Racists will love new 'Hispanic threat' book [GAG ALERT]

The Miami Herald ^ | 03 March 2004 | Andres Oppenheimer

[MegaSilver]

Racists in America must be having a field day: At long last, they have found a world-renowned intellectual -- Harvard's Academy for International and Area Studies Chairman Samuel Huntington -- to rationalize their resentment against America's rapidly growing Hispanic community.

Huntington, whose 1993 book The Clash of Civilizations was later credited for having foreseen the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, says in his forthcoming book Who We Are (Simon & Schuster) that the United States is threatened with national disintegration because of the soaring rate of Hispanic immigrants.

''The single most immediate and most serious challenge to America's traditional identity comes from the immense and continuing immigration from Latin America, especially from Mexico, and the fertility rates of these immigrants,'' writes Huntington, in excerpts of the book posted on the Foreign Policy magazine website .

''Will the United States remain a country with a single national language and a core Anglo-Protestant culture?'' Huntington asks. ''By ignoring this question, Americans acquiesce to their eventual transformation into two peoples with two cultures (Anglo and Hispanics) and two languages (English and Spanish.)'' The magazine website is

www.foreignpolicy.com.

Before I tell you why I think this is pseudo-academic xenophobic rubbish, let's look at Huntington's supporting arguments: He says Mexican immigrants differ from other immigrants in that they are not assimilating into the U.S. mainstream culture, and that they may one day reclaim the territories that Mexico lost during U.S. military invasions in the 19th century.

CAUSES OF ALARM

He is alarmed by the fact that the ratings of Spanish-language television stations have surpassed those of English-language ones in Miami, that ''José'' has surpassed ''Michael'' as the most popular name for newborn boys in California, and that Mexican Americans cheer for Mexico in U.S. vs. Mexico soccer matches.

Huntington sees ''a major potential threat to the country's cultural and political integration.'' Mexico may one day try to ''assert special rights and claims to that territory,'' he writes.

Poor Dr. Huntington. Watching America from his Bostonian observation deck, he is getting real nervous about the erosion of what he defines as America's ``Anglo-Protestant culture.''

But, as seen from Miami, where a majority of adults speak a language other than English at home, his idea that Hispanics pose a threat to America is absurd.

In Miami, many immigrants don't speak English, but their children eventually do.

You saw as many American flags as in any other U.S. city after the Sept. 11 attacks, and the city has become a center of international trade and services precisely because it is bilingual and bicultural.

And where is it written that people are biologically limited to speaking only one language?

Anybody who has traveled through Europe knows that the Swiss, Danes, Swedes and others speak two, three and sometimes four languages.

And Huntington's claim that Mexican Americans pose a bigger threat than Cuban Americans because they are more reluctant to assimilate is simply wrong.

Every time I go to Los Angeles or San Antonio I'm amazed by the number of people with names such as ''Juan Gonzalez'' who don't speak Spanish.

ASSIMILATION TREND

According to a new nationwide study of U.S. Hispanics by the Synovate market research company, the actual trend among Hispanics is toward greater assimilation, despite the new waves of Spanish-speaking newcomers.

Over the past 12 years, the number of unassimilated Hispanics -- those who don't consume English-language media -- has decreased from 40 percent to 26 percent, the study's authors say.

''Most Hispanics, about 63 percent, are bilingual and bicultural,'' says Jim Forrest, the study's director. ``These people are extremely comfortable in both languages. It's a group that has accommodated and has learned how to live in the United States taking the best from their host culture and keeping the best from their home culture.''

If you are wondering whether Huntington's arguments are just misguided, or plainly Hispano-phobic, I suggest doing this little exercise: replace the term ''Hispanic'' in the text with ''African American,'' or ''black,'' then ask yourself what would be the reaction of the black community. I assure you that civil rights groups would call for national protests against Harvard University and Simon & Schuster, as they should do in this case.

[MegaSilver]

Typical left-wing ignorance.

When you can't refute your opponents, you have two options: a) lie/distort/ignore facts (argumentum ad mendacium), or b) use a catch-all term like "racists" to paint your opponents in a negative light (argumentum ad hominem abusive).

[My2Cents]

the United States is threatened with national disintegration because of the soaring rate of Hispanic immigrants.

No, we're disintegrating because of the soaring rate of lawlessness, both among immigrants and the natives.

