“DNA links illegal immigrant to attacks”
I got hammered for that headline in our Sunday paper by a fellow named Paul Rubi.
YOUR RACIST HEADLINE ON CHANDLER RAPIST DIVIDE COMMUNITY his email to my boss, publisher Julie Moreno, said.
There was a lot more to the message, but you get the picture.
I replied as best I could that I didn’t see the headline as an attack on American Hispanics, but that I thought the fact that the suspect is a twice deported illegal immigrant is relevant to the story.
He then blasted me in a follow-up, saying essentially that I am obviously white and, therefore, unqualified to talk about what constitutes racism. He distributed his follow-up message to a lot of his friends.
One of the people on his email list sent me another scolding in a slightly milder tone. She said the headline contributed to an evolving “anti-Hispanic frenzy.”
“…the media has taken every opportunity,” she continued, “to increase the hate by overusing the words illegal immigrant until you have convinced the public that all immigrants are probably here without authorization and responsible for anything wrong that occurs in our country.”
Was that just hyperbole or does she really believe this?
Sure, the issue of illegal immigration has brought a lot of bigots out of the closet. But that doesn’t mean all those who want to see our immigration laws enforced are bigots.
Most of us know that and won’t fall for Rubi’s faulty syllogism.
I’m reminded of the wisdom of Eleanor Roosevelt: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
There must be a corollary to the effect that if you convince yourself that bigotry is all around you, you will see bigotry all around you and become its victim.
I went looking for bigotry in connection with the rapist story on our Web site. Why? Let’s be honest, a fair number of the commenters on immigration stories are zealots or they wouldn’t spend so much time feeling the need to beat the drum for their cause and harangue those who don’t agree with them.
In fact, I was prepared to remind the bigots I expected to find that the alleged serial shooters captured in Mesa 18 months ago are white and the alleged Baseline killer is black.
What I found was heartening. There were a fair number of comments that drew a clear distinction that their feelings about the Chandler rapist suspect had a lot to do with his being in the country illegally—in fact twice deported—and nothing to do with his being Hispanic.
“There are many good people of Hispanic decent in this valley and they have nothing in common with this pig except the country he is from,” a commenter who calls himself “cartmanspeaks”, said. Based on his ardor in past comments, I had pegged cartmanspeaks as a closet bigot, but I’m giving him another chance.
Another commenter, ptrocks, chimed in: “This isn’t about being hispanic or white! you don’t listen nor read the articles do you? our problem is with ‘illegal aliens!! GET IT!… we all know that there are wonderful people of all ethnicities, that’s not what this is about!”
I’m not sure but it may have been libertarian philosopher Tibor Machan who made the observation that true Americans are not defined by the color of their skin, or the place of their birth, but by their beliefs.
If you believe in the Bill of Rights, if you believe in the rule of law, if you accept responsibility for your actions, if you believe the Creator endowed each of us with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, then you belong.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
i feel that your choice of words does divide the community. this paper is constantly pointing out and magnifying crimes that are done by undocumented immigrants as if to say that Americans are the only people who can exploit the country and commit crimes. You should use better discretion knowing that your column will be read by thousands of people. We do have a border problem in this state and as a mexican american , i feel that something should be done. But building a fence to keep undocumented immigrants out isnt going to help the problem , considering that there is 12 million of them already here. I dont think your headline is racist but i do feel that it is pouring gasoline on the already blazing fire.
Of course not. It was not racist in any way whatsover.
The Reply was truthful and an important part of the story. Thank you for reporting it the way it is. Illegal Immigration is a very serious issue that is important to the mass majority. I believe your responses to this post will prove this theory correct.
