Rebukes envelop Bruce
Hispanic groups, colleagues slam 'peasant' remark
By Chris Barge, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Monday, April 21, 2008
Should Rep. Douglas Bruce have been ordered to leave the House podium for calling seasonal farm workers "illiterate peasants"?
Preston Gannaway / The Rocky
Rep. Douglas Bruce sits at his desk in the House at the Capitol on Monday. Bruce was ordered to leave the podium earlier in the day for calling temporary migrant workers "illiterate peasants."
Rep. Douglas Bruce's calling Mexican farm workers "illiterate peasants" has drawn international rebukes and calls for his ouster by Colorado Hispanic leaders.
But House Majority Leader Alice Madden said today that Bruce won't be further sanctioned by legislative leaders.
"I don't know what the action would be. He has the right to say whatever he wants -- no matter how distasteful -- as long at it's not curse words," the Boulder Democrat said, according to the Rocky's "Live from the Legislature" blog (for more comments from Madden and world reaction, see link to blog at left).
Bruce on Monday wanted to make it clear he didn't like Rep. Marsha Looper's bill establishing a pilot program to expedite temporary visas for seasonal farmer workers.
A week ago, he composed a statement in which he would dub it the "Illegal Alien Importation Act."
He got no further than three lines into his multiple-page missive on the House floor Monday before being gaveled down for saying Colorado doesn't need "5,000 more illiterate peasants."
The Colorado Springs Republican's words drew an audible gasp from lawmakers.
"How dare you," said Rep. Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, who was chairing the floor debate. She ordered Bruce to leave the speaker's podium.
Afterward, Rep. Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, called Bruce's comments "premeditated bigotry."
"He came prepared to be a bigot today and I find that insulting to the entire body," Carroll said. "More importantly it's insulting to the entire state."
Carroll had said the remark could result in a formal ethics complaint that would require a hearing and possible suspension, censure or expulsion.
Monday's drama was still a hot topic among legislators as they assembled this morning, the Rocky's blog reported.
When House Minority Leader Mike May's name was read during roll call in the legislative leadership's Executive Committee meeting, he sang out "Peasant! -- I mean, present."
Carroll and other lawmakers said Monday the House floor behavior was "par for the course" for Bruce, who marked his first day at the Capitol in January by kicking a Rocky photographer.
Stormy beginning
His refusal to apologize for the kick made him the first lawmaker in the state legislature's 131-year history to be formally censured.
May, R-Parker, said Monday that Bruce's impact on his own party has been disastrous.
"Because of his behavior issues, when he speaks, it costs us votes," May said referring to Republicans. "It's hard enough to be in the minority as it is without having that anvil hanging around our necks."
Bruce said Monday that he doesn't care if his own party doesn't appreciate him.
"To me it doesn't matter," he said. "If I'm the only person in this building that cares about the truth, fine."
Bruce defended his "illiterate peasants" line as a factually accurate description of the estimated 5,000 immigrant farm workers who would be allowed into Colorado under Looper's bill.
Madden rolled her eyes at that defense. Many immigrants who come to America to work are literate, she said.
"And the word peasant? What's he going to do, say, 'Let them eat cake?' I've never heard people in civilized society call people peasants."
The trouble with Bruce, Madden said, is that he sees the world in black and white and you're either with him or against him.
"He doesn't add any facts to the conversation," she said. "He just adds his demagoguery, and he rarely if ever wins an argument. He's ineffective because he's so obnoxious."
Bruce irritates many
Most lawmakers at the Capitol by now have a story about when Bruce pushed their buttons.
Fellow Colorado Springs Republican Rep. Larry Liston's moment was April 10 when Bruce derided Liston's proposed pilot program giving tax credits to employers who hire disabled workers.
Bruce called the bill an unconstitutional tax loophole that "encourages people to get onto this form of a welfare program."
Liston - who might have learned to bite his tongue earlier this year after calling unwed teen parents "sluts" - didn't hold back.
"Rep. Bruce, I appreciate your demagogue . . . I mean your comments," Liston said.
"I take exception to Rep. Liston calling me a demagogue from the microphone," Bruce retorted.
Liston later caught Bruce in the hallway and apologized. Bruce demanded a public apology on the House floor - something he did not get.
Bruce's comments that day drew tears from Rep. John Soper, whose brother is developmentally disabled.
"I would challenge Rep. Bruce to maybe go with me and meet some of these folks," Soper said. "Unless you deal with them, you don't know what they are."
Curry chastised Bruce that day in the center aisle and lawmakers had to step between them.
It was the first of three verbal altercations between Bruce and Curry on the House floor since then.
Decorum declines
On any given morning, Bruce speaks into the podium microphone more than any other lawmaker. Usually, it's to bring up his pet issue - why an "emergency clause" shouldn't be attached to most bills.
Lawmakers have attached that provision to approximately 30,000 bills over the past 75 years, Bruce said, allowing the bills to take immediate effect and making them immune to repeal by citizen ballot initiative.
Bruce said that, thanks to him, only about half the bills this year have the emergency clause, compared to an average of around 80 percent over each of the past 15 years.
But Curry and others said their problem with Bruce isn't his mission to kill the safety clause.
"I think he's had a negative impact on the decorum, and it's very discouraging for all of us to be the subject of his negative statements day after day, bill after bill, hour after hour," Curry said. "It undermines our morale. It undermines the people who are trying to do the right thing. It's been very harmful to the legislature."
Lawmakers also said Bruce has been intolerably rude to Capitol staff members.
"We've had policy disputes, we've had arguments here in this legislature for 130-some-odd years and the tension brought by this one man some days is near the breaking point," May said.
"Hopefully people view him as the party of Bruce and not the Republican Party," May said.
bargec@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5059
They said it
Rep. Douglas Bruce clashed with House floor Chairwoman Rep. Kathleen Curry as he criticized fellow Republican Marsha Looper's bill to expedite visas for foreign seasonal workers to ease a farm labor shortage.
* It began with Bruce's sarcastic comments about a shortage of immigrant workers.
Bruce: Every time I go to Wal-Mart, practically, I have constituents approach me . . . They say, 'Doug, you have to do something about immigration. The lines are too short at hospital emergency rooms. My children don't hear enough foreign languages in the classroom or during recess.'
