Prepare for NCGOP to ramp up the "Fear of the Brown People" theme

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Submitted by Betsy Muse on Sat, 06/28/2008 - 8:31am.

According to a piece in the Raleigh News & Observer, North Carolina Republican candidates are preparing to ramp up the fear. Soon, we should be hearing ads and stump speeches reminding us just how scary all those brown people are.....you know...the ones who have entered this country illegally.

Now, we all know that there are people here in the US who do not have brown skin, so how can I be so certain the Republicans mean brown-skinned "illegal immigrants"? Well, because, Sue Myrick said so:

"Nationally it doesn't poll that high, but it's still the No. 1 issue that people stop me about in the grocery store and other places where I am and say, 'Please don't give up on the border,' " Myrick said after a recent news conference to call for swift completion of a fence on the Mexican border. "I still hear it all the time in my district."

The article, by Lisa Zagaroli, also reminds us that Elizabeth Dole has already used it in her "Identify, Apprehend and Deport" ad. In case you don't remember it, this was the ad that brought Dole all the way to North Carolina so she could shoot her commercial on location. Kay Hagan's position on immigration and how we should address the issues presented by undocumented workers is not that different from Elizabeth Dole's. The difference between the candidates is that Hagan doesn't choose to demonize those here illegally.

Actually, in North Carolina, many Democrats believe we should not forgive, or offer amnesty, to those in this country illegally. Most Democratic candidates don't froth at the mouth at the thought of hunting them down and deporting them.

So, while the jobless rate continues to climb, people are losing their homes in NC at an increasing rate and gas and food prices continue to skyrocket we can feel safe because the NCGOP is on the job getting rid of those scary brown people.

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Sorry to post and run

Submitted by Betsy Muse on Sat, 06/28/2008 - 8:35am.

I'm going to a canning class with a friend at the farmer's market.

Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.

Speaking of Feeling Safe

Submitted by Blue South on Sat, 06/28/2008 - 9:19am.

There was an article in the paper last week about a young man who was being tried for murder and a string of other felonies. He had been targeting hispanics in a months long crime spree, figuring that they wouldnt go to the police to report anything.

"Keep the Faith"

This will be a tough issue...

Submitted by captsfufp on Sat, 06/28/2008 - 10:22am.

Because on the economy and the wars in Iraq/Afghanistan, which should/are the top two issues this election, the GOP has nothing to offer. Zip, zilch, nada.

But, honestly, immigration could "help" them in their races. I think one way to combat their planned attacks also involves using soft money and other third-party organizations. Why do I say this? B/c the ads that should be run in opposition to their "scare-tactics" should be human stories about the REAL immigrants in NC. The ones that go to school, work, and live in our communities. Our "issue ads" should be them telling their story of the sacrifices they make, of how they are a part of our community, how they deal with the same everyday issues we must deal with, and how they want a better North Carolina, too.

This is the communications strategy when it comes to the immigration issue...human-zing it.

Well, we have to be careful

Submitted by Betsy Muse on Sat, 06/28/2008 - 8:04pm.

Most Democratic candidates have similar positions on how best to deal with undocumented workers. Most don't believe in forgiving (offering amnesty) to those in this country illegally. I think the kind of ad we would need to run is along the lines of - "Whether you believe we should find a path to citizenship for those in this country illegally or not we shouldn't demonize them as hardened criminals. The vast majority here are hard workers, loving parents and would make model citizens if allowed to stay in this country."

Something along those lines....and yes, personal stories would serve this purpose.

Last night I was at dinner with

Submitted by southernmaledemocrat on Sat, 06/28/2008 - 10:54am.

A federal immigration officer (ICE) and he was telling us that his agency has a BIG problem with Sheriff's down East stopping people just because they are hispanic, hoping to "catch" illegals.

This is the "new" racism. The sad thing is, it works. I wonder if we'll ever see an election cycle where the GOP doesn't have some bogus way of riling up white people?

http://southernmaledemocrat.com

Ah, driving while hispanic,

Submitted by Huh on Sat, 06/28/2008 - 4:00pm.

Ah, driving while hispanic, it's a problem for sure. In theory, the local authorities running immigration checks and deporting lawbreaker is the correct thing to do. However in practice I'm afraid that we are going to see more and more instances of abuse of power.

McCrory

Submitted by gregflynn on Sat, 06/28/2008 - 12:19pm.

At last week's ~~Republican~~ "non-partisan" conservative rally, after his folksy intro, McCrory in one breath conflated criminal justice system "breakdown", criminal gangs, gangs from Central America, illegal immigrants roaming the state, career criminals and illegal immigration. He made it sound like every Latino in the state was a hardened criminal gang member likely to break into your home or steal your car.