I like "Tacos" do I have to resign from something?

Amazing that a "Public Figure" gets to keep his job, because he's sorry. But some kid at Papa John's gets canned for calling someone "Mrs. Chinky Eyes". Nice Double standard for the "Rich and Powerful".

Mmmmmm Tacos.......

Really? A bad day? I think you are having a bad day.

Trust, I doubt the mayor of East Haven, Conn. is what anyone would call "Rich and Powerful".

Well said, gtouch. Seems you ONLY have to resign if you're white and make harmless remarks that upset the morons looking to get upset at every turn.

that gumba has nerve

Forget the mayor for a second. Think about the point in the article that only 1 of the 50 police officers in the town speaks Spanish, when 10% of the population is Hispanic.

Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions, ANYONE living in the US should either know English or learn it. That's the language spoken here. And I'm 100% hispanic. There isn't a relative I have that lives in the US (and there's plenty) that doesn't speak fluent English.

SO, the problem isn't that. The problem is that its still the job of the police to protect the public, no matter who speaks what language. And you can't do your job in law enforcement if you can't understand what 10% of the population is speaking, or have access to someone who does. 1 in 50 officers is NOT access. It is strictly about getting the job done here.

Of course, if your a bigoted, prejudiced police force, which apparently may be the case here, it wouldn't surprise me if these guys just didn't care about doing their jobs. And maybe the mayor's comment was a dumb, flippant remark. Or, maybe, and it isn't just a baseless suspicion now, the mayor is showing us part of the problem here. I look forward to the FBI showing us what exactly was going on with these 4 officers.

oh for crying out loud, GET OVER IT>

He was being a smart ass. Are Tacos somehow offensive to latinos? Is it not a hispanic food?

If he was asked what he was going to do for Italians today and he said I'm thinking about making meatballs would he be a racist? If it was Polish and he said he felt like pierogies would that be wrong?

And how on earth do you go from liking Tacos to saying you're less than human? That's a leap. I wonder if when George Lopez makes fun of white kids eating their Gogurts should that be translated as him saying that white suburban kids are less than human....

Some groups are just WAY too sensitive these days, just looking for excuses to get "pissed off". Take a chill pill, people. Life it too short to get all bent out of shape over things like this.

cantakenomore

To all the people p*ssing and moaning about this...get over it and grow a pair!

What, "Taco Balls"?

and so it goes....the bully chorus has sung. Anyone impressed?

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy called Mayor Joseph Maturo's comments "repugnant" and "unacceptable." An attorney for some Latinos suing the town police department called the comments “appalling.” Some residents said the mayor should step down.

They misspelled "hilarious".

I'm a lib, and although I'm white, I'm a HUGE supporter of the Hispanic community... But is it really offensive to think that Mexicans might like Mexican food?

I give the guy a pass unless he's got a history of intolerance, that's really not that inflammatory. If someone offers me a bratwurst, I'm sure as Hell not turnin it down.

Derek they said that 10% of the population is latino. It did not say what percentage of that population spoke only Spanish. Let's assume that 90% of the Latino population is like your family (and most other Latinos I know) and speaks at least conversational English. That means that 1% of the population speaks only Spanish. If the number of the Latinos who don't understand a lick of English is higher than that, I would consider that to be a problem that one should address with the Latino community.

In my town the Mexicans met with law enforcement recently. They felt that because they were getting pulled over for expired tags and other traffic offenses it was racist.These people look for anything to claim discrimination.Lets all have tacos

Not really the same. He made a dumb, if funny, comment that struck a chord in our hyper-sensitive politically correct world. The person at Papa John's made a slur directed at an individual which could impact their business and could have brought litigation from the individual. The mayor was simply stating he would support the Latino community by purchasing foodstuffs from one of the local vendors. And, being seen doing so, he would, therefore, be giving emotional support to the community, AND, showing that his office believes in the latinos ability to provide tastey food and beverages. Get a grip, people.

The Mayor is just saying what a lot of people think. This is the biggest problem in the country, a bunch of ignorant worthless people get to vote and they vote ignorant, worthless people like themselves into government office. Don't be mad at the mayor be mad at the low life people that voted him into office.

I live in East Haven, just bought my house last year.... YAY BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA It was soooooooooo uncomfortable watching him try to double back i was getting douche chills..... BWA HA HA HA HA WHen he and Capone were running i told my girl (who spanish and im italian go figure lol) the two of them spoke with retards with stutters (wait is the PC?) and sadly the poor fat chinese independant guy who spoke intelligently and i would vote for would get no votes since he wasnt guido.... BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA TACOS!

I am still trying to figure out the part where the article says, Out of 50 police officers only one speaks spanish. Why should any of them have to speak a foreign language? PS. The Devil, all you have to do is replace mayor with President.

I regret my insensitive comment and realize that it is my job to lead by example.

No it's not. Your job is to do what any mayor does. Get votes at all costs and damn the people. That's all I ever see out of any mayor.

Oh, I get it. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

See....the Mayor said "tacos"...and..and..even though an elected official of a diverse community shouldn't have the slightest impulse to reduce a historically disenfranchised segment of his populace to "those people who make tacos," let alone the fact that he was asked about Hispanics, not Mexicans (you DO know that tacos are NOT endemic to ALL Hispanic cultures, right?), and..and..hee, hee....those silly hispanics shouldn't be so sensitive when an elected official exhibits downright indifference to the fact that he carries with him bigoted and supremacist ideals (if he didn't, he wouldn't even make such a statement), OR that he's the equivalent to the guy who yells an obscenity out of his car window to a woman, then calls her the B word when she scolds him - completely oblivious to his own ignorance...Ha, ha..Ho, Ho..Hee..Hee...

He should have said, "churros" instead...hardy, har har..ho..ho..because...

Oh, nevermind.

Some people will just keep on electing the inmates to run the assylum.

Shame on this country.

Have a nice day.

not the smartest statement he could make

So what if he's going to buy tacos to support the hispanic community. That's one of the foods they serve in their restaurants. Why is it a crime to say "I'll have Tacos"?

Get over it.

I'm having menudo (soup) later today, it doesn't make me a child molester.

menudo group >>> http://991.com/newgallery/Menudo-Quiero-Ser---Seal-405840.jpg

No kidding? What's wrong with tacos? I eat them everyday. The nation has flipped out completely. This is as stupid as the congressman having to apologize for having wished someone a Merry Christmas and because he didn't address a group of african americans with Happy Kwanzaa, a big old stink was raised. I'm half Mexican (the real kind) the kind that read, writes and speaks Spanish and lived in Mexico - oooops!!! I guess that might not go over so well - 10 to 1 the people that were "outraged" are the kind of Latinos that can't even speak Spanish and have never stepped out of Connecticut. Now that's where the outrage should lie.

Good God, TEvil. How old are you? 12?

Leave him alone....tacos are good....I don't see it being a prejudice or a racist comment...

He was simply acknowledging those who were profiled by the police....

SO, the problem isn't that. The problem is that its still the job of the police to protect the public, no matter who speaks what language. And you can't do your job in law enforcement if you can't understand what 10% of the population is speaking, or have access to someone who does. 1 in 50 officers is NOT access. It is strictly about getting the job done here.

Oh, bull crap. Speaking any language other than English should never be a requirement for any public sector job.

I live in an area that has several national parks. There are endless buses full of Japanese, Chinese, German, French, Spanish (Spain not Mexico), and ... pretty much everything else. Should the cops here be forced to learn every language out there "just in case"?

No. It turns out they don't need to. Pretty much every one of them speaks English. The whole world know English. If you go to Mexico, everybody you interact with knows English.

If you move to an english speaking country, learn the language. It is your responsibility to adapt to our society, not the other way around.

Mr. Binkie

Good God.

^^^^^

Have you taught him to roll over or play dead yet?

You People need to get over your self. And stop worrying about every little thing that's said. America land of ( I NEED ENTERTAINMENT ) smoke a bowl you'll feel better. LOL Later

OMG, when will it end?! First we read today that Jay Leno is getting sued for making a little harmless joke (about Romney no less!) that inadvertently showed some holy house in India. Why? Because they are just soooooooo offended. Now more politically correct BS from Latinos. Just stop already. Enough. Get over it. Just as with blacks, you do yourself and your kind no good by overreacting to every little teeny tiny PERCEIVED comment or action. You want to end racism in America, then grow up. And learn English for crying out loud!

Maybe he meant taco bell. They have white people tacos.

A lot of noise over nothing by thin skinned people with no sense of humor.

I had tacos for lunch, right before Spanish class... Me gusta tacos :) no me gusta la clase de espanol :'( ese clase es muy dificil y estudiar un lingua nuevo no esta divertida...

Sorry if that's not perfect Spanish. There's a reason I'm learning...

As for the above article... WOOOOOW. People get offended by anything these days. I swear it's a disease... I'm gonna call it offendephrania. ;)

Trust2112, the mayor is an elected official. If he is to be "fired," it is by a recall vote. It's not easy to get rid of an elected official, as it should be. He represents the choice of the people. The pizza kids' comment was far more racially charged than the taco comment. "Chink" is a derogatory word for asians.

The taco comment itself is mild (not spicy). That is, it isn't necessarily a derogatory comment generally, but in the context here, it tended to depreciate the seriousness of the profiling that was taking place. The mayor saying he was going to support the Hispanic community by buying tacos implies a low level of support. I, myself, enjoy matzoh ball soup. But I don't pretend that it makes up for the holocaust.

jac-931625OMG, when will it end?

When the fat lady sings, and if she eats a lot of greasy tacos, it will be sooner than you think. lol

Oh golly gee....er, I mean....."Carumba!"

Looks like the mayor – along with all of the members of his police force – will have to undergo “sensitivity/diversity training" coupled with mandatory Spanish lessons, or lose their jobs

…but never fear, if they do, there are plenty of illegal aliens with stolen Social Security numbers ready and willing to take them….

Viva la Raza!!

(mariachi music plays while men in sombreros and ladies in long dresses dance in background….)

How rediculously goofy this "Outrage" is. I don't care who said it. People are way too sensitive. Besides Tacos are Mexican Food. Is it going to be Politically Incorrect if I order an Kung Pao Chicken and call it Chinese Food?? Give me a break.

Conn. Democrats are one of the most unethical out there. Close to Illinois. I mean Senator B. is re-elected after lying about serving in Vietnam. C'mon now what an insult to those that fought and/or died in that war.

So he said he might have some tacos...big deal. It's not like he said that he might have some "fried chicken and watermelon". That's all I've got. I don't know what rich folk eat.

You wonder why they're so upset? Because someone dared make a comment that could be interpreted as negative about "The Race" (Hispanics).

There is a lot more of this coming down the pipe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM9uH4XgOmI

This stuff is really getting out of control... Remember the simpsons episode where Itchy and Scratchy were deemed offensive, and before you knew it, all they could do was sit on the porch and drink lemonade, for fear of offending anyone? That's what we'll end up like if these special interest groups have their way. Except in this world the lemon growers would probably sue you too.

Hispanics were here first.

Wrong. They were beaten by the Irish and the Vikings on the east coast and either the Japanese or Chinese on the west coast. And further more the American Indians beat all of them.

