February 09, 2007
During last year's campaign the L.A. Times somehow
obtained tapes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the state has recently released a full set. Among other topics, Arnie discusses immigration and states his opposition to the border fence (comparing it to the Berlin wall of course) and his support for a "path to citizenship", known in the real world as a massive amnesty. Now, the LAT is trying to make hay ("Latinos lob a few words at governor", Anna Gorman,
link). They discuss his immigration-related remarks, get the opinions of pro-illegal immigration advocates, and don't disclose that one of those quoted has a link to the Mexican government and another quote source allegedly has such a link.
Here's some of Arnie's quotes:
"I made an effort [at assimilation]. But the Mexicans don't make that effort."
...At one point, to illustrate immigrants' lack of assimilation, he described a shopping mall in Lynwood called Plaza Mexico.
"Literally I felt I was in Mexico City," he said. "Everyone only spoke Spanish, every shop was in Spanish, every sign was in Spanish. They create a Mexico within California."
And he compared the United States with a home where some guests help out and others don't.
"Look, you want to come in here as a guest ... then behave as if you are a guest," he said. "But what do we see in return? We see protesters carrying the Mexican flag... And stepping on the American flag and speaking in Spanish and talking about, 'We are here, and we're going to stay.'"
While it's certainly not true that all "Mexicans" aren't trying to assimilate, it's certainly true of a large number and a larger percentage than other groups. And, the very fact that they could be called "Mexicans" rather than "Mexican-Americans" is indicative of that lack of assimilation. And, given the large numbers of immigrants from that country, isn't that something that - if we wanted to be grown-up stewards - we should have a PC-free discussion about?
Of course, the Los Angeles Times and Hispanic "leaders" aren't interested in that grown-up discussion, prefering instead to throw a fit in an attempt to head off further debate:
"His comments were highly offensive and outrageous," said Assembly Assistant Majority Leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles). "It's just mind-blowing that he continues to put his foot in his mouth."
If Spanish-language newspapers and radio are any guide, others were angered as well. The headline on one La Opinion piece this week: "Governor attacks Mexicans."
Perhaps Spanish-language newspapers with an occasionally anti-American agenda aren't exactly the best source. Perhaps the L.A. Times should look a bit closer at whether they want to promulgate the thoughts of those sources instead of fighting against their positions.
Even a former campaign aide weighed in. "Those comments are disturbing to many of us," said Arnoldo Torres, who worked for the governor during last year's reelection campaign and is a former political advisor to the League of United Latin American Citizens...
"We take solace in this one thing — that those comments were made in April and that they will not be made again, in public or in private."
It's great to know that Arnie's plain-speaking has been stifled. Of course, as readers of this site know - but as readers of the LAT aren't told - Torres also serves on an advisory council to the Mexican president. He's even listed on a Mexican government web site. If the LAT had any journalistic standards, they would mention that highly material fact.
"Integration is in the eye of the beholder," said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. "Somebody might say that because of his accent, the governor hasn't integrated fully."
Salas added that the governor should be "more careful about what he says about the very people who are sustaining the economy."
"He needs to be much more appreciative of all the opportunities he himself has had as an immigrant," Salas said, adding that not everyone becomes a movie star or marries a Kennedy.
Of course, what the Los Angeles Times forgot to do is verify whether or not CHIRLA has collaborated with the Mexican government as alleged at the link above.
They also quote DJ Eddie "El Piolin" Sotelo and State Sen.
Gloria Romero.
Please write readers.rep *at* latimes.com with your thoughts.
UPDATE: I didn't see this before, but the LAT published a transcript of Arnie's remarks in this
PDF file. As pointed out
here, his remarks are more thoughtful than the L.A. Times' cherry-picking would suggest. Clearly, their goal was to stifle rather than encourage debate of this issue.
Posted to California at February 9, 2007 10:45 AM
Comments
This IS the United States of America, NOT Los Estados Unidos de Mexico Norte. The Hispanics are mad? Too bad. I'm mad too.
Posted by: Sheila at February 10, 2007 09:14 AM
"Integration is in the eye of the beholder," said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. "Somebody might say that because of his accent, the governor hasn't integrated fully."
Hey Angelica sweetie, please tell me when Arnold ever did the following:
--Made a speech in German to the California State Assembly (unlike, say Fabian Nunez and many other Mexican-"American" politicians who continue to make political speeches in Spanish in an English speaking country)
--Was photographed saluting the Austrian flag with tears in his eyes (Fabian Nunez again) or prancing through one of our major cities waving the Austrian flag while screaming "Long Live Austria"? (too many to name)
--Demanded that his voting materials and all other government documents be printed in German?
--Referred to Austrians as "his people" and demanded that the US allow an unlimited number of them into our country illegally? (i.e. Mayor Vile).
--Bragged that one day California would be an "Austrian" state and that anyone who didn't like it could leave (Mario Obledo and Art Torres)?
Arnold spoke the truth. And that's what's really making them mad.
Posted by: Mary at February 10, 2007 09:40 AM
‘those comments were made in April and that they will not be made again, in public or in private." Gee, why stop there, Mr. Torres? Why not add ‘…or even thought again.’
Posted by: Amanda at February 10, 2007 06:36 PM
