By Fidel "Butch" Montoya
Please tell it isn’t true that the Tebow family pastor would say in public the reason Bronco QB Tebow is winning is due to “God’s favor.” While I believe in God and especially God’s favor in our lives, I find it difficult to believe that God is playing favorites with the Denver Broncos. This kind of comment from a pastor trivializes the Power and Majesty of God, reducing God to some cosmic bell boy simply sitting around awaiting our call for a soda or good luck.
While the testimony of Tim Tebow is genuine and real, and accepted by most people as his sincere and strong belief in God, I believe this pastor’s statement may cause more people to doubt the reality of Jesus Christ and His influence in the life of QB Tebow. Tebow already called the most polarizing figure in American sports because of his strong Christian beliefs and awkward passing posture is not being helped by his pastor in presenting an example of Christ-like character in Tebow’s life. Should we pray for Tebow? Yes, just as we would pray for any other leader, role model, mentor, and great believer!
While I believe we can all endorse and support the Christian principles that Tebow believes in and lives his life by, we must be careful not to overstep our enthusiasm and football excitement to the same level as God parting the Red Sea so that the Israelites could escape the Egyptian army attempting re-enslavement of God’s people. God is a good God, but do you really think God is ignoring the prayers of the fans of the New England Patriots this week because the Broncos and Tebow are going to win due to “God favor?”
Many Denver Bronco fans are finally enjoying a winning season after years of disappointment and failed dreams of at least reaching the NFL playoffs, much less making it to the Super Bowl. “Tebow Time” is a national pastime and if you watch TV news, read the newspapers, surf the Internet sports sites, or follow every move the team makes, you know it seems like everyone in America is talking “Tebow Time.”
This past week, CBS, NBC, and the NFL Channel were all attempting to “flex schedule” the Broncos versus Patriots game to their channel. Why? Because Tebow is good television/cable entertainment and people want to see the miracles of Saint Tebow. So they were fighting over who was going to get to broadcast the game on Sunday. By the way, if you are wondering, CBS is the place to be on Sunday.
Yes, it is hard to believe that after playing poorly for about 56 minutes of the Bears game, Tebow and company beat the Chicago Bears in overtime. I was in shock watching Broncos punter Prater kick a 59 yard field goal to send the game into overtime, and then kick a 51 yard field goal to win the game in overtime. Yes, the same punter who had his 24 yard field goal attempt blocked earlier in the game.
I am a Broncos fan and enjoy the tradition of professional football excellence of the Denver Broncos. We all have our favorite players from years gone by, or special players today that inspire leadership and excitement. QB Tebow, “the great running back,” according to the sour grape losers on the Chicago Bears, has brought that excitement back to Denver – and making, dare I say it, “the Broncos America’s Team”.
It is fun to watch and wonderful to see something special happening with our Broncos, but I don’t really think God is so busy on Sundays visiting every church service that by the time He sits down to watch the Broncos and Tebow, the game is almost over, and so God has to intervene with “His favor” otherwise the Broncos would lose.
This coming Sunday instead of praying for Denver QB Tebow and the Denver Broncos to win, maybe we can pray for less “long winded pastors” preaching The Word and letting God go to His “God Cave” earlier in the game so we don’t have to wait until the last 4 minutes of the game to find out if the Broncos are going to win. Now when you think about it, that could truly make a difference for Bronco fans and give them time to drive home from Sunday morning church less agitated, angry, full of road rage trying to get home in time for kick off. Now I believe that could be God’s favor making a difference how Christians live their lives like our fellow Christian believer – QB Tim Tebow.
And by the way, I may have prayed once or twice over the years that an opposing team would lose, but instead they generally won. I wonder why God ignored my prayers ???
Click or cut and paste the link and read the entire story:
http://offthebench.nbcsports.com/2011/12/13/tebow-family-pastor-broncos-winning-streak-is-due-to-gods-favor/
FLASH NEWS ALERT:
According to the league office, Tebow has leapfrogged Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick into the No. 3 position among all AFC quarterbacks in fan Pro Bowl balloting.
Tebow has 420,539 votes. Fitzpatrick has 377,796.
That said, Tebow remains far behind Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (1,149,721) and Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (745,835).
Question: Should we pray Tebow in to the Pro Bowl or vote him in? (Unless of course, Tebow is not playing in Indiana).
Another interesting story, “Is the Almighty Really Helping Tim Tebow?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/982945-denver-broncos-football-is-the-almighty-really-helping-tim-tebow
Blessings/Bendiciones!
He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. Isaiah 49:10
Friday, December 16, 2011
Is it Really Tebow Time?
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
Monday, December 5, 2011
A Christmas Story
Dear Dr. Maldonado,
It was great to hear from you again...and for you to share your "Christmas Story." I thank you for your consistent leadership and ability to articulate the many complex issues and concerns facing our community. Your guidance and leadership has been an inspiration for me.
There is a time when it is best not to over complicate or get so in depth that the simple Message of the Good News, may get lost in one's effort to express the words of Love and Compassion. Dr. Maldonado you have written a perfect essay that conveys the evilness of humankind that has not yet met the New Born Savior. But, we know when people come to understand the Good News, lives and societies can be transformed by the Master.
May those who read "The Christmas Story" for the first time, receive the saving Grace of Jesus Christ. Maybe those of us who know the story, learn to inspire others to live it.
May the Christmas Story live in our hearts every day. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.
Blessings/Bendiciones,
Fidel "Butch" Montoya
By David Maldonado, Jr.
And so the child is born in a new land, a child born of humble immigrants who seek nothing more than life and hope for tomorrow.
The young couple grabbed what they could carry with them and set out in the dark night. They were leaving familiar surroundings, as well as their home, friends, and family. They were expecting their first born and wished the child could be born at home surrounded by their community. But for the sake of the child, the young couple knew they must leave, so they walked out into the cold and dangerous desert night. It was a huge risk for them to leave, but it was also a leap of faith and hope that the land to which they were going would be a life-saving and life-sustaining place.
As they made their way through the darkness, guided only by a sea of brilliant stars, they wondered what their future held for them and their child. It was their hope for the child that kept them focused and determined on their trek. They were afraid. Robbers were known to attack travelers in the night and in the desert. What if they were caught in the night? Would they be arrested and treated as common criminals? Would they be sent back to their homeland?
Fears have a way of immobilizing some people. But for this young expectant couple, fear drove them even deeper into the night. What they feared the most would be life without hope, life without a future for their new family. In their whispers they encouraged each other and prayed that their child be born in the new land of hope. They had to arrive in their new land before day broke.
But that was not to be. The child could no longer wait to be born. They were now well into their new land. They knew no one here and their surroundings looked strange and foreign. Where could they go for the birth of their child? Who would welcome them and offer hospitality? They knocked on the first door that they saw. The lights were on and the house looked welcoming. They saw the curtains move and a face peeked out to see who was knocking on the door. But the door did not open. From outside the house, they heard the voice of a woman inside.
“Who is it?” she asked in a whisper. A male voice from within the house responded in a loud irritated voice as if wanting to be heard by the travelers standing outside the door.
“Oh, nobody, just some foreigners probably looking for a handout,” responded the male voice, adding, “they should go back to where they came from.”
The young couple, hearing the voices, covered their heads and kept going. They were determined to survive. They came to yet another house with its lights still on.
“Maybe they will be more welcoming,” cried the young pregnant woman. This time, the door opened slightly.
“Who are you? What do you want? Where are you from?” the voice called from within the slightly opened door.
“We just arrived and our child is ready to be born,” responded the young father-to-be.
“We are not from here. We are not asking for charity. All we need is for our child to be born safely. I am willing to work to repay you for your kindness.”
“Humph! Some more of them. They just cause problems for the rest of us. I wish they would stop coming. I wish they would just leave. Our whole town is changing because of them, but I could sure use his cheap labor in the morning. They are good workers. Hope nobody is looking,” thought the man from behind the door.
With a suspicious glare, the man yelled out, “OK, you can stay in the back, but don’t make trouble or we will call the police on you and send you back where you came from.”
And so the child is born in a new land, a child born of humble immigrants who seek nothing more than life and hope for tomorrow. A child is born in a new land and there is life and hope for a family. Many of us know this as the story of the birth of Jesus. It is also the story of the birth of the child of the immigrant today. It is the story of hope.
It was great to hear from you again...and for you to share your "Christmas Story." I thank you for your consistent leadership and ability to articulate the many complex issues and concerns facing our community. Your guidance and leadership has been an inspiration for me.
There is a time when it is best not to over complicate or get so in depth that the simple Message of the Good News, may get lost in one's effort to express the words of Love and Compassion. Dr. Maldonado you have written a perfect essay that conveys the evilness of humankind that has not yet met the New Born Savior. But, we know when people come to understand the Good News, lives and societies can be transformed by the Master.
May those who read "The Christmas Story" for the first time, receive the saving Grace of Jesus Christ. Maybe those of us who know the story, learn to inspire others to live it.
May the Christmas Story live in our hearts every day. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.
Blessings/Bendiciones,
Fidel "Butch" Montoya
By David Maldonado, Jr.
And so the child is born in a new land, a child born of humble immigrants who seek nothing more than life and hope for tomorrow.
The young couple grabbed what they could carry with them and set out in the dark night. They were leaving familiar surroundings, as well as their home, friends, and family. They were expecting their first born and wished the child could be born at home surrounded by their community. But for the sake of the child, the young couple knew they must leave, so they walked out into the cold and dangerous desert night. It was a huge risk for them to leave, but it was also a leap of faith and hope that the land to which they were going would be a life-saving and life-sustaining place.
As they made their way through the darkness, guided only by a sea of brilliant stars, they wondered what their future held for them and their child. It was their hope for the child that kept them focused and determined on their trek. They were afraid. Robbers were known to attack travelers in the night and in the desert. What if they were caught in the night? Would they be arrested and treated as common criminals? Would they be sent back to their homeland?
Fears have a way of immobilizing some people. But for this young expectant couple, fear drove them even deeper into the night. What they feared the most would be life without hope, life without a future for their new family. In their whispers they encouraged each other and prayed that their child be born in the new land of hope. They had to arrive in their new land before day broke.
But that was not to be. The child could no longer wait to be born. They were now well into their new land. They knew no one here and their surroundings looked strange and foreign. Where could they go for the birth of their child? Who would welcome them and offer hospitality? They knocked on the first door that they saw. The lights were on and the house looked welcoming. They saw the curtains move and a face peeked out to see who was knocking on the door. But the door did not open. From outside the house, they heard the voice of a woman inside.
“Who is it?” she asked in a whisper. A male voice from within the house responded in a loud irritated voice as if wanting to be heard by the travelers standing outside the door.
“Oh, nobody, just some foreigners probably looking for a handout,” responded the male voice, adding, “they should go back to where they came from.”