Curry: Rep. Bruce, this bill has to do with . . .
Bruce: With aliens coming . . .
Curry: . . . Don't argue with the chair. The bill has to do with the labor issues identified and the pilot program. We do not need an entire explanation of how you feel about immigration. I want you to focus on the bill or I won't recognize you further.
Bruce: You're asking me to leave?
Curry: I said focus on the bill or I won't recognize you further. You have the opportunity to speak to the bill right here and now.
Bruce: Well, Madame Chair, I read the bill word for word and I thought it was about importing up to 5,000 additional aliens into this country over a five-year period. If I misread the bill, then I apologize.
* Curry has Rep. Marsha Looper explain her bill again.
Looper: Rep. Bruce, as I stated earlier, this is a pilot program. This is not about aliens. This is not about immigration. This is about facilitating and allowing (state agencies) to work on getting legal, seasonal non-immigrant workers to Colorado to help us with our harvest and to ensure that they return to their country of origin.
* Bruce continues to insist that importing workers from countries like Mexico is immigration, implying they could stay in the U.S. illegally.
Bruce: 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.
Curry: Rep. Bruce, you are no longer recognized in the well . . . How dare you?


April 21, 2008
1:04 p.m.
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junglegymco writes:
When is this bozo done? Not soon enough.
April 21, 2008
1:09 p.m.
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holekeeper writes:
man, I am Republican , but this guy is a moron. Get him out now!!!There has to be a way!
April 21, 2008
1:12 p.m.
platoro79 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
April 21, 2008
1:13 p.m.
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me2 writes:
Who does he want picking our crops? Nothing wrong with being a peasant.
April 21, 2008
1:14 p.m.
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ezekiel777 writes:
i will never vote for a conservative again... by the way...let's also repeal Tabor ....dump this bum AND his legacy.
April 21, 2008
1:17 p.m.
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chaplainmike writes:
Now everyone else in the state knows what we had to put up with in El Paso County. This guy is just nuts. He is definitely, as platoro79 so eoloquently put it, an embarrassment to the state. But I would add that he is an embarrassment to good people everywhere. Censure? Impeach him as soon as possible.
April 21, 2008
1:23 p.m.
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AC writes:
Tommy, inability to read and write in English is not illiteracy when you are not English-speaking in the first place.
April 21, 2008
1:26 p.m.
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KnoWhatYoureTalkinAbout writes:
Even if it were true it has no place on the floor, nor any other state, federal or county government facilities. His job is to serve the people not place judgement. What's funny is he started in what county? El Paso, a spanish word, one that I'm sure his pronounciation for is far from right.
April 21, 2008
1:31 p.m.
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holekeeper writes:
Tommy,
I like the way you spin his comments. What he said was to insult people. While I do support a stronger border. While I do beleive that the illigals need to be sent back I cannot agree with his comments. He is a bigot, he has assaulted people while praying. He has been an embarassment to the state. While you can feel however you want freedom of speech does not give you the right to pull crap like this.
April 21, 2008
1:34 p.m.
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twofistedmario writes:
I actually thought most of you would be defending Bruce's comments. I'm pleasantly surprised.
April 21, 2008
1:36 p.m.
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Michael writes:
They are illiterate to the national language of the USA (ENGLISH) and they are for the most part - peasants - which is defined as:
peas·ant [pez-uhnt]
–noun 1. a member of a class of persons, as in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, who are small farmers or farm laborers of low social rank.
2. a coarse, unsophisticated, boorish, uneducated person of little financial means.
–adjective 3. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of peasants or their traditions, way of life, crafts, etc.
I think Doug Bruce got it correct and those that disagree are so politically correct that you do not even know what the meaning of the words are. Bruce was ACCURATE in his wording, though maybe not as PC as everyone wants him to be. Why is everyone so offended by the truth??? These are not aristocratic and educated people who are invading us by the millions. They are indeed for the most part - PEASANTS. Doug Bruce did not invent the word, but he used it correctly.
April 21, 2008
1:38 p.m.
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twofistedmario writes:
oh look i spoke too soon
April 21, 2008
1:38 p.m.
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gcrez writes:
well Tommy,
Though I may agree with some of your points, are we really so primative that we need to use racist generalizations? Your lack of human empathy makes me want to drag you down to Mexico and leave you for an eye-opening experience. Your prestine little world is unrealistic, and you need to get out and see things on your own. I feel bad for you and this bafoon! If you only knew hard-ship, maybe you would understand the ways of the world. Get a life Tommy...
April 21, 2008
1:39 p.m.
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pegasus99_aka_DR writes:
Ezekiel, please think before you post. Doug Bruce is not a "Conservative", he is an extremist right-winger who looks nothing like any of the other traditional conservatives in the legislature. This is actually a sad case of someone who initially did a few good things regarding lowering taxes and making government accountable for their spending of taxpayers money, and he's now just made an ass of himself over a number of things, and it dilutes the contributions he made previously.
Repealing TaBOR is one of the most foolish things I've seen posted in many months - why would you repeal a law that gives taxpayers, including you I assume, direct say in how your money is spent? There are other methods available to modify how it impacts our economy, such as the five year moratorium we got shrifted into by Hank Brown and Bill Owens, among others - still, a majority of taxpayers felt it was the way to go and approved it, so the process works. There are also other things that can be done like adjusting the percentages that are to be adhered to. Government at all levels has a voracious appetite, and one thing it always wants is "more", and it's always easy for it to spend money it didn't have to work for. On the other hand, if you'd like more of your money to go to what government thinks it should be spent on, California is more than double our tax burden, so maybe you should check it out?
But I can agree with you on one part of your post, let the people of Colorado Springs dump this bum.
April 21, 2008
1:55 p.m.
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jay writes:
Could this guy and his apologists be any more irrelevant in this day and age?
April 21, 2008
1:58 p.m.
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freethought writes:
Republican in a small coat, republican in a small coat, REPUBLICAN IN A SMALL.....
April 21, 2008
2 p.m.
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TruthHurts writes:
Douglas Bruce is the worst thing that ever happened to this state. When Governor Lamm issued his "Duty to Die" speech he had Douglas Bruce in mind.Bruce has yet to live in a state in which he has not had some negative impact. That is some legacy.