I am a Mexican-American born man from Detroit, I moved out here in July for a better life for my family and I chose Phoenix because of the Hispanic population but I don’t know if I made the right choice, not because of the article you wrote or the Headline, which by the way I don’t see as racist , it could’ve been someone other person from another country than Mexico. There are a lot of other illegal immigrants in this city beside Mexicans. Anyways, ever since I have moved here, there is so much racism that I have never seen in my life. I thought Detroit was bad but I feel I have stepped back in the 50’s and 60’s. People that I have met in Phoenix that were born in the U.S. are afraid or ashamed to recognize their Mexican heritage. I asked a co-worker of mine if she was mexican she said no, I am latina. I asked where her parents or grandparents were from, she said from Mexico. I said so you are Mexican, she nearly bit my head off. She said I ain’t no damn Mexican I was born here! I said so was I but I am Mexican, My parents came here legaly back in the 60’s and they were proud of their heritage and taught their children to be proud of it also bacause we can be in a country that lets us. But Phoenix is in a world of its own. With all the marches, protests, racial hate crimes going on, it’s no wonder no one wants to claim their heritage. I fill out papers at work for food boxes for my clients and it says check one, all other races and nationalities are there except latino hispanic or mexican descent. I take it to the food bank to get the box to get delivered to my clients and the man at the desk asks me (who is white, by the way) “Are they white?” I say ” No they are hispanic, mexican to be exact, but there isn’t a box there to check it off” The man behind the counter says to me ” Then they are white” I looked at him and said, “No they are hispanic or latino , but not white, you are white and they don’t look like you.” The man says he is checking the white box anyway. Get him, now all of a sudden I am white? I don’t get Arizona, I am still trying to figure it out.
First, find out which “Paul Rubin” you are dealing with. I would suggest googling “arizona supreme court search.” There are several.
It all comes down to this. Those whose ancestors or they themselves have come from Mexico, are so ashamed of their own country, they say referring to them as “Mexicans” is in iteself racist.
All people whom I have ever met from Mexico claim they are “Latina’s.” Whatever the hell that is.
Everyone also claims to be of Spaniard descent, furthermore distancing themself from the country of Mexico.
I know of no person who is from Mexico who has any knowledge of this country’s history, with Spain or the United States.
The fact is, the rapist is an illegal immigrant. If by someone’s opinion, that marks you as a bad person, then that is their opinion.
Let me write the story. I’ll make sure it makes nationwide news so that the people from Mexico can stop using the fact that they are from Mexico, a “Sword and a Shield,” like the LDS do.
Thank you for your level-headed response.
Gee whiz. I’ve never really figured out just what race illegal is. I guess no one is supposed to ever mention illegal anything. I can’t understand why knowledge of disobedience of our laws is supposed to be hidden.
This “racist” malarkey is so old.
The headline can be deemed to feed the illegal immigrant frenzy. The relevant fact is that a suspect is tied to the crimes by his DNA. You would not use a title “DNA links white American to attacks”, nor would you use “DNA links black to attacks”.
As a newspaper director, your job is to report the news and be careful as not to incite the community to bring out its worst. You are to be sensitive to the community and encourage it to bring out the best from your community.
YES,YOUR HEADLINE WAS RASCIST.IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TITLED”DNA LINKS MEXICO INVADER TO RAPES”AND THE PUBLIC DESERVES TO KNOW WHO HIS EMPLOYERS WERE,SO THEY CAN BE IN LINE WITH THE NEW SANCTIONS LAW.I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN THE BANK!
I don’t see how any fool can call it racial. Who are the illegals Not many from any country but Mexico. There are Mexicans that have been here twenty years and still can’t speak English. Is that their way of craping on the people that came here the legal way and learned English and became part of our country. They didn’t try to make us part of their country. I would say FIRE Jullie if she can’t support you in this.
The headline not racist.
But the people who are attacking it are. Truth must remain the highest (as in top, ultimate, and supreme) value. People who subordinate the truth to any value are the ones who deserve the hash scrutiny. They are the once who see race in everything - whether race is a factor or not.
Another point is that the accusation is a good illustration of how the word ‘racist’ has been stripped of its meaning. ‘illegal immigrant’ is not a race. The left has turned ‘racist’ into a word that simply means ‘evil for not agreeing with us’.
It’s long past time to stand up to these brainless shout-down attempts to stifle freedom of speech.
Stand firm.
Hmmm, I suspect that maybe the people who wrote about being so enraged themselves must be the true ‘racists’ since nowhere in the headline did you mention the rapist’s ethnicity. They made the assumption that because you said ‘illegal immigrant’ that he MUST be Hispanic. Now who’s doing the racial profiling?
Well said Jim Ripley!