Since when does Latino = illegal. Really? These cops are being charged with assaulting and bullying latinos. It doesn't say ANYWHERE that the people being harrassed were here illegally. And, in response to being asked about what the mayor is going to do to improve relations with the Latino community after finding out that his police department has been harrassing, assaulting and bullying those members of HIS constituency, he says he's going to go home and eat tacos. Yeah...that's not racist or stupid.

I also noted the comment:

"Yet out of a police force of 50, only one speaks Spanish, according to local media reports."

Big freakin' deal! I would bet out of all Americans, every language in the world is spoken! Why do we have to kowtow to only Hispanics and the Spanish language? This is America. If you want to live here, learn English.

WAAHHHH,......... get the frick' over it. So friggin what. As stated by somebody above, the 10 percent of Hispanics just need to insure they can speak English if they want to speak with a cop. I bet they have a Russian or two in town, do they need to speak Russian? how about any of the Asian languages??? How many Asians live in the town, how many cops speak Japanese, or Korean, or mung? What about African? Do the cops have to learn Swahili..........

This country is totally out of whack with all the 'PC' wannabe suckazz'is

I'll never forget that time I was up in Montana and talking about the issue of white prisoners and was asked how I was going to deal with it that night..I said I was going to go get a steak medium rare and wash it down with a cold beer! I was plastered all over the papers for being a white hater for days on end, never will I call out a gringos again!

I support Mayor Dago...er...Maturo. I think I'll go home and have a cannoli.

What a moron...This ranks right up there with Jesse Jackson's "Hymietown" remark and Mel Gibson's drunken anti-Semitic rant. A momentary lapse of judgment exposes their true feelings.

The indictment comes after a “long-term and ongoing” federal investigation that alleges that the police officers regularly conducted searches and seizures on Hispanic residents without reason and executed excessive force during at least five arrests. The officers are also accused of arresting five people on false pretenses, intimidating them to back up their case and then filing improper police reports to cover their tracks. In all, there are ten counts involved in the indictment and the men are believed to have participated in more than 30 acts related to the conspiracy between 2007 and 2010.

Yeah...these cops are real upstanding members of society...not.

>>or worse, an underlying insensitivity to our Latino community that is unacceptable.<<

God forbid that illegals have given hispanics a bad name. Kind of like militant islamics give average muslims a bad name.

Insensitivity is not a crime, except here in America, land of the PC.

And no police officer should be forced to learn a second language because some foreigners wish to "keep their heritage" in this country. Learn English! If you went to France or Spain to work and live, what is the first thing you would do, even before you left your home country?? Right, learn the language. Why is that different here in the US? Because we are PC?

Sorry..nix my comment 1.55. I got the parties mixed up on the mayor and the governor here. Meaning no surprise that the governor calling for the mayor's head is a Dem.

Not according to his Wiki page:

Uh...jac? He's a Republican. Now who feels stoooooooopid?

"It is better to remain silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"

See post above yours. Sorry....long day......

"PINK TACOS?"

I've had tacos all over the world..... I love tacos.

other guy - I doubt that you can speak even one of the languages that you cite. When the Europeans arrived on this continent your ancestors were living in the stone age. The Indians spoke hundreds of different languages and dialects and slaughtered each other with a brutality second to none. Cannibalism among the SW Indians was still practiced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Since you can operate a computer and can type, have lands allocated to your tribe, receive support and subsidies, etc you have advantages that no one in the world has. I expect that you are educated enough to appreciate the fact that throughout history the American Indians have been given the rare opportunity to participate in the most advanced modern society in the world. I am sure that you can cite the endless streams of reasons why you feel bitter but the vast majority of complaints the Indians have compiled as part of their "history" are either manufactured or distortions of events that occurred hundreds of years ago. Get on with your life and be happy that you and your family are not still living in a prehistoric stick and brush hut desperately hungry almost every day and watching 4 out of 5 of your children die before they reach the age of 3.

Shame on this country.Have a nice day.

I will, as long as they're serving TACOS!!!!!!

jac - I think maturo already used that excuse.

I don't know all the facts to this case, but, the official United States Language is english, and as the old saying goes. "when in Rome do as the romans do". I am not hispanic but my spouse is and she too speaks fluent english. I would have to ask the question how many of this 10% is legal? We might be surprised at just how many arn't. In schools we are forced to give special treatment to hispanics in classes such as Enlish as a second language, this cost effect all taxpayers and now people are saying that we have to provide spanish speaking officers, this is off the chain, will my taxes rise because someone false to adapt to the surroundings they live in. Why should there even be a queastion of what are he, she or anyone else going to do for the Latino Community. Nothing, everything should be for all regardless on race or religious background. America will never be the dream once laid out by Martin Luther King as long as we see Mexican American, Afro American and so on. In it's own way this oik0is reverse discrimmination and contradicts what this country was supposed to be. I stop and think how many tines I too have said I going home and have tacos, that doesn't make me a biggot. I say I going to eat Italian, I don't think I started any world wars, so get over it and quit thing you are more special then anyone else. Get a life

Get a life, maybe he's hungry and wants some tacos, he may wants some burgers or burrito or spaghetti. Anything can be thinly translated to anything just like what DeRienzo decide to translate the mayor's comment. Is funny when a white make a comment like this is labeled racist and a minority gets away doing same thing. As a non white i can see. Alot people wants to jump on the bandwagon to critize look at yourself in the mirror.

His remark was stupid because not all latinos eat tacos. In south america, people don't even know what a taco looks like and in some other countries the word 'Taco' means 'high heels'. So yes, very stupid of him indeed.

What the..... WTF.... He was speaking English.... and in English, tacos mean tacos.

Let's give the color wheel a spin.

Only 1 out of the 50 police officers on this force is African American. Four members of the police force have been charged with racial profiling, abuse, etc. against African Americans. When the mayor, in light of this development, was asked what he was going to do to support the black community, responded "I'm going home and gonna have some fried chicken and watermelon for dinner."

Get it?

Michael - you make a valid point.

do you consider yourself lucky that you are a decendant (likely) of genocidal people, manifesting destiny in the name of GOD? who one minute thank jebus for their fortunes, and the next minute will drive indians ont reservations and force most of them to starve to death?

but you're right, we should all be thankful for the karma that our white ancestors have given us.

im sure, one day...we wont be wiped out in genocide, by some other peoples looking to manifest their own destiny. of that im almost sure...almost.

“Let’s not mince words,” DeRienzo wrote.

“The thin translation of Maturo’s taco comment is, ‘I am a full human being and you are less than one.’”

?!?!?! wow. That's quite the stretch.

But since it seems to be ok to just interpret what somebody else says how every you want, then I'll give it a try.

I interpreted DeRienzo's remark about the mayors remark to mean, "I like to kill and eat babies, and have sex with farm animals, and I am secretly a member of Al quada."

That sick, sick bastard. Where does this sick individual get off condemning other people? That baby killing, baby killer.

I guess he'd be Okay if he said Canoles or Monkey meat on a stick??????

Oh man, does mean Gringos ,like me, can't even order Tacos any more without being accused of a politically incorrect comment? Geez!!! American is going to PC hell!!!

What a crock . Yes they should have a police officer that speaks Spanish. I would hope if a moved to a foreign country that someone would be available to speak English or I might just be visiting and need someone who could explain my side of things. Thses sites are full of bigoted people. Anyone who can't see the blatent wrong in that statement is a total idiot. My take on it was that he was downplaying the whole incident with the cops because it happened on his watch , he just wanted to make like it was a small insignificant issue. No, insensitivity is not a crime but it is unacceptable for a public figure who was voted in by all of his constiguents to make such statements. I find that most of the above persons will be the very ones who will scream the loudest if they feel you have been insensitive to them, don't think so just say something about a white male these days and watch the fireworks , the victimazation begins .

Michael - I just want to also add, your bit about cannibalism.

I dont know wha t information you're basing your knoweldge on, but I know of nothing about 19th and 20th century native americans engaging in cannibalism.

in fact, everything I can find on the subject, suggests that archeologists are split on this idea of cannibalism based on the evidence they have that dates back to AD 600-ish, but that modern Pueblo Indians, did not exhibit ANY of these behaviours...

so they are likely to conclude these were isolated events...

sorta like the donner party.

are white people cannibals, because SOME WHITE people choose to be cannibals?

I dont think you'd conclude that.

Spencer, isn't that a nice fantasy world! Mind you, I sure would like everyone in the country to speak English, and it may be silly they don't. But please, use some reality here.

Did everyone watch the vieo clip??? The Mayor not only made that one very stupid remark, the whole interview was a string of nonsensical blithering! The freaking guy was most definitely 6 sheets to the wind!
He either had a triple Martini Lunch or a hand full of happy pills. There was a lot more going on there than pure idiocy!! No wonder the FBI is taking things in hand down there. They better check up on the Mayor while they have those cops under the microscope!!

gsehongva

What the..... WTF.... He was speaking English.... and in English, tacos mean tacos.

I guess reading comprehension isn't for everybody

Well, at least he's good for an arrogant Big Mouth full of hot air!

Really Jessica? Do you hate this nation so much that you can't stand it? Why in God's green earth would you even stay in this country if it is so full of hatred and bigotry? Why? Because it is the best that the world has to offer and people like yourself feel much better when you show what you think is compassion by speaking poorly of it. Please go to any other nation on the planet and speak so negatively about it and see how it repsonds to you.

He should have been more health conscious and said "taco salad".

It's not the fact that he said the word "tacos" it's the fact that the MAYOR of a town that has a racial problem of white cops assaulting Latino citizens said in response to a question about how he was going to help the Latino community "I might go home and have some taco.". Now if your basic neo-nazi on the street would have said that then no one would have blinked an eye, or if the mayor said he was going home and have some tacos after he was asked what he was eating for dinner, then that would have been the appropriate response. But when he is asked a serious question regarding the safety of a recently terrorized segment of the community and he responds with a stupid comment like that then he MEANT for it to be a racial slur.

I am sure he is a Republican and a "good" Christian.

have access to someone who does

It's done every day electronically. I'm not going to learn another language just to live in my own country. What about all the other languages? Then by your reasoning, a basically causasion community should not hire minorities.

Jessica - It was not a single act of cannibalism. The exact number not known because the tribe wanted this to be kept secret but it is estimated that a group of around 100 tribal members were involved. They slaughtered ate around 20 of their own tribe for converting to Christianity. The archaeological record provides a detailed record of the event. Leckson is one of the few people who has tried to dissuade others but he cannot refute the physical evidence. From what I have read of his work it appears that Leckson has been getting paid to manufacture documents that attempt to literally rewrite history. The irony is that his writings about the southwest tribes is so thin that he has to bolster his work with irrelevant citations. If the tribes did pay him to write this stuff they would have good cause to sue him for ripping them off.

Derek #1-10 The Po-lice do not have to protect anyone according to the Supreme Court. That is not their job. Don't matter if you know English or not.

Nice Double standard for the "Rich and Powerful".

I wouldn't call the mayor of a town with 28,000 people rich or powerful.

Tacos are racist.

You think all the ingredients are in there together, but look more closely.

The cheese, meat and lettuce are all SEGREGATED!

Of course the brown meat is on the bottom. That's just how the gringos keep them down. Is anyone surprised that the brown part is the lowest level in the taco?

Let this be a lesson to all of you. If you say the word "Taco" you might as well have said the "N" word.

In fact, it's time to boycott Taco Bell and all the other Jaime Crow institutions.

