Embark at the base, located on the eastern side of the island in Captain Oliver's Marina at Oyster Pond. The base on St. Martin is located on the eastern side of the island at Captain Oliver's Marina at Oyster Pond, a protected lagoon surrounded by hills and the beautiful Dawn beach. It is situated directly on the border between the Dutch and French sides of the island - the hotel is French and the restaurants and marina are Dutch and the two sides co-exist peacefully! As the story goes, about 350 years ago a group of French and a group of Dutch started out at Oyster Pond - the French walking north and the Dutch walking south.
Where they met on the other side of the island would determine the dividing border. The Dutch were drinking gin, while the French were drinking wine. The French covered more territory and so the French have the northern 21 square miles of the island while the Dutch have the southern 16 square miles. (Moral of the story: stick to the wine!) Oyster Bay is within easy reach of all the highlights of the island - Philipsburg, the Dutch capital of the island, is only 10 minutes away and Marigot, the French capital, is 25 minutes away.
The restaurant at Captain Oliver's serves a seafood menu with French and Creole dishes and has a magnificent aquarium under its glass-bottomed floor so that you can admire the sharks, turtle and other sea-life while you eat. The marina is adjacent to Captain Oliver's Resort, a charming, laid-back spot that has good facilities, including a fabulous swimming pool that functions as a human aquarium, and is an excellent place from which to begin your Oyster Pond yacht charter.
Good selection of lively bars, Grande Case is the gourmet capital of the Caribbean !
Sailing north from Orient Bay, as you round the top of St. Martin and start down the western coast of the island, Grand Case bay will be on your port-side, the gourmet capital of the Caribbean - Grande Case even has its own cookbook with recipes from the town's restaurants gathered together to prove the point. There are certainly plenty of eateries to choose from and a good selection of lively bars too, meaning that a late night is not out of question. In fact, it's almost required! Calmos Café usually has live music and Sydney's Peace and Love Disco can be relied up on to pump out the calypso into the early hours. The snorkeling at Creole Rock is excellent, and a fine way to clear your head after a long night on the town.
Mooring: There is a pleasant anchorage for the night and dinghy dockage is available close to where the action happens.
Spend your time exploring the area, both off and on the water!
Drop your anchor in St Barts, you'll love the French ambiance and its elegant boutiques.
Moving on from the tranquillity of Anse de Colombier, you come to the chic and sophisticated harbor of Gustavia, a long-standing favorite of the cool and trendy, who have returned annually since the 1950s for a fix of its unique Caribbean charm. In the process, they've earned Gustavia the title of "Riviera of the Caribbean". A yacht charter here gives you an opportunity to experience its delights for yourself.
The harbor is snug, well-protected, and surrounded by distinctive red-roofed buildings. Hang out aboard your deck and try not to drool as you look in wonder at the mega yachts.
St. Barts has a distinctly French ambience and is home to a fine coterie of elegant boutiques with clothes and jewelry by international designers, as well as hosting some interesting vintage markets. As you might anticipate, you can expect to find some 'seriously good restaurants' specializing in fine French Cuisine. There are plenty of more casual options too - take a stroll through the picturesque narrow streets of Gustavia and you are bound to find one that appeals.
Mooring: Moorings are available for a fee. The anchorage is extensive and can be busy in peak season. Because the harbor bed can be weedy you need to ensure that your anchor is well dug. Dinghy dockage is available.
Basse Terre definitely worth a visit. It is one of the oldest parts of the Caribbean and you'll love it's colonial history.
This is an exclusive and charming private island with excellent snorkeling. Charlestown is the only settlement on Nevis, the closest island to St. Kitts. Both islands share a common landscape of mountains covered with rainforest and an abundance of tropical birds, wildlife and exotic plants. Charlestown itself has shops and restaurants, but is also an island with some historical interests and definitely a worthy itinerary stop. The history of Nevis as a French or British colony (and the squabbling that ensued) is now documented in the town's two museums - the Nelson Museum (a must for Horatio admirers) and the Museum of Nevis History.
Fort Charles is worth exploring and visitors can also try horseback riding or guided hiking through the island's interior. The Four Seasons Hotel at Pinney's Beach is a great place to relax and indulge in a bit of five star luxury. The Golden Rock Estate is a beautifully restored 18th century sugar plantation that now operates as a hotel. You can take a walk through its 100-acre grounds and enjoy a traditional Caribbean meal at one of the hotel's two restaurants.
Moorings: None available. Best anchorage is off Pinney's Beach where the holding is good. Dinghy dockage is available.
Mooring: No moorings. The best anchor holding is close to shore.
Capital of St Eustatius, Oranjestaad will charm you with its unique culture. Oranjestaad is the capital of the small island of St. Eustatius - more commonly known as Statia - in the Netherland Antilles. This is a charming town that gives a great sense of what life in the Caribbean must have been like in the past - the pace is slow, the people un-hurried and there are few tourists. Oranjestaad has plenty to interest those who like a bit of history.
The town has two main sections. Along the waterfront by the harbor are buildings dating from the colonial era and the best beach on the island; together, these comprise the Lower Town. The Upper Town is home to the impeccably restored historic center and most of the island's main commercial and residential buildings. Among the historical sites of Oranjestaad are the 17th century waterfront Fort Oranje, a synagogue that is the second oldest in the western hemisphere and a Dutch reformed church dating from 1755.
Amongst the most interesting buildings are the restored 18th century houses of the merchants who made their homes here. Gezaghebber House, the oldest, is the former Lieutenant Governor's residence. The St. Eustatius Historical Foundation Museum organizes a good walking tour. Snorkelers will want to explore the ruined buildings now submerged on the fringes of the harbor. There are a good few bars and restaurants in Oranjestaad catering to range of different tastes and budgets.
Mooring: Moorings are available for a fee on the twelve yellow Marine Park moorings in Oranje Bay. If these are not available, anchoring is possible.
In this typical Caribbean anchorage, you can stop at Ile Fourche for a spot of snorkeling and lunch. Another day, another picture perfect Caribbean anchorage. Sailing south from Anguilla down to the westernmost tip of St. Barts, stop along the way for lunch, snorkeling and diving at the cactus-covered island of Ile Fourche, home to herds of wild mountain goats. In the afternoon, sail on to the impossibly beautiful Anse de Colombier, where a horseshoe-shaped bay of shimmering turquoise water is perfect for snorkelling, swimming and sunbathing. The bay is over-looked by steep hills.
Anse de Colombier is considered one of the finest anchorages in the Caribbean. Once owned by the Rockefeller family, who built a mansion on the southern side of the bay, Anse de Colombier now forms part of the St. Barts Marine Reserve. There is no road access to the bay although a trail through patches of fragrant lilies and cacti stretches from the beach up to the village of Anse de Flamandes, where there are a few small shops.
Moorings: Moorings are available without charge and there is ample room to anchor. The holding is good. There is no dinghy dockage but dinghies can be beached on the sand.
Prickly Pear provides a breathtaking picture postcard palm fringed beach, which offers many secluded spots. Heading north and west from St. Martin, your route will take you towards the south coast of Anguilla, situated only 13 miles (21 km) from the base at Oyster Pond. Anguilla is the most northerly of the British Leeward Islands and is surrounded by unspoiled coral reefs and mile upon mile of soft, white, powder-sand beaches.
It's a gentle island that offers a warm welcome - one of the most charming and laid-back in the Caribbean. The protected marine reserve at Sandy Bay is hard to beat as a place to stop for a lazy afternoon of swimming. Snorkel the coral reefs of Prickly Pear Cays, and the waters of Little Bay teem with enough sea-life to occupy dedicated divers and snorkelers for days, if not weeks! There's so many wonderful spots, so little time .. You might just have to plan a return visit! Anchor for the night in peaceful and secluded Crocus Bay, just south of Pelican Point, where the 70 ft (21 meters) cliffs rise up dramatically above the beach.
The cliffs are home to thousands of birds - including pelicans, of course! - that can be watched for hours. The snorkeling here is fantastic and the beach just cries out to beachcombers. The Valley, the main town on Anguilla, is within walking distance of Crocus Bay beach and has some interesting shops and artisan arts and crafts, as well as a few good restaurants. Koal Keel is popular with visitors.
Mooring: Daytime mooring only is available at Little Bay. The anchorage at Crocus Bay has good holding. There is no dinghy dockage but dinghies can be beached.
Get together for a farewell group meal with a few drinks before you fly back home.


You are here: Home / General Health / What Are the Benefits of L-Arginine?
L-arginine is an essential amino acid that the body needs to make proteins. It is often found in poultry, red meat, fish and dairy foods naturally. It is also made in the form of a natural supplement. Your body needs l-arginine to assist in healing wounds, kidney function, immunity, hormone function, and even arterial health.
High blood pressure affects so many people across the world. L-arginine is often used when it comes to lowering blood pressure because it helps to relax your blood vessels and make them more open. This allows blood to flow more freely, and thus makes blood pressure lower. It does not work for everyone, and may not be a suitable alternative for prescription blood pressure medications. The good news, however, is that for some people it has shown to be quite effective at bringing blood pressure levels down to a safer range.