The headline was the truth. The rapist was twice deported from California. Maybe if you use “Mexican that shouldn’t be here” Don’t listen to that idiot Paul Rubi, the Chandler Community needs to protect themselves and stop hiding these criminals. And worst they need to stop belly aching every time the words ‘illegal immigrant ‘ are used. Those complainers need to pay for the health care, cost of their criminal acts and other free services these ‘illegal immigrants drain from us taxpayers.
Of course, it’s not racist. Since when is ‘illegal immigrant’ a race? Should have called the rapist what he is… an ILLEGAL ALIEN!!! Immigrants follow the rules to enter this country.
Tell is like it is. The suspect is an “illegal alien”. Twice deported and back again to break our laws. Do the parents of the victims feel the border should be better protected now more than before. Story after story show how in many other cultures there is no respect for the rule of law. If you believe in that, and come to America properly, I am the first to say “welcome to the land of oppertunity.” To those others that feel differently, go home, you are not welcome.
We need more real reporting on the true facts with headlines that pull no pucnhes. Time to stop being politically correct.
The headline is a fact. Why is this person so upset? It doesn’t say “DNA links hispanic to attacks”. Why on earth would someone who reads the headline automatically think the illegal immigrant was hispanic? An illegal immigrant could be from any number of countries.
The headline is NOT racism. The fact is that the term ” illegal immigrant ” means that the person is in the country illegally. It doesn’t mean they are Hispanic, as we all know there are many people from all races in this country illegally. If the Hispanic radicals are offended by this, then maybe they could get out there and help the masses of “illegal Hispanics” get through the proper immigration process instead of complaining “Racism”. Makes me sick!
Racist? not at all.
Is he an illegal immigrant? Yes. Is an illegal immigrant a race? No. People are playing the race card because they have no supporting arguments for their causes. Don’t worry. What you reported was simple fact. Don’t let them stop you from writing the truth. Too many people are glamorizing the illegals. Illegal is illegal. Illegal isn’t a race. We need newspapers that actually report fact. Stick to it and readers will depend on you.
To answere the question your headline poses. NO
If the suspects past criminal history including drug charges resulted in his deportation and subsequent returning to the US illegaly is not relevent than no suspects past criminal history would be relevent.
This just demonstrates that many illegal aliens do not respect the laws of the US.
The very heart of looking into his past is to determine if he may have committed like crimes elsewhere.
The latino community does not want further attention brought to bear on the increasingly anti illegal sentiment.
The fact is the US has more than enough home grown crimminals we do not need criminals from other countries “reguardless of skin color” comming here.
If that view is not shared by those who oppose… maybe they are the racists seeing only that these headlines “hurt” their cause and not giving a damn for the victims of this child predator
Typical cry of the people that want to discount dissenting opinion to their pro-illegal immigration platform. But you already know that.
What I have been noticing is that the cry of racism no longer carries the same weight as it did in the past. Certainly Jackson and Sharpton disagree (along with more columnists from that time period) but fewer people see truthfulness to a situation as a racist act.
Perhaps people are getting smarter.
You were absolutely correct in the headline. Part of the story is that a serial rapist was caught. The fact that another illegal has committed a serious crime is the other. To ignore that this guy is illegal and twice deported like I’m sure some media outlets have knowningly done, would be outrageous.
I think you’ve said it all pretty well and I am delighted to see such honesty in the media. This isn’t a racial issue but the open borders criminals want to call it one.
I am married to a LEGAL immigrant of color and she follows the laws of our nation as do I. Race is not the issue, the rule of law is the issue.
Criminal enterprises and ethnocetric special interests do not want the rule of law in this country. Further they could care less about the children who are victims that this illegal alien rapist. What these debased special interests care about is their own agendas above all else.
It is high time for everyone’s sake in this country that we started enforcing our laws and speaking plainly an openly about these issues as you have.
Thanks for your excellent article and your integrity.
The headline does not mention any race. It seems that those who are crying “racial bigotry” are the ones who are racist. Who are they to call all white people bigots when there is such a large number of illeagal Hispanic immigrants? Additionaly, with illegal immigration in the forfront of news, it is necessary for the newspaper to mention the rapist’s legal status.
The headline is NOT racist. The truth cannot be. What IS racist is coming to the defense of this low-life because he is a ‘fellow’ Mexican.