The young couple, hearing the voices, covered their heads and kept going. They were determined to survive. They came to yet another house with its lights still on.
“Maybe they will be more welcoming,” cried the young pregnant woman. This time, the door opened slightly.
“Who are you? What do you want? Where are you from?” the voice called from within the slightly opened door.
“We just arrived and our child is ready to be born,” responded the young father-to-be.
“We are not from here. We are not asking for charity. All we need is for our child to be born safely. I am willing to work to repay you for your kindness.”
“Humph! Some more of them. They just cause problems for the rest of us. I wish they would stop coming. I wish they would just leave. Our whole town is changing because of them, but I could sure use his cheap labor in the morning. They are good workers. Hope nobody is looking,” thought the man from behind the door.
With a suspicious glare, the man yelled out, “OK, you can stay in the back, but don’t make trouble or we will call the police on you and send you back where you came from.”
And so the child is born in a new land, a child born of humble immigrants who seek nothing more than life and hope for tomorrow. A child is born in a new land and there is life and hope for a family. Many of us know this as the story of the birth of Jesus. It is also the story of the birth of the child of the immigrant today. It is the story of hope.
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Evangelical Latino Immigration Strategy Out of Sync
by Fidel "Butch" Montoya
Following my brief comments, there are two very interesting and controversial articles that raise many strategic concerns and questions about the Latino evangelical movement’s efforts to pressure President Obama on immigration reform.
It is also troubling to read how one highly respected national evangelical leader apparently is trying to use both sides of the political spectrum to gain political insight and influence.
The passage of immigration reform remains stalled and stagnated, and while we all continue to listen to President Obama’s promises, a significant milestone almost passed unnoticed. Our President has finally reached the regrettable position as President in deporting more than a million undocumented immigrants so far in his term.
According to Reuters, on September 12, the deportation of more than a million undocumented immigrants reached a high point in the Obama Administration. Just imagine, Obama who allegedly supports our efforts for reform has deported 1.06 undocumented immigrants compared to 1.57 in Bush’s two terms as President.
Now I must confess I wrote this blog several weeks ago, but I questioned whether I should send it out because it involves several controversial issues within the Latino evangelical movement. I hesitated to openly criticize a very influential Latino evangelical leader about his apparent endorsement of a very outspoken opponent of immigration reform who essentially has become a thorn in our flesh.
One issue involves the fact that Rev. Samuel Rodriguez in an interview with the Christian Post claimed that if the Republican Party nominated Florida United States Senator Marc Rubio as a Vice Presidential candidate in 2012, it would send a very powerful statement to the Latino evangelical community. I am assuming one statement could be that the GOP is “inclusive,” because they have nominated a Latino for Vice President?
I finally came to the conclusion there was a need to shed light on this controversial endorsement of one of the most anti-immigrant Latino United States Senators in the Senate. Encouraged to run for Vice President by the President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez perhaps has energized Rubio's zeal to crush immigration reform.
Yesterday, another article in the Tucson Citizen by DeeDee Garcia called for a protest at the NHCLC’s National Immigration Summit in Tucson on September 21st. That in itself has created another political dust storm for Rev. Samuel Rodriguez.
According to the Tucson Citizen, the organizers of the protest of the NHCLC Immigration Summit asked for a statement from Rev. Rodriguez regarding his support of Marco Rubio. Instead, when the leader of the protest called the publicist for Rev. Rodriguez, the publicist felt the sinner's prayer was more in order for the protest leader of the Immigration Summit. Then in almost the breath, the publicist allegedly threatened the protesters that 125 lawyers were ready to fight their right to protest the summit. Nothing like denying the First Admentment when the protestors are protesting the views of the NHCLC.
After reading both articles and sensing the inconsistency in whether or not the NHCLC might be rearranging the deck chairs on the slowly sinking efforts by the Obama Administration to support the immigration reform movement or is the NHCLC merely trying to play both sides of the political spectrum for political gain and influence?
In light of the inconsistency of the NHCLC supporting Rubio for higher office or the out of sync strategy for immigration reform, there is no doubt in my mind that Reverend Samuel Rodriguez must immediately recant his support for Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio as a Vice Presidential candidate in the 2012 election.
Senator Rubio is one of the most vicious and hate filled opponents of immigration reform. He literally has been a major obstacle to any open debate in the United States Senate over immigration reform, including the DREAM Act. To propose that Rubio run for Vice President in 2012is encouraging one of the most higly visible opponents of immigration reform to continue his fight against our efforts for immigration reform, from a more visible platform as the Vice President, if the GOP were to gain the White House in 2012.
The real danger about this endorsement is that it will only create more confusion and division and demonstrates very vividly that the Latino evangelical movement is composed of many Spanish-speaking voices representing the cultural and social spectrum of La Raza. While our ethnic nationalities are different, we are often looked upon by mainstream news media as one solid united voice on issues affecting Latino evangelical communities. Yet, the reality is we are many voices attempting to be one voice, and that is where we must tread lightly.
I do not agree with Garcia that because one person may be a Mexican-American, Puerto Rican, Bolivian, or whoever, that we cannot accept the leadership of anyone who is different than our cultural heritage and ethnicity. The dilemma is that when one voice attempts to speak for the many without seeking consensus on controversial and difficult issues, creates doubt and less confidence in the leadership. Rev. Rodriguez's interview with The Christian Post already has created confusion and doubts as to why he would support Rubio as a Vice Presidential candidate. Hopefully, it was not based on his political views, or was it?
What do we gain in promoting the candidacy of Rubio when he has fought very vigorously and aggressively against immigration reform? If Senator Rubio is so opposed to other Spanish-speaking groups gaining a legal foothold in our country, why doesn’t Senator Rubio call for the elimination of the Cuban Adjustment Act that provides amnesty plus one year of federal government entitlements to any Cuban who touches American soil?
It is plain old fashioned political hypocrisy and immoral for Senator Rubio to continue to speak out as an opponent of immigration reform. When do we ask Rubio "to man up" and challenge his double speak on immigration in our country? Calling for Rubio to run as a Vice President candidate in 2012 simply because he is “Latino” is so awkward and disconcerting to many of us who are working to support candidates who reflect our values!
I do not believe whether one is Puerto Rican, Mexican, Cuban, or whatever other Spanish-speaking ethnic group one may represent matters on who takes the lead on immigration reform or any other important issues facing “the Latino community”. What matters is when that leadership begins to believe they are empowered to speak for the many Spanish-speaking monolithic voices on such controversial decisions as indicating that we would support GOP Senator Marco Rubio if he ran as a Vice Presidential candidate in 2012, is plain foolishness.
Please join with me as we ask Rev. Rodriguez to reconsider this awkward endorsement and demand that Rev. Rodriguez recant his support of Senator Marco Rubio as a Vice Presidential candidate in 2012. Continuing to support the oppressive politics of Rubio threatens the unity and purpose of our fight for comprehensive strategies to improve the lives of the poor, the widow, the homeless, and the stranger in our circle of friends. How can supporting Rubio help bring about comprehensive immigration reform or the passage of the DREAM Act?
What must be done immediately is the issuance of a press statement from Rev. Samuel Rodriguez and the Executive Board of the National Hispanic Christan Leadership Conference recanting any support for Marco Rubio. They must make it clear, we can ill afford to make major missteps at this point in the upcoming 2012 elections. There are plenty of angry and bigoted political characters doing their best to destroy our united efforts for immigration reform.
Where are the Emerging Mexican- American evangelical leaders?
by DeeDee Garcia on Aug. 26, 2011,
There are two Latin cultural groups that really do not have to worry about the immigration issue as much as the other Latin groups: Puerto Ricans and Cubans. Cubans receive a unique amnesty privilege along with one year of government entitlements via the Cuban Adjustment Act. And, under the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Puerto Ricans are automatically U.S. citizens.
One of the strongest immigration advocates in our nation today is not a man of the cloth or the evangelical leader of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC); (D-IL) Congressman Luis Gutierrez who recently finished a 25 city tour promoting sensible immigration ideas. Gutierrez is of Puerto-Rican descent and well-liked by most Latinos across the nation because he has fought his own party in holding them accountable towards legal immigration reform. So why isn’t the conservative Reverend Samuel Rodriguez holding Senator Marco Rubio accountable for his anti-immigrant views? In fact, Rodriguez is the leader of the NHCLC.
Like Gutierrez, Rodriguez is also of Puerto-Rican descent; however, I find it odd that there are little national Mexican-American clergy leaders to be found when those of Mexican descent account for almost 70% of the Hispanic population pie. I am glad to see leading evangelical Hispanic leadership, though I believe leadership also needs to come from the community that is being hurt and affected the most regarding immigration.
There is a strong need for Mexican-American emerging voices.
In the old days, members of the clergy were the ones who committed themselves into being the sacrificial lambs in the fight for social justice, as was the case with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was jailed numerous times. These days things have reversed as we are witnessing politicians and US representatives getting jailed for social justice.
I have to wonder why Rev. Rodriguez has not issued a statement with regard to President Obama’s small step in the right direction – specifically with regard to the small amount of deportation relief of 300,000 who are currently in deportation proceedings. I’m sure the family members of at least 300,000 are appreciative for the relief, specifically as it relates to the non-criminal element of the undocumented.
The goal right now is to be hawkish and look for politicians who are brave enough to support pro-immigration related issues when the public has been misinformed by the likes of Senator Rubio. We should be quick to reward any and all politicians who make small steps toward immigration reform. Latinos for legal immigration should send a clear and consistent signal to politicians that we will provide political covering to those who support DREAM or comprehensive legal immigration.
We were appreciative to learn that on June 28, 2001, Samuel Rodriguez wrote a letter in support of the DREAM Act. However, on August 4th, 2011, Rev. Rodriguez suggested to the Christian Post that Rubio ought to run as 2012 Vice President. We are unsure whether or not Sam knows about Rubio’s anti-immigrant history, but we hope to clarify to him that Rubio embraced Arizona’s harsh anti-immigrant law (SB 1070), opposes the DREAM Act, and supports Rep. Lamar Smith’s enforcement only policies. It was my view that members of the clergy were to be no ‘respecter of persons’ which is why we are disappointed in Reverend Rodriguez. We believe that promoting Rubio parallels the Trojan Horse trick.
While we cannot really say undocumented immigrants are slaves or legally forced into labor here in the United States, the immigration issue is still an important economic one. Not enough has been said that immigrants have helped to contribute to the American economy. Legal immigration will dump millions in tax revenues and increase the American standard of living.
I am not religious nor am I anything like Moses, but it seems to me that evangelical leadership should come from those who are affected the most. I believe leaders of Mexican descent and/or other Latin groups who do not benefit from unique amnesty or automatic citizenship need to rise up because they are the ones who are most affected and we need their compassionate understanding.
