Florida: Lawmaker Under Fire For 'Illegal Alien' E-Mail

Local 6 (Florida) ^ | April 13, 2007

[Stoat]

Lawmaker Under Fire For 'Illegal Alien' E-Mail

Man Apologizes; Some Colleagues Not Satisfied

 

POSTED: 5:04 pm EDT April 13, 2007

UPDATED: 5:28 pm EDT April 13, 2007

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A state lawmaker is coming under fire for sending what he thought was a funny e-mail message to his colleagues.

Some people do not find it very amusing and want him to make a public apology. Rep. Don Brown, R-DeFuniak Springs, sent a message from his state e-mail account that said, "Don't forget to pay your taxes - 12 million illegal aliens are depending on you!"

  Brown said the message was intended to be humorous and to remind people about the upcoming tax deadline.

He apologized and said as far as he's concerned, he's done with the issue. But members of the Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus are taking exception to Brown's e-mail, calling it inappropriate and saying such e-mails have no place in the Florida House.

"That term, illegal alien, is extremely insulting to many individuals and I think there has to be something a little bit more public and a little bit more contrite in his apology," an unidentified member of the caucus said.

[Stoat]

See Also:

Florida AP News Story Lawmaker demands public apology for fellow Republican's ''joke''

Tallahassee Democrat - www.tallahassee.com - Tallahassee, FL.

Rep. Luis Garcia Jr., D-Miami Beach, the interim chairman of the Hispanic Caucus, sent a message of his own -- to Speaker Marco Rubio, R-Miami, saying he had heard several complaints from Hispanic members and Haitian constituents.

"This e-mail has no place in the Florida House," Garcia said.

State Rep. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, said that "the comments in this e-mail reflect 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."

 

[Stoat]

When a legitimate, proper English term's use is decried as 'offensive' to criminals by an elected REPUBLICAN lawmaker, it reminds me that we have quite a bit more work to do in terms of voting RINOs out of office.

[ridesthemiles]

IMO, his biggest problem is that he vastly understaed the number of illegal intruders.

More like 40-50 Million, IMO.

That 12 million figure has NOT stayed static. It has grown expotentially.

[Texas_Jarhead]

http://www.flhispaniccaucus.com/

Interestingly their "Contact Us" page is blank.

[Vision]

"That term, illegal alien, is extremely insulting to many individuals felons and I think there has to be something a little bit more public and a little bit more contrite in his apology,"

Tough Duck!

[darkwing104]

I've seen bumper stickers on cars in the Florida panhandle that say the same thing.

[AmishDude]

And, of course, no objection to the substance of the quip.

[frankiep]

Let me get this straight. We can no longer refer to illegal alien criminals as illegal aliens because they might get offended? This would be funny if it wasn’t so scary.

There is no doubt in my mind that political correctness is going to absolutely destroy this country. It damn near already has.

[Stoat]

Interestingly their "Contact Us" page is blank.

This is in very small print down in the lower left-hand corner of the page....easy to miss!   :-)

 

110 South Monroe Street.  Suite H
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone 305-815-5999

[Condor 63]

"That term, illegal alien, is extremely insulting to many individuals and I think there has to be something a little bit more public and a little bit more contrite in his apology,"

I agree.

I think leeches is the more descriptive term.

[Texas_Jarhead]

RIght, but the main content area where a content submission form would be is blank. Perhaps it is supposed to be like that but it struck me as odd because that address appears at the bottom of every page.

[100-Fold_Return]

Too late for the “couldas,” “shouldas, “ and “wouldas,” as conservative/Christians have shown the American public: “we stand for nothing, just steer around us.”

[Stoat]

I've seen bumper stickers on cars in the Florida panhandle that say the same thing.

I gather then that the pro-illegal enablers are not yet quite as violent and belligerent as the Left is here in Seattle.  It's common for people to have their cars or homes vandalized if a person dares to display a pro-Republican bumper sticker or yard sign....hence they are rarely seen in King County.

I have no doubt, however, that Move-On and their ilk are feverishly working to address that terrible disparity in the great state of Florida at this very moment.

[Texas_Jarhead]

Yea I think their Contact Us page is in fact blank - the content either never existed or has been removed.

[realpatriot]

"It's common for people to have their cars or homes vandalized if a person dares to display a pro-Republican bumper sticker or yard sign."

But they are sooo much more enlightened, tolerant, you see.

[Tennessee Nana]

Hmmmmmmmm

(((THEY ARE ILLEGAL ALIENS)))

There ya go.....

[darkwing104]

I gather then that the pro-illegal enablers are not yet quite as violent and belligerent as the Left is here in Seattle. It's common for people to have their cars or homes vandalized if a person dares to display a pro-Republican bumper sticker or yard sign.

