"A call to recognize the crimes of High Finance"

David Friedrichs, my criminal justice / sociology colleague from the end of the hall, has some commentary at MarketWatch in which he argues that Occupy Wall Street does have a clear message and that it is a "A call to recognize the crimes of High Finance".

What are the Occupy Wall Street protesters seeking? Critics of this endeavor claim that there is a lack of a clear focus, agenda and strong leadership. But the overall message of the protesters is crystal clear and hugely important: we all need to become broadly conscious of what is wrong with our present political economy, and we have to promote the political will needed to transform it in fundamental ways.

There's some good things that I agree with in David's commentary such as we should take white collar crime more seriously. On the other hand, I'm not entirely convinced that OWS has a single, clear message (I don't have a problem with that) or that

The top priority of Wall Street should instead be to foster economic development, high levels of employment across the economy, and a fair and equitable distribution of the commonly produced gross national product for the benefit of the 99%.

It might be nice, but that sound more like the goals of government than Wall Street. Any way, it's worth a look. David is one of the country's foremost experts on white collar crime.

Comments

One reader recently brought it to my attention that he has had trouble posting comments. Has anyone else had a problem?

Central America Links

Here are several links to Central American stories that might be of interest.

·         Guatemala's tale of two societies (Mail & Guardian)

·         Guatemalan journalist keeps secrets of drug killings for posthumous video (Guardian)

·         Like Water for Gold in El Salvador (The Nation)

·         How Nicaragua made the most of Hugo Chavez's riches (Global Post)

·         Ortega’s rhetoric worries Nicaragua bishop (Miami Herald)

·         Thousands of Migrant Kids Trapped Inside the World’s Border Politics (Color Lines)

·         Central American Migrants Preyed on By Organised Crime, Police  (IPS)

Zipping from Guatemala to Mexico

From CNN

It may not be legal, but it's definitely popular. For just 10 Guatemalan quetzals, or 15 Mexican pesos (the equivalent of just over a U.S. dollar), you can pay to ride a zip line across a river and into a new country.

A news team from Mexico's Televisa network, a CNN affiliate, found four zip lines crossing over the Suchiate River, which serves as part of Mexico's southeastern border with Guatemala. They observed people crossing into Mexico in broad daylight, apparently not worried about immigration authorities posted not far from there.

Guatemalans on both sides of the border are in charge of the zip line and collecting money from people willing to cross.

I wonder if they charge tourists extra.

Tom Hanks en Univision "Despierta America" (3/4): Hanks does the weather

Celebrity Rehab - Mad Max is Back

"Amo a Guatemala... Mi idioma no es bueno."
(“I love Guatemala. My language is not good.”)

In March, Mel Gibson traveled to Guatemala to visit the El Mirador archaeological site in the Peten and to bring attention to environmental issues in the country. 

Well, Mr. Gibson is back in Guatemala right now with an organization called Mending Kids International. The organization "provides life-changing surgical care to children worldwide."

Yesterday, he brought diapers, toys, cookies and candy to the Spina Bifida Unit at the San Juan de Dios General Hospital. Today, he got a tour of the hospital and spent some time in Pediatrics and the Spina Bifida Unit.

Here are some stills from his visit.

Hopefully he'll bring not only needed attention to the work of the doctors and nurses at the hospital, but some money as well. 

Celebrity Rehab Part Deux - Guatemala

Guatemala and the other Central American nations are great to visit for a number of reasons, including scenic beauty and terrific people.

However, celebrity rehabilitation is not something at which the region has excelled.

LiLo tried to make it a go with a visit to Guatemala in early 2010 and her career has not rebounded in any significant way.

John Edwards spent time building homes in El Salvador in December 2009 and I honestly don't know if he ever returned.

Well, Mad Max is now going to give it a shot.

Mel Gibson is leaving for Guatemala tomorrow on a long-planned charity trip, and it looks like he'll be out of the country when the D.A. charges him with misdemeanor domestic violence.

Sources tell TMZ ... the purpose of the trip is associated with the campaign to save the rain forest in the country. Mel made the commitment to go several months ago.

As we have already reported, the D.A. will charge Mel with domestic violence, and a spokesperson for the office says the decision will likely come this week -- while District Attorney Steve Cooley is on vacation.

So it looks like Mel will not be in the U.S. when he's charged.

I feel out of my league with this one. These stories are more in line with Dan Drezner's expertise.

Or maybe John Orman, a friend and former professor at Fairfield University. He co-authored Celebrity Politics and would probably have something witty to say. Unfortunately, John left us too early. He's better known for running against Joe Lieberman for the 2006 Democratic Senate nomination.

Weekend Reading

Some weekend reading and viewing

No Man's Land: The Mystery of Mexico's Drug Wars

Climate change 'number one issue' (El Salvador)
 
Carlos Enrique Ungo on A mi padre, Guillermo Manuel Ungo and Feliz Ulloa on Recordando a Guillermo Ungo 

NetoViras also has two Ungo videos.

McCain and Palin Still Lost

Earlier in the week, there was a story that Tom Loertscher (R-Iona) of Washington didn't know where Guatemala was located on a map. Turns out the writer had the story wrong and Loertscher was speaking about his hairdresser. She didn't know Guatemala's location until meeting her future husband who was from there.

We'll look for more evidence next time. Like now. Here are some recent gaffes from Senator McCain, 1/2-term Palin, and the American public. Sometimes you just feel bad for the Senator.



To be fair, I can't correctly identify all 200 or so countries in the world. And when I do mix up countries and leaders in class, I correct myself.

On the other hand, I don't recall too many video clips where McCain or Palin actually seemed to know what they were talking about in terms of foreign policy. Must be the media's fault.

Merry Christmas!

Thank you all for taking time each day to stop by Cenral American Politics.  I have to go put some gifts under the tree for the kids and then we're off to Beantown tomorrow.

Merry Christmas everyone and I'll check back in next week.

Mike

2010 Sexiest Vegetarian Over 50 - We have a Winner

I know everyone has been waiting anxiously to hear who would be crowned the 2010 Sexiest Vegetarian Over 50.  Well, like the Cliff Lee saga, the wait is over.  Unfortunately, our friend Hermano Juancito did not win.  Instead, a Westerly lawyer has been named sexiest vegetarian.

Does choosing to eat no meat or animal products make you sexy? PETA would like you to think so, and to help sell the idea, they've picked their Sexiest Vegetarians Over 50 for the year. A Westerly lawyer, Robert L. Lombardo, Jr., was picked for the men's division.

Congratulations and enjoy your five-night trip for two to a vegetarian and ecologically-oriented resort in Guatemala.