Why did the YHWH, the God of Israel use Moses? According to Jewish scripture, Moses was raised by Egyptians, yet he still had compassion for his people. His compassion was so great that he could not bear to see them beaten by Pharaoh’s taskmasters. One day, Moses saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave and he was so outraged that he struck and killed the Egyptian forcing him to flee from Egypt. Perhaps Moses struck the oppressor because he had more compassion for his people.
Reverend Rodriguez should recant his support for Rubio or else hand his mantle to an emerging Mexican-American leader who empathizes with the pain of most Mexicans who are getting deported. We encourage Reverend Rodriguez to carry out his due diligence before promoting anymore anti-immigrant politicians. Holding immigration summits in various parts of the nation mean very little when the leader is promoting oppressive politicians.
Tucson protest against Rev. Samuel Rodriguez for supporting anti-immigrant Sen. Marco Rubio for VEEP
by DeeDee Garcia on Sep. 20, 2011, under Latino Get Out the Vote for 2012, Secure Borders and Reasonable Immigration Solution, Tequila Party Movement, The Nativist Anti-immigrant Movement
We recently spoke to National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) Executive Director, Efraim Pineda, about our disappointment in Reverend Sam Rodriguez for suggesting that Sen. Marco Rubio would be a better idea as a 2012 Vice Presidential Candidate. Clearly it appears Rodriguez supports Rubio as Vice Presidential material and we view his statement as an endorsement. Pineda advised us against the protest, and we told him we would stop the protest if we had written clarification that Rodriguez would stop supporting anti-immigrant politicians. Pineda assured us that this would be “fixed” and clarified, but it was not.
We received a call from the publicist of the NHCLC where she suggested the President of the Tequila Party pray with her to accept Christ into her heart, but in the same breath she threatened to fight her with 125 lawyers if the protest at the Immigration Summit continued on 21 September 2011.
The National Tequila Party Movement will be protesting Reverend Samuel Rodriguez.
WHEN: Wednesday, 21 September 2011
TIME: 7:00 pm
WHERE: New Life Church of God, 330 West Nebraska Street, Tucson, Arizona 85706.
*UNIVISION will be there to expose the protest. Other film makers doing documentary at
Since when do so called immigration advocates support politicians who are anti-immigrant? Does God support the suffering of others? How can one say they are “Christian” and support people who support suffering and bigotry? It’s hypocrisy.
BACKGROUND:
It started with one article from the Christian Post (see below). When evangelical leaders discovered we were going to protest Reverend Samuel Rodriguez, they wanted us to reconsider and not protest. I explained to the Arizona evangelical leader that it is inappropriate for Rodriguez to suggest Marco Rubio as a VEEP to win Latinos to GOP side. That is preposterous particularly when Rubio is one of the worst anti-immigrant politicians who is just as bad as Lamar Smith!
I was told that Rodriguez was an immigration advocate, but I retorted by saying Rodriguez should not suggest ANY anti-immigration Senators like Rubio for VEEP.
This is ludicrous. Just because a politician is brown does not mean that we should support them because they have a Hispanic last name. We don’t care if you are white, brown, black, purple or yellow…..what we care about is whether or not you are for the poor, the fight for humane social justice and helping the defenseless immigrants who are afraid.
Rodriguez is giving us double-speak. He must choose a side. He needs to stop suggesting that Marco Rubio is a good signal for Hispanics to support the GOP because he needs to remember that Rubio supported Arizona’s harsh anti-immigrant law, Rubio does not support the DREAM Act, and now Rubio is supporting Lamar Smith’s enforcement only policy and large government bureaucracy via national e-verify. It’s hypocrisy!
Just because Rodriguez is a “minister of God” does not mean we will not protest the double speak we see him giving. Heck, Jesus Christ had to protest the Saducees and the Pharisees, in fact, in a rage He went into the Jewish Temple and flipped over tables because of the hypocrisy he saw there.
I believe Sam Rodriguez does not feel the pain we feel….(those of us who are of Mexican-descent). After all…most of the undocumented immigrants getting deported are of Mexican descent, aren’t they? Where is the Mexican leadership at? Those of Mexican descent make up almost 70% of the total Hispanic population pie. Could it be that Rev. Rodriguez, of Puerto Rican descent not really feel what we are feeling? We all know that Puerto Ricans receive automatic citizenship. Why business does Rodriguez have suggesting Rubio as VEEP? Doesn’t Rodriguez know about the Cuban amnesty under the Cuban Adjustment Act? This is why we believe Rubio doesn’t have to worry about the Mexican problem because he is of Cuban descent. Rubio takes an anti-immigrant stance against Mexicans and other Latin groups who dont’ get privileged amnesty, yet the Cuban immigrants in Florida are safe as they receive their amnesty along with government benefits via tax payers for at least one year.
PRESENT SITUATION:
Efraim Pineda (Executive Director) said they would fix this via an official statement. In fact, he didn’t even know about the Christian Post article until I emailed it to him. We gave the NHCLC an opportunity to explain, and instead the publicist reminded me that they have 125 lawyers ready to sue me. That’s pretty “Christian” of them, isn’t it?
The Christian Post > Politics|Thu, Aug. 04 2011 02:00 PM EDT
Hispanics Want Immigration Reform, Marco Rubio in 2012
By Stephanie Samuel | Christian Post Reporter
He said Republicans must send Hispanics a stronger signal that they want Hispanic support. One example of such a signal would be a public appeal, an apology, or better yet, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as the vice presidential nominee on the 2012 ticket.
“If they could put Marco Rubio on that ticket as the VP candidate, it wouldn’t take away the angst or the anger, it wouldn’t squelch Alabama, Georgia and Arizona, but it would convey a message and that message is very powerful.”
Read entire article here.
************************
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H. S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative.
Served as Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years as a journalist.
Served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; and in law enforcement as the Manager of Public Safety, responsible for the Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, and Denver Sheriff Department for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000.
Licensed to preach in 1972.
Serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Founding member of the Latino Ministerial Alliance in Greater Metro Denver.
Following my brief comments, there are two very interesting and controversial articles that raise many strategic concerns and questions about the Latino evangelical movement’s efforts to pressure President Obama on immigration reform.
It is also troubling to read how one highly respected national evangelical leader apparently is trying to use both sides of the political spectrum to gain political insight and influence.
The passage of immigration reform remains stalled and stagnated, and while we all continue to listen to President Obama’s promises, a significant milestone almost passed unnoticed. Our President has finally reached the regrettable position as President in deporting more than a million undocumented immigrants so far in his term.
According to Reuters, on September 12, the deportation of more than a million undocumented immigrants reached a high point in the Obama Administration. Just imagine, Obama who allegedly supports our efforts for reform has deported 1.06 undocumented immigrants compared to 1.57 in Bush’s two terms as President.
Now I must confess I wrote this blog several weeks ago, but I questioned whether I should send it out because it involves several controversial issues within the Latino evangelical movement. I hesitated to openly criticize a very influential Latino evangelical leader about his apparent endorsement of a very outspoken opponent of immigration reform who essentially has become a thorn in our flesh.
One issue involves the fact that Rev. Samuel Rodriguez in an interview with the Christian Post claimed that if the Republican Party nominated Florida United States Senator Marc Rubio as a Vice Presidential candidate in 2012, it would send a very powerful statement to the Latino evangelical community. I am assuming one statement could be that the GOP is “inclusive,” because they have nominated a Latino for Vice President?
I finally came to the conclusion there was a need to shed light on this controversial endorsement of one of the most anti-immigrant Latino United States Senators in the Senate. Encouraged to run for Vice President by the President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez perhaps has energized Rubio's zeal to crush immigration reform.
Yesterday, another article in the Tucson Citizen by DeeDee Garcia called for a protest at the NHCLC’s National Immigration Summit in Tucson on September 21st. That in itself has created another political dust storm for Rev. Samuel Rodriguez.
According to the Tucson Citizen, the organizers of the protest of the NHCLC Immigration Summit asked for a statement from Rev. Rodriguez regarding his support of Marco Rubio. Instead, when the leader of the protest called the publicist for Rev. Rodriguez, the publicist felt the sinner's prayer was more in order for the protest leader of the Immigration Summit. Then in almost the breath, the publicist allegedly threatened the protesters that 125 lawyers were ready to fight their right to protest the summit. Nothing like denying the First Admentment when the protestors are protesting the views of the NHCLC.
After reading both articles and sensing the inconsistency in whether or not the NHCLC might be rearranging the deck chairs on the slowly sinking efforts by the Obama Administration to support the immigration reform movement or is the NHCLC merely trying to play both sides of the political spectrum for political gain and influence?
In light of the inconsistency of the NHCLC supporting Rubio for higher office or the out of sync strategy for immigration reform, there is no doubt in my mind that Reverend Samuel Rodriguez must immediately recant his support for Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio as a Vice Presidential candidate in the 2012 election.
Senator Rubio is one of the most vicious and hate filled opponents of immigration reform. He literally has been a major obstacle to any open debate in the United States Senate over immigration reform, including the DREAM Act. To propose that Rubio run for Vice President in 2012is encouraging one of the most higly visible opponents of immigration reform to continue his fight against our efforts for immigration reform, from a more visible platform as the Vice President, if the GOP were to gain the White House in 2012.
The real danger about this endorsement is that it will only create more confusion and division and demonstrates very vividly that the Latino evangelical movement is composed of many Spanish-speaking voices representing the cultural and social spectrum of La Raza. While our ethnic nationalities are different, we are often looked upon by mainstream news media as one solid united voice on issues affecting Latino evangelical communities. Yet, the reality is we are many voices attempting to be one voice, and that is where we must tread lightly.
I do not agree with Garcia that because one person may be a Mexican-American, Puerto Rican, Bolivian, or whoever, that we cannot accept the leadership of anyone who is different than our cultural heritage and ethnicity. The dilemma is that when one voice attempts to speak for the many without seeking consensus on controversial and difficult issues, creates doubt and less confidence in the leadership. Rev. Rodriguez's interview with The Christian Post already has created confusion and doubts as to why he would support Rubio as a Vice Presidential candidate. Hopefully, it was not based on his political views, or was it?
What do we gain in promoting the candidacy of Rubio when he has fought very vigorously and aggressively against immigration reform? If Senator Rubio is so opposed to other Spanish-speaking groups gaining a legal foothold in our country, why doesn’t Senator Rubio call for the elimination of the Cuban Adjustment Act that provides amnesty plus one year of federal government entitlements to any Cuban who touches American soil?
It is plain old fashioned political hypocrisy and immoral for Senator Rubio to continue to speak out as an opponent of immigration reform. When do we ask Rubio "to man up" and challenge his double speak on immigration in our country? Calling for Rubio to run as a Vice President candidate in 2012 simply because he is “Latino” is so awkward and disconcerting to many of us who are working to support candidates who reflect our values!
