By Eddie Garcia
San Jose Mercury News
Article Launched:07/20/2007 01:31:28 AM PDT
In his book about immigration, a prominent American writer and thinker cautioned that American principles are "endangered by the present state of our current naturalization laws." Although this cautionary statement is consistent with the thought of anti-immigrant commentators Lou Dobbs and Pat Buchanan, neither one can take credit for its authorship.
The author is Samuel F.B. Morse, inventor of Morse Code and staunch supporter of the anti-immigrant American "Know-Nothing" Party. In 1854, he published "Imminent Dangers to the Free Institutions of the United States Through Foreign Immigration," creating fear about the damaging effect immigration would have on American culture. With continued immigration, he warned, our institutions would be overrun by foreign influences and cease to exist within a generation. History would prove him wrong.
Pandering to fear isn't new in our nation's perpetual debate about immigration. In the 1850s, the "danger" came from Ireland. Today, the "threat" to our way of life comes from Mexico and points south. Unfortunately, despite the need for thoughtful public policy discussion on immigration, the U.S. Senate recently acquiesced to a new generation of fear peddlers and allowed that discussion to die on the Senate floor. The Senate missed the lesson to be learned from the false alarm clanged by Morse and the Know-Nothings during the 1850s - primarily that American culture isn't based on ethnicity and won't easily disappear due to the introduction of new people into our country.
When one thinks of American culture, a few things come to mind - "The Star-Spangled Banner," baseball, Fourth of July parades. However, these icons are merely symbols of our culture. The values espoused by our Founding Fathers form the basis for true American culture. Thomas Jefferson's eloquent words explain it best - being American is having the opportunity to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The freedoms guaranteed by these powerful words allow our cultural icons to exist.
Despite over 150 years of steady immigration, the culture born from Jefferson's words is still firmly in place. After fear of Irish immigrants subsided by the end of the 19th century, new fears arose about the Chinese, Italians, Germans and Eastern Europeans. In each instance, the "threat" of our nation's cultural demise faded as soon as the new arrivals inhaled the fresh air of freedom and opportunity. Within a generation, children of these immigrants sang the national anthem, watched baseball and celebrated the Fourth of July.
Some argue that today's immigrants (i.e., Mexicans) are somehow different than their European predecessors. The purveyors of fear tell us that the proximity of Mexico causes the newly arrived, and their children, to maintain loyalty to their homeland. And, they warn, the sheer number of new entrants (documented and undocumented) from the south is overwhelming. These arguments just don't hold true.
Not a single American political leader of Mexican ancestry - Clinton Cabinet member Henry Cisneros, presidential hopeful Bill Richardson or Bush Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, to name a few - has proposed the dissolution of the U.S. Constitution in favor of the Mexican Constitution. Moreover, at the pinnacle of immigration in 1910, 14 percent of the U.S. population was foreign-born. According to the most recent census, that number is now 11 percent, including undocumented immigrants.
By raising fears about "amnesty," 21st-century anti-immigrant fear mongers have hijacked the debate, bringing thoughtful public policy discussions to a grinding halt. During one of the darkest chapters in U.S. history, President Franklin D. Roosevelt inspired the nation by exposing fear as a major barrier to progress. As a nation, we responded to the Great Depression by pushing fear aside.
If we are to develop meaningful public policy on immigration that addresses labor demands, public resources and family cohesion, we should heed the words of FDR and ignore the alarmist claims of those who perpetuate fear. We should push aside unsubstantiated fears of losing American culture because history has proven that we really have nothing to fear at all.
EDDIE GARCIA is president and co-founder of the Latino Leadership Alliance in San Jose. He wrote this article for the Mercury News.
MercuryNews
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
AOL Supporting Racism on Their Forums?
By Metropolis
Los Angeles, Alta California - July 15, 2007 - An online forum sponsored by Time Warner's American Online (AOL) has turned extremely ugly with some posters advocating arming themselves and killing "beaners". "Beaners" is a racist term they use to identify Mexican-Americans.
The greatest danger to the safety of Mexican-Americans is that AOL is deleting messages in defense of Mexican immigrants while allowing vehemently racist postings advocating violence to remain on their sponsored "Forum on Immigration".
The following are just a few of the many racist and inappropriate messages that AOL is allowing to be posted and that have the high potential of leading to more anti-Mexican hate crimes:
1) "EVERYONE HATES TOO SEE MEXICANS
THEY ARE SUCH LOSERS , DIRTY, UNEDUCATED, WE SHOULD HAVE A LAW THAT LETS EVERY REAL CITIZEN POP A CAP IN 10 BEANERS A YEAR"
2) "If You Are Not Armed Now You better get that way fast."
3) "No sleaze bag free loader or thier anchor is not welcome...the government may welcome them to handouts but I do Not....I Don't not want anyone on my land that are thiefs..and when you steal from the American Government you steal from me..........IF YOU DON"T LIKE IT...GO HOME AND FIX THE SCUMBS OF MEXICO"
4) "Mexicans are our new niggers!"
5) MEXICANS AND ANCHOR BABIES.
THERE IS A PUSH TO KILL THE ANCHOR BABY LAW IN CALIFORNIA. SOON ENOUGH THE BEANERS WHO ARE ILLEGAL WONT BE ABLE TO HAVE THEIR LIL BEANERS HERE AND STAY. WHY, WE ARE SICK OF ALL THESE MEXICANS. IT IS NO OTHER RACE IT IS THE DIRTBAG UNEDUCATED SLOTH CALLED A MEXICAN.
6) "Bubonic Plague and Mexican Illegals.
The USA is seeing disease increase in proportion to the flooding of illegals. When you consider that Bubonic Plague exists naturally in Northern Mexico, it is only a matter of time before an uncontrollable disease like the Bubonic Plague breaks out in the USA. TB could catch hold and wipe out millions due to lack of medicine to treat TB. Dengue fever is also on the increase in Mexico. Malaria is no longer curable and is another threat. Who needs terrorist threats when the Senate and Congress seem intent on "we will not quit until illegals swarm the USA and destroy it"
7) "Mexico Is a Racist Retarded Country, some parts of Mexico are like a cess pool."
8) "White power and preservation of pure blood is everything for the survival of a culture... stop mixing the blood and supporting the mud races."
9) "LEPROSY
Dr. Terry Williams, who runs a Houston-based clinic serving leprosy patients across southern Texas, said that the bulk of the cases treated by his clinic were Mexican immigrants."
10) "Mexicans Bringing and Spreading Diseases"
11) "WHITE POWER!
The genetically similar energize when among each other, it is a fact if one's values are of a particular way. why listen to blah in any languange but ones own?"
You can locate contact information for Time Warner and American Online at the following websites:
http://www.corp.aol.com/
http://www.corp.aol.com/whoweare/bios/
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/management/index.html
If you subscribe to AOL, let them know that you will be cancelling your account if they do not rectify the problerm. Some employees of AOL have a history of being unsympathetic to Mexican-Americans. There is no excuse for a large USA corporation to be aiding and abetting anti-Mexican racists and xenophobes through their Internet networks.
The AOL Forums on Immigration are located at
http://tinyurl.com/35f8l6
Modbee
Los Angeles, Alta California - July 15, 2007 - An online forum sponsored by Time Warner's American Online (AOL) has turned extremely ugly with some posters advocating arming themselves and killing "beaners". "Beaners" is a racist term they use to identify Mexican-Americans.
The greatest danger to the safety of Mexican-Americans is that AOL is deleting messages in defense of Mexican immigrants while allowing vehemently racist postings advocating violence to remain on their sponsored "Forum on Immigration".
The following are just a few of the many racist and inappropriate messages that AOL is allowing to be posted and that have the high potential of leading to more anti-Mexican hate crimes:
1) "EVERYONE HATES TOO SEE MEXICANS
THEY ARE SUCH LOSERS , DIRTY, UNEDUCATED, WE SHOULD HAVE A LAW THAT LETS EVERY REAL CITIZEN POP A CAP IN 10 BEANERS A YEAR"
2) "If You Are Not Armed Now You better get that way fast."
3) "No sleaze bag free loader or thier anchor is not welcome...the government may welcome them to handouts but I do Not....I Don't not want anyone on my land that are thiefs..and when you steal from the American Government you steal from me..........IF YOU DON"T LIKE IT...GO HOME AND FIX THE SCUMBS OF MEXICO"
4) "Mexicans are our new niggers!"
5) MEXICANS AND ANCHOR BABIES.
THERE IS A PUSH TO KILL THE ANCHOR BABY LAW IN CALIFORNIA. SOON ENOUGH THE BEANERS WHO ARE ILLEGAL WONT BE ABLE TO HAVE THEIR LIL BEANERS HERE AND STAY. WHY, WE ARE SICK OF ALL THESE MEXICANS. IT IS NO OTHER RACE IT IS THE DIRTBAG UNEDUCATED SLOTH CALLED A MEXICAN.