[prion]

Racists will love new 'Hispanic threat' book

They probably love donuts, too, but that doesn't make crullers racist.

[alex]

Funniest part is that Mr.Oppenheimer agrees with Samuel Huntington on all points except the exact vector of social developments in Hispanic community. Mr.Oppenheimer thinks that Hispanics are mostly assimilating and Mr.Huntington believes that it is not. Otherwise, there were no difference in the opinion.

But Mr.Oppenheimer meanwhile does not hesitate to call Mr.Huntington racist.

[Pontiac]

If you are wondering whether Huntington's arguments are just misguided, or plainly Hispano-phobic, I suggest doing this little exercise: replace the term ''Hispanic'' in the text with ''African American,'' or ''black,'' then ask yourself what would be the reaction of the black community.

What a crock! African-Americans almost exclusively speak English. They may have a distinct dialect all there own but understand standard American English when they hear it.

African Americans have been integrated and assimilated for at least 100 years.

And yes I have heard of segregation. They may have not been accepted by the Anglo majority, but they were part of the society as a whole regardless.

[Map Kernow]

No, we're disintegrating because of the soaring rate of lawlessness, both among immigrants and the natives.

No kidding? The same rate of "lawlessness" among immigrants and natives? Sure about that little gem of politically correct moral equivalence? You including those "illegal" immigrants in that comparison, or am I being "racist" for bringing up that little distinction?

[El Conservador]

Your gag alert is uncalled for!!!

Andrés Oppenheimer is anything but a leftist. He's a strong opposer of the Fidel regime, HE'S AN EXILE, FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!

If whatever "Dr." Huntington said was true, then I wouldn't be writing this in English.

If you want to see assimilation, you should come to our house: We see more English TV than Univision or the news from our home country. My mom sometimes mixes English words when speaking in Spanish at home. My sisters barely speak Spanish, and feel no attachment to Colombia whatsoever.

Huntington may be right about most Mexicans, who certainly don't assimilate completely if at all, but to lump all Hispanics as people who refuse to be American is intellectually dishonest. Not racist, but intellectually dishonest and ill-intentioned.

Maybe if Oppenheimer hadn't included the word "racist", his argument wouldn't been that unpalatable, but he's right on the money.

And before you say every Hispanic is a liberal, you should see the voting trends on the Cuban-American community: Solidly Republican since the mid-60's, when the felt betrayed by JFK and his sloppy handling of the Bay of Pigs.

And about the dissolution of American society, if whatever Huntington said had been historically true, then America would be divided in a nation for the British, one for the Irish, one for the Germans, and so on.

Finally, for those of the "conservatives don't need to pander to racial minorities" or the "we don't need the minority vote" crowd, it's you who discourage minorities from becoming conservative Republicans and keep the liberal Democrat monopoly on minority vote. It's you that guarantee that Trent Lott-like scandals will repeat themselves over and over again.

[El Conservador]

And now, I'll put my flame-retardant suit on...

[El Conservador]

So, natives are incapable of commiting crimes all of a sudden???

[Joe Hadenuf]

No, we're disintegrating because of the soaring rate of lawlessness, both among immigrants and the natives.

Let me get this straight, your saying American citizens commit just as many crimes than those that are committing crimes just by being here? And what do American citizens have to do with millions entering the country illegally?

[dmzTahoe]

BIG, BIG difference between Cuban immigrants and those coming into the US from Mexico and Central America. The writer fails to recognize this.

Cuban immigrants make a quick transition from Cubans to Cuban-Americans to Americans...one generation usually accomplishes this, much like the Poles, Irish, Italians et al of the early 1900's.

The immigrants from Mexico never make a transition from Mexicans to Mexican-Americans to Americans. They are stuck somewhere between Mexicans and Mexican-Americans and have no incentive to complete the transformation.

Samuel Huntington is absolutely right on this issue...surprising for a Harvard Prof.

[PRND21]

Finally, for those of the "conservatives don't need to pander to racial minorities" or the "we don't need the minority vote" crowd, it's you who discourage minorities from becoming conservative Republicans and keep the liberal Democrat monopoly on minority vote.

Bump

[Joe Hadenuf]

Mexican Americans cheer for Mexico in U.S. vs. Mexico soccer matches.

