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The WrapAt their Tuesday night meeting, Santa Clarita City Council members also:
* Set aside about $100,000 for 15 community service organizations benefiting Santa Clarita.
* Approved forming an Industrial Development Authority that could make millions of dollars available to Santa Clarita businesses.
* Gave final approval to construct a 108,000-square-foot, $32 million medical office building near the intersection of Sierra Highway and Via Princessa.
The City Council meets at 6 p.m. every other Tuesday at City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd. For a copy of the meeting agenda, go to santa-clarita.com.
Signal Staff Writer
jrandles@the-signal.com
661-259-1234 x519
Members of the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition are putting pressure on Santa Clarita Councilman Bob Kellar to apologize for comments he made at an illegal immigration rally in January.
Coalition members handed a formal complaint letter to Santa Clarita's City Council at Tuesday night's meeting, outlining which parts of the city's code of ethics they think Kellar violated when he delivered his speech last month.
Kellar responded the same way he did when others, including Republican Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon, called on him to say sorry.
"You apologize when you've done something wrong," Kellar said minutes before the meeting began.
During Kellar's speech last month, he said the United States should have one flag and one language and if people thought he was racist for believing in America, then "I'm a proud racist. You're darn right I am."
Event organizers posted the speech on YouTube, leading to an uproar that has drawn national attention. The same groups have announced plans to hold another similar rally this month in Santa Clarita. Kellar said he would attend, but does not intend to speak again.
"As a civic leader, he has led this city in the wrong direction," coalition member Robert Gittelson said.
"We have given him as much time as we can to apologize. We feel the city just swept this under the rug and that's unacceptable."
The coalition has also filed complaints with the Human Rights Commission in Los Angeles, the U.S. Department of Justice and California Attorney General's civil rights office, said coalition member Juan Jose Gutierrez.
At the City Council meeting on Jan. 26, the city attorney and council members said Kellar did not violate the code of ethics and a majority of people who spoke at the meeting supported Kellar.
City Attorney Carl Newton on Tuesday said Kellar was clearly expressing his personal views and was not representing Santa Clarita.
Newton said it's unlikely the letter will lead to any repercussions.
"(The complaint) could cause the City Council to consider proceedings," Newton said in an interview before the meeting.
"But I think with the opinion that I and the council gave, I think it's unlikely that the City Council would."
An hour before the meeting began, about 20 coalition members held a press conference in front of City Hall discussing what legal steps they are taking to try and get Kellar reprimanded for his speech.
A group of six men from Santa Clarita who came to support Kellar were at the press conference as well.
The two groups confronted one another shouted back and forth.
A woman driving a white car stopped in front of City Hall and yelled at coalition members: "Get the freak out of my town! ... What's wrong with you people?"
A sheriff's deputy walked over to tell her to keep driving.
While the coalition was holding its conference, Randy Thompson, 47, of Saugus, yelled in coalition members' faces.
"I don't want to hear what you have to say because you're here supporting illegal immigration," Thompson barked. "Not one of you lives in Santa Clarita."
Some coalition members shouted back.
During the screaming match, Thompson and others tried to drown them out by loudly chanting Bob Kellar's name.
"It's one group yelling at the other," said Parks Commisioner Duane Harte, who was watching the action. "Both think they're right. Yelling at each other gets us nowhere."
Chris Fall, 47, of Valencia, also watched the noisy argument from a distance.
"It's hard to see people outside of Santa Clarita tearing Bob down and the city apart," Fall said. "(Kellar) should clarify what he meant as a way to apologize for what has been taken out of context."
Along with McKeon's call for an apology, Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman distanced herself from Kellar - who had supported her - and called his comments "unacceptable."
"(Kellar) might think he was galvanizing the troops," Gutierrez said. "But I think, if anything, this experience should teach us all that if we are elected to any level of government, we have to be sensitive that what we say may reach farther than we intend."
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February 10, 2010 - 12:52 AM
DO NOT APOLIGIZE!!!!!! How are these people trying to take "legal action" when they are ILLEGAL??? Are they crazy??? Why don't they go back to Mexico and protest like this to take their own country back??? Stop trying to ruin ours! None of these people even live in SCV! I can't wait to see if they will come back. I will notify John and Ken, TCU, I will put up all the info on FB, MySpace and any other social network I can think of! We will drive them out!
February 10, 2010 - 01:12 AM
These scumbags do not even live here. They should have no right to attend our City Council Meeting and/or tell us what we should do in our city. Go back to LA and stay there. Mr. Kellar has nothing to apologize for.
February 10, 2010 - 01:31 AM
Carpetbaggers, go home!
February 10, 2010 - 01:59 AM
Have we had enough of these open border pro illegal goons? You bet we have. Enough is enough. They get our tax dollars in the form of grants then use that money to shut anyone up who speaks against this illegal invasion. Thank you Bob Kellar for having the backbone that so many who run for office lack. We will stand behind you as you've stood and continue to stand up for us. We have had enough and we're not taking it anymore. The truth about the damage the illegal aliens have done to our towns and neighborhood will be addresses and so will those elected officials who have sided with political correctness instead of standing up for our citizens.