I have lived in valley del sol for 12 years. Both of my children were born there, as well as meeting and marrying my wife. The hispanic culture,while quite a shock to this new yorker, grew on me more every day. The food the hospitality and respect for there slice of american pie. God bless. No one should take up arms against such warm folk. Now onto the topic . This is not a person. He is a cunning animal, that would easly bring down such a carring people. He is illegal in every sense of the word. opinions are like somthing that every one has. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. YOURS TRULY, JOSEPH FRIESS
Funny! When I read the headline I was wondering how liberal can you get?! It should read “DNA links illegal ALIEN…” These are legal and social words used to describe a particular group, they are not at all racist.. If anything, your heading gave them some amount of dignity.
There is NOT one bit of racism in the headline or article. NONE !! The complainant is an idiot and wishes his 15 minutes. He should be checked, as he is probably illegal in this country and committed crime(s) himself. Probably can’t even read, had the article read to him.
I hate to have to differ with Paul Rubi, but being white definately qualifies me to know what constitutes racism. In fact, living in a border state it makes me an expert. I am speaking about racism directed at whites by hispanics. My 20 year old daughter works entirely with Hispanics and is constantly referred to as the “little white girl”. Could you imagine what would happen if a hispanic was referred to as a “little brown girl”? She is also bilingual and frequently is ridiculed by her co-workers and clients about her Spanish.
I also deal with a large HIspanic clientele. They don’t think any rules apply to them and will use the race card immediately if they feel it is expedient.
The HIspanic community both legal and illegal’s arrogance and “we own the place” attitude is what is causing this racist climate to exist.
THANK YOU TRIBUNE FOR YOUR HONEST AND DESERVED HEADLINE!!!!
NO.
Your headline is NOT racist.
However, the Nation of Aztlan IS RACIST, but the pro-Illegal lobby here REFUSES to acknowledge that.
GOOGLE THIS….
My conclusion is that your ‘raza’
is genetic garbage”
Ernesto Cienfuegos
La Voz de Aztlan
Then you will see who the “Racist” really are.
There are many of these groups out there, and yet our local media REFUSES to deal with these hate groups, for fear that some “La Raza” group will be marching in the streets outside demanding an “apology”.
I just checked the link to La Voz de Aztlan…It works.
However, it works better if you remove the quotes, and no spaces:
Google:
My conclusion is that your raza is genetic garbage
That should return the link at the top of the page.
A twice deported illegal immigrant is relevant to the story. The fact is, the rapist is an illegal immigrant.
Thank you
Hey Jim,
I want to “reup” my subscription to the Tribune based on the fact that you have reported the news truthfully …The Repugnunt will not even allow comments to be posted regarding this…And the word alien is a “dirty” word that will be removed in any post on that website. I switched to your paper 6 months ago because I liked what I read on your website. Keep up the good work.
The term “illegal alien” is a description of a crime committed by a resident of, in this case, Mexico.
“Section of 275(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1375(a))
“Any alien who (1) enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or (2) eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers, or (3) attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact, shall, for the first commission of any such offense, be fined under Title 18 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both, and, for a subsequent commission of any such offense, be fined under Title 18, or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.”
I see no reference to a specific race, gender, color, height, weight, etc, etc, etc in the above law.
If a person from a Middle Eastern, European, Asian country or from anywhere else in the world were to enter the United States of America illegally and harm American citizens. What do we call it… terrorism?
The last time I checked, Mexico is yet another FOREIGN country, who just happens to have a common border with the USA that is apparently very easy to cross.
Coming into the USA illegally, breaking its laws & attacking its citizens, then fleeing back to their native country for sanctuary is ….. duh…. terrorism !!!
…pure and simple. Let’s enforce terrorism laws equally.
Whatever happened to wanting truth in reporting. I see nothing wrong with the headline or the story. There is DNA linking an illegal alien to the rapes, all factual and all needed to provide the reader with enough information to know the main idea of the story is.
Political correctness has had it’s day . . . A horse by any other color is still a horse. I am not sure who I plagiarized this from but . . . .”Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional minority and the mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”
Illegal does not describe a race only the immigration status of the suspect.
Mexican does not describe a race it describes a nationality.
Here is how a racist headline would be written.
A half spanish half aztec pedophile sicko from Mexico in this country illegally is linked by DNA to attacks on little girls in Chandler.
