Sunday, October 21, 2007

Kansas City Isn't Good Enough for La Raza?

She turns and looks a moment in the glass,
Hardly aware of her departed lover;
Her brain allows one half-formed thought to pass:
'Well now that's done: and I'm glad it's over.'
- T.S. Eliot, The Waste Land


It's disappointing that the national convention of La Raza is rejecting Kansas City because it disagrees with the politics of a member of the Parks Board, but, really, I'm glad it's all over. The drama and headlines were getting awfully tedious - especially when you realize that they were all over a convention that will take a few phone calls to replace. Yawn.

One of the amusing sidenotes to this controversy is the "economic impact" argument. People with no regard for the truth (and joke bloggers) will claim that La Raza just took $5-7 million away from Kansas City. Those numbers are made-up, porous nonsense. We do, however, get a free $75,000 because La Raza breached its contract. Love it.

Another amusing sidenote is that La Raza is having its next convention in San Diego! No, really, they are going to take their convention to a place where the STATE REPRESENTATIVE (that's a slightly more important office than Parks commissioner) is a huge, vocal supporter of the Minutemen, and much of the population is active with the organization. When asked about the hypocrisy inherent in the discrepancy, Janet Murguia claimed that it was somehow better that the state representative had been elected by the citizens!

WHAT?! Does that make any sense in any universe? La Raza would rather go someplace where racism has been embraced by the populace, rather than Kansas City, where there's an insignificant parks board member who supports the Minutemen?? Really?!

Maybe, just maybe, there's something else going on here. Maybe somebody talked a bit too much, and tried to spin this into a bigger power play than he could handle. Maybe vocal parts of the local Hispanic community got behind the loudest and most strident voice, instead of the most responsible and smartest voice. Maybe the local Hispanic community is going to be seeing a little shake-up in its leadership.

Or, maybe not.

La Raza thought it could bully our mayor around. In fact, they could have. Who doubts that he would have gone pretty far with concessions and compromises? But La Raza made the mistake of drawing their line in the sand, and pushing for the right to control every single appointment in this city, down to the Parks Board. And nobody in his or her right mind wants that.

So, La Raza is off to sunny San Diego, where they can see Minutemen supporters on every corner of every street. I wish them a safe and happy journey. Whichever convention takes their place here in Kansas City will see a far more tolerant community that can only be pushed so far.

Thank you, Mayor Funkhouser, for your good-faith efforts to bring the La Raza National Convention to Kansas City. Thanks, also, for not caving into La Raza's ridiculous demands. The vast majority of Kansas City appreciates your handling of this manufactured showdown.

Labels:

40 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Very powerful post, Dan.

Funkhouser had a choice to make and he made the right one. What he showed this city is that you cannot take away someone's freedom of association for no other reason than belonging to a group you don't agree with.

He'll make me think a little harder about my own feelings when there's a situation involving our freedoms that I don't agree with.

10/21/2007 12:09 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Well written Dan. It's a shame that an organization would try to control political appointments.

10/21/2007 12:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Of course, the difference with San Diego is that almost all of the municipal leadership totally disavow the Minutemen and the crazy fella some folks decided to elect to the state House. Funkhouser, by contrast, made some pretty lame statements about disagreeing with the Minutemen without rejecting Mrs. Semler herself. I wonder, would white folks be so put out over La Raza's action if it were instead a member of the Nation of Islam? (And don't tell me that Ajamu Webster and the Black United Front are comparable, as they absolutely are not.) And if the Parks Board is such a piddling, insignificant gig that Funkhouser's supporters make it out to be, why does everyone want to serve on it so badly? Ollie Gates, Carl DiCapo, Bob Lewellen, and Sandy Aust ain't exactly nobodies, but they couldn't wait to get on the Parks Board. Finally, its so wonderful to see that protest-oriented politics continue to yield the same vituperation from opponents that they have since time began. Arguments about "controlling appointments" and "blackmail" are exactly the same rhetorical bombs thrown against the early labor movement,the civil rights movement, and the peace movement. Glad to see they apparently never go out of style. Protest is a legitimate form of political mobilization, especially for those who can't get a fair hearing or are betrayed by the people they thought were allies. Well done, La Raza.

