by Mark Matthews and Victor Manueal Ramos
A Florida congresswoman has gone home amidst some controversy, including a protest outside her Brooksville office on Thursday over calling Puerto Ricans "foreign citizens.''
Just what the GOP needs: Another congressional seat in play this year, in a swing state where growing ranks of Puerto Rican voters with Democratic leanings have been told to go take a jump in the springs at Weeki Wachee by the Republican who first insulted their citizenship.
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.) put out a statement this morning:
"At the advice of his doctor, earlier this week I left Congress and returned to Florida to be with my husband, Harvey Waite. While we are still awaiting the results of follow-up medical tests, Harvey has been diagnosed with cancer and will require ongoing treatment. As anyone who has been through serious medical issues with a loved one knows, I plan on spending as much time as necessary to care for my husband."
Dozens of protestors had converged on West-Central Florida's small town of Brooksville in response to her recent remarks about Puerto Ricans. Some left the protest disappointed and perhaps even more upset than they were when they got there.
Brown-Waite not only did not apologize for her remarks, but also made a comment that many saw as a new provocation. In a statement released by her office as the protest was under way, Brown-Waite dismissed the assembly -- organized by Democrats -- as “race-based hysteria” and suggested that protesters take a hike down to a nearby aquatic park where they could “cool off.”
“I recommend that they head down the road to Weeki Wachee for a fun afternoon at our water park,” her statement said.
. Brown-Waite had angered Puerto Ricans when her office issued a press release in January complaining that those who live in the U.S. territory should not receive federal tax rebates from the economic stimulus package subsequently passed by Congress.
In the process, she called them and the people of Guam -- both of whose natives are awarded U.S. citizenship -- "foreign citizens.''
Samuel López, one of the organizers of Thursday’s rally, said he was satisfied with the showing of around 70 Puerto Ricans who made the trek to the congresswoman's office and said that more protests are to come now that Brown-Waite offended them a second time.
“It’s obvious that Ginny Brown-Waite has not only lost her mind,'' said Lopez, of Melbourne, "but she has also lost touch with the American people.''
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Comments
Slanted reporting. Pure and simple. Democrats know they can't beat this congresswoman fair and square so they've organized this sham "protest."
Posted by: Jeff | February 29, 2008 2:54 PM
Just see if you can get some FALN terrorists pardoned and all will be well.
Posted by: Terry | February 29, 2008 2:55 PM
Foleys buddy Crist will help her with this.
Posted by: bill "hussein" r. | February 29, 2008 3:15 PM
Honestly, the ignorance of some of our elected officials never ceases to amaze me.
Posted by: jlp | February 29, 2008 3:28 PM
liberal independants vote nader we know the other independant supporters are really the enemy repubicans pretendsing to be ossama uniters who are about to hand votes to panama baby
Posted by: abcz | February 29, 2008 3:39 PM
Just further proof that the Repubican rhetoric against "Illegal Immigrants" covers an over all disdain for all Latinos, whether citizens or not. Unless they are Cuban that is.
Posted by: JT | February 29, 2008 3:48 PM
what about panama baby the repubician leader to be presidenti is he a foreign citizen ???
Posted by: abcz | February 29, 2008 3:53 PM
MY MOTHER AND FATHER WERE BORN US CITIZENS ON THE ISLAND OF PUERTO RICO. MY FATHER SERVED WITH HONOR IN WW2. MY UNCLES SERVED WITH HONOR IN THE KOREAN WAR. I AM A VIETNAM ERA VET AND MY SON SERVED WITH HONOR DURING IRAQ1. I DON'T NEED SOME IGNORANT KNOW-NOTHING HACK OF A POLITICIAN DENEGRATE OR MINIMIZE MY US CITIZENSHIP. GO HOME AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR HUSBAND, I HOPE HE FAIRS WELL, AND I HOPE YOU AND THOSE LIKE YOU8, GET VOTED OUT OF OFFICE SO MAYBE THIS COUNTRY CAN GET BACK ON TRACK.