6) "Bubonic Plague and Mexican Illegals.
The USA is seeing disease increase in proportion to the flooding of illegals. When you consider that Bubonic Plague exists naturally in Northern Mexico, it is only a matter of time before an uncontrollable disease like the Bubonic Plague breaks out in the USA. TB could catch hold and wipe out millions due to lack of medicine to treat TB. Dengue fever is also on the increase in Mexico. Malaria is no longer curable and is another threat. Who needs terrorist threats when the Senate and Congress seem intent on "we will not quit until illegals swarm the USA and destroy it"
7) "Mexico Is a Racist Retarded Country, some parts of Mexico are like a cess pool."
8) "White power and preservation of pure blood is everything for the survival of a culture... stop mixing the blood and supporting the mud races."
9) "LEPROSY
Dr. Terry Williams, who runs a Houston-based clinic serving leprosy patients across southern Texas, said that the bulk of the cases treated by his clinic were Mexican immigrants."
10) "Mexicans Bringing and Spreading Diseases"
11) "WHITE POWER!
The genetically similar energize when among each other, it is a fact if one's values are of a particular way. why listen to blah in any languange but ones own?"
You can locate contact information for Time Warner and American Online at the following websites:
http://www.corp.aol.com/
http://www.corp.aol.com/whoweare/bios/
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/management/index.html
If you subscribe to AOL, let them know that you will be cancelling your account if they do not rectify the problerm. Some employees of AOL have a history of being unsympathetic to Mexican-Americans. There is no excuse for a large USA corporation to be aiding and abetting anti-Mexican racists and xenophobes through their Internet networks.
The AOL Forums on Immigration are located at
http://tinyurl.com/35f8l6
Modbee
Hispanic Owned Hair Salon Vandalized
July 15, 2007
BY NICHOLAS ALAJAKIS nalajakis@scn1.com
WAUKEGAN - A Hispanic business owner is upset over what he calls racist graffiti on his store front, related to new immigration enforcement being discussed by city leaders.
Marco Salcedo said his Grand Avenue hair salon was a target for graffiti Friday evening, because he is against 287 (g).
Since July 5 Salcedo has had an orange sign posted in the window of Di Marco Hair Salon, 1801 Grand Ave., that states he is against 287 (g). When he arrived to work Saturday morning, he says the sign was covered by another sign promoting 287 (g) and someone used black, water-based paints to write "Yes 287 (g)" on his window.
"I'm not happy with it," Salcedo said. "This isn't fair. It's my business, I can put up whatever I want."
In addition to paint that supported 287 (g), vandals also placed an orange sign that supported the measure. It was signed by a group calling itself "Legal American Waukegan Citizens." That sign was placed over Salcedo's existing orange sign.
To combat the sign, Salcedo placed three large poster board-sized signs in his window that proclaimed himself as a legal Hispanic business owner, with first amendment rights.
While upsetting, Salcedo said he's not entirely surprised that the 287 (g) debate has turned to vandalism.
"(City leaders) are putting whites and Hispanics in a war," said Salcedo, a legal Mexican immigrant who has lived in the United States for 20 years.
The "war" stems from the city's decision last month to move forward with applying for 287 (g) status, which could ultimately give Waukegan police authority to begin deportation proceedings for legal and illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes. On Monday the city council plans to re-visit the issue and vote on it.
Many in the Hispanic community are against the proposal, because they feel it's giving local authorities too much control, which could ultimately result in the deportation of all illegal immigrants.
Many Hispanic advocacy groups have descended onto Waukegan in recent weeks to fight against 287 (g). Among them is Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, which helped distribute orange fliers speaking out against 287(g) to Hispanic-owned businesses in the city.
Lilia Paredes , vice president of the Chicago area LCLAA, blasted the graffiti.
"I consider it to be a hate crime and it should be taken very seriously," Paredes said.
Paredes said another Waukegan business left her a message Saturday morning to report similar graffiti, but she had not been able to confirm if it was related to the Di Marco incident.
Paredes said she was unfamiliar with the group Legal American Waukegan Citizens. Their name had not come up in recent debates.
Paredes said her group was going to urge Waukegan police to take harsh action against those responsible for the graffiti. She also wants Waukegan police to get out and encourage peace in the community.
Attempts to reach the Waukegan police for comment were unsuccessful.
The debate over 287 (g) is expected to come to a head Monday evening, when demonstrators from both sides plan to hold rallies in downtown Waukegan, prior to the City Council's 8 p.m. meeting.
SuburbanChicagoNews
BY NICHOLAS ALAJAKIS nalajakis@scn1.com
WAUKEGAN - A Hispanic business owner is upset over what he calls racist graffiti on his store front, related to new immigration enforcement being discussed by city leaders.
Marco Salcedo said his Grand Avenue hair salon was a target for graffiti Friday evening, because he is against 287 (g).
Since July 5 Salcedo has had an orange sign posted in the window of Di Marco Hair Salon, 1801 Grand Ave., that states he is against 287 (g). When he arrived to work Saturday morning, he says the sign was covered by another sign promoting 287 (g) and someone used black, water-based paints to write "Yes 287 (g)" on his window.
"I'm not happy with it," Salcedo said. "This isn't fair. It's my business, I can put up whatever I want."
In addition to paint that supported 287 (g), vandals also placed an orange sign that supported the measure. It was signed by a group calling itself "Legal American Waukegan Citizens." That sign was placed over Salcedo's existing orange sign.
To combat the sign, Salcedo placed three large poster board-sized signs in his window that proclaimed himself as a legal Hispanic business owner, with first amendment rights.
While upsetting, Salcedo said he's not entirely surprised that the 287 (g) debate has turned to vandalism.
"(City leaders) are putting whites and Hispanics in a war," said Salcedo, a legal Mexican immigrant who has lived in the United States for 20 years.
The "war" stems from the city's decision last month to move forward with applying for 287 (g) status, which could ultimately give Waukegan police authority to begin deportation proceedings for legal and illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes. On Monday the city council plans to re-visit the issue and vote on it.
Many in the Hispanic community are against the proposal, because they feel it's giving local authorities too much control, which could ultimately result in the deportation of all illegal immigrants.
Many Hispanic advocacy groups have descended onto Waukegan in recent weeks to fight against 287 (g). Among them is Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, which helped distribute orange fliers speaking out against 287(g) to Hispanic-owned businesses in the city.
Lilia Paredes , vice president of the Chicago area LCLAA, blasted the graffiti.
"I consider it to be a hate crime and it should be taken very seriously," Paredes said.
Paredes said another Waukegan business left her a message Saturday morning to report similar graffiti, but she had not been able to confirm if it was related to the Di Marco incident.
Paredes said she was unfamiliar with the group Legal American Waukegan Citizens. Their name had not come up in recent debates.
Paredes said her group was going to urge Waukegan police to take harsh action against those responsible for the graffiti. She also wants Waukegan police to get out and encourage peace in the community.
Attempts to reach the Waukegan police for comment were unsuccessful.
The debate over 287 (g) is expected to come to a head Monday evening, when demonstrators from both sides plan to hold rallies in downtown Waukegan, prior to the City Council's 8 p.m. meeting.
SuburbanChicagoNews
Club mum over its rejection of Hispanic businesswoman
BUD KENNEDY
bud@star-telegram.com
Rotary International's service clubs are devoted to "world understanding and peace."
The concept of understanding seems to be lost in Farmers Branch.
The Farmers Branch Rotary Club board has rejected a membership application from a Latina businesswoman.
Elizabeth Villafranca, owner of Cuquita's Restaurants in Dallas and Farmers Branch, said she was "thrilled" when a Rotary member invited her to join, even though she would be the only Latina and one of only three women in the club of approximately 35.
"The Rotary believes what I believe," she said. "It seemed like a great way to get involved and serve my community."
She doesn't know what went on behind closed doors. But she suspects that she was rejected because she argued earlier this year against city laws meant to chase away illegal immigrants and anyone who speaks languages other than English.
Mayor Pro Tem Tim O'Hare, architect of the new laws, is on the Rotary board. Council members David Koch and Tim Scott are in the club.
"They've even turned the Rotary Club into a political organization," Villafranca said. "It's disappointing."
She now hopes to join a Rotary based in Carrollton.
The Farmers Branch club meets Mondays at the Wyndham hotel near the Dallas Galleria.
Tim Hauter, a vice president at Town North Bank, is the new club president. He wouldn't discuss Villafranca.
First, I asked how to spell his name.
He replied, "Why do you want to know?"
Asked how the board judges applicants, he turned away and said back over his shoulder, "The Four-Way Test!"
That four-line ethical test has guided Rotary for more than 60 years. It goes this way:
"Is it the TRUTH?"
"Is it FAIR to all concerned?"
"Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?"
"Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"
Hmmm.
Nothing there that would disqualify Villafranca.
