Think Progress

Rep. Broun twists facts to fear-monger on immigration.

Last week, the House Homeland Security Committee held a markup of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2008. Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) used the opportunity to fear-monger on immigration, claiming that “roughly 40 percent” of undocumented immigrants are “not Mexican.” Many of them, he said, are of “Middle Eastern” or “Asian” origin and pose a “national security problem.” He added, “I don’t think they’re coming here to cut our grass or work in our chicken plants.” Watch it:

[flv http://video.thinkprogress.org/2008/03/brounimmigration.320.240.flv]

Not surprisingly, Broun’s facts are wrong. Today, Al Kamen writes in the Washington Post:

Actually, the official stats for FY 2007 show slightly less than 7 percent are OTMs, or “Other than Mexicans.” The ASICs, or “Aliens from Special Interest Countries” — most anywhere in the Middle East and a chunk of South Asia — totaled 297. That’s three-hundredths of 1 percent. Still, it’s not zero, so let’s continue.

Transcript:

This is a national security problem. I’m told by people who are involved in helping just monitor the border that roughly 40 percent of the people that are intercepted crossing our border are not Mexicans.

Some of these people that are coming across the border are from other Central and South American countries. But there is quite a large number of people that are coming across the border that are of Middle Eastern origin as well as Asian origin.

A lot of these are single; they have no families. I don’t think they’re coming here to cut our grass or work in our chicken plants. So I think it is an extremely important issue that we must solve.




Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date

114 Responses to “Rep. Broun twists facts to fear-monger on immigration.”

  1. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    And yet another idiot chimes in.

    Where does the GOOP find these cretins?


  2. tombaker Says:

    R's in government are no longer required to be any more honest than the typical righty radio squawker.

    How low can you get that bar, righties?


  3. calibleu Says:

    How low can you get that bar, righties?
    Comment by tombaker — March 12, 2008 @ 2:44 pm

    They have begun digging a ditch to get it lower.


  4. toasterhead Says:

    Well, he's right. I mean, all South and Central Americans are of Asian origin since they crossed the land bridge 10,000 years ago. And 50,000 years ago they were probably in the Middle East before they made it to Asia. So really it's more like 100% of undocumented immigrants.


  5. raynman Says:

    why let a few facts stand in the way of a good talking point?


  6. IgnoranceIsNotBliss Says:

    Fearmongering is all they have left.


  7. LividLib Says:

    repugnicans fear-mongering????
    No way!


  8. Zooey Says:

    Racist dipshit.


  9. rastaman Says:

    300 people are going to bring down the US?

    yikes....i had no idea that america was that vulnerable.

    someone should stop letting these guys watch "Red Dawn" reruns.


  10. hellinabucket Says:

    Let's start addressing this serious issue by sticking to the facts. Broun noser.


  11. Buckie Boy Says:

    297 = 40%? Did not know that. Now I feel so much more informed.

    Buck Hussein Fush


  12. Shayne Says:

    Chicago is full of illegal Irish and Polish immigrants. And many of the Irish were former members of the IRA, that's right terrorists! But they're not "brown people" so they don't count, right.


  13. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Comment by Buckie Boy — March 12, 2008 @ 2:54 pm

    Hey, that's just some of "The Mathâ„¢" that KKKarl likes to refer to.


  14. Bob Says:

    If these illegal Mid-easterners gave information about terrorists would they be given retroactive immunity?


  15. Shayne Says:

    By the way, your name is Broun! Isn't that just a different way of saying you're Brown. And isn't that just code for undesirable? Jackass.


  16. rastaman Says:

    5. Ur-Fascism is xenophobic and racist.

    Ur-Fascism grows up and seeks consensus by exploiting and exacerbating the natural fear of difference. The first appeal of a fascist or prematurely fascist movement is an appeal against the intruders. Thus Ur-Fascism is racist by definition.

    Fourteen Warning Signs of a Fascist State
    -by Umberto Eco


  17. Shayne Says:

    Racist dipshit.

    Comment by Zooey — March 12, 2008 @ 2:50

    Are you talking about gone_goofy?


  18. stewarjt Says:

    My BS detector is redlining.


  19. Shayne Says:

    Hey giiggy, I don't know where you're from but you certainly don't act American.


  20. toasterhead Says:

    http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0605/060805c1.htm

    Comment by good_golly — March 12, 2008 @ 2:55 pm

    You forgot to quote the key paragraph in the story you linked:

    The Border Patrol is on pace to apprehend about 1.2 million illegal immigrants this fiscal year, which is about the same as last year. Out of that, about 12 percent are OTMs, which represent a small -- but growing -- portion of undocumented immigrants caught illegally entering the country.