Correction: The also cheer for "Osama, Osama, Osama" during games with USA.

But hey, who cares about minor, meaningless details.

[MegaSilver]

BIG, BIG difference between Cuban immigrants and those coming into the US from Mexico and Central America. The writer fails to recognize this.

Agreed.

Cuban immigrants make a quick transition from Cubans to Cuban-Americans to Americans...one generation usually accomplishes this, much like the Poles, Irish, Italians et al of the early 1900's.

What I don't get is why Mexican immigrants often don't when Cubans and Europeans do.

[monkeywrench]

Someone posted the Huntington article a few days ago. It was really very good. It wasn't anything to be offended about.

I agree about not lumping all latinos together. All the politicians seem to do it.

[Joe Hadenuf]

What I don't get is why Mexican immigrants often don't when Cubans and Europeans do.

Why should they, we have the President all the way down to the local government sellouts doing backflips to pander to these peoples every whim.

[PRND21]

What I don't get is why Mexican immigrants often don't when Cubans and Europeans do.

They do in my neighborhood.

[My2Cents]

Yes, I think a good chunk of Americans are lawless, or have little respect or concern for the law. Consider the hysterical support for gay marriages, performed in violation of state laws which only define marriage as between a man and a woman. That's just one example. Isn't that the whole problem with the Clinton years? -- the willingness of a majority of Americans to ignore the rule of law and refuse to condemn clearly illegal acts by the President of the United States, simply because "the economy was good"?

[PRND21]

But hey, who cares about minor, meaningless details.

You do, and those like you. A few dozen soccer fans don't reflect all Mexicans.

[Map Kernow]

So, natives are incapable of commiting crimes all of a sudden???

Oh, si, senor! Precisamente lo que dije! Listen, compadre, do you think we need to add to native lawlessness in this country by continuing to permit the massive levels of legal and *illegal* immigration in this country? No we don't, no cabe duda que NO. Claro asi?

Say, why don't you boys read Huntington's article before you make snap judgements? Go ahead and read it online here. Couldn't hurt, right? No one's gonna call YOU a "racist" for reading it, right?

[My2Cents]

Some of you folks are so hyper-paranoid about illegal aliens, you can't see the deterioration of respect for law and values among our own citizens. Get your head out of wherever it's crammed!

[Publius6961]

The left is incpable of comprehending simple concepts, or the inescapable axiom of cause and effect.
Why do people immigrate? To find themselves in a better place; assimilation is the guaranteed ticket to enjoyment of that better place. Non-assimilation is bringing that lesser place with you.

It's not really that complicated. And the red herring of "cultural pride" doesn't wash. Assimilation and cultural pride are not mutually exclusive. I know. I've lived it. My kids, all native born Americans, are living it.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Some of you folks are so hyper-paranoid about illegal aliens

Well.. Er, uh, yeah, why would anyone not be extremly concerned about millions of people entering our country illegally? Let me guess, it doesn't bother you at all right?

[Missouri]

PING.

[gedeon3]

WE HAVE ENOUGH OF THAT HERE; WE DON'T WANT MORE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A GREATER % OF LAWLESSNESS COMING HERE.

[dmzTahoe]

"What I don't get is why Mexican immigrants often don't when Cubans and Europeans do."

Why should they? They are catered to by the liberal socialists in California, where assimilation is not made easy, it is made not necessary.

When my grandparents came to the US from Poland and Germany, their kids (my parents) were forced to learn English to survive. And, they were eager to do so and proud to become an "American". Hell, I used to be embarrassed when my grandmother spoke Polish with my father when we were out in public, for fear of not fitting in. Now, speak English in Los Angeles, and you stick out like a sore thumb.

The "Balkanization" of America has begun, with no political leaders having the courage to address this issue, let alone attempt to stop it. They even fear to acknowledge the problem.

It will get much, much worse before it begins to get better!

[gedeon3]

'Get your head out of wherever it's crammed!'

FIRST GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOU KNOW WHERE, THEN WE TALK.

[Missouri]

Consider the hysterical support for gay marriages

Not meaning to get off the subject but I personally don't know anyone who supports this. From what I've heard 70% of Americans polled oppose it.

[MegaSilver]

Huntington may be right about most Mexicans, who certainly don't assimilate completely if at all, but to lump all Hispanics as people who refuse to be American is intellectually dishonest. Not racist, but intellectually dishonest and ill-intentioned.