I do not believe whether one is Puerto Rican, Mexican, Cuban, or whatever other Spanish-speaking ethnic group one may represent matters on who takes the lead on immigration reform or any other important issues facing “the Latino community”. What matters is when that leadership begins to believe they are empowered to speak for the many Spanish-speaking monolithic voices on such controversial decisions as indicating that we would support GOP Senator Marco Rubio if he ran as a Vice Presidential candidate in 2012, is plain foolishness.
Please join with me as we ask Rev. Rodriguez to reconsider this awkward endorsement and demand that Rev. Rodriguez recant his support of Senator Marco Rubio as a Vice Presidential candidate in 2012. Continuing to support the oppressive politics of Rubio threatens the unity and purpose of our fight for comprehensive strategies to improve the lives of the poor, the widow, the homeless, and the stranger in our circle of friends. How can supporting Rubio help bring about comprehensive immigration reform or the passage of the DREAM Act?
What must be done immediately is the issuance of a press statement from Rev. Samuel Rodriguez and the Executive Board of the National Hispanic Christan Leadership Conference recanting any support for Marco Rubio. They must make it clear, we can ill afford to make major missteps at this point in the upcoming 2012 elections. There are plenty of angry and bigoted political characters doing their best to destroy our united efforts for immigration reform.
Where are the Emerging Mexican- American evangelical leaders?
by DeeDee Garcia on Aug. 26, 2011,
There are two Latin cultural groups that really do not have to worry about the immigration issue as much as the other Latin groups: Puerto Ricans and Cubans. Cubans receive a unique amnesty privilege along with one year of government entitlements via the Cuban Adjustment Act. And, under the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Puerto Ricans are automatically U.S. citizens.
One of the strongest immigration advocates in our nation today is not a man of the cloth or the evangelical leader of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC); (D-IL) Congressman Luis Gutierrez who recently finished a 25 city tour promoting sensible immigration ideas. Gutierrez is of Puerto-Rican descent and well-liked by most Latinos across the nation because he has fought his own party in holding them accountable towards legal immigration reform. So why isn’t the conservative Reverend Samuel Rodriguez holding Senator Marco Rubio accountable for his anti-immigrant views? In fact, Rodriguez is the leader of the NHCLC.
Like Gutierrez, Rodriguez is also of Puerto-Rican descent; however, I find it odd that there are little national Mexican-American clergy leaders to be found when those of Mexican descent account for almost 70% of the Hispanic population pie. I am glad to see leading evangelical Hispanic leadership, though I believe leadership also needs to come from the community that is being hurt and affected the most regarding immigration.
There is a strong need for Mexican-American emerging voices.
In the old days, members of the clergy were the ones who committed themselves into being the sacrificial lambs in the fight for social justice, as was the case with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. who was jailed numerous times. These days things have reversed as we are witnessing politicians and US representatives getting jailed for social justice.
I have to wonder why Rev. Rodriguez has not issued a statement with regard to President Obama’s small step in the right direction – specifically with regard to the small amount of deportation relief of 300,000 who are currently in deportation proceedings. I’m sure the family members of at least 300,000 are appreciative for the relief, specifically as it relates to the non-criminal element of the undocumented.
The goal right now is to be hawkish and look for politicians who are brave enough to support pro-immigration related issues when the public has been misinformed by the likes of Senator Rubio. We should be quick to reward any and all politicians who make small steps toward immigration reform. Latinos for legal immigration should send a clear and consistent signal to politicians that we will provide political covering to those who support DREAM or comprehensive legal immigration.
We were appreciative to learn that on June 28, 2001, Samuel Rodriguez wrote a letter in support of the DREAM Act. However, on August 4th, 2011, Rev. Rodriguez suggested to the Christian Post that Rubio ought to run as 2012 Vice President. We are unsure whether or not Sam knows about Rubio’s anti-immigrant history, but we hope to clarify to him that Rubio embraced Arizona’s harsh anti-immigrant law (SB 1070), opposes the DREAM Act, and supports Rep. Lamar Smith’s enforcement only policies. It was my view that members of the clergy were to be no ‘respecter of persons’ which is why we are disappointed in Reverend Rodriguez. We believe that promoting Rubio parallels the Trojan Horse trick.
While we cannot really say undocumented immigrants are slaves or legally forced into labor here in the United States, the immigration issue is still an important economic one. Not enough has been said that immigrants have helped to contribute to the American economy. Legal immigration will dump millions in tax revenues and increase the American standard of living.
I am not religious nor am I anything like Moses, but it seems to me that evangelical leadership should come from those who are affected the most. I believe leaders of Mexican descent and/or other Latin groups who do not benefit from unique amnesty or automatic citizenship need to rise up because they are the ones who are most affected and we need their compassionate understanding.
Why did the YHWH, the God of Israel use Moses? According to Jewish scripture, Moses was raised by Egyptians, yet he still had compassion for his people. His compassion was so great that he could not bear to see them beaten by Pharaoh’s taskmasters. One day, Moses saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave and he was so outraged that he struck and killed the Egyptian forcing him to flee from Egypt. Perhaps Moses struck the oppressor because he had more compassion for his people.
Reverend Rodriguez should recant his support for Rubio or else hand his mantle to an emerging Mexican-American leader who empathizes with the pain of most Mexicans who are getting deported. We encourage Reverend Rodriguez to carry out his due diligence before promoting anymore anti-immigrant politicians. Holding immigration summits in various parts of the nation mean very little when the leader is promoting oppressive politicians.
Tucson protest against Rev. Samuel Rodriguez for supporting anti-immigrant Sen. Marco Rubio for VEEP
by DeeDee Garcia on Sep. 20, 2011, under Latino Get Out the Vote for 2012, Secure Borders and Reasonable Immigration Solution, Tequila Party Movement, The Nativist Anti-immigrant Movement
We recently spoke to National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) Executive Director, Efraim Pineda, about our disappointment in Reverend Sam Rodriguez for suggesting that Sen. Marco Rubio would be a better idea as a 2012 Vice Presidential Candidate. Clearly it appears Rodriguez supports Rubio as Vice Presidential material and we view his statement as an endorsement. Pineda advised us against the protest, and we told him we would stop the protest if we had written clarification that Rodriguez would stop supporting anti-immigrant politicians. Pineda assured us that this would be “fixed” and clarified, but it was not.
We received a call from the publicist of the NHCLC where she suggested the President of the Tequila Party pray with her to accept Christ into her heart, but in the same breath she threatened to fight her with 125 lawyers if the protest at the Immigration Summit continued on 21 September 2011.
The National Tequila Party Movement will be protesting Reverend Samuel Rodriguez.
WHEN: Wednesday, 21 September 2011
TIME: 7:00 pm
WHERE: New Life Church of God, 330 West Nebraska Street, Tucson, Arizona 85706.
*UNIVISION will be there to expose the protest. Other film makers doing documentary at
Since when do so called immigration advocates support politicians who are anti-immigrant? Does God support the suffering of others? How can one say they are “Christian” and support people who support suffering and bigotry? It’s hypocrisy.
BACKGROUND:
It started with one article from the Christian Post (see below). When evangelical leaders discovered we were going to protest Reverend Samuel Rodriguez, they wanted us to reconsider and not protest. I explained to the Arizona evangelical leader that it is inappropriate for Rodriguez to suggest Marco Rubio as a VEEP to win Latinos to GOP side. That is preposterous particularly when Rubio is one of the worst anti-immigrant politicians who is just as bad as Lamar Smith!
I was told that Rodriguez was an immigration advocate, but I retorted by saying Rodriguez should not suggest ANY anti-immigration Senators like Rubio for VEEP.
This is ludicrous. Just because a politician is brown does not mean that we should support them because they have a Hispanic last name. We don’t care if you are white, brown, black, purple or yellow…..what we care about is whether or not you are for the poor, the fight for humane social justice and helping the defenseless immigrants who are afraid.
Rodriguez is giving us double-speak. He must choose a side. He needs to stop suggesting that Marco Rubio is a good signal for Hispanics to support the GOP because he needs to remember that Rubio supported Arizona’s harsh anti-immigrant law, Rubio does not support the DREAM Act, and now Rubio is supporting Lamar Smith’s enforcement only policy and large government bureaucracy via national e-verify. It’s hypocrisy!
Just because Rodriguez is a “minister of God” does not mean we will not protest the double speak we see him giving. Heck, Jesus Christ had to protest the Saducees and the Pharisees, in fact, in a rage He went into the Jewish Temple and flipped over tables because of the hypocrisy he saw there.
I believe Sam Rodriguez does not feel the pain we feel….(those of us who are of Mexican-descent). After all…most of the undocumented immigrants getting deported are of Mexican descent, aren’t they? Where is the Mexican leadership at? Those of Mexican descent make up almost 70% of the total Hispanic population pie. Could it be that Rev. Rodriguez, of Puerto Rican descent not really feel what we are feeling? We all know that Puerto Ricans receive automatic citizenship. Why business does Rodriguez have suggesting Rubio as VEEP? Doesn’t Rodriguez know about the Cuban amnesty under the Cuban Adjustment Act? This is why we believe Rubio doesn’t have to worry about the Mexican problem because he is of Cuban descent. Rubio takes an anti-immigrant stance against Mexicans and other Latin groups who dont’ get privileged amnesty, yet the Cuban immigrants in Florida are safe as they receive their amnesty along with government benefits via tax payers for at least one year.
PRESENT SITUATION:
Efraim Pineda (Executive Director) said they would fix this via an official statement. In fact, he didn’t even know about the Christian Post article until I emailed it to him. We gave the NHCLC an opportunity to explain, and instead the publicist reminded me that they have 125 lawyers ready to sue me. That’s pretty “Christian” of them, isn’t it?
The Christian Post > Politics|Thu, Aug. 04 2011 02:00 PM EDT
Hispanics Want Immigration Reform, Marco Rubio in 2012
By Stephanie Samuel | Christian Post Reporter
He said Republicans must send Hispanics a stronger signal that they want Hispanic support. One example of such a signal would be a public appeal, an apology, or better yet, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as the vice presidential nominee on the 2012 ticket.
“If they could put Marco Rubio on that ticket as the VP candidate, it wouldn’t take away the angst or the anger, it wouldn’t squelch Alabama, Georgia and Arizona, but it would convey a message and that message is very powerful.”
Read entire article here.
************************
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H. S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative.
Served as Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years as a journalist.
Served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; and in law enforcement as the Manager of Public Safety, responsible for the Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, and Denver Sheriff Department for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000.
Licensed to preach in 1972.
Serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Founding member of the Latino Ministerial Alliance in Greater Metro Denver.
