NationStates Jolt Archive

Note to Tom Tancredo: If you want to have even a slight shot at the Presidency, you can't piss off the Miami Cubans (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/16110727.htm), because without them, you can't win Florida, and without Florida, you can't win the White House.

WASHINGTON - Rep. Tom Tancredo, the leader of the anti-illegal immigration faction in the U.S. House, spent a recent weekend at The Breakers in Palm Beach.

Ninety miles to the south, he found a symbol to bolster his belief that unfettered immigration is endangering the United States: Miami, he told a conservative online news site, ``has become a Third World country.''

In South Florida to attend Restoration Weekend, a gathering of conservative activists, the Colorado Republican, whose district includes suburbs of Denver, pointed to Miami as an example of how ''the nature of America can be changed by uncontrolled immigration,'' the story says.

''Look at what has happened to Miami,'' the WorldNetDaily quotes Tancredo as saying in an interview. ``It has become a Third World country. You just pick it up and take it and move it someplace. You would never know you're in the United States of America. You would certainly say you're in a Third World country.''
Of course, I don't think Tancredo has a real shot at the White House. He's a one note pony, and it's a note that national Republicans wish he'd stop playing, since it's pissing off the fastest growing minority voting bloc in the nation.

But that said, I think this statement is illustrative of Tancredo's mindset, because there's only one way I can interpret his remarks--they're racist. And here's why. Third world countries don't generally have hundreds of apartment and office buildings going up simultaneously. They don't generally host a vibrant music scene and night life. They don't usually have a booming tourist economy and unemployment below 3%. They don't generally support 4 major sports franchises plus a race track which hosts NASCAR races.

What third world countries do generally have, however, are a lot of non-white people living there, and as a port and multicultural community close to the Carribbean, Miami has a lot of those.

Say bye-bye to whatever paltry Presidential hopes you might have had, Tom. I won't miss you.

Maybe he was talking about a specific neighborhood. I'm sure you can find a "Third World" country in just about any major urban area in the US.

Might be a small neighborhood, though.

You might also find one in some small rural towns.

For some reason, the thousands of construction cranes erecting glittering new condos and office buildings seems to dispel that whole "Third World" feel.

Maybe he was talking about a specific neighborhood. I'm sure you can find a "Third World" country in just about any major urban area in the US.

Might be a small neighborhood, though.

You might also find one in some small rural towns.


Yup.
*cough*
Compton yeah...Compton.

Yup.
*cough*
Compton yeah...Compton.

Wow, talk about a slam on the Third World...

For some reason, the thousands of construction cranes erecting glittering new condos and office buildings seems to dispel that whole "Third World" feel.
I agree. Just take a look at this (http://www.wired.com/ly/wired/wired/archive/14.12/images/ST_45_skyscrapers1_f.jpg).

Having lived in Miami all of my life, I can assure the rest of the members of this forum that Miami is not a third world country... We're got a very nice mix of urban setting and suburbs. There are neighborhoods which are predominantly Hispanic, but that doesn't mean they're like a third world country.

However, the driving in Miami does seem similar to driving in a third world country :P

I've been to Miami. it's warm, vibrant, booming, and full of commerce. Of course, I was there in December; it's probably awful in July.

Miami is far less Third World than my own home town of Columbus, OH, which, if not for Philadelphia, would be the asshole capital of the world. Tom Tancredo is as dumb as a box of horseshit, and he makes me proud not to be from Colorado. Geez, two reasons not to be from CO in the same week. That state's setting itself up to go straight down the Rocky Mountain toilet.

However, the driving in Miami does seem similar to driving in a third world country :P

Any truth to the idea that turn signals are illegal in Miami?

I agree. Just take a look at this (http://www.wired.com/ly/wired/wired/archive/14.12/images/ST_45_skyscrapers1_f.jpg).

And people think that you only get that kind of growth in China...that's incredible.

Maybe you should take a drive through Little River, Lemon City, or Allapattah.

They film rap videos there, because of the ambiance.

Any truth to the idea that turn signals are illegal in Miami?

Not illegal, but certainly not in any danger of being worn out. ;)

Not illegal, but certainly not in any danger of being worn out. ;)

No, but I bet the brake pad industry does big business there with all the peopel stopping suddenly for no reason...oh wait, that happens everywhere.

No, but I bet the brake pad industry does big business there with all the peopel stopping suddenly for no reason...oh wait, that happens everywhere.
I believe that Miami was voted home of the rudest drivers in the US--if not, they were near the top, and as I live just north of there, I can certainly testify to it.

Any truth to the idea that turn signals are illegal in Miami?

Nah, the salt air just causes so much corrosion that they just quit working. Sometimes they fail on and sometimes it's off.

Nah, the salt air just causes so much corrosion that they just quit working. Sometimes they fail on and sometimes it's off.

Corrodes old peoples' brains, maybe, which is why they forget to turn them off. ;)

I believe that Miami was voted home of the rudest drivers in the US--if not, they were near the top, and as I live just north of there, I can certainly testify to it.

You guys beat out Boston AND Los Angeles? Amazing...and I made it out alive. Awesome.

Wow, talk about a slam on the Third World...

jeeze, you're right, I apologize to all 3rd world nations at this moment.

Corrodes old peoples' brains, maybe, which is why they forget to turn them off. ;)

I never believed the stories about how bad drivers were in Florida until I did some work for the Gov't in Melbourne. Wow! There were some bad drivers. If it gets worse farther south, I'm not going.

