U.S. Sells Citizenship to Wealthy Immigrants

By Sarah McBride | Reuters – Fri, Jun 29, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Shera Bechard, the Canadian-born former girlfriend of Playboy Enterprises founder Hugh Hefner, would not be an obvious candidate for the special visas that the U.S. government reserves for "individuals with extraordinary ability."

Playboy magazine named Bechard Miss November in 2010, and she also started an online photo-sharing craze called "Frisky Friday." Neither seems quite on the level of an "internationally recognized award, such as a Nobel Prize," which the government cites as a possible qualification.

But Los Angeles immigration lawyer Chris Wright argued that Bechard's accomplishments earned her a slot. The government ultimately agreed.

That kind of success has put Wright on the map as the go-to visa fixer for both Hollywood and Silicon Valley. It also highlights the use of so-called genius visas known as O-1s and EB-1s, which have largely escaped political controversy and are now the immigration solution of choice for many entrepreneurs.

[Related: 102-year-old man becomes U.S. citizen]

As many immigration lawyers see it, the paucity of immigration options for the most entrepreneurial foreigners mean they must use any avenue they can. This approach, along with seeming flexibility in Washington on what constitutes "extraordinary ability," means the O-1 is gaining traction in technology circles. Wider use could ultimately land it in political trouble.

For example, the H-1B visa, which allows employers to hire foreigners temporarily in certain specialized fields like technology, has drawn accusations from union groups and others that companies use it to bring in lower-skilled labor.

The O-1 visa allows individuals of "extraordinary ability" to come to the United States for up to three years, and can be extended. British journalist Piers Morgan used one when he replaced Larry King on his late-night TV show, Wright said.

The EB-1 is similar, but leads to a green card and permanent residency rather than a temporary stay, with "extraordinary ability" being one of the ways to qualify - along with being an outstanding professor or researcher, or a multinational executive.

[Related: Ariz. implements immigration law as feds push back]

Foreign entrepreneurs have another option - the Immigrant Investor Program, or EB-5 visa - but it requires a capital investment of at least $500,000 and the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
By contrast, no proof of personal wealth or investment in the United States is required for the O-1 or the EB-
1.

There is also no cap on the number of O-1s that the government can award each year; about 12,280 were approved in 2011, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said, up from 9,478 in 2006. It issued about 25,000 EB-1s last year, below their cap of 40,000.

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STOCKTON TAKES DOWN TWO MORE WITH HELP FROM U.S. MARSHALS

MIND MASTERY

STOCKTON, CA - Stockton police officials said a recent effort to reduce deadly violence has led to the arrest of 32 people on the city's most wanted list.

Several U.S. Marshals have been helping police track the city's most dangerous criminals for the past several weeks. Federal help arrived in Stockton as part of Mayor Ann Johnston's Marshall Plan.

Among the 32 people arrested, 11 were, at one time, on the "Top 10 of Most Wanted" list. Two men arrested Wednesday were part of that list.

Javier Corona was arrested in connection to a murder that happened in the parking lot of a south Stockton shoe store.

U.S. Marshals also arrested Steven Fernandez Domingo on Wednesday.

Officer Pete Smith said the success of the effort is not a surprise.

"They're not answering calls for service, the 1,100 calls we get every day," Smith said. "They're focused on the list, running down leads, and focused on the intelligence as it comes in. When you can do that in law enforcement, you'll be successful."

By Tim Daly, tdaly@news10.net

BUSINESS INSIDER: “RON PAUL IS WINNING ANOTHER CAUCUS”

Reports Business Insider’s Grace Wyler:

While Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum duke it out for delegates in high-profile primaries like Illinois and Pennsylvania, Ron Paul’s quiet pursuit of delegates appears to be paying off.

Early results from Missouri’s caucuses this weekend show that the long-shot presidential candidate is significantly outperforming his rivals in the race for delegates. Senior campaign advisors tell Business Insider that Paul appears to have picked up the majority of Missouri’s delegates, despite having lost the state’s nonbinding primary to Rick Santorum.

“We did do real well in Missouri,” Benton said. “Some county conventions are still going on, but we’ve got good turnout. Anecdotal evidence shows we won multiple caucuses, and it looks like we’re going to pick up the majority of delegates.”

