Judge upholds key parts of Ala. immigration law! FINALLY!!!!!

 

For years now I've been accosted by people trying to get me to support the efforts of illegal immigrants on this oh so hot topic....why? I don’t know. The law is the law, here is how I see it; am I in favor of amnesty? No. Am I in favor of charging those who have been caught trying to commit or committing a crime? Yes. Is being in this country or any other country without the proper authorization illegal? YES! In addition to this, there are those who argue that illegal aliens have rights….exactly what rights do they have? Last I recall, all US citizens do have rights in this country, but isn’t that the issue to begin with, they are not U.S. citizens, nor are they guests, or tourists or any other legally recognized designation though Immigration and Naturalization Services. I’ve heard people say, this is racism! No, I don’t think so, regardless of whether you are Chinese, Armenian, Russian, Indian, Japanese, African, Australian or Canadian if you are here illegally, you are committing a crime.

More on this amnesty topic, I understand it to be interpreted as this, if you’ve lived in this country for x amount of years and your still not legal then you should be able to stay legally. So I guess if I rob a bank and don’t get caught for x amount of years…I get to keep the money and not go to prison? Or how about this example….I have a home in several states….so its possible for me to not be in one of them for more than a year….one day I decide to fly to New York and stay in my apartment there…when I get there, there is a family living there. I didn’t invite them, I don’t know them and so I call the police and report them. NYPD arrives and promptly tells me that they can do nothing, because this family has been living in my home for a years or so…yes illegally, but since I didn’t catch them breaking into my home, I have to give them amnesty and let them stay! OH YEAH, and provide food, health care and an education for their children. And we wonder why hospitals in places like L.A are closing. Finally, I’m going to touch on the latin issue. There has been arguments that our government only focus on latins, Mexican in particular. Simply put, statistically, latins and Mexicans make up the majority of illegal aliens in this country, and this makes sense, because aside from Canada they are the only nationality of people that can enter the USA without having to get on an airplane or a large ship…which verify and investigate entry documents, and last I checked there wasn’t a handful of Canadians scrambling to live in the USA.

Well, I think you get my point and definitely understand where I stand on this topic, and yes, I even have a personal interest in immigration that if you are curious enough to want to know about, I’d be more than happy to share with you, just e-mail me, or post to this blog. In the meantime, I’ve found a bit of good news on this issue out of Alabama, that I believe is on the right track, and I do support Arizona as well!

------REPOSTED---------

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge refused Wednesday to block key parts of a closely watched Alabama law that is considered the strictest state effort to clamp down on illegal immigration, including a measure that requires immigration checks of public school students.

U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn wrote in a 115-page opinion finding some parts of the law that conflict with federal statutes, but others that don't. Left standing at least temporarily are several key elements that help make the Alabama law stricter than similar laws passed in Arizona, Utah, Indiana and Georgia. Other federal judges already have blocked all or parts of those.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said most of the law was still intact and the state will enforce it. He planned to work with the state attorney general's office to appeal those parts that the judge blocked. The judge's previous order blocking the entire law expires Thursday.

"With those parts that were upheld, we have the strongest immigration law in the country," he said. "I believe that all sections of our law will be upheld."

There are three separate lawsuits against the Alabama law, including the main challenge from President Barack Obama's administration. In all, Blackburn's orders temporarily blocked several parts of the law until she can issue a final ruling. Those measures would:

— Make it a crime for an illegal immigrant to solicit work.

— Make it a crime to transport or harbor an illegal immigrant.

— Allow discrimination lawsuits against companies that dismiss legal workers while hiring illegal immigrants.

— Forbid businesses from taking tax deductions for wages paid to workers who are in the country illegally.

— Bar illegal immigrants from attending public colleges.

— Bar drivers from stopping along a road to hire temporary workers.

— Make federal verification the only way in court to determine if someone is here legally.

 

The judge could still allow any or allow of those sections to take effect after further litigation.

 

Blackburn, who was appointed by Republican President George H.W. Bush, heard arguments from opponents including the Obama administration, immigrant-support groups and civil libertarians before it was supposed to take effect Sept. 1. The Justice Department contended the state law encroaches on the federal government's duty to enforce immigration law, and other opponents argued it violated basic rights to free speech and travel.

 

The judge Blackburn said federal law doesn't prohibit checking students or suspects pulled over by police. She also refused to stop provisions that allow police to hold suspected illegal immigrants without bond; bar state courts from enforcing contracts involving illegal immigrants; make it a felony for an illegal immigrant to do business with the state for basic things like obtaining drivers licenses; and make it a misdemeanor for an illegal resident not to have immigration papers.