April 21, 2008
2:04 p.m.
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happymike44 writes:
Well I guess everyone forgot his right to free speech.It is not freedom of some types of speech.It is freedom to voice your opinions on how you feel.He is voicing the concerns of many people who feel we are being invaded by a group of people who have no right to be here.So if it is not a popular expression get over it.All right I want to preserve my country so it is here my family to enjoy.So I do not have a problem shutting the door to a group of people who cost us billions in lost taxes and medical that we all must pay because they refuse to pay for it themselves.Not to mention the burden they place on the healthcare sytem.Also the welfare we pay for them.Then lets not forget those of them that are criminals lets talk about the cost of that.So their being here is not a victimless crime.They are using us like a tick on a dog,wake up people or are you to busy drinking your starbucks coffee to notice it.Cheap labor is not as cheap as you think it is.
April 21, 2008
2:10 p.m.
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chief writes:
we don't have a national language
April 21, 2008
2:10 p.m.
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RickyLee writes:
...the world needs ditch diggers too...
Quick, what movie was that?
April 21, 2008
2:11 p.m.
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Michael writes:
This is about words and their meaning. And yes, words do have meaning. The words that I get upset about are "undocumented workers". That description is less accurate in descibing illegal aliens from Mexico and points south than "illiterate peasant" is. But guess what, the first term is politically correct and even though is not at all accurate, has found a home with the open borders crowd, the mainstream media, and those that do NOT want our immigration laws enforced. And when someone like a Bruce (who I am NO fan of other than TABOR) or a Tancredo (who I like) uses the more accurate terms (illegal aliens, criminals, lawbreakers, etc.) to descibe these people who break into our country illegally, the "race card" is played and all bets (and discussion) is off because how can anyone talk with a racist about anything???? Those that want our immigration laws enforced and are not afraid to use correct (if somewhat inflamatory) words to descibe it are not the enemy - regardless of what so many think. Sometimes bright people say stupid and inaccurate things and sometimes not so bright people say intelligent and accurate things, and Bruce got it correct for all his other failings.
April 21, 2008
2:11 p.m.
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rpmcmurphy writes:
Ok, Bruce is a moron, and most illegal aliens are illiterate peasants. Get over it. Irregardless of how hard they work, and how low a wage they are willing to work for, we don't need any more illegal aliens or legal immigrants without marketable skills and without the ability to read and write and speak in english.
http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/Ph...
April 21, 2008
2:11 p.m.
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Spencer writes:
What's the over/under on how long this guy stays? Will he be in the House next year? If not speaking English makes you illiterate does that make non-Spanish speakers illiterate when in Mexico?
April 21, 2008
2:12 p.m.
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Golden writes:
The article says very little... Now, if Bruce were making a statement about Mexican farm workers coming to America to work on farms, wouldn’t that make them illiterate peasants? Is this not the very defining characteristic of a Mexican farm working on an American farm? Unless of course, these particular Mexican farms workers are the 3% who are literate IN THEIR OWN Language, or the zero percent of Mexican farm workers who are not peasants but choose to work on a farm anyway?
Calling them what they are not, in amongst itself, wrong.
From Marriam-Webster on-line dictionary…
Pronunciation: \(ˌ)i(l)-ˈli-t(ə-)rət\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin illiteratus, from in- + litteratus literate
Date: 15th century
1: having little or no education; especially : unable to read or write <an illiterate population>2 a: showing or marked by a lack of familiarity with language and literature <an illiterate magazine> b: violating approved patterns of speaking or writing3: showing or marked by a lack of acquaintance with the fundamentals of a particular field of knowledge <musically illiterate>
Pronunciation: \ˈpe-zənt\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English paissaunt, from Anglo-French paisant, pesaunt, from pais, paiis country, from Late Latin pagensis inhabitant of a district, from Latin pagus district; akin to Latin pangere to fix — more at PACT
Date: 15th century
1: a member of a European class of persons tilling the soil as small landowners or as laborers; also : a member of a similar class elsewhere2: a usually uneducated person of low social status
April 21, 2008
2:13 p.m.
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mytwosense writes:
My problem with Bruce for saying that is because I am sure he meant it in a withering way - as if it's their fault they come from Mexico, where grinding poverty is the norm and good public education and jobs are not.
But truthfully, they are peasants. They work hard, dreary jobs for low wages, live in crowded conditions, and the ones who are here illegally, have no political voice through a vote.
It is clear Mexico's own government isn't concerned about these people, their own citizens. And it's Mexico I hold accountable to this issue, not desperate people who are just trying to live marginally above abject misery. That's where my opinion sharply diverges from Bruce's, I imagine.
April 21, 2008
2:14 p.m.
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FlyfishDude52 writes:
Bruce is an idiot and an embarrassment to all, not just Repubs. Calling him a consrvative is like calling Karl Marx a liberal...
I'm not too wild about the "illiterate peasant" comment as it smacks of very limited vision. However, if they cannot read, write and speak English in the U.S., they are illiterate. I don't know if they're peasants or not. Do you?
April 21, 2008
2:14 p.m.
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OhBrother writes:
Tommy-"Some friends that I have managing restaurants often say that Mexicans that they have hired are unable to fill out applications or other documents"
why are your buddies hiring people that can't fill out applications? aside from most likley being illegal, they practice hiring people that can not complete necassary paperwork? why? do they pay these "pesants" the same as other workers who can read and write?
see Tommy, the only benifit you could possible gain from hiring illegal or incompident workers is to save the money you would pay a normal person with actual skills and related experience who would demand more money. While the "supply" of illegal workers flooding our markets is a rather large and complex issue, Americans that provide a "demand" for these types of workers is what allows the problem to continue. Next time you see your friends, tell them thanks for all the help.
April 21, 2008
2:15 p.m.
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anya writes:
Once again El Paso County has sent us a shining example of the hyper-religious, far-right wing, neo-con Republican nut case in all his glory. You would think that even the folk in Colorado Springs would be embarrassed by this barbarian.
I am totally against illegal immigrants or anything else illegal, but this bill seems like a good way to bring in workers to harvest crops. It is a terrible sin to let good food rot on the ground.