    Other Than Mexican doesn't mean Middle Eastern or Asian - in the vast majority of cases it means Native American: people of Guatemalan, Salvadorian, Honduran, Bolivian, Nicaraguan, Colombian, and Peruvian origin.

    Facts, schmacts, eh?


  21. Zooey Says:

    It is a fact that members of the terrorist group Hezbollah have already entered the United States across the Southwest border.
    Comment by good_golly — March 12, 2008 @ 3:00 pm

    Yeah, your presidunce is doing a GOOD job protecting your ass, ain't he?


  22. Max-1 Says:

    .

    Fear monger Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) targeting Muslims as his "common enemy".

    .


  23. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Does g_g even read the articles before posting them?

    CBP Commissioner Robert Bonner told Government Executive in May that the Border Patrol is "overwhelmed." According to Bonner, most people illegally crossing the southern border are "economic migrants" seeking any kind of work.

    Concerns about OTMs from special interest countries -- such as Iraq, Syria and Iran -- were AMPLIFIED*, however, when former Homeland Security Deputy Secretary James Loy testified in February before the Senate Intelligence Committee on national security threats to the United States.

    *my emphasis.

    Yeah... and EXACTLY what Toasterhead just said right above me, see?


  24. Namtillaku Says:

    And yet another idiot chimes in.

    Where does the GOOP find these cretins?

    Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — March 12, 2008 @ 2:41 pm

    I wish you were right. This 'idiot' knows exactly what he's doing. He's an evil, anti-human, racist.


  25. toasterhead Says:

    The Venezuelan government is believed to be issuing identity documents that are subsequently used to obtain a U.S. visa for terrorists to enter this country illegally.

    Comment by good_golly — March 12, 2008 @ 3:00 pm

    The Venezuelan government also happens to be sitting on one of the world's largest oil deposits, and is renegotiating contracts with the extractive industry to make sure Venezuelans get some benefit out of their natural resources.

    Think it's any coincidence that "military and intelligence officials" now believe Venezuela is sponsoring terrorism?


  26. RUCerious Says:

    He's right about 40% not being Mexican.

    There's Hondurans, Salvadorans, Guatamalens, Columbians, Dominicans, ... what he really meant to say is...

    All brown people are dangerous! And yellowish, brown-yellowish, non pink, white or somewhat peachy colored...


  27. Keith Says:

    Venezuela is not a staging hub of terrorism. Some are saying that because Chavez is not doing the wishes of the US and he is sitting on a lot of OIL.

    Terrorists fly from Saudi Arabia to Florida and tell airport customs they are visiting DisneyWorld or taking courses at Orlando Community College. That's how they work.


  28. tombaker Says:

    Steve Doocy told Mr. Golly that immigrants were the "Mongol Horde" of our time.


  29. RUCerious Says:

    We need to ship gigi down to the Arizona border and give it a machete. Nobody'll get through then, right?


  30. Nevar Says:

    Broun: "...the people that are intercepted crossing our border..."

    Note also that he doesn't say crossing illegally...

    And, Rep. Broun, they are coming to make your bed and cook your dinner....
    Be afraid, Rep. Broun, be very afraid......
    And, oh......snark off.


  31. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    I have no doubt that terrorists will try to enter this country. But 40% of millions? What are they doing, paddling here in a vast flotilla of little rubber rafts, knives clenched in their teeth, ready to come ashore on Long Island and start cutting throats?

    *ss clowns like Broun actually make it HARDER to deal w/ this issue when all they do is deliberately spin and distort for political gain*.

    *IMHO


  32. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Whoa... did somebody say **snark**?


  33. Nevar Says:

    Terrorists fly from Saudi Arabia to Florida and tell airport customs they are visiting DisneyWorld or taking courses at Orlando Community College. That’s how they work.

    Comment by Keith

    So.... boycott Disney World and take classes online!
    problem solved.


  34. Uncle Ho Says:

    300 in a land of 300,000,000. Wow! They have us surrounded! We better surrender at once, or be annihilated.

    sarc ON!


  35. Leporello Says:

    If anybody's iterested, I did the math. If 40% of illegals = 297, then 100% of illegals is 742.5. Hey, Moe, Hey Larry, Look! There's no illegal alien problem, the Administration's fixed yet another mess!
    Impeach Cheney and Bush and Save the Constitution.
    Abu Ben Hussein Leporello.


  36. Uncle Ho Says:

    make that snark. heh


  37. Zooey Says:

    Whoa… did somebody say **snark**?
    Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — March 12, 2008 @ 3:08 pm

    Snarkilicious!