While there has not been too much in the way of research in humans, l-arginine has been shown to affect LDL and triglyceride levels in animals. It can reduce LDL levels, which are known as the bad cholesterol levels, while still keeping the HDL levels the same. That means that you won't miss out on the good cholesterol while lowering the bad.
If you suffer from hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver, then l-arginine can be a great supplement for you. It can help to heal the damaged cells in your liver, making these conditions a little bit more manageable. This, by no means, is a quick fix to these issues, but it can help to improve the condition a bit.
L-arginine is helpful for the heart in a variety of ways, but if you have congestive heart failure, it can help to improve your condition. It works as a vasodilator, which means in a sense it dilates your veins and helps your blood to flow smoother. We touched on this when we talked about how it affects cholesterol levels.
Angina can be uncomfortable; it often feels like you are having a heart attack. It is caused by a lack of blood flow to the heart. If your blood isn't getting to your heart easily, then your heart may not have all of the oxygen that it needs. The good news is that l-arginine helps to boost the blood flow, therefore reducing instances of angina.
Raynaud's Phenomenon causes your feet or hands to feel cold or numb at times and is often caused by a lack of blood flow to these extremities. Since the acid helps to improve blood flow, it can help to cut down the negative side effects that come along with this disease.
Impotence affects more men than you would think because many men just don't ever say anything about it. If you have a hard time achieving an erection, you may not need a little blue pill after all. You may just need to increase your l-arginine levels in your body. Doing this can help erectile dysfunction. It can also help to boost sperm production, therefore helping those that are trying to conceive.
Muscles thrive when they have enough blood flow coming to them. L-arginine is essential to building and toning your muscles. It is also great when it comes to relieving muscle soreness. This is due, in part, to the fact that it is a vasodilator. Most people consume some protein after their workouts, and l-arginine is an essential protein that your body needs. It can boost your creatine levels naturally, which helps to build muscle mass. It can even help your muscles to heal faster after injuries.
HGH, or human growth hormone, is an essential hormone that is produced by your brain. It can help to aid in weight loss, give you more energy, and even has anti-aging properties. Typically, people have lower levels of HGH when they hit their 20's, and they may need something to help boost those levels. L-arginine is a great source of HGH production. It works by slowing down the production of somatostatin, which actually inhibits the production of HGH in your body.
With the flu and other viruses running rampant, immunity is super important. Since l-arginine helps to boost HGH, it also helps to improve your immunity. That means that you may be able to thwart off illness easier if you have more of this essential acid in your body.
As you can see, L-arginine has its fair share of health benefits. If you think that you may be deficient in this essential acid, then it may be time to add it to your daily supplement regimen. Discuss it with your doctor and see if it may be something that is suitable for you. After all, you should never start a new supplement without first making sure that it is not going to have any interactions with any medications that you may already be taking.


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text:
Jose Antonio Vargas Is A Symbol For Immigration Reform, Not A Candidate For Deportation
Jose Antonio Vargas was brought to the U.S. at the age of 12 and never left. Now, some are suggesting he should be deported as soon as possible.
Doug Mataconis · Sunday, July 13, 2014 · 46 comments
Jose Antonio Vargas has gained some degree of notoriety over the years first as a reporter and later because of the fact that he became the most publicly prominent illegal immigrant in the entire country. As a reporter he has worked for The Huffington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, and The Washington Post, where he was part of the team that won a Pulitzer Prize for the newspaper's coverage of the Virginia Tech shootings and their aftermath in 2007. In 2011, though, Vargas penned a piece that was published in The New York Times Magazine in which he revealed that he was, in fact, living and working in the United States illegally.When he was a small child, it turns out, Vargas's mother had sent him from The Philippines to live with his Grandparents in the United States without completing any of the paperwork necessary for him to emigrate. Vargas went to school in the U.S, graduating from a High School in California and eventually obtained a Political Science Degree from San Francisco State University, although he had already started working in journalism at that point. Since the article was published, Vargas has become something of an advocate for immigration reform and for measures such as the DREAM Act, although he was not among those people who was able to take advantage of the administrative changes that President Obama made last year for some children of illegal immigrants. Most recently, Vargas produced a documentary for CNN called Documented, which chronicles both his personal story and his efforts to advocate for immigration reform.
For some people, the most bizarre part of the story of Jose Antonio Vargas is the fact that he is still a free man. He has, after all, admitted that he is in the country illegally and now lives openly knowing that Federal law enforcement could come place him under arrest at any time. He had a close call in 2012 in Minnesota when he was arrested for a minor traffic infraction, but ICE officials declined to either detain or even charge him with a violation of the law. ICE could have picked him up then and begun deportation proceedings, or they could do it any time. The fact that they don't seems odd when viewed from a distance, yet another example of our broken immigration system, and, for some, proof that the Obama Administration is not serious about things like border security and deporting illegal immigrants.
Vargas is back in the news now because he has gone down to the Texas-Mexico border to report on the ongoing border crisis, and in article at Politico he wonders if he'll be able to get out of the area without running afoul of the authorities:
I write this from the city of McAllen, which sits in the Rio Grande Valley near the border, just across from the Mexican city of Reynosa. In the last 24 hours I realize that, for an undocumented immigrant like me, getting out of a border town in Texas—by plane or by land—won't be easy. It might, in fact, be impossible.
When my friend Mony Ruiz-Velasco, an immigration lawyer who used to work in the area, saw on my Facebook page that I was in McAllen, she texted me: "I am so glad you are visiting the kids near the border. But how will you get through the checkpoint on your way back?" A curious question, I thought, and one I dismissed. I've visited the border before, in California. What checkpoint? What was she talking about?
Then Tania Chavez, an undocumented youth leader from the Minority Affairs Council, one of the organizers of the vigil, asked me the same question: "How will you get out of here?" Tania grew up in this border town. As the day wore on, as the reality of my predicament sunk in, Tania spelled it out for me: You might not get through airport security, where Customs and Border Protection (CPB) also checks for IDs, and you will definitely not get through the immigration checkpoints set up within 45 miles of this border town. At these checkpoints, you will be asked for documentation. ("Even if you tell them you're a U.S. citizen, they will ask you follow-up questions if they don't believe you," Tania told me.)
I do not have a single U.S. government-issued ID. Like most of our country's 11 million undocumented immigrants, I do not have a driver's license—not yet, at least. (Recently, California and Washington, D.C., passed laws granting licenses to their undocumented residents. Though New York City will start issuing municipal IDs to its undocumented population, the state of New York, where I currently live, does not issue driver's licenses.) Identification aside, since outing myself in the New York Times Magazine in June 2011, and writing a cover story for TIME a year later, I've been the most privileged undocumented immigrant in the country. The visibility, frankly, has protected me. While hundreds of thousands of immigrants have been detained and deported in the past three years, I produced and directed a documentary film, "Documented," which was shown in theaters and aired on CNN less than two weeks ago. I founded a media and culture campaign, Define American, to elevate how we talk about immigration and citizenship in a changing America. And I've been traveling non-stop for three years, visiting more than 40 states.
Of course, I can only travel within the United States and, for identification, when I fly I use a valid passport that was issued by my native country, the Philippines. But each flight is a gamble. My passport lacks a visa. If TSA agents discover this, they can contact CBP, which, in turn, can detain me. But so far, I haven't had any problems, either because I look the way I do ("You're not brown and you don't look like a Jose Antonio Vargas," an immigration advocate once told me), or talk the way I do—or because, as a security agent at John F. Kennedy International Airport who recognized me said without a hint of irony, "You seem so American."
I might not be so lucky here in the valley. I am not sure if my passport will be enough to let me fly out of McAllen-Miller International Airport, and I am not sure if my visibility will continue to protect me—not here, not at the border.
Igor Bobic at The Huffington Post that Vargas's current predicament puts the lie to claims that the southern border is unsecure:
Vargas' story highlights some of the struggles undocumented immigrants have faced for years. But it also shows, contrary to conventional wisdom, that security at the border is anything but lax.
In fact, according to the NDN/New Policy Institute, since 2002 federal funds to secure the border have tripled and the number of U.S. Border Patrol agents has doubled to a little over 21,000. Moreover, crime along the U.S. side of the border is down, and the growth of the undocumented immigrant population has stalled in recent years. "Obama era policies have stopped the flow – which is one reason why we have the resources to be apprehending those attempting to enter the country today," said NDN President Simon Rosenberg.
As Vargas put it, "The border is secure, that's why these kids are getting apprehended."
To Luis Malbonado, a DREAMer who lives near McAllen, a heightened security presence resembling an occupied military zone is all too familiar. Both his mother and sister were deported mere hours after being stopped by authorities in the city, a task made easier by their proximity to the border, he said.
"It's been three years since I haven't seen my mom, five years since I haven't seen my sister. Right now there's no way I can go and see them. I'm stuck," he told The Huffington Post.
Malbonado said residents of the Rio Grande Valley usually encounter checkpoints every few miles, and it was common to see border patrol and state trooper cars while driving on the highway. "It is so safe and secure that both my mom and my sister were deported [from] within the city," he added.
