Posted on 11/30/2006 8:30:21 AM PST by Dane
Tancredo fires back at Fla. guv Colo. congressman accuses Jeb Bush of 'happy talk'
By Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News November 30, 2006 U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo on Wednesday accused Florida Gov. Jeb Bush of spouting "politically correct happy talk" in a war of words touched off by the congressman's swipe at the city of Miami as resembling a "Third World country."
In a letter responding to a blast from Bush, Tancredo said the governor did not recognize illegal immigration as a problem in Miami.
"I certainly understand and appreciate your need and desire to create the illusion of Miami as a multiethnic 'All American' city," Tancredo said. "I can also appreciate that Miami's schools graduate many outstanding students and that the cultural and ethnic diversity of the city offers many advantages to its residents.
"However, it is neither naive nor insulting to call attention to a real problem that cannot be easily dismissed through politically correct happy talk."
The letter was in response to one sent by Bush on Tuesday, after the governor learned of Tancredo's comments during a weekend summit of conservative activists in Palm Beach.
Tancredo reportedly said that unchecked immigration, both legal and illegal, was behind many of Miami's problems, including its high crime rate and poverty.
Bush described Tancredo's comments as "disappointing" and "naive" and defended Miami's diversity, citing the contributions made by people of all ethnicities. He also noted declining crime rates and improving test scores posted by minority students.
But Tancredo said it was Bush who is being naive.
"The tolerance of cultural diversity in a city or a nation is admirable up to a point, but when diversity is worshipped to the detriment of assimilation, it becomes a serious problem that undermines the civic culture that forms the basis for our democratic institutions and the rule of law," he wrote.
Besides the president's brother, civic boosters also have come to Miami's defense.
Frank Nero, president and CEO of The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County's economic development partnership, called Tancredo's statements "insulting, divisive and intellectually reprehensible."
"Perhaps (Tancredo's) next junket should be to read the inscription on the Statue of Liberty, along with a stop at Ellis Island," he said
Dane,I'm not one of those on this board that bashes you a lot.To the contrary,once in a while you make a cogent point.
HOWEVER,I am disappointed at you,the first to cry anti-Hispanic racism here,plays the same game with your Ebonics stereotyping of the folks in Detriot.
Not every Detroit person is ignorant and ill spoken.Many are educated and very articulate.I know quite a few personally who fit this category.
So,like Ice Cube said,"Check yourself before you wreck yourself"
Because there is no "Wliiams" among the expected contenders for the GOP 2008 presidential nomination, I am unsure of the "Williams" to which you are referring.
Great idea! While he is at Ellis, maybe he could ask, "Why is this facility CLOSED, and why wasn't a REPLACEMENT provided?"
I should have said in post 102 that I am unsure of the identity of the Williams to which you are referring.
haha! Thats funny.
But you forgot the "/sarcasm"
"I'll take Miami anyday."
Me too.
Sorry. My bad.
Walter Williams the economist and conservative philosopher.
Occasionally sits in for Rush Limbaugh.
I should have been more clear. :~0
You do not know how to write proper English. Your grammar and punctuation are atrocious!
No, It's not happening. Just keep telling yourself that.
"I'm Presidential material, dammit! Why? Because my followers say so! All ten of 'em! Why won't anybody take me seriously?!?"
Ping!
The truth really hurts, doesn't it!
The truth really hurts, doesn't it!
Communities all over the nation are becoming cesspools because of illegal immigration.
Wishing it weren't so isn't going to help.
Someone needs to have the guts to stand up and point it out.
I am glad Tancredo is doing just that.
The problem is Tancredo wont get the Republican nomination, but may put up a third party run. He will do a Perot and get some Dem elected.
Tancredo is a racist blowhard and I suspect is secretly on the payroll of La raza and other extreme groups trying to make border security conservatives look bed and push an amnesty on the American populaion.
Can't argue with the facts...I stand corrected...thanks
nice story - too bad that the grandparents of many or the folks posting here can't give the nay sayers a heads up on the past as prologue.
Tancredo really isn't looking for the Republican nomination. He also will not run third party. He wants the immigration problem to be addressed and will run as a Republican if no one else addresses the issue.
You really should get better informed before you post dribble.
As a far as I am concerned he is a idiot and probably a racist with a loose mouth and the best gift for La Raza groups and the Dems for their open borders agenda.
I am concerned about illegal immigration too but every time Tancredo makes a ignorant remark he sets back the immigration cause. Tancredo method of attacking other Republicans and legal latinos is not the way to address illegal immigration, Tancredo and his foolish fans dont have a clue.
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