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!

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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.

A SPOTLIGHT ON FNO!

Last Thursady, September 8, whether in Paris, Milan, New York or Los Angeles it didnt matter, even fashion needs a night out and definitely if it includes Nordstroms rackish and trunk show-like sales; wine and cigar tastings, makeovers and red carpet events. Of course no city puts a spotlight on Fashion Night Out (FNO) like Sin City, Las Vegas! Remember what happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas; except for the couture you pick up between shows, fine dining and clubbing!

Designers and design houses from around the world with boutiques in Las Vegas held events some such as the Venetian Hotel even had hosts like Giuliana Rancic from E-Entertainment, others held shows on the runway, like shops at the Fashion Show Mall. Of course places like Caesars Palaces Forum Shoppes and City Centers Crystals went all out with a plethora of choices from their couturiers.  Participating retailers at Crystals donated a percentage of sales to the local charity partner they have selected for the evening, which included:

Fendi and Keep Memory Alive

Dior and Communities in Schools of Nevada

Yves Saint Laurent and Opportunity Village

Lanvin and Lied Discovery Children's Museum

Stella McCartney and the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas

Donna Karan and United Way of Southern Nevada

Kiki de Montparnasse and Nevada Cancer Institute

Nanette Lepore and Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas

Assouline and UNLV Foundation / University Libraries

Mikimoto and Nevada Pops

Emilio Pucci and The Shade Tree
de Grisogono and Spread the Word Nevada
TAG Heuer and Cleveland Clinic' Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
Tom Ford and The Smith Center for Performing Arts

All in all, we simply cant resist the fact that FNO is the only night that the mainstream designers, couturiers and the like even gesture at a “sale”. The GREAT thing is that many proceeds go to well regarded charities…so until next year I’ll bid you fashionistas, metrosexuals and bon vivants well.

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

Dont' be a snob!

In days long gone, "Chin up old chap" might be what was said to a sobbing child, ballroom dancer and even equestrian. A child should lift her head and not be sad, a dancer should keep great form and the same goes for an equestrian, in most cases especially when learning to ride a horse, if you lower you head/chin the horse would be inclined to just stop dead in its tracks! This can cause quite a disturbance if your not prepared.

Actually, the term snob has been attributed to those of upper class whom seemed to lift their noses as those of us in the lower echelons, but in fact this wasnt the case, I being quite the fan of ballroom dance, and English riding learned that keeping your chin up or nose up was a formality in dancing and riding both of which were known (then and know)  to be activities of the upper crust which caused them to form a habit of raising their heads while walking and conducting everyday business. It was not and intentional stance nor was it to be rude. 

I digress, Your chin should be down slightly while runway modeling. The reason for this is because every one will be sitting, looking up at you.

There will be many photographers taking pictures aimed up at you. So for your exposure aspect, you want to have good pictures taken of you so that they can be reused in magazines. You can then take these and add them to your portfolio.

So for modeling and runways reasons, forget about dancing the hours away or the country ride on horseback and for goodness sake lower that chin a bit!

http://eecagency.yupoo.com/

A grape by any other name....

Over the years I've often had a taste for spirits and wines and even the occasional beer now and again, that now and again came more often when in Germany, as I found that that is the place for all connoisseurs of beer to begin if in fact there are connoisseurs of beer. Before you jump all over me for that little snipe, I know there are those who take to their beer like a Sommelier to wine. With that, this is why I have done my research to find for you a little fun filled learning to be had in that art of wine tasting because a grape by any other name could be a merlot.

Of course I cannot take the credit, my help comes in the form of the article below by Stacy Slinkard. Stacy is a certified Sommelier and has her Master's degree in Public Health. Her educational background lends itself to interpreting both the science and the art of wine, from grape to glass.

Learning how to taste wines is a straightforward adventure that will deepen your appreciation for both wines and winemakers. Look, smell, taste - starting with your basic senses and expanding from there you will learn how to taste wines like the pros in no time! Keep in mind that you can smell thousands of unique scents, but your taste perception is limited to salty, sweet, sour and bitter. It is the combination of smell and taste that allows you to discern flavor.

Look: Check out the Color and Clarity.

Pour a glass of wine into a suitable wine glass. Then take a good look at the wine. Tilt the glass away from you and check out the color of the wine from the rim edges to the middle of the glass (it's helpful to have a white background - either paper, napkin or a white tablecloth).

What color is it? Look beyond red, white or blush. If it's a red wine is the color maroon, purple, ruby, garnet, red, brick or even brownish? If it's a white wine is it clear, pale yellow, straw-like, light green, golden, amber or brown in appearance?

Still Looking. Move on to the wine's opacity. Is the wine watery or dark, translucent or opaque, dull or brilliant, cloudy or clear? Can you see sediment? Tilt your glass a bit, give it a little swirl - look again, is there sediment, bits of cork or any other floaters? An older red wine will often have more orange tinges on the edges of color than younger red wines. Older white wines are darker, than younger white wines when comparing the same varietal at different ages.

