Mexico's Fox Defends Comments on Radio

SFGate.com ^ | May 22, 2005 | MORGAN LEE, Associated Press Writer

[madfly]

President Vicente Fox on Sunday defended his commitment to minorities and human rights on a U.S. radio program, in his first public response to his controversial comment that Mexicans take the U.S. jobs that "not even" blacks want.

U.S. civil rights activist Jesse Jackson pressed the Mexican president for an apology for the remark that has strained already tense relations between U.S. blacks and Hispanics, during an interview on a Chicago gospel station.

"I very much regret the misinterpretation," said Fox, touting laws created under his administration that outlaw discrimination and protect minorities.

Fox met with Jackson behind closed doors on Wednesday in Mexico City after the president's comments about blacks ignited a firestorm of criticism from the black community and angered the U.S. government.

[billorites]

So was this just an example of Fox being caught in a moment of weakness committing candor?

[plain talk]

Yeah, Fox, no misinterpretation, you racist pig!

[austinite]

I am a white male

I worked my way thru college, without any grants or aid of any kind.

I am currently working as a software engineer.

These are the jobs that helped me work my way thru school.

1. Busboy
2. Car wash attendent
3. dishwasher
4. Newsprint/bailer
5. HVAC tecnician
6. Land scaper

None of these jobs paid much more than minimum wage.

I guess that blows that theory.

[Txsleuth]

Al Sharpton was just on with Geraldo--

Al WAS mad at Vincente, but now he got together with Vincente and they are both blaming Bush.

[raybbr]

Most hispanics I know have a much better work ethic than I do.

Does that mean that all Americans should seven days a week, too? How is their work ethic better than mine? I go to work and do my job. I do a little bit extra sometimes but since my company gives out crappy raises and has increased the cost of health care (effectively lowering my take home pay) it makes it hard to want to do more.

Remember these people are going from dirt poor to a lifestyle that is about ten times better than what they are used to. For the average American to live like they do would be a decrease three or four fold in their standard of living. Does that make them better people? In some ways they are getting benefits that the average American worker can't get.

[hispanichoosier]

I guess that blows that theory.

Not really. My theory is about generalities, not about any particular person. It's kind of like saying that in general blacks vote Democrat. I can make that statement but couldn't point to any individual black person and state that he--without doubt--voted straight Dem in the 2004 election. However, the fact that a particular black person voted straight GOP wouldn't make my general statement false.

Likewise, I can say that Americans in general seem to have less of a work ethic than illegals who come here to work. That wouldn't mean that your superb work ethic disproves my general statement.

Only empirical data comparing the hours worked and type of work done by illegals with the same jobs done by Americans can prove or disprove my statement. If you have such empirical data, please cite it for me. If I'm wrong, I'll withdraw my statement.

[hispanichoosier]

Remember these people are going from dirt poor to a lifestyle that is about ten times better than what they are used to.

Exactly. They appreciate the opportunities that America offers them more than many America-bashing liberals seem to.

[billorites]

They just work harder.

I've spent a lot of time in medical settings with immigrant physicians from dreadful places abroad who moved heaven and earth to get to the US.

What they do, what they have to do compared to native born doctors, puts everyone else to shame.

Please don't misunderstand. My remarks mean no disrespect towards you.

It's just an acknowledgement of the extraordinary lengths some people will go to in order to get to the States and to be successful here.

[international american]

The fact is illegals have pushed alot of Americans out of the trades. Contractors in California hire illegals for 10 dollars an hour under the table, so they no longer have to pay 15 or 20 to an American. The contractor makes a lot more money, and the American homebuilders(tradesman) have been scrapped.

[FreeAtlanta]

sadly, lol, now, Jessee has moved to shaking down foreign governments, I bet China will be next,

[madfly]

[austinite]

This is really insulting, first you assume a lack of a work ethic and then ask me to back my postition with stats! When I just told you that I worked in these type of jobs myself. You and your type really are an SOBs.

[hispanichoosier]

Contractors in California hire illegals for 10 dollars an hour under the table, so they no longer have to pay 15 or 20 to an American.

And that's a law enforcement problem that needs to be addressed. However, the fact that the contractors are willing to do such a thing doesn't address the original issue, that being whether illegals are more willing to do backbreaking work that many Americans are no longer willing to do.

[dalereed]

"Suddenly, I'm hoping that Fox gets re-elected."

Mexican presidents are limited to one 6 year term.

[television is just wrong]

Blacks, have been given the shaft so many times in this country. Now Mexicans are coming here taking their place as the down trodden minority. Jackson and Sharpton are not representative of what Black Americans need and want. Jackson's RAINBOW Coalition is nothing more than a big money maker to make Jessie Jackson rich.

[hispanichoosier]

You and your type really are an SOBs.

I never assumed a lack of work ethic on your part personally. I made a statement regarding America in general. It's too bad you took my comment personally. BTW, what exactly is my "type?"

[Afronaut]

"Is anything more fun than watching Fox having to answer to the likes of Sharpton and Jackson."

Great one!

[hispanichoosier]

Blacks, have been given the shaft so many times in this country. Now Mexicans are coming here taking their place as the down trodden minority.

This is not an an excuse for Jackson or Sharpton, just an observation. Blacks are the sole ethnic group within the American experiment that came here involuntarily. Again, while it's not an excuse, I do believe that's had some sort of effect (even if minor) on the black community.

[austinite]

You are an arrogant SOB!

Americans have no work ethic! Ha

B.S.

Your type = Try to justify the invasion of our southern border by denigating the American work ethinc

Go to H*$)_#+

[LNewman]

LOL