Yes, if that were true, it certainly would be. But consider this quote from the article: "And Huntington's claim that Mexican Americans pose a bigger threat than Cuban Americans because they are more reluctant to assimilate is simply wrong." Even Oppenheimer seems to imply that Huntington isn't lumping all Hispanic immigrants together.

Maybe if Oppenheimer hadn't included the word "racist", his argument wouldn't been that unpalatable, but he's right on the money.

He might have been had the article not lacked coherence and not omitted important information. The article implied that there is no serious problem of non-assimilation of immigrants, and that's simply untrue.

Like the author, I live in Miami, and while its bilingual status has its benefits, there are sections where one is presumed--if not expected--to speak Spanish. I'm locked up on my college campus, so I don't see much of the radical stuff, but I hear stories of U.S.-born Hispanics who proudly proclaim their first allegiance (sp?) to their parents' countries. That's where the problems are. And they are due in no small part to our government's refusal to enforce immigration laws.

To be sure, the people I know of Cuban origin or descent are, for the most part, dedicated, loyal Americans. And the same is true of many others who trace their roots back to Latin America. It is, however, the large number of Latin American immigrants (mostly Mexican) who AREN'T willing to assimilate that Huntington seems to be talking about, and that are a cause for concern.

And now, I'll put my flame-retardant suit on...

Don't bother. You have a right to your opinions, especially speaking as a member of a Colombian American family that HAS assimilated.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Why should they? They are catered to by the liberal socialists in California, where assimilation is not made easy, it is made not necessary.

Whoops...

15 States License Illegals To Drive

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Wednesday, September 17, 2003 | By Jon Dougherty

Amid the outrage over California Gov. Gray Davis' decision to sign legislation allowing illegal aliens to obtain driver's licenses comes the stunning revelation by immigration experts that the Golden State is neither unique nor alone: 14 other states also allow illegal aliens to drive legally on their highways.

While many of those states – Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and West Virginia

[Joe Hadenuf]

WE HAVE ENOUGH OF THAT HERE; WE DON'T WANT MORE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A GREATER % OF LAWLESSNESS COMING HERE.

Yes yes, but we should all be compasionate conservatives and welcome the millions that continue to pour in illegally. Remember, some of them may vote for our party.

[dmzTahoe]

You're right, Joe. The problem has spread and is getting out of control. But we have California to thank for this, ground zero in illegal pandering, so to speak.

[MegaSilver]

They do in my neighborhood.

I know many of them who do. But there are quite a few who don't. Probably has to do with our largely unenforced immigration laws.

[MegaSilver]

Some of you folks are so hyper-paranoid about illegal aliens, you can't see the deterioration of respect for law and values among our own citizens.

I can see it just fine. And that is precisely why I want us to make the MEXICAN government deal with its citizens: we have enough problems of our own.

We should seal our borders and abolish the welfare state. That's a surefire way to make sure that only the people who want to pursue the American Dream will enter.

[dmzTahoe]

New movie coming out soon, "The Alamo"

Will be interesting to see:

1. Which side the Mexican-"Americans" will cheer for when the slaughter takes place.
2. If the press will question historical accuracy of the movie like they do "The Passion"
3. If the press says the movie will stir anti-Mexican feelings.

[gedeon3]

WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THEY THINK A BIG CHUNK OF THE USA BELONGS TO THEM. (PAIS DEL NORTE).

[Missouri]

Andrés Oppenheimer is anything but a leftist.

Your right, he's no leftist. I don't know why he'd start playing the "race card". Hispanics shouldn't be lumped into one group but we do have a big problem with illegal immigration mostly from Mexico. The folks at LaRaza and MECHA could be called racist, too. Being called a racist means nothing.

I would guess Mr. Oppenheimer may be a President Bush supporter. If so, this would be a bad time to start a battle within the Republican/Conservative opposition to Kerry.

[Map Kernow]

Some of you folks are so hyper-paranoid about illegal aliens, you can't see the deterioration of respect for law and values among our own citizens. Get your head out of wherever it's crammed!