Mitzi Davis, immediate past president and the only woman member at Monday's meeting, said officers were "working really hard" to bring in more women and more diversity. The club added another woman and an African-American man two years ago.
Farmers Branch's population is one-third Hispanic.
"A potential member was presented to the board," she said. "The board acted. I really don't have any other comment."
The Manual of Procedure for Rotary leaders says that clubs should include "all fully qualified prospective members" and that politics should be limited to "balanced programs and discussions."
Rotary guidelines do limit the number of members from the same profession. Villafranca said she didn't see another restaurateur.
Richard Gilman of Richardson, a retired high school speech and drama teacher, is the Rotary district governor in the Dallas region.
He hadn't heard about Villafranca's application.
"Rotary wants more members," he said. "We'll do anything to get more young people of any culture. We're looking for anyone who's interested in service, and in doing good work."
The organization encourages clubs to reflect their communities but doesn't set rules, he said.
"Several clubs are still the old guard, and they don't want to change," he said, adding that most complaints involve the lack of interfaith opening prayers.
O'Hare led the Farmers Branch Rotary's opening prayer. When I introduced myself after the meeting and asked him to explain what makes a good Rotary member, he turned away and walked toward the hotel door.
Villafranca said another member had invited her to join "to show diversity."
"They wanted the Rotary Club to show the true colors of Farmers Branch," she said.
It has.
Star-Telegram
bud@star-telegram.com
Rotary International's service clubs are devoted to "world understanding and peace."
The concept of understanding seems to be lost in Farmers Branch.
The Farmers Branch Rotary Club board has rejected a membership application from a Latina businesswoman.
Elizabeth Villafranca, owner of Cuquita's Restaurants in Dallas and Farmers Branch, said she was "thrilled" when a Rotary member invited her to join, even though she would be the only Latina and one of only three women in the club of approximately 35.
"The Rotary believes what I believe," she said. "It seemed like a great way to get involved and serve my community."
She doesn't know what went on behind closed doors. But she suspects that she was rejected because she argued earlier this year against city laws meant to chase away illegal immigrants and anyone who speaks languages other than English.
Mayor Pro Tem Tim O'Hare, architect of the new laws, is on the Rotary board. Council members David Koch and Tim Scott are in the club.
"They've even turned the Rotary Club into a political organization," Villafranca said. "It's disappointing."
She now hopes to join a Rotary based in Carrollton.
The Farmers Branch club meets Mondays at the Wyndham hotel near the Dallas Galleria.
Tim Hauter, a vice president at Town North Bank, is the new club president. He wouldn't discuss Villafranca.
First, I asked how to spell his name.
He replied, "Why do you want to know?"
Asked how the board judges applicants, he turned away and said back over his shoulder, "The Four-Way Test!"
That four-line ethical test has guided Rotary for more than 60 years. It goes this way:
"Is it the TRUTH?"
"Is it FAIR to all concerned?"
"Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?"
"Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"
Hmmm.
Nothing there that would disqualify Villafranca.
Mitzi Davis, immediate past president and the only woman member at Monday's meeting, said officers were "working really hard" to bring in more women and more diversity. The club added another woman and an African-American man two years ago.
Farmers Branch's population is one-third Hispanic.
"A potential member was presented to the board," she said. "The board acted. I really don't have any other comment."
The Manual of Procedure for Rotary leaders says that clubs should include "all fully qualified prospective members" and that politics should be limited to "balanced programs and discussions."
Rotary guidelines do limit the number of members from the same profession. Villafranca said she didn't see another restaurateur.
Richard Gilman of Richardson, a retired high school speech and drama teacher, is the Rotary district governor in the Dallas region.
He hadn't heard about Villafranca's application.
"Rotary wants more members," he said. "We'll do anything to get more young people of any culture. We're looking for anyone who's interested in service, and in doing good work."
The organization encourages clubs to reflect their communities but doesn't set rules, he said.
"Several clubs are still the old guard, and they don't want to change," he said, adding that most complaints involve the lack of interfaith opening prayers.
O'Hare led the Farmers Branch Rotary's opening prayer. When I introduced myself after the meeting and asked him to explain what makes a good Rotary member, he turned away and walked toward the hotel door.
Villafranca said another member had invited her to join "to show diversity."
"They wanted the Rotary Club to show the true colors of Farmers Branch," she said.
It has.
Star-Telegram
Americans for Legal Immigration Member Admits Her Bigotry
Click here to view a screenshot.
Quote from americangirl:
Here's another Un-PC post from me (I know I'm pushing my luck here...so this might get deleted by the mods).
Anyway, let's talk about bigotry for a minute. I've been called a "bigot" so many times, I've decided to expore it's meaning for a bit.
big·ot (bĭg'ət) Pronunciation Key
n. One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.
I'm reading the above dictionary definition of the word "bigot", and I ask myself...."What's so wrong with being strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race or politics??"
Okay, in a democracy such as the United States, we are not supposed to form laws and policies that favor one group over another, but the actual fact is....we DO. Laws are voted on, and the largest number of votes decides. And when people are voting for or against a law or policy, they are basing their vote on their culture, beliefs, religion, politics, etc. So if a majority vote passes a law, then it stands to reason that the voters were all partial.
Does that make sense?? I'm trying not to ramble here.
Anyway, my point is that being a "bigot" isn't the terrible thing that people make it out to be. We're all bigots in one way or another. We're all partial to that which defines us....our language, our culture, our customs, our morals, our religion, our political beliefs, etc. And it's very very NATURAL to want to surround ourselves with like-minded people. It's UNNATURAL to feel comfortable around people who are vastly different from us. And although the radical liberals and all the illegal immigrants in this country would just love to see us all embrace "diversity" and "multi-culturalism", the truth is that diversity is an unnatural state (in my opinion). It's simply not natural to want to cohabitate and entwine ourselves in different cultures with people who do not share our language, values, customs, etc.
And when "multi-culturalism" and "diversity" are shoved down our throats by the bleeding-heart radical left and the illegals, if we reject it, then we're called bigots. Well, okay. I'll admit it then. I'm a bigot.
YES. I'm a bigot. And I'm not being sarcastic. I'm a bigot because I'm partial to the culture, customs, language, and moral values and politics that I've grown up with.
The very people who call us bigots are bigots themselves. They tell us we're guilty of bigotry because we will not embrace their different way of life. But can we not come back to them and call them bigots because they will not embrace our's???
The Hispanics who come to our country and show a profound preference for speaking Spanish, and for setting up communities rich in Hispanic culture, are indeed exhibiting bigotry and intolerance of the American language and culture. If they embraced diversity, if they were tolerant of another culture, then they would learn English and they would immerse themselves in the American culture. But they don't. Why? Because they are bigots.
So if people come here from foreign countries, solely to reep the rewards and opportunities that the U.S. can offer, DO THEY NOT OWE IT TO US TO ADOPT OUR CULTURE??
For foreigners (especially those here illegally) to accuse Americans of bigotry because we want to preserve our culture and language is just fine with me. It IS bigotry. But they spew this term out like it's some sort of horrid, despicable state of being. And honestly, I don't think it is.
The truth is, bigotry (being partial to one's way of life) is what defines us. And when the Hispanics throw their tantrums because they want to speak Spanish and remain immersed in their culture and way of life, they're just as biggotted as the rest of us.
Bigotry is part of nature. So go ahead and call me a bigot if you want to. It's not an insult. It's a fact.
ALIPAC
Quote from americangirl:
Here's another Un-PC post from me (I know I'm pushing my luck here...so this might get deleted by the mods).
Anyway, let's talk about bigotry for a minute. I've been called a "bigot" so many times, I've decided to expore it's meaning for a bit.
big·ot (bĭg'ət) Pronunciation Key
n. One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.
I'm reading the above dictionary definition of the word "bigot", and I ask myself...."What's so wrong with being strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race or politics??"
Okay, in a democracy such as the United States, we are not supposed to form laws and policies that favor one group over another, but the actual fact is....we DO. Laws are voted on, and the largest number of votes decides. And when people are voting for or against a law or policy, they are basing their vote on their culture, beliefs, religion, politics, etc. So if a majority vote passes a law, then it stands to reason that the voters were all partial.
Does that make sense?? I'm trying not to ramble here.
Anyway, my point is that being a "bigot" isn't the terrible thing that people make it out to be. We're all bigots in one way or another. We're all partial to that which defines us....our language, our culture, our customs, our morals, our religion, our political beliefs, etc. And it's very very NATURAL to want to surround ourselves with like-minded people. It's UNNATURAL to feel comfortable around people who are vastly different from us. And although the radical liberals and all the illegal immigrants in this country would just love to see us all embrace "diversity" and "multi-culturalism", the truth is that diversity is an unnatural state (in my opinion). It's simply not natural to want to cohabitate and entwine ourselves in different cultures with people who do not share our language, values, customs, etc.
And when "multi-culturalism" and "diversity" are shoved down our throats by the bleeding-heart radical left and the illegals, if we reject it, then we're called bigots. Well, okay. I'll admit it then. I'm a bigot.
