Morning NewsTaco

Monday May 7, 2012

Will Hispanic Immigration Trends Hurt Obama in 2012? (The National Journal):  The cresting of the great generation-long wave of legal and illegal immigration from Mexico won’t meaningfully affect the political leverage of Hispanics in the U.S. for decades, if ever. But some Hispanic leaders worry that their political influence will ebb in November nonetheless.

Hispanic voters hold key to 2012 Electoral College map (Politico):  At a private fundraising reception in Palm Beach recently, Mitt Romney was overheard acknowledging his weakness among Hispanic voters. If it’s not turned around, he said, “It spells doom for us.” Take a look at the electoral map, and you’ll see why.

Alabama Immigration Law Will Have ‘Continuing And Lasting’ Effects On Hispanic Students, Feds Say (Huffington Post):  The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a stark warning against Alabama’s controversial immigration law, which feds say has caused “increased hostility, bullying and intimidation,” leading to a surge in school absences among Hispanic students, and will have “continuing and lasting” consequences.

Immigration nightmare: Army soldier’s wife detained after Arizona traffic stop (MSNBC):  A quick trip to the store to buy supplies for her 3-year-old daughter’s birthday party turned into a two-day nightmare for a U.S. Army soldier’s wife, who after being stopped for a minor traffic violation found herself threatened with deportation while her husband is stationed overseas.

I’m No Jimmy the Greek, But SB 1070 Likely to Be Left Toothless... (Huffington Post):  Having now reviewed the transcript of the argument, I take a slightly different take on the matter. Though I suggest no one take bets on my prediction — for I am no Jimmy the Greek — I believe the Court in large part will uphold the two federal courts that have struck down the Arizona law.

 How immigration has affected the US, Mexico relationship (MSNBC): …this is probably the most important single issue in the u.s.-mexico bilateral relationship. nothing will have a more profound impact on the future prosperity, well-being and security of north america of mexico and the united states than getting immigration right. but it is a very toxic and very polar rising issue more so in an election. and more so when so many Americans are hurting and out of a job.

Mexican culture about more than beer commercials (Chicago Sun Times):  Cinco de Mayo is…— a historical holiday commemorating a military victory. But also a day that has been embraced by beer companies as just another party — Halloween for Hispanics. Which on its face is fine. But it could also be something more.

NASA’s 1st Hispanic astronaut, 2 others join Hall (The Miami Herald):  NASA’s first Hispanic astronaut was among three astronauts Saturday who joined John Glenn, Neil Armstrong and Sally Ride in the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

Foul Play ‘Possible’ After Hispanic Man Found Dead in Churchill Downs Barn (Fox News):  Police were looking into the “possibility” of foul play after a Hispanic man was found dead early Sunday in a barn at Churchill Downs, hours after the race track hosted the 138th Kentucky Derby, the Louisville Mayor’s Office said.

Hispanic Monument Construction Begins (MKBW):  Saturday morning on the dawn of the Cinco de Mayo Celebrations here in Western New York, the construction began for the Hispanic American Veterans Memorial Monument at Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park between the Korean and Rust Bucket Monuments.

Mexican-Americans – 10 things you might not know (Chicago Tribune):  This weekend marks the 150th anniversary of a Mexican militia’s victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla — commonly observed as Cinco de Mayo. Two important points: Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day — that’s Sept. 16. And Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more widely in the U.S. than in Mexico — it has become a traditional expression of Mexican-American pride.

Yes: Latinos Can Be Racist, Too (Politic 365):  When the story broke that George Zimmerman used his 2005 MySpace page to spread derogatory stereotypes about Mexicans, the response from major newspapers and cable news was underwhelming.