February 14, 2011
Bob Watson's Alliterative Allegory About Potential Poor Priorities at the People's ... er, Palace
(... shoot, couldn't think of a better word for capitol starting with "P".)
George's comment yesterday under Marc's post
um, excuse me....T H E S T A T E I S G O I N G
B R O K E !
reminds me (how could I have forgotten?!) of the remarks that Minority Leader Robert Watson (R) made last week in front of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce with regard to issue focus at the General Assembly this session. [Audio courtesy WPRO; the brouhaha broke on the Matt Allen Show.]
This year shouldn't be about immigration and I know it will be. It shouldn't be about gay marriage and I know it will be.I suppose if you're a gay man from Guatemala who gambles and smokes pot, you probably think that we're onto some good ideas here.
Some members of the Guatemalan community have asked for an apology, saying that the remarks were offensive. President of the Immigrants in Action Committee Providence, Juan Garcia, is considering picketing Watson at his home or at the State House.
This ProJo article alludes to an upcoming news conference on the matter to be attended also by members of Guatemalan organizations from other states.
Watson has declined to apologize but did reiterate that his remarks pertained only to some of the (in his view) misguided issues that the G.A. will be taking up.
The truth of this is, we are preoccupied with a number of issues, primarily social issues, at a time when financially, we are burning to the ground.
My initial reaction was, why is Juan Garcia criticizing someone who agrees with him on illegal immigration? Garcia doesn't want it brought up by the G.A. and it appears neither does Watson! The thought that occurred to me a couple of days later is that, while I am genuinely regretful if someone's feelings are hurt, we are doing pretty darn good as a community if these mild remarks are deemed offensive. But possibly others wish to express a different reaction.
I don't understand why Rep. Watson can't simply say something like "yes, that was offensive considering the venue, sorry about that," and be done with it.
Posted by: michael at February 14, 2011 7:37 AMYou will know you have found truth if it first offends you.
Posted by: Dan at February 14, 2011 7:44 AMWatson's comment was quite funny and a very appropriate poke at the bread and circus agenda of the General Assembly.
An added bonus to this non-story is watching racist clowns like Quiroa and Garcia making complete fools of themselves. Nice!!!
Hoping Juan does show up in EG to picket at Watson's house. Racist riff raff like this will be dealt with by the locals and I don't mean the police.
If the leftist Open Borders crowd gets to march on Watson's house can we march on Butcher Pablo's house without any hysterical weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth by the "progressives"?
Posted by: Tommy Cranston at February 14, 2011 8:43 AMThat the "Guatemalan community" would find Watson's statement offensive says more about them than about him.
Grow up and grow some skin.
Posted by: BobN at February 14, 2011 10:52 AMWatson should have gone for the home run with the alliteration and not the triple and said ganja and not weed.
Gambling, Gay, Ganja smoking, Guatemalans.
Posted by: Swazool at February 14, 2011 1:03 PMTo ridicule any race/ethnicity is wrong. Period!But of course, what can you expect from an ignorant politician like Watson, the only Guatemalans he has met are the poor and uneducated immigrants.
I dare him to repeat his comments in front of a large group of middle and upper class Guatemalans.
If immigrants want to band together and elect leaders, the results they should be looking for are better economic and business conditions that lead to the kind of opportunity they (I hope) came to this country for in the first place.
To waste the resources, energy and time of their organizations on such pettiness shows what they are really all about.
I believe Quiroa left the RIGOP over eVerify... and I think that is what this is really all about.
Posted by: George at February 14, 2011 1:48 PMWatson,Quiroa,and Garcia deserve each other-they have something in common which transcends ethnicity-they're WHINERS.
Posted by: joe bernstein at February 14, 2011 3:37 PM"You will know you have found truth if it first offends you."
Dan
Dan.you are an ignorant ass!
OldTimeLefty
I'm a introspection junkie, OTL. It'll take a lot more than name calling to rattle my ego.
Posted by: Dan at February 14, 2011 9:55 PMDan
Did you stop your navel gazing long enough to get yourself a Valentine gift?
Took the girlfriend out to a nice seafood restaurant, Phil. The seared tuna was excellent. I guess that counts as a gift for myself as well.
Posted by: Dan at February 15, 2011 8:58 AMDan
If you are truly introspective, I can only say the results are piddling, as in "The mountains go in labor, and a mouse comes forth".
OldTimeLefty
more substantive "contributions" from OTL and Phil... and this is their "A" game!
Posted by: George at February 15, 2011 2:05 PMHi George,
I don't remember addressing you about anything. Or are you really Dan under an alias?
OldTimeLefty
Careless caucasian causes commotion crafting caustic comments at Chamber of Commerce Confab.
Posted by: Phil at February 16, 2011 9:15 PM