YES. I'm a bigot. And I'm not being sarcastic. I'm a bigot because I'm partial to the culture, customs, language, and moral values and politics that I've grown up with.
The very people who call us bigots are bigots themselves. They tell us we're guilty of bigotry because we will not embrace their different way of life. But can we not come back to them and call them bigots because they will not embrace our's???
The Hispanics who come to our country and show a profound preference for speaking Spanish, and for setting up communities rich in Hispanic culture, are indeed exhibiting bigotry and intolerance of the American language and culture. If they embraced diversity, if they were tolerant of another culture, then they would learn English and they would immerse themselves in the American culture. But they don't. Why? Because they are bigots.
So if people come here from foreign countries, solely to reep the rewards and opportunities that the U.S. can offer, DO THEY NOT OWE IT TO US TO ADOPT OUR CULTURE??
For foreigners (especially those here illegally) to accuse Americans of bigotry because we want to preserve our culture and language is just fine with me. It IS bigotry. But they spew this term out like it's some sort of horrid, despicable state of being. And honestly, I don't think it is.
The truth is, bigotry (being partial to one's way of life) is what defines us. And when the Hispanics throw their tantrums because they want to speak Spanish and remain immersed in their culture and way of life, they're just as biggotted as the rest of us.
Bigotry is part of nature. So go ahead and call me a bigot if you want to. It's not an insult. It's a fact.
ALIPAC
The case of the Jena six- Racism in Louisiana
The Case of the Jena Six: Black High School Students Charged with Attempted Murder for Schoolyard Fight After Nooses Are Hung from Tree
Six black students at Jena High School in Central Louisiana were arrested last December after a school fight in which a white student was beaten and suffered a concussion and multiple bruises. The six black students were charged with attempted murder and conspiracy. They face up to 100 years in prison without parole. The fight took place amid mounting racial tension after a black student sat under a tree in the schoolyard where only white students sat. The next day three nooses were hanging from the tree.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Six black students at Jena High School in Central Louisiana were arrested last December after a school fight in which a white student was beaten and suffered a concussion and multiple bruises. The six black students were charged with attempted murder and conspiracy. They face up to 100 years in prison without parole. The fight took place amid mounting racial tension after a black student sat under a tree in the schoolyard where only white students sat. The next day three nooses were hanging from the tree.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Reject messages of hate and fear
By Marc Brenman
As I read "Minuteman Rally Draws 100" (The Herald, July 1), the movie "A Day Without a Mexican" came to mind. While several hours of dramatic satire gets a little old, this movie certainly drives home an important point: immigrants, including Hispanics, contribute to the United States in ways many of us don't realize.
According to the article, the city of Everett markets itself as a "world-class destination," a hard goal to achieve if it is not willing to welcome those from other countries. We must not forget that most people in America only need to look back a few generations to find the immigrants who decided to make a change for their family. The vast majority of us would not be where we are today were it not for immigration. It's also important to remember that we were not the original inhabitants of this country.
History tells us that immigrants from around the world have chosen to leave their country of origin for a better life in the United States. Immigrants have the same desires and goals we all have - to participate in a democracy as citizens, to give back to the community, to provide for our families and to build a better life with more opportunities. It is sad to see that the Minutemen and similar groups have succumbed to using hate propaganda to undermine basic tenants of American democracy - opportunity and tolerance.
We should not forget that the inscription on the Statue of Liberty reads, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free ... " Imagine if our families had not been allowed to enter the United States, or if the Indians had not welcomed and cared for Anglos and had instead deported us back to Europe.
Unfortunately, it seems like the Minutemen have made progress in some of our communities, including in Everett. The Minutemen rely on the use of hateful speech, the Big Lie, and fear of people who are different to corrupt and coarsen political dialogue, just as their Nazi forebears did. The so-called Minutemen, like their former fellow traveler Tim McVey, are precursors to domestic terrorism and vigilantism. The federal government is charged with enforcing the immigration laws of the United States. Let the federal government do its job, without "assistance" from gun-toting, self-appointed know-nothings.
Contrary to the Minuteman Project's assertions, immigrants greatly contribute to the American economy, through taxes on sales, gasoline, excise, business and property. Further, undocumented immigrants are not disproportionately receiving social welfare benefits. Immigrants contribute heavily to agribusiness and help keep food prices low. A December 2006 report from the Texas Office of the Comptroller reports that without the 1.4 million undocumented immigrants in Texas alone, the state would have lost $17.7 billion. While the statistics for a similar study in Washington may yield slightly different results, the numbers cannot be ignored. Communities that are most welcoming and diverse are the most economically successful.
The Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) enforces the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD), including discrimination on the basis of national origin. The WSHRC is the third oldest civil rights enforcement agency in the country. Our Legislature has a long history of taking a strong stand against discrimination. Under state and federal law, an employer must have a solid non-discriminatory reason for "English-only" rules. Prejudice and intolerance are not sufficient reasons. Similarly, an employer cannot hire a person based on the preference for hiring those of a certain national origin over others.
As a state, we should be proud of enforcing some of the strongest, most tested nondiscrimination laws in the country. In the words of Csar Chavez, "When the man who feeds the world by toiling in the fields is himself deprived of the basic rights of feeding, sheltering and caring for his own family, the whole community of man is sick."
Marc Brenman is the executive director of the Washington State Human Rights Commission.
Heraldnet
As I read "Minuteman Rally Draws 100" (The Herald, July 1), the movie "A Day Without a Mexican" came to mind. While several hours of dramatic satire gets a little old, this movie certainly drives home an important point: immigrants, including Hispanics, contribute to the United States in ways many of us don't realize.
According to the article, the city of Everett markets itself as a "world-class destination," a hard goal to achieve if it is not willing to welcome those from other countries. We must not forget that most people in America only need to look back a few generations to find the immigrants who decided to make a change for their family. The vast majority of us would not be where we are today were it not for immigration. It's also important to remember that we were not the original inhabitants of this country.
History tells us that immigrants from around the world have chosen to leave their country of origin for a better life in the United States. Immigrants have the same desires and goals we all have - to participate in a democracy as citizens, to give back to the community, to provide for our families and to build a better life with more opportunities. It is sad to see that the Minutemen and similar groups have succumbed to using hate propaganda to undermine basic tenants of American democracy - opportunity and tolerance.
We should not forget that the inscription on the Statue of Liberty reads, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free ... " Imagine if our families had not been allowed to enter the United States, or if the Indians had not welcomed and cared for Anglos and had instead deported us back to Europe.
Unfortunately, it seems like the Minutemen have made progress in some of our communities, including in Everett. The Minutemen rely on the use of hateful speech, the Big Lie, and fear of people who are different to corrupt and coarsen political dialogue, just as their Nazi forebears did. The so-called Minutemen, like their former fellow traveler Tim McVey, are precursors to domestic terrorism and vigilantism. The federal government is charged with enforcing the immigration laws of the United States. Let the federal government do its job, without "assistance" from gun-toting, self-appointed know-nothings.
Contrary to the Minuteman Project's assertions, immigrants greatly contribute to the American economy, through taxes on sales, gasoline, excise, business and property. Further, undocumented immigrants are not disproportionately receiving social welfare benefits. Immigrants contribute heavily to agribusiness and help keep food prices low. A December 2006 report from the Texas Office of the Comptroller reports that without the 1.4 million undocumented immigrants in Texas alone, the state would have lost $17.7 billion. While the statistics for a similar study in Washington may yield slightly different results, the numbers cannot be ignored. Communities that are most welcoming and diverse are the most economically successful.
The Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) enforces the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD), including discrimination on the basis of national origin. The WSHRC is the third oldest civil rights enforcement agency in the country. Our Legislature has a long history of taking a strong stand against discrimination. Under state and federal law, an employer must have a solid non-discriminatory reason for "English-only" rules. Prejudice and intolerance are not sufficient reasons. Similarly, an employer cannot hire a person based on the preference for hiring those of a certain national origin over others.
As a state, we should be proud of enforcing some of the strongest, most tested nondiscrimination laws in the country. In the words of Csar Chavez, "When the man who feeds the world by toiling in the fields is himself deprived of the basic rights of feeding, sheltering and caring for his own family, the whole community of man is sick."
Marc Brenman is the executive director of the Washington State Human Rights Commission.
Heraldnet
Bringing back the hood of bigotry
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Ruben Navarrette Jr., a columnist for The San Diego Union-Tribune, wrote this column last week. We're running the column in today's print edition.
SAN DIEGO — The people who call themselves the Minutemen claim to be a cross between a law enforcement auxiliary and a giant neighborhood watch program that patrols the border to stop illegal immigration.
If so, there goes the neighborhood. The Minutemen don’t just construct their own reality. More and more, they account for their own reality show.
