Posted on 09/25/2004 8:27:38 AM PDT by nypokerface
Calling the federal agents who seized Elián González ''armed thugs,'' the campaign of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mel Martinez chided Democratic opponent Betty Castor on Friday for campaigning with the U.S. attorney general who sent the shipwrecked boy back to Cuba four years ago.
The language provoked outrage from Castor's campaign and from the national union that represented the immigration officers who took Elián from his Miami relatives and returned him to his father at the behest of then-Attorney General Janet Reno.
''Those were law enforcement officers doing their jobs, risking their lives,'' Castor spokesman Dan McLaughlin said of the ''armed thugs'' comment. 'Regardless of anyone's politics, I think it is outrageous to think someone would call police officers working under those conditions `thugs.' ''
Castor said Friday that Martinez's comments sounded ``like a partisan political thing. I have a lot of support for Janet Reno and her work over the years.''
Reno, attending an event with Castor in Miami Friday, defended her decision in the Elián case, saying it had nothing to do with ``an election issue.''
While Martinez's comment may resonate with some Cuban-American voters, it could cost him support among moderate Democrats and Republicans.
Friday evening, Martinez spokeswoman Jennifer Coxe backed away from the ''armed thugs'' comment used in an e-mail to reporters, and called it a ``regretful term.''
``We have the utmost respect for the law enforcement community.''
The explanation did not satisfy Charles Showalter, president of the National Homeland Security Council for the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 18,000 law enforcement workers.
'I'm very disturbed that anyone would call any federal law enforcement officers `thugs' '' he said.
Yeah... "risking their lives" to take a boy out of a closet.
'I'm very disturbed that anyone would call any federal law enforcement officers `thugs' '' he said.
Guess he's never been rousted out in the dark of night.
I'm sorry but in that situation they were thugs just like WACO.....
The agents were errand boys sent by the real thug Reno. Reno's actions resulting in Waco and the Elian travesty should earn her a toasty place in hell.
If the jack boot fits.
How about jack booted thugs?
Don't forget Ruby Ridge.
Darn tootin! Why in the world would make anyone think Fed agents are thugs??
Oh sure. Their lives were in danger. Donato might have hit them with a high-heeled shoe from that closet he was standing in. Elian could have poked the thug in the eye with a coat hanger between terrified sobs.
Don't get out much do you?
Martinez should publicly disavow it and fire whoever made it.
You are right-- RR was another Reno slaughter. I really consider her to be a sociopath.
Elián is the latest hurricane, right? Because I know NObody could still be talking about that little Cuban boy.
Any comments on this in the Cuban Americn community?
Martinez just lost my vote.
Exactly. The real thugs were Reno and Clinton.
'I'm very disturbed that anyone would call any federal law enforcement officers `thugs' '' he said.
I voted for Martinez in the primary, but wasn't aware of these comments.
Now, I will DEFINITELY vote for him in November.
The truth in your statement is exactly why our political system is broke. The balatant truth is too much for "moderates." Better to sugarcoat it. :<
The fact that we have a man running for Senate who realizes that many agents of the state are nothing more than armed thugs, is a good thing.
We don't need another bootlicker in the Senate.
Even if he disavows it?
BUMP for Mel!
That remark is going to hurt Martinez.
Sorry Mr. Union Official, you guys don't have a corner on nice. The picture your union members presented in snatching that kid was atrocious.
If anyone goes back to the old Elian threads you will know how I stood on Elian and the Cubans who had him and his father who wanted him.
Let's not open old wounds- Martinez is opening wounds that had healed.
He is one politician I now intend to vote against.
Standing tall behind my principles
A+Bert
It certainly wouldn't cost him any support from me. It might get me to send him some money. See Tagline.
I'll count you in as a supporter of sending in men with automatic weapons to reclaim the human property of the Cuban government.
Agreed. He should make it clear that the agents were doing their jobs and the thuggish behavior was at the top.
Elian was deprived of his Human Rights by RATS! And they're proud of it? Yep!
That term was first used (to my knowledge) by Congressman Dingell from Michigan in the 80s. He is a Democrat, but was outraged over how the ATF was operating (this came to light in a Senate hearing in the 80s).
Wayne LaPierre of the NRA used it later, and Bush Sr. used this an excuse to resign from the NRA and stab gunowners in the back once again.
Showalter is also a union thug. Double thuggery: govt agent and union boss.
That remark is going to hurt Martinez. The race is close, I understand, and support for law enforcement is overwhelming.I don't know about Florida, but around here most of the cops seem to have a sharp disdain for federal cops other than the FBI. Especially when they act like stormtroopers.
-Eric
Yeah. "Armed thugs" sounds good to me.
I'll bet this guy would agree with the "armed thugs" comment:
It is very worth while noting the spin that the Miami Herald puts on this.
Martinez will vote for the FMA, Castor will not. What does this have to do with Elian? nothing. It does have everything to do with the pro-homo herald spining the democrat as the one offended.
Castor is the scummy old guard of the Demcrat party of FL.
Remember, Reagan would have said the boy stays here.
It's surprising the child survived the journey from Cuba at all. The mother endangered the child as far as I can see. How sad!
But regardless, I believe the father had the right to that child. I was impressed by him.
Hence ... my statement. ;)
"I think it is outrageous to think someone would call police officers working under those conditions 'thugs'"
IIRC during the Gore campaign, republicans were called "jack booted thugs" .. Hmmmm??
You know it stings when the press says Castor's campaign objected. Wahh! They WERE thugs, and Castor is a pinko traitor! GIVE `EM HELL, MEL!
Compare that quote with this one from a thread dated 1776:
"I'm very disturbed that anyone would call any royal law enforcement officers thugs. Said King George"
Reno denied the possiblity of freedom for this child who's own mother died trying to make a new life in America.
And Elian's father-did not even LIVE with his mother...had a new family started elsewhere, had beaten her in the past, according to a grandmother of Elian, and is now a very important neighborhood tatty tale for the communist regime, thanks to the America sending a little boy back to hell, to become Castro's poster boy.
ping...
Well said. As usual. KB, I'm sorry you're an irregular visitor. You're tops.
1. This is a positive comment to make for the Cuban Comunity. (it is also why Mayor Pinelas was unable to get cubans to support him since is colluded with Reno.)
2. Republicans of all shades KNOW the child should have stayed in the USA instead of a slave in Cuba.
Ronald Reagan would have said the boy stays in the USA.
(kerry would have fed exed the boy back)
BTW does anybody have images of the thanksgiving day that the boy was rescued?
Among south florida cubans, my perception is that this is as defining as homosexual marriage. IOW supporting returning the boy will cost you 75% of the vote.
Waco's tear gas assault was on a very windy day, which doesn't make sense. Just open the windows and wait a few seconds.
But, if you want to burn a building down, wind is your friend.
They sure cleaned it up in a hurry. The crime scene at Columbine HS was kept for four months, I think. Waco, just a couple of days. Something is very, very wrong here.
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