February 10, 2010 - 02:02 AM
What a disgrace how illegals want to sue and protest. I say rent them all a bus and ship them all back!
McKeon should hang his head in shame, for not standing up for us in Congress to stop all this illegal immigration. After all we sent him there to enforce the laws of the land and he is not!
Time for a change, vote folks in that will stop this illegal nonscence so we can take back our country and stop paying for these freeloaders!
Kellar for Governor!
February 10, 2010 - 02:08 AM
If these lowlifes would protest all the corruption in Mexico they would'nt have to come to this country.Shows you how cowardly these people are.It's these type of organizations that fan the flames of racism.Obviously they feel freedom of speech only applies to them and not MR.Kellar.But thankyou for coming out so the residents of the SCV can see what kind of people we are dealing with.They just unified a community.Adios USA,Hola 3rd world cesspool.We are no longer a melting pot,we are a powder keg waiting to explode.TICK,TICK,TICK,BOOM!We are no longer a country united we are a country divided.It's to bad our Latino immigrants dont follow the lead of our African,Asian,Middle Eastern immigrants who come here legally speaking English.Why is that?Is it a cultural thing,a lack of education thing,what?Hell in Somalia I found more people that spoke English than our Latino Illegals.How shameful.
February 10, 2010 - 02:14 AM
Do you notice the choice of words this so called journalist used. When describing an anti-illegal protester the journalist chose to say he "barked" implying he's a dog. But to describe the ANSWERLA protester he choose "shouted". That was not an accident, that is journalistic propaganda. This journalists goal is to demean Mr. Thompson to the level of animal. Very dishonest reporting.
February 10, 2010 - 02:30 AM
@ Ryantheray,
I am that "barking" Randy Thompson and your observations are right on the button! What the reporter also fails to mention is the fact that I asked him, long prior to the sham press conference to ask the "protesters" if any of them resided in Santa Clarita. Needless to say, that was left to me to address. The slant of the article is obvious and expected.
What is disappointing are the comments made by Parks Commissioner Duane Harte who allegedly said "both think they are right"! If he truly paid any attention Harte would have realized that the "group" I was with was there to support our existing laws regarding lawful immigration into our country. The other "group" was there to support those who illegally entered our country. Does Mr. Harte really have difficulty in determining right and wrong with this? He may not agree with the law, but it is the law!
As an aside, there were persons in the protester group that suggested that we should have no immigration laws at all and should openly and freely allow all persons unrestricted entrance into the United States ..... truly scary from my point of view!
The Barking, Yelling Resident of Santa Clarita ...
Randy Thompson
February 10, 2010 - 03:27 AM
It is amazing to me how any group can claim they want Bob Keller charged with an "ethics violation" when they support Federal Immigration Illegal Activity. I am not against immigration. America is made up of all races and it is beautiful to see. Immigration that is conducted legally is great. Line jumpers are not appreciated by anyone and when it is the border they are jumping, I resent the watering down of the act by calling it "undocumented." Illegal is illegal. Where do we draw the line when we say it is illegal? It should be Americans of every race that picket and protest the ease in which a killer can cross our borders three times and then kill a Law Enforcement Officer like Deputy David March. It is time to stand up for men of integrity like Bob Keller. When I'm called a racist because I'm a "white" man and to "shut the f... up" that is racist. The apology should come from those that endorse lawless border crossing, not Bob Keller. It is time for a stand for that which is right not for what sounds pretty or "politically correct." Why are some on the City Council more willing to embrace an unjust crowd that is bused from who knows where at the expense of a person who has already proven his character.
February 10, 2010 - 03:30 AM
ryantheray and ItzRandy -
You are both wrong. You refer to the writer of this story as a reporter. You could not be more wrong. A reporter would have asked the very basic question, like "where is your group from?" A group of our citizens protesting is one thing. A group of outside publicity-seeking troublemakers is another. Unless, that is, you agree with these troublemakers beliefs. Just see this same "reporters" bleeding heart story on illegals last week to see where his heart rests.
February 10, 2010 - 09:54 AM
Interesting that they don't have the guts of protesting in Mexico... I bet their bodies would be found a day later... isn't it great to protest in this country what you would not do in yours
February 10, 2010 - 10:03 AM
Did anybody check to see if these people that came to our CITY (not theirs) were Legal or not?
February 10, 2010 - 10:26 AM
Are we really the UNITED States of America?
The only question remaining is in how to divide the country physically.
Philosophically the job's already done.