"Hyper-paranoid about illegal aliens"? You don't see the connection between fostering and subsidizing ILLEGAL immigration, and a "deterioration of respect for law and values among our own citizens"???? You're the one who needs to get your head out of your @$$. Would that you and other illegal coddlers could get the bodies of US peace officers murdered by illegals "out of wherever they're crammed," like Oceanside Police Officer Tony Zepetella, gunned down by an illegal last June. Instead of supporting illegal immigration, people like you should be forced to have to support the families of Americans victimized by illegals.

[MegaSilver]

Andrés Oppenheimer is anything but a leftist. He's a strong opposer of the Fidel regime, HE'S AN EXILE, FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!

All right. My mistake. However, when someone plays the "racist" card, that's usually an indication of leftism, hence why it rubbed me the wrong way.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Yeah, I know, but remember, the people in places like North Carolina, Georgia, etc don't really care about that, as they too are being over run with hundreds of thousands of illegals. If the federal government had been doing their job all along, we wouldn't have to worry about some state level, government idiot wanting to give away your hard earned money to illegal aliens. It left the borders of Texas, Cal and Arizona years ago...Now everyone is getting a taste of this government approved invasion.

Probably just what the doctor ordered. I imagine when about 5 or 10 million more enter and head to any town USA, the level of anger will be great. Those in DC will be getting their bell rung, hard.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Good post. What's really bizarre, is some of these folks actually think they are patroitic conservatives. LOL!

[Map Kernow]

What's really bizarre, is some of these folks actually think they are patroitic conservatives

There never was, and never will be, a "patriotic conservative" who advocates disregard of the written laws for partisan political advantage. Which is all these hacks are doing, and nothing else.

[Polybius]

.......the number of unassimilated Hispanics -- those who don't consume English-language media ..........

That's the definition? Someone that doesn't watch the boob tube in English?

[Joe Hadenuf]

You betcha. That's glaring.

[citizen]

...the willingness of a majority of Americans to ignore the rule of law...

Goody! Let's change that and begin to enforce all immigration related laws with vigor. All of them.

That would be good for America, right?

[citizen]

...the willingness of a majority of Americans to ignore the rule of law...

Goody! Let's change that and begin to enforce all immigration related laws with vigor. All of them.

That would be good for America, right?

[citizen]

Sorry for the double, I hit the wrong button.

[citizen]

Here's what I meant to post... :)

...you can't see the deterioration of respect for law and values among our own citizens...

Goody! Let's change that and begin to enforce all immigration related laws with vigor. All of them.

That would be good for America, right?

[archy]

But, as seen from Miami, where a majority of adults speak a language other than English at home, his idea that Hispanics pose a threat to America is absurd.

Our Cuban-American residents offer us the best of both cultures, bring us their heritage and traditions as a gift that's been admirably added to the US cultural melting pot, and who have become as American as any immigrants or heirs to America's many immigrant cultures. That they were first Cuban, then now American, is in no way any detraction or slight on their Americanism.

Neither has their leadership demanded the control of 5 or more of the United States to foreign Cuban control, as the socialist proponents of *Aztlan* and Mecha have. Accordingly, the immigrants coming to the US from the Southwestern border are not potential immigrants with the character of the Cubanos, but foreign agents and invaders.

We have Nicaragua, soon we will have El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Mexico. One day, tomorrow or five years or fifteen years from now, we're going to take 5 to 10 million Mexicans and they are going into Dallas, into El Paso, into Houston, into New Mexico, into San Diego, and each one will have embedded in his mind the idea of killing ten Americans."

--Thomas Borge, Nicaragua Interior Minister as quoted in the Washington Times, March 27, 1985

[citizen]

Election note: I didn't vote Tuesday morning, I forgot.

Same in the evening + I forgot my glasses in the truck. But I simply had to get dressed and go do it just because of my 'Vote for Tancredo' tagline.

There was only two things on my ballot: Select President Bush (only choice) and choose the state flag (both are boring, the flag many want is deemed unPC).

So I got there and tested the practice electronic voting machine for the way to write-in a cnadidate's name. It worked fine.

But to my surprise on the actual ballot there was no place to vote for a write-in candidate! I inquired of the precinct staff and they said write-in voting was disallowed. Something about having to ask for in writing a special ballot sort of like an absentee ballot I guess.

Kind of reminds me of voting in old Iraq for Hussein - only one candidate allowed to be voted for, 100% for the incumbent. Strange isn't it?