  38. Lefty Patriot Says:

    Why do Republicans lie first, every time? Are they all sociopathic, antiAmerican nitwits? I guess so, judging from the room temperature IQs of our trolls.


  39. Nevar Says:

    members of the terrorist group Hezbollah have already entered the United States across the Southwest border.
    Comment by good_golly

    Sorry, that was a group of drunken Mormons with Montezuma's revenge, trying to get back across without the deacons finding out.
    They bought serapes in Nogales, and pulled them up over their heads.


  40. IgnoranceIsNotBliss Says:

    The Venezuelan government is believed to be issuing identity documents that are subsequently used to obtain a U.S. visa for terrorists to enter this country illegally.

    Comment by good_golly — March 12, 2008 @ 3:00 pm

    (apologies in advance all)

    It's the oil, stupid.


  41. hellinabucket Says:

    Comment by good_golly — March 12, 2008 @ 2:55 pm

    2005 report. come on gg get current.


  42. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Snarkilicious!

    Comment by Zooey — March 12, 2008 @ 3:11 pm

    Snarkdacious?


  43. Zooey Says:

    Snarkdacious?

    Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — March 12, 2008 @ 3:16 pm

    Snarktastic!


  44. Zimzone Says:

    The ASICs, or “Aliens from Special Interest Countries” — most anywhere in the Middle East and a chunk of South Asia — totaled 297. That’s three-hundredths of 1 percent...

    equal to the collective IQ of our Trolls here at TP.


  45. DieNowForPeace Says:

    It is a fact that members of the terrorist group Hezbollah have already entered the United States across the Southwest border.

    REALLY???

    So knowing this, the Shrub administration let's them go free (like before 9/11) cause he's a terrorist dick sucker?


  46. tombaker Says:

    supersnarkafragilisticexpialidocious.


  47. Uncle Ho Says:

    OMFG!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!

    SNARKZILLA'S ON THE LOOSE!


  48. scytherius Says:

    lol This approach REALLY worked out well for the knuckle-draggers in Hastert's old district didn't it? They sure do learn fast.


  49. Zooey Says:

    A spoonful of snark makes the medicine go down....


  50. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Snarktastic!

    Comment by Zooey — March 12, 2008 @ 3:17 pm

    Snarkadelic?


  51. Chris L Says:

    It is a fact that members of the terrorist group Hezbollah have already entered the United States across the Southwest border.
    Comment by good_golly — March 12, 2008 @ 3:00 pm
    ####

    Is this like the Iraq mobile weapons labs that got moved to Syria fact? Or like the fact that Saddam was connected to Al-Qaeda? Or the fact that Iran was making nuclear weapons?

    So, I have to ask, if we have Hezbollah terrorists in America right now, why have they not attacked us? Obviously the idea that we haven't been attacked on our own soil because of Bush doesn't fit with the FACT that Hezbollah has terrorists strolling around in Arizona.

    By the way - vote for Obama! There have been no terrorist attacks on US soil since he became senator!


  52. Uncle Ho Says:

    my name is Uncle Hussein Ho, and I'm a snarkoholic.


  53. Nevar Says:

    snark is the sound of a dog with allergies


  54. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Isn't that "Dr" Nevar now? One of our preeminent Snarckologists?


  55. Xisithrus Says:

    http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/52402

    Comment by good_golly

    So what this (R) guy Broun is saying is that for the last 7 years the Republicans have been weak on national security?

    Tell me something I didnt know.


  56. Xisithrus Says:

    Can you believe this (R) Broun is admitting that they are weak on national security?

    Hey GG, the terrorists, Saudis, flew into America on student visas, they didnt cross the border illegally.


  57. tombaker Says:

    if a snark falls in the forest, and no one is there to hear it, does it make a snark?

    what is the sound made by one hand snarking?


  58. Zooey Says:

    Snarkadelic?

    Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — March 12, 2008 @ 3:27 pm

    Snarkotics....la la la...


  59. Xisithrus Says:

    snark is the sound of a dog with allergies

    Comment by Nevar

    Snork is the sound of an elephant [glances at gawrsh_golly]


  60. Zooey Says:

    what is the sound made by one hand snarking?
    Comment by tombaker — March 12, 2008 @ 3:35 pm

    Pipe down Doctor Who, you're getting the trolls excited.


  61. leftcoast Says:

    But there is quite a large number of people that are coming across the border that are of Middle Eastern origin as well as Asian origin.

    Always, in the absence of facts people resort to words that mean something different to others, like "huge", "large".

    But congressman have a greater responsibility to be accurate, less they be accused of being manipulative. Oh, I do go on. What am I thinking? This country will fall for anything.