Ya you a @#ole, they are 10% of the town and 75% of the problem !!!!

I love tacos and just about all Mexican food I have ever tasted. Good stuff if you ask me. Now the mayor was a little out of hand here, instead of trying to defuse the situation he's throwing another log on the fire. Real smart. So I would suggest some big mammacita takes a 2 and a half pound bean barrito and bitch slaps him in the face with it on the main street of the town in from of everyone. That would teach him. I said bean burrito because, I do like them but I like the beef or any of the meat ones so much better. Now thats apologizing.

Unscientific Study

Please click the "Vote my comment up" button if you could really give a rat's arse about all this politically correct horse manure.

Since the whole wide world has decided to wear their feelings on their sleeve so anyone passing by can take a jab at them this apology after apology stuff is really getting tiresome and ridiculous. Anymore it doesn't matter what you say, what you wear, what you do for a living, what kind of car you drive, what kind of house you live in, what food you eat, the jokes you tell, what your children or significant other does or does not do...some group, organization, political party, grammar police, or just any random person is going to be offended or have their feelings hurt. So I look at it this way...if I was not purposely trying to insult, hurt, or single you or your group out specifically while speaking or living my daily life then I really just don't give a rat's arse if your overly sensitive politically correct self can't move past your own insecurities and realize it was just a gaff, a slip of the tongue, or a poorly thought out joke or comment. AND I'm sick and tired of hearing people apologize for being, well...fallible human people.

This guy looks a lot like John Bhonner. Pretty close if you ask me, except for the hair. Now everyone knows that the repubes are a bunch of hateful racists. He should be impeached and either they have an assistant mayor or the chief of police takes the job over until the next election. Fire the bum, before he causes more problems.

He could Have tried "yo quero Taco Bell."

So if this guy had said "Maybe I'll support the black community by eating some watermelons and fried chicken." it wouldn't be racist right?

Or would the same people crying about PC be changing their tune?

Realist; See everything you mentioned in your comment is what is making this country take a step backwards. Maybe two steps backwards. I'm 57 and when I was growing up it was very important for my parent to teach me to say the right things in front of people. Now if we were alone and I made an honest comment, maybe even one like yours then it was discussed and all the same I was taught that the right thing to say was very important. I'm glad my parent made the efort to teach me right from wrong and today I don't have situations like this biting me in the arse. Education is very important and it starts at home. Good luck Realist, just hope you don't say the wrong thing to someone that really takes it to heart. You just might end up going home with a fat lip and a bloody nose and a couple of black eyes and maybe even a cracked skull.

FYI...Jay Leno is being sued for telling a joke about the Sikh religion, this is how ridiculous this crap is getting!

Joe, you missed my point completely. I was referring to an accidental comment, not a racial or ethnic slur. You don't know me, but I bet I have more class in my little finger than you have in your tiny brain, but thanks for the bad outlook on being an average, oops I made a faux pah, human being.

Maybe that was one of my points. It should be as easy to fire a Mayor, Governor etc. as it is a pizza kid. Both made stupid comments, one gets fired the other says sorry, but I'm not quitting my 100k cushy job, suckers, err taxpayers and voters.

lolfattynerdswhoknew; Why don't you go tell Mike Tyson that your going to go have fried chicken and watermelon. I'm sure he'd appriciate it.

Two things are pretty well evident:

1. Mayor Maturo does not discriminate when it comes to food.
2. He is probably less of a bigot than the majority of people who posted comments here.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people on Newsvine will make bigoted comments about Latinos without ever being challenged. It's getting better, though. Used to be a lot of the comments called for wholesale murder of Latinos, just because they're Latinos.

Hats off to Derek, Carianne, Sarah, other guy, shut yer yap, and a few others for treating people like people.

The FBI arrested four police officers for breaking the law and conspiring to violate the rights of Americans of a certain 'ethnicity'. In response, Mayor Maturo said he might have tacos when he got home, implying that he did not care if certain members of the community were victimized by the police because not all Americans have the same rights.

In saying, "so what" to the taco comment, the bigots here are basically applauding the criminals who deliberately violated the Constitutional rights of some of the good citizens of East Haven. They just don't have the courage to come right out and admit bigotry, so they pretend the problem is about "food" not people, and not the Constitution.

Then there's robopoopalot and highschool321, trying to fan the flames of fear, hatred, and bigotry as usual. Disgusting. And what's most disgusting is their portrayal of all Latinos as 'racists' in order to camouflage their own prejudice. It's easy to see why they want to make others think that La Raza means a separate race that excludes most Americans, when in reality "La Raza Cosmica" is a phrase that was coined to celebrate the fact that people from all over the world live together in the American continents.

While it is true that one meaning of “raza” in Spanish is indeed “race,” in Spanish, as in English and any other language, words can and do have multiple meanings. As noted in several online dictionaries, “La Raza” means “the people” or “the community.” Translating our name as “the race” is not only inaccurate, it is factually incorrect.

The Free Dictionary, available online, similarly finds that the term “La Raza”:

“…embodies the notion that traditional, exclusive concepts of race and nationality can be transcended in the name of humanity’s common destiny.”

http://www.nclr.org/index.php/about_us/faqs/the_truth_about_nclr/the_translation_of_our_name

Colloquially, "raza" can also mean group, as in the group of people sitting at this table or in this room, and no ethnicity is implied.

If you don't even speak the language, please don't try to peddle your own phony interpretations on us, highschool. If you go to Spain and ask for a "limon", you're going to get a lime. If you ask for a "lima", you'll get a lemon. And if you are "embarazada" it doesn't mean you're embarrassed (which you two should be), it means you're pregnant.

I could be wrong, but I don't think the fact that the mayor "might have tacos", and that tacos originated in Mexico is the major issue here.

It is that officers in his police department are facing a profiling/discrimination suit, and the only thing he says he is going to do for the Latino community is eat a typically Mexican food, and even in a vaguely derogatory manner. That is disrespectful, and basically a big FU to members of that community. It says I don't care, and let me just pick some stereotypical thing to throw out there in jest, cause I don't give a shlt.

People who think it's about linking tacos and Mexico aren't looking at it right.

The degree of the offensive comment really isn't the point at hand here. The bottom line on this, I would like my mayor to be a little smarter than that. Isn't he the person thats making a lot of the towns decissions?

Joe-1072601 So, either you only read half my comment or you didn't actually get my point. Somehow not surprising.

Wow, I missed the part in the Constitution where bigots are referenced. Could you please direct me to that Article or Amendment?

So let me get this straight...this mayor can be a cracka, a gringo, da man, whitey, ghost, honkey or buwanna but can't say "I'll go home and eat a taco" to support the hispanic community without being a racist jerk?

jesus, the comment two steps up at #1.89 can say what he said and no one will call him a racist ,a-hole, POS, jak-off, moronic, stupid, or anything resembling a opposition to his comments? Wow. And they say the white man is the only group that can't be discriminated against.

who gives a sh@t! Every Mexican and black in this country thinks that they are being profiled because of their race. Well I know from being in law enforcement for years is that just is not true. The truth is that they commit most of the crime per ca pa than any other race,you may not like this statement but it is a true fact. The truth can be ugly but we must not just stick our heads into the sand any longer and expect that this problem will go away because we are all being P.C. about the issue. Every nationality that came here in the beginning had to over come these same issues. I think that these groups of people that have such a problem with the police, should look into the mirror. And the last time I check it was a requirement to learn English before you can become an American. If the Mexican people ( and yes I said Mexican),they are 90% of the Hispanics that are "visiting" this county.FYI,before all you Mexicans get all pissed off at my post,my best freind is a Mexican and he isn't quite as kind as I am about this issue

Meh.... Let them eat tacos......

Sorry, I wasn't very specific in my comments at post #1.107. I was referring to the post by "commonsense" and the following statement he posted:

In saying, "so what" to the taco comment, the bigots here are basically applauding the criminals who deliberately violated the Constitutional rights of some of the good citizens of East Haven. They just don't have the courage to come right out and admit bigotry, so they pretend the problem is about "food" not people, and not the Constitution.

Just wanted to clear that up, make sure no one thought I was calling anyone a bigot, but asking a relative question of "commonsense" and his/her post.

So let me get this straight...this mayor can be a cracka, a gringo, da man, whitey, ghost, honkey or buwanna

The only one using ignorant offensive terms like that is...

you.

You should be banned from Newsvine on the basis of your juvenile user name alone. How old are you anyway?

Oh my gosh.....I am so sick of this kind of garbage picked up by the main stream media and reporting it like its sooooo important! WHO CARES!! BIG WHOOP!!

We are trillions of dollars in debt in this country and on the brink of an economic collapse, our justice department is sueing states who try to enforce immigration laws because the federal goverment isn't doing their job, our elitest governing class is making millions from insider trading that we would get thrown in jail for if we did it and there have been 5 beheadings so far in this country that our liberal biased media ISN't reporting on. We as a nation have so much more to worry about than someone saying they are going to have tacos for dinner to support the latino community. STOP ALREADY!

Its amazing how many people in here actually think the comment is funny and cute. This guys the mayor of the town, wouldn't people take that into consideration of this guy? Four officers didn't give the mexican people they arrested their rights and they used excessive force during the arrest and this guy, the mayor, comes out with this comment. I wonder how he would like a riot in his unpolitically correct town? I bet if they rioted his house and treated his family the same way they treated the Mexicans they arrested he would have a change of heart real quick. This country is taking a couple of steps backwards and people think its good? He should of come on here to make those kind of comments not make them in public. Isn't this the right place for that?

Gee that Mayor should have just said "Hey it's been a long day, and I'm sorry I made that flippant remark, I know it sounds bad, and I apologize for any offense" .... But instead .... All he did was to keep digging a bigger hole for himself the more he talked.

lolfattynerd..... How about this, let me ask you if that was support what you said? I guess you don't get it, the guys the mayor of the town the police just committed a pretty big mistake and you have the makings of a riot right there in your lap and you come out with that kind of a remark? Come on, what don't you get? I bet you'd be the first one that would go in his pants if you did make your watermelon, fried chicken support comment and you were questioned about it by the cripps or bloods, (I don't know of the gang names for sure, but you see where I'm going with this, don't you?) Now why would anyone try to put out a fire with gasoline when they can do the smart thing and try to defuse it, as I would think a mayor would be smart enough to realize? Bury a bad situation as fast as possible and your done, take and stir the pot and your going to have to smell the stink, weather you want to or not. Thats just the way it goes, go ask anyone with a iota of a common sense and they should give you the answer. Referring to support with watermelon and fried chicken isn't very smart lolfattynerdetc...... maybe you can pull it off, I think the next time you run into a few black people ask them about this, they'll straighten you out.

Personally, I think tamales would have been a better choice...I'm obviously hispanic and his comments didn't offend me at all...so many people take life waaaaay too seriously.

Personally, I think tamales would have been a better choice...I'm obviously hispanic and his comments didn't offend me at all...so many people take life waaaaay too seriously.

Personally, I think tamales would have been a better choice...I'm obviously hispanic and his comments didn't offend me at all...so many people take life waaaaay too seriously.

Personally, I think tamales would have been a better choice...I'm obviously hispanic and his comments didn't offend me at all...so many people take life waaaaay too seriously.

Personally, I think tamales would have been a better choice...I'm obviously hispanic and his comments didn't offend me at all...so many people take life waaaaay too seriously.