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Alabama Farmers versus Immigration Law
by Fidel "Butch" Montoya
The Associated Press news article "Farmers say Alabama immigration law could cost crops,"
is perhaps one of the best examples of how some Republicans and members of the Tea Party just failed to understand the outcome and lasting ramifications of their anti immigration legislation.
Now they are beginning to realize Alabama farmers are trapped in a serious economic crisis because they failed to consider the consequences of their new legislation against undocumented workers. After believing their own hateful rethroic, misinformation and lies about how undocumented immigrants taking jobs away from American workers, they crafted a law which may now cripple farming in Alabama and leave this year's harvest simply to rot in the fields.
Farmers were forced to raise the wages to pay "American workers," and though many of these American workers may have been unemployed for months or longer, they have flat out refused to do the work of the undocumented workers who have always looked to harvest time in the USA. For undocumented workers this is a lucrative time to earn money as they travel from state to state harvesting crops from fields and orchards. In Alabama, farmers relied on them to do this hard back breaking work, offering them less pay than they are now being forced to offer American workers who still refuse to do field work.
Extreme politicians in Alabama voted for this bill because it would discourage employers and farmers from hiring undocumented workers. They did little to understand the economics of farming and how difficult it would be to find field workers willing to work in the hot sun all day.
In Alabama, the most strict anti-immigrant bill in the country has created a serious crisis for farmers as they watch their crops wither away in the fields because they cannot find workers who will do the work.
Meanwhile, more and more undocumented immigrants are beginning to leave one of the most racist states fearing that the new Alabama law will disrupt and separate their families. The legislators who voted for this law were blinded by their own hate and bigotry. This hate legislation would drive undocumented immigrants out of Alabama. But apparently no one thought about who would harvest the food in the fields.
Now farmers are facing a serious shortage of workers, and even by offering better wages, not even the “American workers” are considering taking these back breaking jobs, and with fewer undocumented immigrants trying to make a living, these undocumented immigrants are working always looking over their backs living in constant fear of getting arrested under the new law.
Unfortunately, it looks like more crops will simply rot in the fields and the American consumer will end paying more for food. At least the Republicans can pound their chests and proclaim, “we got rid of all of those unwanted and undocumented immigrants.” Now the question is who will harvest the crops before it is too late this harvest season....or will more farmers face a harvest disaster, and then expect the government to bail them out too?
I have cut and pasted the AP news article below, and if you are interested in reading about this terrible dilemma in Alabama and what farmers and supporters of the law are trying to do to face the field harvest crisis, please continue reading below.
Farmers say Alabama immigration law could cost crops
JAY REEVES, Associated Press
Updated 06:11 p.m., Monday, September 19
GOOD HOPE, Ala. (AP) — Farmers in one of Alabama's leading agricultural areas asked legislators Monday to make emergency changes to the state's tough new law against illegal immigration, saying millions of dollars of crops are at risk in coming weeks because of a sudden lack of hands for harvest.
The lawmakers said they can't do anything to the law right now, and it may be months before it can be changed.
About 50 growers packed a truck-stop dining room 45 miles north of Birmingham. They pleaded with three north Alabama lawmakers to amend the law and save what they called the lifeblood of the state's agriculture operations: The Hispanic workers who pick vegetables, gather chickens from poultry houses, pull sweet potatoes out of the ground and make the cardboard boxes that hold produce.
Those workers are leaving the state because they are intimidated by the law and without them, acres and acres of crops will be wasted, the farmers said.
Kim Haynes said he's lost about half the workers he needs to gather his 25-acre sweet potato crop. He fears the rest of his Hispanic employees will leave should a federal judge let the law take effect in coming days.
"There will be no crops harvested in an effectual manner without them," said Haynes, of Cullman.
The law makes it a crime to employ or assist an illegal immigrant in remaining in the country. It allows police to jail people if they can't prove they are in the United States legally, and the farmers said many Spanish-speaking workers who are in the country both legally and illegally have moved from Alabama in fear.
The gathered farmers told lawmakers they'd like to use U.S.-born citizens for the work, but few are willing to sweat in the fields and get dirty even though wages are usually well above minimum wage.
"We use Hispanic labor because we have no other choice. We can't find anyone else who will do this work," said Jeremy Calvert of Bremen. Most of the farmers were from Cullman County, but several came to the meeting from elsewhere in north Alabama.
State Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman, said GOP Gov. Robert Bentley could issue an executive order changing part of the law, or Bentley could include an amendment to the immigration law in the call for a special legislative session that could be scheduled in coming weeks to help resolve a budget crisis in Jefferson County.
Regardless, state Rep. Jeremy Oden said nothing can happen until U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn rules on lawsuits seeking to overturn the law. The judge temporarily blocked it from taking effect earlier this month, but she said she would issue a final ruling by Sept. 28 that could clear the way for the tough legislation.
"The bill is in place until the judge makes her ruling," said Oden, R-Cullman.
Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Wayne Walker said state officials fear it could cost tens of millions of dollars in losses if farmers can't find enough help for harvesting. Tomato growers in east Alabama already are suffering because the law scared away the people who normally pick their crops, he said.
Supporters of the Republican-sponsored immigration bill say it was meant to protect jobs for legal residents, and conservative supporters plan a rally in favor of the bill in Birmingham on Tuesday.
************************
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H. S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative.
Served as Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years as a journalist.
Served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; and in law enforcement as the Manager of Public Safety, responsible for the Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, and Denver Sheriff Department for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000.
Licensed to preach in 1972.
Serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Founding member of the Latino Ministerial Alliance in Greater Metro Denver.
The Associated Press news article "Farmers say Alabama immigration law could cost crops,"
is perhaps one of the best examples of how some Republicans and members of the Tea Party just failed to understand the outcome and lasting ramifications of their anti immigration legislation.
Now they are beginning to realize Alabama farmers are trapped in a serious economic crisis because they failed to consider the consequences of their new legislation against undocumented workers. After believing their own hateful rethroic, misinformation and lies about how undocumented immigrants taking jobs away from American workers, they crafted a law which may now cripple farming in Alabama and leave this year's harvest simply to rot in the fields.
Farmers were forced to raise the wages to pay "American workers," and though many of these American workers may have been unemployed for months or longer, they have flat out refused to do the work of the undocumented workers who have always looked to harvest time in the USA. For undocumented workers this is a lucrative time to earn money as they travel from state to state harvesting crops from fields and orchards. In Alabama, farmers relied on them to do this hard back breaking work, offering them less pay than they are now being forced to offer American workers who still refuse to do field work.
Extreme politicians in Alabama voted for this bill because it would discourage employers and farmers from hiring undocumented workers. They did little to understand the economics of farming and how difficult it would be to find field workers willing to work in the hot sun all day.
In Alabama, the most strict anti-immigrant bill in the country has created a serious crisis for farmers as they watch their crops wither away in the fields because they cannot find workers who will do the work.
Meanwhile, more and more undocumented immigrants are beginning to leave one of the most racist states fearing that the new Alabama law will disrupt and separate their families. The legislators who voted for this law were blinded by their own hate and bigotry. This hate legislation would drive undocumented immigrants out of Alabama. But apparently no one thought about who would harvest the food in the fields.
Now farmers are facing a serious shortage of workers, and even by offering better wages, not even the “American workers” are considering taking these back breaking jobs, and with fewer undocumented immigrants trying to make a living, these undocumented immigrants are working always looking over their backs living in constant fear of getting arrested under the new law.
Unfortunately, it looks like more crops will simply rot in the fields and the American consumer will end paying more for food. At least the Republicans can pound their chests and proclaim, “we got rid of all of those unwanted and undocumented immigrants.” Now the question is who will harvest the crops before it is too late this harvest season....or will more farmers face a harvest disaster, and then expect the government to bail them out too?
I have cut and pasted the AP news article below, and if you are interested in reading about this terrible dilemma in Alabama and what farmers and supporters of the law are trying to do to face the field harvest crisis, please continue reading below.
Farmers say Alabama immigration law could cost crops
JAY REEVES, Associated Press
Updated 06:11 p.m., Monday, September 19
GOOD HOPE, Ala. (AP) — Farmers in one of Alabama's leading agricultural areas asked legislators Monday to make emergency changes to the state's tough new law against illegal immigration, saying millions of dollars of crops are at risk in coming weeks because of a sudden lack of hands for harvest.
The lawmakers said they can't do anything to the law right now, and it may be months before it can be changed.
About 50 growers packed a truck-stop dining room 45 miles north of Birmingham. They pleaded with three north Alabama lawmakers to amend the law and save what they called the lifeblood of the state's agriculture operations: The Hispanic workers who pick vegetables, gather chickens from poultry houses, pull sweet potatoes out of the ground and make the cardboard boxes that hold produce.
Those workers are leaving the state because they are intimidated by the law and without them, acres and acres of crops will be wasted, the farmers said.
Kim Haynes said he's lost about half the workers he needs to gather his 25-acre sweet potato crop. He fears the rest of his Hispanic employees will leave should a federal judge let the law take effect in coming days.
"There will be no crops harvested in an effectual manner without them," said Haynes, of Cullman.
The law makes it a crime to employ or assist an illegal immigrant in remaining in the country. It allows police to jail people if they can't prove they are in the United States legally, and the farmers said many Spanish-speaking workers who are in the country both legally and illegally have moved from Alabama in fear.
The gathered farmers told lawmakers they'd like to use U.S.-born citizens for the work, but few are willing to sweat in the fields and get dirty even though wages are usually well above minimum wage.
"We use Hispanic labor because we have no other choice. We can't find anyone else who will do this work," said Jeremy Calvert of Bremen. Most of the farmers were from Cullman County, but several came to the meeting from elsewhere in north Alabama.
State Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman, said GOP Gov. Robert Bentley could issue an executive order changing part of the law, or Bentley could include an amendment to the immigration law in the call for a special legislative session that could be scheduled in coming weeks to help resolve a budget crisis in Jefferson County.
Regardless, state Rep. Jeremy Oden said nothing can happen until U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn rules on lawsuits seeking to overturn the law. The judge temporarily blocked it from taking effect earlier this month, but she said she would issue a final ruling by Sept. 28 that could clear the way for the tough legislation.
"The bill is in place until the judge makes her ruling," said Oden, R-Cullman.
Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Wayne Walker said state officials fear it could cost tens of millions of dollars in losses if farmers can't find enough help for harvesting. Tomato growers in east Alabama already are suffering because the law scared away the people who normally pick their crops, he said.
Supporters of the Republican-sponsored immigration bill say it was meant to protect jobs for legal residents, and conservative supporters plan a rally in favor of the bill in Birmingham on Tuesday.
************************
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H. S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative.
Served as Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years as a journalist.
Served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; and in law enforcement as the Manager of Public Safety, responsible for the Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, and Denver Sheriff Department for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000.
Licensed to preach in 1972.
Serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Founding member of the Latino Ministerial Alliance in Greater Metro Denver.
