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The man who would be president to the embarrassment of the nation.

By Patrick Osio, Jr./HispanicVista.com

  May 7, 2007

 

 

The man who would be president to the embarrassment of the nation.

By Patrick Osio, Jr.

For those who wonder why our nation seems to be in a free fall to oblivion, losing the admiration and respect of much of the world, and our own citizens losing faith in their government – look no further than a Tom Tancredo running for the highest office and is taken seriously by his own party and the news media when it is plain to the majority of voters that the man is out of sync.

According to Tancredo, God spoke to him and told him to break his solemn promise so he could save American culture and the fate of western civilization. His plan, I suppose with God’s approval, is as simple as Tancredo himself – enforce the law by stopping illegal immigrants from entering the country through the nation’s southern border.  According to Tancredo, that will save “American culture” and “the fate of western civilization.” Oh, and while we are it, also save the nation from any more terrorists attacks.

I suppose that God also directed him to threaten Islam with nuking Mecca if there were any more attacks by terrorists in America. And of course, proclaiming that Miami is a third world city because of the size of its ethnic and racial diversity, which, though God must not have mentioned it to Tancredo since he didn’t name them, must surely include New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, San Diego and oh yes, even Denver in Tancredo’s native state with its high diversity of people.

And what does Mecca have to do with the US’s southern border that according to Tancredo is where the next terrorist attack will come from, he did not explain. That probably awaits another conversation with God.

Tancredo while campaigning for his first term in Congress, promised to seek no more than 3 terms in office. This resulted in his getting his then welcomed support from a significant and influential group that helped him win his first term and re-election. After which he declared that God spoke to him saying it was OK to break his promise because he was needed in Washington to save the nation from the evil invasion. After 9/11/2001, the border national security was added to the reason for receiving God’s permission to break his word.

In the state of Colorado Bob Schaffer also ran for congress at the same time as Tancredo, and won making the promise to not seek more than 2 terms. He kept his promise, as is also doing Colorado Senator Wayne Allard who promised to serve no more than two terms. Schaffer was asked if he was sorry he was not seeking reelection to which he replied, “I am not sorry I am keeping my word. I am sorry I made the promise.” That’s character.

Tom Tancredo missed the opportunity to serve the nation evading the then mandatory draft during the Vietnam War because of a mental disability that kept him out for medical reasons. He was either faking it and got some doctors to go along with it to get out of service or he wasn’t faking anything and was truly mentally incapacitated to serve the nation.

If he was faking it, there are more serious questions about his character and moral fiber other than just breaking his promise. On the other hand, if he was not faking, it goes along way in explaining why he believes God speaks to him.

As the case may be, Tancredo’s state of mind and resulting lack of moral fiber attracts him to similarly mental depraves such as Glenn Spencer among others.

Spencer formed Voice of Citizens Together as a for profit California corporation and filed a fictitious name for the corporation named American Patrol. He quickly gained notoriety for his aggressive and insulting language towards Mexicans and US Latinos plus his staunch, but sick belief that the Mexican government is plotting to take back the “lost territories” from the US.

He preaches that illegal immigrants are sent by the Mexican government as an invasion force to colonize the US and take it over. And, that Mexican-Americans are in on the plot, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as well as other Latino elected officials.

Several years ago, California suspended Spencer’s corporation from doing business in California for failure to keep up with franchise tax payments, but even now continues to accept (non-tax deductible) contributions and selling goods contrary to California law.

As things were getting hot for him with California authorities, Spencer moved himself to Arizona starting Border American Patrol; and with it a new source of income. He finally went over the edge, and opened fire with a rifle on what after his arrest he said were intruder in his property. Fortunately he only managed to harm a neighbor’s garage door, but was arrested and convicted. Tancredo serves as key note and special guest of honor in functions organized by Spencer.

The problem with giving a forum at the national level to a “sick” individual like Tancredo is that it is an embarrassment to the nation and its people, as his antics play out in the world stage.

Why the Republican Party has not purged him from party ranks or at the very least censored him will prove to be a severe set back to the party, independent of the present numerous other problems that will last for a number of decades.

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Patrick Osio, Jr. is the Editor of HispanicVista (www.hispanicvista.com) and columnist with the San Diego Metropolitan Magazine (www.sandiegometro.com). Contact him at: POsiojr@aol.com

 

(The opinions expressed by Patrick Osio, Jr. are solely his and do not necessarily reflect those of HispanicVista.com, editorial board of advisors or it’s contributing writers.)

Patrick Osio, Jr. has written a short but intensive manual on the Mexican perspective on numerous issues between our two countries. The manual is an in depth primer on the culture and protocol for better understanding Mexicans that in turn allows establishing personal and business relationships, and how to avoid the most common faux pas that can ruin relationships and business deals.

The manual is available through Electronic delivery for $9.95 making it possible to download the manual for save on your hard drive, printing its entirety or particular sections while reaping considerable savings over printed copies.