April 21, 2008
2:15 p.m.
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junglegymco writes:
rpmcmurphy - "Irregardless" is not a word. Perhaps you need a literacy course.
April 21, 2008
2:19 p.m.
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Golden writes:
Spencer. If you are in Mexico and don't speak Spanish then you are indeed illiterate. Unless by some amazing quirk, you can read and write the language but not speak it. Then I think everyone would think you were literate.
That is the very point. They are illiterate and he called them illiterate. Sacre Bleu!
I think Bruce was actually saying these illiterate peasants are illiterate in thier native language. The illitercy rate among Mexican peasant farmers, which by the way, is an official classification of the Mexican Government, is 97%.
April 21, 2008
2:27 p.m.
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rpmcmurphy writes:
junglegymco, google it, its in wikipedia, as well as some dictionaries, it is a nonstandard word. Maybe you could pay my share of tax that goes to support illegal aliens?
Perhaps you need to increase your understanding.
April 21, 2008
2:28 p.m.
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AC writes:
Michael: You're wrong. And Bruce is wrong. I'd bet some of those migrants are more literate than Bruce. Certainly, many are more civil and decent. "Literate" does not mean "English-speaking."
April 21, 2008
2:31 p.m.
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frosty writes:
Ricky Lee, I keep thinking it's Trading Places, but I really think it comes from another one, can you give me a hint?
April 21, 2008
2:33 p.m.
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Michael writes:
AC - I'll take that bet.
April 21, 2008
2:33 p.m.
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AC writes:
Michael: Wow, are you misinformed. First, the debate in which Bruce spoke uncivilly at the podium had NOTHING to do with illegal aliens. It was about a bill that would assist in admitting LEGAL alilens on work visas. What part of LEGAL did you miss? Second, "illiterate peasants" is not more accurate than "undocumented workers" for your illegal alien example. "Undocumented workers" in fact is the most precise description.
April 21, 2008
2:34 p.m.
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CWW writes:
Frosty, I think it was from Caddyshack . . .
April 21, 2008
2:35 p.m.
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ruckus writes:
I agree we must have regulated borders but for all of you who agree with his comments are downright xenophobic and arrogant. What he said insulted a group of people who play a major role in our economy making sure tomatoes are $5 a pop in spite of NAFTA and corporate exploitation. As we spend billions on war the US points the finger at so called "illegal alien" as the source of our economic problems, while banks shafted the average home buyer fueling the recession. if you want to build a fence to protect the border, build it on both borders, let there be no double standard. And for those who think Mexicans are "invading" the US, Mexicans have always been here with families extending across the nation before there was a border. So America and the dream are only for immigrants who came through Ellis Island? With no tolerance for people who have always been here? People forget what is inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. America has become very arrogant and pompous. Mexicans are not terrorists. We don't blow up planes. If a Mexican ever thought about blowing up a federal building his cousins would be calling saying "if i dont get my check this week f*cker...."
so while you think Mexicans are "drain on the economy" just realize they're are chasing the same dream you are, all the while serving you fast food, cleaning bathrooms, fixing your car, taking care of the things you take for granted because no one else wants to do it.
April 21, 2008
2:35 p.m.
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Diff writes:
I didn't think there was or could be anyone as big an IDIOT as D.Bruce -
- But TOMMY; you have proved me wrong!
I have news (read some FACTS) for you TOMMY - There is NO middle class in Mexico, it is a society of haves and have nots (kind of like the conservative agenda in this country)
by far MOST of the Mexican nationals hired in this country have a very strong work ethic and are often able AND willing to do jobs better and faster that their gringo counterparts in industries like construction, land scape, farming etc. They don't balk about the long hours or less than ideal condition that would (and do) cause a lot of the younger white males I have seen working in these fields to quit within a few weeks or so. Some of them demand higher wages and are paid them than whitie would make! Because they deserve it!
And just because someone does "labor" DOES NOT make them a peasant!
Doug Bruce has a very negative connotation, because it such a negative person, and has very biased and negative views!
Hope you are proud of you bigotry and superiority complex Tommy. You and Doug Bruce are one (two) of a kind MORONS and I would be very pleased if you would just leave the state!
April 21, 2008
2:35 p.m.
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AC writes:
Posted by rpmcmurphy on April 21, 2008 at 2:11 p.m:
"Ok, Bruce is a moron, and most illegal aliens are illiterate peasants. Get over it. Irregardless of how hard they work..."
Complaining about illiteracy and using the non-word "irregardless?"
Priceless!
April 21, 2008
2:36 p.m.
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ruckus writes:
*edit to typo in post
"What he said insulted a group of people who play a major role in our economy making sure tomatoes AREN'T $5 a pop in spite of NAFTA and corporate exploitation."
April 21, 2008
2:38 p.m.
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kirbysfriend22 writes:
TABOR needs axed. Tax payers do have a say in how their tax money is spent...it's called voting. If you don't want to pay taxes then vote for someone who says they won't raise taxes and then actually follows up on their word. Keep in mind, someone who actually cuts taxes also needs to cut spending. Choose the leaders you want based on their values and ideals. TABOR only causes us to stagnate.
Sometimes we need the tax money and TABOR doesn't allow for the necessary flexibility.
Oh yeah, this Bruce guy is ridiculous.
April 21, 2008
2:40 p.m.
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dilligaf writes:
Some of the posters here are has stupid as Bruce. The bill be looked at is to allow Mexican workers to work LEGALLY picking Colorado crops that are DIEING. Who's is going to pick them all you redneck bigots? No you will just p-- & moan when food continues to climb. Oh by the way unless your full blooded American Indian there is a good chance that your ancestors came here illegally.
April 21, 2008
2:41 p.m.
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OhBrother writes:
Imagine that...poor people with little education that are illiterate. Gee, great observation. I still wonder who exactly is hiring these people and why exactly would they be doing so( like actual names and locations of companys)? I would much rather hear about that then some guys opinion. His comments are typical ( a lot of people think the same way ) but I am ashamed if these statments are true with supporting data. Why, you may ask? Simple. If uneducated, oppressed, illiterate, "pesants" have very little problems getting through our borders and holding jobs once in our country, then I think that speaks volumes for our government and the way they are handling this actual crisis. Is our government actualy being outsmarted by illiterate pesants?
on a side note, how this man still has a job after striking someone on the house floor is an insult to all tax payers, but hey, I guess not everyone is offended as easily as I
April 21, 2008
2:42 p.m.