Malbonado also called on President Obama to visit the border, a trip that Republicans and even some Democrats have been calling for.
"He needs to come and see first hand and see what these kids look like," he said. "They do not have tattoos on their face. They do not look like the media is portraying them. These are kids. "
As for Vargas, the future is murky. He doesn't intend to leave the border until he finishes his job, so he is, at least for the moment, as much a resident of McAllen as the immigrant children he came to report on.
Jazz Shaw thinks that ICE needs to pick Vargas up now:
Let's identify why this is an important arrest for you ICE guys and gals to to make. It's true that the White House administration has added to our current border crisis by sending mixed messages to those who would enter the country illegally. That goes without saying. But coming in a close second is this guy. He's out there on an almost daily basis, showing up on a network which is broadcast to every nation in the world. And the message he's sending is clear. "Look at me! I'm here illegally. I don't have any documents. And I'm on the TeeVee! I produce films. I get paid to write columns in nationally syndicated sources. And nobody can lay a finger on me!"
Is that the message you want out there? Is this not adding to the "confusion" among Central American residents thinking of sneaking over the border? Obviously not. So here's what you need to be doing:
– First, you need to find and arrest this guy.
– Next he needs to be put in a detention center.
– Expedite his case to the front of the line and give him a speedy hearing before a judge where it will be revealed that he has no documents allowing him to be here.
– Put him on a plane and send him back to the Philippines where he belongs.
– Hold a major press conference letting everyone in the world know that you've done this and repeating that you will not tolerate those who knowingly and intentionally violate our laws.
– Let Mr. Vargas go to the back of the line and apply for citizenship in the normal fashion. Given the usual wait times, we should see him again in ten to fifteen years
There is a certain logic in the argument, of course, Vargas is here illegally, he admits he's here illegally, and every minute he stays is an ongoing violation of the law. He says that he isn't presently breaking any laws regarding identity theft and such — although one does wonder how he gets paid for the work that he does and how he pays his bills — but he is most assuredly violating the nation's immigration laws. Like Jazz, there are many who would argue that arresting and deporting Vargas would send a signal to others who would come here illegally, and that the law shouldn't stand for someone who is so openly and brazenly violating the law. Vargas is a criminal, and arresting and prosecuting criminals is what law enforcement is supposed to do, right?
While those are all valid arguments, it just doesn't strike me that Vargas is someone who ought to be a target for an immigration enforcement system that is already overburdened, and likely to become more so thanks to the ongoing border crisis. Like many people who are in a similar position, Vargas was brought to this country as a child and thus had no say in whether or not he wanted to become an illegal immigrant to the United States. Since graduating High School, he's gotten an education, been gainfully employed, won a prestigious journalism award, and had produced work that has employed many other people. He's apparently never been on public assistance and, outside of things related to his immigration status, he has never committed a serious crime, and most certainly has never committed a violent crime. He has also become an important part of the public debate on a very important issue. Regardless of whether or not he has a piece of paper saying he is in the country legally, is this really someone that we ought to be prioritizing as a candidate for deportation? I find it hard to say that the answer to this question is yes. In fact, I'd argue that Vargas is precisely the kind of illegal immigrant that we ought to want to grant legal status to so that he can more fully participate in the economy and the public life of his adopted country. Rather than being a walking advertisement for deportation, he strikes me as more of a walking advertisement for why comprehensive immigration reform is necessary. There are many people in Vargas's position, he just happens to be the most prominent, public example.
The fact that Federal authorities have not apprehended Vargas in the three years since he went public is, I think, telling. There isn't any rational or practical reason why they couldn't, so the only logical conclusion is that someone has made the decision that Vargas is not a priority at this time. In part, this is due to the fact that the immigration hearing system is already overburdened and authorities have generally made the choice to concentrate their deportation efforts on people with violent criminal records and gang connections. Granted, not everyone who is deported fits these criteria, but based on reports this does seem to be the category of immigrants that ICE has prioritized. That choice makes sense for rather obvious reasons I would think. If you have limited resources, it make sense to concentrate your efforts on the illegal immigrants who are the source of real problems for society rather than people like Vargas who not only aren't really harming anyone and, arguably, are a net benefit to society. An additional factor that likely argues against bringing Vargas in, of course, is the fact that it would be an incredibly powerful spotlight on a system that is already dysfunctional. No doubt, if ICE arrested Vargas you'd see reports on the matter from many quarters of the media, most especially the outlets he has worked at previously and CNN, where he is becoming a frequent commentator on immigration issues.
Yes, Jose Antonio Vargas is here illegally. That doesn't mean he should be deported, though. Instead, I'd suggest it means that we need to fix our immigration laws so that people like him aren't constantly living in fear of being detained by ICE and sent back to a country that they have no real connection to other than the accident of birth,
FILED UNDER: Borders and Immigration, Law and the Courts, Media, US Politics, Immigration Reform, Jose Antonio Vargas
Another Mike says:
Sunday, July 13, 2014 at 13:42
Normally I would agree with you for all the reason you gave, but if he is holding himself up to other as an example, telling them that he didn't need documentation and neither do they, then I say deport him. Five or six years ago I was in communication with a Christian fellow in Indonesia, and he and his family had been waiting to come to America for years. My guess is that he is still waiting. What is he supposed to think when he sees a fellow like Vargas? He might think that it is fellows like Vargas and others like him who are dragging out his legal immigration. He might think that Vargas and others who illegally walk to the head of the line are taking up spaces intended for legal immigrants.
grumpy realist says:
Totally OT, but Lorinl Maazel just died.
Moderate Mom says:
While most illegals keep their heads down, obey the laws (other than those pertaining to immigration), work hard to support their families here and back at home, they spend every day hoping that they don't get caught and deported.
Mr. Vargas, on the other hand, is pretty much holding up his two middle fingers to the law. What makes him more special than any other person brought here under much the same circumstances? What makes him more special than all the people all over the world that have been waiting, patiently, to immigrate legally? Is his job more important than that of the guy that mows your lawn? How about the young woman that cleans your hotel room? Does being a talking head on a cable network make him immune from the law?
He needs to go back to the Philippines and get in line behind all of the people in his country that have been waiting, many for a decade or more, to come to the United States and forge a new life.
Grewgills says:
An additional factor that likely argues against bringing Vargas in, of course, is the fact that it would be an incredibly powerful spotlight on a system that is already dysfunctional. No doubt, if ICE arrested Vargas you'd see reports on the matter from many quarters of the media, most especially the outlets he has worked at previously and CNN, where he is becoming a frequent commentator on immigration issues.
That is the best argument I can see for him to be arrested. A sympathetic figure that has connections and can write well documenting the situation from the inside would be a powerful tool to move comprehensive immigration reform to the front burner.
@Moderate Mom:
What makes him more special than any other person brought here under much the same circumstances?
Nothing and they shouldn't be deported either.
C. Clavin says:
He can't be an illegal…he's an intelligent functioning contributing member of society…not one of those "others".
@Another Mike:
You're both acting like he came here willingly, by choice. He was brought here when he was a child. He had absolutely no say in the matter. He has grown up in this country, and made a life for himself. What would sending him back to the Philippines accomplish?
@Ben:
What would sending him back to the Philippines accomplish?
It would open up a space for a US citizen journalist. But seriously, the comment explains why he needs to go, but what is your counterargument?
ernieyeball says:
@Ben: What would sending him back to the Philippines accomplish?
It would accomplish that feeling of righteousness that some folks get when their idea of justice and compassion are meted out.
anjin-san says:
It would make bitter, angry people feel better?
It would open up a space for a US citizen journalist.
Typical right wing thinking. There is only so much pie, so the peons get to fight for the crumbs.
It never occurs to you guys to bake a bigger pie. (you know, the concept that made America great…)
Kathy Kattenburg says:
Seriously? There is a U.S. citizen journalist out there somewhere who can't write about illegal immigration from the point of view of having lived in the U.S. for years without legal documentation because Jose Antonio Vargas is blocking him? And if Jose Antonio Vargas were deported to the Philippines, this U.S. citizen journalist could do the writing Vargas has been doing?
Because that's how journalism works.
Really? Your argument is "immigrants are takin our jerbs?" That's actually really funny.
My counterargument was given in my comment. He was brought here as a child. He had no say in the matter. He has been here most of his life and has established that he can make a living and is not a criminal (other than his existing as an undocumented immigrant). That is enough reason in my mind not to deport him.
@Kathy Kattenburg:
@anjin-san:
And anyone else who didn't get it:
It was a joke.
Dave Francis says:
Our society is at great risk, if Obama and the Democrats get their way, drug cartels, human traffickers and dangerous criminals will flow freely through our borders and fill our neighborhoods, because he will not stem the tide with the National Guard. Prior to even Obama's Imperial reign, borders have never been fully sealed, with the 2006 Secure Fence Act that was sabotaged by GOP former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson for some obscure reason; probably as her corporate cronies didn't like it. Now we are suffering the consequence. Absolutely we should build 700 miles of double or even triple fences, as the massive costs would be reimbursed from not having to financially support 11 to 20 million plus illegal aliens? Think about it!