February 10, 2010 - 10:42 AM
@ BBennetts
You are correct in your assessment of my "reporter" misstatement. If you refer back to the article you cited, you will see down in the comments that I did take note and offer a written opinion. The reporter definitely did not make an effort to actually report the story as it unfolded. There are so many questions that a real reporter or journalist would have or should have asked and that simply did not happen. Then again, did you really expect a non-biased viewpoint to be expressed by this individual? I fully realized that Mr. Randles would probably portray me as some form of a loon .... I was wrong, I got the barking dog treatment instead.
@ Logelly:
You can be assured that the writer of this article did not ask but to answer your question, yes, those if us that were there in support of Mr. Kellar's view on our laws, did offer up that exact question. As you can imagine, nobody (outside of the suit coats) would respond. What a shocker!
Another point of interest, Mr. Randles reports how McKeon called for an apology and Whitman has disavowed Kellar, yet he makes no mention of myself and others stating we are disgusted with McKeon's response and will no longer support Whitman's Gubernatorial bid.
To say this piece and others slide a bit to the left is the understatement of all time! This is okay though .... it simply adds fuel and supporters to the Tea Party movements "Fire".
The Barking Man!
February 10, 2010 - 11:40 AM
Wetties one, Kellar zero
February 10, 2010 - 11:41 AM
Did anyone else here vote for David Duke?
February 10, 2010 - 11:51 AM
If the reporting about Meg Whitman is correct, then she will LOSE any chance to be governor. This situation is outrageous and a complete insult to the LEGAL residents of SCV. More evidence of what happens when good people do nothing about those that break our laws, abuse our system, steal our taxes, and then curse us when we dare speak the truth. Enough is enough! Time for the other silent and weak leaders of SCV to step forth and defend the freedom and rights of the LEGAL residents of this city.
February 10, 2010 - 12:01 PM
There is only room in this country for one flag and for one language and that is English.
And if saying that makes me a Leprechaun horse-whisperer,.. then I am a proud Leprechaun horse-whisperer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 10, 2010 - 12:07 PM
Over the last few days, I have seen an image of Santa Clarita I never expected. While I do not condone illegal immigration, the hostile tones displayed by my fellow citizens do little but create more hate and animosity.
I do believe the silent majority, of our city are also somewhat dismayed, in that a vocal few have hijacked our once beautiful image. Speaking to both sides of the issue: Just because you are loud, hateful and boisterous does not make you right.
Others maybe wondering if they can live here anymore, given the stigma of recent events. We need to move pass this and make amends. We need to look at the big picture, I am sure businesses will reserve their right to review their options when their business lease comes up for renewal.
February 10, 2010 - 01:06 PM
Absolutely, do not apologize! That is the supporters of illegal immigrant's strategy--just cause chaos so that we give in. Don't give in -- but stand on principles in the long run and we will win for America!!
February 10, 2010 - 01:33 PM
@ WendyW:
Just curious, what are you basing your "hostile tones" and "hateful" upon? Those of us at the sham press conference weren't there spewing hate or hostility, contrary to what the writer of this article seems to present. As for loud, absolutely! Standing against illegal immigrants isn't hateful or hostile, it's simply people offering a voice in support of enforcing our laws.
Seriously, if you are in such a quandary as to your continued residence here .... by all means feel free to plant a for sale sign in your yard. Rumor has it that you can slip across the border in North Korea and they will gladly provide you with specialized housing and all the compassionate human rights you could possibly imagine. Or maybe you'd prefer to go hiking near the border of Iran? They too will provide you with specialized housing! Maybe Russia, China or even Israel? I'm fairly certain none of those countries have any form of immigration controls .... do they?
Let us then assess your final brilliant assertion that businesses may think twice about renewing leases because the local populace actually supports the laws of America ..... Are you really that naive?
Of course, since this posting is in direct contrast to your feelings and beliefs, I'll be labeled as hostile and hateful when in reality I apparently only bark and yell.
February 10, 2010 - 01:41 PM
Kellar attended an anti-amnesty rally. The word "racist" is thrown at anyone who does not want 25 million people to get instant citizenship. Santa Clarita residents should check out the people who want amnesty and a government that looks the other way on illegal aliens in California. Check out a group called the mexica-movement. Most of the pro amnesty types follow a "take back the continent" mentality.
February 10, 2010 - 02:02 PM
http://cbs2.com/local/Bob.Kellar.sant...
cbs2.com/local/Bob.Kellar.santa.2.1484121.html
Feb 10, 2010
US/Pacific
FROM THE CBS ARTICLE
"Complaint Accuses Santa Clarita Official Of Racism
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (AP) ―
An activist group has filed complaints with
local,
state and
federal
prosecutors
against a Santa Clarita city councilman who
described himself as a "proud racist."
This is getting real interesting.
So much for our First ammendment rights...
I hope our local media stays on top of the issue of ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE_KDp...
youtube.com/watch?v=qE_KDpz2M30
US citizens really need to watch this youtube.
Just thinking out loud here-
Someone is trying REAL HARD to divert the public's attention away from the issue of ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, IMO.