Members of the San Diego unit recently picketed a suburban church northeast of San Diego and held up an effigy of a priest depicted as the devil. According to one Catholic civil rights organization, the Minutemen used bullhorns to hurl invective at parishioners and taunted Hispanic children who were on their way to make their First Communion, telling them their parents were in the country illegally. Things got really crass when some of the border-watchers made references to the Catholic Church’s sex abuse scandal.
A posting on the group’s Web site questioned why, “with all the pediphelia (sic) problems going on in the church,” the clergy would promote a situation where you “have 50 loitering men watching little children playing on the playground each morning.”
What got the Minutemen’s sheets in a twist? The Rev. Edward “Bud” Kaicher, pastor of the parish, tried to help workers find employment by allowing the church to serve as a day laborer pickup site. This put Kaicher and the Catholic Church in the cross hairs of the civilian patrol movement, elements of which have morphed from being anti-illegal immigrant to anti-immigrant and just plain anti-Hispanic. And now, anti-Catholic?
That is the view of the New York-based Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, which recently jumped into the fray on the side of Father Kaicher and condemned the San Diego Minutemen for their “flagrant anti-Catholic bigotry.”
In a harshly worded statement, Catholic League President Bill Donohue insisted that there are legitimate ways to express an opinion, but that this wasn’t one of them.
“By succumbing to anti-Catholic bigotry and harassment,” he said, “the San Diego Minutemen have discredited their cause and have no moral grounds upon which to make their appeal.” This group and their tactics, he said, should be opposed “not only by Latino Catholics, but by all Catholics.”
Here is something else that should concern all Americans: the fact that what apparently motivates many of these Minutemen to take up a vigil in the desert or protest in front of a big-box store where day laborers gather is a fear that these immigrants are trying to — in the words of Jim Gilchrist, the founder of the Minuteman Project — “colonize” the United States by changing the cultural landscape.
We used to say that those who believed this sort of thing were racist or nativist. Those labels still fit. According to videos posted on Web sites such as YouTube, the Minutemen have harassed U.S.-born Hispanics and demanded they “go back to Mexico,” and accused Mexican-American police officers of being in league with illegal immigrants from Mexico.
Lately, these citizen patrol groups have turned their attention to employers. In Vista, Calif., a Superior Court judge recently blocked a public records request by a group calling itself the Vista Citizens Brigade — an offshoot of the Minutemen — which sought the names, addresses and phone numbers of 111 people who have registered with the city for permission to hire day laborers.
Judge Michael Orfield said he “would have some concerns as to what would happen with that information.”
You think?
OK, so these border bullies aren’t fond of immigrants or Catholics or employers. No surprise there. They don’t even seem all that fond of each other. Individuals associated with various Minutemen groups around the country have publicly feuded, sued one another and traded accusations ranging from harassment to mismanagement to embezzlement.
Gilchrist was fired by the Minuteman Project’s Board of Directors and accused of running off with hundreds of thousands in donations from private citizens. Gilchrist denied the accusation and sued the board to win back control of the group. Meanwhile, he’s set up his own offshoot called “Jim Gilchrist’s Minuteman Project.”
It all brings back memories of another group with a colorful past. They preyed on the weak and powerless. They targeted immigrants and Catholics, and anyone else who was different. Their pictures are in history books, waving the American flag and holding rallies. Still, it’s hard to know much more about these folks. You can’t see their faces. You know, with the hoods and all.
StatesmanJournal
Ruben Navarrette Jr., a columnist for The San Diego Union-Tribune, wrote this column last week. We're running the column in today's print edition.
SAN DIEGO — The people who call themselves the Minutemen claim to be a cross between a law enforcement auxiliary and a giant neighborhood watch program that patrols the border to stop illegal immigration.
If so, there goes the neighborhood. The Minutemen don’t just construct their own reality. More and more, they account for their own reality show.
Members of the San Diego unit recently picketed a suburban church northeast of San Diego and held up an effigy of a priest depicted as the devil. According to one Catholic civil rights organization, the Minutemen used bullhorns to hurl invective at parishioners and taunted Hispanic children who were on their way to make their First Communion, telling them their parents were in the country illegally. Things got really crass when some of the border-watchers made references to the Catholic Church’s sex abuse scandal.
A posting on the group’s Web site questioned why, “with all the pediphelia (sic) problems going on in the church,” the clergy would promote a situation where you “have 50 loitering men watching little children playing on the playground each morning.”
What got the Minutemen’s sheets in a twist? The Rev. Edward “Bud” Kaicher, pastor of the parish, tried to help workers find employment by allowing the church to serve as a day laborer pickup site. This put Kaicher and the Catholic Church in the cross hairs of the civilian patrol movement, elements of which have morphed from being anti-illegal immigrant to anti-immigrant and just plain anti-Hispanic. And now, anti-Catholic?
That is the view of the New York-based Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, which recently jumped into the fray on the side of Father Kaicher and condemned the San Diego Minutemen for their “flagrant anti-Catholic bigotry.”
In a harshly worded statement, Catholic League President Bill Donohue insisted that there are legitimate ways to express an opinion, but that this wasn’t one of them.
“By succumbing to anti-Catholic bigotry and harassment,” he said, “the San Diego Minutemen have discredited their cause and have no moral grounds upon which to make their appeal.” This group and their tactics, he said, should be opposed “not only by Latino Catholics, but by all Catholics.”
Here is something else that should concern all Americans: the fact that what apparently motivates many of these Minutemen to take up a vigil in the desert or protest in front of a big-box store where day laborers gather is a fear that these immigrants are trying to — in the words of Jim Gilchrist, the founder of the Minuteman Project — “colonize” the United States by changing the cultural landscape.
We used to say that those who believed this sort of thing were racist or nativist. Those labels still fit. According to videos posted on Web sites such as YouTube, the Minutemen have harassed U.S.-born Hispanics and demanded they “go back to Mexico,” and accused Mexican-American police officers of being in league with illegal immigrants from Mexico.
Lately, these citizen patrol groups have turned their attention to employers. In Vista, Calif., a Superior Court judge recently blocked a public records request by a group calling itself the Vista Citizens Brigade — an offshoot of the Minutemen — which sought the names, addresses and phone numbers of 111 people who have registered with the city for permission to hire day laborers.
Judge Michael Orfield said he “would have some concerns as to what would happen with that information.”
You think?
OK, so these border bullies aren’t fond of immigrants or Catholics or employers. No surprise there. They don’t even seem all that fond of each other. Individuals associated with various Minutemen groups around the country have publicly feuded, sued one another and traded accusations ranging from harassment to mismanagement to embezzlement.
Gilchrist was fired by the Minuteman Project’s Board of Directors and accused of running off with hundreds of thousands in donations from private citizens. Gilchrist denied the accusation and sued the board to win back control of the group. Meanwhile, he’s set up his own offshoot called “Jim Gilchrist’s Minuteman Project.”
It all brings back memories of another group with a colorful past. They preyed on the weak and powerless. They targeted immigrants and Catholics, and anyone else who was different. Their pictures are in history books, waving the American flag and holding rallies. Still, it’s hard to know much more about these folks. You can’t see their faces. You know, with the hoods and all.
StatesmanJournal
Extremist Minuteman group forms in tri-county
By Kenneth Mullinax
A Millbrook man is heading a tri-county chapter of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, a volunteer border patrol group criticized by President Bush and described by human rights experts as a citizens' militia.
Wayne Funk is already actively recruiting residents interested in helping stopping stopping illegal immigration. An organizational meeting last week was attended by about two dozen residents.
Dues are $50 a year, or free for those members who are licensed to carry a concealed weapon.
Minuteman officials had tried to establish an Alabama chapter previously, but could enlist only three members. They decided to take a grass-roots approach and start local chapters in hopes of developing a statewide network. Right now, statewide membership stands at 75.
Funk is the head of the River Region chapter -- which covers Montgomery, Elmore and Autauga counties -- and oversees all chapters in the southern part of the state.
"I don't enjoy being an out-front guy, but if it helps us build up the organization, I will do it," he said.
In Texas, California and other border states, Minuteman members conduct armed patrols to prevent immigrants from crossing into the country illegally. Funk went on his first patrol this spring in Brownsville, Texas.
Founded in 1994, the corps came to the nation's attention two years ago when it undertook a monthlong patrol of the Arizona-Mexico border.
President Bush has described Minuteman members as "vigilantes" and the U.S. Border Patrol called the corps a "hindrance."
"We are only there to observe and report, just to notify authorities of illegal activity," Funk said. "We are only there to help the Border Patrol."
Minutemen volunteers in Alabama will lobby for state and local laws that target employers who hire undocumented workers and landlords who rent single-family houses to multiple families. Funk also is contacting Minuteman organizations nationwide for other possible legislative initiatives to support.
The corps wants to establish chapters in non-border states to improve its public image, according to Mark Potok of the Montgomery-based Southern Poverty Law Center, a human rights advocacy organization. The corps estimates its national membership at 350,000. Potok, an expert in hate and extremist groups, puts the number of new Minuteman chapters at 250 since the 2005 Arizona-Mexico patrol.