Personally, I think tamales would have been a better choice...I'm obviously hispanic and his comments didn't offend me at all...so many people take life waaaaay too seriously.

lolfattynerdswhoknew; I read your comment and I understood your comment. Your question about your comment and the pc people thinking it could possibly be support, because of the way that you phrased it, is a no brainer, its stupid. You got to be kidding me if you think your comment can be made into a support comment. Even a child with some smarts should know the answer to that. Thats the best you can come up with to make a comment about pc people? Let me be the first to tell you, pc people are actually intellegent people and also in control of what comes out of their mouth. Your comment makes it hard for even a carton character to see it as being pc. So you see what I'm saying now, I broke this down for you as much as possible, if you still don't get it, then like I said, go ask a group of black people for their thoughts on that? You should understand after they answer your question. You'll understand real well when your drinking chicken broth for a couple of weeks.

So, we need more Spanish speaking officers due to the population. Answer this: What is the Irish population and how many speak Gaelic? What is the Italian population and how many speak Italian? Why must we always bend over backwards for only one minority group?

Look at Detroit. Michigan has a large Arabic population. Is there any stories about the number of Farsi speaking officers and dispatchers in the Detroit Police? Why not? How about San Diego, CA and the number of Tagalog speaking officers to serve the Filipino population?

I am a 911 Dispatcher and had to take a course in Spanish for Dispatchers. Now I know as little Spanish as I did before, but can recognise some emergency words. Every time I get a caller that DEMANDS a Spanish speaker, I can either try to get them to speak English (which more than 80% can) or go through a language line to get a translator. But that's not my point. When I took a vacation in Mexico and needed to speak to the Police, they did NOT offer me an English translator (I had to use my friend who is fluent) and were annoyed when I asked for one.

I understand they are more comfortable in their native language but when I was in the Navy and stationed overseas, I had to at least try to learn their language and try to fit in, and I was just a visitor. If they wish to to live here and raise a family they need to assimilate into our country, and that means they need to learn OUR language, not the other way around. the Italians did it, as did the Japanese, Russians, Poles, French and most other communities. If they do not wish to assimilate, I'm sure the gate swings both ways at the border.

So, we need more Spanish speaking officers due to the population. Answer this: What is the Irish population and how many speak Gaelic? What is the Italian population and how many speak Italian? Why must we always bend over backwards for only this one minority group?

Look at Detroit. Michigan has a large Arabic population. Is there any stories about the number of Farsi speaking officers and dispatchers in the Detroit Police? Why not? How about San Diego, CA and the number of Tagalog speaking officers to serve the Filipino population?

I am a 911 Dispatcher and had to take a course in Spanish for Dispatchers. Now I know as little Spanish as I did before, but can recognise some emergency words. Every time I get a caller that DEMANDS a Spanish speaker, I can either try to get them to speak English (which more than 80% can) or go through a language line to get a translator. But that's not my point. When I took a vacation in Mexico and needed to speak to the Police, they did NOT offer me an English translator (I had to use my friend who is fluent) and were annoyed when I asked for one.

I understand they are more comfortable in their native language but when I was in the Navy and stationed overseas, I had to at least try to learn their language and try to fit in, and I was just a visitor. If they wish to to live here and raise a family they need to assimilate into our country, and that means they need to learn OUR language, not the other way around. the Italians did it, as did the Japanese, Russians, Poles, French and most other communities. If they do not wish to assimilate, I'm sure the gate swings both ways at the border.

Comment collapsed by the author. Beat you to it!

@commonsense...no I am not the only one using that language. It happens every day. I do not, for one second, think the mayor was right saying what he did. I am making a point that anyone can say anything they want to a white man without repercussion. A white man says something offensive and its blown up into this and an apology is no good. If a black or hispanic mayor used any of those terms, an apology would be all that is required, as you can not discriminate a white man.

If my screen name is your basis to ban me from newsvine, then your lack of a sense of humor and the very large stick residing in your colon is my reasoning to ban you. Sticks & stones, jerk. Grow up

Heya Joe;

So you are saying black people are violent? I ask this because if someone called me a 'wet dog' or a 'cracker', I wouldn't care in the least. But your comment says that blacks would, in all likelihood, be violent.

I guess violent is as violent does, if that's the case.

"Tacos and burritos", "Crackers and white bread". " Chicken and greens". Stereotypes make us real! Not haters. We should embrace our differences and all go out for "Chinese" tonight.

j70141 in Colorado Just watch Americas Most Wanted for a few nights. Speaks for itself. Not all blacks are violent just like Hispanics or Whites or Asians. Every group has bad apples. Economy I suppose.

Hey Derek!

Of course, if your a bigoted, prejudiced police force, which apparently may be the case here, it wouldn't surprise me if these guys just didn't care about doing their jobs.

Need to learn some more English so you understand what these important words mean when you attack a police force. Make up your mind if they actually are bigoted and prejudice or not. "Apparently, may be" is improper English. Guess you got mixed up while excited, eh?

Need to learn some more English so you understand what these important words mean when you attack a police force. Make up your mind if they actually are bigoted and prejudice or not. "Apparently, may be" is improper English. Guess you got mixed up while excited, eh?

"Apparently" followed by "may be" is perfectly good English. He did not use proper punctuation, but the phrase is perfectly fine. Consider the phrase, "...which, supposedly, might be..." and substitute "apparently" for "supposedly" and "may" for "might."

I think what happened here is that, since Derek confessed to being "100% Hispanic," you immediately assumed that he is not fully proficient in English, and therefore anything he could possibly say that doesn't sound like perfect, impeccable, Shakespeare English to you just has to be an error due to his not being a native speaker. Psychologists call it the fundamental attribution error, but in layman's terms, my friend, that is called prejudice. Now, don't call me an oversensitive zealot or anything—I'm not accusing you of racism. I'm just saying that Hispanic Americans have as much a right to speak non-impeccable English as Anglo-Americans do, without it meaning that they "need to learn some more English."

And speaking of what's proper and improper, "make up your mind if they actually are bigoted and prejudice or not" is not proper English. "Prejudice" is a noun—"prejudiced" is the adjective. I don't, however, immediately assume that you're a nonnative speaker. You clearly speak English well, as does Derek.

Also, I don't know what part of "Derek" tells you he was born elsewhere. Odds are, someone called "Derek" was born in an English-speaking country (unless, of course, he were Asian and "Derek" were his Christian name, but that's obviously not the case).

Anyway. I just don't see the point of your complaint. There's already too much disagreement and hostility in this country. Now, don't get me wrong, I think this is a fantastic country where the overwhelming majority of people are great, and a little disagreement now and then is good for society, but any hostility at all is too much hostility. We're all here (most of us anyway) because we love this country and are willing to spend a lifetime trying to make it better. If someone's a foreigner, don't immediately assume that any grammatical error he/she makes is because he/she hasn't taken the time to learn English well, and even if that's the case, don't assume it is out of malice. We're all just trying to get by.

I did, hanseat! I got all excited! Of course, you could just get the point of the post....

Let's take the Hispanic element, and what this guys motives may have been or not been, out of this for a moment and just look at the competance level of this mayor. What does it say about his decision making skills, that in the midst of a scandal over his police force and their treatment of the Hispanic community, he chooses to make a smart as($ed comment.

Any professional with a modicum of capability would know this isn't the time to make a joke about Hispanic people. He sounds like he couldn't manage a Dairy Queen, let alone a city, if that's how he handles touchy situations.

Conn. mayor's 'tacos' comment in Latino profiling case draws outrage

What are they going to do? Stop making tacos, burritos, and tostadas.

There's always Chinese you know.

These people are overreacting imo, and this is just another attempt of foreign descent people to remove a white man from office. When I lived in CA, I have heard a lot of Mexican's say a lot worse about blacks, whites and other races than what this man has said.

Get over it!

Baloney. My kids are leprechanos (half-Hispanic, half-Irish) and I've taught them to hate no one. I'm the minority in my home. And it's a fool who thinks Wi playing, Ipad using, mall shopping American Hispanics (chicanos Y chicanas) that have been here for generations and probably can't even tell you the name of the last relative to head up north would want to go live in Mexico.

Knowing a few Mexicans, I'll have to call BullSH*T on that one.

Save your sympathy for someone more deserving than Maturo. Do you folks even know why the question was posed to hizzoner?

Police Gang Tyrannized Latinos, Indictment Says

They were known as Miller’s Boys, police officers who worked the 4-to-midnight shift, patrolling the largely working-class town of East Haven, Conn., including the small but growing Hispanic community that has spread out in recent years from New Haven.

The officers were more than well known in that community; according to residents and federal authorities, they were feared. They stopped and detained people, particularly immigrants, without reason, federal prosecutors said, sometimes slapping, hitting or kicking them when they were handcuffed, and once smashing a man’s head into a wall. They followed and arrested residents, including a local priest, who tried to document their behavior.

Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. of East Haven, who served from 1997 to 2007 and was then returned to office in 2011, said he stood by the police force. When he took office again, Mr. Maturo reinstated Chief Gallo, who had been put on paid leave by the previous mayor after the Justice Department began its investigation.

“I’m still very surprised, and it’s a sickening feeling to have your officers arrested, but nevertheless they’re innocent until proven guilty,” Mr. Maturo said.

As for larger problems in the department, he said, “I have confidence in all the men and women of our East Haven Police Department, from top to bottom.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/nyregion/connecticut-police-officers-accused-of-mistreating-latinos.html

Ohhh the humanity!!!!!

"Mexicans are the most racist group in the US." --Michael Bishop

No, they're not. You might be part of "the most racist group in the US", though. Nazi? Skinhead? Aryan Brotherhood? Member of a prison gang? VDare? Eugenecist? Follower of Richard Tanton? Or just good old "Non-Hispanic White", the brand new 'superior race' invented by bigoted politicians for the 2010 Census?

They teach their children to hate whites, asians and blacks.

Seems to me YOU'RE the one teaching people to hate.

Name one Mexican person you know who has taught their children to hate 'whites', Asians, and blacks. (For one thing, a lot of Mexicans, especially those with blond hair and blue eyes, think they ARE 'white'. You'd better tell 'em they're not.) Now name another one. Truth is, you really don't know very many Mexicans, do you? (And I pity any you do know.)

For another, you can't tell someone is Mexican just by looking at them, so how do you know the people you fantasize about are even Mexican. Oh, excuse me, it is YOUR fantasy, isn't it.

And finally, if they are in the US, they are American.

nonsense -- I think we have been over this before - I can only surmise that you do not like me. Again, I worked for the state of California and was part of a team of investigators who were charged with stopping the fraudulent use of State funds. I was responsible for investigating the clinics and ELS programs that were funded by IRCA of 1990. What we found was widespread corruption throughout the NGOs that received both State and Federal money. We also found that the Mexicans were using the money (your tax dollars) to establish a parallel political system in the southwest. An offshoot is LaRaza. LaRaza has taught racism for the past 40 years and are doingso right now.

Yes, there is such a thing called "LaRaza." I don't happen to agree with many of their points--though it is indisputably true that what we now call the SW US used to be North Mexico, and that the people who were forced to cede it had little concern for those Mexicans who were suddenly deprived of their birthrights as Mexicans and relegated immediately to being "immigrants" in their own ancestral homelands. Many people in the SW US persist in calling Mexicans who have been in that area for time out of mind, "immigrants" and themselves "Native Texans/Arizonans/New Mexicans/Californians." And, yes, that is really ridiculous.