10/21/2007 1:52 PM  
Blogger Dan said...

Anonymous - Funk disavowed the Minutemen, too, so your attempted distinction falls on its face, and your "what ifs" are just a lame parlor game - exactly the sort of BS the Minutemen engage in.

La Raza just overplayed their hand - I think that someone really thought he could control the Mayor, and, if he had pulled it off, he would have been King of the west side. He failed. He turned down plenty of incentives, and came up with nothing, except damage to the city and the Hispanic community.

10/21/2007 2:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dan.....beautifully put!! There was a whole nother dynamics at work in this mess that few know about. There is a power struggle going on within the hispanic community and Funk got caught up in it, and NOT by his own design. It was an "accident" waiting to happen, and Semler's appt. was the horse that it rode in on.

They made their choice after having moved the goal line several times in the negotiations, and now they will have to live with the outcome. Janet and her board made a decision that will have a lasting negative impact on the Hispanic community.

10/21/2007 4:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm interested in what kind of power struggle are you talking about?

10/21/2007 5:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The real problem is that La Raza does not believe in the diversity that really counts -- diversity of thought and opinion.

They would love to see a world where everyone looks different -- but thinks the same.

By the way, do you think that any major city would bid for the national convention for a group called The Race that claimed to be the voice of the white folks? If not, why should they compete for the business of a group with that very name in another language.

10/21/2007 5:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Was Beth in favor of the convention pulling out?

10/21/2007 8:03 PM  
Blogger Dan said...

Of course not! Nobody except for a few power-crazy Hispanic "leaders" with no regard for Kansas City was in favor of La Raza breaching its contract.

10/21/2007 8:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So is the quote from the following URL inaccurate?
http://blog.vdare.com/archives/2007/09/03/the-race-threatens-to-nix-its-09-convention-in-kansas-city-mo

10/21/2007 9:07 PM  
Blogger Dan said...

The quote you provide doesn't say that she's in favor of them withdrawing, does it?

If you want to know what Beth thinks, really, you should contact her.

10/21/2007 9:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gee Dan

Glad to see you supporting the racists.

Don't give me your loud protests because it makes no difference if you intended to or not. The sad fact is your statements do support and encourage the racists. The one thing that you and your boy the funk need to realise is his actions trickle down and encourage racist berhavior all over the city. If you don't believe me just get a copy of the Blue Vally Neighborhood association's latest news letter. You can no doubt get a copy down at city hall (they printed it for them). That eastside neighborhood group wrote as fine a piece of anti Mexican immigrant crap as you and the funk could want and we all paid for it with our tax money. The sad fact is that the Mexican immigrants have pulled that neighborhood up out of a decline into drug houses and squalor.

screw it, your not worth the time I've invested in this writing Damned if I'm going to bother proof reading it.

An eastsider

10/21/2007 9:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In my opinion, both sides have compelling arguments. However, regardless of the well written points of view, as a Latino I cannot help but to feel that this is a way of causing harm, while not getting caught.

I perceive that with most of Kansas City, it is really about standing up against the people that bother you ...and not about integrity. It’s a way of fighting for what they truly believe, but masking it behind arguments.

I saw some of this when many Latinos across the US marched last year, in particular in California. When marchers were carrying the Mexican flag, people were outraged. “You should not carry the Mexican flag and proclaim that you are an American with rights.” However, do we tell Irish Americans on St. Patrick’s Day to not carry the flag of Ireland? The Italian flag waived over Watertown, New York this past Columbus Day. I didn’t hear Lou Dobbs complain. People complained about the Mexican flag because they didn’t like a group that is darker and speaks another language to claim an identity close to theirs. They masked what truly bothered them with arguments of immigration policy and exercising rights.