SPLC classifies the corps as an extremist organization that targets individuals for confrontation and harassment, Potok said.
"When you bully day-laborers and other individuals," he said, "it goes beyond influencing policy and becomes hate-mongering activity."
Funk, a retired military officer, categorically denies his group provokes hateful confrontations and insists the corps doesn't knowingly have racists as members.
"If we find out a person is a member of the Klan, a Nazi or any similar group, we ask them to leave our organization," Funk said.
Funk explained the Minuteman group fully supports legal immigration and only supports lawful efforts to stem the tide of illegal immigrants into the United States.
"Our country was built on immigration and we are a non-partisan, nonracist group that merely wants to make sure our nation doesn't become like Europe and lose its national identity by allowing non-Americans to take over and remove our national heritage," Funk said.
Potok disputes Funk's assertion.
"The Minuteman corps believes the Mexicans are a bunch of brown-skinned invaders that are coming into the country to take us over," Potok said. "Their rhetoric is simply a recipe for disaster."
MontgomeryAdvertiser
A Millbrook man is heading a tri-county chapter of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, a volunteer border patrol group criticized by President Bush and described by human rights experts as a citizens' militia.
Wayne Funk is already actively recruiting residents interested in helping stopping stopping illegal immigration. An organizational meeting last week was attended by about two dozen residents.
Dues are $50 a year, or free for those members who are licensed to carry a concealed weapon.
Minuteman officials had tried to establish an Alabama chapter previously, but could enlist only three members. They decided to take a grass-roots approach and start local chapters in hopes of developing a statewide network. Right now, statewide membership stands at 75.
Funk is the head of the River Region chapter -- which covers Montgomery, Elmore and Autauga counties -- and oversees all chapters in the southern part of the state.
"I don't enjoy being an out-front guy, but if it helps us build up the organization, I will do it," he said.
In Texas, California and other border states, Minuteman members conduct armed patrols to prevent immigrants from crossing into the country illegally. Funk went on his first patrol this spring in Brownsville, Texas.
Founded in 1994, the corps came to the nation's attention two years ago when it undertook a monthlong patrol of the Arizona-Mexico border.
President Bush has described Minuteman members as "vigilantes" and the U.S. Border Patrol called the corps a "hindrance."
"We are only there to observe and report, just to notify authorities of illegal activity," Funk said. "We are only there to help the Border Patrol."
Minutemen volunteers in Alabama will lobby for state and local laws that target employers who hire undocumented workers and landlords who rent single-family houses to multiple families. Funk also is contacting Minuteman organizations nationwide for other possible legislative initiatives to support.
The corps wants to establish chapters in non-border states to improve its public image, according to Mark Potok of the Montgomery-based Southern Poverty Law Center, a human rights advocacy organization. The corps estimates its national membership at 350,000. Potok, an expert in hate and extremist groups, puts the number of new Minuteman chapters at 250 since the 2005 Arizona-Mexico patrol.
SPLC classifies the corps as an extremist organization that targets individuals for confrontation and harassment, Potok said.
"When you bully day-laborers and other individuals," he said, "it goes beyond influencing policy and becomes hate-mongering activity."
Funk, a retired military officer, categorically denies his group provokes hateful confrontations and insists the corps doesn't knowingly have racists as members.
"If we find out a person is a member of the Klan, a Nazi or any similar group, we ask them to leave our organization," Funk said.
Funk explained the Minuteman group fully supports legal immigration and only supports lawful efforts to stem the tide of illegal immigrants into the United States.
"Our country was built on immigration and we are a non-partisan, nonracist group that merely wants to make sure our nation doesn't become like Europe and lose its national identity by allowing non-Americans to take over and remove our national heritage," Funk said.
Potok disputes Funk's assertion.
"The Minuteman corps believes the Mexicans are a bunch of brown-skinned invaders that are coming into the country to take us over," Potok said. "Their rhetoric is simply a recipe for disaster."
MontgomeryAdvertiser
Dallas Police Arrest 2 For Multi-City Crime Spree
Police say they have arrested a man and woman in connection with a series of North Texas shootings, carjacking and robberies.
Topix
However, police are still searching for the alleged ringleader of the group.
Dallas detectives believe the suspects are members of a white supremacist group called the Aryan Nation and have been on an eight day crime spree.
Two victims of the crime spree spoke to only to CBS 11. Click here to hear how Larry Cornado narrowly escaped being shot. Click here to listen to another victim tell her story of being terrified during a carjacking by two of the suspects late Tuesday night.
After that carjacking, Dallas police say one of the suspects led them on a chase at speeds up to 100 miles-per-hour through southeast Dallas County.
The suspect ended up losing police when he took them through muddy gravel pits. You can see parts of the Dallas police dash-cam video by clicking here.In all, police say the suspects are responsible for eight robberies. Two of their victims in Dallas were shot.
Eugenio Zavala was one of those victims. Police say he was shot last Friday in his abdomen while he was unloading groceries with his five-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter. Click here to see that report.
The suspects also struck in Mesquite and Kaufman County, police say.
Topix
Former Klan leader may resume white supremacist activities
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -
A former western Maryland Ku Klux Klan leader has been found innocent of sexual assault. But Gordon Young may end up in the news again -- for resuming his white supremacist activities.
Young disbanded a group called the World Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in November after his adopted sister accused him of assault.
He said then that he planned to become state leader of the National Socialist Movement, a neo-Nazi group based in Minneapolis.
That group severed its ties to Young after the charges were announced in December.
Tim Bishop, a National Socialist Movement official, said today that Young will be eligible to apply for reinstatement now that he's been acquitted.
Young declined to comment when reached today by The Associated Press.
WMDT
A former western Maryland Ku Klux Klan leader has been found innocent of sexual assault. But Gordon Young may end up in the news again -- for resuming his white supremacist activities.
Young disbanded a group called the World Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in November after his adopted sister accused him of assault.
He said then that he planned to become state leader of the National Socialist Movement, a neo-Nazi group based in Minneapolis.
That group severed its ties to Young after the charges were announced in December.
Tim Bishop, a National Socialist Movement official, said today that Young will be eligible to apply for reinstatement now that he's been acquitted.
Young declined to comment when reached today by The Associated Press.
WMDT
Police kill supremacist
By Pat Reavy
Deseret Morning News
Police killed a white supremacist who they say rammed several vehicles with his car, including police squad cars, and injured an officer early Saturday.
Darren Grueber
Darren Neil Grueber, 48, a documented gang member of the Silent Aryan Warriors, was shot several times by two officers from West Jordan and South Jordan, said Taylorsville Police Sgt. Rosie Rivera. He was taken to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Grueber had a criminal history dating back to 1982, according to court records, including charges and convictions for assaulting a police officer, aggravated assault, drug possession and sexual battery. In 2002, he was sent to federal prison for a firearms violation but was out on federal probation during Saturday's shooting.
Grueber's family is also no stranger to law enforcement. His son, Darren Grueber Jr. was convicted of a 2001 murder in which he smashed a man's head with a rock, duct-taped the victim's hands and feet, covered the man with a sheet and dumped him on a dirt road in Magna. Earlier this month, the Utah Supreme Court rejected Grueber's appeal that he didn't receive a fair trial.
During his trial, prosecutors alleged that Darren Grueber Jr., who was 18 at at the time of the murder, wanted to be like his father in joining SAW but was denied membership because he had never been to prison. Prosecutors say the younger Grueber offered to kill Don Dorton as gang initiation.
In Saturday's incident involving the father, nearly a dozen members of the Salt Lake Metro Gang Unit were serving a search warrant at the Spring Hill Apartments near 1700 West and 5600 South about 4:30 a.m. Officers were searching for drugs and weapons.
Although the man law enforcers were targeting was not in the apartment when they arrived, they received word that Grueber was on his way over, Rivera said.
When Grueber arrived, deputies used their vehicles to box him in to prevent him from leaving so they could question him, Rivera said.
"He decided he was going to take off," Rivera said. "He throws it into forward, hits a detective's vehicle ... . throws it into reverse, hits a tree ... then hits a civilian vehicle and gets his car stuck in the other car ... then goes forward and hits two more police vehicles," Rivera said.
A West Jordan police officer, standing outside the vehicles, suffered a minor shoulder injury when one of the cars bumped him.
Fearing for their lives, at least two officers opened fire on Grueber, Rivera said. The incident could have been even worse, but a Taylorsville officer showed restraint by not firing because a female passenger in Grueber's car was in his line of fire, she said. The woman was not arrested.
Before the shooting, another man showed up at the apartment where the warrant was served. A 27-year-old man was arrested on drug possession and two warrants for drug distribution and possession.
White supremacists have been in the news frequently as of late. Curtis Allgier, a heavily tattooed white supremacist, was arrested and charged last month in connection with the shooting death of a corrections officer during an escape. Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty.