Still, LaRaza goes way too far in suggesting that the area will return to Mexico--while East and West Germany reunited, and the Czech republic and Slovakia seperated, and while North and South Vietnam reunited (with far more enmity), and while the North and South US sort of reunited after the Civil War--meaning that it has historically been the case that areas that were artificially politically separated generally reunite or go back to their prior composition--it's not likely that North and South Mexico will ever reunite, just as it's unlikely that the Cherokees will ever get back Kituwah (well, they've bought back part of it, but it will likely never be repatriated to them as a homeland). It's more likely that Mexico would join a North American Union with the US and Canada than to have North and South Mexico reunite.

Still, labeling all Hispanics as members of LaRaza is like labeling all Europeans and European Americans as racists because there was/is such a thing as the Nazi party. So, yes, Michael Bishop--one would be a racist for labeling an entire group of individuals as one in the same as a small number of similar people who are politically agitating in favor of their own little group. African American people as a whole aren't responsible for the now defunct Black Panthers (or for the very tiny, probably faux, resurrected group). European Americans as a whole are not responsible for the Aryan nation. Hispanic people as a whole are not responsible for LaRaza.

Only if one were a racist would one believe that a whole group of people could be identified with the existence of the views or behaviors of one small segment of them ("all [fill in the blank] are alike, so if I can demonstrate that some believe [fill in the blank], then they all believe in [fill in the blank]").

At the very least, let's stop pretending that this isn't so--okay?

What an idiot!!! Would someone please tell me how these type of people get elected?

Yes, La Raza has been there for years.

Apparently illegal aliens thrive there as well.

Oh please! This PC garbage is absurd. You people need to grow up. There wouldn't be a problem if there were not illegals there would there? Crying racism is like the boy who cried wolf. What a bunch of morons.

If you are Puerto Rican you are NOT an illegal alien you knuckle heads

Exactly, virtualgd. It's ok for illegals to live here and have the working, LEGAL Americans pay for them, but don't you say "eating tacos" when latinos are mentioned. Hmm.

virtualgd

" There wouldn't be a problem if there were not illegals there would there? Crying racism is like the boy who cried wolf. What a bunch of morons."

Illegals ? did I miss something in this article ?. He made a stupid, stupid, insensitive, remark. Period. Virtualgd - when people disagree with you, cut to the chase and call them 'morons'- I guess that means everyone is a moron. Must be lonely on top of that perch

So just because someone is lationo that makes them illegal? Want to a racist? Look in the mirror...

Ryanne - if you're a Puerto Rican you learned English in school. It's the law there.

From www. topuertorico.org

With the appointment of Dr. José M. Gallardo as Commissioner of Education in June 1937, a new school program was adopted with special stress placed on the teaching of English in accordance with the views of President Roosevelt, expressed in a letter addressed to Dr. Gallardo shortly after his appointment: "It is an indispensable part of American policy that the coming generation of American citizens in Puerto Rico grow up with complete facility in the English tongue. It is the language of our nation. Only through the acquisition of this language will Puerto Rican Americans secure a better understanding of American ideals and principles." Instruction is given in Spanish in the first two grades, with English as a subject; in the third and fourth grades the ratio is two-thirds Spanish and one-third English; in the fifth and sixth grades, half Spanish and half English; while in the seventh and eighth grades, the division is one-third Spanish and two-thirds English.



.

.

I am a "grown up" and that's precisely why I think this guy's judegment and apparent tone-deafness should be called into question.

For heavens sake it's NOT about what he's actually having for dinner.

It's about the off-hand, dismissive tone of the answer in light of serious and criminally racist offenses (even allegedly) committed by public servants on HIS WATCH.

So for all of you commenters telling folks to "get over it" I say take a step back from the knee jerk rhetoric and catch phrasing to see the real problem.

The mayor had the PERFECT moment/podium to lead by example and to do his job. He did not do this.

Instead he ended up showing how the apparent sub-culture of racism within the police department seems to come directly from the top down.

Racism is alive and well in EVERY culture. The problem lies with the fact that if a "white" person says something that is even close to racist, then it is blown up like a nuclear warhead. When other races do the same thing or worse, then it doesn't even hit the fine print in the news papers.

It is about time that we call an end to all this political correctness BS and just tell them to get over it. While there are still some cases that should be prosecuted, what this mayor did was not a crime. He didn't call them tacos, he said he might have some at a latino resturant to support them. The press just loves to sensationalize all the trivial stuff so they can claim to have a big story. Accept his apology and let him get back to work. If you don't like what he said, don't vote for him next time.

Now, I think I am going to have some green chili to support all the illegal immigrants taking american jobs, and lowering everyone's wages. Let me know when I need to step down from my underpaid menial job!!!

I'm so tired of American's actually believing that every word out of their mouths has to be "politically correct"...gone are the days of saying what we think and how we feel. Maybe its old age, but I'd rather just a person be honest. Freedom of speech it every American's right.

Racism? It is a sorry and sad situation to see that there is, in evidence, proof that the very grave issue of illegal immigration, and it's inherit destruction of neighborhoods, lives, and livelihoods, is at work in the heart of our great nation. Connecticut? I would never have guessed it.

The mayor has nothing more to apologize for, other than allowing the pestilence to grow to the size that it has. Border States are broken under the care, social services, crime, and illegal drugs that follow these people as they move from State to State.

Immigration....Congress....Obama....do your job and send them all home.

FYI: Mexican is not a Race. It is a nationality. And you are being invaded by a hostile, foreign country. Wake up. Save yourselves. It is already too late for the rest of us.

So the mayor now says we have to tolerate latinos. Is that like having to tolerate hemorrhoids because we aren't allowed to use Preparation H?

Who gives a rats ass? It's not like he made a remark that he was going to be supporting the black community by eating chicken and watermelon.

Look, we're all different. Quit trying to make everyone the same.

I'm white. Support my heritage by eating a f*cking cracker. Don't care.

"I'm white. Support my heritage by eating a f*cking cracker. Don't care."

I'll eat a moon pie in your honor.

If there are (and there are) any problems in America today,all the blame should be placed squarely (sp) on the backs of the Spanish people. If Queen Isabella hadn't funded Columbus, none of us would be here, and therefore we wouldn't have these problems. Sarcasm is fun!!!!!

Darrel B.

I think the Mayor supported your heritage by showing his supremacist leanings.

You aren't on the receiving end of centuries of dehumanization. Your "Heritage" will be ok. It was secured by through systematic oppression and genocide - generations of it.

I tell you what, all people with a conscience and good sense of history will give up all that you think we should give up if YOU and those who think like you, give us about four hundred years to dehumanize you, strip you of your heritage's contributions, make everyone think that you're only worth 3/5ths of a human being, enslave you, forbid you to learn how to read, sell off your family members, have you ride the back of the bus, deny you the right to vote, convince everyone else that the color of your skin and hair are substandard, erase your culture, racially profile you, deny you housing and jobs, red line you, blacklist you, lynch anyone who looks like you because someone claimed you whistled at a person of color......

How's about it? Deal.

Oh, and when you finally start to clamber your way out of "ape status" to human, THEN we'll laugh when our mayor cracks jokes about saltines...

Just four hundred years, ok? Let's shake on it.

Have a nice day.

@shut yer yap ... Because I'm white, none of this has ever happened to me, my ancestors or those from my country of origin? I'm Jewish.

I await your response.

SRMcMahon............I believe he was trying to say "off the cuff". He doesn't speak English too well for being a white US citizen, does he. That's because he's an ignorant racist idiot.

Do none of you understand that it wasn't the fact that he said 'tacos', it was the fact that in the face of the seriousness of the situation in his city, he didn't give a rat's ass. He should be removed from office.........................just like Walker in Wisconsin. Take 'em all down. All the bad apples. And squeeze them until we get cider from them. Then they'd be useful. We could drink the cider with the tacos and the brats.

Darrel B. If you're Jewish, I'm the Queen of Sheba. Because Jews have been discriminated against, they're not "crackers." And you are. Crunch crunch.

@shut yer yap: I'm not Jewish. Just wanted you to realize how racist YOU appear when you lump together everyone of a particular hue or skin tone.

So which taxpayer funded college course do you teach?
Save it, I make 100k a year without a college degree and I don't live in the south.
Just wanted to save YOU the time with your tired stereotypes. :)

I'm white. Support my heritage by eating a f*cking cracker. Don't care.

You misspelled "Crackah".

Darrel:

Its exactly as if he had said he was going to eat fried chicken and watermelon.

Ha! Ha! Ha!, You're ALL so FUNNY.

Nah, that idea 'stinks'. ;-)

I'm offended by your people who are offended by other offended people.

I am offended by people offended by your people offended by people being offended. wait..... what?

The fact that your organization of People Offended by Offended People has such an offensive acronym is well...offensive! Where do I sign up?

I believe there is an organization called The Society for the Perpetually Offended.

And why should ANY of the police officers HAVE to speak Spanish...In America people...English is the language...

Better yet, let's just assume all speech is offensive and nobody ever say anything ever again. Oh no, now somebody is offended by the silence.

mkeith, yes this is America but you're wrong. English is not the language as the United States does not have an official Language. Our founding father's couldn't agree on an official language. Were it up to some of them, we'd be speaking German. So...In America people...we can speak whatever language we choose.

If the media wouldn't bring such comments to the public attention, especially when it is not a big deal, it wouldn't be a BIG DEAL.

People are "offended" by the term "tacos", really? If someone said they were going home to have hamburgers and hotdogs, I wouldn't be offended as an American, because it is the TRUTH, and regardless of what anybody says, it is not necessarily meant in a derogatory way. Geez, everyone is soooo "seennnnsiiitive" these days. I also wouldn't expect another country to adapt to MY native language and my culture, just because I wanted to live there...I wouldn't think of taking offense if English wasn't accepted in a foreign country.

And if being "politically correct" means having to steer aside from the real and whole truth, then I guess I will choose to be politically INCORRECT. Geez....the dumb things that people take issue with these days..so sorry for hurting all those the thin skinned peoples' "feeelwings..."

And why should ANY of the police officers HAVE to speak Spanish...In America people...English is the language...

Because judges have been letting criminals go free when police officers don't read them their Miranda rights in their native language. Not speaking English is now a get-out-of-jail-free card.

I can't wait for Xmas.

It WAS up to them,and if you didn't know,the official language is english,not german,by ONE vote!

Is that a new political party?

R. Bondy, SEBS, that's actually an urban legend. That one vote margin that you hear about was actually from a 1795 congressional vote about whether or not they would continue discussion of a bill that, if passed would authorize printing federal laws in German for the benefit of German speakers.

@ SEBS - it doesn't matter if English isn't the "official language". The majority of the people in the USA speak English, and those who choose to live hear should learn it, this to more easily assimilate into our society.

USA has no official language. English is the de facto language. These are the facts, look it up. That said, if I moved to another country I would certainly learn that language, and not expect them to provide me with an interpriter.

I would have had mangu or mofongo with carne frita.

Great. Now I want Texas fajitas!

Time for lunch!

He should have said Jumbaco. Everyone loves those, and they have a catchy song.

Did anyone hear what Roland Martin said about the mayors comment this morning on Starting Point.........