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
An Approaching Crisis
by Fidel "Butch" Montoya
Pastor R. Loren Sandford of New Song Fellowship in Denver, Colorado wrote a prophetic warning about a year ago of the very crisis we facing today in 2011. Pastor Sandford called upon the Church to turn to prayer and ask God to change the consequences of the sin and anger in our hearts.
A year ago he wrote of a "intense crisis at the presidential level....coming at or before the beginning of President's Obama's fourth year in office." We are now at that point in time, and Pastor Sandford's prophetic plea for the Church to turn to prayer has largely gone unheeded.
Pastor Sandford's warning stated, "It can be a wonderful and historic turning point for the nation or it can be the beginning of the shattering of our country with depths of division beyond any we have seen since the Civil War. Much depends on what believers choose to do now in the months we have in which to prepare."
As I read Pastor Sandford's warning again, and sensing the serious crisis our country is facing today, if we do not heed the warning again and turn to prayer - the crisis of which we were warned of a year ago by Pastor Sandford, will only grow into a dangerous time of national crisis which Pastor Sandford says we have not faced since the Civil War.
Read the prophetic warning again, only remember we are now in the time period of which we were warned about a year ago, and yes, our country is in deep trouble. Will we heed the plea to turn to prayer this time, or continue on the road of hate and anger?
AN APPROACHING CRISIS
(reprinted)
I sent out the following almost a year ago. You would have to be blind not to see this scenario unfolding right now in the events of recent weeks and in what must certainly come. I therefore felt it appropriate to re-republish this and call us once more to prayer.
We, the United States of America, are headed toward an intense crisis at the presidential level, the outcome of which will determine the direction of this country for a number of years to come. I sense this crisis coming at or before the beginning of President Obama’s fourth year in office. I am therefore issuing an intense call to prayer because the prayers of God’s people, together with the spirit in which we offer them, will shape the aftermath of this crisis for either good or ill. It can be a wonderful and historic turning point for the nation or it can be the beginning of the shattering of our country with depths of division beyond any we have seen since the Civil War. Much depends on what believers choose to do now in the months we have in which to prepare.
Please note that I am making no political statements here. I merely point out that a crisis is coming, whatever form it may take, that it will directly affect our president and that the outcome of the crisis will be either restorative or destructive for us as a nation.
In order to be effective in praying toward and shaping the outcome of this coming crisis, we must first shed the anger that many of us with a conservative political orientation seem to allow to so easily overtake us. James 1:20 teaches that “the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” and yet I continue to hear growing choruses of anger and bitterness coming from those who should know better.
Many of us will have to learn the meaning of Romans 12:20-21, "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” We must prepare ourselves to be servants, even to those whose opinions – or sins - offend our sense of what is right.
All of us must plumb the depths of I Timothy 2:1-2 and understand the true heart of Father God whose nature is love: “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” No prayer offered in any spirit but His will be heard in heaven.
Even more importantly, we must understand the meaning of our true citizenship. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). I love my country and am glad to have been born an American, but I will never allow my love for my country to become an article of faith. I belong to the kingdom of God. America is a place on a map. The kingdom of God is an eternal state of being in which the rule and reign of God are realized. Therein lies my allegiance. When patriotism becomes an item of faith, hatred is birthed and people always get hurt.
We are rushing toward a nexus in time, a very narrow passage in which even small events and minor decisions will loom large in their effect. We, the church, will need the intervening hand of God to achieve a good outcome and enter a season of hope. Saints pray! Pray in whatever way the Lord guides you to pray, but above all, pray in His Spirit and with His heart. We can affect the course of history.
(Prophetic Moments is an occasional bulletin produced by Pastor R. Loren Sandford, New Song Fellowship, Denver, Colorado. To sign up for this emailing click HERE and choose Prophetic Moments.)
************************
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H. S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative.
Served as Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years as a journalist.
Served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; and in law enforcement as the Manager of Public Safety, responsible for the Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, and Denver Sheriff Department for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000.
Licensed to preach in 1972.
Serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Founding member of the Latino Ministerial Alliance in Greater Metro Denver.
Pastor R. Loren Sandford of New Song Fellowship in Denver, Colorado wrote a prophetic warning about a year ago of the very crisis we facing today in 2011. Pastor Sandford called upon the Church to turn to prayer and ask God to change the consequences of the sin and anger in our hearts.
A year ago he wrote of a "intense crisis at the presidential level....coming at or before the beginning of President's Obama's fourth year in office." We are now at that point in time, and Pastor Sandford's prophetic plea for the Church to turn to prayer has largely gone unheeded.
Pastor Sandford's warning stated, "It can be a wonderful and historic turning point for the nation or it can be the beginning of the shattering of our country with depths of division beyond any we have seen since the Civil War. Much depends on what believers choose to do now in the months we have in which to prepare."
As I read Pastor Sandford's warning again, and sensing the serious crisis our country is facing today, if we do not heed the warning again and turn to prayer - the crisis of which we were warned of a year ago by Pastor Sandford, will only grow into a dangerous time of national crisis which Pastor Sandford says we have not faced since the Civil War.
Read the prophetic warning again, only remember we are now in the time period of which we were warned about a year ago, and yes, our country is in deep trouble. Will we heed the plea to turn to prayer this time, or continue on the road of hate and anger?
AN APPROACHING CRISIS
(reprinted)
I sent out the following almost a year ago. You would have to be blind not to see this scenario unfolding right now in the events of recent weeks and in what must certainly come. I therefore felt it appropriate to re-republish this and call us once more to prayer.
We, the United States of America, are headed toward an intense crisis at the presidential level, the outcome of which will determine the direction of this country for a number of years to come. I sense this crisis coming at or before the beginning of President Obama’s fourth year in office. I am therefore issuing an intense call to prayer because the prayers of God’s people, together with the spirit in which we offer them, will shape the aftermath of this crisis for either good or ill. It can be a wonderful and historic turning point for the nation or it can be the beginning of the shattering of our country with depths of division beyond any we have seen since the Civil War. Much depends on what believers choose to do now in the months we have in which to prepare.
Please note that I am making no political statements here. I merely point out that a crisis is coming, whatever form it may take, that it will directly affect our president and that the outcome of the crisis will be either restorative or destructive for us as a nation.
In order to be effective in praying toward and shaping the outcome of this coming crisis, we must first shed the anger that many of us with a conservative political orientation seem to allow to so easily overtake us. James 1:20 teaches that “the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” and yet I continue to hear growing choruses of anger and bitterness coming from those who should know better.
Many of us will have to learn the meaning of Romans 12:20-21, "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” We must prepare ourselves to be servants, even to those whose opinions – or sins - offend our sense of what is right.
All of us must plumb the depths of I Timothy 2:1-2 and understand the true heart of Father God whose nature is love: “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” No prayer offered in any spirit but His will be heard in heaven.
Even more importantly, we must understand the meaning of our true citizenship. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). I love my country and am glad to have been born an American, but I will never allow my love for my country to become an article of faith. I belong to the kingdom of God. America is a place on a map. The kingdom of God is an eternal state of being in which the rule and reign of God are realized. Therein lies my allegiance. When patriotism becomes an item of faith, hatred is birthed and people always get hurt.
We are rushing toward a nexus in time, a very narrow passage in which even small events and minor decisions will loom large in their effect. We, the church, will need the intervening hand of God to achieve a good outcome and enter a season of hope. Saints pray! Pray in whatever way the Lord guides you to pray, but above all, pray in His Spirit and with His heart. We can affect the course of history.
(Prophetic Moments is an occasional bulletin produced by Pastor R. Loren Sandford, New Song Fellowship, Denver, Colorado. To sign up for this emailing click HERE and choose Prophetic Moments.)
************************
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H. S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative.
Served as Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years as a journalist.
Served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; and in law enforcement as the Manager of Public Safety, responsible for the Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, and Denver Sheriff Department for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000.
Licensed to preach in 1972.
Serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Founding member of the Latino Ministerial Alliance in Greater Metro Denver.
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Jon Stewart - Why Does He Always Get a Pass??
By Fidel "Butch" Montoya
Why does Jon Stewart get a pass when he mocks GOP Presidential candidate Herman Cain? Cain says, “when he mocks me in the dialect of old Amos and Andy, I think that’s a problem.” I think that is a problem as well.
Stewart gets away with a lot, but when the heat is turned on him, most liberals immediately jump to his defense. If Colorado U.S. Representative Lamborn is wrong in mocking President Obama in using the ugly and insensitive "tar baby" association, it is no different than Stewart mocking Cain in the dialect of old Amos and Andy. I have to agree with Cain that, "I think that's a problem."
A few weeks ago we held a news conference to condemn U.S. Representative Lamborn for associating the words "tar baby" with President Obama because it was morally wrong and racially insensitive of him to do so.
The pastors at the news conference simply ran out of words to describe the hateful and ugly insinuation that Lamborn used to insult President Obama, Black Americans, and other communities of color. We need to use some of those same words to condemn Stewart for his lack of sensitivity and lack of mutual respect.
But when will liberals even think about condemning the darling Stewart for using such language? He deserves to be criticized and called on the carpet for using the old Amos and Andy dialect to mock a Black conservative running for President.
I can not understand, whether we agree or not with Cain's politics, how we allow Stewart to get away free from any condemnation for using an old dialect to mock a Black man? Too often we seem afraid to condemn national celebrities who we think are our friends and maybe say something nice about our communities on their cable/television programs.
Stewart is not deserving of a free pass, and we should let him know. If Lamborn is a bigot, then why isn't Stewart a bigot? About the only nice thing that can be said, is that at least Lamborn had the sense to apologize to the Black Ministerial Alliance in Colorado Springs. When do we hear an apology from Jon Stewart? Or does he get a pass - again?
I offer a commentary by Alex Alvarez from FoxNews.com for more about this controversy. Asking you to read his commentary does not mean I agree with everything Alvarez may have to say, but the least we can do is answer his question.
FoxNews.com Asks ‘Is Jon Stewart Racist?’
by Alex Alvarez | 5:06 pm, June 28th, 2011
Pass the popcorn and David Hasselhoff popsicles! Fox News is gently fanning the flames of the smoldering Jon Stewart / Herman Cain “rivalry” by asking, in a FoxNews.com blog post written by Bernie Goldberg, “Is Jon Stewart racist?”
Some context: Monday night, GOP presidential hopeful Cain told Fox News’ Juan Williams that Stewart dislikes him because he is “an American black conservative,” adding that, “when he mocks me in the dialect of old Amos and Andy, I think that’s a problem.”
Last week, Cain had laughed off Stewart’s impression while speaking with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, telling him that “as far as him mocking me, look I’ve been called every name in the book because I’m a conservative, because I’m black. Sticks and stones may break my bones, words are not going to hurt me.” and “the fact that he wants to mock me because I happen to be a black conservative, in the words of my Grandfather, ‘I does not care. I does not care.’”