To paraphrase what I once heard from a black friend, “Sometimes I’d rather live in the racist south. In Kansas City, people will be nice to you and smile, yet still call you a ‘n****r’ behind your back. At least in the racist south, they say it to your face.”

I can’t help, but think that this is about Kansas City saying, “You don’t belong here,” to my back.

10/21/2007 10:09 PM  
Blogger Dan said...

Paco -

You know I respect your opinion, and I'd much prefer to have this conversation over a beer.

I agree with you entirely that for some people, Lindsborg Kansas is a quaint spot to visit, but a Spanish-speaking household is an anti-American abomination. The fact that they published a German newspaper in Hermann Missouri is heritage, but Spanish-speaking businesses are an assault on our nation.

I get that. I also get that the Minutemen are misguided. I would never have appointed Semler, and have said as much.

But that does not diminish my disappointment with certain individuals who chose to damage the community rather than use this controversy as a positive point of departure.

We could and should be at such a different spot this weekend. I know that Mark negotiated in good faith, and I know that some individuals opposing him did not. That frustrates me.

It bothers me that you view me as aligned with those who would make you uncomfortable in a land that is as much yours as mine. It bothers me that there's truth to your view - those people are "on my side" here.

But all that doesn't mean that La Raza is right in this instance. If they were really concerned about the type of people you describe, would they be going to San Diego?

If someone says you don't belong here to me, you can count on me to challenge them.

10/21/2007 10:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

See http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/326342-p2.html
(It has reactions from two councilmembers)

10/22/2007 7:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Actually after Mayor Funkhouser by-passed the 3 candidates for the ATA Board position and chose Juan Rangel,Jr. That this was a helping hand for La Race to stay in Kansas City.
Apparently it wasn't or if it was maybe La Race wanted more than this.

10/22/2007 9:47 AM  
Blogger Branson Missouri said...

Well put!

In a sense, this is unnecessary political persecution.

Kansas City is a community that embraces diversity.

10/22/2007 10:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

La Raza aside.

Is there anyone in KC that thinks appointing Selmer, a card caring Minute Man activist, was a good idea?

Kansas City is a pretty liberal town. We have an openly gay state rep, a black congressman, etc..

Dan and others make this all out to be about La Razo vs. the mayor and his prinicples.

In the 2004 election, Kerry got 75% of the vote in KC. Democrats and left leaners are the majority in this town. Democrats are not big minutemen supporters.

This issue is a lot bigger than La Raza. Dan and the mayor need to realize that. Hillary, Obama and Edwards have all spoke out strongly AGAINST the minutemen. If Hillary appointed a Minuteman to anything, you can bet there would be a national firestorm from all Demorcrats, white, black and latino.

KC is a Democratic stronghold. Democrats don't like the Minutemen. If the mayor wasn't smart enough to know this would cause problems, then maybe he shouldn't be in office.

10/22/2007 12:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Judge Judy - Not too well-informed, are we? Your objection is over-ruled. Funk didn't know of the Minutemen connection at the time of appointment, and has acknowledged it was a mistake to appoint her. But kicking her off because of her beliefs after appointing her would be even more of a mistake.

I don't really read Dan as saying this was LaRaza against the Mayor. I see it as more of LaRaza against KC.

10/22/2007 1:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Let me say it loud and clear, I'm so freaking tired of this Semler story I could puke. It's beyond tired. That said, you don't have to disagree with Semler's "right to association" to see why Funk should have removed her from the board. The lady flat out lied to him about her involvement. If Semler didn't think it was a potential issue/conflict, then why did she choose to hide it from him and lie about her involvement?

Further, the whole mess shows why it's important to have a transparent appointment process for city boards, and why it's equally important that everyone, especially the mayor and his wife, should follow it.

Kudos to Funk for putting that process in place, but shame on him for selectively ignoring it. He brought this entire mess on himself and our city because he decided to give out a political plum to a campaign volunteer. Nobody can deny that.

