The Signal has a sweeping, 1300+ word piece on Racistgate in which they talk to everyone from Bob Kellar to Frank Ferry to local liberals to a CSUN professor. Amazingly, Roger Gitlin, the guy who helped organize the rally at which Kellar uttered the “I”m a proud racist” phrase, appeared as a moderate in the article and said Kellar “got a little ahead of himself with his words.”
Kellar again refuses to back off his words or apologize. Indeed, he said elected officials who don’t talk about illegal immigration ought to be ashamed of themselves.
Interestingly, the Signal reports that Kellar may have violated the City’s Code of Ethics by not explicitly stating that his views on immigration were his own and not those of the City. The relevant code says, “”when presenting their individual opinions and positions, (City Council members and other city officials) shall explicitly state they do not represent their body or the city of Santa Clarita, nor will they allow the inference that they do.”
But City Attorney Carl Newton, Frank Ferry and other unidentified members of the Council say they don’t think Kellar violated the Code of Ethics. “He did not say he was speaking on behalf of the council or speaking in an official capacity, so I don’t think he has violated any policy,” Newton told The Signal. Ha! Newton must think we are stupid, the code requires that officials affirmatively state that they are not speaking on behalf of the Council, the inverse is simply not enough; that’s obvious even from a lay reading of the code.
All these new articles (especially the KHTS one) and many of the commenters are emphasizing how important the context of Kellar’s quote was. I agree. Context is king. That’s why before you make your judgment, you ought to (in addition to reading all of his speech) consider that Kellar, our City Councliman, was at an event where a pastor gave a stirring, nativist invocation in which he said that that the US was being overrun by “those who are evil,” and that the “thing going on in our nation today” (presumably Democrats and/or illegals) were “sent straight from hell.” That was the true context for the whole rally, that was the tone right off the bat: religiously-inspired illegal immigrant bashing.
Any normal elected person -cognizant that he represented a diverse Southern California community in 2010- would have left at that point, but not Kellar. All indications are that he worked himself into a frenzy, staying for several speeches before hissing that he was a proud racist. He topped even the pastor with his rhetoric and the crowd ate it up.
I’ll say this for Kellar. Whether he is protesting against marriage equality for gays or besting even the most reactionary rhetoric at a nativist gathering, he’s clear and consistent. He had me fooled for a long time, so if anything good can be said to come from last week’s rally, it’s that I and the rest of the SCV now know the true Bob Kellar. And he’s proud of it, he stands by everything he said. And I’ll be happy to see him leave the Council in 2012, despite whatever good service he’s given to our community.
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Is there a person in California that does not think that illegals hurt the overall economy?(other than the millions of illegals themselves)
Jeff:
I’m a bit perplexed at the vitriol you are expressing on this issue. You talk about the context of the rally in terms of an apparent few who attended that may hold really xenophobic values. How about looking at the context in terms of Jamiel Shaw and the March family who both spoke about how they lost sons who were murdered by illegal immigrants that should not have been ‘out there’.
Most people of all races in this country want our borders protected so these types of murders (or worse, a terrorist attack) don’t happen. In that regard I guess by the right definition they could all be called racist.
One other question as you have gone all out on Bob Kellar. Do you also feel Harry Reid should resign from the senate for his “light skinned with no Negro dialect comment” about Obama. While this is indeed a leap to the National level the central issues are the same. While Reid apologized, doesnt’t this show a severe error in judgement to make the comment in the first place?
It’s incredible to me how intolerant the left is to those who express apparent views from the ‘right’, while being very tolerant when those from the ‘left’ make a gaffe.
It’s incredible to me how intolerant the left is to those who express apparent views from the ‘right’, while being very tolerant when those from the ‘left’ make a gaffe.
Indeed…
Person A said it in private and apologized. Person B said in in public after being announced as a councilman, and therefore in an official capacity, and has, in Jeff’s words, doubled down and stood by his comments.
I know that nuance is difficult, but there you go. Should note also that Reid deserves whatever consequence due from what he said.
As for Fred, kudos for being consistent with Kellar (sincerely). You jumped right out on this one.
But person A didn’t apologize UNTIL he was exposed in a salacious book. Other similar congressman, officials, and public figures of the Republican persuasion have said similar things in private that were later made public and they apologized. Yet they were still skinned alive and forced to resign in spite of the apology and the groveling at the feet of such-and-such activist personality.
Face it, there is a wicked double standard among the left in whcih they are quick to excuse overt racism among their ranks, many southern Demos being unrepentant klansman for example, yet demand there be blood when their political opponents make some off color comment.
I agree political folks should be thoughtful of their comments because of the position they have been granted, but the majority of folks here commenting on this blog are blowing Kellar’s comments and his subsequent reaction to his accusers way out of proportion than what they really are. Kellar’s remarks are hardly racism, and the reaction of the younger “progressive” set is embarrassingly absurd and demonstrates the power of P.C. zeitgeist that infects their worldview. You all need to read some history regarding progressive thought in the early 20th century of the U.S. to ground yourselves in the reality of the truth.
nobody answered my question? Why?