I think it inflames but it is also accurate.
If this pedophile was white I would have the same contempt for him.
That his victims were little girls “race undisclosed” should be the focus not how the media discribes this piece of sh!t.
Racist? NOT
If a person from a Middle Eastern, European, Asian or from any other foreign counrty in the world were to enter the United States of America illegally and do harm to American citizens. We call it terrorism.
Mexico is yet another foreign country that happens to have a common border with the USA that is apparently very easy to cross illegally and to return just as easily.
Anyone illegally coming into the United States, (no matter what foreign country) and breaking its laws, attacking its citizens, then fleeing back to their native country for sanctuary is a terrorist…pure and simple. And should be dealt with accordingly.
I am sure those poor young girls in Chandler felt the terror. So referring to him a “Illegal Mexican Terrorist” fits his citizenship status, the country of his origin and his actions against US citizens.
Those that think the term “illegal immigrant” is racist also tend to think they are defenders of civil rights. This piece of garbage violated the civil rights of many women, including children, but the pro-illegal immigrant crowd can only see that HIS civil rights were violated. I love how the guilty become the victims in our society. Keep up the straight talk Talented Mr. Ripley.
No it was not racist. It was HONEST unlike the Arizona Republic which went to great lenths to bury his legal status.
I agree with Tom, illegal only describes the immigration status and that they broke the law to come to United States. The comments about racism are self-serving by probably other illegals that don’t want to be deported
Printing facts is not racism. The fact that this person has committed the crimminal act twice before and had arrest for drug offense in the past and the newest immigration violation and rape charges show me he has no respect for law and doesn’t intend to be a law bidding resident.
Keep up the good work.
No, it is NOT racist. You need to report the truth. “illegal Immigrant” is the appropriate term. The public needs to be aware of his status. Keep up the good work.
That’s not racism!! You were very kind. Calling an illegal alien a undocumented or illegal immigrant is like calling a drug dealer an unlicensed pharmascist….
Illegal immigrant is not specific to mexicans otherwise what would we call the cubans who come over in boats in florida? The argument that you would not have written “white American” or “black” in the headline is a clear logical fallacy. A caucasion Irishman, or black Kenyan can be an illegal immigrant. The fact that someone blasts you for using a factually correct term and automatically assumes Mexican shows how uneducated and ignorant they are. Then his statements to the effect that you are “obviously white” shows true racism. I am Hispanic and I am so sick of seeing how it is okay for members of minority groups to be racist against others, yet if somehow a member of another group appears to be even slightly degrading “my race” then it’s racism. Racism goes both ways. In reality, Paul Rubi’s letter to you was not only fueled by his own racism, but also ignites further racism of hispanics against caucasion.
This is absolutely NOT racist. It is factual. He is an illegal immigrant AND rapist. You all need to quit your whining and go legalize your status here OR go HOME!
“illegal immigrant” is not “a race”. If you had said “DNA evidence links Hispanic to attacks”, maybe. People have to stop treating “illegal immigrants” as if they were a protected class. Facts are facts. The Chandler Rapist case simply points up a possible tendency of people who are willing to break the law by entering our country illegally to disregard other laws of the land, and in this case run rampant on the rights of our LEGAL citizens, CHILDREN, no less…
It is not a racist remark, it was a factual remark. I am so tired of people screaming that when an illegal immigrant is busted and deported. If you do not like it move to another country then try to scream these allegations and demand your rights and so forth and see where that gets you, could be in prison. He is a sick evil man praying on our children, I wonder if he also prayed on the children of his nation. I am not against coming here to work, if you do it legal I am against coming here illegal and trying to change my life and my rights to fit you. This is AMERICA my land my home., either accept that and obey the laws or go home and work on coming here legal. Key LEGAL
The headline was not racist and would be accurate whether the Chandler rapist were an white illegal alien from Ireland, a black illegal alien from Africa, an Asian illegal immigrant from China or – as he is – a Hispanic illegal alien. This person is not someone who immigrated into the U.S., it is someone who cheated and then raped a bunch of little girls. I wish the AP Stylebook would revert from “illegal immigrant” to the official term, “illegal alien.” Then we would have true non-divisive journalism. Calling these people “immigrants” divides them from society along with legal immigrants who have come here in search of better life. If we used the proper terminology there would be no mistakes confusing illegal aliens with any types of immigrants.