Do you think the Mr Kellar hoopla will go national?
Maybe someone is trying to 'pry open' another seat on the City Council?
Who knows...
February 10, 2010 - 02:03 PM
I am an Asian America resident of Santa Clarita and I am a registered Republican. I am a devout Christian and although I am pro-life, I consider myself a moderate conservative in most social issues. I do not support blanket amnesty for all illegal immigrants. I am concerned about the rising cost of supporting illegal immigrants especially in health care, education and other social programs. However, I do believe that they have valuable contributions to the economy and American culture as a whole.
I agree with most but not all of Bob Kellar’s concerns with illegal immigrants. I think he made a real bad judgment in using rhetoric that is both divisive and hurtful. No matter what the context of the speech is, he should not have said that he was a “proud racist”. It evokes images of lynching and burning crosses.
While I understand the sentiments of the majority of SCV residents who support Bob, I am dismayed at how this insensitivity in Bob’s remark is being disregarded.
I still believe that this is a progressive community with strong values and I hope this recent events do not leave a lasting negative impression on this City.
February 10, 2010 - 02:18 PM
"""And if saying that makes me a Leprechaun horse-whisperer,.. then I am a proud Leprechaun horse-whisperer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"""
WHERE'S THE OUTRAGE?
Didn't I upset any PRIDEFUL Leprechaun Horse-whisperers?!?!?!?!?
>>>Standing outside of a busy shopping center trying to get signatures to bring an anti-gerry-mandering bill to vote and no one will give us a signature. All too busy SHOPPING.
But a local politician makes a statement with the word "racism" in it and suddenly everyone is on a call to action.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
February 10, 2010 - 02:39 PM
This writer Jonathan Randles is biased, all right! In fact, The Signal is biased. Why didn't Randles ask where those protestors are from? Go back to LA, you trouble-makers. Yes, I support LEGAL IMMIGRATION. I came here through legal channels with my shots and papers. And when necessary, I can BARK as well! Remember: one nation, one flag.
February 10, 2010 - 03:33 PM
Kellar: LOOK AT THESE COMMENTS! Look at the high percentage of posts that are clearly racist. Is this the company you want to keep?
Dp you consider these racist reactionaries to be your voter base? Since you make no effort to distance yourself from them , I must assume they are.
February 10, 2010 - 03:40 PM
These protesters should go back where they came from but the Minutemen are just fine?
Kellar has made the SCV ground zero in this fight and I don't like the bad press!
Kellar is a pompous jerk who himself flaunts the law. I see him many times pulling away from his office without a seat belt on. Shall we go into driving under the influence?
Laws are for other people, eh Bob? Fine, we'll be watching! Don't make a mistake and if you get special privelege from the sheriff, we will be there to catch it.
February 10, 2010 - 03:54 PM
I would like all extremists on both sides of this issue to stay out of Santa Clarita, this is none of their business.
February 10, 2010 - 03:56 PM
If you are as fed up as I am, join me and SaveOurState.info, Saturday, Feb. 27th, Magic Mountain Pkwy/Valencia Bl., Santa Clarita, CA 91355, 11am-1pm, "Take Back America Rally". This event is FREE!
February 10, 2010 - 03:56 PM
Garyr.If you dont like it here in the SCV move.See how well you would be treated in Mexico.They like wimps in Mexico.Only cowards shout racist and you sir are a coward.
February 10, 2010 - 04:11 PM
"""If you are as fed up as I am, join me and SaveOurState.info, Saturday, Feb. 27th, Magic Mountain Pkwy/Valencia Bl., Santa Clarita, CA 91355, 11am-1pm, "Take Back America Rally". This event is FREE!"""
What FOR?
Is anything going to result of this? Enforcement of existing laws? I don't think so.
I hope the police will be there. I foresee danger after all this hoopla.
It would be great if American citizens cared when it actually mattered though. i.e. voting day, jury duty, etc.
February 10, 2010 - 04:17 PM
Mexico built much of its 1917 constitution and other laws on the United States' example. Lets see how Mexico treats its ILLEGAL immigrants shall we:
- Under Mexico's Article 123 of the General Population Act, illegal immigration is an offense punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 5,000 pesos, or about $450. Typically, any crime with a punishment of a year or more is considered a felony.
- Mexico's Article 118 of the act says foreigners who are deported and then later attempt to re-enter the country without authorization can be punished with up to 10 years in prison.
- Under Mexico's Article 73, local police must cooperate with federal immigration authorities when asked to help enforce the nation's immigration laws.
- As set forth in several articles of the act, immigrants are admitted into Mexico according to their potential to "contribute to the national progress" and must have the income needed to support themselves.
- Mexico's Article 9 of the constitution says only citizens may assemble to "take part in the political affairs of the country." Under Article 33, noncitizens "may not in any way participate in the political affairs of the country."