Goldberg’s post doesn’t beat around the bush when it comes to making its central point: A double-standard exists where political leanings and perceived instances of racism are concerned:
If the white guy is Rush Limbaugh and the black man is Barack Obama, then of course the white guy is a racist – according to liberals.
But if the white guy is Jon Stewart and the black man is Herman Cain, the conservative businessman seeking the Republican nomination for president, well, then, that’s another story.
This is, of course, not always the case.
Goldberg continues:
But why isn’t Jon Stewart a bigot, when Limbaugh and Hannity and O’Reilly would be tagged as racists if they had done the very same thing? That’s easy. Because Jon Stewart is a liberal and liberals aren’t racists. Only conservatives are.
And if you don’t believe me, just ask any liberal.
Goldberg’s advice to conservatives who find themselves dealing with liberals who would take some sort of moral high ground when it comes to issues of race is to simply beat them at their own game, as it were, and “play fast and loose with the word ‘racist.’” He concludes by saying that, yes, Stewart’s impression was unequivocally racist.
It’s to Fox News’ benefit to keep this particular meme going because 1) it makes Stewart look bad, particularly since it essentially adds fuel to the animosity likely already harbored by many at Fox News and, 2) it makes Stewart look bad. But, in the long term, it serves only to reduce matters of race and ethnicity to trump cards held, at the ready, in the back pockets of pundits and politicians on either side of the aisle, to be pulled out whenever it suits either side.
It’s an unsavory practice that ultimately works to alienate both liberals and conservatives who don’t happen to be white Anglos, rendering, say, a black conservative forever “a black conservative” rather than an individual who is conservative and also black, or black and also conservative.
Likewise, when Democrats or Republicans discuss garnering, say, ”the black vote” or “the Latino vote,” it speaks to a fundamental lack of understanding, bolstering the impression that black and/or American Latinos vote as monolithic, homogeneous blocks without different social classes, religious beliefs, or cultural values coming into play. So let’s, perhaps, take a step back from using “racist!” as a strategic peon in some grotesque game played out on evening political news shows, particularly since this ultimately works to render a serious accusation essentially meaningless and causes the word to lose whatever power it may otherwise have had.
How can we intelligently and productively discuss whether something like Jon “I’m a comedian” Stewart’s impression is racist or hateful if we have to deal with the possibility that such as allegation is simply being exploited for political points? How genuine can any offense at a given act or word be if there’s a concern or admission that such a reaction is used as a strategy in shaming or “beating” the other side?
FoxNews.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H. S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative.
Served as Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years as a journalist.
Served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; and in law enforcement as the Manager of Public Safety, responsible for the Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, and Denver Sheriff Department for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000.
Was Licensed to preach in 1972.
Serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Founding member of the Latino Ministerial Alliance in Greater Metro Denver.
Why does Jon Stewart get a pass when he mocks GOP Presidential candidate Herman Cain? Cain says, “when he mocks me in the dialect of old Amos and Andy, I think that’s a problem.” I think that is a problem as well.
Stewart gets away with a lot, but when the heat is turned on him, most liberals immediately jump to his defense. If Colorado U.S. Representative Lamborn is wrong in mocking President Obama in using the ugly and insensitive "tar baby" association, it is no different than Stewart mocking Cain in the dialect of old Amos and Andy. I have to agree with Cain that, "I think that's a problem."
A few weeks ago we held a news conference to condemn U.S. Representative Lamborn for associating the words "tar baby" with President Obama because it was morally wrong and racially insensitive of him to do so.
The pastors at the news conference simply ran out of words to describe the hateful and ugly insinuation that Lamborn used to insult President Obama, Black Americans, and other communities of color. We need to use some of those same words to condemn Stewart for his lack of sensitivity and lack of mutual respect.
But when will liberals even think about condemning the darling Stewart for using such language? He deserves to be criticized and called on the carpet for using the old Amos and Andy dialect to mock a Black conservative running for President.
I can not understand, whether we agree or not with Cain's politics, how we allow Stewart to get away free from any condemnation for using an old dialect to mock a Black man? Too often we seem afraid to condemn national celebrities who we think are our friends and maybe say something nice about our communities on their cable/television programs.
Stewart is not deserving of a free pass, and we should let him know. If Lamborn is a bigot, then why isn't Stewart a bigot? About the only nice thing that can be said, is that at least Lamborn had the sense to apologize to the Black Ministerial Alliance in Colorado Springs. When do we hear an apology from Jon Stewart? Or does he get a pass - again?
I offer a commentary by Alex Alvarez from FoxNews.com for more about this controversy. Asking you to read his commentary does not mean I agree with everything Alvarez may have to say, but the least we can do is answer his question.
FoxNews.com Asks ‘Is Jon Stewart Racist?’
by Alex Alvarez | 5:06 pm, June 28th, 2011
Pass the popcorn and David Hasselhoff popsicles! Fox News is gently fanning the flames of the smoldering Jon Stewart / Herman Cain “rivalry” by asking, in a FoxNews.com blog post written by Bernie Goldberg, “Is Jon Stewart racist?”
Some context: Monday night, GOP presidential hopeful Cain told Fox News’ Juan Williams that Stewart dislikes him because he is “an American black conservative,” adding that, “when he mocks me in the dialect of old Amos and Andy, I think that’s a problem.”
Last week, Cain had laughed off Stewart’s impression while speaking with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, telling him that “as far as him mocking me, look I’ve been called every name in the book because I’m a conservative, because I’m black. Sticks and stones may break my bones, words are not going to hurt me.” and “the fact that he wants to mock me because I happen to be a black conservative, in the words of my Grandfather, ‘I does not care. I does not care.’”
Goldberg’s post doesn’t beat around the bush when it comes to making its central point: A double-standard exists where political leanings and perceived instances of racism are concerned:
If the white guy is Rush Limbaugh and the black man is Barack Obama, then of course the white guy is a racist – according to liberals.
But if the white guy is Jon Stewart and the black man is Herman Cain, the conservative businessman seeking the Republican nomination for president, well, then, that’s another story.
This is, of course, not always the case.
Goldberg continues:
But why isn’t Jon Stewart a bigot, when Limbaugh and Hannity and O’Reilly would be tagged as racists if they had done the very same thing? That’s easy. Because Jon Stewart is a liberal and liberals aren’t racists. Only conservatives are.
And if you don’t believe me, just ask any liberal.
Goldberg’s advice to conservatives who find themselves dealing with liberals who would take some sort of moral high ground when it comes to issues of race is to simply beat them at their own game, as it were, and “play fast and loose with the word ‘racist.’” He concludes by saying that, yes, Stewart’s impression was unequivocally racist.
It’s to Fox News’ benefit to keep this particular meme going because 1) it makes Stewart look bad, particularly since it essentially adds fuel to the animosity likely already harbored by many at Fox News and, 2) it makes Stewart look bad. But, in the long term, it serves only to reduce matters of race and ethnicity to trump cards held, at the ready, in the back pockets of pundits and politicians on either side of the aisle, to be pulled out whenever it suits either side.
It’s an unsavory practice that ultimately works to alienate both liberals and conservatives who don’t happen to be white Anglos, rendering, say, a black conservative forever “a black conservative” rather than an individual who is conservative and also black, or black and also conservative.
Likewise, when Democrats or Republicans discuss garnering, say, ”the black vote” or “the Latino vote,” it speaks to a fundamental lack of understanding, bolstering the impression that black and/or American Latinos vote as monolithic, homogeneous blocks without different social classes, religious beliefs, or cultural values coming into play. So let’s, perhaps, take a step back from using “racist!” as a strategic peon in some grotesque game played out on evening political news shows, particularly since this ultimately works to render a serious accusation essentially meaningless and causes the word to lose whatever power it may otherwise have had.
How can we intelligently and productively discuss whether something like Jon “I’m a comedian” Stewart’s impression is racist or hateful if we have to deal with the possibility that such as allegation is simply being exploited for political points? How genuine can any offense at a given act or word be if there’s a concern or admission that such a reaction is used as a strategy in shaming or “beating” the other side?
FoxNews.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H. S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative.
Served as Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years as a journalist.
Served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; and in law enforcement as the Manager of Public Safety, responsible for the Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, and Denver Sheriff Department for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000.
Was Licensed to preach in 1972.
Serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Founding member of the Latino Ministerial Alliance in Greater Metro Denver.
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
ICE Freezes Agreements - Now What?
By Fidel "Butch" Montoya
When you read the press release below, you will agree that this is a terrible development in the battle between the states and cities that wish to opt out of the Secure Communities ICE/Homeland Security Department agreements. Now the Homeland Security Department says they are not necessary and it will enforce the program whether or not a local government entity wants to be involved with this program of deportation.
President Obama has said over and over that this program is only put in place to deport the worst of the criminals and felons that are undocumented. However, what the President says and what his Homeland Security Department Secretary does are two different things. ICE has deported anyone regardless if they are felons or dangerous criminals.
In fact, today, right this moment, if an undocumented immigrant is stopped by the police for a broken tail light, they most likely will be deported. What the facts are of this deplorable policy is that hard working Moms, Dads, and young adults are being deported. Young people who were brought here as children and had hoped the Dream Act would pass so they could continue their education and receive their citizenship are now prime candidates for deportation.
It is time that the Church seriously begins to pray over this matter. We have sent millions of faxes, emails, phone calls, demonstrations, civil disobedience, and personal requests to the President to stop destroying families by separation and deportation. He has refused to heed our voices for justice.
I fully understand that many pastors and ministers are hesitant to involve their ministries with the issue of undocumented immigrants. But I don’t understand is how we discriminate with the Gospel and refuse to denounce the voices of hate and fear with the Scripture that instructs us to care for “the alien, the stranger in our land, the poor, the widow, the visitor in our midst.”
I am calling upon the Church and faith leaders across this country to begin to pray for deliverance for the stranger in our land who works hard to feed his/her family. To provide shelter and a home in this land. We must drop to our knees asking God to intervene in the policies of this government that only respond to the voices of paranoia and racism.
It is time to call upon our God to change the mind of our President and Congress, or send judgment to America for our sins and lack of compassion to love our neighbor. Please remember the Prophet in the Bible did not just bring good news, but often called for judgment upon the people for refusing to heed the Voice of the Lord.
I am very discouraged by this new development. Instead of sending more faxes, more emails, more phone calls, more demonstrations, I am asking you to send a pray to Heaven and the Throne of Grace, to our Father who art in Heaven, and plead with our prayers for changes.
Several times the people of Israel failed to obey the Lord and sinned. Many times God was prepared to judge and destroy these people. In fact, all of those who grumbled, complained, turned away from God, and danced around their Gold calf did not make it out of the wilderness. But when God’s leaders asked God to forgive the people, to give them another chance, God’s mind was changed and He relented.