Not being a new car buyer, I'm not that familiar with what comes standard on different models. But, I'm convinced that turn signals are an option that most people choose not to buy.

If Florida is America's wang, does that make Miami Syphilis?

I never believed the stories about how bad drivers were in Florida until I did some work for the Gov't in Melbourne. Wow! There were some bad drivers. If it gets worse farther south, I'm not going.

Not being a new car buyer, I'm not that familiar with what comes standard on different models. But, I'm convinced that turn signals are an option that most people choose not to buy.
Here's the story (http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0205/27/lt.10.html)
According to the report, some interesting findings here. Miami has the rudest drivers, followed by Boston, Washington, Los Angeles, and Chicago. That's quite a list. Those cities also make up the bulk of the most unsafe driving areas. In order: Boston, Washington, Miami, Dallas, and Denver.
And all of south Florida lately has been spastic--seems like people are dying every day on the roads. And I'm about to go get in the middle of it. Wish me luck?

Miami has the rudest drivers, followed by Boston, Washington, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

we aren't rude. you are just driving like an idiot and we were politely letting you know.

I agree. Just take a look at this (http://www.wired.com/ly/wired/wired/archive/14.12/images/ST_45_skyscrapers1_f.jpg).

Anyone else think it's a dumb idea to build large skyscrapers in hurricane country, or is it just me? :confused:

Anyone else think it's a dumb idea to build large skyscrapers in hurricane country, or is it just me? :confused:
No dumber than building them in earthquake country.

Anyway, skyscrapers are built to sway and have dampners that absorb the force of the winds. Biggest problem would be from potential falling glass - but then, who's going to be out standing under a skyscraper when a force 5 hurricane is hitting it?

we aren't rude. you are just driving like an idiot and we were politely letting you know.

Where by "like an idiot" you mean "at any speed less than 25 mph over the posted speed limit in a residential neighborhood," or possibly "in such a way that one might possibly be able to read the street signs to find the address one is looking for," or alternatively "on the highway, at all." :p

I actually visited Chicago, DC, and Boston all on the same trip a couple of months ago. A friend dubbed this my "Insane Drivers of America Tour." It was a good name for it.

Note to Tom Tancredo: If you want to have even a slight shot at the Presidency, you can't piss off the Miami Cubans (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/16110727.htm), because without them, you can't win Florida, and without Florida, you can't win the White House.


Of course, I don't think Tancredo has a real shot at the White House. He's a one note pony, and it's a note that national Republicans wish he'd stop playing, since it's pissing off the fastest growing minority voting bloc in the nation.

But that said, I think this statement is illustrative of Tancredo's mindset, because there's only one way I can interpret his remarks--they're racist. And here's why. Third world countries don't generally have hundreds of apartment and office buildings going up simultaneously. They don't generally host a vibrant music scene and night life. They don't usually have a booming tourist economy and unemployment below 3%. They don't generally support 4 major sports franchises plus a race track which hosts NASCAR races.

What third world countries do generally have, however, are a lot of non-white people living there, and as a port and multicultural community close to the Carribbean, Miami has a lot of those.

Say bye-bye to whatever paltry Presidential hopes you might have had, Tom. I won't miss you.
I live in Tancredo's district. He's a mind-sucking son of a bitch that only plays different notes during elections. He turns into some kind of sane mildly appealing person when he has to win an election and somehow has managed to continuosly defeat opponents, despite his true character of "Mindless racist bent on ridding the United States of all immigrants."

And if he were to run for President...and WIN...I would leave the country immediately. No President Tancredo on my watch, America. You become THAT stupid, and I'll say "fuck you all, I'm outta here."

Not illegal, but certainly not in any danger of being worn out. ;)

Eh, sounds like Nodakkers. They can't drive at all. 30 miles an hours in a 60, 10 in a 30, I don't think they even know what a turn signal is, not to mention the fact that the breaks are their best friends.

Gah, I hate them.

Where by "like an idiot" you mean "at any speed less than 25 mph over the posted speed limit*

*suggested minimum speed

How to tell where somoeone is from by how they drive...

One hand on the wheel, on hand on the horn -- Chicago

One hand on the horn, one finger out the window -- New York

One hand on the horn, on finger out the window, cutting though all lanes of traffic -- New Jersey

One hand on the wheel, on hand holding a double decaf latte, shoulder cradling cel phone, mind on radio talk show -- Seattle

One hand on the wheel, one arm out the window, cinder block holding down gas pedal, gun on lap -- Los Angeles

Both hands firmly gripping the wheel, feet slaming down the brake, eyes closed, shaking with fear -- from Ohio, but driving in L.A.

Neither hand on wheel, eyes not on road, gesturing wildly to person in the back seat -- Italy

Gun rack in back window of pickup, dog in payload, tossing beercans and fastfood wrappers out of window -- Texas

Hands at top of wheel, blue hair barely visible over dashboard, driving 5mph the wrong way down a one-way street -- Florida

Edit: Hands on wheel, but driving down a winding, mountainous, country road with no streetlights in the midle of the night at 85mph, "brights" on to scare away moose -- Maine

*suggested minimum speed

People who drive like that can kiss my ass. The one time I went over the speed limit, I got pulled over and ticked. If you don't like the fact that I go at 40 miles per hour through that construction site when all the signs everywhere SAY 40 MPH(I'm talking to you Mr. "I'mma flash my brights in your rear view mirror when I pass you as we get back onto the regular highway because I'm an asshole" Red SUV!) then you can just plain kiss my big fat red minivan ass.

As a native born Cuban,
I love The Independent Republic of Miami, lol.