Now this is discrimination and RACISM practiced by Mexico and its citizens and government. I'm really offended!
February 10, 2010 - 04:25 PM
It's amazing how BIASED the SCV Signal has become. The articles that have been printed (on paper and on-line) regarding ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION shows an obvious bias towards them.
Yes, I will proudly "BARK" from the rooftops that I am the proud US born child of LEGAL immigrants, that I am against ILLEGAL (breaking and entering) IMMIGRATION.
My parents immigrated in 1954 via the quota system... having waited several yrs for THEIR TURN. They respected our laws. If my father were still living, he'd be leading the charge of the LEGAL immigrants contingency, who love their chosen homeland, who followed the rules and immigrated LEGALLY, who abhor those breaking in to our sovereign country, expecting to receive gov't aid (paid by MY tax dollars and yours) for welfare, WIC, food stamps, medical care, subsidized housing, and of course... all the children are getting a free education as well. I wasn't living here at the time, but our liberal CA courts overturned Prop 187 with regards to ILLEGAL ALIENS.
http://migration.ucdavis.edu/MN/more....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Californ...
Evidently those BUSED IN PROTESTERS (that this time got the spelling of Bob KELLAR's name right) DO NOT recognize and respect our immigration laws.
February 10, 2010 - 04:28 PM
Let's try this again for those WIKIPEDIA fans out there... here's the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Californ...
February 10, 2010 - 04:36 PM
@ Garyr
Perhaps you should look up the word racist! Nothing being stated here is racist in nature. I don't care if you are Russian, Hungarian, Canadian, Polish, Mexican or any number of the other cultures out there ...... if you are in the country illegally then you should be subject to the immigration laws dealing with such.
Screaming "racism" is a favorite tactic of persons such as yourself. When you can't address the matter using logic you scream racism in an attempt to inflame others. It seems to have worked with the trucked in "immigrants" that showed up to last night's city council meeting.
To imply that supporting our immigration laws somehow makes us racist is only a clearly defined demonstration of your blatant ignorance!
February 10, 2010 - 04:51 PM
@ blazingmonk:
February 10, 2010 - 03:54 PM
"I would like all extremists on both sides of this issue to stay out of Santa Clarita, this is none of their business."
Ummm, Blazinmonk ....... Those of us who showed up last night to engage the bused in protesters are actually residents of the Santa Clarita Valley, myself being here since 1967. So, YES it is our business.
Again, I would suggest the simple use of a dictionary. Simply showing up as a counterpoint to a demonstration does not an extremist make!
It's truly amazing how so many of you who were not present at the "press conference" are so well versed in the supposed happenings! You have this eloquence of slinging inflammatory remarks yet you have no idea what you are even commenting on. Just amazing!
Maybe I should BARK more often .... it's becoming a real asset to my typing skills!
February 10, 2010 - 05:09 PM
Hey Randy -- you'll notice that you have many others (like me) joining you in the BARKING pack!
All we're doing is trying to get the attention of politicians to protect OUR rights as LEGAL US citizens and LEGAL immigrants. The Massachusetts Miracle just happened with people's voices being heard. Let's see it there will be a California version of it this year and in 2012.
WOOF! say the legal citizens.
February 10, 2010 - 05:28 PM
@ WendyW:
don't let the door hit you on your way out of this hostile city.. maybe you can move to Disneyland and keep your head in the sand
February 10, 2010 - 05:45 PM
Mr. Kellar, DO NOT APOLOGIZE, You said nor did anything wrong. These people have no rights. My family and I came to this country in the early 70's we learned the language, and through hard and decent work, we became part of this wonderful country. We educated our children, they went to college, which we paid, not the goverment. I can hardly recognized our country anymore, the goverment or lack of it is making it like a third world country, it is sad to see it. We the people need to stand together and take our country back from the goverment and people like the ones that are asking for rights, when they have none if there are illigals here. If my comment makes me a racist, them so be it, I'm not. I am a law obiding citizen that is sick and tired of all those shenanigans
February 10, 2010 - 05:47 PM
@ lls_in_scv:
BARKING DOGS UNITE!!! WOOFF!!
In all seriousness, I truly hope that civil minded, logical folks have the capability to see past all the hyperbole being presented by the article's author and a limited amount of comment responders.
February 10, 2010 - 06:05 PM
I have the perfect sollution to this HUGE PROBLEM.
For those of you who want the Illegals to Remain in the UNITED STATE OF AMERICA you can personally fund the Illegals Health care and all the other crap that goes along with it because I am done paying for it.
lets just see how long you can deal with it.
Oh yeah give me all of your address and I will make sure that Illegals move in next door and throw trash on your property and create problems in you area like they do next to me.
February 10, 2010 - 06:07 PM
I think that the majority of comments left here are people that are not racist, but just fed up with ILLEGAL immigration. Many of us are children/grandchildren of immigrants, or immigrants ourselves (of course, if you are American Indian you are not an immigrant).