The Panhandle is very conservative. In some counties Republicans out number rats nearly 2 to 1. It is very civil here you don't see or hear about vandalism, I am sure it happens. Majority of the folks here are decent and I don't believe Moron.org would be too welcomed up here.

[Stoat]

"It's common for people to have their cars or homes vandalized if a person dares to display a pro-Republican bumper sticker or yard sign."

But they are sooo much more enlightened, tolerant, you see.

Oh yes, and their superior level of enlightenment has brought us Patty "Osama built nice roads and schools" Murray, "Baghdad Jim" McDermott, Christine "I'll Keep counting until I'm elected" Gregoire, and a host of others.

"sigh"  It's so embarrassing to live here  :-(

"It's common for people to have their cars or homes vandalized if a person dares to display a pro-Republican bumper sticker or yard sign."

But they are sooo much more enlightened, tolerant, you see.

[Stoat]

The Panhandle is very conservative. In some counties Republicans out number rats nearly 2 to 1. It is very civil here you don't see or hear about vandalism, I am sure it happens. Majority of the folks here are decent and I don't believe Moron.org would be too welcomed up here.

WOW!  That sounds like Heaven to me!  :-)

<<<  checking eBay real estate listings for 'stoat caves' in the Florida Panhandle   :-)

[KC_Conspirator]

I am sick and tired of the GOP apologizing. Apologize for what? The obvious fact that illegal aliens take advantage of tax payer dollars? They do. In fact, I can say on first hand knowledge that this is fact. I have experience working for the government immigration system and all you taxpayers are getting gypped.

[GoBucks2002]

Here in a southern Ohio suburb, I was in the bank the other day when a woman was chatting with a teller. The woman informed the teller that her daughter was going to have to take all of her classes in Spanish next year "because of all the illegals."

I seriously doubt that is the case, but the fact that this seemingly normal woman thought it was happening tells me the day may not be too far off.

[SmoothTalker]

“”That term, illegal alien, is extremely insulting to many individuals and I think there has to be something a little bit more public and a little bit more contrite in his apology,””

Absurd. PC culture run amok. They are illegal aliens! They are not lawfully here! Whats next? Will we hear PC folks complaining that we shouldn’t call drug dealers drug dealers and murderers murderers? Identifying a criminal by the name of his crime should not be offensive. And it sure as heck isn’t racist as some of the La Raza types have said.

[KarlInOhio]

State Rep. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, said that "the comments in this e-mail reflect an ignorance as to the founding of both this state and our country.

Founding of the country? Hmmm. The American Indians were here first, then a huge number of Europeans came which the Indians didn't keep out so they lost control of the continent. Nope, that has nothing to do with immigration.

[WFTR]

If they are really offended, they should go home.

[Owl_Eagle]

Never thought I'd find myself agreeing with the Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus, but here I am.

I too, hate getting those stupid e mails I've seen dozens of times before. In fact, depending on the which account it's sent to, if it has FW in the title, it goes straight into the trash.

Owl_Eagle

If what I just wrote made you sad or angry,
it was probably just a joke.

[ronnie raygun]

When are our feckless leaders going to step up take a litte heat and speak the truth! ILLEGAL ALIEN IS JUST WHAT IT IS ILLEGAL!!!!!! There is no apology for who they are, you have no rights in this country because you have broken our law by entering ILLEGALLY. These organizations that demand rights, apologies, and all sorts of give me’s are in it for political cloat, media attention and government funding they can extort from our tax dollars!. They know all to well the power of the masses and will sell thier grandmother to wield political power in this country. STAND UP! SPEAK UP! DON’T FOLD LIKE A CHEAP CAMERA!

[vpintheak]

This is a controversy? Whiskey Tango Hotel?

[dragnet2]

But members of the Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus are taking exception to Brown's e-mail, calling it inappropriate and saying such e-mails have no place in the Florida House.

Inappropriate? Since when is the truth inappropriate?

"That term, illegal alien, is extremely insulting to many individuals

Why would a legal citizen be "extremely insulted" by this? The author of the email instead of apologizing, should have pushed the issue and asked why anyone would be insulted by a legitimate term?

I would assume that they will be calling for this individual to resign or be fired next.

[TheBattman]

Hey! I got that email too! I didn’t realize it was a joke...

[Thombo2]

“That 12 million figure has not stayed static...”Good point that a lot of people seem unable to comprehend.If the amnesty passes,just imagine how many more will waltz into this country legally as “close family” aka dependants.

[roaddog727]

“That term, illegal alien, is extremely insulting to many individuals..”

What individuals? certainly none who have the right to vote in this country.