    I'm so frickin' tired of the BS out of DC. and the lack of coverage of real NEWS by CNN, FAUX, MSNBC and the rest of the networks. How many hours spent on Spitzer? God they even had someone on their to discuss if his marriage can be saved. What the hell?

    This country is at its weakest point; an un-informed public, a broken legislative process and a president who is on a mission from God.


  62. Xisithrus Says:

    It is a fact that members of the terrorist group Hezbollah have already entered the United States across the Southwest border.
    Comment by good_golly

    Really? You have the arrest records?


  63. Leftside Annie Says:

    So, goony - if so many scary BROWN terrorists are coming over the border - and we can't wiretap them because those America-hating Democrats won't pass the PAA and give the telecoms immunity....

    Have you lined up your shrink yet? You know, for yer mental health and all, seein' as how Americans just can't be mentally healthy unless we can spy on everybody without warrants!

    Here - try this: http://www.nimh.nih.gov

    I worry about you. I really do.


  64. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Snarcocious?


  65. Zooey Says:

    Snarcocious?

    Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — March 12, 2008 @ 3:41 pm

    Snarkumental


  66. Xisithrus Says:

    and we can’t wiretap them because those America-hating Democrats won’t pass the PAA and give the telecoms immunity….-LA

    I think the Spitzer tapes, tapping show, prove rather that the PAA didnt affect the ability to wiretap.


  67. Xisithrus Says:

    And now that wiretapping without the PAA can be used by politicians against politicians they will soon be rethinking their glorious technology and its abuses if left unchecked


  68. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    That's a pretty strong snarkument...


  69. pete Says:

    "Venezuela has become a staging area"? No.

    The World has become a staging area for "anti-Americanism". Why? Because we pissed off the entire World. Thanx George.


  70. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    the PAA didnt affect the ability to wiretap.

    Comment by Xisithrus — March 12, 2008 @ 3:44 pm

    Or leak the details of an ongoing investigation to the press, either!



  71. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    "... a staging area”?

    Al Quaida... the Musical?


  72. Xisithrus Says:

    Or leak the details of an ongoing investigation to the press, either!
    Comment by The Republic of Stupidity

    Snarkzactly


  73. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Careful, folks, or we might have another insnarktation on our hands here.


  74. tombaker Says:

    i think we've all been spied on aplenty since January 2001.

    i recommend going out and get some jailhouse tattoos now, so that when KBR locks us up for sedition, we'll have some kind of cred in the big house.


  75. Nevar Says:

    Snarkotics….la la la…

    Comment by Zooey —

    I'm not allowed to give these without a prescription.
    You wouldn't snark on me if I gave you a sample, would you?

    Dr. Nevar Who'sayin' Nuttin.


  76. Buckie Boy Says:

    Purple Snark up in my face...

    All along the Snark tower...

    Escape from Snark

    Oh my this just could go on forever, couldn't it.


  77. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Excuse me... make that an "undercover insnarktigation"...


  78. Sabyen91 Says:

    So, Hezbollah is crossing the border and setting up staging areas? Really? And we are just letting them? You do know the American Chronicle is as crazy right as the Freepers, right? And just as credible.


  79. tombaker Says:

    "Clearly, the insnarkency, if you will, is in it's last throes"

    -Dick Snarky


  80. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Snarky Woman, walking down the street...

    Snarky Woman, the kind I like to meet...


  81. Sabyen91 Says:

    Nobody suspects the insnarkency.


  82. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Snark Tracy?

    Snarker Bros, manufacturers of fine board games such as Snarkopolyâ„¢, and The Game of Snarkâ„¢...


  83. DieNowForPeace Says:

    You are all helping to create our own little snarktopia.


  84. Xisithrus Says:

    So, Hezbollah is crossing the border and setting up staging areas? -sabyen91

    Naw, great_gawrsh o mighty knows where they are at, apparently, and will save us after dashing into a phone booth and emerging wearing a snarkerman cape.


  85. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    The Rolling Snarks?

    Snark Zepppelin?

    The Peppermint Snark?

    Buffalo Snarkfield?

    Crosby, Stills, Snark, & Young?


  86. Xisithrus Says:

    Snarkvel comics introduces Snarkood_Snarkolly


  87. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    wearing a snarkerman cape.

    Comment by Xisithrus — March 12, 2008 @ 3:54 pm

    And tights... don't forget the tights...


  88. Zooey Says:

    I’m not allowed to give these without a prescription.
    You wouldn’t snark on me if I gave you a sample, would you?

    Dr. Nevar Who’sayin’ Nuttin.