Now, I hope to hell we can all move on, the mayor can learn a lesson from his stupid moves here, and Dan can start to focus on defending Funk over his next colossal misstep, whatever that may be.

10/22/2007 3:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There is a power struggle in the Hispanic community. On one side you have the "Model City" mexicans who are still living in the 70's. They really don't care that much about illegal immigrants as they would lead you to believe. This is all about bringing attention to themselves and dividing a city over a political appointment, this group is the vocal minority. On the other side is where most hispanics slot. This group consists of legal, hard working people who are raising families, and holding down honest jobs. The latter group looks at these so called "leaders" and shake their heads in disgust, this is the silent majority. Most of the silent majority do not belong to La Handout(Raza), and wish these clowns would just quit saying that they represent the entire hispanic community, they don't

10/22/2007 3:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It ain't over until I sing!

and

I'm still warming up my vocal cords, pendejo.

10/22/2007 4:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not too well-informed, are we? Your objection is over-ruled. Funk didn't know of the Minutemen connection at the time of appointment

Actually that is not true. Two city councilmen warned Funk not appoint Selmer because of her minutemen ties.

10/22/2007 4:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Here is the url
http://kcblueblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/fakin-funk-mayor-stays-course-with.html

Funkhouser was warned about Selmers racist views well before she was put on the parks board. It is pure BS to say that Funk didn't know what type of person she was.

10/22/2007 4:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Funny how some of you gringos think you know everything! Must be nice to have that kind of power to know all and be able to so quickly summarize an issue and dismiss an entire community, as well as disrespect it's leadership.

Since you sit in the kitchen with your Mayor, you should know that he offered all sorts of goodies and appointments to anyone brown who would help make this issue "go away".

The real leadership of the local Hispanic community said "no" resoundingly and went ahead with their recommendation to the National Council. They acted with integrity - something I have found extremely lacking in your Mayor up to this point. This old bitty didn't even go through the process that your Mayor took such pains to say that he was setting up. And then when your Mayor was advised not to appoint her, he said that he didn't think it was a big issue. Obviously, he was WRONG!

So we lose out on a conference that would have brought some great national speakers and talent to KC, not to mention a lot of conference attendees and tourists from all over the country. And we lost because one old bag didn't choose to get off a board that everyone thinks isn't that big of a deal.

If it (her board membership) isn't that big of a deal, then WHY DIDN'T THE OLD BITTY JUST RESIGN? Then she might have saved your Mayor some headaches.

So who won,cabrón? What amazing principle, did your wonderful Mayor uphold?

No matter how you spin this, the truth is --- we all lost.

You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear anymore than you can make a diverse community out of a city filled with hateful, bigots who continue to oppress significant segments of its minority community with narrow minded posts like "Kansas City Isn't Good Enough for La Raza?"

Oh, by the way, they are going to Las Vegas - not San Diego.

10/22/2007 4:52 PM  
Blogger whistleblower said...

Dan made some excellent points in this article. I think we are all glad that it's, at least apparently, over. It will be interesting to see who fills the void left by La Raza's withdrawal.

Many may not agree with the tactics of the Minutemen, but one thing is clear; they are willing to try to do something that the U.S. Government has failed to do. They are doing a job that other Americans don't want to do. Hmmm, I think I heard that somewhere before, and it was a reason for acceptance.

10/22/2007 5:39 PM  
Blogger Dan said...

Anonymous 4:16 & 4:19 - if you're using the KC Blue Blog as your source, you're on shaky ground (or any other blog, for that matter). If you're using a post from the Blue blog that claims Funk is a Republican, you're on worse than shaky ground. If you're claiming that even the Blue Blog claimed two persons warned of her connection to the Minutemen, you're not on any ground at all - you're making stuff up.

VMR - I don't think we disagree on all that much. Thank you for recognizing my genius at analyzing and understanding situations quickly - we certainly agree on that.

It's not really true that I don't have respect for the leadership of the Hispanic community. I think that a few people screwed things up royally here, and I suspect that their leadership role will be undercut by their miserable performance, but I think they're still good people who exercised poor judgment. I still respect them.