Heck yeah I'm offended! Clearly this mayor knows nothing about good hispanic food. Tacos. Pffft! Try arroz con carne asada, Alcapurrias with a cold Medalla or Malta India. :)

Jumbaco??? Did you eat that cute little fella from Star Wars?

Funny but I just bought the ingrediants for my famous taco platter. I like them and eating them is in not way offensive to me.

But seriously, I don't think his attempt at humor went over that well.

Elect Bin Laden's replacement for Mayor? Really? Grasping at straws are you?

Uh oh, I hope I did not offend any scarecrows!!!

>>Let me explain just in case their are culturally impaired people on this forum board...<<

I thought it was funny, but then again, I choose to be "culturally impaired". Culturally impaired. What a sad statement, and there is a word for it, which is even sadder.

Insensitivity is not a crime, but it looks as if you wish it were.

If a white guy were to start an organization called "The Race" to represent white interests, what would you call it?? Right, racist.

Omnipotus: How brave of you to choose to be "culturally impaired." I'm sure that will get you nominated for the Fox News and Rush Limbaugh Patriot of the Year award.

Hizzoner wasn't just insensitive. Maturo (now there's an ironic name!) reinstated the Chief of Police who tried to quash the investigation. He was not-so-subtly showing his support for the indicted police, and his contempt for the victimized Hispanic residents of his city.

The misconduct, according to prosecutors, reached to the highest ranks of the department and the police union. A high-ranking officer described as “Co-Conspirator No.1” — apparently the police chief, Leonard Gallo — made several calls to the supervisor of the priest, the Rev. James Manship of St. Rose of Lima Church, asking that he be moved out of his parish, the indictment said. The same commander also barred members of East Haven’s police commission, a supervisory body that was trying to investigate the complaints, from entering the department without his permission, but later rescinded the order.

Police union leaders also inquired about hiring a private investigator to follow the priest, the indictment said, though it was not clear if they followed through.

Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. of East Haven, who served from 1997 to 2007 and was then returned to office in 2011, said he stood by the police force.When he took office again, Mr. Maturo reinstated Chief Gallo, who had been put on paid leave by the previous mayor after the Justice Department began its investigation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/nyregion/connecticut-police-officers-accused-of-mistreating-latinos.html#h[]

Do you still choose to see Maturo's remark as funny?

becsmom- yes I do think their funny , the statement was funny. People should lighten up and not making mountains out of mole hills. If you live in the country legally, learn the language of the land. When I travel to other countries, I learn enough of the language so I can communicate with the people I meet. I is the thought that public servants SHOULD have to learn another language is ridiculous. Being PC so peoples feelings don't get hurt is what has Pussified this nation.

>>Do you still choose to see Maturo's remark as funny?<<

Yup, I do!! And anything the NYTimes prints is suspect in my view. The original incident is probably no more than some G*d Da*ned thug gang banger who knew he could get the public sympathy by claiming "racisim", as that is the one thing we all strive to avoid. Blew it all out of proportion, likely.

I know how these left wing weepies operate. Tug on the 'ol heartstrings until a judge cries, then cha ching! $$$$ - big money payouts from us taxpayers to morons.

>>Omnipotus: How brave of you to choose to be "culturally impaired." <

Brave?? Hardly. Just not going for the crybaby weepie crap that is so PC nowadays. We are what we are. I do not feel sorry for criminals, addicts or terrorists; though the big government wants us all to be "more sensitive" to every behavior type under the sun. No way Jose, not goin' for it.

You be PC, I'll base my opinions on what I see and feel without regard to your feelings.

Ask the mayor.

Maybe if you were to say something like that while having a serious convo with the Mayor as he was telling you about issues that cause Italians within his community distress...

If a bishop were asked what he was going to do to investigate the abuse of choir boys by a priest that he had moved from parish to parish, and that bishop quipped--"I might watch watch The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys when I get back to the manse"--yes, I would be offended.

The quip is not all that offensive--it's just tactless--but the point that he made this quip in the face of very real and very serious mistreatment of the Hispanic community is what makes the quip offensive.

It's the context that makes the quip offensive--not the quip by itself. By itself, it's just a snarky remark that denotes the gentleman's small mind and lack of real wit. It shows him to be a person of little ability. But, in the context of dismissing serious issues that affect his constituents--yeah, this is a problem.

Ok, I have to ask - how is it racist? Seriously, see if you can explain it logically. Since when are tacos considered derogatory? In order to be racist, doesn't the intent have to be derogatory in some way? Tacos do have Hispanic origin, correct? Why/How would THAT be something feel insulted or ashamed of? Tacos taste good, mmmm tacos. Viva los tacos!!! Who DOESN'T love tacos???

Essentially the Mayor was saying, I'm going to support my Latino populous by partaking and investing in the delicious heritage they bring to my community. I'll agree it wasn't an appropriate comment, perhaps even disingenuous. Ultimately, what does buying tacos really do for the community? Not much, so he wasn't giving the question serious consideration, but a racist comment? - NO WAY.

"Appalling" or "Repugnant"? - not a chance, the only thing appalling and repugnant is the attempt to spin this as racist. It really is insulting and demeaning to those who have faced REAL racism in search of equality.

Denver... I am not Latino... but I respect the many, many I have known (friends, co-workers, fellow students) and they would have laughed too... and no, I do not even agree the comment is remotely "racist."

Governor Malloy... if his own name serves the truth, should have kept his mouth shut when he accused Mayor Maturo of racism. "Malloy" is an indigenous Irish name. And Diaz who set Maturo up for this scenario of asininity by all of them against Maturo is, o wow, surprise, Latino also?

Let me ask you, if the issue were a bit different... if four cops put an IRISH neighborhood under surveillance.. (and that is mild as to what happened to Irish immigrants who came here legally via Ellis Island the way my great-grands did 100 years ago) ...

And the Irish of us are not discriminated against today??? Ha! Then you need to do some research. I look as Irish as Paddy's Pig, and lived in a neighborhood in New York that was all my Irish mom could afford (my dad, French-Canadian descent, had passed away suddenly from a heart attack when I was four), and it was ... well not our ethnic area.

Being the odd (wo)man out is not restricted to Latinos. Us Irishers ... you know, usually, perish the thought, Catholics... you should see how many Protestants, mostly Fundamentalists, treat us.

... in this day and age I would say in this exact situation with journalists from that neighborhood where I lived as a kid, shoot, I would order some matzos!

(which happens to be delicious.. as is a good Taco) And the "ethnic" folks of my neighborhood who understand discrimination and know the real way how to deal with it would have laughed and moved on. But, frankly, those folks would have asked a more intelligent question.

What is wrong with such silly people in the incident to make a big deal out of a throw-away comment. And for the mayor to apologize...? I sure wouldn't if it had happened to me.

My response would be... if I were criticized... "Get a life!" And laugh at anyone trying to make a federal case out of what is essentially a neutral comment to the originally dimbot question by O yes, let's look at all the names of those involved... the questioner, the "reporter," named Mario Diaz!

Yep, the question should be questioned! It assumes there is a guilt (on the part of the cops) that has NOT been proven! Certainly not in this accusatory article.

The old "Guilt By Accusation" syndrome... (and by now I wonder if anyone here can even define that) ... is not just alive and well probably thanks to the Internet... the illogical and downright vacuous logic of accusing another emotionally by anyone who resorts to it displays a trend of finger-pointing that's appalling.

And includes the Latino-named "reporters" here in this article (ha! themselves a belligerent disgrace to Journalism) who jumped on the train of accusations and name-calling. They do themselves and their ethnicity no credit.

They should ignore a throw-away comment and focus on the positive accomplishments of their own people. Here they make themselves look petty and foolish.

I just think it sounded racist because of the context, his police force is being investigated by FBI for racist profiling and all he could think of was to eat tacos to help the Latin community. Good laugh though we can all agree.

Duh! Chicken $H!T Lovers!

Colonel Sanders

I agree, I spoke Italian until I was 5 years old and was told. "If you want to be in America than you speak the language" In addition Harry Truman stated " If you want to be in America speak the language, follow the rules or get out"

Why do we need to speak other than English? When I go to Europe, I always do my best to interpret the words and also follow their rules.

If you want to stay in America;......follow the rules.....It is costly Billions to do everything in bilingual.

thank you'

Give me a break. I find translations in all kinds of language in utility bills, government publications, and advertisements.

Hey knum nuts! i totally understand what you're saying. and when they dont offer something in spanish, it becomes a civil right issue..There are others languages and cultures out there that deserve the same representation as those who come from spanish speaking culture but the goverment does not recognize this.. In fact. the goverment almost propagates the continuation of "seperate cultures" by allowing those who cannot speak or understand english to stay in segragated societies. In a political sense, the goverment believes that if they cater to people of spanish-speaking cultures, it will increase the likelihood of assimilation by those people. Including bringing the business to american stores and thus stimulating the american economy, sure, many immigrants spend money for american business but alot also goes into sending to relatives, and investing into segregated business assimilation should come with the learning the culture, language, and etiquettes of the dominant culture, not having the dominant society cater to the minority culture. If u dont understand english and you came to america where everything is offered you in native language anyway, why the hell you bother to learn english. human services, social workers, health aide, and even public schools are all catering to you. learning english would be useless

What the goverment should do is mandate that english be learned by the immigrants by offering free english langauges services.

I have to get going i have spanish class to go :)

Hear, Hear

Excellente...Manny

Manny et al,

The reason you have a China Town, and a Little Italy, and various other ethnic enclaves in American big cities is because many of the first generation immigrants didn't speak English, or spoke very limited English. They banded together for protection, and they stayed together to reinforce their cultural heritage. At one point in American history there were so many German immigrants that a Constitutional Amendment was offered in the U.S. Congress that would have had all laws published in German as well as English. Having at least one Spanish-speaking officer for each shift would help protect Hispanic citizens--not just illegals--against the kind of victimization in which these so-called "officers-of-the-law" were allegedly engaged.

The officers are accused of racial profiling and the mayor said what!!!??? idiota...

Listen folks, the mayor pulled down his pants in front of a camera and is now asking that everyone forget what they saw. In fact, he's doing such a good spin job, people are now saying it was a half-moon at best. ( his pasty butt cheeks flapping in the breeze)

When people show you what they really are on the inside, you should believe them. White, black, purple, green, or spotted, believe them.

Anything else makes you a fool. You can't say they didn't warn you.

Can't we just get along folks? remember one thing all of the American Indian tribes were here first and they didn't force their culture on us. If any thing they were forced to give up their culture and language by other countries who came bearing gifts, but instead they gave the Indians diseases, slavery, and their religions. I wonder what this country would like if the Indians were in control and made all of us go through their immigration process, forced us to speak their language, and obey their laws. Think about it ! How many green cards would have to be issued ? and how many signs would be posted in different languages?

I think I agree with this comment the most. Should have been asking him what he will be doing for the community as a whole.

Special treatment includes both good and bad treatment, so I agree with you.

Special treatment includes both good and bad treatment, so I agree with you.

I would agree with that, except for the fact that the reason he was asking was because of the recent instances of the police department profiling against Hispanics. If he was just asking out of nowhere, then he would need to ask about every single group separately.

The last line from the article is ridiculous: "The thin translation of Maturo’s taco comment is, ‘I am a full human being and you are less than one.’” Seriously? People need to loosen up about the taco comment! It sounds like he was trying to lighten the situation by making an joke and because people are so uptight, they got all bent out of shape about it. Had he known it would be blown so out of proportion, he might have decided against making the comment.

