Thread: Illegals debate far from hat dance

Illegals debate far from hat dance



March 24, 2008

Fliers proclaiming Maryland House Judiciary Committee Chairman Joseph F. Vallario Jr. as "wanted for aiding and abetting" illegal immigration were removed from a hearing earlier this month after he took offense.

The fliers, which depict Mr. Vallario, Prince George Democrat, wearing an ornate, Mexican-style sombrero, were denounced as racist by one legislator and legitimate free speech by others.

Delegate Victor R. Ramirez, another Prince George's Democrat who serves on the committee, called the flier "blatant racism."

"I'm hurt that people would resort to this type of action, rather than talk about the issues like grownups," said Mr. Ramirez, who was born in El Salvador. "The true colors of some of the bills' proponents came out."

Mr. Vallario brushed off the March 11 episode a day later, but was visibly angry during Tuesday's hearing about several immigration-related bills. After ordering the fliers removed, Mr. Vallario chided Delegates Warren E. Miller, Howard Republican, and Patrick L. McDonough, Baltimore County Republican, telling them they were fortunate he was even hearing their immigration-related legislation.

"We don't accept literature that tries to intimidate or harass people," said Mr. Vallario, who is of Italian heritage.

But the Republican delegates, who both sponsored bills to prohibit "sanctuary city" policies that bar local government employees and police officers from asking someone's immigration status, said they had nothing to do with the flier.

Susan Payne, a Montgomery County resident and executive director of the Maryland Coalition for Immigration Reform, submitted the fliers along with written testimony.

Miss Payne said the poster was "tongue-in-cheek" political humor. But after a six-hour wait to testify in support of bills that would target illegal immigration, Miss Payne was cut short in the midst of a heated discussion with Mr. Vallario.

A security officer was called, but Miss Payne walked out after refusing to answer committee members' questions because her "time was up." "Maybe at the next election, you'll be voted out and your time will be up," she yelled at Mr. Vallario as she left.

The next day, Miss Payne said she was cut off after trying to repeat Mr. Vallario's statements to pro-immigrant advocates at a Feb. 25 Annapolis rally. A YouTube link to a video of Mr. Vallario at the rally was printed on the wanted poster that Miss Payne distributed.

"Either he doesn't comprehend the First Amendment, or he's ashamed of his own pandering," she said.

Mr. Miller and Mr. McDonough said the flier was free political speech protected under the First Amendment.

"This was essentially, to me, humorous with a cutting edge," Mr. McDonough said. "You've got to be careful. She felt angry by the fact that she was being denied her free speech, and I think she was denied that right."

Delegate Richard K. Impallaria, Baltimore County Republican, a co-sponsor of bills discussed in the hearing, shrugged off the flier as a joke.

"[Mr. Vallario] looks good in that picture," he said. "Look at that smile."
http://washingtontimes.com/article/2008 ... 94872/1004

Wanted poster riles committee hearing
by Laura Schwartzman


[i]Susan Payne submitted these fliers, calling them ‘‘tongue-in-cheek.â€

I think the flier says it all. we sent many such fliers to congress during the amnesty bills

[quote]‘‘We don’t accept literature that tries to intimidate or harass people,â€

In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face. For some, shyness might be their El Guapo. For others, a lack of education might be their El Guapo. For us, El Guapo is a big, dangerous man who wants to kill us. But as sure as my name is Lucky Day, the people of Santa Poco can conquer their own personal El Guapo, who also happens to be *the actual* El Guapo! …Lucky Day/The Three Amigos


--Wherever there is injustice, you will find us. --Wherever there is suffering, we'll be there. --Wherever liberty is threatened, you will find... --The Three Amigos!


Are YOU the SINGING BUSH?? …Lucky Day/The Three Amigos