Illiterate Peasants
A Colorado legislator known for kicking a photographer was ordered to leave the podium of the state House of Representatives on Monday because he called Mexican workers “illiterate peasants.”
State Rep. Douglas Bruce, who has a history of provoking controversy, made the comment during debate on a bill that would allow the state to help immigrant workers get temporary federal visas. The measure is intended to ease a shortage of farm workers in the state.“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.
His outburst drew an audible gasp from the House.
“How dare you,” said state Rep. Kathleen Curry, a Democrat who was serving as chairwoman during the debate. She told the Republican lawmaker he was no longer recognized to speak.
Sad. There are legitimate arguments to be made in favor of curtailing illegal immigration, but it’s guys like this that lead so many people to believe that the whole issue is driven by hatred and xenophobia.
It’s precisely guys like this that conservatives and the Republican Party don’t need opening their mouths. They give both a black eye. The only people who benefit from comments like this are Mark Udall and whoever the Democratic nominee for president is.
Posted by Recess Supervisor on April 21, 2008 at 2104 hrsThe problem is though that he is correct and using the words “illitreratet” and “peasant” as defined by the dictionary. Outrage against this man is the worst form of politically correct censorship. Orwell would be proud.
Posted by on April 22, 2008 at 0321 hrsYes, but we all know that kind of literalist defense just sounds smart-ass. I mean, a “faggot” is a word for a bunch of sticks, but if I’m a politician, I’ll have some problems if I start throwing that word around in casual conversation.
The problem is that his intent is perceived to be derogatory and insulting. He deliberately chose words that were pejorative, and then thought he could hide behind a dictionary. Nice try.
The guy’s an asshole. He’s already been censured for kicking a press photographer on the Assembly floor during his first day as a representative. Now this. Man, if I were a conservative, this isn’t the kind of guy I’d want in my little club. But that’s not my call to make. If you think it’s smart to defend this kind of behavior, go right ahead.
Posted by Recess Supervisor on April 22, 2008 at 0848 hrsThe problem is though that he is correct and using the words “illitreratet” and “peasant” as defined by the dictionary. Outrage against this man is the worst form of politically correct censorship. Orwell would be proud.
Actually, the first thing I thought was “he’s factually correct” also.
Having said that, I don’t think there is anything wrong with being a peasant, and as far as illiterate… we’ll I don’t think thats a crime either. If I went to Russia, I wouldn’t be able to read or write (or speak)
I mean I sat in the Sprint store on Layton Ave. in Greenfield sunday afternoon and EVERYTHING is bilingual. English/Spanish. I was suprised, though not offended.
Go in the Target store by Miller Park, all the signange is bilingual. I was shocked to see it, but not offended.
It is what it is.
As for the issue of immigration, illegal or otherwise, I support and respect anyone who wants to work, support themselvs and their family, and not suck off the labors of others.
I don’t have a problem with this guys use of “illiterate and peasant” I disagree with his stance on immigration though.
Posted by on April 22, 2008 at 0928 hrsHow can xxpilot support these people who are poor (peasants) and cannot speak our language (illiterate) and entered our country ILLEGALLY!
Posted by on April 22, 2008 at 1435 hrsLest we get a little too amerocentric here, not speaking English doesn’t make you illiterate. In fact, literacy usually has very little to do with spoken language.
Posted by Recess Supervisor on April 22, 2008 at 1513 hrsBecause I think people have a right to live and strive for a better life for themselves and their family.
I support and admire people who take care of themselves and not who want someone else to take care of them.
I think there are people in this country who are lazy and who think they are entitled to something for nothing, and I respect them LESS than a mexican who wants to come here for a better life.
I don’t think being born in this country inherently makes us ‘deserving’ of its bounty.
I think anyone who wants to work hard, suceed and make something of themselves deserves to be here.
I don’t care about legal or illegal. I care about right and wrong.
I’m not a fan of hearing people who speed every day. People who don’t declare taxes owed on out of state purchases, etc etc. ALL the things that people do every day to break the law. I’m not a fan of hearing these people suddenly run behind “illegal” as the reason its wrong for these immigrants to come here.