DesNews
Deseret Morning News
Police killed a white supremacist who they say rammed several vehicles with his car, including police squad cars, and injured an officer early Saturday.
Darren Grueber
Darren Neil Grueber, 48, a documented gang member of the Silent Aryan Warriors, was shot several times by two officers from West Jordan and South Jordan, said Taylorsville Police Sgt. Rosie Rivera. He was taken to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Grueber had a criminal history dating back to 1982, according to court records, including charges and convictions for assaulting a police officer, aggravated assault, drug possession and sexual battery. In 2002, he was sent to federal prison for a firearms violation but was out on federal probation during Saturday's shooting.
Grueber's family is also no stranger to law enforcement. His son, Darren Grueber Jr. was convicted of a 2001 murder in which he smashed a man's head with a rock, duct-taped the victim's hands and feet, covered the man with a sheet and dumped him on a dirt road in Magna. Earlier this month, the Utah Supreme Court rejected Grueber's appeal that he didn't receive a fair trial.
During his trial, prosecutors alleged that Darren Grueber Jr., who was 18 at at the time of the murder, wanted to be like his father in joining SAW but was denied membership because he had never been to prison. Prosecutors say the younger Grueber offered to kill Don Dorton as gang initiation.
In Saturday's incident involving the father, nearly a dozen members of the Salt Lake Metro Gang Unit were serving a search warrant at the Spring Hill Apartments near 1700 West and 5600 South about 4:30 a.m. Officers were searching for drugs and weapons.
Although the man law enforcers were targeting was not in the apartment when they arrived, they received word that Grueber was on his way over, Rivera said.
When Grueber arrived, deputies used their vehicles to box him in to prevent him from leaving so they could question him, Rivera said.
"He decided he was going to take off," Rivera said. "He throws it into forward, hits a detective's vehicle ... . throws it into reverse, hits a tree ... then hits a civilian vehicle and gets his car stuck in the other car ... then goes forward and hits two more police vehicles," Rivera said.
A West Jordan police officer, standing outside the vehicles, suffered a minor shoulder injury when one of the cars bumped him.
Fearing for their lives, at least two officers opened fire on Grueber, Rivera said. The incident could have been even worse, but a Taylorsville officer showed restraint by not firing because a female passenger in Grueber's car was in his line of fire, she said. The woman was not arrested.
Before the shooting, another man showed up at the apartment where the warrant was served. A 27-year-old man was arrested on drug possession and two warrants for drug distribution and possession.
White supremacists have been in the news frequently as of late. Curtis Allgier, a heavily tattooed white supremacist, was arrested and charged last month in connection with the shooting death of a corrections officer during an escape. Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty.
DesNews
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Racism in Forza Motorsport 2
360 Gamer brings us the depressing, but inevitable, news that some Forza Motorsport 2 players have been using the game's robust paintjob editor to adorn their cars with racist messages.
Both Microsoft and Turn 10 are trying to keep a lid on such behavior, shutting down auctions featuring offensive cars, but clearly they can only do so much as charmers like this one keep cropping up.
When 360 Gamer first ran this story, their readers seemed to feel that such decorations were a perfectly fair expression of free speech, and that acknowledging the behavior only encourages it. Free speech or not, the car certainly seems to violate Live's online policy, which says it's against the rules to:
Publish, distribute or disseminate any topic, name, material, file or information that incites discrimination, hate, or violence towards one person or a group because of their race, religion, nationality, transgender status, homosexual status, or HIV/AIDS status, or that insults the victims of crimes against humanity by contesting the existence of those crimes.
Wired
Police report nearly 40 racist incidents since attempted attack in Glasgow
Associated Press - July 5, 2007 12:23 PM ET
Police in Scotland say there have been 38 racially-motivated incidents in the Glasgow area since an attack at the city's airport.
Police say the incidents have included beatings and an attack on a white youth by three South Asian youths who believed he was involved in a previous racially-motivated attack.
A South Asian-owned shop was also set on fire in Glasgow.
A Muslim community leader has appealed for calm, and says community relations remain strong.
He added that the people who drove a Jeep into barriers outside a terminal in Glasgow, the day after two car bombs failed to explode in London, "were not from Scotland."
KNDU
Police in Scotland say there have been 38 racially-motivated incidents in the Glasgow area since an attack at the city's airport.
Police say the incidents have included beatings and an attack on a white youth by three South Asian youths who believed he was involved in a previous racially-motivated attack.
A South Asian-owned shop was also set on fire in Glasgow.
A Muslim community leader has appealed for calm, and says community relations remain strong.
He added that the people who drove a Jeep into barriers outside a terminal in Glasgow, the day after two car bombs failed to explode in London, "were not from Scotland."
KNDU
Racists Planning Rally in Kalamazoo
A group of white supremacists and other racists are planning a rally in Kalamazoo, Michigan on August 4. The rally--to be held at a currently undisclosed location--is being billed as a "Rally Against Black Gang Terrorism" in response to allegations of attacks on white males by groups of African-Americans.
The rally is being organized by Hal Turner, a nationally known racist who hosts an Internet radio show and who has a history of making extremely racist statements. Even on the comments thread announcing the rally, Turner argues that "Kalamazoo doesn't need a White Patrol, just a couple Lynchings" in response to a query about whether or not there are White Citizen's Patrols in Kalamazoo to protect white people until the rally. Turner has extended an invitation to most racist groups to participate in the rally, including the Ku Klux Klan, the National Socialist Movement, the Aryan Nations, White Revolution, the National Alliance, the National Vanguard, the Creativity Movement, and members of the prominent racist website Stormfront.org. Turner will speak at the rally along with other prominent racists including Alex Linder of the racist Vanguard News Network, Michigan-based Pastor James Wickstrom of the racist Christian Identity movement, and Paul Gellar, a talk show host on Hal Turner's internet radio network. Additionally, a Ku Klux Klan member from Michigan, Randy Gray, will speak at the rally.
At this time, no protest plans have been announced, but it is likely that the rally will be met with significant opposition. Over the past decade, rallies organized by the Ku Klux Klan, the National Socialist Movement, the Council of Conservative Citizens, and other racist groups in Michigan have been largely drowned out by protestors. A 2006 rally at the capitol in Lansing by the neo-Nazi National Socialist Movement had only 60 NSM members compared to as many as 500 protestors.
The rally announcement appearing on Hal Turner's website:
"RALLY AGAINST BLACK GANG TERRORISM" IN KALAMAZOO, MI15 ATTACKS BY BLACKS AGAINST WHITES CALLS FOR PRO-WHITE RALLYMARK YOUR CALENDARS: SAT. AUGUST 4, 2007 1:00 PM!The story which prompted this rally is linked below. Additional rally details as to specific location, hotel, motel, maps etc will be upcoming on this site.
Confirmed Speakers include:
Alex Linder of VNN, Pastor James. P. Wickstrom, Paul Gellar, host of "Think Tank" Radio Show on TRN, Hal Turner, Randy Gray from Michigan
FORMAL PUBLIC INVITATION. I have reached out to NSM, AN, KKK and a host of other speakers. I am now also publicly inviting:
The American National Socialist Workers Party and their Commander, Bill White who is also invited to give speech at the event. I want to use this occasion to put the past behind us, mend fences and get back to the issues we both know need fighting for the benefit of White folks.
In addition, I am also publicly inviting members of Stormfront including Jamie Kelso and Don Black both of whom are also invited to give speeches.
I also invite ALL SKINHEADS, regardless of affiliation or geographic location.
Continuing with the public invitations, I invite WHITE REVOLUTION and its founder Billy Roper who is invited to give a speech.
I invite members of the National Alliance and members of National Vanguard.
I have already confirmed that members of the CREATIVITY MOVEMENT support this effort and are coming. Creators are welcome to attend and I urge Creators in the Chicago area to use this event to reinvigorate your local crews after some troubles set you apart for awhile.
Finally, I invite all other pro-White groups not heretofore mentioned, and all unaffiliated pro-white individuals. I mean no disrespect by omitting group names, but all of you know the list can get huge!
Dress Code: I prefer all attendess dress in regular, casual clothing. Whether you choose to wear organizational clothing or regalia is strictly up to you but for the benefit of everyone, let's keep the dress code to what we as typical, hard-working Whites usually wear.
SIGNS: You are encouraged to bring large signs expressing your views. Refrain from attaching those signs to any kind of stick or pole because sticks and poles can be used as weapons and we don't want any of that.
WEAPONS: If you hold a valid permit to carry a firearm, you may exercise your right to do so if it conforms with Michigan state law. Otherwise, DO NOT bring any weapons of any type. I'm certain there will be a huge police presence and we want the cops to feel safe. After all, WE aren't the problem, the savages ARE!
