GUEST BLOGGING

Hi folks - Next week I'm leaving first to testify in DC and then to speak at a conference in Singapore. I'm going to do my best to keep up with the blog during my ten days out of the office, but thought this might be an opportunity for some of you readers to try your hand at posting yourself.  I'm happy to preserve your anonymity by allowing you to blog under your handle rather than real name so don't worry about that. If you're interested, send me an email at gsiskind@visalaw.com.

Comments

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[Another voice]

Hey everyone Diane Sawyer is reporting from Mexico this week and is touching on the Immigration subject. They are actually running a blog on the topic. Is a good oportunity to school some of the general public that would not nesesarly read this blog on the subject. I am sure everyone can contribute loads of valuable information and educate the ignorant public and open their eyes in order for them not tu buy in to the populist anti agenda.

[USC]

Greg:

Here are two newly minted Nobel prize winners. Both immigrants and both candidates for your immigrant of the day:

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/health/AP-Nobel-Medicine.html?hp

"U.S. citizens Mario R. Capecchi and Oliver Smithies and Sir Martin J. Evans of Britain won the 2007 Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday........."

"Capecchi, 70, who was born in Italy, is at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Smithies, 82, born in Britain, is at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Evans, 66, works at Cardiff University in Wales."

[USC]

"Thanks USC. Great tips!"

You are welcome. I also wanted to clarify that Sentosa is more comparable to Disney's Animal Kingdom (AK didn't exist when we went to Singapore) than EPCOT. Anyway, I am providing the link below:

http://www.sentosa.com.sg/

In the meantime, this story in today's NY Times proves that Swiss antis are as disgusting as American antis:

"The measure also calls for the deportation of the entire family if the convicted criminal is a minor.

Human rights advocates warn that the initiative is reminiscent of the Nazi practice of Sippenhaft, or kin liability, under which relatives of criminals were held responsible and punished for their crimes."

Disgraceful!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/08/world/europe/08swiss.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Does this sound familiar?

“These foreigners abuse the system,” she said after Mr. Walliser’s presentation. “They don’t speak any German. They go to prostitution and do drugs and drive fancy cars and work on the black market. They don’t want to work.”

“We come here. We want to learn. We clean their streets and do all the work they don’t want to do. If they kick us out, are they going to do all that work themselves? We need them, but they need us too.”

Looks like the Swiss & American antis go to the same school!

[Sid]

"... even those who eat meat don't eat it on regular basis."

I was trying to dispute the fact that those who eat meat don't eat it on a regular basis. Irrespective of how many references you provide, I know from personal experiences that it's simply not true.

I don't disagree with the fact that there are many vegetarians in India. I was trying to underline only the last part of the sentence. The formatting came out differently when I posted it.

[unknown]

Sid:
I don't know what made you say I have stereotyped Indians. I clearly said MANY not most or majority. I don't know how much you know about vegetarianism in India and being from India I guess I have some idea. Also upon your comment I just yahooed and found this in the first result:
www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Culture/Cuisine/vegetar.html
The relevant text:
"Nonetheless, the perception of India as a paradise for vegetarian food is not entirely mistaken, whatever the statistics and anthropology texts may have to say about this matter. There are communities, for instance Jainas and Vaishnava Hindus, where vegetarianism is strictly observed, but millions of other Indians are vegetarians as well. Even in many Indian families where meat is consumed, it is done no more frequently than one day a week, usually on a Sunday afternoon. For many other families, meat — again, usually chicken or mutton — is partaken three or four times a year, most often at weddings."

In some Indian states it's even difficult to find non vegetarian restaurants.

[Greg Siskind]

Thanks USC. Great tips!

[USC]

Sid:

"What crap! Don't generalize."

I agree. It is not good to stereotype, especially since only a minority of Indians are vegetarian!

Greg:

While we are on the topic of vegetarian food, may I take of recommending a joint in Manhattan. It has the best falafel. If you try it, it will be best $2 you ever spent. I usually go to the MacDougal St location.

http://www.mamounsfalafel.com/

[Sid]

"Primarily because traditionally many Indians are vegetarians and even those who eat meat don't eat it on regular basis. "
-------------------------------------------------------

What crap! Don't generalize.

[unknown]

Greg:
The best bet for vegetarian food will be Indian food. Primarily because traditionally many Indians are vegetarians and even those who eat meat don't eat it on regular basis. Believe me you will find Zillion varieties vegetarian food from any Indian restaurant in Singapore and there are many in Singapore. You can especially try South Indian restaurants.
Also I think Thai restaurants also serve good vegetarian food but beware of possible tongue burn. They could be very spicy and make sure you ask for less spice :)
Also if ever you want to visit India make sure you mention that in your blog as it seems you have a Billion Indian fan club :)

[USC]

"I'm a 20 year vegetarian so if readers know any great veggie joints, let me know."

Do you like Indian vegetarian? If so, I have a recommendation for you. Try the Song of India. This restaurant is a creation of a well known and well regarded Indian chef (he has had his own TV show). While I haven't eaten at this particular restaurant, both my wife (who is English (she objects to Brit ;-)); grew up in South Africa so she knows quite a bit about good Indian food) and I were impressed with his preparations which we sampled in Jo'burg. Click on Song of India to read about the restaurant, there is info on the chef as well:

http://www.chefmilind.com/

As regards, Singapore itself, though we transited through Changi (a tourist attraction in itself) while on a Sydney - New Delhi flight last year I haven't been there since 1994 (my wife, then my girl-friend, and I were on a world trip) so I am a bit hesitant to offer comments. However, we enjoyed Little India and the shopping on Orchard Road. We also visited Sentosa, we both thought EPCOT was better though we really enjoyed the nightly light show. Still remember the fountain played to Roberta Flack's "Set the Night to Music." I believe the Raffles has been renovated so am not sure how much of its original character is left but it comes recommended by Rudyard Kipling & Somerset Maugham, who used to stay there:

http://singapore-raffles.raffles.com/z912/restaurant.html

http://singapore-raffles.raffles.com/z912/our_legend.html

As it so happens, we are taking a cruise from Peking (ok Beijing, I am not a fan of name changes) to Bangkok (wonder if the PNR is with the busybodies at the DHS:-( ) and will be in Singapore ourselves for the day on Nov 16. I had asked a childhood friend who grew up there for tips on what to do during our brief nine hours, I will post his comments here, when I get them.

Good luck and enjoy the trip!!

[Greg Siskind]

Thanks Jun - I'm a 20 year vegetarian so if readers know any great veggie joints, let me know.

[mike]

Night Life - Power Station (next to Vivo City)
Shopping - Vivo City
Seafood - East Coast Parkway
Must see - Sentosa, especially the light shows at night

I think that a close friend, who is also a lawyer, could be involved in that meeting. His name is David Nayar. If you bump into him, say Mike Sehgal said "HI"! :)

Have a safe and wonderful trip!

[Jun]

Clark Quay is one of the best in Singapore...don't miss that part...if you like sea foods, go to Marina....

Von Voyage, Greg!

[Greg Siskind]

Hi Mike - I'm going to the International Bar Association annual meeting. I may contact you for tips on where to go!

[mike]

Hi Greg.

What conference are you attending in Singapore? That's my home country and it would be interesting to note that the immigration community is active there as well! :)