There is no accurate way to figure the actual numbers of foreign nationals; they hide away from Census takers. Obama cannot be trusted anymore. He has no intention of securing our borders or is unlikely to enforce the border with 'boots of the ground'. Under ARTICLE 1, Section 10 of the US Constitution: No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
WELL TEXAS AND THE BORDER STATES HAVE BEEN INVADED BY THOUSANDS OF ILLEGAL ALIENS, WITH LARGE NUMBERS OF 14 TO 18 YEAR OLDS, DISPLAYING ON THEIR BODIES M-13 GANG MEMBERSHIP AND WITH WITHIN THOSE NUMBERS OF ILLEGAL ALIENS CARRYING NASTY CONTAGIOUS DISEASES, SO THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES BY WHATEVER MEANS:
The House Democrats are growing progressively more disturbed about GOP voice in revising the 2008 human trafficking law in a trade for approving the President $3.7 billion emergency funding appeal to address the illegal alien crisis at the Mexican/US border. Of course the Liberals have no intentions of consenting to these efforts and will fight for passage of what they call a "clean" supplement as without the amendment; as it means more Dem voters in the future years, and hundreds of thousands of early petitions for family members brought into the country, by current policies. This will accrue even more poverty, more benefits upon the already hard pressed taxpayers who will get the bill. The National Tea Party candidates would never hesitate to amend 2008 law, unlike the OLD GUARD in the establishment. Social Security is already running into trouble, along with Medicare in the future as nothing has been done for three decades to stop this roaring financial locomotive towards unsure losses in the future. Yet Obama is striving to gain headway, on bringing more poor into the country?
He is a fraud and a liar having betrayed the American people other than those vermin who idolize him for free handouts of unrestricted food stamps. Obama is pressing for an amnesty plan that is a danger to our national security. People from the Middle East and our destruction in mind are arriving with those people from Mexico, El Salvador Honduras and Guatemala. Democrats are going to try and pass an amnesty bill while no one's looking, at a late night session before Congress closes shop vacation time; by presidential executive order. These new waves of illegal aliens are affecting the thin line of defense on the border, straining resources and the worst is yet to come?
That without visible signs of the military patrolling, the open areas without barriers the numbers of unknowns will accelerate. The President and his cohorts think the answer is taxing us even more, to pay for anybody who makes it across either border. Mexico is not our friend, and they will not enforce their side of the border. We are a foolish people who trust the words of our lawmakers, who do one thing and then double-cross us. We need to rid ourselves of this Liberal Progressive President, who cannot be countered for the scandals on his watch.
People need to get off their rears and voice their anger against the most anti-American president in the history of our country. He has allowed 36,000 alcohol-abusing, drug addicted, sexual predators, Murderers and hit and run uninsured animals and other criminals to flood our streets; where our children walk.-and millions more are coming if Obama gets his way with amnesty. We just can't let that happen or we will be living in a fear 24/7, paying taxes just to pay for the poor of the world who feed off hardworking Americans. Obama says amnesty will make our communities safer—that is a flat-out LIE! You will never read the truth in the mostly Liberal leaning newspapers. The political polls have fooled the gullible. Read some of the people's commentary in thousands of newspapers encompassing this country and learn the truth, not the main columns of false information. Indeed, even the polls have a Liberal-elective point of view, unless you read Polls such Rasmussen Reports. Our nation is being invaded each day, but until now the truth has been hidden, unless you ask the ranchers and property owners in the Border States who suffer each day from criminal activity. If it costs a hundred billion dollars to hermetically seal the border tight, it would be well worth it in the end.
Alex David says:
What a bogus argument! If he is so successful, why hasn't he at least hired an immigration lawyer and go through the process LEGALLY starting with getting a legal VISA?
I'll tell you why: because then his argument for folks to gain amnesty simply by virtue of them being here already falls apart and taking the legal route would be shown as the valid, preferred process, that's why.
Deport him.
That is enough reason in my mind not to deport him.
As I stated, I would ordinarily agree with Doug, and you, that he should not be deported, for all the reason he gave and you restated. However, if he is holding himself up — and I am not sure he is — as a poster boy for flouting our immigration laws with impunity, sending a message of encouragement to others to break the law and sending a disheartening message to those awaiting legal immigration, then let's deport him. It would send the message that you do not mock the laws of the country that took you in. Mostly though it would send the message that our laws must be obeyed, and it would give encouragement to those trying to come here legally.
@Dave Francis: " If it costs a hundred billion dollars to hermetically seal the border tight, it would be well worth it in the end"
That's right! A hundred billion dollars is nothing if it means we get to stay pure and white!!!!
I hope you run for president on this platform.
@Another Mike: So what you're saying is we welcome illegal immigrants as long as they keep their mouths shut and do the jobs Americans don't want to do for less than minimum wage. But if one of them ever dares suggest they deserve to be treated like human beings, toss them out on their asses.
@Another Mike: "It would send the message that you do not mock the laws of the country that took you in"
By the way, do you believe that the part of the First Amdendment guaranteeing freedom of speech doesn't apply to people you don't like, or simply to mocking the laws of the country?
@wr: UM, No. Fine the employer paying less than minimum wage because he's braking the law. Deport the "employee" because he has no legal basis to be here.
@ Another Mike
No one ever told you jokes are supposed to, you know, be funny?
That aside, giving some of the nonsense you post here, I have no problem believing that is really what you think.
DrDaveT says:
@Dave Francis:
Our society is at great risk, if Obama and the Democrats get their way, drug cartels, human traffickers and dangerous criminals will flow freely through our borders and fill our neighborhoods [sic].
You could have stopped there and saved yourself the effort. I certainly did.
superdestroyer says:
@Grewgills:
But then the question is: Would Mr. Vargas support the idea of keeping anyone out of the U.S.? Or does Mr. Vargas actually support the free movement of people in the world and would support the idea that 100 million plus third world residents should be allowed to come to the U.S?
Even Comprehensive immigraiton reform promises to keep some people out of the U.S. and would not allow the next generation of Jose Antonio Vargas's to come to the U.S. I fail to understand how passing a form of amnesty will make up for all of the policy failures of the past and prevent more policy failures in the future.
@superdestroyer:
But then the question is: Would Mr. Vargas support the idea of keeping anyone out of the U.S.?
He's written plenty on the subject, why don't you read what he has to say?
@Alex David: "Deport the "employee" because he has no legal basis to be here."
All the multiple millions of them?
Wow, that crazy guy's $100 billion is looking like a bargain!
@superdestroyer: "But then the question is: Would Mr. Vargas support the idea of keeping anyone out of the U.S.? Or does Mr. Vargas actually support the free movement of people in the world and would support the idea that 100 million plus third world residents should be allowed to come to the U.S?"
If that's your question, why don't you ask him? He can't be all that hard to find. Then you can report back here what you've found out. And maybe you'll make a new friend!
@wr: Yeah it's too bad he's not in a profession where he might write down his opinions on these matters or appear on tv or in documentaries to discuss the issues and someone could look them up in Google.
It would open up a space for a US citizen journalist. But seriously,..
That was the joke??? But seriously,..you and Rupert Pupkin.
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Let me introduce myself. My name is Rupert Pupkin. I was born in Clifton, New Jersey… which was not at that time a federal offense. Is there anyone here from Clifton? Oh, good. We can all relax now. I'd like to begin by saying… my parents were too poor to afford me a childhood. But the fact is that… no one is allowed to be too poor in Clifton. Once you fall below a certain level… they exile you to Passaic. My parents did put the first two down payments on my childhood. Don't get me wrong, but they did also return me to the hospital as defective. But, like everyone else I grew up in large part thanks to my mother. If she were only here today… I'd say, "Hey, ma, what are you doing here? You've been dead for nine years!" But seriously, you should've seen my mother…
Dave Francis is whack.
G.A.Phillips says:
Our society is at great risk, if Obama and the Democrats get their way, drug cartels, human traffickers and dangerous criminals will flow freely through our borders and fill our neighborhoods
Um, this has been going on for some time now.
Mr. Coffee says:
Monday, July 14, 2014 at 00:43
@Another Mike:..My guess is that he is still waiting.
Nobody cares what your guess is. Why don't you do some research and find out.
Then you might have something to gripe about. Or not.
My advice to your Christian friend is to convert to the Pastafarian Church and he can pray to the Flying Spaghetti Monster that the United States Immigration policy changes to allow Mr. Vargas and him to become US Citizens. I'm certain it will be as effective as a plea to Jesus or Allah or YHVH.
Jenos Idanian #13 says:
He cannot legally work in the United States.
So go after his employers.
No future employer can even pretend ignorance about his immigration status; it's his whole schtick now. Make it clear that anyone who hires him, in violation of US labor laws, will be fined to hell and back.
nonsenseyousay says:
Unfortunately we have run out of ingredients to make a bigger pie.
@wr:
Mr. Vargas is very careful to never say what his position on immigraiton is. http://www.defineamerican.com/stories
He does what almost all progressive activist do, he just wants to "talk" about the issue knowing that progressive will dominate the conversation and push toward open borders.
