Hey guys!
I’m working in the bowels of the White House today — in advance of tonight’s State of the Union Address. Later today, I’ll be giving you a virtual tour of the FOX News Radio closet — which is rather cozy.
Any questions about what it’s like down here? Send me a note.
And by the way — the toilet paper — is not two-ply (that’s for one of our readers in Atlanta)
Bob Kellar said believes the United States should have only one flag and one language. But it’s what he said after that remark that’s landed the Southern California city councilman in the spotlight. He said if believing in the American flag and the English language is racist, then he is “a proud racist.”
Kellar delivered those remarks at a January 16th rally which he said he attended as a private citizen and not in his capacity as a Santa Clarita councilman. Nevertheless, Kellar stood by his remarks in an interview with the Los Angeles Daily News.
“I’m a conservative,” he told the newspaper. “I have a big problem with illegals. When are we going to stop all this foolishness? I stand by everything I said.”
But he later clarified his remarks to KHTS Radio and said his words needed to have been put in proper context. “I am not a racist,” he told the radio station. “I am a proud American who believes in the values that made this country great. If the media or anyone wants to take that and make it seem like it’s something else, there’s nothing I can do about that.”
His remarks have generated lots of debate on both sides of the illegal immigration issue.
Jorge Mario Cabrera is a spokesman for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. He told The Signal newspaper that Kellar’s views may be outdated.
“I don’t believe that establishing ‘one flag, one language’ is necessarily racist,’ he told The Signal. “I do believe that it doesn’t correspond with the reality of the America we live in now.”
Kellar told The Signal that if immigrants want to be proud Americans, they should learn the English language — and he also recalled how offended he was when he said he saw more Mexican flags than American flags at the Rose Parade.
Kellar also chastened lawmakers who refuse to speak out against illegals.
“Shame on elected representatives who don’t have the intestinal fortitude to address the issue,” Kellar told The Signal. “I will not deviate that illegal immigration is wrong.”
Critics on Huffington Post labeled Tebow a “Jesus freak,” self-righteous and a religious nut. A blogger on BeliefNet called the advertisement distasteful. And yet another said it was “offensive.”
The New York Times wondered if viewers would “take issue with issue advertising during the Super Bowl.”
Tebow said he’s not surprised by the outcry.
“I know some people won’t agree with it, but I think they can at least respect that I stand up for what I believe, and I’m never shy about that,” Tebow told The Palm Beach Post. “I don’t feel like I’m very preachy about it, but I do stand up for what I believe. Unfortunately, in today’s society not many athletes tend to do that. So I’m just standing up for something.”
The 30-second ad, believed to have cost Focus as much as $2.8 million, was paid for by “very generous and committed friends.”
Your thoughts?
Todd Starnes is a reporter for FOX News Radio and a best-selling author. Be sure to get your copy of “They Popped My Hood and Found Gravy on the Dipstick” by clicking here.
Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend! I’m heading to Washington, DC next week. I’ll be working out of the White House in advance of the President’s State of the Union address. Be sure to listen to our coverage on your FOX News Radio affiliate or at www.foxnewsradio.com.
And check in later next week for information about the National Tea Party Convention. I’ll be heading to Nashville to cover that story.
Until then — take care!
In the world of Don “Moose” Lewis, only white men can jump and that’s why he’s launching a professional basketball league made up exclusively of American-born Caucasians.
Blacks and immigrants need not apply to the All-American Basketball Alliance.
Lewis, an Atlanta-based wrestling and boxing promoter, told FOX News Radio the AABA will play in at least 12 cities — mostly in the South.
Only players that are national born United States citizens with both parents of Caucasian race are eligible to play in the league, he said.
The plans for an all-white team have been met with shock and outrage – especially in Augusta, GA – where Lewis wants to field a team.
“Apparently, it’s not a hoax – it’s serious,” Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver told FOX News Radio. “To me the idea is ludicrous. I don’t think there is anyone in the city of Augusta that would want to be associated with it.”
Lewis denied claims by critics that he is a racist. “If I was a true racist, I wouldn’t allow Jews – Catholics – I wouldn’t allow any of these people.”
Lewis said he just wants to provide an alternative to the National Basketball League and what he calls their “street ball” mentality.” He said he was especially put-off by a recent gun incident involving NBA star Gilbert Arenas.
“There’s no excuse for guns in locker rooms, players going into the stands after fans,” he said. “The style of game in the NBA is not conducive to white players.”
But his basketball league may not be conducive to southern cities. The league wants to field teams in places like Chattanooga. Richard Beeland is a spokesman for Mayor Ron Littlefield. He said the league had not made any official overtures to the city.
“I don’t know if this is real or not. If it’s a hoax, it’s done in incredibly bad taste,” he told FOX News Radio. “And if it’s real, it’s absolutely ridiculous and something we would not want to be a part of.”
Lewis said his league is indeed – real. He said games will be played in the summer. However, he acknowledged no arenas have been booked, no players have been recruited and no one has forked over the $10,000 required to own a team.
In his version of a perfect world, Lewis said he one day hopes an all-black or all-Hispanic team will compete against his Caucasians.
“Let’s face it,” he said. “People do have allegiances to their own ethnic group. Am I right or wrong?”