Although the final delegate tally won’t be determined until the state party convention this spring, Paul’s success in Missouri is a validation of his low-key caucus strategy. The Paul campaign has recently shifted its focus to winning unbound delegates in caucus states, where delegates are elected at state conventions rather than by the popular vote…

Two Virgo's: A team that builds Confidence

Teaming up with another Virgo could be a winning strategy for you. After all, you can grow weary of being the only one competent enough to deal with niggling details. Having another Virgo by your side will give you the welcome assurance of working with someone who is just as efficient as you are. Similarly, you always enjoy working with a colleague who can provide you with plenty of intellectual stimulation, and another Virgo will do just that. The two of you would make excellent copywriters, homeopaths, or horticulturists. If you work for an employer, resist the urge to get wrapped up in insignificant matters, especially when important deadlines are looming. Sometimes it's better to get things done on time rather than render a perfect performance.

Videos to show You why you Should vote for Ron Paul

PROOF PEOPLE!!! HIS SUPPORTERS ARE COLLECTIVELY COMING TOGETHER~!!

Santorum On Romney: 'He's Not Someone You Can Trust'

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Rick Santorum said that Mitt Romney has misled voters about his position on a federal mandate for individuals to purchase health insurance, hammering his primary opponent hard one day before Ohio voters go to the polls. "During the heart of the debate on Obamacare, Mitt Romney stepped forward in 2009 and advocated for a mandate, an individual mandate. Taxing people who did not buy insurance, that is an individual mandate," Santorum said on a conference call organized abruptly by his campaign, between campaign events. Santorum was referring to a 2009 op-ed in USA Today, written by Romney, that came to light over the weekend.

"People are starting to realize that what you have with Governor Romney is someone who is simply not a genuine article, he's not someone you can trust on the issue of big government," Santorum said.

"Then for Mitt Romney to do what he's done on repeated occasions, to mislead the public as to what his position was, to continue to mislead, and to try to obfuscate by just throwing negative ads at someone and not having to respond to the fact that he was an advocate for something he says he wasn't, it's firm evidence that conservatives will not trust him, will not rally around him through this primary season," Santorum said.

"And ultimately, I don't care how much money he will spend, we will be the nominee," he thundered.

The Romney campaign responded with the same defense that their candidate has consistently used when criticized for the health care overhaul he signed into law as Massachusetts governor in 2006.

"Rick Santorum has a habit of creating distortions, exaggerations and falsehoods about Mitt Romney’s record. Over the last several years, Governor Romney has said many times, in many different formats, that his health care reform plan was the right model for Massachusetts, and that it should not be used as a one-size-fits-all national health insurance plan," said Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul. "Governor Romney is a federalist and has always said that states should be free to come up with their own health care reforms."

The problem with the 2009 op-ed is that there is no mention by Romney of what has been a standard line: each state should be free to take the approach they think is best.

Romney has made comments over the years, particularly in a 2007 appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," that he thought a mandate approach could serve as a national model.

It is a good issue for Santorum to hit Romney on, and he is clearly trying to regain the offensive in Ohio to stop a repeat of last week's result in Michigan. Santorum held a large lead in Michigan, only to see Romney's edge in money and TV advertising help his opponent to a victory.

Santorum also started to spin the results in Ohio ahead of time, just as his campaign tried to do last week. He pointed out that Romney and a super PAC supporting Romney are outspending him by a margin of 12 to 1.

"To suggest this is David and Goliath is probably a little bit of an understatement," Santorum said. "No matter what the result is tomorrow in Ohio, we're going to feel great because under that barrage we stood tall, we stood on principle, and we were able to come out and run a great race in this state."

The reality is, if Santorum loses Ohio, it will be very hard for him to argue he is still competing with Romney.

Quote for Today March 6th, 2012

"To some, Money Matters None." - oh zee 2012

Ron Paul Says Santorum Can't Beat Obama

By Alexandre Jaffe
Ron Paul said he doesn't think that Rick Santorum can defeat President Obama in a general election. "I don't see how that's possible," he said on Sunday on CNN's State of the Union.

Paul also jabbed at Santorum for his aim “to control peoples’ lives” and what he framed as Santorum’s hypocrisy on the birth control issue. Santorum admitted in a 2006 interview on Fox News that he supported Title X, a government program that provides funds for family planning services, including access to contraceptives. Santorum said he voted for it during his time as Pennsylvania Senator, and though he believes in access to contraceptives, he personally feels they’re harmful to women and that abstinence education is a "healthier" option.

"I don't see how anybody can get away with that inconsistency—pretending he's a conservative,” Paul said in reference to Santorum’s vote. Paul dismissed the recent debate over contraception entirely, saying that while the other candidates discuss birth control, he's concerned with "the undermining of our civil liberties, the constant wars going on" and the debt.

Paul said the focus on social issues is a fundamental problem and an unwise fight for the GOP.

"I think it's a losing position," he said. "I talk about it because I have a precise understanding of how these problems are to be solved," on a state-specific level, he said.