 

Immigration became a hot issue in Alabama over the last decade as the state's Hispanic population grew by 145 percent to about 185,600. While the group still represents only about 4 percent of the population, some counties in north Alabama have large Spanish-speaking communities and schools where most of the students are Hispanic.

 

Alabama Republicans have long sought to clamp down on illegal immigration and passed the law earlier this year after gaining control of the Legislature for the first time since Reconstruction. Bentley signed it, saying it was vital to protect jobs of legal residents.

 

Agricultural leaders fear those parts of the law could cost farmers money this autumn by scaring away Hispanic workers who are vital to harvesting crops statewide.

 

"There are some sweet potato farmers in this state it's really going to hurt. I don't know how they're going to get their crops out," said Jeremy Calvert, a farmer in rural Bremen.

Zan Green, a tea party activist in metro Birmingham, said she was happy with the decision, saying citizens of foreign countries have benefitted for years through welfare, entitlements, education, medical care and child tax credits.

 

"''Judge Blackburn's ruling is the beginning of removing the enormous financial burden of illegal immigration from the backs of Alabama citizens," she said in a statement.

 

Both supporters and critics say it is the nation's toughest partly because of the section that would require public schools to verify the citizenship status of students and report statistics to the state. Illegal immigrants wouldn't be barred attending public schools, but opponents contend the law is designed to decrease enrollment by creating a climate of fear.

In a statement on behalf of 150 United Methodist pastors who signed a letter opposing the law, Revs. Matt Lacey and R.G. Lyons said church leaders were "pleased to see some of the harsh and far-reaching elements of the law have been struck down."

"We feel that many of these elements, written by members of the State House and Senate who campaign on Christianity, are not representative of the message of Christ who welcomed the stranger despite country of origin or status," they said.

 

___ Associated Press Writer Phillip Rawls contributed to this report from Montgomery.

The Best of The Best

VANGUARD LOUNGE-Las Vegas, NV

Fifth Avenue, meets Sunset Blvd. is how I’d describe Vanguard Lounge in Las Vegas. I’ve been a subscriber of the Robbreport magazine ‘For the Affluent Lifestyle” for more than fifteen years and every year they tour the globe in search of “The Best of the Best” from five star hotels and automobiles that have a base price higher than the median US home mortgage, to timepieces such as Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe! They are as detailed as to include writing instruments and of course fine dining and haute couture. So what’s missing?

Vanguard Lounge of course! Defined, Vanguard means either; the foremost position in an army or fleet advancing into battle or the foremost or leading position in a trend or movement. I’d bet my next of “His Majesty’s Reserve” cigars that the proprietor of this lounge was leaning more in the direction of the latter and rightfully so as I recently discovered upon a detour of the beginning of my evening out in Las Vegas, on a Monday no less.

As I entered I was impressed by the essence of East coast sheek combined with West Coast cool; of the not underdressed nor pretentiously overdressed lounge goers (with the exception of myself, tongue I cheek) averaging in their twenties and thirties. This is a cozy, but spacious in appearance and well appointed lounge that also has a DJ spinning house on the weekends. The bar stools are comfortable! I know, I just threw that in simply put, but I had to mention it. This is not to say that the white reptilian print leather stools are only comfortable….Vanguard has found a way to make their lounge both comfortable and quite posh. With all of the contemporary design, cool and happy people (did I mention this was a Monday?) and the low glow of snow white candles lining the bar back I was sure to believe that the price of my glass of Vina Echeverria Cabernet, from Molina Chile was going to require that I dip into the equity of my home and as I would attempt to sooth my nerves after signing said check by lighting one of my beloved cigars I would be promptly escorted out onto my arse for SMOKING!

HA! No such luck, the vanguard is not only smoker friendly, and houses a selection of locally rolled Imperial Connericut (not Connecticut) and Churchill Connericut cigars that it turned out I’d smoked for years and find quite pleasant for a daily smoke, but Vanguard is well ventilated and also has a small sidewalk lounge area for those who enjoy people watching on the famed Fremont Street, just a stones throw from the “Freemont Street Experience” and next door to other trendy and hip establishments.

The prices on all of their drinks are reasonable and the place is ventilated so that I didn’t notice any smoke even as I enjoyed my cigar without guilt. Another look at their menu and you can enjoy a non-alcoholic selection of house made sodas in such flavors as Lavender and Hibiscus. Oh yes, if you find that your quick stop here before “going out” turns into being out and staying at the Vanguard as it turned out for me…good news, they have an ATM machine so you don’t have to pause for the cause of going back to that safe of yours in your hotel for more cash!