Smell:

Our sense of smell is critical in properly analyzing a glass of wine. To get a good impression of your wine's aroma, swirl your glass for a solid 10-12 seconds (this helps vaporize some of the wine's alcohol and release more of its natural aromas) and then take a quick whiff to gain a first impression.

Still Smelling. Now stick your nose down into the glass and take a deep inhale through your nose. What are your second impressions? Do you smell oak, berry, flowers, vanilla or citrus? A wine's aroma is an excellent indicator of its quality and unique characteristics. Swirl the wine and let the aromas mix and mingle, and sniff again.

 

Taste:

Finally, take a taste. Start with a small sip and let it roll around your mouth. There are three stages of taste: the Attack phase, the Evolution phase and the Finish.

 

The Attack Phase, is the initial impression that the wine makes on your palate. The Attack is comprised of four pieces of the wine puzzle: alcohol content, tannin levels, acidity and residual sugar. These four puzzle pieces display initial sensations on the palate. Ideally these components will be well-balanced one piece will not be more prominent than the others. These four pieces do not display a specific flavor per se, they meld together to offer impressions in intensity and complexity, soft or firm, light or heavy, crisp or creamy, sweet or dry, but not necessarily true flavors like fruit or spice.

The Evolution Phase is next, also called the mid-palate or middle range phase, this is the wine’s actual taste on the palate. In this phase you are looking to discern the flavor profile of the wine. If it’s a red wine you may start noting fruit – berry, plum, prune or fig; perhaps some spice – pepper, clove, cinnamon, or maybe a woody flavor like oak, cedar, or a detectable smokiness. If you are in the Evolution Phase of a white wine you may taste apple, pear, tropical or citrus fruits, or the taste may be more floral in nature or consist of honey, butter, herbs or a bit of earthiness.

The Finish is appropriately labeled as the final phase. The wine's finish is how long the flavor impression lasts after it is swallowed. This is where the wine culminates, where the aftertaste comes into play. Did it last several seconds? Was it light-bodied (like the weight of water), medium-bodied (similar in weight to milk) or full-bodied (like the consistency of cream)? Can you taste the remnant of the wine on the back of your mouth and throat? Do you want another sip or was the wine too bitter at the end? What was your last flavor impression – fruit, butter, oak? Does the taste persist or is it short-lived?

After you have taken the time to taste your wine, you might record some of your impressions. Did you like the wine overall? Was it sweet, sour or bitter? How was the wine's acidity? Was it well balanced? Does it taste better with cheese, bread or a heavy meal? Will you buy it again? If so, jot the wine's name, producer and vintage year down for future reference.

The Eyes Have it!

Fall is upon us, and with that the fall fashion shows, I'm beginning yet another tour with stops around the globe, but when it comes to the questions and arguments from and about models and wannabes' about everything from the runway look to how to walk, we can all agree and the Eyes have it...so to speak.

Here is the beginning of a series of tips on walking the runway for those aspiring models!

Your eyes should be focused straight ahead of you. Looking off into the distance. Just find something on the back wall and focus on it.


WARNING: There will be bright lights aimed at you! Do not try and focus on a light unless you want to go blind and walk right over the ledge of the runway, because all you can see is the after image of the light bulb.

http://eecagency.yupoo.com/

Working Class Millionaires ?

Russ Alan Prince, author of The Middle-Class Millionaire, has been trying to understand a new sub-class of Americans called the “working rich”. Prince defines them as those with net worths between $1 million and $10 million, but who still work for a living. After conducting a survey of both middle-class millionaires and those just plain “middle class” (defined as having income of $50,000 to $80,000 and net worth under $1 million), he distilled these differences into 9 traits for Forbes. Apparently, middle-class millionaires:

1.)     Work Longer. The average middle-class millionaire puts 70 hours a week into the job. They take 12 vacation days a year, seven fewer than the average middle-class worker.

2.)     Value Networking. More than 60% say knowing “many, many people” is very important in achieving financial success.

3.)     Take Risks. Over 90% of middle-class millionaires admit to having made a major career or business decision that had a bad outcome.

4.)     Avoid Vanilla Corporate Jobs. Over 80% own their own business or a have a stake in a partnership.

5.)     Do It For The Money. 74% say that choosing a career “for its potential financial rewards” is very important to achieving success.

6.)     Don’t See Themselves As Rich. Fully one-third of those worth $1 million to $10 million think of themselves as middle class (the other two-thirds consider themselves upper middle class). Meanwhile, 21% of middle-class people (making $50,000 to $80,000 annually) call themselves members of the upper middle class.

7.)     Put Family First Over Community. The values the mass affluent place the most importance on are ethics, responsibilities to loved ones, parenthood and children’s education.

8.)     Pay For Help. Half of them have hired personal or career coaches.

9.)     Put Family First In Vacation. Over 60% of middle-class millionaires say that spending time with family is an important component of a vacation. By contrast, only 28% of middle-class workers think so.

Overall, there are some interesting differences. But I personally don’t see these as a “how-to” template - There’s no way I’m consistently working 70 hours a week - the whole point of being smart with money for me is to work less. Also, I feel like some information is missing. Are working millionaires older than average? Being a working millionaire at 30 is a lot different than at 60.