Public Shame - A Quarterly Event!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008
You may recall that in January, I publicly shamed David Bruce for basically being a complete ass. If memory served, he kicked a photographer for having the temerity to take a photo of him at a public event during a prayer, then refused to apologize, because he certainly didn't do anything wrong. The photographer's name was Javier Manzano.

Well, Representative Bruce has decided that being publicly shamed for acting the ass once a year simply isn't enough. It's evidently a quarterly event now, and this quarter's event occurred yesterday at the podium of the Colorado House of Representatives.

The bill under discussion was related to the state helping immigrant workers get temporary visas. Now, I have no opinion on the bill in question, mostly because this is the first I've heard about it, but Representative Bruce's response is un-fucking-believable. His public response at the podium?

Bruce said the bill was about "having more aliens coming into Colorado" from Mexico. "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.

I swear I'm not making that up. Here's the reference.

When confronted by reporters after the session, Bruce's response was, "I don't know what the big controversy is, it was a factual statement," and then proceeded to define the words "illiterate" and "peasant" for the edification of the masses. Evidently because his statement was technically factual, people had no right to be offended.

Yeah, how dare those Hispanic folks get offended at being called "illiterate peasants?" Oversensitive, that's what they are. They should be grateful for the chance to come here and do our backbreaking labor!

What an ass.

He's facing an election in the fall, since he was appointed to his post to fill a vacancy and not elected. Here's hoping the folks of Colorado Springs decide he's not fit to represent them. Because he's clearly not.

And as an aside, does anyone else now think it's a mighty big coincidence that the reporter he kicked had an Hispanic name? Anyone? Just askin'...

6 comments:

Nathan said...

At least he's consistent.

vince said...

And as an aside, does anyone else now think it's a mighty big coincidence that the reporter he kicked had an Hispanic name? Anyone? Just askin'...

Coincidence? Yeah, right, sure. You bet. Absolutely. How could you even think that asshat... uh, I mean Representative Bruce would kick a reporter just because he was Hispanic? No, he would kick a reporter just because he could.

That a person is illiterate doesn't mean they are lazy or stupid, which is what Bruce is trying to imply. People struggling to just survive usually don't have the opportunity for schooling that most people in the US have.

A peasant is usually defined as any member of a class that tills the soil as small landowners or agricultural labourers. The peasant economy generally has a simple technology and a division of labour by age and sex. The basic unit of production is the family or household. Peasant families traditionally consume what they produce, though a portion of their output may be sold in the market or paid to a landlord.

Although peasants have been characterized as backward and resistant to change, peasant strategies can be highly rational in a society where there is little margin for error. Which pretty well describes the circumstances of most of the Mexicans who enter this country illegally.

Look, I think there is a problem with illegal immigrants in this country. But solving the problem can only be done by recognizing that these are people desperate to make sure they and their families survive.

It also can't be done without recognizing that many businesses in this country are happy to have these people as they can pay and treat them poorly by holding the threat of turning them in over their head.

And the problem will not be solved by name-calling jerkfaces like Bruce.

Janiece said...

Consistently an ass. Yes, there's something for his headstone.

I think my main issue with this asshat is what Vince implied - he's disrespectful of those who don't see the world through his eyes. The idea that these "illiterate peasants" might be agreeing to come here and do this work so they can improve their family's lives appears to be totally lost on him. Clearly they're only here to annoy him.

Nice display of compassion, Representative Asshat.

Tom said...

Let's just annex Mexico. Then the illegal immigrants automatically become citizens. Viola! No more immigration problem.

Watch out, Canada. You're next!

mom in northern said...

Add this to the mix...
The lady holding the gavel the day Bruce put his foot in his mouth, and called him on it has been getting death threats (via email,snail mail and phone) for her trouble. She owns a ranch in the Gunnison area. She has asked the CHP to keep an eye out for the crazies...

Now this piece of news I find really frightening...

Janiece said...

Mom, I think it's fair to say that all the folks who have a racist bent are a bit on the crazed side. Since there's just no rational justification for that belief system.

At least that's the why I see it.