease the left either which had sought complete abandonment of the war against Islamic jihadism.

His decision to close down the Guantanamo Bay detention facility by January 2010 has been extended a few months to the consternation of his radical base, as Obama has met scores of vitriol for even closing the facility, let alone bringing several hundred jihadis over onto US soil to receive the full constitutional rights that we Americans cherish so much.

Yet, despite this banking to the hard left in an effort to prove to the world community that “Hope” and “Change” has finally arrived in the Land of the Free, Home of the Brave, why is President Obama not being respected by real radicals like Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, Cuba’s Castro’s, Iran’s Ahmedinejad, the Russian duo of Putin and Medvedev, and China’s Wen Jiabao?

Commented Chavez at Copenhagen after Obama had spoken that the podium smelled like sulphur.   The Cuban foreign minister called Obama an “imperial and arrogant liar,” as Fidel remarked that despite the “smile and African-American face,” Obama was simply masking the US’s true intentions towards the developing nations.  And, to add insult to injury, neither the Chinese nor Russian leaders attend a meeting organized by Obama with Gordon Brown, Angela Merkel, and Nicolas Sarkozy over climate change in Copenhagen.  What gives?

As the infamous Rodney King would ask, Can’t we all just get along?  Better ask the left first!

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About Being Latino:

Being Latino is a communication platform designed to educate, entertain and connect all peoples across the global Latino spectrum.  Our aim is to break down barriers and foster unity and empowerment through informative, thought-provoking dialogue and exchanging of ideas.  Being Latino seeks to give a unified voice to the multitude of communities that identify with the multidimensional culture that is Latino.
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By: Melissa Garcia Logan

This morning, I watched my sons open their gifts. We relaxed in our living room, in the safe and warm comfort of home. We hung Christmas decorations this year, both inside and outside of the house. Many of our neighbors did the same: beautiful lights, festive snowmen, and the occasional nativity. Every year our compadres put a simple, lit, nativity in their front yard, just Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in a plain wooden manger.

It’s easy to forget how hard fought our freedoms are. The wars that were fought to free us from persecution, to allow us the benefit of an open press, free speech, and to put flagrantly religious symbols in our front yards and windows were fought long ago. Each year, many of us celebrate Christmas with parrandas and pasados. We celebrate the coming of a special newborn. Many of us celebrate the coming of the loot, and others celebrate the diversity of our nation by sharing their happiness of this winter season with friends and family from other religions.

The story is that Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem and were twice refused entry to inns because they were full. Newborn Jesus was born in a stable and important people came, the first pilgrims, to adore him. But now, as modern pilgrims make their way to Bethlehem, they must beware targeted acts of violence. Modern Bethlehem is part of the Palestinian state: a long disputed area of the Middle East that is wracked by violence and war. We associate our winter season with peace and good will, but for others, it is a time of strife and conflict, even in the holiest places.

I see so many messages this time of year that are hostile and aggressive, pushing people to “remember the reason for the season.” Messages that say, “Merry Christmas, it’s okay to say it,” even though Christians are the religious majority in our nation. Messages that condemn “Happy Holidays” as unchristian, instead of celebrating it as inclusive. We cannot allow the tyranny of the majority to persecute our brothers and sisters in the minority. We have to find a way to end the fighting.

Pray for peace this season, even if you’re not religious,. Pray for acceptance and tolerance. Pray for peaceful resolution to long-standing conflicts, both in our own lives as well as in the world at large. Pray for the intolerant, the innocent, our soldiers, and for our world leaders. Pray that the true message of Christ finds its way into the hearts of all people, whether they are Christians or Muslims or Buddhists or Jews—Not that they find Christ, but that they live the decent, loving lives that Christ wished for us. We need the peace of unity now more than ever.

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About Being Latino:

Being Latino is a communication platform designed to educate, entertain and connect all peoples across the global Latino spectrum.  Our aim is to break down barriers and foster unity and empowerment through informative, thought-provoking dialogue and exchanging of ideas.  Being Latino seeks to give a unified voice to the multitude of communities that identify with the multidimensional culture that is Latino.
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By: Rolando Ortiz aka “El Cholo Poeta”

As I walked into the house I can smell the roasted chilies in the air and the tamales on the stove. With the house radio blasting old school Alfredo Jimenez, my dad greats me with a shot of tequila and a nice cold Corona and the biggest hug ever. I walk in the kitchen to see what I can taste my mom walks up to me and pats me in the ass along with a hug and a kiss. My four brothers are sitting around the table waiting for me and my dad to sit down, that means one thing…… time to play cards.

No matter what hand any of us had my dad had a way to beat us. My brother Victor would always cheat and my brother Rodrigo didn’t know how to play. My brother Mario and I gave my dad a run for his money though. As the shots continued and the Coronas continued we would talk about things we did as children. My dad and I were very close, I mean I was his baby since I was the youngest of seven. We would ask my dad how he was able to give all of us gifts for Christmas on a warehouse salary. We didn’t have much but we always had something, he always made sure of that.

