Count me as just another acorn...
I think I agree with Jeb on this one, but let's watch for the fireworks here.....
If his brother would secure the damn border, most of the *nuts* would go away.
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.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5179172,00.html
From the article, but part of the public record:
Tancredo: "Look at what has happened to Miami. It has become a Third World country. You just pick it up and take it and move it someplace. You would never know you're in the United States of America. You would certainly say you're in a Third World country."
Bush: Miami is a "wonderful city filled with diversity and heritage that we choose to celebrate, not insult. Perhaps your naive comments served as a good reminder for everyone to lessen the anger, frustration and emotion surrounding the issue of immigration... Overheated rhetoric won't solve this issue. We need a comprehensive solution that will require cooler heads to prevail."
Tancredo's reply: Bush is trying to "create the illusion of Miami as a multiethnic 'All American' city..." It is "neither naive nor insulting to call attention to a real problem that cannot be easily dismissed through politically correct happy talk... Unfortunately, fewer and fewer Miamians think of themselves as Americans... Do you not worry that Miami's 'sanctuary city' rules serve as a magnet for illegal aliens and undercut the state's sound law enforcement policies?... [I] simply said something most people - even in Florida, if our calls and e-mails are a measure of sentiment - believe is true... I have no doubt that people of wealth can still lead a comfortable and pleasant life in Miami, but ask yourself why ordinary middle-class citizens are leaving in such high numbers."
http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Miami&State=Fl
Miami, Fla exceeds the national average in all crime categories, violent and property.
And we were having such a good time slamming Tancredo--before those stubborn facts got involved. Again.
Let's not get too carried away from something via the 'Palm Beach Post'.
So Jeb, while your busy yapping .... mind explaining exactly how it is your wife and her family managed to get into this country and why it is your wifey left home one day to go to the local mexican Post Office, 'disappeared', and her family hasn't heard from her since?
Go Tancredo. It is a breath of fresh air to see someone say what they truly believe instead of cowtowing to the politically correct. Come on Jeb, if he's wrong give us the ethnic breaddown in Miami. Then let the people decide if he is wrong. Just to say he is wrong because one lives there does not cut it. Facts man, just give us the facts.
This is a pure winner for Jeb Bush.
Bush's political career is finished, thanks to his last name.
The multiculti Bush brothers are getting tiresome. Jeb can forget the presidency. Having been to Miami several times, I agree with Tancredo completely.
What is really troubling is that the entire Bush Family does not take the immigration issue serious --- well, at least not as serious as about 90% of the rest of the Nation.
Tancredo can't sue Jeb Bush for slander.
Go Jeb Bush!
Wow these threads get ugly and stupid.