Also, Mr. Vargas has supported FWD.us that has pushed for open borders. I am sure that Mr. Vargas wants open borders and the free movement of people in and out of the U.S. put just does not openly say it. That he avoids saying anything other than immigration needs to be reformed to help every sob story there is, shows that he wants to let everyone into the U.S. who wants to come here.
Thus, the real question is why do so many progressives want to drive the standard of living in the U.S. to the point that people in Mexico or the Philippines will no longer want to come here?
Mu says:
For those that complain about the ongoing "crime" of being in the country illegally – unless you've been previously deported it's a civil violation, similar to not paying your state's sale taxes on your internet purchases or popping the water restrictor out of your shower head. As for "how does he work here", he probably got a SSN as a kid, and as a journalist he probably sells the product of his work, and is not an employee.
I have to admit, I find his stand odd, daring the government to go after him. Still no reason to indulge him and make him a martyr for the cause. As for the political commentators asking for his immediate deportation, I think asking for your opponents to be put in front of a judge and send to where they belong sets a bad precedent for future political dealings, especially if your side doesn't look like the long-term favorite.
@Mu: I have to admit, I find his stand odd, daring the government to go after him.
It's not so odd. He's offering himself as a human shield. He's challenging our willingness to enforce our laws.
I'm also curious as to how he gets around with no legal ID. He can't drive, he can't rent a car, he can't get on an airliner…
He might gotten a driver's license years ago, before immigration status was checked. He's been here since the 80s. And you don't need paperwork for renewal. And other than border airports there's no ICE to check immigration status if you're boarding an airplane with a foreign passport for in-country flights. So I'm not too surprised he usually gets around quite easily.
The cost of freedom. You can have a German system where everyone has to register his primary residence with the state, and has to carry a state issued ID all the time. Or you can have the freedom of doing what you want, at the price that so does everybody else.
Brian Reilly says:
This report about Mr. Vargas, his status, eligibility for re consideration of legal residency, contribution the the US, etc. is all a waste of time. There is NO ONE of any import interested in changing Mr. Vargas' status. He is deemed to be here, and by being here, is deemed suitable to stay. In fact, anyone who can get here is deemed suitable for residency, and drop the nonsense about "illegal" and "legal".
We (Broadly, not universally) no longer care to be bothered with judging whether people ought to live in the United States, or how they live, or whether their presence is a net plus to the nation, or even that a nation is a desirable concept to entertain or defend. We want a lifestyle that is a lot more materially comfortable than is available in the places (not really nations anymore, just area on a map) that most people on Earth live without considering whether that is possible if we simply allow and encourage as many as want to come here to actually come here and disperse into the population.
Wealthy people, well-connected people will enjoy all of this new existence. They do not live or have to deal with the mess that is making, and have the assets to last a long, long time in various comfortable cocoons. The hard working middle class will be ok for a while yet, it is a big country, and can move to keep ahead of the wave that is breaking.
The worst part of this all is that poor people, uneducated people, not-so-smart people will see their already (by American standards) meager existences spoiled, and no one of any import will care. I hope it does not get as ugly as I think it will, but hope is a poor policy guide.
@nonsenseyousay:..Unfortunately we have run out of ingredients to make a bigger pie.
You and Charles Holland Duell…Oh, Wait. Maybe not.
In 1898, he was appointed as the United States Commissioner of Patents, and held that post until 1901. In that role, he is famous for purportedly saying "Everything that can be invented has been invented." However, this has been debunked as apocryphal by librarian Samuel Sass. In fact, Duell said in 1902:
"In my opinion, all previous advances in the various lines of invention will appear totally insignificant when compared with those which the present century will witness. I almost wish that I might live my life over again to see the wonders which are at the threshold."
@Mu: He might gotten a driver's license years ago, before immigration status was checked.
I just did a very little bit of checking. From Wikipedia:
He did not learn of his immigration status until 1997, at age 16, when he attempted to obtain a California driver's license with identity documents provided by his family which he then discovered were fraudulent. He kept his immigration status secret, pursuing his education and fitting in as an American, with the help of friends and teachers, using false documents including a green card, Filipino passport, and a driver's license that helped him to avoid deportation.
So he never had a legal driver's license. He used a fake one. He used several fake documents.
@Mu: He actually had an Oregon license (obtained fraudulently, as he was a California resident) but was going to expire when he was 30. He obtained a Washington license, which was revoked in 2011 for non-residency after he told his story in the Times. He was arrested for driving without a license in 2012, but apparently ICE declined to deport. Lucky man.
R.Dave says:
I'm strongly in favor of comprehensive immigration reform that would enable people in Vargas' position to stay (and many others to come and stay as well). However, until that happens, I do think that Vargas should be deported. Equality before the law is an incredibly important principle, and right now, Vargas is getting a pass purely because he has connections, notoriety, education and resources. It's pure classism – he gets to openly flout the law while millions of people from lower socio-economic classes get deported.
Vargas also brings to light another aspect. there is no truth in "just a violation." Being an illegal alien is only a violation, but to remain in the US and continue being "just an illegal alien" demands an ongoing series of other violations of the law. You have to keep piling up more and more violations to remain in the US.
Vargas has used fake IDs and violated numerous other laws, and freely admits it.
This leads to the perverse case where there are actually circumstances where is it more advantageous to be an illegal alien than a citizen or a legal alien.
Get caught driving without a license? If you're here legally, it's a big problem. You're going to get hounded and punished. If you're here illegally, then it's pretty much "catch and release."
Vargas has repeatedly boarded planes with false identifications. That's a major deal for most people, but not an illegal alien.
Don't pay your income taxes? Work under the table? Big trouble with the IRS — unless you're an illegal alien.
I shouldn't have to spell things out this bluntly, but when the same laws are applied unequally based on legal immigration status, and it's harsher on those here legally, that's a very, very bad thing.
BTW, Vargas has just been detained for trying to board a plane without a valid ID.
Will he be treated just any legal alien would under similar circumstances, or will he get preferential treatment and released? Or allowed to board the plane without valid ID?
Journalist, Activist, And Undocumented Immigrant Jose Antonio Vargas Detained By Border Patrol
New York Court Rules Child Of Illegal Immigrants Can Be Admitted To Practice Law
Houston Businessman Ensared By Trump's Irrational Immigration Policies
Child Of Illegal Immigrants Allowed To Become A Lawyer, May Not Be Allowed To Work
The "Anchor Baby" Myth

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


You have to plan a wedding. This is your big day and you want it to be perfect. Planning for perfection is simple but finding it or affording it is not so easy. Can you really afford the wedding of your dreams? In this article, we will provide you with some valuable, cost-saving tips that can really help.
You can practice walking down your aisle days before the actual wedding. If possible, practice your aisle walk at the site where your wedding will be. This will give you an opportunity to practice on the actual floor using the shoes you will be wearing on your wedding day. This makes sure you're comfortable during the big day.
You can save a lot of money by buying your wedding gown online, but buy it with enough time to spare so you can get it altered prior to the big day. You want to make sure that you think about other expenses that you might not commonly think of, like having the wedding gown altered, which can cost extra money. Make sure the costs are included in your budget.
You can get a better rate on almost any venue by booking during an off period. That may means having a wedding in a less popular month or on a weekday, but the savings can be significant. Many venues cost more at this time. Should you have to book during the season, do so well in advance to garner your best deal.
Ethnic catering can help add spice to your wedding. Chicken and steak have both been done. Go with something creative! Variety will make things very beautiful and elegant.
Are you bringing in food yourself to your reception? Visit a wholesale store to stock up. Shopping wholesale renders significant savings for food. You may want to ask your friends to chip in with buying food.
Use the property of a friend or a member of the family for your wedding. If someone you know has a nice backyard or a large farm, this can save a lot of money. Offer to pay people to come into the place ahead of time to do some cleaning and then after the event, and that will be the only costs.
Avoid starving to get into your dress. Not eating any food can leave you feeling dehydrated and lethargic on your big day. You want to stay on your feet during the ceremony and reception. Buy a dress that allows you to make adjustments when the wedding date comes.
Do not crowd tables with too many flowers. The flowers will often just get in the way when your guests are trying to eat. Some people attending your wedding may have pollen allergies, as well. Unscented candles can get placed around the tables for an atmosphere of romance.
If you cannot justify the cost of a thousand-dollar wedding cake, consider contacting a local bakery and inquiring about single-serving portions, like cupcakes or cake pops. There are many bakeries that will prepare low-calorie cupcakes for you, or can find ways to cut the calories from a cake. Whether they use gluten-free ingredients, a healthy fruit filling, a calorie free frosting, or something else, it's sure to be better for you than the alternative.
Tell your DJ the songs that you do not want to be played. If you hate a specific song or a genre, such as heavy metal or country, you don't want that played at your wedding reception. Just let him know beforehand so you don't have any sad moments at your wedding.
Tell your DJ the songs that you do not want to be played. Maybe you like metal, country, or have a great song that reminds you of someone from the past. No matter what, you must make sure he knows what music to avoid.