John Adams: I have spoken with many people who regardless of race, ethnic background, religion, political party, gender etc all agree that illegal immigration is a huge problem. Jeff Wilson and like minded individuals on this blog have yet to answer my questions regarding what they propose instead of our current immigration laws if we are to continue ignoring them and rewarding people for doing just that.
Still talking in your sleep I see.
DGH they are too polite to make a proposal. If they did the proposal would be Insomnia. Wake up and go back to sleep!!!!!!!
Newton and Ferry would have to actually have ethics themselves to judge if Kellar violated the City’s code of ethics. Sadly, this is not the case. Newton is nothing but an apologist for his buddies on the Council.
The artificial furor over Reid’s comments, not the subject of this post, have nonetheless been offered as an excuse for Kellar’s comments. However, no one has contradicted the actual facts Reid’s statement, that the middle class whites that voted for Obama might not have if he had mannerisms and appearances of the more radical and less educated among the black left. They perceived no threat. It doesn’t take much to scare the white middle class, but Obama avoided doing so. Is that not a factual statement? Is it racist to point out a factual aspect of Obama’s victory? I have heard no rebuttal, either from the left or right, black or white, of what he actually said. I see his words, not as damning to himself, but a sad commentary on how narrow racial tolerance actually still is in America. This doesn’t make him racist, just observant. It is white middle class America that is being called racist, not altogether an inaccurate description.
Now, back to Kellar… as has been posted, context is everything, and his comments were not about the monetary cost to the state of illegal immigration.
“Jeff Wilson and like minded individuals on this blog have yet to answer my questions regarding what they propose instead of our current immigration laws”
Close the borders, give amnesty to those who are here. Simple. Clean. Compassionate. I fully supported what Bush tried in 2006.
But the conservatives torpedoed it back then, and they want to do it again now.
Jeff says: Close the borders, give amnesty to those who are here. Simple. Clean. Compassionate. I fully supported what Bush tried in 2006.
Thanks for answering me but with all due respect I don’t think your solution would work. We gave millions amnesty before and only wound up with even more millions coming illegally. If you give millions more people amnesty again you will only encourage even more people to take their chances in getting past whatever “closed” border you set up knowing once they are here there is a good possibility they also will get amnesty.
We as a country are not comfortable with shooting trespassers at the border, which I am not suggesting. There is no fence tall or strong enough to keep anyone out without other serious deterrents in place. They will simply find new ways by air, land or sea to get here. History has shown this to be true.
Unless undocumented persons are sent back to their country of origin, employers are fined and sanctioned for hiring anyone without the proper documents, and this country sends a clear message to all foreign governments that we are serious about our immigration laws, people will continue to find ways to come here and we will continue to struggle with this issues every few years.
Still no answer from the left? I wonder why?
Has illegal immigration become a drain on California’s economy?
It is a simple yes or no (or a tap dance around the subject)
John Adams – this lefty will bite. Any reasonable person knows that the answer to your question is a complex one. I agree illegal immigration IS a problem, but to completely rid ourselves of illegals would have implications on the economy as they provide cheap labor that impacts the economy to the benefit in many ways.
There is also a major strain on the economy from legal folks taking advantage of the system as well. Anyone remember Octomom? While most don’t have 8+, plenty of legal American citizens are taxing our system (no pun intended).
In my mind the issue is not his stance on illegal immigrants, but rather his foolish SELF imposed label as a racist and no attempt to retract that label. That is disgusting to me from any individual, let alone a public official.
OK good so you will admit that illegals are a drain on the economy and that cheap labor has a place in society that helps.
So wallmart and it’s employees are good for the economy too? Or is it just cheap labor you agree with politically?
Jeff: So….you have never been to an event where someone said something you disagreed with? You’ve never been in a meeting, associated with someone who said something you weren’t 100% on board with?
Kellar “was at an event” when someone said something controversial.
Well, then that makes it iron-clad. He “was at an event”.
Come on Jeff – you’re better than that.
This was a band of out-of-town extremists saying completely wacky things. If you watched the video segments that came before Kellar’s (his was 3), this should be obvious. If you think it’s just shrug-worthy, then your appeals to common sense carry little weight.
Mike, has political correctness gone so far that you can’t even say what is obviously true? You know that I am hispanic. I agree with what was said. You don’t?
Are you saying that you do not believe that illegal immigration is killing the California economy?
Or are you saying “Yes illegal immigration is killing the economy but it is not nice to say so”?
john, I think you are changing the subject, because the more pertinent matter to this particular controversy is how our local guy played to an unsavory element in this movement. This is an issue that won’t be solved at the local level.
Illegal immigration is very bad for the California economy, and you will never catch me celebrating the widespread exploitation of sub-minimum wage workers. I think mass deportation is a fantasy. I’d rather we make it easier for people to move to the US and provide a path to citizenship or at least legitimacy for law-adibing immigrants who are here now.
I don’t think the root of the problem and the drain on our economy and government has to do with immigration per se, but in the underground economy.
Well I have seen what he said and please correct me if I am wrong but did he not say that there were those that would claim his statement to be racist and if that made you a racist then yes I am a proud racist?
