Fox meets with Jackson over jobs comment

Bakersfield Californian ^ | 5/18/05 | Morgan Lee - AP

[NormsRevenge]

MEXICO CITY (AP) - President Vicente Fox tried to smooth relations with the U.S. black community Wednesday after saying Mexican immigrants take jobs that "not even" blacks want, promising to work with the Rev. Jesse Jackson to improve labor rights for minorities in the United States.

The meeting between Fox and Jackson at the presidential residence was a sharp contrast from a few days ago, when Jackson called on the Mexican president to issue a public apology. Some 25 million people of Mexican heritage live in the United States.

Fox met with Jackson for more than an hour, but didn't participate in a news conference following the talks because he had to leave for a trip to northern Mexico. Fox has made no public reference to his comment Friday, instead issuing often inconsistent statements through his aides.

Jackson told reporters Fox was scheduled to appear on the U.S. civil rights leader's radio program Sunday. Fox was also invited to several U.S. labor forums, although it wasn't clear if he planned to attend.

Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez, who appeared at the news conference on behalf of Fox, said the meeting was an opportunity for Mexico to pursue better treatment for Mexican and other Latino migrants in the United States.

"This relationship, which today became closer for the Mexican government, is one more avenue, one more process of mutual support in the search for a common objective that is integrated, complete migratory reform," Derbez said.

Jackson said Fox's comment Friday was "at best, insensitive," but that the Mexican president had expressed regret for any offense he had caused.

"He now realizes the harmful effects of it," Jackson said. "He seeks to correct it by reaching out."

Jackson said the statement, which angered the U.S. black community, was a chance for minority groups in the United States to begin working together to fight for better treatment and wages.

"It was offensive and inaccurate, but it was a diversion from the bigger struggle of workers rights," Jackson said.

He said Mexicans and blacks in the United States were the victims of U.S. policies that pit illegal workers against disenfranchised minority groups.

"The Mexican-Americans must not be pawns in that scheme, and African Americans must not be scapegoats in that scheme," he said. "We must work together, fighting for the right to vote, and for health care and wages."

The controversy came as Mexico fumed over new U.S. immigration policies, including tightened requirements for driver's licenses and the extension of a wall along the California-Mexico border.

The U.S. government initially criticized Fox's statement, with State Department spokesman Richard Boucher saying Monday it was "very insensitive and inappropriate."

The next day, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Fox "made a public statement regretting his comments, and I think he's addressed the matter."

Jackson criticized President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for not personally responding to Fox's comment.

"I would expect some official expression from our government," he said.

There was still confusion Wednesday on whether Fox had formally apologized for his remarks.

Fox told Jackson and civil rights leader Al Sharpton on Monday that he was sorry for "any hurt feelings caused by my statements," according to Mexico's Foreign Relations Department.

Late Tuesday, Assistant Foreign Secretary Patricia Olamendi echoed that sentiment, saying: "If anyone felt offended by the statement, I offer apologies on behalf of my government."

But early Wednesday, Fox spokesman Ruben Aguilar said Olamendi was speaking on behalf of herself - not the government. Aguilar has insisted Fox's comments were misinterpreted.

[NormsRevenge]

AP Photo/ADRIAN BURROWS

In this photo released by the Rainbow Push Coalition, Reverand Jesse Jackson, right, holds a photo of himself with farm workers union leader Cesar Chavez as he poses for a photo with Mexican President Vicente Fox, center, and Ann Marie Tallman; president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) during a meeting at the Los Pinos presidential residence in Mexico City, Mexico on Wednesday May 18, 2005. Jackson and Fox agreed to work together to unite blacks and Hispanics in the United States two days after Fox expressed regret for saying Mexicans were working U.S. jobs that not even blacks would take.

[RetiredArmy]

Well I see the Race War Lord has his face back on TV again. He must be milking Fox for a few million to keep his mouth shut from now on. Fox didn't know what he was doing when he opened his trap and used the word "blacks." Jessie, the race pimp immediately jumped on it. Buses leaving for Mexico City shortly.

[NormsRevenge]

Seeing Je$$e HiJack$on working Fox over for kickbacks ..

Pricele$$!

Rev. Al .. Coming Soon!

[Cecily]

Is there any way we could convince Mexico to keep him?

[wideawake]

"Presidente Fox, give me $18 million dollars and I will forget the whole thing!"

[Semper Paratus]

Fox wouldn't be so crass as to bring up "hymietown" would he?

[BullDog108]

Here's a blast from the past:

JESSE JACKSON and his mistress Karin Stanford (circled) pose with Clinton and other Rainbow Coalition staffers on December 3, 1998 -- five months before Jesse's love child was born. Rev. Jackson is "ministering" to the President for his adultery.

[Hi Heels]

I was just breathless with anticipation to hear what good ol' Jesse was gonna say about this whole situation.

[Enchante]

Just as predicted, race pimp Jesse Jackson uses Fox comment as leverage for his own publicity - now he can try for a "win-win" by winning Mexico's support for his cause in exchange for his support of illegal immigration.

This is what passes for 'politics' among leftist hustlers....

[Hi Heels]

"He now realizes the harmful effects of it," Jackson said. "He seeks to correct it by reaching out."

*hurl*

oh man...take this thread down.... or rip my eyes out and fill my skull with gasoline....

[Vigilanteman]

Just two master shakedown artists exchanging tips on how to suckle more freebies from the American public's teat.

[rockthecasbah]

BullDog,

Great tag line.

Question for this thread: Who is Jesse representing when he visits foreign heads of state? In what representative capacity is he acting? Has he been appointed to anything? Elected to anything?

[American Quilter]

five months before Jesse's love child was born. Rev. Jackson is "ministering" to the President for his adultery.

Oh, the irony...

[catpuppy]

Rainbow Push Peso Coalition

[Rick Deckard]

"The Mexican-Americans must not be pawns in that scheme, and African Americans must not be scapegoats in that scheme," he said. "We must work together, fighting for the right to vote, and for health care and wages."

Jesse, snap out of it! We're talking about Mexican nationals coming here illegally, not Americans of Mexican descent.

[sandydipper]

Oh Brudder!! What a jacka$$ and Vincente bought it hook line and sinker. Guess you ain't gotta be real smart to be President in Mexico.

[Rosemont]

Jackson is unbelievable. I think business schools in the US should offer classes in these profit making enterprises. They could offer courses like Shakedown 101 and Understanding the Race Industry. "Reverend" Jackson could write the textbook and demonstrate the art of milking a grievance.

[Caipirabob]

When Jesse Jackson has been reduced to "working over" Mexican politicians...

LOL! Sorry, both of these guys are like some sort of twisted comedy act. They deserve one another.

Hey Jesse, whatever you do, don't aceept your bribe in Pesos!