Which leads me to another point of agreement. I completely agree with you that Mark exercised poor judgment in appointing Semler. He should have vetted her more fully, and been more alert to the sensitivities of the Hispanic community. Like a few people in the Hispanic leadership, and those who followed them, he is a good person who used poor judgment. Stuff happens - I never thought he was perfect.

So, here we are. Can't go back and change history. I agree with you (again) that he was aggressive and creative in seeking positive solutions to the problem. Thank God we have a Mayor who is willing to accept responsibility and try to solve problems.

But here's where the problem became insoluble. Instead of working with Mark to come up with positive solutions, a few loud individuals made the mistake of drawing a line in the sand and demanding her removal, or that Mark somehow force her to resign her membership in the Minutemen.

Besides being negative and backward looking, that solution is simply wrong. Do we really want our city to take action against individuals because they are hold unpopular beliefs? Do we really want to revoke someone's position because of how she uses her right of assembly? Do we really want our government to remove someone from a position in violation of her First Amendment rights?

Here's a subtle point. I would not have appointed her because of those exact same reasons. She's got the right to speak, but Mark had the right to not appoint her. But, once he did, I don't think it would be right to remove her for that same reason. Nobody has the right to a parks commission seat, but, once they have it, they shouldn't lose it for saying something I disagree with.

You may disagree with me here, but I won't call you names. If you need to call me a hateful, narrow-minded bigot rather than address me respectfully, that's your choice. If it makes you feel good to call Semler names, go ahead. But, please, for the good of our city, don't mistake loudness and extremism for leadership. I think we've seen where that leads us - a missed opportunity to host a convention.

Oh, by the way, they are going to San Diego in 2008. Pay attention.

10/22/2007 7:24 PM  
Blogger Dan said...

Amidst all your nonsense, Roy, you do have one good point. Yes, a whole lot of us, not just the Hispanic community, reject the Minuteman agenda.

And your point actually supports my position. What if the gay community insisted that nobody be appointed who belongs to a church that considers homosexuality a sin? Well, they'd soon be out of cities to visit.

Just like La Raza would be if they weren't hypocritical.

10/22/2007 10:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dan, you didn't answer my question. Would it have been ok for Funk to appoint members of the Phelps clan to the Parks Board? You seem to think he shouldn't get rid of racists. Would your answer be the same if Selmer was a Phelpsian gay basher?

10/22/2007 11:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Actually Semler IS anti-Gay Roy and Dan. Phyllis Schlafly lauded Semler in her September 6, 2006, The Eagle Forum which is Anti-Gay, Anti-Woman, Anti-Evolution, Anti-Union, Anti- Fair Trade, Anti-"non-Christian," Anti-American Constitution -- including First Amendment rights for Liberals, Progressives, Non-Christians and Non-Believers. If Semler's appointment had not come from Gloria "She who must be obeyed" Squitiro, the Mayor's office might have just Googled Semler and blanched at her dark history.

Yet, your boy, Funkhouser defends Semler and cannot understand why people would be upset about her receiving a political appointment.

10/23/2007 9:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Company -

You're simply lying. You are not telling the truth about what the Mayor has said. You should know better than to lie in political discussions - you look like a fool, and undercut your own position. If you are so desperate for something to say that you lie, your side of the discussion must be terribly wrong.

Funk does understand why people are upset, and has said so. He has distanced himself from her beliefs. Yet, you lie about that. Why? Does truth frighten you, or is it simply irrelevant to you, and much more bother than sticking to the truth?

10/23/2007 9:57 AM  
Blogger Dan said...

Roy -

Sorry I missed your question, buried in the midst of the rest of what you wrote. The answer is that, no, of course not, it would not be okay to appoint a Phelps church member. That answer should come as no surprise to you, since I have been pretty clear that appointing Semler was a mistake. Have you read what I've written?