Posted by: LOU | February 29, 2008 3:59 PM
FACE THE FACTS, the people of Puerto Rico and Guam ARE NOT AMERICANS !
There country needed money so we took them in to deter communism.
A TRUE AMERICAN IS BORN IN AMERICA !
NOW THAT EVERYONE IS MAD,GOOD! It's about time we "humans" start to act that way!
9/11 should have been the eye opening event when we realized it is now good humans versus bad humans and we all should work toward a common good. Over paid athletes need to have thier teams disbanned and use the money to make the world better thru housing,food,medical,
transportation and energy updates and technology.
Posted by: Rick from Connecticut | February 29, 2008 3:59 PM
This goes to show you that we can die for our country and then treated like dirt by useless individuals who get paid by our blood and taxes. This congresswoman is an idiot and should be sent to the nearest garbage can
Posted by: José a Viet Nam Vet | February 29, 2008 3:59 PM
I'm offended by the assertion of the reporters that "Puerto Ricans" are "offended".
The 70 rent-a-protesters represent only themselves. Nobody can credibly claim that they represent all or even most "Puerto Ricans".
I demand that these reporters apologize to Congresswoman Brown-Waite.
Posted by: Cisneros | February 29, 2008 4:09 PM
Puerto Ricans are taught by the Amnesty Lobby Organizers to stress their military service, whether they have any or not to silence any criticism of their mob activiies. Just like the Huffington Post reports the Democrats are changing language on Immigration. Now they will say.."Illegals must legalize their status and become citizens". The idea of Munez of LaRaza..make the USA people think illegals are being punished by becoming citizens and it will be O.K.
Ms. Munez..do you see why we don't want your mobs to be citizens with the opinions you of the USA Public. And Andrianne DArhlinggggggggg. Like a fingernail on a chalkboard.
Posted by: Pat madison | February 29, 2008 4:48 PM
Rick from Connecticut, you sir, are an idiot. I was stationed in Guam with the Navy for several years, and there are few people stateside who are more patriotic. Moreover, and more to the point, they pay Federal Income Tax, and should be entitled to the same services -- and refunds -- as anyone else.
Guam has been a US possession since 1898, taken during the Spanish-American War, well before Communism was a speck in your grandmother's xenophobic eye (assuming your condition is hereditary). It was taken briefly by the Japanese during WWII, but reclaimed near the end of the war. The US never "bought" the island, aside from the property it purchased/leased to establish several military bases. You might as well say Alaskans aren't US citizens, or the residents of any of the States bought in the Louisiana Purchase, for that matter, since both of those were clearly bought. Your ignorance of your own country is eclipsed only by your clear bigotry. It's unfortunate that with freedom and prosperity so often comes apathy, indifference, and an unearned sense of superiority.
Posted by: Allen | February 29, 2008 5:07 PM
While her phraseology is unfortunate, it's not that unusual that citizens that live abroad do not receive full benefits from the feds.
As I understand it, you cannot retire outside of the country and receive full social security benefits.
So she's right on the issue, wrong in her language, which is unfortunate.
Posted by: Blue-Blooded Democrat | February 29, 2008 6:26 PM
Perfect Senator 'Macaca' redux!
Just when my ribs stopper hurting, another one pops out. Keep up the good work Rep. Idiot (R-Fla)
Posted by: C.Morris | February 29, 2008 6:37 PM
"I demand that these reporters apologize to Congresswoman Brown-Waite.
Posted by: Cisneros | February 29, 2008 4:09 PM"
Really? An elite, latte slurping, Hummer driving, benchmark spending, Bible thumping, torture promoting, environmental destroying, reproductive rights grabbing, inside trading, K street adoring, exclusionary, privileged Republican needs an apology?
Get outta town!
Posted by: C.Morris | February 29, 2008 6:45 PM
"Slanted reporting. Pure and simple. Democrats know they can't beat this congresswoman fair and square so they've organized this sham "protest."