If I lived in Mexico and my family struggled to survive, you bet your ass I’d be hoppin my ass over the border to make a better life for myself and my family. And ‘legal or illegal’ wouldn’t mean a damn thing to me.
So gimlet, thats how I can support these people. Because if they want to come here and wash dishes, or work fields, or hang drywall when fat-lazy americans want 60,000 a year plus full benefits for a cush job with no physical labor....
Anyone who wants to come here and get a hand-out. Fuck em… But anyone who wants to just work, even if its hard work, take home an honest paycheck for an honest days work. With no handouts from the government. I like those kinds of people.
I like them alot more than the people who flip on the tv at night, see Barack Obama promising them something for nothing (which is going to come out of my pocket and other taxpayers in my bracket) and who think that’s just fine with them cause all the wealthy industrious people should pay for everything so all the rest can get a relatively free ride.
Posted by on April 22, 2008 at 1514 hrsI was surprised to find to find out that “illitreratet” is actually a word. It’s an adjective meaning having the gall to call other people illiterate when you yourself can’t spell or punctuate.
Posted by on April 22, 2008 at 1516 hrsI suppose if I would characterize this as “calling a spade a spade” these word nazis (or better, these American illiterates, how ironic) would lynch me! (oh, did I offend you, too? Show me where it says you have a right to never be offended....)
Posted by on April 22, 2008 at 1650 hrsHmm. It would seem casters of aspersion on others’ literacy should proofread before hitting submit.
Posted by on April 22, 2008 at 1954 hrs
Because I think people have a right to live and strive for a better life for themselves and their family.
I support and admire people who take care of themselves and not who want someone else to take care of them.
I think there are people in this country who are lazy and who think they are entitled to something for nothing, and I respect them LESS than a mexican who wants to come here for a better life.
I don’t think being born in this country inherently makes us ‘deserving’ of its bounty.
I think anyone who wants to work hard, suceed and make something of themselves deserves to be here.
I don’t care about legal or illegal. I care about right and wrong.
I’m not a fan of hearing people who speed every day. People who don’t declare taxes owed on out of state purchases, etc etc. ALL the things that people do every day to break the law. I’m not a fan of hearing these people suddenly run behind “illegal” as the reason its wrong for these immigrants to come here.
If I lived in Mexico and my family struggled to survive, you bet your ass I’d be hoppin my ass over the border to make a better life for myself and my family. And ‘legal or illegal’ wouldn’t mean a damn thing to me.
So gimlet, thats how I can support these people. Because if they want to come here and wash dishes, or work fields, or hang drywall when fat-lazy americans want 60,000 a year plus full benefits for a cush job with no physical labor....
Anyone who wants to come here and get a hand-out. Fuck em… But anyone who wants to just work, even if its hard work, take home an honest paycheck for an honest days work. With no handouts from the government. I like those kinds of people.
I like them alot more than the people who flip on the tv at night, see Barack Obama promising them something for nothing (which is going to come out of my pocket and other taxpayers in my bracket) and who think that’s just fine with them cause all the wealthy industrious people should pay for everything so all the rest can get a relatively free ride.
Posted by xxpilot on April 22, 2008 at 1514 hrs
THank you for your service, xxpilot - and your words of wisdom. I happen to think that if exploitation of welfare is the rub, then nix the welfare system(s). And there are languages being spoken in urban streeets to heads of hollers that barely resemble English… and they spill over into pop culture, but we’re okay with that, because WHY? Being born on AMerican soil gives you a free pass for being linguistically lazy?
More than anything, I’m offended at the peasant remark because my 13 [great...] grandfathers died in overt objection to titles, crowns, and the elitism that comes along with such things. And I’ve had a a direct ancestor fight in every war since to maintain it. In once insulting comment - this jerk wants to resurrect European aristocracy?
And don’t say his comments don’t apply to me/us when folks in my own back yard have a re-occurring guest spot on American Idol-worshipers where they appear to be begging strangers to send money for books. I guess they’re just a bunch of coal mining, church going, gun-toting, tax-paying peasants too… clinging to their religion and guns… No - wait. That’s a different story…
Posted by on April 23, 2008 at 1323 hrs
Ol' Army