[Polybius]

That term, illegal alien, is extremely insulting to many individuals

"Illegal alien" is a legal term defined by the Department of U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security as:

An "illegal alien," sometimes referred to as an undocumented migrant, is an individual who has entered the United States without proper documentation or permission. Additionally, an individual who has entered the United States legally, i.e. as a visitor, but who violates his / her immigration status becomes an illegal alien and is subject to removal from the United States.

If Rep. Don Brown finds finds it necessary to apologize for using a legal term used by the U.S. Government, then he deserves whatever abuse he gets.

How can a politician be expected to defend the interests of his constituents if he is too cowardly to even defend himself?

[sten]

i am sure the terms murderer and rapist are offensive to those that commit the crime... doesn't mean I should stop using the terms... it's an indicator that they should not commit the crimes.

sheesh, they really need to get the children out of congress...

[tflabo]

Let’s put it this way...if someone sneaks your house without permission even if they dont steal or hurt anything then it is illegal and they are an uninvited alien.

Alien...”a foreign-born person who is not a citizen of the country in which he/she resides”.... Websters Dictionary...

Mr. Webster...you owe the Legislature an apology.../sc

[Stoat]

Florida Ping :-)

[Stoat]

Illegal Immigration Ping

[spinestein]

[”That term, illegal alien, is extremely insulting to many individuals and I think there has to be something a little bit more public and a little bit more contrite in his apology,” an unidentified member of the caucus said.]

Why did he refuse to identify himself? Is he an illegal alien?

Anyone who is so quick to be offended by simple words from others is a weak minded fool and DESERVES to be offended.

[spinestein]

“Don’t forget to pay your taxes - 12 million illegal aliens are depending on you!”

[I’ve seen bumper stickers on cars in the Florida panhandle that say the same thing]

There is a bumper sticker on the forklift in the factory I work at which says, “WORK HARDER. MILLIONS ON WELFARE ARE DEPENDING ON YOU.”

[HiJinx]

I've seen bumper stickers on cars in the Florida panhandle that say the same thing.

If I were inclined to put a bumper sticker on my new truck, that would be one of the first.

It's a rotten shame when an American isn't allowed to tell the truth.

[JustPiper]

Words from the author of this group's name and very important part of Stand Up For America, West Coast Gal: ~My only fear is that we are leaving a horrible mess for our children and grandchildren.We are proud Americans who are trying to protect the future of this country for our children and their children. That's why we speak out and stand up for our country, that's why we continue to put pressure on Congress, if we do nothing everyone loses

[raybbr]

But members of the Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus....

Who's making this about race? The man did not use "hispanic" in his e-mail why do they (hispanics) always take offense when someone refers to illegals?

[janetgreen]

I have experience working for the government immigration system and all you taxpayers are getting gypped.

Here in Mexifornia, where illegals think they've died and gone to heaven, it's more like the taxpayers are getting robbed blind, over 10 billion a year.

[raybbr]

"Hey, JP, JP

you're alright by me,

sanna ho sanna hey, Superstar"

Long time no see. Nice to see your posts again.

[Vigilanteman]

"That term, illegal alien, is extremely insulting to many individuals and I think there has to be something a little bit more public and a little bit more contrite in his apology," an unidentified member of the caucus said.

As my mama used to say in cases like this, 'If the shoe don't fit, don't wear it.'

[janetgreen]

I'm going to send this thread to Mr. Brown so he can read what many conservatives are thinking about this.

His e-mail webpage is:

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/sections/Representatives/emailrepresentative.aspx?MemberId=4188&SessionId=42

[NRA2BFree]

"That term, illegal alien, is extremely insulting to many individuals and I think there has to be something a little bit more public and a little bit more contrite in his apology," an unidentified member of the caucus said.

I agree. He should never have called them "illegal aliens." He should have called them "criminal illegal aliens!" It's tough if it insults them. There is an answer. They can get the heck out of America and go back to their third world hell hole.

[rottndog]

So Illegal Alien is the new “Ni__er”?

[TigersEye]

He shouldn’t have apologized. It’s true! The term illegal aliens is accurate too and no one should apologize for using that either. If you’re not a citizen of this country you’re an alien here and if you came here illegally you’re an ILLEGAL ALIEN! If that hurts their feelings then tough. They offend me when they spit on our flag by coming here illegally.

[Stoat]

I'm going to send this thread to Mr. Brown so he can read what many conservatives are thinking about this.

Thank you very much!  It may also be relevant to mention that as of this moment there have been over 730 unique page views of this thread, and so there are far more people interested in these issues than the number who wanted to submit a post here.

 

[ThomasThomas]

I know where this belongs!