We are at that point where I ask you to call upon our Lord to forgive our sins, deliver us from all this hate, this bigotry, this fear of the undocumented immigrant and give us justice and righteousness.
Please I am asking....only for your prayers and the prayers of your people in your churches. We must bombard Heaven with our prayers, our supplications, our needs, and desire for justice.
Please join us in prayer.
For immediate release
For more information:
Julien Ross, CIRC Executive Director, 720-290-1125
Jessie Ulibarri, American Civil Liberties Union, 720-434-3747
ICE v. Colorado: Rogue Agency Rescinds Accountability to States around “Secure Communities” Dragnet Program
Federal Government Runs Roughshod Over States and Immigrant Communities
Today, the US Department of Homeland Security announced that it is unilaterally annulling the agreements between states and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “Secure Communities” program, a fingerprint-sharing program between ICE and local police that in reality functions as a dragnet to detain and deport undocumented immigrants, including half a million non-criminal immigrants. The “memoranda of agreements” nullified by DHS had included provisions stating that states could terminate their participation in the program, as Illinois and New York had already done. Colorado was the the first state to negotiate amended language to the MOA, which was signed by former Governor Ritter in January 2011, including unique language to protect victims of crimes. The following is the statement of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition:
The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) condemns DHS’s unilateral action to annul ICE’s agreements with states, including Colorado. These agreements provided a clear framework for the relationship between states and ICE regarding the “Secure Communities” program—including the right of the states to terminate their participation.
“From the beginning, the ‘Secure Communities’ program has been shrouded in secrecy,” said Jessie Ulibarri of the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, “By rescinding the state agreements, DHS is once again acting in bad faith and eliminating accountability to states that have witnessed the overreach and damage wrought by this program.”
Today’s announcement comes as a DHS task force is reviewing the program, and about to launch a nationwide series of public hearings, calling into question the legitimacy and transparency of the entire oversight process.
The announcement also comes as new public data confirms that “Secure Communities” has strayed far from President Obama’s stated immigration enforcement goal of “focusing primarily on criminals” and the statement in ICE’s agreement with Colorado that the program would identify immigrants who have been “convicted of a serious criminal offense and are subject to removal.” In Colorado, 77% of immigrants arrested by ICE under this program have no criminal convictions, or charged with of non-violent offenses.
“This unilateral nullification of state agreements is yet one more example of ICE acting as a rogue agency without any accountability to its stated enforcement priorities,” said Julie Gonzales, CIRC Director of Organizing, “meanwhile the ‘Secure Communities’ program is tearing families apart and destroying trust in local policing efforts.”
Adding further confusion, ICE has made misleading and confusing statements about whether local communities can opt out of the program, and proposed high-pressure political tactics to enlist reluctant jurisdictions. Last month, a federal judge hearing Freedom of Information Act litigation against ICE over “Secure Communities” concluded that “[t]here is ample evidence that ICE and DHS have gone out of their way to mislead the public about Secure Communities.”
“DHS has yet to provide clear legal authority to support its claim that “Secure Communities” is federally mandated,” said Hans Meyer, CIRC Policy Attorney, “CIRC questions whether any such legal authority exists, and believes that the program is vulnerable to legal challenge.
CIRC will continue to stand with community, faith, business and elected leaders and allies in their commitment to effective law enforcement while keeping hardworking immigrant families together and all communities safe—a commitment that flies in the face of the “Secure Communities” program.
###END###
Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H. S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative. He was the Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years as a journalist. Montoya also served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; and in law enforcement as the Manager of Public Safety, responsible for the Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, and Denver Sheriff Department for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000. Montoya was Licensed to preach in 1972. He serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
When you read the press release below, you will agree that this is a terrible development in the battle between the states and cities that wish to opt out of the Secure Communities ICE/Homeland Security Department agreements. Now the Homeland Security Department says they are not necessary and it will enforce the program whether or not a local government entity wants to be involved with this program of deportation.
President Obama has said over and over that this program is only put in place to deport the worst of the criminals and felons that are undocumented. However, what the President says and what his Homeland Security Department Secretary does are two different things. ICE has deported anyone regardless if they are felons or dangerous criminals.
In fact, today, right this moment, if an undocumented immigrant is stopped by the police for a broken tail light, they most likely will be deported. What the facts are of this deplorable policy is that hard working Moms, Dads, and young adults are being deported. Young people who were brought here as children and had hoped the Dream Act would pass so they could continue their education and receive their citizenship are now prime candidates for deportation.
It is time that the Church seriously begins to pray over this matter. We have sent millions of faxes, emails, phone calls, demonstrations, civil disobedience, and personal requests to the President to stop destroying families by separation and deportation. He has refused to heed our voices for justice.
I fully understand that many pastors and ministers are hesitant to involve their ministries with the issue of undocumented immigrants. But I don’t understand is how we discriminate with the Gospel and refuse to denounce the voices of hate and fear with the Scripture that instructs us to care for “the alien, the stranger in our land, the poor, the widow, the visitor in our midst.”
I am calling upon the Church and faith leaders across this country to begin to pray for deliverance for the stranger in our land who works hard to feed his/her family. To provide shelter and a home in this land. We must drop to our knees asking God to intervene in the policies of this government that only respond to the voices of paranoia and racism.
It is time to call upon our God to change the mind of our President and Congress, or send judgment to America for our sins and lack of compassion to love our neighbor. Please remember the Prophet in the Bible did not just bring good news, but often called for judgment upon the people for refusing to heed the Voice of the Lord.
I am very discouraged by this new development. Instead of sending more faxes, more emails, more phone calls, more demonstrations, I am asking you to send a pray to Heaven and the Throne of Grace, to our Father who art in Heaven, and plead with our prayers for changes.
Several times the people of Israel failed to obey the Lord and sinned. Many times God was prepared to judge and destroy these people. In fact, all of those who grumbled, complained, turned away from God, and danced around their Gold calf did not make it out of the wilderness. But when God’s leaders asked God to forgive the people, to give them another chance, God’s mind was changed and He relented.
We are at that point where I ask you to call upon our Lord to forgive our sins, deliver us from all this hate, this bigotry, this fear of the undocumented immigrant and give us justice and righteousness.
Please I am asking....only for your prayers and the prayers of your people in your churches. We must bombard Heaven with our prayers, our supplications, our needs, and desire for justice.
Please join us in prayer.
For immediate release
For more information:
Julien Ross, CIRC Executive Director, 720-290-1125
Jessie Ulibarri, American Civil Liberties Union, 720-434-3747
ICE v. Colorado: Rogue Agency Rescinds Accountability to States around “Secure Communities” Dragnet Program
Federal Government Runs Roughshod Over States and Immigrant Communities
Today, the US Department of Homeland Security announced that it is unilaterally annulling the agreements between states and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “Secure Communities” program, a fingerprint-sharing program between ICE and local police that in reality functions as a dragnet to detain and deport undocumented immigrants, including half a million non-criminal immigrants. The “memoranda of agreements” nullified by DHS had included provisions stating that states could terminate their participation in the program, as Illinois and New York had already done. Colorado was the the first state to negotiate amended language to the MOA, which was signed by former Governor Ritter in January 2011, including unique language to protect victims of crimes. The following is the statement of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition:
The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) condemns DHS’s unilateral action to annul ICE’s agreements with states, including Colorado. These agreements provided a clear framework for the relationship between states and ICE regarding the “Secure Communities” program—including the right of the states to terminate their participation.
“From the beginning, the ‘Secure Communities’ program has been shrouded in secrecy,” said Jessie Ulibarri of the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, “By rescinding the state agreements, DHS is once again acting in bad faith and eliminating accountability to states that have witnessed the overreach and damage wrought by this program.”
Today’s announcement comes as a DHS task force is reviewing the program, and about to launch a nationwide series of public hearings, calling into question the legitimacy and transparency of the entire oversight process.
The announcement also comes as new public data confirms that “Secure Communities” has strayed far from President Obama’s stated immigration enforcement goal of “focusing primarily on criminals” and the statement in ICE’s agreement with Colorado that the program would identify immigrants who have been “convicted of a serious criminal offense and are subject to removal.” In Colorado, 77% of immigrants arrested by ICE under this program have no criminal convictions, or charged with of non-violent offenses.
“This unilateral nullification of state agreements is yet one more example of ICE acting as a rogue agency without any accountability to its stated enforcement priorities,” said Julie Gonzales, CIRC Director of Organizing, “meanwhile the ‘Secure Communities’ program is tearing families apart and destroying trust in local policing efforts.”
Adding further confusion, ICE has made misleading and confusing statements about whether local communities can opt out of the program, and proposed high-pressure political tactics to enlist reluctant jurisdictions. Last month, a federal judge hearing Freedom of Information Act litigation against ICE over “Secure Communities” concluded that “[t]here is ample evidence that ICE and DHS have gone out of their way to mislead the public about Secure Communities.”
“DHS has yet to provide clear legal authority to support its claim that “Secure Communities” is federally mandated,” said Hans Meyer, CIRC Policy Attorney, “CIRC questions whether any such legal authority exists, and believes that the program is vulnerable to legal challenge.
CIRC will continue to stand with community, faith, business and elected leaders and allies in their commitment to effective law enforcement while keeping hardworking immigrant families together and all communities safe—a commitment that flies in the face of the “Secure Communities” program.
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Fidel "Butch" Montoya is Director of H. S. Power and Light Ministries - Latino Faith Initiative. He was the Vice President/News Director of KUSA - TV Channel 9 News from 1985-1990, and worked at the news station for 24 years as a journalist. Montoya also served as Deputy Mayor of City and County of Denver from 1995-1999; and in law enforcement as the Manager of Public Safety, responsible for the Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, and Denver Sheriff Department for the City and County of Denver from 1994-2000. Montoya was Licensed to preach in 1972. He serves on the Executive Council for the Hispanic Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Executive Director of Latino Faith Initiative ~ H.S. Power & Light Ministries. Share commentary and information on issues of the day challenging and calling to action pastors and faith leaders to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Address concerns of justice and righteousness for the poor and marginalized. Strong advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Licensed Minister 1972. Local government/news media Consultant/Advisor and Crisis Management. Deputy Mayor for City and County of Denver 1995 - 2000. Manager of Safety for City and Country of Denver 1994 - 2000 (Civilian manager of Denver Police Department, Denver Fire Department, Ex-Officio Sheriff Denver Sheriff Department. Deputy Manager/Revenue/DMV 2000 - 2003. News Broadcast Executive/news manager/Photojournalist for over 24 years 1970 - 1994. Executive Director Confianza ~ Multicultural Faith Alliance. Faith Alliance facing urban and inner city challenges and opportunities/crisis. Involved in civic policy issues & community committees and organizations.
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