Posted on 04/22/2008 1:13:22 PM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
DENVER (AP) ― Rep. Douglas Bruce was ordered to leave the podium of the Colorado House of Representatives on Monday after calling Mexican workers "illiterate peasants."
Bruce, a Republican with a history of provoking controversy with his statements and actions, made the comment during a debate on a bill designed to ease a farmworker shortage in Colorado.
It drew an audible gasp from the House.
"How dare you," said Rep. Kathleen Curry, a Democrat who was serving as chairwoman during the debate. She told Bruce he was no longer recognized to speak.
The bill under discussion would allow the state to help immigrant workers get temporary visas.
Bruce said the bill was about "having more aliens coming into Colorado" from Mexico.
"I would like to have the opportunity to state at the microphone why I don't think we need 5,000 more illiterate peasants in Colorado," Bruce said.
Rep. Mike May of Parker, the House minority leader and head of the GOP caucus, said legislative leaders were trying to determine what action to take against Bruce.
Rep. Terrance Carroll, a Democrat from Denver, said the remark could result in a formal ethics complaint that would require a hearing and possible suspension, censure or expulsion.
"There's no room for bigotry on the floor of the House," Carroll said.
Rep Jack Pommer said calling immigrants "illiterate peasants" is deplorable. He said even for the controversial Bruce, it's a new low.
"It's a horrible thing to say, but we've kind of gotten used to that with him," Pommer said. "He's just the sort of person who seems to enjoy insulting people, and enjoys the reaction he gets when he insults people."
Bruce defended his remarks later.
"I was expressing my view, which is a true statement, that I don't want up to 5,000 more illiterate peasants coming to Colorado," he said. "And I certainly don't want to have a government program to bring them here.
"I looked up 'illiterate' in the dictionary and it means somebody who is lacking in formal education or is unable to read and write," he said. "I don't think these people who are planning to come over here and pick potatoes or peaches are likely to have much of a formal education. I looked up the word 'peasant.' The word 'peasant' means a person who works in agricultural fields.
"These people, most of them, don't speak English. Most of them haven't had any formal education, that's why they're coming over here. I don't blame them for trying, but I don't think we should pave the way for more aliens to come here," he said.
In a statement, Consul General of Mexico in Denver Eduardo Arnal called Bruce's remarks "unfortunate" and "offensive."
"I believe these types of comments do not contribute to the discussion on immigration between Mexico and the United States nor in the search of solutions regarding this topic," Arnal said.
Bruce, of Colorado Springs, has had had other run-ins since arriving at the Capitol in January as a midterm appointee to fill a vacancy.
He became the first Colorado lawmaker censured by the House after he kicked a newspaper photographer for taking his picture during a prayer. Republicans later removed him the powerful State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee because he refused to co-sponsor a resolution honoring military veterans.
Bruce said he believed resolutions were a waste of time because they have no legal impact.
Before becoming a state lawmaker, Bruce was best known as the author of the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, a voter-approved amendment to the state constitution that limits taxes and government spending.
No it was then republican Governor Bill Owens and Former senator Hank Brown, a Republican, who fought to break Tabor with prop C. The Colorado republican party are wimps! Mark May of Parker Colorado, a republican, in the house with Douglas Bruce is Bruce's greatest nemesis. It is his own party that is sticking the knife in his back as it is the republicans that broke Tabor. The eunuchs that dominate the Colorado legislator hate that Doug Bruce has a pair of testicles.
If the party cared for principle at all they would be screaming that - on the floor during debate, political speech by a member of congress was censored. There would be hell to pay - but that would take testicles and principles, two things the GOP in Colorado lost many years ago.
No it was then republican Governor Bill Owens and Former senator Hank Brown, a Republican, who fought to break Tabor with prop C. The Colorado republican party are wimps! Mark May of Parker Colorado, a republican, in the house with Douglas Bruce is Bruce's greatest nemesis. It is his own party that is sticking the knife in his back as it is the republicans that broke Tabor. The eunuchs that dominate the Colorado legislator hate that Doug Bruce has a pair of testicles.
If the party cared for principle at all they would be screaming that - on the floor during debate, political speech by a member of congress was censored. There would be hell to pay - but that would take testicles and principles, two things the GOP in Colorado lost many years ago.
The Republican party has been in disarray for as long as Bill Owens There was a sea change in the late nineties. His has been a failed leadership. We have spent Billions of dollars for light rail despite it Again under his leadership we lost control of the state house and senate. The third CD on the west slope was lost to the Democrats. The 7th CD was lost as well. We almost lost the fifth CD due to an out of control party and not respecting Dick Wadhams, a native, is now the state Party Chairman and we may see some improvement. In one year in the late eighties over a million California drivers licenses
were turned in for Colorado licenses.
This in a state with a population of three million people the year before.
The voters of the state passed those propositions by a wide margin.
has been Governor.
having been voted down by the voters.Under his failed leadership the party failed to close
ranks behind Pete Coors for US Senator after he won the primary.
the voters wishes in primaries
But, if and only if the party can develop and maintain some winning discipline.
These people are illiterate by US standards.
It is not a put down.
It is the truth.
Next subject, please.
Always personal, never substantive (or, apparently, grammatical).
These people are illiterate by US standards.
There is no "US standard" of literacy.
If there were, you would be able to identify the corresponding statute.
It is not a put down. It is the truth.
A put-down can also be the truth. Not all put-downs are lies.
However, in this case, it is both and insult and a lie.
Next subject, please.
You'd like to move to a topic other than the topic of the thread? What shall we then discuss?
FREEP THIS POLL
Bruce needs our help.
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_9003612?_requestid=16140197
Guess you have not met the same “just swam the river” Mexican Nationals that I have. You speak a hell of a line but it has no substance whatsover in the real world.
I work in NYC and encounter illegal aliens from Mexico, Guatemala, Nigeria, Cambodia - you name it - every day.
You speak a hell of a line but it has no substance whatsover in the real world.
The NYC subway is packed with illegal immigrants greedily devouring and discussing Spanish-language sports pages every day, usually in the context of wagering on games (my Spanish is far from perfect but I can pick up that much). They're not reading Cortazar or Borges, but they can read.
Get some help.
These people ARE ILLEREATE!
I repeat: You are without comprehension. This means you do not comprehend.
I know you do not comprehend these simple things, but they are true.
Really and truly.
the people keep electing them...
His comments are deplorable and uninformed.
Everyone knows they are highly educated doctors, architects and engineers.
Why does it matter? The truth is not determined by a show of hands.
Get some help.
For what complaint? I feel fine.
These people ARE ILLEREATE!
An unintentionally hilarious comment, but still hilarious.
If only everyone could be as "lereate" as you.
I repeat: You are without comprehension. This means you do not comprehend.
Oh, please - do go on. It's fascinating.
I know you do not comprehend these simple things, but they are true.
Of course, of course.
Really and truly.
Well, then. I stand amazed at your subtle powers of argument. If only I could cultivate such wisdom. Really and, what's more, truly.
The medal of honesty would be in order.
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