VivirLatino

Living & Luchando la Vida Latin@

Daily Archives: July 17, 2008

When a Practical Joke Goes Wrong

July 17th, 2008

Do you ever watch hidden camera shows and chuckle as the victim discovers he or she’s been had? This one from Venezuela will either make you laugh or cry. Personally, my eyes were bugged out the whole time and couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

In addition to the reaction of the victim, one thing that isn’t to be missed is when she fears for her life, yet laments more the nail she broke (at 1:53).

What do you think? Did they go too far? I mean she was so scared the car drove off alone!

Via / Venetubo

Post to Twitter

The Narco Submarine

July 17th, 2008

drug_submarine.jpgSubmarines carry spies, military personnel, weapons…but drugs? A “very special” submarine has been seized by Mexican officials and found to be carry a boatload of coke. And get this — the sub itself was homemade:

The 30-foot (10-meter) makeshift submarine was detected heading north about 200 miles (322 kilometers) off the southern state of Oaxaca, Mar said.

The green-topped, arrowhead-shaped vessel was intercepted when it surfaced hours later, and the crew was taken into custody without resistance.

CNN reports that the crew claims they didn’t know what the sub was carrying and had boarded the vessel because narcos were threatening their families.

This was a first for Mexico (incidentally plagued by problems with drug traffickers on land) but apparently this type of narcosub is well known in Colombia.

Via / CNN

Post to Twitter

Obama Win Doesn’t Mean Better Relationship With Venezuela

July 17th, 2008

chavezAccording to Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, the differences between John McCain and Barack Obama are minimal and that an Obama victory wouldn’t mean better relations between Venezuela and the country Chavez lovingly calls “the empire”.

Chavez told his supporters not to raise their hopes that relations with the United States would improve if Obama is elected U.S. president, saying there was little difference between him and Republican candidate John McCain.

“The two candidates for the U.S. presidency attack us equally, they attack us defending the interests of the empire,” Chavez said at a meeting of his socialist party.

“Let’s not kid ourselves, it is the empire and the empire must fall. That’s the only solution, that it comes to an end.”

Post to Twitter

Denver Latino Cops Suing Department and City

July 17th, 2008

denverpdAll is not well among the Latino police officers in the host city for the Democratic National Convention. 16 Latino officers have filed a federal class-action discrimination lawsuit against the Denver Police Department and City and County of Denver.

The complaint alleges discrimination in recruitment, hiring, promotions and discipline, said Det. Rufino Trujillo, president of the National Latino Peace Officers Association in Denver.
Martinez said the suit took over two years to file because the EEOC was conducting an investigation in order to issue a right to sue letter. He said the commission finally issued the letter recently, allowing the lawsuit to move forward.

Via / Hispanic Tips and Denver Daily News.

Post to Twitter

Colombia misused Red Cross Symbol During Rescue

July 17th, 2008

redcross.gif
Apparently the Colombian forces that rescued Ingrid Betancourt used the Red Cross symbol as part of their rescue efforts:

“We regret that this occurred,” President Alvaro Uribe said in a speech following reports that the Red Cross emblem was displayed on a jersey or T-shirt worn by a Colombian intelligence officer who took part in the rescue mission.

The problem with this is that the Red Cross is recognized as a neutral force in war time. If fighters have reason to suspect that those wearing Red Cross shirts are not really members of the Red Cross, real Red Cross worker’s lives will be in peril.

Add this to the rumors of millions of dollars being paid out to FARC, and questions about legality, Uribe’s intentions, and political consequences for Colombia just won’t stop.

Post to Twitter

Only New Outfits for the Lopez-Anthony kids

July 17th, 2008

JLoBabies.jpg

All of celebrity gossip land is abuzz over Ms. Anthony’s recent disclosure that she never let’s the twins wear the same outfit twice:

“Jennifer was approached by a charity and asked to donate some dresses for a celebrity auction. She agreed and donated a gorgeous £5,000 frock.

“She also offered some of Max and Emme’s clothes, telling organisers that she never lets them ‘repeat’ outfits.

“But the auction deals only in adult clothes. Jennifer told them it was a shame, as some items cost over Û1,000 (£500) each.”

Now far be it from me to begrudge a fellow Latin@ such an extravagant lifestyle (really, I do, but I can at least be gracious about how much I begrudge her!), but I did have to wonder if little Max and Emme actually appreciate their mami’s dedicated grooming patterns. New outfits are itchy!

Post to Twitter

Why is the Same Job Done In Spanish Worth Less?

July 17th, 2008

2296564229_49818c988c.jpgIs the same news, reported in a different language, Spanish for example, worth less? According to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle it is.

Reporters at San Francisco’s leading Spanish-language TV news station, KDTV/Univision, make roughly one quarter less in base pay than their English-language counterparts. This despite the fact that the Spanish newscast attract more viewers in the 25-54 demographic than every other newscast in the Bay Area save the top-rated KGO-TV.

How to explain the disparity?

Post to Twitter