We just are tired of the P.C. world looking aside and not seeing what ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION (from all around the world, but logistically the easiest way to get here is either from our northern or southern border, right?) ... we are tired of our laws being broken, and the Federal gov't doing nothing about it. The State gov't doing nothing about it (it's the Fed'l gov't responsibility) and the Local gov't doing nothing about it (is't the Fed'l gov't responsibility).
How about the IMPORTED CRIMINALS that we have to absorb as well as the law abiding illegal immigrants? Are jails (luckily) are full of illegal thugs, rapists, murderers, criminals that prey on other illegals and on Americans.
There's another cost of ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION and LA's sanctuary city status. We're just a hop skip and a jump (I'm a commuter, I know that it's possible to just come up the 5 or the 405 to the 5 and 14 split. Our law enforcement has to deal with ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CRIMINALS, but their hands are tied many times.
WOOF.
February 10, 2010 - 06:29 PM
There is an enormous difference between opposing illegal immigration, and illegal bashing.
The people confusing the issue are the illegal bashers, the xenophobic, right-wing, Minutemen, Militia, Tea Party and Save Our State, because they are racist hate groups, focused on illegal bashing.
Do they really think bringing back Jim Crow laws is going to solve anything?
Racism is too complex an issue to be dismissed with simple semantics, personal attacks or straw men.
Racism is also a social construct, with social identity instead of, or in addition to, race or ethnicity. It is about social dominance.
Much of racism is based on fear and anger, fear of change, being “invaded” by “the other” that is unfamiliar, or losing majority status, and anger at not being able to keep things they way they have always been, when they were the dominant group.
I am afraid something terrible is going to happen as a result of all the radical right-wingers bashing illegals.
Especially when an elected representative of the city officially aligns himself with hate groups, on behalf of the City of Santa Clarita and its citizens.
Thanks, Bob.
February 10, 2010 - 06:51 PM
@ JuliaSimmons:
Are you really so ignorant to believe that a political action group is simply a hate group? Sorry not your typical "right winger" here! What I do take issue with is illegal immigration and the cost that is levied to all of us as taxpayers.
Not all of us sit around singing Cumbaya while trying to wave a magic wand to make things all better in your little wonderland.
I don't recall any "bashing" of illegal immigrants taking place. In fact, we are simply suggesting that our government (like so many other countries out there) simply enforce our immigration laws! That shouldn't be too difficult a concept for you to grasp!
And once again, we have a person who simply can't stand the fact that we are simply asking for proper enforcement of our laws so as a distraction she makes the suggestion that "racism" is the basis for our evil pursuit.
It's kind of tough to suggest "racism" is the basis for not wanting illegal immigrants to take advantage of and benefit from services that are intended for American Citizens!
Border states are getting sued for not providing water, out in the desert, for illegals crossing into this country! When does your sense of common sense logic kick in? Maybe motorcycle riders should sue because there isn't water out in the middle of the desert where they ride their bikes? Makes just about as much sense!
So, Ms. JuliaSimmons .... I'd suggest climbing down off of your self righteous pony and maybe taking a look at defending the laws of your country rather than simply calling everyone you disagree with a "racist"!
February 10, 2010 - 06:54 PM
How many of you want to align with Tom Tancredo and bring back a civics-literacy test to vote? How many "good Americans" could pass such a test?
How about you, Bob?
February 10, 2010 - 07:24 PM
By the way, has anyone bothered to Google the illustrious "Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition"? From all appearances it appears to consist of an immigration attorney and her husband. Maybe trying to drum up some business? No website .... nothing about this group up until just a few weeks ago.
Then there is the answerla.org that is found on all of their signage. A quick jaunt to that site shows a poorly designed (read amateur) website which appears to primarily be an anti-war organization!
I don't know, does anyone else think that maybe this was all thrown together to simply drum up publicity? Nah, that's just me being cynical .... I should stop that!
February 10, 2010 - 07:57 PM
Watch out Santa Clarita Valley.
According to a letter to the editor in the Arizona Republic, in Mesa, Arizona (a Phoenix suburb) one can register to vote by showing a utility bill, and nothing more.
All of Santa Clarita needs to ask just how the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder is determining the bonafides of people registered to vote, in Santa Clarita, for the upcoming elections. My bet is that the politically correct Registrar-Recorder isn't bothering to check.
The point of the Arizona Republic letter to the editor is that pro-immigrant activists are trying to seize political control of Arizona cities by registering illegals and then having them vote in candidates who are not like Bob Kellar.
I am worried that Santa Clarita will be targeted by these same activists because of its current demographics.