“Lead follow or get out of the way” was the saying of Thomas Paine the English born American Writer and political pamphleteer, whose ‘Common Sense and ‘Crisis’ papers were important influences on the American Revolution. I don’t think the Vanguard will be spearheading any revolutions, but they as their namesake implies have definitely chosen to take the lead, as what I will vote, the Best of the Best in Las Vegas lounges for locals and tourists alike!

Vanguard Lounge

516 Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada 89101

702.868.7800

www.vanguardlv.com

Series on SHOES! SHOES! SHOES!*&^%^&#$^% Women love shoes; who loves women? THAT GUY…M. Joseph Miller II.

This Series of twelve fashion designs in the ladies shoe department catches our eye as English Elite Couture introduces one design after another; a new each month, Enjoy!

Designed to look like a modern high-chair, this high-chair heels take your feet 6 inches off the ground so they sit almost vertical. It's a fashion accident waiting to happen

Introducing "WINDOWS ON TIME", By: M. Joseph Miller II. For the Man of the TIME!

Many ideas and inventions come and go, others have simply lasted the the test of time. Fashion is one thing that continues to strive for the best and does the same. Some designers we will never know or hear of, others like my favorite, Chanel and Gucci will be in our wardrobes forever. For the discerning gentleman or the iconic hip hop artist there will never be a more long lasting signature for style than the cuff of a mans shirt. There are eight standard designs for the mans cuff and also the woman, more remnescent of the times of the gentleman would be the classic French cuff.

The brainchild of Les Maison De La Beaute, "Houses of Beauty", M. Joseph Miller II has undergone transformations of many over the years, but as most creations in design and most certainly the functional ones, the ones that do stand the test are those that are useful in addition to fashionable and trendy. Mr. Miller has spent his life doing just that, providing the world with companies and creations that are useful and not just profitable, whether it be in helping his community at a teen age with decreasing juvenile crime rates, supporting the needs of special needs children, designing jewelry that works for the night and day, getting friends out of jams or minimizing punishment, designing lesson plans to teach citizens of Asian countries English, merging with a modeling Agency or serving his country and owning up to faults that every man has and doing whats right. Whenever Mr. Miller can he finds usefulness in his time. When asked how do you come up with business ideas and creations Mr. Miller responded that most of his ideas come to him while enjoying a cigar and scotch in one of his many cigar clubs, playing golf, riding his favorite horse appropriately named "Cognac" at the Traditional Equitation Stables in Southern California, he said he often gets ideas while either traveling on a long leg flight to one of the many countries he works in, China, Germany, France etc.

This brings us to the topic of fashion again, in that Mr. Miller was not always the most frugile when it came to replacing his wardrobe. When a shoe was old and worn, they were replaced, when a shirts collar or cuff was frayed, it too was replaced. His mother once showed him the value of a dollar and the worth of saving that dollar, which is when he began to simply replace the soles and heel of those old shoes and the cuffs and collars of those shirts, instead of spending another three to four hundred dollars on another pair or shirt when there simply was no need to. There was one thing that irritated him, the cuff of his left wrist which always seemed to fray faster than any other part of the shirt. With this; English Elite Club Couture (EEC) another creation of Mr. Millers has introduced a new design to the fashion world.

The new nineth classic shirt cuff HAS ARRIVED!

"Windows On Time", an altered classical French cuff that allows the wearer to wear his wristwatch over the first fold of the cuff. By placing the watches band through the EEC tailor added band holes and clasping. This allows the remainder of the French cuff to be folded back over the watch where EEC has surgically cut an opening of the top fold of the cuff, allowing the wearer and admirers of fine timepieces to see the beautiful face of the watch. This new design accomplishes a number of goals, of the many this prevents the watch face from prematurely fraying the end of the shirts cuff, it also protects the band from oils of the skin and other impurities that may stain the delicate yet sophisticated leather and natural metal bands that adorn most exotic watches. Last but not least, we no longer have to suffer the obvious "flossing" of the wearer as he indiscreetly but on purpose throws his arm in the air to get a glimpse of the time, allowing the world to envy his new Vacheron Constintin, Gucci or Rolex. ;) Look for more information and buzz in the upcoming seasons about Millers' "Windows on Time". At the present this design is only available through Mr. Miller by contacting the houses management team at M & A Management.

For more information of the "Windows On Time" shirt and designs, call:

M & A Management for English Elite Club, Couture at

(888) 449-5841 ext 1

(310) 499-4447 ext 1

Happy Mothers Day!

