The Wonk Room reports that the US Forest Service issued and then retracted a Labor Day warning advising hikers to beware of campers in national forests speaking Spanish, drinking Tecate beer, eating tortillas, spam or tuna, and playing Spanish music because “they could be armed marijuana growers.” Polly Baca of the Colorado Latino Forum accused the U.S. Forest Service of racial profiling and said the warning is discriminatory. Julien Ross, Executive Director of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, added:
All Coloradans, and in particular elected lawmakers, should restrain from blaming entire communities for the acts of a few individuals…lawmakers concerned about the drug trade would be better served focusing on lessening the demand for drugs in their local district than scapegoating immigrants.
Hank Kashdan, associate chief of the U.S. Forest Service, later apologized on behalf of his colleagues.
It sounds like Tom Tancredo’s sort of nastiness.
Someone’s been watching waaaaaay too much FoxNews. Watching that channel leads to this sort of dementia.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:04 pmWhat, no mention of hoho eating,tiedye wearing, Grateful Dead playing hippies?
September 9th, 2009 at 4:04 pmI’m suddenly craving Mexican food.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:06 pmWhat, no mention of hoho eating,tiedye wearing, Grateful Dead playing hippies?
Clients of the first group? Good catch.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:06 pmDon’t forget to be afraid of Big Foot and the Yeti.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:09 pmWas this warning at the recommendation of Lou Dobbs?
Shameful and anti-American.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:10 pm“beware of campers in national forests speaking Spanish, drinking Tecate beer, eating tortillas…”
– - I don’t always drink beer but when I do, I drink Dos Equis. Stay thirsty my friends.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:11 pmLegalize it. That would solve the “armed marijuana growers” problem.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:11 pmLegalize it. That would solve the “armed marijuana growers” problem.
And that pesky defecit too if they taxed it like cigarettes.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:12 pmWell the warning comes from the fact that growers are using our national forests and parks. In some of the film footage they have shown on TV, there have been empty cans of Mexican Beer and other Mexican “foods and stuff”. So, racial profiling no but caution yes. These guys are dangerous and they are armed. A few people have gone missing and may be victims of foul play at the hands of these guys.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:13 pmAfter catching my breath at the blatant bigotry and discrimination, I am now going to join with robbez at #8 — LEGALIZE it!!
September 9th, 2009 at 4:14 pmLegalize marijuana, alcohol is more harmful. Cigarettes are more harmful.
Legalize it, regulate it and tax it.
eating tortillas, spam or tuna … “they could be armed marijuana growers.”
_____________
If they’re eating spam and tuna tortillas, they may indeed be stoners. Armed growers, not so much.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:14 pmMan. That’s impressively racist.
I went to a small, liberal arts college in upstate NJ, surrounded by lots and lots of woods. Trust me, those wicked marijuana growers are just as likely to be drinking Bud, eating hotdogs, and listening to Hendrix. You know, good American growers.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:14 pmvery embarassing for my home state (Tom Tancredo relatives I think) – guess it’s okay for people to be armed at Obama rallies, but armed marijuana growers – gotta watch out for them
September 9th, 2009 at 4:14 pmWas this a warning or an invitation?
Pretty specific refreshment list…
September 9th, 2009 at 4:15 pmIn some of the film footage they have shown on TV, there have been empty cans of Mexican Beer and other Mexican “foods and stuff”.
The real problem is the trash left in our national parks.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:15 pmThey legalize it and I’m buying stock in Hostess.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:16 pmEating Tortillas? Why don’t they arrest every Ameriacn within a mile radius of TacoBell?
September 9th, 2009 at 4:17 pmSide note: The US Department of Melodrama issued a warning about characters speaking Spanish, having obviously fake breasts and/or ridiculously toned bodies, assuming false identities, falling for other characters’ spouses, dying and then mysteriously coming back to life, and then suddenly revealing themselves to be the mother/brother/son/daughter you never knew, as they “could be armed telenovela villains.”
The USDM urged taking extra precautions when confronting the lady with the black eye shadow.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:22 pmI trust our hardworking federal officials in the great plains and Rockies will also be sure to issue warnings to report any white males with buzz cuts, a fondness for firearms and a pronounced distaste for the policies of the federal government. I understand some guy named McVeigh caused some trouble in Oklahoma City a few years ago.
Profile one, profile all.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:24 pmDoes this mean next season’s “Weeds” will be set in the Rocky Mountains?
September 9th, 2009 at 4:27 pmOff Topic.. Mike Duvall, Councilman of CA. resigned. What a dirt-bag. How long will it be before somebody hires him as a lobbyist?
September 9th, 2009 at 4:31 pm…Because we all know how drug-runners love to attract attention to themselves by “blasting Spanish music”.
And what the heck, loading all those drugs into the back of your van is thirsty work, so it’s only natural they’d use the opportunity to turn it into a picnic with beer and nachos.
Yeesh!