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Big_D writes:
"5,000 more illiterate peasants." They would be vying for his job since the most advanced level of education Bruce has is grade school. I bet most of them could beat him in math, science and English even as a second language. I guess we thank Bruce for making it clear this is about appealing to GOP racism not about immigration reform.
April 21, 2008
2:43 p.m.
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Spencer writes:
http://dictionary.reference.com/brows...
whew that was close, going to Europe this Summer and did not want to have to describe myself as illiterate in Germany and Italy
April 21, 2008
2:51 p.m.
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bitwranglers writes:
Douglas Bruce is my hero! When I grow up, I wanna be just like him.
April 21, 2008
2:54 p.m.
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rmnreader writes:
What Colorado (& the world) really doesn't need is any more moronic, racist politicians....
So does this mean we also get to ship out all the white illiterates standing on the street corners of Denver & Boulder, drunk, begging for money?!
April 21, 2008
2:54 p.m.
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O_TRAIN writes:
Ricky Lee - I think it was Caddyshack?? (The Judge)
April 21, 2008
3:09 p.m.
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buffsblg writes:
All the Bruce defenders amuse me by breaking down the words. The key here is that he meant it to be as insulting as he could. Bruce has no real thoughts so he, like many of his supporters rely instead on personal insults. Yes he has a right of free speech and if he wants to walk out on a street corner and say more stupid stuff, he is and should be free to do so. However, the Colorado Legislature has the right to make rules as to debate on the floor. I do not think asking our representatives to avoid deliberate insults is an unconstitutional limitation. Whatever your political leanings, how can you not see this guy as an embarrassment to the state. This story is already on the national news sites. Nice representation for Colorado.
April 21, 2008
3:10 p.m.
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Mike1969 writes:
The investigation and possible charges should not be for choosing to express his opinion in a country that prides itself on free speech by stating "We don't need 5,000 more illiterate peasants in the state of Colorado,"
The real investigation should be into the politicians who are trying to pass a bill trying to bring 5,000 more illiterate peasants in the state of Colorado!
NO MEANS NO!
COLORADOANS ARE SICK OF OUR TAX DOLLARS FUNDING ILLEGAL ALIENS! (AKA illiterate peasants)
April 21, 2008
3:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
jay writes:
Let's just make sure that the voters know that this guy is a republican.
April 21, 2008
3:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
RG2008 writes:
Hey Doug,
He's correct, as usuall, that we don't need another 5000 alien in this state. Legal or not.
Keep up the good work. Call it like you see it.
R
April 21, 2008
3:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
JSeifert writes:
I love this Guy, He makes our state Government fun. Funny how the free speech should be standing up for him, HUM wonder where they are at?
April 21, 2008
3:24 p.m.
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nuclied writes:
I'll happily support this bill...on one condition. Only documented workers, and not their families, are allowed into this country to work until such a time where that worker shows the fiscal ability to cover their familes members costs, including health insurance. Fair?
April 21, 2008
3:27 p.m.
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lunger40 writes:
There are two options to farm the fields. The "illegals"! In which Bruce makes a great point. Or the illiterate white twenty somethings that want to play video games all day.
April 21, 2008
3:28 p.m.
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freethought writes:
I am all for freedom of speech, especially in this case where a republican, who speaks for republicans, was elected by the republicans to promote the republican agenda, talks like a republican while indicating his republican preferences. Hell, if it walks and talks like a duck, might be one. He should not be censured for his ill-perceived thoughts but allowed to speak freely. We need to know how the republicans think.
April 21, 2008
3:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
AC writes:
Posted by RG2008 on April 21, 2008 at 3:21 p.m.
"Hey Doug,
He's correct, as usuall, that we don't need another 5000 alien in this state. Legal or not."
Well, apparently we do need them. The debate was on a Republican-sponsored bill filed because the agricultural industry can't find enough labor to harvest food in the fields that otherwise will rot.
April 21, 2008
3:37 p.m.
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Barron writes:
Tommy - how bright can your friend be, hiring people who can't fill out an application?
April 21, 2008
3:38 p.m.
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benn writes:
they are 5000 legal workers.... read the article dumbasses
April 21, 2008
3:39 p.m.
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Diff writes:
nuclied, sure - But ONLY after every American worker can afford health insurance!
JSeifert, D Bruce has the right to show is bigotry, or stupidity say what every he likes - then the rest of us surely have the same right to make what ever comments about him as well. No?
Mike1969 - and FYI most foreign workers illegal are not, pay taxes, including the FICA tax for social security, and NEVER get to collect one dime of SS income. Even those with permanent residence status working here (unless they become citizens) - So they help to fund yours and mine.
May as well get over it, the Mexican workers are an integral, important and now needed part of our economy - and so much so that not much can be done to change that, (big business will see to that!) except to have a better way for workers to come legally to the US.
April 21, 2008
3:40 p.m.
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AC writes:
Posted by outrider on April 21, 2008 at 3:32 p.m.
"You fruckin idiots don't have the balls to face up to the truth. It is what is and they are who they are.
"Oh gee wis he shouldn't say things like that. Darn someones feelings could be hurt, and you should know by now if the truth hurts it should be laid to rest.
"And you all wonder why America is falling apart. Why I bet 90% of you have thought the same thing
Was that written by an illiterate peasant? Seems so.
April 21, 2008
3:42 p.m.
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Hoss writes:
Bruce is saying things that the majority of Americans agree with (both Democrat and Republican). He is doing the heavy lifting for everyone else who doesn't have the balls to tell it like it is.
For him to be castigated for speaking his mind is a throwback to the days of Nazi Germany. Liberals (you know the ones who are saying on this board "I'm a Republican but I hate the GOP") want to restrict the free speech they say they want to protect. All the while thinking in the back of their minds, "Thank God Doug said it because that's the way I feel"
Hypocrites to the end and no credibility with the American People (ie; NOT Illegal Immigrants)
April 21, 2008
3:44 p.m.