Now, if you were a little more clever you would have asked whether, having already appointed such a person, I would expect him to get rid of him or her. If it somehow happened that a Phelps church member wound up on the Parks Board, either through improper vetting or through conversion, holding extreme anti-gay positions, I would not want the Mayor to kick him or her off the board.

Compsny - You're setting up a straw man. If Funk did not understand why people were upset, that would be a shortcoming. He does, though, so I have to join with Anonymous and wonder why you feel the need to lie about the situation.

10/24/2007 6:11 AM  
Blogger Dan said...

Your choice of a church membership, however, raises an important point. What about change, or conversion, or evolution of thought? Let's say that someone appointed to the Parks Board starts going to a conservative church. Then, they get more and more conservative, moving further and further to the right on issues like gay rights. At what point do we kick them off? What should our mechanism be for making such a determination?

10/24/2007 6:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If Latino(a)s really believe they are getting somewhere by following Cris Medina, Charlie Lona (Cris Medina's attack dog), Lali Garcia, or Tony's mom, Rita Valenciano around, they are completely fucked. These are the most selfish, self-serving, and territorial people we know on the Westside. Give them a soapbox and they swear to represent the Westside and the Latino community in general.

The beauty of the Westside and the Latino community is that everyone thinks their own way. Whenever Lali, Cris, Charlie, or Rita make a statement in the guise of representing anyone besides themselves, they are representing themselves. They have to stay on their their gravy train of federal, state, and municipal funds. They need to feed their own egos and make sure they can say to themselves they still matter as they grow old, gray, and irrelevant.

Cris makes a hell of a lot of money off the Latino community. A hell of a lot. Lali gets people a lot of people to bow at her feet, many of whom don't even like her. Charlie sits on his ass and drinks beer, and once in a while comes out swinging so he can convince himself he's not sitting on his ass and doesn't have a drinking problem. Rita gets a lot of press and thinks she has some pull, and most Westsiders think she's full of crap.

(And need I mention Crazy Paul Rojas, who sits at La Raza meetings like he's got the best interests of Mexicanamericans at heart, and then, when he's good and boozed up, cusses the shit out of those "dirty Mexicans" from south of the border for taking American jobs and letting their dogs pee on his fence? Poor guy's a delusional fraud.)

What irritates me most is that Whitey thinks that in order to talk to the "Mexicans," he/she has to go to Cris or Lali or Rita. In reality, all they need to do is find a few Mexicanamericans, who, for the most part, are just working and don't have time for any of this petty crap. If Whitey ever finds a few of these hard-working Mexicanamericans, he/she will be able to pull the pants off these mouthpieces and expose them for who they are--selfish, petty, little people.

But we all know that Whitey could give two shits about Mexicanamericans, except when it comes to political donations and the few votes they proffer to the whole.

The people who really represent the Westside and the Latino community are those working Mexican Americans. Linda Callon (who puts her work and effort behind her beliefs), Zeke Amador, Alice Gomez, and Ana Garcia have done more for immigrants and the Westside than Guadalupe does now (it used to be something but has turned into a playground for Cris and his family and friends). Otherwise, the bullshitters do their best for themselves and keep the Latino community hostage.

10/24/2007 9:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am far more concerned about the huge number of people serving in positions of leadership whom we have no clue of the dirty little secrets they hide deep inside, and then silently and ever so cleaverly manipulate and lead the masses....like leemings into the abyss.

Too many lose all perspective and common sense when some one yells bigot, racist etc. It isn't too unlike the stampede when someone hysterically yells fire and there isn't even smoke.

Until Semler does something out of line on the Parks Board, that deserves her removal, she should be given the opportunity to serve. You can bet your bottom dollar that the Mayor would remove her, or anyone else for that matter, who did not uphold the standards within the Parks system. She is going to be under a microscope like no one else in this city. I wish someone were watching as closely at teachers, daycare workers etc. They have far more opportunity to warp and mold little minds.

We can continue to celebrate this issue and it won't change. Let's move on.