To my mother:

On this special day I stop and reflect, and give God the glory and you the respect. When challenges came, your faith did not waiver, You taught us to stand by the words of our Savior. Your examples of love, devotion, and care, along with your wisdom and continual prayer, has provided me with gifts of love to share. Thank you Mama for always being there. Happy Mother's Day

To My Wife:

You're the master of every task.
You're a dependable source of comfort;
You're my cushion when I fall.
You help in times of trouble;
You support me whenever I call.
I love you more than you know;
You have my total respect.
Since I had my choice of mothers for my child,
You were the one I selected!

Spring Summer / 2010

BUY luxury, buy quality, buy something that will become an iconic piece in your wardrobe - from Miuccia's Prada's chandelier dresses, to Jil Sander's raw and ripped chiffon, to Dolce's knickers or McQueen's metallic snakeskin marvels, to Lanvin's most beautiful dresses ever, to Peter Pilotto's prints, to Burberry's trench dresses, if you buy one thing for spring/summer, make it a big story. If the recession isn't letting up yet, buy one thing and the thrill will last.

If hemlines are to be believed as the rule of all things financial, though, things are certainly looking up - skirts are creeping up the thigh and bottom-revealing bloomers, henceforth known as hotpantaloons, first appeared in New York and bred across the fashion cities fast.

While there was a touch of sparkle in the front row of every single show, it's a trend that is built to last and whether you wear it on your tights, on lamé socks with high heels, around your neck, woven into your chiffon evening gowns or tied to your handbag, a little bit of glitter always does a girl good. Shoes are still big statements but heels are coming down too; kitten heels have even been mentioned and so have clogs (Chanel, Celine, Louis Vuitton).

The big story for summer though, is nudity - the vast majority of shows opened with nude, ice-cream colours, making cut and drapery the big style statements as opposed to eye-popping colours. Where last summer we obsessed about colour blocking, next will be about subtleties of tone: nude with peach with washed out nutmeg, or grey with icy blue. A general lack of clothing will be approved of too - your underwear must look its best next summer because if it's not on show it's not worth wearing - only to be covered by swathes of knotted and ruffled sheer chiffon - and a touch of lace will keep things interesting (Stella McCartney, Fendi).

White is always a trend for summer, but 2010 is expecting a full washout - bleached cotton came tailored and masculine or bulging and ruffled. And if you want colour, make it a check (Christopher Kane, Louis Vuitton).

So what to buy, if you will be shopping? Party dresses - lots of them, to be worn day and night: with interesting (and forgiving) folds around the hip for added shape. A jumpsuit - single shouldered or strapless if you dare. Loose trousers that taper to the ankle, preferably in silk. Bring shoes down a level or two, and if you venture from the washed out palette, make it a bold, tribal or ethnic print (Dries Van Noten). A trench coat, long or short (or turned into a party dress at Burberry). A belt - skinny ribbons or wide leather versions; the waist intends to allow you to show off your curves next summer. And if your curves are that good, swimwear is teeny weeny as can be.

And everybody's new favourite model? Australian model Abbey Lee Kershaw appeared in all the key shows, surely with plenty of ad campaigns to follow. Certainly no recession hangover for her.

- Dolly Jones, The Trend Report

This Is It ! No wait, I meant...

Photo by: Christina Baraney/Getty Images

“I’ll be back”- Arnold Schwarzenegger
“They couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist…” – Gen. John Sedgwick
“Go away…I’m all right.” – H.G. Wells
“Friends applaud, the comedy is over.” – Ludwig von Beethoven
“I did not have sexual relations with that woman” – Former U.S. Pres. William Clinton

As in business and real estate, “Location, location, location” is a common belief that helps you survive. In theater as Shakespeare writes, “What’s in a name…” apparently quite a bit. I would guess that no other “Come back’ tours will be named “This Is It!”. It might as well have been named the “Fat Lady Sings” tour, because it was definitely OVER!

Michael Jackson, known to his fans across the globe as The King of Pop, died in Los Angeles at the young age of 50. Michael suffered a cardiac arrest at this home and paramedics were quickly called. The singer was taken to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center only to be pronounced dead at 2:26 in the afternoon, according to People magazine.

According to a statement from the hospital, "His personal physician, who was with him at the time, attempted to resuscitate Jackson, as did paramedics who transferred him."
In the weeks leading up to his untimely death, Michael was busy preparing for yet another comeback tour titled “This Is It!” scheduled to kick off in England. In addition to a huge extended family, Michael leaves behind three kids - Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, 7.

Michael has left the building; a tongue in cheek reference I make as its original saying was starting when another proclaimed king exited…Elvis, Michaels predeceased former father-in law.

- M. Joseph Miller II.