If a similar situation had occurred with another group of people, say Asians for example and he said he was going to eat some rice, I would have thought he was being a smart*ss but funny and I'm Asian. I would not be outraged and immediately think he was racist.

People need to learn to laugh at themselves. It makes things a lot better and this world would be lighter and happier if everyone stopped making such a big deal about things. This goes for every race and nationality. Stereotypes are usually perpetrated based on some truth and he did not use some derogatory term but simply joked about eating tacos. Why does one community of people think the mayor has to "do something" for them in the first place? It had nothing to do with the community. The officers and the people that accused them of being bullied are involved and not the entire latino community, so why does he need to do anything for them?

Unfortunately, Trust2112, "chinky eyes" is derogatory and if the mayor had decided to use the term "wetbacks" or something of that nature, I would believe he was racist but he made a joke about tacos and it was not done maliciously. I do not know enough about the case you are referring to, to comment on it more than this but there is a difference between derogatory slang and a stereotype joke. Hasn't anyone ever watched Family Guy? It is an "equal opportunity" show and no one is left out. It might not be everyone's taste and despite the fact that yes, it is animation, the creator is trying to make a point about everyone has something laugh at themselves about and the whole world should not be so offended every time someone "blinks an eye" or looks at them the "wrong way".

Also, Volod and i.b. sage are 100% right!!!

Did you read the article?? It's not about the mayor selecting a group for special treatment. He was asked that based on the events that had been happening in the community!

stupid question got a stupid answer,maybe the issue could be the media.

Duh.....people vote for them.

Wait for illegals to get the vote and going for tacos will be de reaguare. ne'ce pas?
Will get flamed by the French speakers for my atrocious language,but what the @!$%#.
This is America right?

Job creators pay for lies to be told making them sound human and interested in what's best for society, then sheeple vote for them.

hanging chads

Wow G-Douche, you're a genius!!
I guess guys like you vote them in.

Oh poor baby......did little Toosano get their little feelings hurt? Why just because I took your post and made it funny? I would vote for you! Now go get some jello and get some rest your poor little head must be hurting since you thought so hard about your last post.

And yes compared to you I am a genius thanks for letting everyone else know.

That's pretty funny, G-Douche. Off you go now, to your G-Ma's basement.

Spot on bro

man I agree, how many of that 10% are here legally. if you come here, you do lean the damn language. I have lived and worked in central american and Mexico and I spoke their language they can do it here. Department of Justice now estimates that the cartels have operations in 1800 US cities, maybe we should start worrying about that rather than this crap.

Are you really so xenophobic that to you every Hispanic in this country is an illegal ?

Why does the lowest common denominator always shout the loudest . . .

Read the article idiot. In the first paragraph it clearly states that the persons being harassed are residents. Nowhere in there does it say anything about them being illegal.

Your preconceived notions that any Hispanic is an illegal is the same mindset that pervaded the Conn. Police Dept.

this story is about Puerto Rico.......not Mexico. Puerto Ricans are not illegal. Please get your facts straight.

"Conn. mayor's 'tacos' comment in Latino profiling case draws outrage."

"The mayor of East Haven, Conn., came under a torrent of criticism Wednesday for telling a TV reporter "I might have tacos" when asked about how he would support the Latino community in the aftermath of the arrest of four town police officers accused of racially profiling and bullying Latino residents."

"The FBI had ARRESTED four East Haven POLICE OFFICERS on charges that they CONSPIRED TO DEPRIVE some residents, particularly LATINOS, of their CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. THE CHARGES INCLUDE MULTIPLE COUNTS OF EXCESSIVE FORCE, FALSE ARREST, OBSTRUCTION AND CONSPIRACY."

...and the mayor's response was "I might have tacos." So, yes....let's lighten the moment?????!!!! Conspiring to deprive people of their constitutional rights, multiple counts of excessive force, false arrest, obstruction AND conspiracy??!!! Are you people for real??? If that happened to those who say "lighten up", "if they're illegals, they can just go back," how the hell do you think you would feel? Never mind, it was a rhetorical question.

My God, the sheer ignorance and idiocy displayed these days is ridiculous, not to mention insensitivity. No wonder you hide behind a monitor and spew this nonsense. I bet you'd not have the balls to go to East Haven, Connecticut, stand around the Latino population there and face them with what you post here.

Lighten up? For the love of ...!!!!!

Why is it that all illegals are Mexican? How about the 50k Irish illegals in Boston. Oh yeah, they went back when the Irish economy surged. Oh wait, the Irish economy just tanked.

I wonder if any of the Latinos will have to resign as residents of the town, I am sure some where along the line one or two has probably said something not so nice about the mayor?

ShelbyCourtland... the officers were only 'arrested and charged'... they have not been found guilty! It sounds like the same people upset with the Mayor are upset with the entire police force for not giving them special privileges.! They are in the United States. OUR language is English, so either learn it or leave. It doesn't matter which 'hispanic' country they are from, whether they are legal or ILlegal!!!! I'm planning a trip to France, legally, and I am learning to speak THEIR language. The 'hispanics' tromp all over our flag, drain the taxpayers for every freebie they can find, sneer at us in stores, on streets and highways, and intentionally block passage ways, insult us whenever we are near, and then want us to give them special privileges??? !!!!! Not in my lifetime!

GTR5 The American Indians could say the same thing about you, paleface. Don't forget that the US basically stole Texas from Mexico. Not to mention all the blacks they imported from Africa. The Aryan Brotherhood would proud of you.

Shelby seems offended

The American Indians could say the same thing about you, paleface.

Now who's racist?

Why is it that all illegals are Mexican? How about the 50k Irish illegals in Boston.

And guess what? Those Irish illegals had better get their flat asses back to Tipperary!

It's a Long Way to Tipperary!

Why is it that all illegals are Mexican? How about the 50k Irish illegals in Boston. Oh yeah, they went back when the Irish economy surged. Oh wait, the Irish economy just tanked.

Why don't you go to Boston and tell the lads you have a problem with the Irish!

Don't worry about the Irish. When you have 12-20 million illegal aliens who are involved in human and drug trafficking it is a problem! The majority of illegal aliens are from Mexico!

The majority of “undocumented Irish” young people living illegally in America come from Fermanagh and Tyrone, the Assembly had been told.

There is an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 illegal Irish in the US, with the majority coming from Fermanagh and Tyrone.

Read more: #ixzz1kWkVObUO

You got it, searching and hyper-reactions, chip on the shoulder politics.

I'm not racist by any means, but for Heavens sakes, the man made a joke, and the Latino community needs to get off their damned high horses, they're not any more entitled than anyone else in this country. I have a feeling the police officers had good reason to make the arrests, and we really ought to step back and evaluate the situation and ask ourselves: If they were white rather than hispanic, would there even be a question about the arrests? If the mayor were Latino and made a "racial" comment against white people, would he be under fire. I think we all know the answers.

I'm as ethnically aware as anyone, but at some point we need to stop searching for ways to be offended and realize that just because we don't like what someone says, that doesn't make them/it racist (or any other slur).

<channeling every race-baiting politician and interest group>

But if we stop searching for ways to be offended, we'll be out on the streets and actually have to work for a living!

as the old comment goes " f em if they cant take a joke". Fanatics can make big deal out of any comment. PC run amok.

Offensive talk leads to offensive action. Think Adolf Hitler. When you demonize an ethnic minority, with less power than the majority, you dehumanize them. When you dehumanize a person, then it is easier to treat them less than human. Just ask the Jewish survivors of the Holocaust. What I see in these blogs is a pervasive effort to dehumanize not just illegals but Hispanics in general and Mexicans in particular. Ever hear of Marcelino Serna, the most highly decorated "Texan" in WW II. Should of received the CMA but was told he would not get it because he was a "Buck Private." Which as we all know, is a lie. How about Rafael Peralta? In 2004 at the battle of Falloujah he was mortally wounded, but rolled onto a grenade and saved the rest of his platoon. Didn't get the CMA, despite testimony from his platoon, he was denied the CMA, because the Navy decided he was clinically dead, before he performed this heroic deed. Both of these individuals were illegal aliens. Peralta's family moved to San Diego before he entered school. He was an illegal until he received his green card on his 20th birthday. On that day he enlisted into the Marines. These are the stories Americans do not hear. It is a suppressed history. The story of Guy Gabaldon, who single handedly captured over 1,500 Japanese in Saipan, was made into a movie. His part was played by Jeffrey Hunter. Gabladon was a Mexican American kid from L.A. who in the movie was portrayed as the "All American" kid. Mexican Americans were the most highly decorated ethnic group in WW II, but unlike other ethnic groups exploits, you never hear of this fact. Gen. MacArthur called the Bushmasters, an almost entirely Mex/Am unit from Arizona, " The greatest fighting combat team ever deployed for battle." Ken Burns in his movie about WW II left out any mention of this ethnic group until he was pressured to include them in the final cut. This type of suppression of history is being institutionalized in Arizona with it's law prohibiting Mexican American ethnic studies. There are a lot more just as compelling as the one I just cited, but i won't bore you with the facts.

Offensive talk leads to offensive action. Think Adolf Hitler. When you demonize an ethnic minority, with less power than the majority, you dehumanize them. When you dehumanize a person, then it is easier to treat them less than human. Just ask the Jewish survivors of the Holocaust. What I see in these blogs is a pervasive effort to dehumanize not just illegals but Hispanics in general and Mexicans in particular. Ever hear of Marcelino Serna, the most highly decorated "Texan" in WW II. Should of received the CMA but was told he would not get it because he was a "Buck Private." Which as we all know, is a lie. How about Rafael Peralta? In 2004 at the battle of Falloujah he was mortally wounded, but rolled onto a grenade and saved the rest of his platoon. Didn't get the CMA, despite testimony from his platoon, he was denied the CMA, because the Navy decided he was clinically dead, before he performed this heroic deed. Both of these individuals were illegal aliens. Peralta's family moved to San Diego before he entered school. He was an illegal until he received his green card on his 20th birthday. On that day he enlisted into the Marines. These are the stories Americans do not hear. It is a suppressed history. The story of Guy Gabaldon, who single handedly captured over 1,500 Japanese in Saipan, was made into a movie. His part was played by Jeffrey Hunter. Gabladon was a Mexican American kid from L.A. who in the movie was portrayed as the "All American" kid. Mexican Americans were the most highly decorated ethnic group in WW II, but unlike other ethnic groups exploits, you never hear of this fact. Gen. MacArthur called the Bushmasters, an almost entirely Mex/Am unit from Arizona, " The greatest fighting combat team ever deployed for battle." Ken Burns in his movie about WW II left out any mention of this ethnic group until he was pressured to include them in the final cut. This type of suppression of history is being institutionalized in Arizona with it's law prohibiting Mexican American ethnic studies. There are a lot more just as compelling as the one I just cited, but i won't bore you with the facts.