Poll: Ron Paul Most Favorable Republican Candidate

Poll: Ron Paul Most Favorable Republican Candidate I agree with this Article, which states Ron Paul is the more favorable Republican Candidate. Not Only Limited to one party, he's the best candidate for the job period. When he participates in the Debates, he is clearly the most intelligent person in the room.

RON PAUL ENDORSED BY MISSOURI STATE REP. PAUL CURTMAN

POISED TO INTRODUCE DR. PAUL TONIGHT, REP. CURTMAN CITES PROLIFE STANCE, PROTECTION OF LIBERTY, AND ‘PLAN TO RESTORE AMERICA’ AS INSPIRATION FOR ENDORSEMENT

LAKE JACKSON, Texas– 2012 Republican Presidential candidate was endorsed today by Missouri State Representative Paul Curtman of the 105th Legislative District, comprising parts of Franklin, Jefferson, and St. Louis counties.

Rep. Curtman, a rising star in the conservative political establishment, will introduce Dr. Paul tonight at a campaign rally the 12-term Congressman from Texas will hold in Kansas City.

In making his public endorsement, Rep. Curtman issued the following statement:

“Missouri is a prolife state, and if we handle the abortion issue at the state level like Ron Paul says, then we could end the practice of abortion in Missouri.

“Political office is reserved as a position of service, not a position of status. The fact that Ron Paul hasn’t applied for congressional benefits tells me that he is a public servant determined to protect my liberty.

“I find great value in Ron Paul’s principled stand for protecting personal freedom and sound financial principles. Blind loyalty to political figures has done nothing but expand the size of government, and it creates budget deficits that will take generations to pay off. Ron Paul has a plan to cut a trillion dollars of spending his first year, and he has consistently fought for personal freedom throughout his time in Congress.”

Today an ardent student of history and outspoken defender of the U.S. Constitution, Paul R. Curtman graduated from Pacific High School in 1999. He subsequently enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served his country as an infantryman with Golf Co. 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines. As a Sergeant in the Marines, Paul deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

After leaving active duty, Paul continued his service as a Marines Reservist for six years. During that time, Paul attended the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he earned a bachelors’ degree in Political Science. Upon graduation, he became licensed as a Series 7 Investment Representative and employed at a major investment firm.

Paul is the fourth of five children with two brothers and two sisters. His father, Dr. C.R. Curtman, has pastored a Baptist church for nearly 35 years with the support of his wife, Paul’s mother. Paul’s brothers and sisters include a biologist, accountant, police officer, and businessman.

In addition to his endorsement as a lawmaker in the Show-Me State, as a function of this announcement Rep. Curtman also joins the national advisory board of “Veterans for Ron Paul,” in particular its Missouri steering committee.

Providing a strong boost to Ron Paul’s Missouri state organization, such endorsements present Ron Paul as the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. They also demonstrate that the 12-term Congressman from Texas has the only campaign organization capable of maintaining a 50-state competition with the moderate-establishment Romney.

Fears Iran Helping Al-Qaida for ‘Spectacular’ Attack

This Is a Big Hoax, don't believe this article, because three days ago, Newmax posted this, which is the exact opposite as what they are now stating. They are trying to convince us that they have a reason to invade Iran, look at the map pictured above. The following article shows that this particular news network either doesn't report the truth, but rather what they heard. This is complete Bullshit.

- Oh Zee 2012

© Newsmax. All rights reserved.
© Newsmax. All rights reserved.

Iran has established an “operational relationship” with al-Qaida’s core leadership amid fears the terror organization is planning a spectacular attack against the West, according to a troubling new report.

Sky News reports that the attack could come in retaliation for the killing of Osama bin-Laden last year, or as retaliation for any strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities. And a likely target of the terrorist attack would be the Olympic Games to be held this summer in London.

Iran has been supplying al-Qaida with training in the use of advanced explosives, funding, and a safe haven “as part of a deal first worked out in 2009 which has now led to ‘operational capacity,’” the Sky News website disclosed.

Some Western intelligence agencies have been skeptical of an alliance between Iran and al-Qaida. But last year the Obama administration directly accused Iran of supporting the terrorist group, a report by the intelligence analysis organization LIGNET revealed in August.

At that time, the United States sanctioned six alleged al-Qaida operatives and accused Iran of allowing them to operate in Iran to conduct operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

One of those six was a Syrian known as Yasin al-Sura, leader of al-Qaida in Iran, LIGNET reported.

The Obama administration last year offered a $10 million reward for information leading to al-Sura’s whereabouts, and Iran responded by placing him in protective custody, sources told Sky News.