September 9th, 2009 at 4:34 pmThis is unfortunate profiling, but is based on the reality of stories like these
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/08/27/Huge-pot-farms-discovered-in-Colo-forests/UPI-87921251401959/
Marijuana farms discovered in national forests in Colorado pose potential dangers to hikers and the environment, forest service officials said Thursday.
The Denver Post reported drug cartels, most likely based in Mexico, are planting marijuana in U.S. forests because moving the illegal plants across the border is difficult.
The cartels employ Mexican workers to live in the forests and guard the pot plants, authorities said
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fires17-2009aug17,0,3772231.story
A fire that has burned more than 87,000 acres in Santa Barbara County was started by an illegal marijuana operation, authorities said, apparently making it the first major wildfire in the state caused by drug traffickers.
The county sheriff’s department, which has recently eradicated other nearby marijuana plots, believes the site was run by a Mexican drug organization, but officials Sunday declined to say how investigators reached that conclusion.
Narcotics agents say hidden marijuana gardens are increasingly being planted in California’s mountainous regions, including its vast national forests. Federal agents say many of these pot farms are tied to Mexican drug cartels that use forest lands to camouflage large operations.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:39 pmWe need to keep a look out for short pasty white conservative buffoons because they’re most likely part of one or two (or both!) right wing domestic terrorist groups called, “We Surround Them” and “9/12 Project”.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:40 pmNo. It’s not “unfortunate profiling”. It’s institutional racism directed by a branch of the U.S. government. Whoever is personally responsible damn well better be busy cleaning out their desk.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:43 pmI might expect this of Gentle Ben, or even Yogi. But I thought Smokey was better than this.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:46 pmdrinking Tecate beer, eating tortillas, playing Spanish music and marijuana…
….gosh, that sure sounds like a good time to me.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:53 pmI didn’t mean to make light of this. It’s disgusting. But if I don’t laugh at some of this stuff, I’ll cry. I just can’t believe how low our country has sunk. I was so proud in January. Now I’m just angry, frustrated, and embarrassed all the time.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:53 pmI had no idea that the US Forest Service is a branch of the KKK…who would have thought that until today’s stupid sh|t.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:56 pmWow, you have to be armed to grow marijuana? Must be a really vicious plant.
September 9th, 2009 at 5:05 pmWe always had hot dogs, not tuna.
September 9th, 2009 at 5:06 pmjoeyramonesmom,
If we stop laughing we’re doomed. The only correct response to most of the crap is laughter, even if it’s grim laughter.
September 9th, 2009 at 5:07 pmWow, you have to be armed to grow marijuana? Must be a really vicious plant.
Feed me Seymore!!
September 9th, 2009 at 5:08 pmSo if they like Bud Light instead of Tecate, its ok?
Drug runners have to have bad taste in beer?
September 9th, 2009 at 5:08 pmjoeyramonesmom says:
I didn’t mean to make light of this.
September 9th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
_____________
The Daily Show isn’t back till next week – someone has to pick up the slack.
September 9th, 2009 at 5:16 pmI’d give a wide berth to anyone eating Spam, even the FDA doesn’t know what all the components in Spam are. I grew up in Minn. so I have eaten my fair share of the stuff, along with the delicious Velveeta. ;)
September 9th, 2009 at 5:20 pmCan you imagine “armed marijuana growers” calling attention to themselves in any way?
September 9th, 2009 at 5:40 pmHow stupid.
And I am not referring to marijuana growers.
What’s with all the crazy paranoia? The threat to hikers from mexican marijuana growers is a lot more real than the threat to ordinary Hispanics by USFS advisories.
September 9th, 2009 at 5:45 pmAnd no white man would ever grow a little cash crop ? I seem to remember this being a concern in the National Forests 20 years ago.
I wonder if we should all call in and report the local Taco Bell ? There are folks in there eating Tacos plus even the cute little dog speaks Spanish !!!!!
And Red Lobster is serving Tuna !
September 9th, 2009 at 5:54 pmDear America: stop smoking weed. Problem solved.
Sincerely,
Captain Obvious.
Obvious solutions to complex problems.
September 9th, 2009 at 5:59 pmCampesino says:
The problem with such profiling even when based in reality and I am not so sure about your citation is that it puts people at ease when they should be wary of those NOT fitting the profile. I KNEW people who made serious money planting and harvesting pot in N Cal and they are so far from that profile it is funny.
September 9th, 2009 at 6:37 pmMapleStreet says:
I wonder if we should all call in and report the local Taco Bell ? There are folks in there eating Tacos plus even the cute little dog speaks Spanish !!!!!
September 9th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Spoke Spanish. Past tense. Gidget, the Taco Bell spokeschihuahua from the mid-90s, died last month...