With republicans making comments like this, they have no one to be worried about except themselves.
Posted by: RomanB | February 29, 2008 7:48 PM
Do any of these work? Do you have time to take off and have mob activities each time a poltican hacks you off? I would live outside of Ms. Pelsoi's office if I had the time and money these "protestors" seem to have.
LaRaza, Adrianna Dahlinggggg,Democratic Party, People for the American Way...DEMAND CITIZENSHIP FOR ILLEGALS OR ELSE. TALK TOUGH TO THE USA.
CNN and Soledad have the sob,sob, whine, whine illegal aliens storys back on...An Amnesty Drive must be coming our way.
Posted by: Pat Madison | February 29, 2008 10:55 PM
Rick in Conn.does appear to be below average intelligence (maybe a school drop-out?). Ask him what is the capital of his own residence state and he may "pass" on answering that one. He does demostrate that imbecility does not play favorites.
Posted by: jrldev | February 29, 2008 11:43 PM
Really? An elite, latte slurping, Hummer driving, benchmark spending, Bible thumping, torture promoting, environmental destroying, reproductive rights grabbing, inside trading, K street adoring, exclusionary, privileged Republican needs an apology?"
You are mistaken sir. It is not Senator Kennedy being discussed here, it is Rep. Brown. Who is a natualist, noted for preserving Gulf Florida from rampant development, a fisherperson, a lover of Florida and wishes to protect it..who has seen it become a crime riddled, illegal alien infested, Spanish Speaking foreign nation..and no one in Flauba ever had a vote. Florida - Cuba.
She is beloved by her constituents, which are the poorest in Florida..Levy County..she is the Rep. from little murdered Jessica's hometown and she fought for her like a tiger..she is a good woman. A good poltican. She loves her nation, her culture and her language.
To an Open Borders, USA citizenship is universal Democrat...that just makes her everything you hate..does it not?
Posted by: Pat Madison | February 29, 2008 11:54 PM
It is amazing that in this day and age we have such ignorant comments. We take pride in our Puerto Rican heritage as well as our American one, as the service given by Puerto rican military members can be a Testament to this. We can pay into the system but should not receive any of the benefits. I hope her husband overcomes this health issue. But as for Mrs. Brown-Waite she is a disgrace to all amercians and Senator McCain should hear of this.
Posted by: Cris Fontanez | March 1, 2008 6:52 AM
People, we have seen by the remarks made by this idiot of a congress woman that she does not know her history nor the importance of the puerto rican vote. Who at a glance doesn't even look like she is that intelligent as well as only looking out for those who can't even drive. Because puerto ricans are citizens we can vote in elections and the fact that there are more puerto ricans in the U.S than on the island should signal to her that she is barking up the wrong tree. So what does that mean for her go back to school Mrs. Brown-Waite and learn a little bit of history.
Posted by: PuertoRicanRepublican | March 1, 2008 9:57 AM
FACE THE FACTS, the people of Puerto Rico and Guam ARE NOT AMERICANS !
There country needed money so we took them in to deter communism.
A TRUE AMERICAN IS BORN IN AMERICA !
_____________________________
Ya don't say? Did'ja know John McCain was born in Panama?
Just askin'.
Posted by: rncbs | March 1, 2008 4:43 PM
FACT: PUERTO RICANS ARE AMERICANS: PROOF: ANYONE BORN IN PR HAVE A PASSPORT THAT SAYS UNITED STATES CITIZEN. You wouldnt have said this in the 60's when The UNITED STATES WAS ON OUR LAND FIGHTING COMMIUNISM OH AND THE FACT THAT THE UNITED STATES CREATED AND TESTED AGENT ORANGE IN PR. YOU OBVIOSLY NEED US TOO. JUST CHECK WITH THE MILITARY AND SEE HOW MANY PUERTO RICANS HAVE SERVED.MR RICK FROM CN.
Posted by: WHAT | September 27, 2008 7:36 PM