Where does it end? They’re are coming for a better life? Fine. But then that leads to “well, they have to steal people’s identity to work;” or “Well, they have to have an unwanted child because they need a reason to be able to stay;” or “Sure we are importing Mexico’s crime problem, but they work cheap and the victims are just other illegal aliens or ‘American oppressors’;” or “Yeah, they want to be American, they just want to send all of their money to Mexico’s economy.”
Meanwhile, Americans are accused of being racist when these people are bringing with them one of the most racist and closed cultures in the world.
I am a liberal, and I believe all people are equal. I even agree that these people are mostly really good people trying to eat, but I also see that the U.S. is allowing – rather, bringing – these people in to drive down American workers’ wages while keeping Mexico’s workers poor by encouraging anyone of age and intelligence to make a difference to come here, nullifying any chance that the Mexican people will tell their rich government (and it is a rich, rich country) that it’s time to stop the oppression. I mention Mexico because its nationals account for 60 percent of the illegal aliens in America (leaving the remaining 40 percent to all of the other nationalities in the world represented by illegal aliens in America), not because of its people’s skin colors, as they are not just brown people, but also black, white, native Indian and Asian – yes, Mexico has different colors of people just like any other part of the world.
In the end, the entire North American continent will comprise of a slave workforce. Better save up your Ameros!
The headline was not racist and would be accurate whether the Chandler rapist were a white illegal alien from Ireland, a black illegal alien from Africa, an Asian illegal immigrant from China or – as he is – a Hispanic illegal alien. This person is not someone who immigrated into the U.S., it is someone jumped an international border then raped a bunch of little girls.
I wish the AP Stylebook would revert from “illegal immigrant” to the official term, “illegal alien.” Then we would have true non-divisive journalism. Calling these people “immigrants” divides them from society along with legal immigrants who have come here in search of better life. If we used the proper terminology there would be no mistakes confusing illegal aliens with any types of immigrants.
Where does it end? They’re are coming for a better life? Fine. But then that leads to “well, they have to steal people’s identity to work;” or “Well, they have to have an unwanted child because they need a reason to be able to stay;” or “Sure we are importing Mexico’s crime problem, but they work cheap and the victims are just other illegal aliens or ‘American oppressors’;” or “Yeah, they want to be American, they just want to send all of their money to Mexico’s economy.”
Meanwhile, Americans are accused of being racist when these people are bringing with them one of the most racist and closed cultures in the world.
I am a liberal, and I believe all people are equal. I even agree that these people are mostly really good people trying to eat, but I also see that the U.S. is allowing – rather, bringing – these people in to drive down American workers’ wages while keeping Mexico’s workers poor by encouraging anyone of age and intelligence to make a difference to come here, nullifying any chance that the Mexican people will tell their rich government (and it is a rich, rich country) that it’s time to stop the oppression. I mention Mexico because its nationals account for 60 percent of the illegal aliens in America (leaving the remaining 40 percent to all of the other nationalities in the world represented by illegal aliens in America), not because of its people’s skin colors, as they are not just brown people, but also black, white, native Indian and Asian – yes, Mexico has different colors of people just like any other part of the world.
In the end, the entire North American continent will comprise of a slave workforce. Better save up your Ameros!
I agree with the term illegal immigrant it distinguishes between those who came to the U.S. within our immigration laws and those who violated them to get here. Folks need to quit trying to create racism by claiming racism where there is none. To cry racism in excess diminishes real racism. Those that oppose illegal immigration are of all colors which makes the claim of racism all the more ludicrous. Never let people rob you of your words reporters need them to describe events. Lets take a minute to think of all the words that could have been used to describe an illegal immigrant, none of those words were used. The term illegal immigrant doesn’t incite, isn’t racist, doesn’t diminish or minimize what was done it simply describes who and what what was done . Illegal immigrant as a term is middle ground.
The TRUTH is an afirmative defense. I get disgusted with our local “news media” who report a crime, ask the public to be on the lookout for the suspect but won’t describe the suspect as white, black, hispanic etc. It is what it is. The DNA identified the suspect who was further proven to be an illegal. It is what it is.