February 10, 2010 - 08:25 PM
@ garyr.... Your a funny one! I was the first to post on the issue so you might be a little confused with what I'm about to tell you. I am married to a Mexican man! His mom came here legally, but the rest of his family did not. I see how horrible these people can treat our society! They collect free food, clothing, housing, medical care, transportation costs, and they still try to cheat their way to get more! My father came here from Canada. He worked from the floor up, didn't collect welfare and didn't have 5 kids he couldn't support. He became a citizen and is now a very succesful small- business owner. So just shut your mouth! You are the one making this into a race issue! If you didn't understand what Kellar was saying maybe you should look at Manq's comment! We are not racist, we are tired of working our tails off for people that don't contribute anything! Explain to me why that is ok to you!!!
February 10, 2010 - 08:35 PM
I can only hope that these posts are mostly from out of town cranks trucked in by minutemen blog networks.
And breacher - I'm not going anywhere. You and your kind will turn the SCV and the nation into a xenophobic joke over my dead body. Your sort of people have taken over countries before - it won't happen this time.
I can't imagine any rational person thinking that illegal immigration is the most vexing problem facing this country. Look around people! It has economic costs and benefits.
They pay taxes (if they use a fake social security number then they are) and get virtually no benefit from them (the tea... party seems to have forgotten about taxation without representation). Yes, in extremis, we will give them health care - so far our emergency rooms won't tell them to just go off and die. I know you people wish they would just die. We will educate their US citizen children. What kind of person thinks that's a bad thing? We need more educated citizens - not less. If you have read this far you have seen enough examples of that problem.
Have any of of you thought for a moment that your energy, vitriol and dollars would be much better spent trying to keep Mexico from becoming a failed state that any sensible person would escape from if they could?
Are any of you parents? Would you really let your children starve or be beheaded in Juarez rather than violate some stupid law to get them the hell out of there? Really? You know that if you tried to do it legally at leat one of your children would die while you waited.
If you are really crazy with your talk of "protecting our borders" maybe you should advocate making Mexico part of the US. They have a defensible souther border. WE....DO...NOT. It's never going to happen. I don't care how many fences you build or how many nutjobs you send out there with shotguns. Sun Zhu would have laughed at the very idea.
February 10, 2010 - 09:19 PM
@ garyr:
Sorry, most of us on this board are not "out of town cranks trucked in" .... most of us actually live here and have for many years! As for vexing problems ..... I'd say attacks from foreign terrorists is at the forefront of most people's minds followed closely by economic issues!
As for your emergency room analogy, if you were to check your data you'd find that most of the illegal immigrant visits to the nation's emergency rooms are related to non life threatening matters. Medical issues that most Americans will simply go to their general practitioner to have addressed. The reason they seek treatment from emergency rooms is due to the fact they know they won't be turned away and will therefore receive free medical care. Most people consider this, taking advantage of the system. This also contributes to a delay of services for persons who actually need emergency care! Of course, that observation is probably hate and vitriol in your slightly skewed dictionary!
Now I strongly encourage you to feel free to send all of your money to Mexico in an effort to prop them up! By all means, you go right ahead if you feel that is your obligation to do so. Me ..... personally I don't feel a need to be the saviour of a country that I do not reside in, am not a citizen of and who can't seem to gain control of the drug lords that have taken over! A country that is adamantly opposed to the death penalty yet fails to take an aggressive stance to prevent its citizens from being murdered in the streets. If Mexico wants the US to take care of their issues, then they need to allow us to simply come down and clean house. Additionally, they get to pay for the services! There is nothing wrong with being charitable but this incessant problem we have as a nation of stepping up to assist others only to be continually berated by these same people has gotten a bit old!
Maybe you could hop down to Venezuela and work with Hugo Chavez to provide refuge for all the illegal immigrants in the world? Oh wait, they don't want to go there because they can't take advantage of the implicit generosity and kindness that is generally offered by Americans!
Unfortunately, It's "big thinkers" such as you that are allowing this country to spin out of control toward self ruin! We've never asked to be appointed as guardians of the down trodden ..... if that is something you'd like to pursue on your own, feel free to do so. Just don't volunteer my dollars for your project!
February 10, 2010 - 11:10 PM
I live in the City of Santa Clarita, I am a citizen of the US and my parents were LEGAL immigrants to the US via the quota system. I have NO problem with LEGAL immigration.
ILLEGAL (breaking the laws of a sovereign nation) is NOT ok, but in our stupid nation, these law breakers are rewarded with gov't programs ... funded by taxpayers. We have plenty of our own poor and low income (and now middle-class on the edge in the current economy) that need assistance. Take care of our own... not the law breakers.
Yes, illegal immigrants may pay taxes for purchases, but we with legitimate and real Social Security numbers pay taxes that make a "real dent" in a paycheck. I believe that the many deductions total 33% of my paycheck (fed'l, state, ssi, etc).
I'm sure most all posting on this thread actually do live in Santa Clarita, unlike the BUSED IN protesters from outside of Santa Clarita.