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junglegymco writes:
rpmcmurphy - Wikipedia is your source? Are you serious? A "non-standard" word? You mean slang? Or is this just something you decided to make up to justify your inability to recognize your own ignorance?
"Irregardless" is NOT an English word.
Ah - the old "all the taxes I pay" argument to support illegals. How convenient you forget all the taxes THEY pay to help support you. Property taxes (via the landlord, if they're renting), sales tax and social security taxes.
You need to look beyond your G.E.D. and maybe take a college course or two.
April 21, 2008
3:45 p.m.
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Diff writes:
outrider - like you his comments and language show his level (or lack of) intelligence!
And talk about having (or NOT having) the nuggets - I'd bet you would never talk like that to anyone without doing it sitting behind your keyboard...
at least you would never get away with it,
Hit the reset button and
Just go away,
April 21, 2008
3:48 p.m.
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RickyLee writes:
CONGRATS!!!
It was Caddyshack, Judge Smales to Danny after Danny tells him he needs the caddy scholarship because he(Danny) can't afford college.
April 21, 2008
3:50 p.m.
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RickyLee writes:
I'm a big fan of TABOR, but sometimes things fly out of Doug's mouth before he can stop them.....
In other words, he says stupid stuff!
AND, he has a "wide stance" when photographers are around...
April 21, 2008
3:58 p.m.
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ptorres writes:
Bruce has lost his common sense. We don’t need PHD’s picking our crops. Is he aware that there is a food shortage in some states? I’d rather pick it here than ship poor tasting watermelon from Mexico.
April 21, 2008
4:01 p.m.
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CWW writes:
Guess I have to ask: Will the employers of these legal workers will make sure they don't bring their families, and escort them back over the border when they've finished their work for the season?
April 21, 2008
4:01 p.m.
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Marshdale writes:
Cabbage $9.99lb
Tomatoes $9.99lb
Cantelope $9.99lb
Peaches $9.99lb
I can't wait. How about the rest of you? If farmers cant get the crops picked they will have no choice but to raise prices in order to maintain their level of income. If fruits and vegitables are in short supply, then they will go to the highest bidder who will charge us more for the goods. Just how many local truckers do you think this puts out of work? Wake up folks. This is the reality. We need these good people as much as they need the US.
April 21, 2008
4:02 p.m.
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MGD writes:
I think it was Tommy Boy.
It seems likely that they are illiterate in their native language and by definition they are also peasants. However, This guy was not trying to decribe them, he was trying to deride them.
They come across the border because they are unable to match the US minimum wage in Mexico. They are largely unskilled and not very employable in their own country. We let them work here because we like fresh vegetables and clean dishes in our restaurants. We can't have it both ways, either the cost of produce, dinning out, home construction, etc goes way up or we allow migrant workers, mostly from Mexico.
Too bad we don't have a good border and some oversight on who crosses and how long they stay.
April 21, 2008
4:02 p.m.
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snowbelly writes:
First, anybody who comes to work will want to stay, therfore they will be immigrants.The trick is getting here, then staying here.We don't need more foriegn workers. We just need more americans working for a living wage.Getting rid of Tabor is out of the question because no taxpayer iu his right mind wants to return to the freespending romer days.It's like getting rid of the legislature just because bruce is a member.He likes to see his name in the paper.As long as you can label someone a racist the debate is ended.
April 21, 2008
4:02 p.m.
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Earl writes:
once again the truth hurts. what is the educational level of the ones he is speaking of?
April 21, 2008
4:02 p.m.
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samsmargolis writes:
"This pilot program is not an (illegal immigrant) amnesty program," Looper said, "It's not an open door to illegal workers."
Right. They can't even track the people they are bringing in "legally" now under worker programs. Everyone raise your hand if you think they'll be able to manage this new program and return all the workers to their home country at the end of their program allowance.
That's what I thought....no hands. Looper's lyin' and this committee is buyin'...she must be an Obama supporter with this patronizing and condescending attitude of hers. Bruce is an idiot, but this lady is running neck and neck with him. Must be contagious in that building...
April 21, 2008
4:12 p.m.
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redwhiteandBLUE writes:
Michael,
Good explanation, Bruce did say it as it is. That took some boldness. It doesnt matter if they were purple people, the facts remain the same.
April 21, 2008
4:22 p.m.
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LuckyMe writes:
Wow, the posts on this tread is real frightening. Not only for the blind hatred towards a group of people whom I'll bet you don't have any dealings with let alone have the nerve to get to know. But for the ingorance that is spewing from your mouths at a astonishing rate. I wonder how the weather is in Snobville. I bet if the people who are bashing the Mexican's can get their noses out of the air, they would see that their S%#&T stinks too. I hope you are never a target for the blind hatred you have shown your fellow humans. May God forgive you as well.
April 21, 2008
4:26 p.m.
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Michael writes:
Ward Churchill can stand at the lecturn of our flagship university and be paid by the state of Colorado and be allowed to call the innocent victims of 9.11 "little Eichmans" and worse....but God forbid that Doug Bruce uses the term "illiterate peasants".
Are these scenarios different? If so, how? The free speech crowd was willing to die to defend Ward's "right" to insult the dead but they are noticeably absent for Bruce? Why is that? Both are on the state payroll. Both said what they did while in the employ of the state? Where is the difference?
April 21, 2008
4:29 p.m.
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ezekiel777 writes:
so what's wrong with being an illiterate peasant? i don't hear them talking like bigots... i would rather enjoy the company of illiterate peasants than bigots...any day. maybe bruce should study up on marie antoinnette.....of the "let them eat cake" fame.
April 21, 2008
4:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
AC writes:
Posted by BigJake on April 21, 2008 at 3:45 p.m.
"If they are not illiterate why do we have to press one for English?"
What makes you think not speaking English makes one illiterate? Do you speak Spanish? No? Then does that make you "illiterate?"
Monolingualism isn't illiteracy, folks.
April 21, 2008
4:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
AC writes:
Posted by Michael on April 21, 2008 at 4:26 p.m.