    Comment by Nevar — March 12, 2008 @ 3:50 pm

    Never, Dr Nevar. ;)


  89. Zooey Says:

    Jesus Snark, I leave for a few minutes and there's a snarkedemic!


  90. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    National Snarkographic Magaizine?

    George Snarkington Crossing the Delaware?

    The Tomb of the Uknown Snark?

    Mount Snarkmore?


  91. Xisithrus Says:

    and tights… don’t forget the tights…

    Comment by The Republic of Stupidity

    LeoTards!!


  92. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Jesus Snark, I leave for a few minutes and there’s a snarkedemic!

    Comment by Zooey — March 12, 2008 @ 3:58 pm

    Aw... these are just aftersnarks from last week's major snarkquake.


  93. Uncle Ho Says:

    and don't forget such classics as:

    Proud Snark
    Snarkie-Q
    Fortunate Snark
    Snark Through the Jungle
    Have You Ever Seen the Snark?


  94. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    LeoTards!!

    Comment by Xisithrus — March 12, 2008 @ 4:00 pm

    Truthfully, was a substance more evil than Spandex ever invented?


  95. tombaker Says:

    c u guys l8r - Snarkbob Squaresnark is on!!


  96. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Weren't those all done by Creedence Snarkwater Revival, Uncle Ho?


  97. RUCerious Says:

    Truthfully, was a substance more evil than Spandex ever invented?

    Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — March 12, 2008 @ 4:01 pm

    PolySnarkster...


  98. geniousdrew Says:

    I’m told by people who are involved in helping just monitor the border that roughly 40 percent of the people that are intercepted crossing our border are not Mexicans.

    Are those the same Minutemen who say that they can see the Chinese Army doing drills in Mexico? (please google this, i'm not making it up)


  99. Xisithrus Says:

    Truthfully, was a substance more evil than Spandex ever invented?

    Comment by The Republic of Stupidity

    Eww noooo.


  100. Zooey Says:

    Snark Canyon
    Craters of the Snark
    Full-frontal Snark
    Yellowsnark Park
    The Big Snark


  101. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    I Met My Thrill...

    On Snarkberry Hill...


  102. Nevar Says:

    "... Why doncha come along with me....... on a snarky carpet ride..."


  103. Zooey Says:

    Truthfully, was a substance more evil than Spandex ever invented?
    Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — March 12, 2008 @ 4:01 pm

    Speak for yourself!

    Before every UI football game, I give thanks to the Spandex Gods.


  104. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    (please google this, i’m not making it up)

    Comment by geniousdrew — March 12, 2008 @ 4:03 pm

    Well, that's it. Time to clean the keyboard off again.

    I'm gonna hafta stop eatin' while I post.


  105. Xisithrus Says:

    Snarkatution should be illegal. =P


  106. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    I give thanks to the Spandex Gods.

    Comment by Zooey — March 12, 2008 @ 4:05 pm

    So THAT's why you take the binoculars along, huh?


  107. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    "The most snarkative Admin ever..."

    FBI...

    Federal
    Bureau of
    Insnarktigation...


  108. Xisithrus Says:

    Are those the same Minutemen who say that they can see the Chinese Army doing drills in Mexico?

    If the fools on the hill default on the loans they may just repo the government and those in it.


  109. Zooey Says:

    So THAT’s why you take the binoculars along, huh?
    Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — March 12, 2008 @ 4:06 pm

    Well, I ain't watchin' the game!


  110. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Well, I ain’t watchin’ the game!

    Comment by Zooey — March 12, 2008 @ 4:15 pm

    Thought so... gives all new meaning to the phrase "tight end" huh?


  111. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Later folks... I really, really hafta take care of my life fer a while.


  112. Zooey Says:

    Thought so… gives all new meaning to the phrase “tight end” huh?
    Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — March 12, 2008 @ 4:20 pm

    Yes, indeed.....


  113. pete Says:

    Snark, snark, snark. Everywhere I look it's farking snark. Normally, I wouldn't complain. I like a little snark as much as the next guy. Especially farking snark. But, I fear we may confuse the trolls. This is hardly difficult but constant confusion leads to fear. Admittedly, that's not hard either, but constant fear makes them mad. Mad enough to venture out of the basement.

    This could lead to some serious snark. Trolls interacting, face to face, with real people just isn't good. So please, while enjoying your snark, don't frighten the trolls. They are relatively harmless if we keep them safe in their basements.

    BTW, spandex isn't evil in and of itself. But, like guns, it's dangerous in the wrong hands. People really should go through training and licensing to use it. I would guess that their are no more than a few dozen people in an average sized city who should be trusted with spandex. Lycra, on the other hand, is clearly the work of Satan.



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