10/24/2007 10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

" a Spanish-speaking household is an anti-American abomination." " The fact that they published a German newspaper in Hermann Missouri is heritage, but Spanish-speaking businesses are an assault on our nation."

Are you serious? Did I just read that on your blog? I am not "Latino" but am damn proud to include Spanish as one of the languages that I speak, the only thing "Anti American" is this whole nativist anti immigrant sentiment that certain racist organizations are breeding.

In New York, depending on the neighborhood, businesses speak different languages and always have and always will. In fact, I can remember at a young age and even today hearing the national anthem in Greek, Italian, Yiddish, Hungarian, and many other languages. How dare you call that Anti-American. Multi Lingual establishments, built from the ground up by the sweat of poor immigrants is what is beautiful about this country, as it is what built it.

My Catholic European ancestors weren't rich man and neither were yours. But they were definitely treated like dirt when they arrived to NYC for the exact same reasons as nativists are using today.

I am lost as to why when the mayor stands by his mistakes its, courage? But when an organization stands by its principles, especially in times of an obvious increase in racism, its bullying?

You cant have it both ways. As a Catholic Irishman you should be supportive of organizations standing up to principles and should be more understanding of what immigrants are going through. Did you not know that Philadelphia practically burnt to the ground as Nativists rioted in response to the recent immigration of Irish Catholics? And for what? All of the same reasons that nativist racist organizations are using today.

The only thing false is your exaggeration of Funkhouser's effort.

That guy has been a level 10 asshole to anyone not carrying his water. He definitely was told and given information regarding Francis Semler's association with racist organizations and constant lack of control when it comes to making over the top racist remarks.

As to this mess about hurting communities, I actually think that although it definitely fueled the racist movement, it also united many communities. From what Im told this issue united a load of Latino leaders, labor leaders, religious leaders and leaders from other communities such as the Jewish and African American communities. I have already proudly joined La Raza (or The People as it is more frequently used when it comes to people who speak Spanish at more than a beginner level) and have already met a large number of members of multiple race, religions and backgrounds.

It sucks to see you support racism.

10/27/2007 2:57 AM  
Blogger Dan said...

KC AGainst Racism -

Please go back and reread what I wrote. The quotations you misunderstand are intended to expose the hypocrisy of many Americans on the issue of immigration.

Go back, read what has been written, and then let me know if you have any comments - I'll be happy to explain why I support Funkhouser's work AFTER he appointed Semler, but wish he had not appointed her in the first place.

10/27/2007 7:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Roy made great points. He used the exact same chronology and put it into perspective with the Gay Community. Great job Roy and yes Dan should fully answer your questions as well as his own. If this were any other community people would be up in arms.

And Company is correct in their posting that "Actually Semler IS anti-Gay Roy and Dan. Phyllis Schlafly lauded Semler in her September 6, 2006, The Eagle Forum which is Anti-Gay, Anti-Woman, Anti-Evolution, Anti-Union, Anti- Fair Trade, Anti-"non-Christian," Anti-American Constitution -- including First Amendment rights for Liberals, Progressives, Non-Christians and Non-Believers."

Semler belongs to more than one racist organization. As if you need to be part of more than one for people to understand that you have no business on a board especially after confessing that you will act out their mission statements through your position.

10/28/2007 3:15 AM  
Blogger Dan said...

WheresWaldo -

Again, I think that lengthy threads cause reading comprehension to drop for some readers.

Please go back and read the comment I posted at 6:11 on 10/24 - the answers you seek are there.

Now, I understand that sometimes it's tempting to glom on to the thoughts of others, but try to at least think your adopted thoughts through, okay? When you claim that if Semler were against any other community, we would be up in arms, you should at least think for a second before voicing an argument that Semler is, in fact, against other communities.

10/28/2007 11:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Most posting take the position that the Minutemen are a racist organization. I'm unfamiliar with the organization. Could someone please provide some links where I can see what they're about? I heard some fairly innocuous things about them but nothing significant.

11/22/2007 11:44 PM  

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