Posted on 04/13/2007 1:45:27 PM PDT by Cagey
TALLAHASSEE -- State Rep. Don Brown thought he was being "cute." His fellow Republicans in the Florida House had another word for it: racist.
Brown, a DeFuniak Springs Republican, apologized Thursday for sending an e-mail to his colleagues that noted the April 17 federal income tax deadline.
"Don't forget to pay your taxes -- 12-million illegal aliens are depending on you!" Brown wrote in a message to his colleagues on a state-issued email account.
What Brown meant as a joke wasn't interpreted that way. The strongest criticism came from his fellow Republicans -- Hispanics with large immigrant constituencies in South Florida.
The Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus issued a statement saying it "took serious offense."
"It was wrong. It was offensive," said House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-Miami, the son of Cuban immigrants.
Rep. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, said the Brown e-mail showed "an ignorance as to the founding of both this state and our country. It deeply saddens me that this mentality still exists in what we consider to be a forward-looking government."
Rep. Juan-Carlos Planas, R-Miami, said Brown's remark was "not just racist on its face, but it's not true."
"It's that type of mentality that is prohibiting passage of a reasonable compromise immigration bill in Washington," Planas said. "As long as that festers, we're losing what the American spirit was all about."
A contrite Brown expressed regret. In a follow-up email, he wrote: "Please accept my sincerest apology."
"I wish I had not sent it out," Brown said in an interview. "I have apologized, and I will apologize again. In fact, I had not given it a whole lot of thought, which was my fault."
Brown added: "I did not think it through. It looked cute to me."
It's the second time in recent months that Brown has found himself at the center of controversy in the House.
In January, Brown, an insurance agent known for his outspoken style, was stripped of his chairmanship of the House Jobs & Entrepreneurship Council after he was one of only two lawmakers who opposed a major piece of insurance legislation.
Yes, they are.
Seriously soon we must make the decision to do something about it or lose.
I apologize for the legislature of the State of Florida. Our legislators are much stupider than the average state legislature. No one should have to read such inane drivel, and if it has made anyone physically ill, get well soon!;)
Since I’m in Brown’s district, the next election I will run against him and use Beaners instead of illegal immigrants.
You must not follow Texas politics.
;-)
Party affiliation prominant in the second sentence per MSM policy, I see.
So, now we have to apologize for speaking the truth...
The truth hurts sometimes.
The truly disturbing thing is that it is Republicans who are throwing around ludicrous racism charges.
When will Republians/conservatives realize that it is they who are put at a disadvantage with hyper-sensitive, politically correct speech codes? Leftwing ideas are not curtailed by such nonsense. Conservative ideas are.
I disagree. Rush doesn't need to worry because he doesn't depend on anyone else to stick up for him or defend him. He does it himself!! He stands up and tells his critics to piss off!! If everyone else in the media did that, then they wouldn't have to be worried either. The only people who need to worry are the ones who roll over, play dead, apologize, and depend on the charity of Sharpton, Pelosi, Jackson, MSM, etc. Grrrr!!!
I'd post the address, but the one I found is really for his constituents. I'd rather use a more general one.
Of course he should not apologize. He should learn that lesson from former Senator Allen and Imus. Besides, nothing racist about it.
Talk about DUMB...bye, bye Brownie!!
Our company would have to put a value on the various words. Lets see
Frog $5;, Hymitown $1,000, Spic, $5,000; Nappy $50,000 faggot $10,000, and so on. The company would get a 20% cut of the gross funds. 80% would go for bribes.
What da ya think?
Oh, good grief. Quit apologizing. It was a JOKE for heaven’s sake. And probably true for the most part.
Yes, plus they are so sensitive and so easily offended.
The PC BS is getting worse.
Evidently!
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