Overheard on the Hill -- or Was It? (Did Chambliss Make Racist Remark?)

[Khephra]

As Congressional Hispanic Caucus chairman Ciro D. Rodriguez (D- Tex.) recalls it, the remark was insensitive, reinforcing a discredited stereotype about Latinos. But an aide to Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) recalls the remark as an innocent comment with no anti-Hispanic overtones.

The clash of memories arose from a Capitol Hill meeting this week to discuss how to increase Hispanic participation in the automotive services industry. Rodriguez was telling how he dropped out of school at age 15 and came to the Washington area to work at a gas station.

At this point, he said, he heard Chambliss, standing nearby, ask if he hadn't gone to the station to "hold it up." Rodriguez said he wasn't sure of the exact words. But Saul Pena, a legislative assistant for the caucus, said he recalled Chambliss's comment as: "Are you sure you weren't holding up the place?"

"It floored me, especially coming from a United States senator," Rodriguez said in an interview. "We don't want to reinforce those stereotypes."

more...............

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41620-2003Oct3.html

[JohnKleeb]

1. What a jerk

[JNelson6563]

2. oh but he was so much better than Cleland

Swarmy bastard. I hope they "Lott" him. Maybe Rush will come to his defense.

Julie

[JohnKleeb]

4. lol "Lott"

I hope they get on the bastard. Well maybe John Rocker and Rush.

[The Zanti Regent]

3. Another KKKristian in action.

What a shame Max Cleland didn't get a hold of those Diebold EXCEL files and counter-rig Shithead Saxby's selection!

[snippy]

5. How very republican.

Chambliss is vile, even for a republican.

[Desperadoe]

6. Good catch but...........

If you page down to here..............

The Message: Watch Where You Send One

that's pretty good too.

[LittleApple81]

7. good catch! n/t

[burr]

8. I hope he gets his sorry ass kicked behind an abandoned gas station!

Afterwards...if ole zaxby is found, throw him in prison for disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace. Shouldn't a beaten up rowdy Senator count as a Code-Blue Terrorist Alert?

Did this piece of shit really come from the same state as Martin Luther King Jr., Jimmy Carter, and John Lewis?

[candy331]

9. My lips

are just too holy to say this man's name with. He is a despiciable excuse for for being a human being or is he human?

[beanball]

10. The new republican

just another old hatefull dixicrat without his sheet.