What Caught My Eye Today

Immigration - Organizers expect several thousand people at an immigrant rights rally on Saturday in Los Angeles, saying many illegal immigrants are angry about a White House plan that would grant them work visas but require them to return home and pay hefty fines to become legal U.S. residents. The White House's draft plan, leaked last week, calls for a new "Z" visa that would allow illegal immigrant workers to apply for three-year work permits. They would be renewable indefinitely, but would cost $3,500 each time. To get a permit and become legal permanent residents, illegal immigrants would have to return to their home country, apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate to re-enter legally and pay a $10,000 fine. The proposal has been sharply criticized by Hispanic advocacy groups, Democrats, the Roman Catholic Church and unions that have many immigrants in their ranks. They argue the cost of work permits and the green card application — which could total more than $20,000 — are prohibitive for low-wage earners. In defense of Bush, at least the American public is protesting something other than his actions in Iraq.

Iraq - The President criticized Democrats on Saturday in his weekly radio address for going on vacation without first giving him what he wants: a war spending bill free of orders to pull troops home. Bush has asked Congress for more than $100 billion to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan this year. The House and Senate have approved the money, but their bills aim to wind down the war by including timelines for troops to come home — something Bush won't accept. Unless he can sign a bill by mid-April, he said, the Army will be forced to consider cutting back on training and equipment repair. The problem will grow even more dire if Congress does not send him a bill he supports by mid-May, Bush said. Democratic leaders, while eager to show backing for the troops, say Bush is overstating the consequences of missing those deadlines. The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service says the Army has enough bookkeeping flexibility to pay for operations in Iraq well into July. 'Bookkeepping flexibility'? Okay, I get it. The Army went out and hired it some CFOs from the private section. No reason for the Army to stop spending money it doesn't have, when some simple accounting entries will do the trick. I'm sure this will work out much better than it did with Tyco and Enron.

India - Nearly two decades into India's phenomenal growth as an international center for high technology, the industry has a problem: It's running out of workers. There may be a lot of potential — Indian schools churn out 400,000 new engineers, the core of the high-tech industry, every year — but as few as 100,000 are actually ready to join the job world, experts say. Graduates are leaving universities that are mired in theory classes, and sometimes so poorly funded they don't have computer labs. Even students from the best colleges can be dulled by cram schools and left without the most basic communication skills, according to industry leaders. This is what economists call a 'problem of success.' Lemme see here. High tech universities without electricity, computers, and sometimes even professors? Yeah, I'd call that a problem.

China - The Chinese Foreign Ministry said a U.S. State Department report that criticized China's human rights record is without basis and irresponsible. The report, released Thursday, detailed Washington's moves to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law in China. The State Department said China's already poor human rights record deteriorated in 2006, with tightened restrictions on press and speech, government control of courts and judges, and endemic corruption. The report also noted there were an increased number of cases in which officials harassed and arrested reporters, activists and defense lawyers seeking to exercise their lawful rights. China said the U.S. should pay more attention to its domestic human rights situation. Last month, China issued a report in response to U.S. criticism of Beijing's human rights record in which it accused Washington of trampling on Iraq's sovereignty. It also said the U.S. used its campaign against terrorism as an excuse to torture people around the world and violate the rights of its own citizens. Whoa. Hold the phone there, spark plug. Our situation is totally different. I know this because the President told me it was, so there.

Baseball - Barry Bonds hit his first home run of the season on Wednesday against the San Diego Padres, pulling the slugger within 21 of passing Hammerin' Hank's 755. In related news, the Giants lost the game, 5-3 and are currently in last place in the National League West with a 1-3 record. I have a feeling the Giants win/loss record will be a footnote to Bonds' pursuit of the home run record. Given how they've started the season, maybe that's not such a bad thing.