September 5, 2007
Morning Roundup: Recurring Recalls Edition
Good morning, Washington, and welcome to a world of omnipresent peril. That's what it seems like, anyway, given the constant stream of recalls that we've been facing lately. This morning's additions to the list of things that are trying to kill you and your family: children's cribs and Mattel toys. Oh, and microwave popcorn — but then, that stuff's so delicious that you probably already suspected its deadliness.
Firefighter Sex Ring Press Conference: WUSA says that progress is being made in the investigation of the prostitution business alleged to have been run from D.C. firehouses. The first criminal charges are expected to be filed today, and Mayor Fenty will be holding a press conference on Minnesota Avenue at noon.
KKK Flyers Turn Up In Manassas: Given the xenophobia and racism inevitably associated with nativist movements and some local governments' recent campaigns against illegal immigrants, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised — but we can still be dismayed to hear that the KKK has been spotted dropping off literature in Manassas. NBC4 has the details. The Klan says they distributed the fliers in response to requests for them.
Money Key Issue For New Reactor: The Post has a lengthy article about the prospects of a new nuclear reactor in southern Maryland. The punchline? It's not environmental concerns that seem to be the project's biggest hurdle, but financial ones. Critics of the proposed plant say that the federal subsidies that the nuclear industry enjoys can't be justified and shouldn't be made available in this case.
Briefly Noted: Server snafu prevents Metro buses from collecting $200k... Plane returns to BWI due to smoke odor... Mt. Airy fire attributed to wood stove... String of gropings at Montgomery Mall... Warner stays mum about Senate run, for now...
This Day In DCist: One year ago we welcomed Yeas & Nays to the world and got ready for the fourth Unbuckled. Two years ago we were co-sponsoring Laura Burhenn's Katrina benefit concert.
Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user parikha49
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Firefighter Sex Ring Press Conference
I swear I saw them open for Butthole Surfers.
Ah yes, because anyone favoring anything other than full and complete amnesty and a completely open border with Mexico is a xenophobic racist. Nice.
Ah yes, because anyone favoring anything other than full and complete amnesty and a completely open border with Mexico is a xenophobic racist. Nice.
No, just Klan members and people who see their literature and think, "Hmmm, this kind of makes sense."
My bet is that the pro-immigrant groups distributed the Klan stuff.
I keep saying, undocumented aliens are 2008's version of the campaign against same-sex marriage that motivated conservatives to go to the voting booths in 2004. It's just the same wolf, slightly different sheep's clothing, tactic made popular by the Rove Machine: pretend there's a Big Threat Against America, round up anyone who needs to believe in said threat, and tell them to vote your way. And while there were several states who blocked same-sex marriage through their legislatures and vote initiatives, Americans have tired of the whole thing, and now a new scapegoat is needed. Herald the hysteria around immigration from south and central america -- and this time, differences in nationality, profound poverty, and a lack of access to education, and the hatred trick will probably work better than it did against the gays.
But you know, I'm all to the left of Chairman Mao and all, so what do I know?
Not that I'd ever even bother to read what the Klan leaves on doorsteps, but I somehow doubt it's worse than all the other propaganda coming out of both sides of this debate.
I really don't trust any organized group on this issue, whether it's right wing radio hosts or immigrant protesters; they're all lying, in my opinion.
America's love affair with anti-immigrant hysteria is a long and tedious one, whether it's Germans, Italians, Chinese, or in this case, South and Central Americans. As long as you have first-generation immigrants that don't assimilate, you'll have the usual Klan and Know Nothings peddling the same tired foolishness. By the second generation, their teenagers are so desperate to fit in, they've already forgotten their native language and are busy becoming morbidly obese consumers, clad in expensive sneakers and designer $70 Semen Dumpster-brand teeshirts.
Taking the bus for free was nice yesterday. Even better were the wacked-out announcements that were played in a super-slowed down, almost demonic voice...
When you get 1000's of illegal aliens marching in the streets, waving foreign flags and bad-mouthing the U.S....it's a different thing. Don't tell me I hate them or that I am a racist...it's just my American Pride.
Everett,
One reason why it will be more successful is because I think the hysteria is bleeding over into the democrat’s camp. I can't tell you how many neighbors and friends, that hate Bush with a passion and are super blue staters, that will support any anti-illegal immigration initiatives coming down the pike. I don’t doubt they will vote accordingly too.
When you get 1000's of illegal aliens marching in the streets, waving foreign flags and bad-mouthing the U.S....
When did this happen? I missed it. I do remember some marches of large numbers of both legal and undocumented immigrants waving foreign and AMERICAN flags, and expressing their pride in America.
Like Everett said, you are getting suckered...
#4, ding ding ding. Please come to the front for your prize.
The culprit most likely rhymes with 'Smooth on got borg'
RJ - Interesting observation, but is it possible that these "super blue staters" are engaging in some sort of ultra-cynical realpolitik with the goal being a dozen years of DNC hegemony?
Hillman,
Intresting,
But I really think people become much more conservative when politics reaches their backyard.
The Klan has been a regular facet of Manassas life since around 1866. Seeing their leaflets around isn’t anything special, and it’s not uncommon for the Klan to blanket high-school parking lots with flyers in the early morning for students to find.
RJ:
That was HillRat, not Hillman.
I completely agree with Everett. As they say, brown is the new pink.
Sad, really. As we really do need real immigration reform. And I also think we need to dictate that immigrants learn English. But some of the crap I hear from the anti-immigrant folks is just such rubbish. Like that immigrants are clogging our prisons, when the Federal stats on the issue show that immigrants are actually considerably less likely than Americans to commit crimes.
And the real question is: if we magically deported 15 million illegals, who would pick our lettuce and clean our toilets? It sure ain't going to be our spoiled kids.