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| Science & Technology |
| High-tech sneakers help illegals |
| 2005-11-18 |
| The high-top sneakers cost $215 at a San Diego boutique, but the designer is giving them away to These are no ordinary shoes. A compass and flashlight dangle from one shoelace. The pocket in the tongue is for money or pain relievers. A rough map of the border region is printed on a removable insole. They are red, white and green, the colors of the Mexican flag. On the back ankle, a drawing of Mexico's patron saint of migrants. On this side of the border, the shoes sit in art collections or the closets of well-heeled sneaker collectors. On the other side, in Tijuana, it's a utilitarian affair: Their designer is Judi Werthein, an Argentine artist who moved to New York in 1997 legally, she notes. On recent evening in Tijuana, after giving away 50 pairs at a "This blue line is where you want to go," Werthein, 38, said in Spanish. "Good luck! You're all very courageous," she told the cheering crowd of about 50 men huddled in a recreation room after dinner. "God bless you!" several cried back. Werthein has concluded that shoes are a border crosser's most important garment. "The main problem that people have when they're crossing is their feet," Werthein. "If people are going to cross anyway, at least this will make it safer Only 1,000 pairs of the "Brinco" sneakers (it means "Jump" in Spanish) have been made in China, for $17 each. The shoes were introduced in August at inSite, an art exhibition in San Diego and Tijuana whose sponsors include nonprofit foundations and private collectors. Benefactors put up $40,000 for the project; Werthein gets a $5,000 stipend, plus expenses. The shoes have kicked up a mini-controversy in art circles. A San Diego surgeon Across the border, several curious "These are much more comfortable for hiking," according to Olivar Canto, who said he was heading for $6.75-an-hour work installing doors and windows in Santa Ana, about 90 miles north of the border. "The ones I have are more dressy." All law-enforcement agencies in Orange County: please note the name Felipe de Jesus Olivar Canto Jose Garcia, 30, eased into a size 10, which he said he would wear to cross the California desert on his way to Las Vegas or Phoenix. Please record this name, too. "I wouldn't wear them, and I wouldn't want my husband to wear them," said Blends browser Antonieta LaRussa, 28. "But the cause is awesome. There's so much opposition to |
| Posted by:Jackal |
| #5 Since botique girl wants to do her part how about every hospital in San Diego sends her all those unpaid emergency room bills these folks rack up that are forcing them to go under? Selling $215 sneakers to beautiful people gringos must mean she has some extra scratch laying around. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2005-11-18 18:35 |
| #4 Build The Wall, Quick!!! |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2005-11-18 18:15 |
| #3 Their designer is Judi Werthein, an Argentine artist who moved to New York in 1997 legally, she notes. But can be pulled for intent to violate federal laws. To paraphrase a SCOTUS ruling, if you're going to be a lightning rod, don't be surprised if you're hit by lightning. Bye bye Consuela! The joke is that they're probably made in China or elsewhere in South East Asia cause xenophobic neo-socialista business laws in Mexico makes it too expensive to manufacture 'in-house'. |
| Posted by: Flinert Chutch5977 2005-11-18 17:31 |
| #2 Gives new meaning to the line: "FEET, DON'T FAIL ME NOW! |
| Posted by: borgboy 2005-11-18 16:51 |
| #1 Oh, and remember Werthein's name when a terrorist comes across the border wearing her shoes. |
| Posted by: Jackal 2005-11-18 16:18 |