“I guess that if you are a Guatemalan gay man who likes to gamble and smokes marijuana, you probably think we’re onto some good ideas here.” ~ House minority leader Robert A. Watson
Rep. Watson delivered this line at a Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce meeting. He was referring to Rhode Island’s General Assembly agenda, which is focusing on gay marriage, in-state tuition fees for children of illegal immigrants, medical marijuana and legalizing gambling tables at the state slot parlors. The state is facing huge deficits, unfunded pension liabilities and a shrinking tax base. His point was the assembly’s misguided focus. His delivery was regrettable, ill conceived and completely out of place. The Guatemalan people have every right and reason to be outraged.
The local talk show circuit is having a field day with all of this. Guatemalan immigrants are being accused of everything from bringing head lice to local schools to being the cause of the downfall of democracy. I listen now and then, and hear host after host, then caller after caller deliver their diatribe. The talk show crowd can’t seem to grasp the idea that an elected official delivering a speech to business leaders in the capitol city of Rhode Island was completely and indefensibly wrong.
Now the circus is in town, blowing a little thing way out of proportion.
How hard is it to simply state, I’m sorry, that was out of line. Apparently too hard for the minority leader, and the brainwashed public that is so infuriated with the illegal immigration problem that they have lost sight of reality.
I work in the middle of reality. The inner city is where most newly arrived Guatemalans live. They live in houses that were built and were inhabited by our parents, and grandparents. They work hard, doing jobs “Americans won’t do.” They are here to work, and make money, and live a better life than the one from where they came. I don’t know their immigration status, and I honestly don’t care. I go to their homes when somebody is sick, or injured and treat them the same I would anybody else.
They are trying to learn the language. A lot already have. They are good people gaining a foothold in America. I’m sure there are undocumented people mixed in with the general population. If they get caught, send them back. Enforce the law as it is written. Punish employers who hire illegals. But for god’s sake, stop treating these people like the scourge of the earth. They are people, and have the same drive, ambition, feelings and pride as everybody else who landed here and suffered through unnecessary bigotry and hatred.
I’m ashamed to be part of a society that refuses to see how a “little joke” causes so much harm. If the people we elected to lead us can’t see it, then we are obligated as the people who run this show we call America to get rid of them.
If they won’t say it, I will.
” I hereby apologize to the Guatemalan community, and any other person who found Representative Watson’s remarks at the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce meeting offensive. It was a dumb joke told at the wrong place and time.”
Please send the circus home.
http://newsblog.projo.com/2011/02/guatemalans-demand-watson-apol.html