"Ward Churchill can stand at the lecturn of our flagship university and be paid by the state of Colorado and be allowed to call the innocent victims of 9.11 "little Eichmans" and worse....but God forbid that Doug Bruce uses the term "illiterate peasants".
Are these scenarios different? If so, how?"
Yes they are vastly different. Besides the fact that Churchill's "little Eichmans" comment wasn't at the lecturn of a CU classroom but was in an essay published in an obscure rag, the fact is the General Assembly has rules of conduct and procedure. Bruce violated them, in the judgment of the speaker pro-tem. Members are admonished and redirected to speak to the subject of the bill under discussion all the time.
April 21, 2008
5:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
Fresh writes:
Here’s the cost, to include FEDERAL gov’t aid that the average middle-class American can’t receive, to having illegals here.
1. $11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens each year.
http://tinyurl.com/zob77
2. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens.
http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscale…
3. $2.5 Billion dollars a year is spent on Medicaid for illegal aliens.
http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscale…
4. $12 Billion dollars a year is spent on primary and secondary school education for children here illegally and they cannot speak a word of English!
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0…
5. $17 Billion dollars a year is spent for education for the American-born children of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0…
6. $3 Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0…
7. 30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0…
8. $90 Billion Dollars a year is spent on illegal aliens for Welfare and Social Services by the American taxpayers.
http://premium.cnn.com/TRANSCIPTS/0610/2…
9. $200 Billion Dollars a year in suppressed American wages are caused by the illegal aliens.
10. The illegal aliens in the United States have a crime rate that’s two-and-a-half times that of white non-illegal aliens. In particular, their children are going to make a huge additional crime problem in the US.. http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0…
11. During the year of 2005 there were 4 to 10 MILLION illegal aliens that crossed our Southern Border also, as many as 19,500 illegal aliens from Terrorist Countries. Millions of pounds of drugs, cocaine, meth, heroin and marijuana, crossed into the U. S from the Southern border. Homeland Security Report. http://tinyurl.com/t9sht
12. The National Policy Institute, ‘estimated that the total cost of mass deportation would be between $206 and $230 billion or an average cost of between $41 and $46 billion annually over a five year period.’
http://www.nationalpolicyinstitute.org/p…
13. In 2006 illegal aliens sent home $45 BILLION in remittances back to their countries of origin. http://www.rense.com/general75/niht.htm
14. ‘The Dark Side of Illegal Immigration: Nearly One Million Sex
Crimes Committed by Illegal Immigrants In The United States ‘.
http://www.drdsk..com/articleshtml
Total cost (tax dollars) for illegal immigrants is a whopping… $338.3 billion a year!
April 21, 2008
5:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
jjwood64 writes:
How to spell this "representative" in five other letters: L-O-S-E-R!!
April 21, 2008
5:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
Rangerjoe1 writes:
Thanks fresh ,and God Bless Bruce for not always being politically correct" Sound like Colorado has alot of slave owners here, like those low wage servants don't you.
April 21, 2008
5:42 p.m.
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roger44 writes:
Indians came over from Mongolia and that area, not native, DNA proves that. People holler about illegals, and when someone tells the truth, you holler about that. Insurance higher in Co. because of illegals, previous post tells the truth of the costs. Our Politicians are sticking their heads in the sand. After the Korean war, this country deported 1.2 million illegals so returning vets could have jobs. We need to do it again on a larger scale.
April 21, 2008
5:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
jgd writes:
We currently have 12-20 million illegal immigrates in the country, why do we need to bring in another 5000? Oh that's right! These workers would be legal. I believe it was big Jake that asked a question about who was going to make sure this group leaves after their Visa's run out. There are 12-20 million illegal immigrates we can't find or deport, but these 5000 will simply go back to their home countries when there Visas run out. Yea Right?
Once the border has been secured and our immigration laws are being actively enforced, you can have all of the guest worker programs you want, until that time you are simply giving another group the opportunity to cross over the border legally, so they can remain here illegally. "Amnesty lite"
April 21, 2008
6:03 p.m.
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amchica writes:
Bruce needs to be replaced! Why is he still in office! Get rid of him...
April 21, 2008
6:18 p.m.
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mark79trans writes:
“Posted by ezekiel777 on April 21, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i will never vote for a conservative again... by the way...let's also repeal Tabor ....dump this bum AND his legacy.”
Don’t equate conservative or TABOR to this guy. Bruce is an idiot…no doubt; in fact a lot of Republicans and conservative independents like me put a lot of work into the primaries to prevent this moron from getting elected. The caucus system nullified the work we did to keep this disgrace out of office.
There was a lot of work put into the Tax Payer’s Bill of Rights. Personally, I am pretty happy that there are controls around how much these elected officials can spend of my tax dollars. Additionally, I am also pretty happy that there are controls on raising taxes; well at least before Ritter and company found a way to circumvent that with the state property tax levy.
April 21, 2008
6:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
Sean writes:
Well I cannot imagine highly-educated, literate Mexicans who are fluent in English picking fruits and vegetables. However, instead of a totally unregulated migrant labor force, would it destroy the American way of life to actually have some sort of guest worker program, which would improve the efficiency of the farmer, not have food rot unpicked in the field and would actually reduce the ever-increasing price of food.
April 21, 2008
7:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
arby writes:
About illiteracy. You may be quite literate at home. But if you go to another country and cannot speak or read their language you are illiterate. There are bilingual even trilingual dictionaries available, cds, tapes. If a person is planning on living and working in a country where they don't know the language then it is their responsibility to prepare themselves as much as possilbe and to continue to learn the language and culture of their adopted country and leave the old home stuff for Sunday afternoon. You don't celebrate a foriegn holiday, demonstrate and wave another flag if you want to be accepted. Sorry, but we stole this land fair and square and it is ours now. Assimilate or get out.
April 21, 2008
7:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
RockySux writes:
>> a coarse, unsophisticated, boorish, uneducated person of little financial means. <<
Why do the immigrants automatically fall into being coarse or boorish? That's garbage.
I wish the photographer had kicked Bruce back...in the head.
April 21, 2008
7:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
samsmargolis writes:
By the way...Curry - you need to finish out your politically correct thought. "How dare you"....what? ...have a thought contrary to yours? ...represent constituency in this state that thinks this bill is ridiculous? ...aptly describe the labor pool you wish to recruit?