The website reported that top al-Qaida leader Ayman al Zawahiri is now “believed to be planning a ‘classic’ al-Qaida attack, simultaneously on multiple locations.”


Read more on Newsmax.com: Fears Iran Helping Al-Qaida for ‘Spectacular’ Attack Important: Do You Support Pres. Obama's Re-Election? Vote Here Now!
© Newsmax. All rights reserved.

Music:Bad Artists, like Politics:Bad Politicians

As I evaluate the level of competition in the Music Industry, I see many similarities with the Industry and Politics. This years election is starting to sound like the mainstream music we are fed on the radio. A bunch of crap that no-one wants to hear, and repitition causes some to lose their defense, so they end up singing along. The Republicans are starting to emulate the forced Music we are all used to by now, just by the way they are forcing us to rally behind weaker politicians, because they are afraid of the good guy.

I understand the dynamics behind the forcing, and they do it because of the high percentage of people that believe the media, and "trusty" news networks. But they are owned by the people who are afraid of Ron Paul, and what his political agenda might do to their heirloom of wealth. What he is proposing is to eliminate all the unnecessary expenditures which help to pad the pockets of the nation's wealthiest. By taxing the wealthy, America wouldn't be hurting the economy, but rather ensuring our financial stability. This infuriates the elite, by greatly reducing the plausibility of their planned take-over.

Ron Paul Looks to Extend Mitt Romney's Losing Streak

By STEVE PEOPLES, ASSOCIATED PRESS SANFORD, Maine -- Mitt Romney hoped to avoid a fourth straight election setback Saturday in the GOP presidential nomination race, but feisty Ron Paul could extend that losing streak with a victory in Maine's caucuses. Romney, the one-time front-runner, stepped up efforts to court Republicans in recent days, reflecting growing concern about the outcome of what has become a two-man race in Maine. Neither Newt Gingrich nor Rick Santorum, who won in Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado on Tuesday, is actively competing in Maine, where party officials planned to declare a winner Saturday evening. Paul was optimistic as he greeted morning caucus-goers in Sanford, where a few hundred Republicans gathered in a nearly-filled high school gymnasium. "I think we have a very good chance," Paul said. Romney will "be better off if he wins it and I'm going to be a lot better off if I win. So this will give me momentum and it will just maintain his. It's a pretty important state as far as I'm concerned." Romney wants Maine voters to help in his struggle to convince his party's conservative wing that he should be the candidate they back. The former Massachusetts governor said in a Washington speech Friday that he was "a severely conservative Republican governor." to continue reading this story, click here...

Ron Paul Makes a Huge Leap in Latest Polls

As the Mainstream Media continues Ron Paul behind the limelight as much as possible, things are starting to change. With a Presidential candidate as strong as Dr. Ron Paul, the corporations are encouraging Super-PAC's as a way to change the outcome of this election. Dr. Paul has an extremely strong American spirit, that shows in his constitutionalist fundamentals. He wants to repeal the Patriot Act, NDAA, and SOPA/PIPA, all of which are unconstitutional and deprive us of our in-alienable rights. Paul is explaining the truth to the people, hoping to unite us all, and lead us back in the right direction.

Dr. Paul has been as consistant as the calender with his voting on key issues, he is staying on his side of the fence. Flip-Floppers such as Mitt Romney are shooting themselves in the foot by changing their stance on these issues. The law that was passed January 1st 2012, which removed our rights to a fair trial, as well as allowing them to detain us indefinitely, is an act of Treason on the American Public. Why anyone is remaining to go on with their daily agenda without any respect to these laws is appalling. I am American, and I will do everything in my power to ensure the safety of our future generations. When a civil rights lawyer is ready to file this suit against the politicians who are not protecting the constitution as they swore to upon being elected.

The sole responsibility of our government is to insure the safety of its citizens, and to do whatever it takes to protect our Bill of Rights. When we finally see action against these American traitors, the public deserves some type of justice. Looking back at The Bank Bailout, it was never our decision, but we the people will suffer the consequences of a rogue government. Taking away the rights of the people who are paying your debt is absurd, and inhumane. Well, if we can unite in favor of the 99%, the world would see America for what it really is. I have high hopes I know, but hear me out on this; If you want to experience the holocaust from the Jewish point of view, then just keep living the worthless life of yours. Freedom is a privilege that we will lose if we think the gov't is going to take care of us, because they don't have the means in the budget to continue supporting those of you who have caused more harm to this great country due to their inadequate education levels. Stupidity is a choice and therefore it shouldn't be a legitimate reason for someone to expect cash aide from big brother.