Personality Conflicts: There are a lot of strong personalities in our movement and as I can personally attest, some of us may not feel comfortable around certain others. I am putting aside any animosity I may have and if I can do it, we all can. So please don't be put off by who is or might be coming. We must put all petty differences aside for the benefit of the cause.
For more on organized racism in Michigan, visit Media Mouse's the Far Right in West Michigan database.
MediaMouse
Aryan Racketeering Case: 14 Indicted
LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Authorities said they have busted up a racist white supremacist gang based in the Nevada state prison system.
Fourteen men are named in a federal racketeering indictment unsealed Thursday charging them with murder, extortion, drug dealing, fraud, identity theft and other violent crimes. The U.S. attorney's office and FBI say the men were members of the Aryan Warriors based in the prison system, but with tentacles in methamphetamine distribution in cities around the region.
The charges include allegations stemming from the stabbing death of a prison inmate in August 2001; assaults on two other inmates in 2004 and 2005; and the February beating of a person on the outside. The men are also accused of threatening and extorting money from inmate families, and stealing and using identification documents and credit cards.
Four of the accused were arrested Thursday morning in Las Vegas, another in Pahrump. The others are already in federal or state prisons. They are due Friday morning before a magistrate in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas.
Fox5Vegas
Fourteen men are named in a federal racketeering indictment unsealed Thursday charging them with murder, extortion, drug dealing, fraud, identity theft and other violent crimes. The U.S. attorney's office and FBI say the men were members of the Aryan Warriors based in the prison system, but with tentacles in methamphetamine distribution in cities around the region.
The charges include allegations stemming from the stabbing death of a prison inmate in August 2001; assaults on two other inmates in 2004 and 2005; and the February beating of a person on the outside. The men are also accused of threatening and extorting money from inmate families, and stealing and using identification documents and credit cards.
Four of the accused were arrested Thursday morning in Las Vegas, another in Pahrump. The others are already in federal or state prisons. They are due Friday morning before a magistrate in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas.
Fox5Vegas
Charlotte, N.C., mayor stands by comments on black youth, despite call from NAACP to apologize
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The mayor said he stands by his comments that black youth are imitating gangsters, despite a call from the local NAACP to apologize. Mayor Pat McCrory, who is white, said he was accurate when he wrote that "too many of our youth, primarily African American, are imitating and/or participating in a gangster type of dress, attitude, behavior and action."
His remarks came in a July 5 letter to the city manager in which McCrory congratulated police for their presence the night before, when 169 people -- mostly black -- were arrested.
The mayor painted "African American youth with a broad swath that cuts deep in many of our communities," said Ken White, president of the Charlotte branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
"Mr. McCrory's comments reinforce that stereotype especially to those inclined to hold on to racist thinking and behavior," White said.
McCrory told The Charlotte Observer that he understands his remarks offended some people, but he cited statistics that more than 60 percent of Charlotte's gang members are black.
"My role as mayor is to communicate what I consider to be concerns and in doing so you have to step on some toes," he said.
MSNBC
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The mayor said he stands by his comments that black youth are imitating gangsters, despite a call from the local NAACP to apologize. Mayor Pat McCrory, who is white, said he was accurate when he wrote that "too many of our youth, primarily African American, are imitating and/or participating in a gangster type of dress, attitude, behavior and action."
His remarks came in a July 5 letter to the city manager in which McCrory congratulated police for their presence the night before, when 169 people -- mostly black -- were arrested.
The mayor painted "African American youth with a broad swath that cuts deep in many of our communities," said Ken White, president of the Charlotte branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
"Mr. McCrory's comments reinforce that stereotype especially to those inclined to hold on to racist thinking and behavior," White said.
McCrory told The Charlotte Observer that he understands his remarks offended some people, but he cited statistics that more than 60 percent of Charlotte's gang members are black.
"My role as mayor is to communicate what I consider to be concerns and in doing so you have to step on some toes," he said.
MSNBC
Former Roger Williams trustee says chairman forced out after slur
July 14, 2007
BRISTOL, R.I. --A former trustee at Roger Williams University said the longtime chairman of the board was forced to resign this week after he uttered a racist slur at a May meeting.
This week, Ralph R. Papitto stepped down after more than 40 years on the board, including the last 18 as chairman. The 80-year-old, for whom the university's law school is named, said he was retiring because of his age and a desire to spend more time with his family.
But Dr. Barbara H. Roberts, who served as a trustee for two years and was Papitto's former cardiologist, told The Providence Journal that Papitto was forced out after using a racial slur about black people during a May 2 trustees meeting.
At the time, Papitto and the trustees were discussing a report that criticized the board's lack of diversity. Roberts said Papitto became agitated and used the epithet.
Papitto refused to comment to the Journal about the epithet and said he left the board on his own accord.
"This is a private institution and we consider board meeting discussions confidential," he told the Journal. "I stepped down because the time has come."
In a July 2 letter to Roberts, Papitto wrote that he had "apologized to the Board for a highly inappropriate statement I made at a private session of the Board."
"Any further publication itself is potentially tortious activity that can only harm the University and will be considered a serious negative action," he wrote.
In the letter, Papitto said Roberts had "maligned" him and said, "I have cut no deals with anyone and don't intend to."
Papitto, who founded a Fortune 500 company, Nortek Inc., has given more than $7 million to the university.
In April, the university received a formal "Notice of Concern" from a regional accrediting organization, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The association warned university officials that the board of trustees must start following its own bylaws and appoint a more diverse board or the association could take action that could jeopardize the institution's accreditation.
Roberts said the trustees were discussing the report when Papitto became agitated about the call to add more women and minorities to the board.
"He started saying, 'They want us to add more poor kids and they want us to add more, well, I can't call them n------, I learned that from Imus,'" Roberts said.
Papitto was referring to ousted New York talk-show host Don Imus, who was fired over racist comments about the Rutgers women's basketball in April.
At a May 9 emergency meeting, trustees Roberts, Joseph Caramadre and Sally Lapides demanded Papittos resignation, the Journal reported. After two months of meetings and negotiation, Papitto stepped down Monday with honorary "emeritus" state, the paper said. The three trustees who demanded Papitto's resignation have since been removed from the board
Several trustees declined comment for the story. University president Roy Nirschel said the board would add 11 to 13 members in the coming year, including women, minorities and alumni.
"We want the board to be consistent with our core mission here, bridging the world," he said. "It's important to have a board that is larger, that has stronger committee structures. Sometimes boards have to catch up to where the university is going."
Boston
BRISTOL, R.I. --A former trustee at Roger Williams University said the longtime chairman of the board was forced to resign this week after he uttered a racist slur at a May meeting.
This week, Ralph R. Papitto stepped down after more than 40 years on the board, including the last 18 as chairman. The 80-year-old, for whom the university's law school is named, said he was retiring because of his age and a desire to spend more time with his family.
But Dr. Barbara H. Roberts, who served as a trustee for two years and was Papitto's former cardiologist, told The Providence Journal that Papitto was forced out after using a racial slur about black people during a May 2 trustees meeting.
At the time, Papitto and the trustees were discussing a report that criticized the board's lack of diversity. Roberts said Papitto became agitated and used the epithet.
Papitto refused to comment to the Journal about the epithet and said he left the board on his own accord.
"This is a private institution and we consider board meeting discussions confidential," he told the Journal. "I stepped down because the time has come."
In a July 2 letter to Roberts, Papitto wrote that he had "apologized to the Board for a highly inappropriate statement I made at a private session of the Board."
"Any further publication itself is potentially tortious activity that can only harm the University and will be considered a serious negative action," he wrote.
In the letter, Papitto said Roberts had "maligned" him and said, "I have cut no deals with anyone and don't intend to."
Papitto, who founded a Fortune 500 company, Nortek Inc., has given more than $7 million to the university.
In April, the university received a formal "Notice of Concern" from a regional accrediting organization, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The association warned university officials that the board of trustees must start following its own bylaws and appoint a more diverse board or the association could take action that could jeopardize the institution's accreditation.
Roberts said the trustees were discussing the report when Papitto became agitated about the call to add more women and minorities to the board.
"He started saying, 'They want us to add more poor kids and they want us to add more, well, I can't call them n------, I learned that from Imus,'" Roberts said.
Papitto was referring to ousted New York talk-show host Don Imus, who was fired over racist comments about the Rutgers women's basketball in April.
At a May 9 emergency meeting, trustees Roberts, Joseph Caramadre and Sally Lapides demanded Papittos resignation, the Journal reported. After two months of meetings and negotiation, Papitto stepped down Monday with honorary "emeritus" state, the paper said. The three trustees who demanded Papitto's resignation have since been removed from the board
Several trustees declined comment for the story. University president Roy Nirschel said the board would add 11 to 13 members in the coming year, including women, minorities and alumni.
"We want the board to be consistent with our core mission here, bridging the world," he said. "It's important to have a board that is larger, that has stronger committee structures. Sometimes boards have to catch up to where the university is going."
Boston
Sunday, July 08, 2007
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