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Lawmaker backpedals on apology
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published April 17, 2007
TALLAHASSEE - Rep. Don Brown on Monday qualified the apology he made last week for e-mailing a cartoon poking fun at illegal immigrants, and asked for a state investigation to determine if they are a burden to Florida's taxpayers. The DeFuniak Springs Republican said at a news conference his apology may have been misconstrued. Brown said he intended to apologize only for offending some of the lawmakers who received his e-mail - not for its message or use of the term "illegal aliens," which some consider derogatory. The cartoon read: "Don't forget to pay your taxes ... 12 million illegal aliens are depending on you!" "Illegal, illegal, illegal, what does that mean?" Brown said. "I don't understand at all why they were offended. I see absolutely nothing wrong with the e-mail." Brown said the cartoon raised a legitimate question about whether undocumented immigrants are a drain on the state's budget and economy. Brown said he planned to ask legislative leaders and Gov. Charlie Crist to order an investigation to determine how many illegal immigrants are in Florida and the financial effect they have on public services such as health care, housing, schools, jails and prisons.
[Last modified April 17, 2007, 01:09:47]
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by Lilathe
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04/18/07 06:35 PM
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The terms immigrant and aliens are not interchangeable. People that insist on the term "immigrant" to refer to illegal aliens cheapen the immigrants that worked so hard and followed the law to come here.
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by Doug
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04/17/07 11:35 PM
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I demand to know what Gov. Charlie Crist will do to stop illegal immigration. The People's Governor? Just which People is he Governor of? Speak now Governor Crist.
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by John
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04/17/07 05:07 PM
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Looks like those who hoped to spin this issue into something "pro-illegal" may now have a problem. Here comes the ugly truth! Start the study today - prove what we already know to be true. 100% support for Rep. Brown.
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by Jim Brown
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04/17/07 04:41 PM
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I am wondering who the lawmakers were that were offended?
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by Kevin Reidy
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04/17/07 04:29 PM
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Stand up and take a bow Rep.Don Brown. If you can get Charlie to do this I will have hope that there will be an America in the future.
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by David
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04/17/07 04:24 PM
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Rep. Don Brown YOU ARE MY HERO !!! Please persue this idea of find out what the financial effect of ILLEGAL ILLEGAL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS are on the state of Florida.
It is about time someone stood up and is willing to defend our current laws.
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by Tom
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04/17/07 07:57 AM
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There seem to be too many ills, such as the illogical brains
of people who are offended by the term "illegal" when it is
applied to illegal immigrants.
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by jack
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04/17/07 07:26 AM
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Apologizing to illegals for breaking our laws is stupidity. It is political correctness run amuck and shows a side of american right wing justice that is ugly and promotes complete lack of respect for law;it encourages anarcy. Hurrah for Mr. Brown!!
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by Madasheck
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04/17/07 06:35 AM
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"ILLEGAL,ILLEGAL,ILLEGAL,what does that mean?" It means people are living here ILLEGALLY and YES,at MY expense and the expense of EVERY Florida tax payer.Florida MUST address this issue instead of sweeping it away.The drain is just too much for us.
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