The two bed room house in East L.A would be so packed that if the fire department would show up they would shut the party down. My four brothers and two sisters and all their kids were wild. The kids would be running around the back and front yard, some fighting and others just hanging out. I could see the happiness in my dad’s eyes. He loved having all his kids and grand kids over. Even though I wasn’t around much because I was out with my homeboys or incarcerated it felt good to be home. Soon, I would have a son and he would get to experience this as well and again when I wasn’t around because of my lifestyle, my dad was there to fill in my shoes. My dad was the backbone of the family and few years after my son was born my dad passed away.

That year we all decided to get together for Christmas but to be honest it wasn’t the same. With the lost of my dad and the lack of holiday spirit already in me made this very hard. But someone put the music on and some one cracked open a bottle and broke out the cards. My dad’s spirit was finally here and everyone began drinking and eating and talking about all the bad things we have done. My mom said my dad is looking down at us smiling; she thanked me for coming and bringing my son. She also said that my dad was proud of me for changing my ways. I know my dad wasn’t happy that I was in a gang or happy that I have done time behind bars. That was the best thing about Christmas, all that didn’t matter. The fact that I didn’t talk to some of my sisters and brothers was out the door on Christmas. We put all that aside for my parents, more for my dad because I know that killed him. Holidays are for families to be one., to be fruitful. Tomorrow is not promised so we need to appreciate today.

This Christmas when you’re around family let them know you love them; let them know you appreciate them. What I would do to have one Christmas with my dad would frighten you! So know I have to hand down what my dad gave me to my two sons and let my family know I love them. I wish everyone a very happy holiday and when your around family and you get that feeling deep inside of you, think about how lucky your are to be alive and around the people that love you and smile.

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About Being Latino:

Being Latino is a communication platform designed to educate, entertain and connect all peoples across the global Latino spectrum.  Our aim is to break down barriers and foster unity and empowerment through informative, thought-provoking dialogue and exchanging of ideas.  Being Latino seeks to give a unified voice to the multitude of communities that identify with the multidimensional culture that is Latino.
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By: Paola Cancellieri

In Mexico December 16th marks the beginning of the Posadas. These candelight processions will continue for 9 nights up to Noche Buena ( Christmas Eve).  The posadas reenact the journey of Mary and Joseph  searching for shelter in Bethlehem.  Little children are dressed as Mary & Joseph.  Most of the time Mary will be riding a Mule. However in some places the Pilgrims while singing, carry statues of Joseph leading a Mule with Mary on it.

During this huge reenactment while asking for shelter, the celebrants will be rejected in the 2 first houses. This is to reenact the refusal Mary and Joseph experienced according to The Bible.  Not until the 3rd home will they be welcomed & the Pelegrinos (pilgrims) will enter the home & offer prayers.

But as Latinos you know we know how to celebrate & we do it well!  Prepared and provided by all the celebrants, they enjoy Ponche (Natural Fruit Punch)  & Foods after prayer. Also the children have fun breaking Piñatas filled with goodies!  A moment where everyone is like family.

Celebration will be to the fullest on Noche Buena.  This last night they offer a midnight mass where we remember the REAL reason why we celebrate Christmas ~ The Birth of Jesus. After the Mass they all gather at the Hosting home & celebrate the birth of The Lord Jesus Christ.  Also on January 6th El Dia de Los Reyes ~OR ~The Day of The Kings, the children will receive 3 gifts reenacting the 3 gift the Three Kings gave baby Jesus.

However, Children also get gifts now on Christmas day due to the recent trend of Santa Claus.
Indeed it’s the most wonderful time of the year!  But as Latinos this time of the year is much more then opening presents & shimmering lights.  We are full of color, pride & traditions!   It’s important to keep our traditions alive & pass them on from generation to generation. The moment we loose them, we loose our essence.

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About Being Latino:

Being Latino is a communication platform designed to educate, entertain and connect all peoples across the global Latino spectrum.  Our aim is to break down barriers and foster unity and empowerment through informative, thought-provoking dialogue and exchanging of ideas.  Being Latino seeks to give a unified voice to the multitude of communities that identify with the multidimensional culture that is Latino.
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Amongst the chaos & mayhem that is a constant blanket over humanity where can we find peace?

by Lisa Castro

Is it in the guidance of a parent?
In words of hope that form our religion.
In music that has lyrics laced with the emotions that run through us.
Maybe it’s in knowledge and in the power of simply knowing.
Maybe it lies in the strength of an army that protects our nation or the imposed justice system that is in place to protect & serve its people.
Is it possible to find peace from the touch of a lover?
Or in the eyes of your child?

I once found peace in the landscape of a fading sun while the breeze touched my face.

Do you close your eyes and take yourself to that place, the place of brief tranquility.

Whatever form of peace you seek, May you find it within you first.
For everything is forever changing and what one day may hold our peace, we may find it gone the next.

So then we are left with that which we possess within.

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About Being Latino:

Being Latino is a communication platform designed to educate, entertain and connect all peoples across the global Latino spectrum.  Our aim is to break down barriers and foster unity and empowerment through informative, thought-provoking dialogue and exchanging of ideas.  Being Latino seeks to give a unified voice to the multitude of communities that identify with the multidimensional culture that is Latino.
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