Instead of spending a lot of money to get a huge cake for your wedding, think about tiers of sweet, delicious mini-tarts or cupcakes. Such ideas are great for their affordability, adaptability and ease of use. Each guest can just grab a cupcake or tart, then put them into special take-out inspired box.
Interview a lot of skilled and experienced photographers before settling on the one you want. Having your wedding ruined by bad pictures isn't what you're aiming for. Some excellent ways to narrow your search include talking to friends or checking out websites.
If it is within your budget, you might want to take a wedding cruise with just your closest friends and family. This allows you to start honeymooning as soon as you get married. Many cruise companies have special deals for wedding and honeymooning couples.
Brides who want a look of luxury can embellish their wedding bouquets with something that sparkles, like rhinestones, Swarovski crystals, or even a tiny bit of diamonds. You can achieve this look by using heat-fixed or adhesive crystals or small pieces of costume jewelry. To ensure that it coordinates with the rest of your ensemble, be consistent in terms of sparkling colors, cut, and size of the stones.
If you will be serving a meal served over multiple courses, keep your guests entertained while food is being served with small dishes filled with sweets at each table. Get sugar roses in colors that match your theme, or perhaps some crisp crackers.
Practice your walk for when you walk down the aisle. Should you be worried about a mishap, consider some nice flats. Losing the allure of heels will pay off if it saves you from taking a nasty spill.
Rather than spend a bunch of money on a huge cake, you may want to opt for a few tiers of great cupcakes or small tarts. Their affordability, convenience and versatility make these arrangements highly desirable. Each guest can just grab a cupcake or tart, then put them into special take-out inspired box.
You don't have to go all out when it comes to purchasing things like centerpieces for the tables in your wedding. Keep your centerpieces very simple instead of large and ornate. You will then allow people to have a conversation without unnecessary distractions; this will bring your guests closer.
If dinner isn't a part of your reception plans, formal tables shouldn't be either. If you use comfortable furniture like lounge chairs or fancy sectional pieces, your guests might spend more time socializing with each other. Luxury seating will help your guests to feel more relaxed and at ease. You can even use the seating to create several separate relaxing areas.
Make your caterer aware that the reception will be outdoors. Some dishes won't fair well in heat, and others might just not weigh enough to stay place in firm wind. You might be able to use fancy or insulated covers for dishes. If you have to, use a small fridge for keeping drinks cold.
If you plan on having a destination wedding, do not forget about your guests. You might have guests that plan their vacation around your wedding, so they need enough time to get ready. Sending out save the date cards or invitations, if possible, at least 8 months in advance, will allow for just about any arrangements your guests will need to make.
Create a list of what you want to have at your wedding, ranking items by importance. For example, some may feel that great food is more important than having a DJ or dance floor. With this prioritized list, you can budget your finances according to what is most important and add and subtract to accommodate any budget. This will help ensure that you have everything that you want and keep within your budget.
Hire a wedding photographer who will help create memories, not just take pictures. Therefore, it is essential you ask the right questions when interviewing photographers. Ask about how the photographer will navigate throughout the event to capture the essence of your wedding. You will want to match styles with the photographer of your choice.
Consider including group activities within your wedding day. This keeps your family and friends from just standing around killing time and getting bored. Examples of activities could include a volleyball game, or a contest of who can get to know the most people prior to the wedding. By including group activities into your wedding day, your guests will have fun and fondly remember your wedding.
The arrangements should stand out quite a bit adding to the atmosphere. You can do this by adding flowers of varying heights or floral containers that are similar in appearance yet not identical. Use long-stemmed flowers with tall vases. Put hydrangeas or other flowers with volume around these vases. The shorter full flowers need to be lighter than the taller and more prominent flowers.
Start planning as early as you can. You might believe one year is plenty of time for planning a wedding; however, the more you wait the more costly and unavailable the service providers and venues will be. The earlier you get started, the better your wedding will be.
Talk to vendors about recommending other services. Photographers have another ability that you can take advantage of. When you find one you are comfortable with simply ask if they can recommend a few D.J.'s they have enjoyed, or even bands, at other weddings. Ask the band that you are hiring to recommend a different service. Not only will you find quality individuals this way, the vendors will probably all work better together if they like one another.
Do you have an upcoming wedding and wonder how you will pay for it? Spending more than you can afford is something you may regret once the big day is over. You have learned many tips to save money here. Apply them liberally, and have the best possible day.
Bride should take the time to learn how to pose for pictures without awkwardness and give lots of great looking smiles by practicing in front of a mirror. That way, your pictures will reflect a radiant bride, rather than one who seems uncomfortable or hesitant. If you practice enough, you can have the perfect smile for the day.


The Healthy Reefs Initiative (HRI) released its 2015 Report Card for the Mesoamerican Reef, based on a study of 248 coral reef sites along 1000 km off the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. The Report Card uses comprehensive scientific data to provide an assessment of the reef's health. It enables the evaluation of management actions at a regional scale and is intended to guide decision makers in resource management policies.


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New faculty, hired in clusters, to address global issues, equity, justice
Scholar and Berkeley Sociology PhD Gail Omvedt Dies at 81
Dr. Gail Omvedt passed away on August 25, 2021 at her home in India. She was 81. Dr. Omvedt earned her PhD in sociology from UC Berkeley in 1973 for her dissertation titled, "Cultural Revolt in a Colonial Society: The Non-Brahman Movement in Western India, 1873-1930."
Mary Shi, in collaboration with the Anti-Eviction Mapping Project, has published Counterpoints: A San Francisco Bay Area Atlas of Displacement and Resistance (Oakland: PM Press, 2021).
Congratulations to Angel Ross, winner of the ASA's Community and Urban Sociology Section Graduate Student Paper Award!
Congratulations to Isabel García Valdivia, co-winner of the Latina/o Sociology Section's Cristina Maria Riegos Student Paper Award!
Congratulations to Berkeley Sociology graduate Matty Lichtenstein, co-winner of the ASA Political Sociology section's Best Graduate Student Paper Award!
Congratulations to Berkeley Sociology graduate Elizabeth McKenna, co-winner of the ASA Dissertation award for "The Revolution Will be Organized: Power and Protest in Brazil's New Republic (1988–2018)"!
2021 Student Research Prize Recipients: Nina Narahari, Salomé Ragot & Sydney Pon
Nina Narahari, Salomé Ragot & Sydney Pon are recipients of the 2021 of the American Cultures Student Prize for "Responding to COVID-19: Immigrants Face Major Barriers to Accessing Essential Services in the SF Bay Area"
Daniel Aldana Cohen named CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar
Two UC Berkeley faculty members from the College of Letters & Science, Daniel Aldana Cohen and Ellora Derenoncourt, have been named CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars.
Ms. Jules Means Featured on PBS
Ms. Jules Means is featured on the PBS segment, "Older Adults are Heading to College in Pursuit of New Opportunities"
Joe LaBriola wins a 2020 IPUMS Research Award
Joe LaBriola's paper, "Class Inequality in Parental Childcare Time: Evidence from Synthetic Couples in the ATUS" (co-authored with Daniel Schneider published in Social Forces), wins a 2020 IPUMS Research Award for the best paper first- or co-authored by a graduate student using IPUMS time use data.
Leo Goodman, Who Transformed Sociology With Stats, Dies at 92
Leo Goodman was UC Berkeley's Class of 1938 Professor in the departments of sociology and statistics. He was widely considered to be among the founding fathers of modern statistics. He pioneered statistical analysis that revolutionized the study of poverty, inequality and other social phenomena. After his passing, New York Times published this article to memorize Prof. Goodman's achievement. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/17/obituaries/leo-a-goodman-dead-coronavirus.html
Isabel García Valdivia Wins a SSSP Student Paper Award
Isabel García Valdivia's "Legal Power in Action: How Latinx Adult Children Mitigate the Effects of Parents' Legal Status through Brokering"(Published in Social Problems) is the Winner of the Youth, Aging, and the Life Course Division's Student Paper Competition within the Society for the Study of Social Problem.
The Department of Sociology at University of California at Berkeley is generating an applicant pool of qualified temporary instructors to teach a range of courses in the department should openings arise. The position's duties include: undergraduate and graduate teaching. In addition to teaching responsibilities, general duties may include holding office hours, assigning grades, advising students, preparing course materials (e.g. syllabus), writing exams, and managing GSIs.
Jill Bakehorn honored with Extraordinary Teaching in Extraordinary Times Award
Jill Bakehorn has been honored with an Extraordinary Teaching in Extraordinary Times Award.
Three Scholars Join the Faculty of Berkeley Sociology
We are excited to welcome three scholars to our faculty. Ekédi Mpondo-Dika is currently a postdoctoral research associate at Princeton University. She will be taking a postdoctoral scholar position with Berkeley's School of Social Welfare before her faculty appointment starts in 2024. Dr. Mpondo-Dika is an ethnographer who studies emotion, family and inequality (https://www.ekedi.org).