Racist? NO.
Truth? YES.
Maybe Paul Rubi would have liked the term gentleman used since the bastard looked so pathetic sitting on the bench. Better yet, Maybe Mr. Rubi should go help the bastard and stand by his side during the court hearings.
Your headline was dead ON. We (USA) have a problem with illegal saturation into our country. Let me also stop and say that MANY of these folks are great hard working people but the process of the law needs to happen to become a citizen.
This piece of garbage ILLEGAL IMIGRANT should have never stepped foot into our country after the first deportation IF we had a proper containment system to keep him out.
Let’s roll back to the actual crimes and think about what those poor girls suffered through. Mr Rubi, you are a pathetic MORON.
Please refrain from granting this asshole any press time and wasting a great column. His opinion does NOT matter to any of the public of the USA!
The headlkine was factual so how can it be called racist? And since it was factual, it was very relevent to the story. Was the headline an attention getter? probaly but it was far from being racist.
Mr. Ripley,
Thanks for writing this article and bringing it to the readers attention.
No, the headline you chose was very appropriate.
Over the past year i have learned much as i’ve followed this hot topic regarding illegal immigration. in my whole lifetime i’ve never had one ounce of racism in my blood. it’s my belief that all humans beings were created in the image of our great and awesome God.
I continually get called a racist and bigot simply because i feel it’s truly the time to secure our borders and enforce immigration laws including the new empoyer sanctions law. i’ve tried ever so hard to contain my feelings about what i’ve witnessed but i have reached my breaking point. never in my whole life have i seen such a sorry group of people like these pro-illegal immigration supporters. all they know how to do is continually pull out the race card, cry about racial profiling , constantly demanding rights that are not deserved and whining about everything. your give me, give me, give me attitude has had it with me. you are the racists, not me and others like me. it’s time to quit calling yourselves __?__-americans this and __?__-americans that, and waving your non-american flags in protests. if you want the american dream than do it legally and be an American first and foremost! and please help us become a strong and better America by learning the language of the land.
Mr. Ripley, please continue to report the news with the facts as you are and not like the AZCental cowards. Thank You.
Unfortunately you are going to find that with the heated debate about the new laws and the Border Issues, this is going to come up more frequently then not now. This is due to everyone being on edge. The headline is correct and a fact, therefore it was not racist and is a part of freedom of speech. It was not depicted against any race in paticular, it was a broad comment.
My father came over from East Germany back in 1953 at the age of 8, and in fact him and my grandmother were “Illegal” for 3 years until they recieved citizenship. asking my father about this time he said there was resentment towards him, but he saw it as this, he was here Illegally and was smuggled into the US by a church group, so he really had no say about anything, laws, rights, or anything. Now days he says the same thing even in his 60’s, and it is true. You can complain all you want, but unfortunately you are here illegally, therefore you have no right to be upset, offended, or complain about the laws, articles, or such.
My only complaint is this, we are all people, we all come from somewhere and are all people of the Planet in general. but if you are going to be somewhere wether illegally or legally, PLEASE learn to speak the language where you are going to.
IN NO WAY IS YOUR COMMENT “RACIST”!!! I LIKE YOUR REFERENCE TO ELENOR ROOSEVELT THE BEST. HITS A “BULLSEYE”. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
OOps! I mean “Eleanor Roosevelt”. Since I’m here I would like to also add: For those comments about this being the same as saying “black” man, or “Mexican”..I’m no literary expert(by far), but how are those racist either? A racist word would be using some of the other terms I will only say starts with an “sp..” or “ni….”. There would be no place to use that, because it does not truely express the person decent, but rather a degrading remark used by the un-educated. I have served in the military and went to war (with fellow Infantryman) of the two races I mentioned earlier, as well as others. Fought for their lives(as they did mine), and would do it again in a heartbeat. I am no racist either, I can only assure you. So if he is an “Illegal Immigrant”, then all you have done was state a fact of the person’s “status”, and wasn’t even used in a degrading way. It’s a legal term used, and if the shoe fits… The only people (I feel) that would think it is a racist remark, are those trying to “stir the pot” of the current issues going on in the valley. Racist remark…unbelievable, what have we decended to, to have to deal with people trying to relate this to the “Illegal Immigration” crisis at hand, and get away with it up to this point. You were perfectly just in your statement, and I for one commend you for not using the many other term that REALLY would have been racist!
