Tancredo defends American values/culture at Tea Party Convention

by Rory Cripps | February 7, 2010 at 12:47 pm

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Tom Tancredo, former Republican Rep. from Colorado best known for his tough stance against illegal immigration delivered the keynote address to Tea Party members at their national convention in Nashville Tennessee on Thursday.

Tancredo's speech elicited strong reaction from Obama supporters, illegal immigration proponents, and members of the African American community when he said,

" . . .because we don't have a civic literacy test to vote, people who couldn't even spell vote, or say it in English, put a committed socialist ideologue in the White House named Barack Hussein Obama."

The former congressman went on to say that had John McCain been elected, "Congressman Guiteriez and President McCain would have been posing in the rose garden with big smiles as they received accolades from La Raza for having finally passed an amnesty."

Tea Party members gave Tancredo rousing applause when he said, "Somethings we can deal with just in a political way and just, you know, by the votes we cast. Other things will require a commitment to passing on our culture--and we do have one you know! It is based on Judeo Christian principles whether people like it or they don't! That's who we are! And if you don't like it, don't come here! And if you're here and don't like it go home! Go someplace else!"

Throughout the years, Tancredo whose ancestors were Italian immigrants, has been described by the left and illegal immigration proponents as anti-immigrant and a staunch opponent of immigration. However in view of Tancredo's past statements and writings on the matter of immigration, there appears to be no evidence to support claims of his being anything other than a staunch opponent of illegal immigration and a supporter of legal immigration.

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stejeb

at 13:12 on February 7th, 2010

You must be reading somewhere different to me Rory, he doesn't want "multiculturism" he has said that immigration, legal or illegal is going to bring that in, not by legislation, but by a process he sees as erosion.

It seems that at any cost he wants to preserve what he perceives as being American culture, totally ignoring the fact that American "culture" is a pot-pourri of world cultures anyway, from music to food, and in almost everything, it all came in with immigrants.

No "culture" in any society at any time in history has been able to stagnate and retain a seperate and unique lifestyle and survive, with good reason, as new ideas and new people come in, so the common pool of knowledge within that society, and the ability to adapt, grows.

Change isn't something to be afraid of, Tancredo and his ilk need to learn this, it's something to be embraced and welcomed, after all, it's part of being human and part of evolving.

Rory Cripps

at 13:54 on February 7th, 2010

stejeb:

Why are you picking on Italian-Americans? MINCHIA! I can honestly say that all of my best friends are Italian-American and that includes members of this site!

What the heck does "multicultarlism" have to do with the facts of Tancredo's stance on illegal and legal immigration? I can't find any statements or writings of Tancredo's that explicitly state that he's against legal immigration. If you can dig them up somewhere and provide them within their full context, I'd more than welcome it.

Indeed, I would like nothing better than for someone to show me proof-positive that Tancredo is a staunch opponent of legal immigration. I've been racking what's left of my brain since yesterday trying to dig up info that will bolster all the assertions that Tancredo is a staunch opponent of immigration. But the only thing that I can come with is that Tancredo is a staunch opponent of illegal immigration . . . . HELP ME! HELP ME! PLEASE! ..............................................................................................................................

stejeb

at 15:27 on February 7th, 2010

This is one link Rory, there are so many if you google his name. (my apologies, stupid thing won't let me turn off italics!)

"Tancredo, who has long stood at the forefront of a congressional caucus seeking limits on immigration, does not hesitate to go further that even many activists on the issue. Speaking Tuesday night at the Republican debate, Tancredo called not only for closed-door policies on illegal immigration, but also for a “timeout” on all immigration.

“We have to stop all legal immigration except for people coming into this country as . . . immediate family members and/or refugees,” he said. In an interview Wednesday on CNN, Tancredo explained that the hiatus would “give us time to assimilate the people who have come here” before more immigrants arrive."

Source CQ Politics

Rory Cripps

at 15:38 on February 7th, 2010

stejeb:

That's what I'm looking for! Thanks! I really want to see this Tancredo controversy through and come up with the facts.

Pat Buchanan has also called for a moratorium on legal immigration for a number of reasons which includes the present U.S. unemployment rate.

BTW: I'm supposed to be watching the Stupor Bowl now (not a very patriotic American am I? lol!) I'll wait until half time . . .I think the Who are performing . . .I hope Townshend doesn't break his back as opposed to his guitar . . . .

Karen Hatter

at 09:50 on February 15th, 2010

You know what they say about the squeaky wheel, Rosie ....

Karen Hatter

at 12:38 on February 11th, 2010

Also at NowPublic:

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 Ended the Use of Literacy Tests

steve1 (not verified)

at 02:53 on February 18th, 2010

Tom Tancredo is a lunatic who's made insane statements about muslims in the past as well. Having him at a convention takes away credibility from what they're trying to do.