How dare you stifle protected speech. How dare you hamstring representative government. How dare you pout in session...there's no pouting in government. How dare you appear in public with that haircut.
Curry - how about you put together a politically correct reference handbook of allowed "labels" or "descriptions" while the legislature is in session - I dare you. Tell us all how you'd like us to think. Tell us all what you'd like us to believe. Tell us all not to be bitter - oh, wait. Sorry. That ones already been taken.
To all the supporters of fair, equal and representative government and free speech in the legislature, I dare you to censure Curry for her actions today. How dare she.
April 21, 2008
7:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
jay writes:
this bubble headed republican absolutely hate the right to be as shockingly ignorant as he wants to on the state and national stage....just as long as the news coverage accurately identifies him as a staunch conservative...
April 21, 2008
8:08 p.m.
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Oliver2 writes:
Right you are Arby at 7:05! THose damn COlumbus Day participants and all their I-talian this and I-talian that. And that last month, all that green regalia, you'd think we lived in Dublin not Denver! If they love their St. Patrick so much, why doin't they just pack up their cabbage-lovin' selves and head on back to their little island. capiche?
April 21, 2008
8:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
Oliver2 writes:
PS-I fully support Rep. Bruce's right to make a complete ass of himself. I too think it's good for the Party.
April 21, 2008
8:22 p.m.
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Oliver2 writes:
'Irregradless' of the deft display of literacy right here on these pages, I must agree that literacy is not defined as monolinguism. To be literate is to be able to write and read. You don't become illiterate simply because you go visit Mexico, or Prague. Many poor people in Mexico, and even the Untied States, struggle with literacy.
April 21, 2008
8:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
PACE2008 writes:
Mr. Bruce,
definisca il illiterate?
definieren Sie Analphabeten?
merci
April 21, 2008
8:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
jgd writes:
One can love or hate Bruce, however he shows one trait I wish more politicians had, the courage to be totally honest about how he feels on an issue and what he would do about it. If more politicians where like that maybe making the decision of which one to vote for would be easier and won't come with as many surprises. McCain, Hillary, and Obama are you getting the hint?
April 21, 2008
9:15 p.m.
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Jimminy writes:
WOW!! We need Doug more than Colorado College does.The hundred-plus posts excoriating Mr. B with equal doses of sanctimony and spluttering righteous outrage puts me in mind of the words from a well-beloved leftist icon(and drug-addled wife-batterer) who wrote"See how they run,like pigs from a gun".
April 21, 2008
9:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
BOHICA_thePC_POLICE writes:
BOHICA... Stands for BEND OVER HERE IT COMES AGAIN... the pc police hosted by AC, Tu Madre Cabron and the like are at it again... two words said by a legislator on our floor of the Capital debating our future... and the PC police want to focus on the two words... OMG... Are we in the USA? I think there are too many "ignorant socialists" in this country... ooopsss... I'm feeling it... oh no... I'm feeling it... BOHICA BABY... The pc police are on to me now... I figured they would be distracted enough by TWO WORDS from Bruce... guess I was wrong... then again I'm only an educated peasant... WHO CARES... truth is truth... we need a grip on any immigrant that comes here and a quick worker program is a bandaid... and two words are two words... BOHICA BACK AT YA PC POLICE!
April 21, 2008
9:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
HankKW writes:
I think that all of us who consider ourselves literate, who are fluent in reading and writing in English, and know how to browse the internet, should visit the Colorado General Assembly website to read the text of House Bill 1325 and its legislative history, if we are serious about stating an informed opinion about the way Rep. Bruce chose to comment on it. I think the most responsible way to exercise citizenship here is to understand the state legislative process as it pertains to this specific bill, rather than let Rep. Bruce try to delegitimize our state's democratic process, flawed though it may be, with his inflammatory comments.
April 21, 2008
10:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
arby writes:
Oliver 2
You are right. We should be Americans period. No hyphens. However when you are a citizen you have guaranteed rights that an illegal immigrant doesn't. We are letting them have rights they are not entitled to. Ever heard of Mazatlan? Check out that idea.
April 21, 2008
10:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
LuvAmerica writes:
Well this Republican happens to hate Bruce because he is an utterly self-absorbed social retard slumlord who is completely unable to grasp any issue from a perspective outside his worldview, and displays a remarkable lack of compassion for humans from all walks of life. His churlish demonstrations aren't an exhibition of some censored conservative ideology: It's because he is known as what some folks might also impolitely but accurately refer to as a d___head. His behavior is inappropriate, unnecessary, and a betrayel of the fact that his oft-meritless beliefs don't really leave him with any quality defense.
It's garbage like this that serves as a total distraction from the real problems immigration issues raise for the state.
April 21, 2008
10:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
Golden writes:
Marshdale - Your point about the cost of farm goods is half an argument unless you also count the cost of having those goods at the illegal alien farm worker price. So, please factor in for us the all the indirect costs of having these illegal aliens in our Country in the first place. Personnally, and judging by the percentage of American's who want our borders enforced I'd say I am not alone in this, I'd much rather pay the actual cost of items than pay the indirect cost having these criminals in our state. What is the costs to our health care system, to the safety of our food, the costs of welfare, food stamps, prisons, and to our education system.
While all the lefties like to claim that most illegal aliens are hard working people, what about those that are not. Givin that 30% of our prisons are filled with illegal Aliens, I think you can factually claim that many are here to committ felony crimes.
So, lets factor in the intangable cost of those crimes. Violent crime is not a zero sum game. If these illegals weren't here, the crimes would not be committed. Lets see now... what is the cost of drug dealing, of dragging women by the neck behind thier trucks, of money laundering and rape? What also is the cost of sending $10B anually out of our country to mexico?
What do you calculate the cost, per pound, to the parents of a seven year old girl was raped by one of these protectors of the cheap farm goods? Would you say it is more or less than the $9.99 head of cabbage?
I'll take the $9.99 peaches everyday of the week!
Hey AC - this is the first time I've noticed you and I agree... 'irregardless' being used in a post about illiteracy... truely priceless amigo.
April 21, 2008
10:51 p.m.
Suggest removal