Michael Piña and Naniette Coleman win Chancellor's Awards for Public Service
The Chancellor's Awards for Public Service honor individuals and groups for their exceptional commitment to advancing social change through public service, a pillar of the university's public mission. Annually, thousands of students, staff, and faculty devote hundreds of thousands of hours to direct service to the community, and even more hours to research and partnerships that serve the public interest. This year, two students from our department won this recognition. They will serve as a representative of the university (including the Chancellor) at the event and in media.
Cristina Mora's work cited in NY Times article
Cristina Mora's work is cited in a New York Times article, "My Child's Egg Donor Is Latin American. Does That Make Him Latino?."
2021 Sociology Commencement
The Department of Sociology will be hosting a Virtual Graduation Celebration for Sociology majors who plan to graduate in Fall 2020, Spring 2021 and Summer 2021 terms. We will be sharing more details as the date gets closer, but for now, for those who can set aside May 17th 10-11:30 please save that time and plan to join us. We look forward to celebrating your remarkable achievements together.
Dr. Andrew Barlow interviewed for a story on anti-Asian violence on the NewsHour
Dr. Andrew Barlow interviewed for a story on anti-Asian violence on the NewsHour,


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Latest Job Opening at Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald's International Development Services Unit, IDS, operates within the international development sectors of Environment and Water, Education, Health and Social and Economic Development. Together we implement and manage projects and programmes in developing countries and emerging economies around the world. We are committed to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to provide our expertise to help improving lives of people in need.
RESULTS AND EVIDENCE TECHNICAL ADVISOR
Job Ref: 27081BR
Work Pattern: Full-Time
Cambridge Education is an education services company of Mott MacDonald Group that provides expert education consultancy in partnerships with governments, donors, international development agencies and partners around the world, as they seek to enhance people's skills and economic prospects.
Cambridge Education Nigeria Limited (CENL) is managing the ESSPIN, TDP and DEEPEN programmes on behalf of the UK Department for International Department (DFID). ESSPIN (Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria) is designed to provide strategic technical assistance to support education reform at Federal level and in six focal states to plan and implement strategies for transforming the quality of basic education.
The Teacher Development Programme (TDP) aims to provide strategic technical assistant in 6 lead states on teachers' improvement, ultimately improving student learning. DEEPEN (Developing Effective Private Education, Nigeria) is using the 'making markets work for the poor' approach to improve the policy environment and quality of private schooling in Lagos and beyond.
Working with the Monitoring Technical Lead and the Evaluation Technical Lead provide technical assistance in the areas of monitoring, evaluation, and evidence strengthening
Manage the programme's monitoring and evaluation strategy including reviewing the strategy when appropriate and ensuring its implementation.
Working with the International Monitoring Consultant Support SUBEBs and CoEs to develop and implement monitoring and reporting systems which will improve the evidence base of teacher supply, demand and effectiveness and will provide data for planning and further development of teachers, including facilitating State Monitoring and Evaluation capacity building activities
Lead on the strengthening of the gender-disaggregated national evidence base on teacher education, in coordination with the DPM and the Communications team
Liaise with and establish working relations with partners and key stakeholders including FME, UBEC, NCCE, SUBEBs, LGEAs, CoEs, DFID, EDOREN, ESSPIN and others
Identify and manage synergies between other IDP programmes such as EDOREN and UNICEF's GEP 3 and TDP in the areas of monitoring and evaluation, results and evidence
Manage the programme logframe by establishing clear and measurable indicators and milestones in collaboration with programme management, other technical leads and DFID and coordinating the collection of the data for these indicators and other programme requirements through the state teams and government systems
Coordinate the reporting against the programme logframe, the quarterly monitoring of the programme workplan and provide inputs to the programme's quarterly reports
Mainstream the use of modern communications technology for monitoring purposes
Collaborate with DFID and EDOREN on the design, conduct and dissemination of the baseline (already completed), and end-line surveys and other assessments including ensuring that national and state level engagement with and understand of the data and its implications
Develop and manage studies to gather evidence on current situation and programme impact
Ensure lesson learning and dissemination of best practice and experience from the TDP programme
Manage evidence for programme roll-out and scale up
Work closely with the National Programme Manager, Pre-Service Technical Lead, and NCCE Adviser to integrate monitoring and evaluation of the incentives package for teaching practice into existing CoEs systems
Knowledge, Essential Competencies, Skills, and Qualifications
Post-graduate qualification in Education
Experience of working with government systems in education at national and state levels
Experience of building capacity of government systems
Experience of monitoring and evaluation in education programmes
Excellent reporting skill.


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Bungie talks Destiny's 10 year plan, schedules and giving fans what they want
By Leon Hurley published 15 June 16
By Bungies' own admission, "the number one thing players have been asking for is more content". It's something Christopher Barrett, Destiny's creative director, told me when I got a chance to speak to him about 'the ten year plan' - Activision's famous launch promise, and the future of the game in general.
The request for more content has been a common one after what many perceived as a period without substantial updates. While we've had The Dark below, House of Wolves and The Taken King, for many regular players there's not been enough new stuff to keep them busy. That's something the upcoming Rise Of Iron expansion should hopeful rectify.
But it's not like Bungie hasn't been busy, as Barrett explains. "We're always looking at the game, the current balance, each of the systems: trying to figure out what players are most excited by". That's actually seen plenty of new stuff over the last (almost) two years, just maybe not the content filled expansions players have been demanding. "We were introducing new systems. We were trying multiple things within the studio while also planning future releases," he says. "We're always rebalancing: what's the right thing to deliver? Our goal is to release as much great content as we can".
Some of the disquiet has been caused by the intermittent and variable nature of the updates that have been released. "The ideal thing is for us to come up with a consistent release schedule," Barrett admits. "We're trying to communicate that to players. Certainly with Rise of Iron we wanted to deliver what payers have been looking for, and I think you'll see, coming in the following months, we're going to be releasing more regular releases with additional events. We'll be talking about that more and more, coming up".
When I asked if the 10 year year plan was still the objective, Barrett answered "We're focused right now on the current release, on Rise of Iron, but there are a lot of great stories to be told and there's a lot stuff we want to do with the franchise. So, absolutely, we see a lot of potential for more adventures, more features".
There's also the question of how the ten year plan will affect the game overall. Will Destiny year nine be recognisable to year two players? "I hope it's coherent. We want it to be," was Barretts answer "We have some ideas where we want the world to go. But I think we'd be kidding ourselves if we knew what exactly what was going to happen nine years from now".
Ultimately, as far as that long term plan goes, it's down to what fans want. "We're constantly looking at the current state of the game, what players enjoy, what's working well, what's not. I think we'll constantly be evolving the game," Barrett explains. Whatever happens it's important to the studio to preserve the essential 'Destiny-ness' of everything. "I think at its core it's a game about bringing players together to have fun in a world that's inviting and exciting," he says. "I think you'll see that as a common thread no matter where we go".
Leon Hurley
I'm currently GamesRadar's guides coordinator, which means I've had a hand in producing or writing all of the guide and tips content on the site. I also write reviews, previews and features, and do video. Previously I worked for Kotaku, and the Official PlayStation Magazine and website. I'm a big fan of open world games, horror, and narrative adventures.


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John Mitchell
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Restructuring & Insolvency, Dispute Resolution & Litigation, White Collar Crime & Investigation
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John Mitchell is a commercial litigation partner in Arnold Bloch Leibler's Sydney office. He has more than 25 years' experience as a commercial litigator, acting in a large variety of matters in the New South Wales and Victorian Supreme Courts, the Federal Court and the High Court. John has acted for major Australian and overseas corporations as well as high-net-worth individuals, and has particular experience in acting in large, complex matters.
A 'very smart and highly organised lawyer with superior communication and client relations skills' with 'robust litigation experience'.
Client quote, Chambers Asia Pacific
John is recognised in the area of dispute resolution in a number of prominent international guides to law firms, including Chambers Asia Pacific. Identifying John as one of Australia's leading litigation lawyers, Legal 500 Asia Pacific and Chambers Asia Pacific has highlighted him as "a very smart and highly organised lawyer with superior communication and client relations skills" with "robust litigation experience". John is also acknowledged by Who's Who Legal as an expert in the areas of business crime, investigations asset recovery, and by Best Lawyers® International in the areas of litigation and alternative dispute resolution. John has been ranked by Doyle's Guide as 'recommended' in the category of 'Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers'.
John was appointed a partner of Arnold Bloch Leibler in 2006. Previously, he was a partner at an international law firm, practising in Sydney.
John is the Australian representative member of ICC FraudNet, a global network of leading lawyers in anti-fraud litigation, operating under the International Chamber of Commerce and its anti-crime arm, the Commercial Crime Services.
John is a director of Carriageworks Limited, a contemporary arts and performance space in inner city Sydney, as part of a pro-bono partnership between Carriageworks and Arnold Bloch Leibler. He is also a board member of the National Art School, located in Sydney.
John is a member of the dispute resolution & litigation group and has experience in the following areas:
commercial litigation and dispute resolution;
corporate regulatory investigations and white collar crime;
class action defence;
insolvency and reconstruction; and
banking and insurance.