Hell if believing that illegal immigration is ruining our country than YES I am a proud racist too
But I only like the light skined illegals without the illegal dialect
I noticed that you can switch it off if you need to.
The pact! The pact ladies and gentleman!
FWIW John, I always digged your posts. I liked your tales of Vegas, they still make me smile. Too bad we couldn’t get along.
You guys need to pick your fights! I refuse to believe you wake up in the morning wanting to look foolish? When most sane people in the country agree that illegals are hurting the economy maybe you should pick another fight?
I did notice harry reid got a pass from all you non racists? LOL
You weren’t “noticing” hard enough.
Really you guys demanded a resignation? Link?
Must be tough for you John Adams. You have one Senator who banged a staffer’s wife, one who said the President didn’t speak in a Negro manner.
Which do you choose?
BTW, any juicy secrets about either in the vegas casinos?
I really don’t think either one of them has a future! Harry is done and most polls have his approval rating right below herpes (so more people would rather have an STD than reid in power) @Jeff did you just realize who I was? Come On!
John: You’re not as conservative as you let on and I’m not as liberal as I let on, so let’s meet in Vegas in the middle, have a drink, and enjoy a strip show.
I would be more than happy to have a drink with you(I will even buy) Just let me know when you will be in town. You have my email. I have not been to a strip club in months. But, I do recommend Sapphire
@Jeff: Give me a break. You’ve been following him and bashing him on your website for years. Now you’ve grabbed on to something, taken it way out of context for your OWN SELF SERVING PURPOSE – your stupid left-wing, conservative hating website.
So tell us, what do you do in SCV to BUILD up this community? What do you do besides complain a lot? Where do you volunteer your time and give back to make this community a better place?
Or are you too busy going to strip clubs in Vegas?
SCVGUy- huh? I host this website on my own dime at the cost of hundreds of dollars per year. I wake up early every week day morning to search for and summarize news source relevant to our valley.
What self-serving purpose are you eluding to? I have no ads on the front page, I’m not making any dough here.
As for strip clubs, it’s an old inside joke between me and John. And I hope to take him up on it sometime.
SCV Guy, you are quick to stoop. Did you run out of regular words?
Liar, you are advertising for Haiti!
LOL Is there anything wrong with going to strip clubs in Vegas? If there is I never want to be right!
This was the perfect thread! Racism and Strip Clubs! How the hell did Haiti get into this? BTW Dont send them money send them Uhauls (Stolen from Sam)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0q4o58pKwA
N-Dime I thought we pretty much agreed with Keller? Illegals are ruining the California economy!
If you disagree please tell us why not?
If you agree? Welcome to WART and good to have you! (we are racists too)
N-Dime I hope you are joking and not being serious about the cost of burgers? It is the RENT that is higher not the employees! How much do you believe the average burger turner in NYC earns? How about LA? now add $2 to the thousands of burgers sold in a day(your numbers)at a mac D! Do you really believe the cost increase is because of pay? PLEASE!
Just to further my point, if we were to use your theory than cities with the highest unemployment would have the lowest big mac prices! Right?
Follow that up with cities with the lowest unemployment(smaller workforce to use your term) has the cheapest Big Mac?
would you care to test your theory?
LOL!
Make the second one– highest Big Mac Prices
I noticed you figured out the Big Mac Theory was at best STUPID!
Now we are changing the argument? Ok
So you post some quote from a never been heard of before TAX LAWYER?
And the main fact in that quote is”85% of those surveyed”
Every other word is OPINION
Please!
Stick with Big Mac prices! At least that theory made me laugh!
I just did a scientific experiment and called a sample group of illegals 87% of those called felt they were a horrible drain on the economy and 78% of those said they spend about 22% of what they earn the rest they send to family in their country of origin (on a side note- they all love Big Macs)
Yeah I asked the question and this is the answer you gave:
ever buy a Big Mac in New York? I’m serious – it’s easily 50% more than LA. Ever stay at a hotel in SF? Easily 30-50% more than LA. The list goes on and on. Why do you think that is? We have an abundance of workers, yes some illegal, willing to do the same job at a lower wage.
I am pretty sure you are backing off that statement now? If you are not please let me know how much a Big Mac in Detroit is? Or a hotel room compared to LA?
Wyoming has NO real unemployment I bet a Big Mac there is $200
Now if you are saying that there are some illegals that help our economy, I would agree! But lets just say that number is a million? At some point there is a number that hurts the economy! I am not sure what that number is?
But I know we have passed it
oh ok SO It is a complex economic theory that you were quoting? No wonder I just did not get it! LOL
ND, worry not, President Adams uses confrontation as a sort of sonar, to get the shape and composition of someone. He doesn’t mean actual harm.
Magic 8 ball says Bloated
I guess Jeff doesn’t like some of my remarks, he has started to moderate my posts…
How fair is this website if there is no freedom of speech?
start your own site, man-troll
Exactly! SCV Guy get your own site going( you’re pretty boring)
@Mike @John Adams – I just might do that. After all, what good is this blog when Jeff deletes what he wants to? I called him out and he didn’t like it. Poor Jeff, can’t take the heat?