February 11, 2010 - 12:48 AM
Garyr:Over your dead body.Comical coming from a coward.You wont defend your family or your community against gang bangers,so what do you mean over your dead body?What are you going to do shoot yourself for the cause?Feel free.Julia dont forget to feed all your cats.
February 11, 2010 - 01:32 AM
"out of town cranks"??? Ummm nope, not me! Lived here now for 6 yrs!
February 11, 2010 - 07:45 AM
I knew we would get to Charles Bronson behavior sometime in this mess and there it is, a call to take the law into our own hands.
Shall we shoot Mexicans dead in the streets and check for legal status later?
You and your ilk are dangerous.
February 11, 2010 - 09:46 AM
If Santa Clarita were to exist in a bubble then nothing done there would have any affect on anywhere outside of Santa Clarita or the reverse. But what affects one town has an impact on other towns. But I guess the thought of the crime and gangs in the San Fernando Valley will NEVER EVER, have any affect on Santa Clarita, no that town has a magic invisible wall to protect it.
The facts are that what happens in one area DOES have an affect on other areas.
It seems quite alright for one poster here to want to restrict others (those out of town cranks) from entering YOUR city, but completely wrong for citizens of this country to want to restrict foreigners from being here in this country illegally. Well what is it? It's only important to have control if you can control your own town and kick those bad people who don't reside in your town. Yet, no one should dare say a thing about the millions who are in this country illegally. What hypocrisy.
February 11, 2010 - 11:40 AM
@ Brian:
Sorry Brian but you are demonstrating your lack of comprehension by identifying "Mexicans" as the issue here. You are, oh so, incorrect sir! It's comments like yours that fuel the "racism" shouting crowd. The people that are counter to your opinion are for enforcing the nations immigration laws. There are illegal immigrants of every ilk. Whether Russian, Armenian, Canadian, Mexican, Iranian or Iraqi, just to name a few, if they are here illegally then they should be subjected to the laws dealing with such.
This isn't an issue that is exclusive to the Mexican population! So your ridiculous "Charles Bronson" comment really, over the top, demonstrates your bias and ignorance to the issue at hand!
February 11, 2010 - 02:07 PM
Nice try Randy!
We know who you mean!
February 11, 2010 - 03:39 PM
@ Brian:
Really? Clairvoyant as well? If any of the supposed journalists at the event would have written the actual content of what was said, then you would have noted that I mentioned several nationalities as being violators of our immigration laws.
As uninformed as you are concerning me or my history, you would have no way of knowing that in my profession I have dealt with far more OTM's than anything else. In the acronym parlance, that stands for "Other Than Mexican"!
Again, you speak out of your posterior and are clearly misinformed and making judgments and rationalizations to suit your need to be angry at the folks who support enforcing our immigration laws!
You'll never "get it", so feel free to continue with your finger pointing diatribes. It's almost to the point of comic relief, at this juncture!
February 11, 2010 - 08:20 PM
Julia:
Agree. Racism is complex, if you harbor racist ideology but take no overt act, who can judge you racist.
Time bantering about the word would be better spent pursuing clear cut racist acts. Do you know of any outright racist acts committed in the SCV? Do you know the perps?
The issue is illegal immigration, not legal immigration, not the "N" word, not the "F" word and surely not the word racist, particularly when taken out of English context.
Call your councilman and your city manager and ask them to immediately implement the federal E-VERIFY program for all businesses licensed to do business in the City. Ask George, Cameron and Buck to write open letters sending their endorsements for the Loophole Elimination and Verification Enforcement Act (Miller, R-Diamond Bar). Ask your council candidates for their letters also!
15 year resident.
February 12, 2010 - 12:56 AM
"Can anyone imagine Moses, Jesus or Gandhi armed with the money-bags of Carnegie?"
February 28, 2010 - 11:47 AM
If The Signal wanted to be a decent news organization, it would print an article where it talks with Bob Kellar about his whole point. We ALL know what he meant, and that ONE comment is being twisted (as the media usually will do). Really, it's news enough that he's actually brave enough to stand up for those of us who are here legally and pay taxes, and who WANT to be Americans. It's a rare thing these days that a politician is willing to defend the people who elected him. Meg Whitman shame on you for being no different than any other pansy who is just looking for more power. If you cared about this country OR this state, you'd be rallying behind Bob Kellar and pointing out what he is REALLY saying, not distancing yourself. You've lost my vote lady. Bob Kellar, I'm proud of you for finally saying that I shouldn't be forced to pay for someone who is a citizen of another country, comes here illegally, doesn't respect our laws, expects to be supported in all ways (support your kids, support your health, support your driving without insurance, support your kids getting a free education etc). I can barely afford my one child, much less being told by the state that I HAVE to support someone else who chooses to have more than they can afford. How is that NOT akin to stealing? Anyway, Bob keep standing up for us. Other countries (inculding Mexico) enforce their immigration laws with gusto. When we do it we are racist? Wow, have we become pushovers. We don't deserve this country anymore.
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