John has acted for major Australian and international corporations, government bodies and private clients in a range of matters, including:
David Marr, Australian journalist and author: obtaining judgment in the Supreme Court of NSW concerning a dispute over Mr Marr's role and responsibilities as literary executor under the will of late Australian playwright, Nick Enright;
Ben Quilty, Australian Archibald Prize winning artist and social commentator: in relation to a commercial dispute;
Aveo Group Limited: defending Aveo in a class action in the Federal Court of Australia brought on behalf of certain residents of Aveo's retirement villages;
The Administrators of Arrium Limited: successfully defending proceedings in the Supreme Court of NSW brought by Alleasing Finance concerning Alleasing's defective PPSR registrations of its leasehold interest in mining plant and equipment;
Australian toy manufacturer, Moose Toys: in relation to the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy of Toys R Us;
the former executive directors of Great Southern Limited: in defending numerous class actions and Liquidators' claims in Victoria, Western Australia and New South Wales arising from the collapse of Australia's largest agricultural managed investment scheme manager;
a minority shareholder: in a large shareholder dispute in relation to Afro Capital Holdings Limited concerning alleged misappropriation of assets and business opportunities including mineral leases in South Africa;
a former director of Elderslie Finance Corporation Limited: in a $75 million insolvent trading claim in the Supreme Court of NSW brought by the liquidator of Elderslie;
various high-net-worth individuals: in relation to investigations by the joint task force known as Project Wickenby comprising the Australian Tax Office, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Crimes Commission and ASIC;
a UK national: in relation to an investigation by the UK authorities into alleged carbon tax permit fraud and the execution of search warrants in Australia in aid of the UK investigation;
Chris Corrigan: in Federal Court proceedings commenced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission alleging anti-competitive arrangements between Patrick Corporation and P&O;
Villa World Limited: in a building and construction dispute in the Supreme Court of NSW involving alleged defects in the construction of a 120 lot housing development;
AWB Limited: in relation to the Cole Inquiry into the Oil-for-Food Program;
various individuals in relation to several ongoing, high profile investigations by the Australian Federal Police into alleged bribery and foreign corruption by Australian corporations;
the directors of Keycorp Limited: in the defence of a Federal Court claim brought by US corporation, HID Global Inc;
HFA Holdings Limited funds managers: in relation to proceedings in the Supreme Court of NSW arising from an employee share scheme and related margin loans;
Chilean liquidator of Onix Capital SA: in proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia obtaining recognition under the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross Border Insolvency of Chilean liquidation and Chilean bankruptcy proceedings concerning Mr Chang who is alleged to have engaged in Chile's largest Ponzi scheme;
Queensland coal producer, QCoal: in proceedings in the Supreme Court of Queensland concerning a dispute over charges imposed by Adani for handling QCoal's coal at Adani's Abbot Point Terminal in far north Queensland;
Steven Hui Xiao, the former managing director of Hanlong Mining Limited: in relation to ASIC's investigation into insider trading by the executives of Hanlong Mining and proceedings commenced by ASIC in the Supreme Court of NSW against those executives for travel restriction and asset freezing orders;
the late David Coe, the former chief executive officer of Allco Finance Group Limited: in public examinations by the receivers and ASIC's investigation into the collapse of Allco, and a shareholders' class action against the company, the company's auditors and Mr Coe's estate;
NSW coal producer, Whitehaven Coal Limited: in various disputes and a private arbitration with other participants in the NSW coal supply chain;
KordaMentha: in relation to the receivership of a large residential project in Sydney, including disputes over payments under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act and building defects disputes;
GEO Property Group: in relation to the successful defence of GEO in an expert determination claim for performance bonuses under a development agreement for a large industrial site;
the CFO of Arimco Mining NL: in relation to insolvent trading claims brought by the liquidator of Arimco;
purchasers of HIH: converting notes in Federal Court proceedings against the underwriter to the note issue;
MDS Nordion Inc, a Canadian nuclear medicine manufacturer: in concurrent proceedings in New South Wales and France;
six of the former directors of Ansett Airlines: in proceedings commenced by the Travel Compensation Fund;
Great Lakes Council: in the successful defence of the Council in the High Court in Wallis Lake Oyster class action (Graham Barclay Oysters v Ryan);
investors in Australia's largest vineyard and producer of bulk wines: in a contract dispute with a major Australian wine company;
various financial advisers: in relation to claims for negligent advice made to the Financial Ombudsman Service; and
various banks and financial institutions, including Investec, Gresham, Babcock & Brown, and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited.
Contact John Mitchell
Take a look at Insights & News articles referencing John Mitchell
News Media release
Arnold Bloch Leibler features in Chambers Asia Pacific guide
Arnold Bloch Leibler has once again been recognised as a leading firm by the independent legal guide Chambers Asia Pacific.
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Introducing the Chief Executive of ANZ Bank, Sydney Managing Partner Paul Rubenstein said it would be an understatement to say that in the not-quite four years since Shayne Elliott was appointed to the position, the challenge and scrutiny faced by Australian banks and the people who lead them has in...
2020 Best Lawyers® International results
A total of 32 Arnold Bloch Leibler (ABL) lawyers across 24 areas of legal practice have been recognised in this year's Best Lawyers® International list for Australia.
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific results 2019
Arnold Bloch Leibler (ABL) has been ranked across a number categories in the 2019 edition of the independent Legal 500 Asia Pacific guide.
Arnold Bloch Leibler listed in Chambers Asia Pacific 2019
Arnold Bloch Leibler (ABL) has received 22 individual lawyer rankings in the Asia Pacific guide of 2019 international legal directory Chambers and Partners.
Arnold Bloch Leibler hosts LGBTIQ interfirm event
Arnold Bloch Leibler recently hosted its first LGBTIQ-focused event as part of the Victorian LGBTIQ Interfirm Network.
33 ABL lawyers listed in Best Lawyers 2019 guide
ABL recognised in the 2017 Doyle's Guide
Arnold Bloch Leibler has been listed across a number of practice areas in the 2017 Doyle's Guide for the Australian legal profession.
ABL features prominently in Chambers Asia Pacific guide
Arnold Bloch Leibler has been recognised as a leading firm by the independent legal guide Chambers Asia Pacific.
Twenty-nine ABL lawyers listed in Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2018
Arnold Bloch Leibler (ABL) is pleased to announce the firm has been ranked across 11 categories in the 2018 edition of the independent Legal 500 Asia Pacific guide.
ABL Sydney hosts event for World Day Against the Death Penalty
Marking the 15th annual World Day Against the Death Penalty, Arnold Bloch Leibler hosted an event in Sydney with special guests, Parvais Jabbar MBE and Saul Lehrfreund MB.
30 ABL lawyers named in 2018 Best Lawyers list
A total of 30 Arnold Bloch Leibler (ABL) lawyers across 21 areas of legal practice, have been recognised in this year's Best Lawyers® International list for Australia.
Insights Article
Little mistakes on the PPS Register can have big consequences
Lenders and lessors have been given a stark reminder of the importance of properly registering their security interests on the PPS Register by the NSW Supreme Court.
Chambers Asia Pacific results 2017
Arnold Bloch Leibler has once again been recognised as a leading firm by the independent legal guide Chambers Asia Pacific, with 27 individual lawyers being listed.
ABL listed in 2016 Asialaw Leading Lawyers guide
Arnold Bloch Leibler (ABL) has been ranked by Asialaw Leading Lawyers guide 2016 across six different practice areas.
Two thirds of ABL partners named in 2017 Best Lawyers list
A total of 22 Arnold Bloch Leibler (ABL) partners and two senior associates, across 16 areas of legal practice, have been recognised in this year's Best Lawyers® International list for Australia.
Chambers Asia Pacific acknowledges four additional ABL partners in 2016 rankings
Arnold Bloch Leibler has once again been recognised as a leading firm by the independent legal guide Chambers Asia Pacific across 11 different practice areas, with 21 individual lawyers being listed.
Majority of ABL partners recognised by peers in 2015 Best Lawyers® list
Over half of Arnold Bloch Leibler partners have been listed in the 2015 Best Lawyers® International list for Australia, across 29 areas of law.
ABL ranked as a leading firm by Chambers Asia Pacific 2015
Arnold Bloch Leibler has once again been recognised as a leading firm by the independent legal guide Chambers Asia Pacific across nine different practice areas.
Long running Great Southern class actions settled with a twist
Lawyers for former Great Southern executive directors, Cameron Rhodes and Philip Butlin, today welcomed judgment approving the $23.8 million settlement reached in one of the longest running trials in the history of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
A third of ABL partners named in 2014 Best Lawyers® in Australia list
Arnold Bloch Leibler is pleased to announce that over a third of its partners have been named in 12 areas of legal practice in the 2014 Australian edition of Best Lawyers.
ABL a top ranked firm in Chambers Asia Pacific 2014
Recently, Arnold Bloch Leibler was recognised in the Chambers Asia Pacific 2014 guide among the leading firms in Australia for the following areas: Banking & Finance; Construction; Corporate and M&A; Dispute Resolution; Native Title (traditional owners); Real Estate; Restructuring & Insolvency and T...
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Arnold Bloch Leibler accepts the invitation contained in the Uluru Statement from the Heart to walk together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.