Skeeter, the Mayor was not making a joke. He was asked a specific serious question on how he was going to help HIS Latino community and the first thing that came out of his mouth was he might have a taco. Then he tried to back track his answer when the reporter stated thats not the answer the latino community was expecting. What the mayor said was not only a racist remark but a very insulting. I would expect someone with is education and knowledge to know better and be a good roll model concidering he is the Mayor. So in my opinion I don't believe there is a "high horse" the latino community needs to get off. Now for a officer to strong arm it's citizens being white, afican american or hispanic is not right so "NO" the actions of the officers were not warrent. As far as your comment that if the Mayor was hispanic and not being under fire is totally not true. Many public officials of ethnic backgrounds have made comment that were less than tastfull and have lost their jobs because of it.

The 442nd was the most decorated Army unit in WW2...All Japanese Americans, whose relatives were losing their property AND THEIR FREEDOM at the same time here in the U.$!!!! MOST of them didn't have any ties to Japan!!!

I know, because one of my neighbors when I grew up was one of the 442nd....

Nadlor, one stupid, offhand remark does not portend the second coming of Bull Connor.

Ever hear the story of the boy who cried wolf too many times?

Niblor seems offended

Have people become too sensitive ? Jokes were once make about all sorts of groups before without it becoming a national outrage. This stupid statement demands an apology but not any resignations.

The mexicans are so freaking sensitive. Take a joke that's what he meant it as...funny as hell HAHAHAHA

Wonder what would have happened if he said "beans" instead....hmmmmmmmmmmm

In america, "should've" sounds like "should of"

shoulda woulda coulda - in america we don't have no stinkin' language police, so take the kgb attitude back to russia, tovarish

If one is going to take the time to voice one's opinion, one should make the effort to use correct grammar. It is distracting (and yes, somewhat offensive) when people write what they think is correct but isn't, and excuse it with, "Well, you know what I mean."

No. No, I don't.

And the beans and the rice are better than ANY made by Mexicans you better believe.

KMT1, 1 out of 50 is 2% not 20%. That is 2% more than are required to speak the hispanics' (< that little mark means it's possessive) language because English is the language of the U.S. So get over it!!! I am sick of buying a ... (shoot what object can I use NOT associated with some sub-culture? What can be used here here because they'll all be construed to offend ... how about iPhone... is that politically incorrect?) Everything now has a huge instruction manual in a dozen or more languages. Never ever in the history of the United States have we had the problem of people segregating themselves by demanding special treatment. My great grandparents came here from five different countries, and within months they were at least conversationally competent in English. After all this fuss, I am agreeing more and more with whichever candidate used "self emigrate" during the debate last evening!!

And finally, like many others on here, I am sick of "push __— for English." THIS IS an English speaking country. To quote someone else earlier "learn it or leave."

Reading these boards one becomes very aware how incompetent our schools are, or how poorly some people use (or learned) the English language. And please, know the difference between there, their and they're, lose and loose, it's and its, and passed and past,(and pasta... hehehe couldn't pass up on that one... on and on and on... too much illiteracy being displayed here. [Oh I know, someone is going to pick this apart.)

I am sick of "push __— for English

What pisses me off is being REQUIRED to choose a language. The default should be ENGLISH. Want another language?, I have no problems with that. Just don;t mandate I choose the language of this country.

AWWW what's the matter too stupid to learn aother language? Que?

Hate to tell you Court but whites are no longer a majority in a lot of jurisdictions. Nobody wants to terrorize anybody but I don't want to have to communicate in Spanish either when talking to fellow townsfolk.

"by most white people"......please tell me where I can go to see this study.......otherwise it looks like your making up things and therefore look dishonest and deceitful.

It is ok to make up your opinion but not ok to make up facts.

A little off topic, but nothing personal - I assume that you'll be voting for Obama?

what kind of bs are you talking. they lean over backwards for the latino population now.

Hey,court! Why would he have to "cower in fear" in the Latino neighborhood? Is that a threat?

I realize how it looks when I say most white people. I should have said most people. This person inparticular just happened to be white. Sorry. I also know a lot of black people who feel this way too.

Cyber I believe in english imersion

Gtouch this is from no study, I talk from my experience with people.

Bedford no.

I watched the video and from what I saw it looks like the Mayor does not understand the severity of the situation. I think he should step down for being very unsensitive.

A little off topic, but nothing personal - I assume that you'll be voting for Palin again?

Why should ANY of the police HAVE to speak Spanish (or Mexican)? How many are required to speak

German or Yiddish or Italian, etc.?

Truthman, I would never make threats. My point was to say they were hiding behind their cpu.

that comment was just a reflection of the ignorant police force. while not a huge inflammatory comment between friends, when you are in public office talking to media, more of a brain is required...

I am so tired of all the "racist" complaints! No one in the US, other than the Native Americans, are native to this country, we've all come from somewhere and for all these years when we came to the US to have a better life we learned the language and the customs of the US. Not that you can't speak your own language and enjoy your own customs in your homes and churches, etc, but this is the United States of America and we speak English, learn it or move back to where you came from. Don't expect us to learn every language of every person who comes here from another country and don't expect us to pay to have teachers of every language in our schools and police and other civil servants all learn every language. You chose to come here, now deal with it or go back to where you came from!

Hasn't anyone figured out that if 1 out of 50 officers speaks spanish, then that's 20% of the police force! Since the latin community in that city is only 10%, this is very unfair to the other minorities. The only reasonable solution is to cut the spanish-speaking officer in half and force his other other half to forget how to speak spanish. :-)

I am so tired of all the "racist" complaints! No one in the US, other than the Native Americans, are native to this country, we've all come from somewhere and for all these years when we came to the US to have a better life we learned the language and the customs of the US. Not that you can't speak your own language and enjoy your own customs in your homes and churches, etc, but this is the United States of America and we speak English, learn it or move back to where you came from. Don't expect us to learn every language of every person who comes here from another country and don't expect us to pay to have teachers of every language in our schools and police and other civil servants all learn every language. You chose to come here, now deal with it or go back to where you came from!

"To get food stamps, free medical, and sponge off the American taxpayer since smuggling and selling drugs in USA does not qualify as income?"

there are more usa citizens that have been on govt assistance for generations and who is buying those drugs? usa citizens. illegals dont get food stamps! what a close minded way of thinking.

yet is ok for black comedians to toally denigrate the white race, but guess what we don't care because we are proud of our heritage. you can say the irish are a bunch of drunks but thats because they are white also. mexiacans and african-americans are 2 of the most racist groups of people on planet earth. if you are other than white why not be proud of your heritage. if your race is responsible for the taco that isnt anything to be ashamed of, italian americans wouldnt scread discrtimination if you credited them with the pizza. what a bunch of babies

KMT, you need to go back to 4th grade remedial math.

So, since you elected to start your post with a broad sweeping generalization, let me try one. The sentiments you describe are not exclusive to the white race. Most of those “black people” harbor the same feeling towards other races that you find so abhorrent in the white race. I have personally heard, and seen in print, blacks using racial epithets when speaking. People from Mexico hate Puerto Ricans, Koreans hate Chinese, Russians hate Ukrainians and so forth...add nauseum so please, dismount that high horse you’re riding!

Discrimination and prejudice has resided on this planet since it became inhabited. Whether it be based on physical appearance, gender, religious conviction, or (new to the party) sexual orientation, racism and prejudice is part of our social order. Perhaps before you sat down and started pecking out your version of hate filled rhetoric, you should have asked yourself if you have ever simply looked at someone and had a hateful thought. No? Are you sure? How about the girl with the purple hair or the guy with all the tattoos? Still no? How about the mixed race couple walking down the street? I would imagine that somewhere, before this period of great enlightenment you experienced while posting your comments, you have. Yes, we have evolved and now exist in a civilized society but, since this is an ingrained social behavior that we have little control over, our only recourse is to recognize its existence and learn to move on. We do this by abiding by the laws of civility and decency and, probably most importantly, not crying “foul” every time we hear something that may “offend” us. And, by the way, I’m just dying to know what sort of dialogue we could have that could transcend five billion years of learned social behavior? Face it, just examining the drivel in your post; it’s pretty obvious that you’re one of those people who aren’t going to be happy no matter what. A proud moment for you consists of snapping out of your social misery long enough to play a “race card” on somebody in an attempt to make them feel small. Instead of whining about something you have no control over, and for that matter, are obviously comfortable in being a part of, go out and try to make a positive change in somebody’s life.

Perhaps we should, as we have done recently with gay rights, recognize racism and prejudice as a genetic problem and therefore not subject to common rules and standards that we have abided by for centuries. Then, through an act of legislation, those who are “afflicted” can run around saying whatever they please and it’ll be okay because they have no control.

Hey Xina the Amazing, or is it Xina the Cracker or Xina the Paddy or maybe Xina the White Bread.

Oh yeah,

George Lopez is not an elected official so he can say whatever he likes without ridicuel. That is not what CT boy should be worried about anyway. If it is true and 10% of the population of "his" elected city are Hispanic, I would say goodbye to those votes.

BTW, Xina??

The Amazing?

Really?

KMT1, 1 out of 50 is 2%, not 20%. But that's a small point! Because really, why should ANY percent speak any language other than English?

There's got to be a significant portion of the residents of that town who are Italian, for example (as the mayor is, judging by his name). There have got to be a certain number of Poles. Chinese. Russians. French. Japanese. Maybe some Koreans, maybe some Somalians. I suppose we have to have a proportionate number of speakers of all these languages in our police force. Good luck.

For a nation to hold together it has to speak one language. History has proven this time and again. All our forefathers came from somewhere and took the trouble to learn English (even the ones who came from England had to adapt to American English). Splitting the country linguistically will split us as a society. It's a very bad idea.

If Mexico os so great Latinos why did you leave?

Duh Senior! To take care of your lawn and sell you Tacos!

Can you not read the story in English?

Take care of my lawn????????? To get food stamps, free medical, and sponge off the American taxpayer since smuggling and selling drugs in USA does not qualify as income.

Tom2-1134775

Take care of my lawn????????? To get food stamps, free medical, and sponge off the American taxpayer

Don't forget, To make fun of you in a language you don't understand!

Then who would do the really hard work that people like you are to lazy to do? Mexico is not on Latin America Einstein.

you sound offended. what a horrible way to ruin a person's day.

I hope you are not carrying your papers when the federal police ask for them at the state line

you mean like a drivers license or proof of insurance? Maybe one of our "visitors" will run your ass over without same and you will be able to check out obamacare schmuck. (sp) so my yiddish is as good as my french eh.

Can't check for green cards would be "racial profling" thanks to our Supreme Court. How do police ask for green card? All police should be required to speak Spanish since there is no requirement for mexicans to learn English to live in USA. How long will it be before Mexico will require their government to print documents in English and Spanish? Mexico police rob and ignore crimes against foreigners with no action by preventative measures by Mexico politicians and "having tacos for dinner" is insulting and a racial comment.

Go back to Mexico if you are feel abused and racially discriminated against in the USA.

Tom2-1134775: Dr. Phil would like to see you as soon as possible so you can work out your frustrations. In the mean time, stay away from alcohol or illegal drugs.

the police is not harrasing the latino comunity, the police is enforcing existing laws regarding loitering, wrongfull gathering on the streets, etc . acts perpetrated by ilegal aliens in the first place who already are violeting federal law by crossing the border without the proper authorization. There is no need for the mayor to apologize for any thing let alone a minor remark regarding "tacos".

Minor remark? The mayor is a racist and has showed his true colors .. and so have you for supporting him.

Hey mortimer,go piss up a rope. Yippie look at me! I'm a "racist" because I think you are a dumbass.