Sir,
As many pointed out, your headline was not racist. The fact that this individual had been deported twice was relevant. Only in the text did the reader discover that the individual was from Mexico. If the exact same headline and article had been written for an ILLEGAL from any other country, those readers who saw the article as racist would not have voiced any objections.
The gentleman from Detroit, who claims that the lady her works with is Mexican is wrong. The lady stated that she was legally born in the U. S. That makes her an American. Period. Now her heritage is a different answer. That being Mexican makes the lady an American of Mexican heritage. If the gentleman had asked me, the answer would have been Ireland, Great Britain, Germany and Mohawk. What would he have called me. Heinz?
IMHO, those that claim the ‘racist card’ in situations such as this are themselves, to a degree, racist.
Enter the U. S. by our laws and I have no problem. I would and have said “Welcome” many times. Enter in an illegal manner and I have a lot of problems.
The Border issue is no longer a single issue. It is a national security issue. It is an issue of national identity. We have enough laws on the books, that if enforced would end much of the problem relative to illegal workers.
As for national security, in 2006, the House sub committee on Homeland Security held an inquiry. At their ‘invitation’ the Border Patrol was present and admitted that IN JUST 2005 they captures over 600 known terrorists, family members of known terrorists and persons of interest. A person of interest being defines as some one from a terrorist state. ie - Iran, Syria.
In further disclosure it was stated by the Border Patrol that they capture an average of 10% of illegal entrants. Translation: Where the hell are the other 5,400 … plus those from ‘ 02, ‘ 03, ‘ 04, ‘ 06 and ‘ 07.
Both the Administration and Congress keep their mouths shut on the issues. Are they trying to buy future votes or is business putting too much money into their pockets at the expense of the nation?
Like it or not, terrorists are within our borders in significantly large numbers and they will strike. Federal silence is dereliction of duty.
Keep up the good reporting and seek out and print information on Federal failure to act and the danger that this nation and its’ people face because of that dereliction.
Everyone forgets there is a democrat political motivation in allowing as many illegal’s to come to the USA as possible. The more illegal’s come and get use to American social programs the more likely they will vote for the democrats in the future. Democrats will say illegally cant vote. They also cant hold many jobs without a social security number but they some how is able to acquire it. That’s because of a little secret called identity theft. Unlike the TV commercials identity theft isn’t just done by a teenage hacker looking to have a good time. Those teenagers are the exception of the rule.
Why would it divide anything or anyone? How can the truth be racist? We have had more policemen killed and wounded in the last three months than any other time frame. Why should it be dismissed as divisive or racist? It is a fact. I venture to say that if it was someone here’s husband or child who was killed or raped they wouldn’t be so ambivalent about it. At least the ones who are ambivalent and keep trivializing it. Like it or not, and excuse it all you want, these people would not have been killed or raped if those illegals would not have been here.
We are talking about statistics that aren’t in the norm because illegals aren’t citizens. It appears that, along with breaking the law as an illegal, they have no qualms about killing and wounding policemen. Most legal citizens do. Is it because Mexico does not believe in capital punishment and they know that they can’t get the death penalty here by agreement with Mexkico? That respect for our law enforcement and laws here from them are as little as drug cartels and kingpins killing attorneys generals and governors of states in Mexico.
I have long had a wish that when people talk about illegal immigration or Michael Vick fighting dogs or any form of repulsive behavior from any race, that they stop popping out of their mouths as the very first thing these pitiful, absurd racist connotations.
The significance of them being illegals is profound. Now it appears that these statisticians and pro illegal sympathizers are saying that “If they hadn’t been killed or raped by illegals they would have by someone else. WHAT A PATHETIC VIEW!
To me, that is what you are doing when you dismiss the significance of them being illegals and the fact it wouldn’t have happened if they hadn’t been here.
This race ( I’m white) thing has been forced down our throats for years now. It will never go away because the very people who want to be known for who they are regardless of the color of their skin will not let it. If you are an American you should be called simply that (an American). Not, Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, etc. I don’t go around needing to be called a White American because I would be called racist (get my point)? People stop the crap, their are more important things to deal with.