September 9th, 2009 at 6:41 pmProfiling. Where there is smoke. There is fire.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:00 pmHaving lived in those woods its my experience one should watch out for BOTH the short tanned guys with AK-47’s speaking spanish AND the toothless, bearded guys in overalls with AR-15’s speaking gibberish. If you see guys in khaki frayed cutoffs, sandals, tie-died shirts and beards playing hackysack hide your sheep and other small farm animals.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:03 pmSounds like a plan.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:09 pmTecate…………mehh. I much prefer Negra Modelo.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:12 pmHi conservative guy
September 9th, 2009 at 7:14 pmProhibition is pointless. Just get over it and move onto something detrimental to society. Martinis at country clubs…
September 9th, 2009 at 7:16 pmIt’s too bad that this is profiling, since marijuana growers in the national forests are a serious problem and a dangerous one at that – particularly to anyone who accidentally stumbles in their way.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:17 pmkwsventures says:
Where ignorant punkass trolls troll there is STUPID. Thats all you bring moron TONS of stupid. You dont have a single functioning braincell or a shred of decency.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:22 pmConservaTROLL
The PLAN is for you to go kill yourself. Everyone who has ever been in your presence hates you and prays for the day you will finally do the right thing. Just go kill yourself
September 9th, 2009 at 7:23 pmSlappyMORON is back. Guess what he is doing. Thats right the only thing he ever does. Begging us to pity him. We all know how stupid and pathetic he is but giving a crackwhore like him a taste of the drug he craves is not good for him. Just sewer the morons posts and no matter how sad, stupid and pathetic he is no more pity. He has to eventually find some dignity and self respect
September 9th, 2009 at 7:26 pmI give a wide berth to any pasty guys in Brooks Bros. suits and bad evangelical haircuts. They scare the living bejeebus out of me. I’m not sure what they are up to, but I got a strong feeling it shouldn’t be legal.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:29 pmEl Gato…Dos Equis esta muy bueno…
September 9th, 2009 at 7:33 pmTecates? Pfft. Dos Equis Clamocheve for the win:
- Get yourself a tall glass. Put some ice in it.
- Fill it halfway with Dos Equis Lager.
- Fill the rest with Clamato.
- Add the juice of one green lime.
- Add a few drops of Tabasco sauce.
- Add some Worcerstershire sauce.
- Sprinkle some Lemon&Pepper on it.
- For extra points, add some Tajin seasoning.
Stir and enjoy.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:46 pmEugeneDebs says:
kwsventures says:
Where ignorant punkass trolls troll there is STUPID. Thats all you bring moron TONS of stupid. You dont have a single functioning braincell or a shred of decency.
Different day, same old insults from the communist, Debs. You need a new speech writer. Yawn.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:53 pmHow’s business buddy…
September 9th, 2009 at 7:56 pmkwsventures says:
Why do morons like you think I am obligated to come up with shiny new material to answer your same old same old stupid? I answer you with one hemisphere of my brain tied behind my back because that is all you deserve. You want to SEE something new? Bring something new. Your stupid and inane comments are not new. Better yet just STFU until you somehow aquire the capacity to actually contribute to the conversation. Your WWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH was WAY old LONG ago
September 9th, 2009 at 8:17 pmLuis Chapulin M says:
Tecates? Pfft. Dos Equis Clamocheve for the win:
September 9th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
_____________
* hurk *
Sorry, I can’t combine clams and alcohol.
Clams and anything, actually.
* hurk *
Though that might be good with regular tomato juice. Hmm…
September 9th, 2009 at 8:34 pm24. Campesino,
Knowing our DHS propensity to make accusations first and search for evidence later, I wonder how good the evidence is that the California fires were started by Marijuana growers.
By blaming covert Mexican, Marijuana, and Wildfire, they get a three-for-1 terror threat.
And how did they know this was a covert area ? My understanding is that Marijuana should probaby burn fairly fast in a wildfire.
September 9th, 2009 at 9:26 pmWhat do we do if we see folks eating tamales and washing them down with Dos Equis? Dos Equis is a better beer than Tecate but not as good as Sol. Corona is way overrated but a true marketing success story. This is being brought to you by beer. It is no more mindless than the Forest Service. If I come upon folks drinking Michelob and eating steak and potatoes, what should I do? Join them is a fine idea except I refuse to drink foreign beer.
Ye gods.
Smokers suck butts.
September 10th, 2009 at 9:32 amDey took er jerrrbs!
Also be on the lookout for individuals with large sombreros, panchos, and curled moustaches. May be armed with six-shooters and intimidating glares. Protect all covered wagons and cattle movement.
Plus there might be Indians in loincloths with tomahawks. And maybe some prospectors with overalls and muskets.
The Coast Guard warns of buccaneers with peg legs and eye-patches. May have scurrrrrvy.
September 10th, 2009 at 10:20 amThank you for your sharing.!
September 11th, 2009 at 4:11 pmNobody should care about the hillbillies bootlegging whiskey and making meth in clandestine labs, especially not Smokey the Bear. yag aldirma
September 15th, 2009 at 7:50 am