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U.S. Forest Service warns against campers drinking Tecate beer, eating tortillas, and playing Spanish music.

smokeyThe 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.



65 Responses to “U.S. Forest Service warns against campers drinking Tecate beer, eating tortillas, and playing Spanish music.”

  1. evangenital says:

    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.


  2. hellinabucket says:

    What, no mention of hoho eating,tiedye wearing, Grateful Dead playing hippies?


  3. Dr. Hussein Matt says:

    I’m suddenly craving Mexican food.


  4. Tundra says:

    What, no mention of hoho eating,tiedye wearing, Grateful Dead playing hippies?

    Clients of the first group? Good catch.


  5. P.D. says:

    Don’t forget to be afraid of Big Foot and the Yeti.


  6. Marie says:

    Was this warning at the recommendation of Lou Dobbs?

    Shameful and anti-American.


  7. Badmoodman says:

    “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.


  8. robbez_92107 says:

    Legalize it. That would solve the “armed marijuana growers” problem.


  9. Tundra says:

    Legalize it. That would solve the “armed marijuana growers” problem.

    And that pesky defecit too if they taxed it like cigarettes.


  10. rsalier says:

    Well 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.


  11. Marie says:

    After catching my breath at the blatant bigotry and discrimination, I am now going to join with robbez at #8 — LEGALIZE it!!
    Legalize marijuana, alcohol is more harmful. Cigarettes are more harmful.
    Legalize it, regulate it and tax it.


  12. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    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.


  13. EnnuiDivine says:

    Man. 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.


  14. muzz says:

    very 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


  15. okie dokie says:

    Was this a warning or an invitation?

    Pretty specific refreshment list…


  16. Tundra says:

    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”.

    The real problem is the trash left in our national parks.


  17. hellinabucket says:

    They legalize it and I’m buying stock in Hostess.


  18. P.D. says:

    Eating Tortillas? Why don’t they arrest every Ameriacn within a mile radius of TacoBell?


  19. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    Side 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.


  20. paleolib says:

    I 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.


  21. okie dokie says:

    Does this mean next season’s “Weeds” will be set in the Rocky Mountains?


  22. P.D. says:

    Off Topic.. Mike Duvall, Councilman of CA. resigned. What a dirt-bag. How long will it be before somebody hires him as a lobbyist?


  23. Mugsy says:

    …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!


  24. Campesino says:

    This 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.


  25. KayInMaine says:

    We 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”.


  26. pete says:

    No. 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.


  27. joeyramonesmom says:

    I might expect this of Gentle Ben, or even Yogi. But I thought Smokey was better than this.


  28. Buckie Boy says:

    drinking Tecate beer, eating tortillas, playing Spanish music and marijuana…

    ….gosh, that sure sounds like a good time to me.


  29. joeyramonesmom says:

    I 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.


  30. dixie blood says:

    I 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.


  31. Hoodathunk says:

    Wow, you have to be armed to grow marijuana? Must be a really vicious plant.


  32. Wiz says:

    We always had hot dogs, not tuna.


  33. pete says:

    joeyramonesmom,

    If we stop laughing we’re doomed. The only correct response to most of the crap is laughter, even if it’s grim laughter.


  34. Tundra says:

    Wow, you have to be armed to grow marijuana? Must be a really vicious plant.

    Feed me Seymore!!


  35. Hoodathunk says:

    So if they like Bud Light instead of Tecate, its ok?

    Drug runners have to have bad taste in beer?


  36. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    joeyramonesmom 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.


  37. Lunaluz says:

    I’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. ;)


  38. Marie says:

    Can you imagine “armed marijuana growers” calling attention to themselves in any way?
    How stupid.
    And I am not referring to marijuana growers.


  39. Squeaky Wheels says:

    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.


  40. MapleStreet says:

    And 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 !


  41. Luis Chapulin M says:

    Dear America: stop smoking weed. Problem solved.

    Sincerely,
    Captain Obvious.

    Obvious solutions to complex problems.


  42. EugeneDebs says:

    Campesino 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.


  43. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    MapleStreet 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...


  44. kwsventures says:

    Profiling. Where there is smoke. There is fire.


  45. SlappyBastinado says:

    Having 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.


  46. conservative guy says:

    Sounds like a plan.


  47. T.H.E.Cat says:

    Tecate…………mehh. I much prefer Negra Modelo.


  48. dbadass says:

    Hi conservative guy


  49. dbadass says:

    Prohibition is pointless. Just get over it and move onto something detrimental to society. Martinis at country clubs…


  50. bluesunflower says:

    It’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.


  51. EugeneDebs 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.


  52. EugeneDebs says:

    ConservaTROLL

    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


  53. EugeneDebs says:

    SlappyMORON 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


  54. jb says:

    I 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.


  55. SlappyBastinado says:

    El Gato…Dos Equis esta muy bueno…


  56. Luis Chapulin M says:

    Tecates? 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.


  57. kwsventures says:

    EugeneDebs 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.


  58. dbadass says:

    How’s business buddy…


  59. EugeneDebs says:

    kwsventures 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


  60. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    Luis 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…


  61. MapleStreet says:

    24. 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.


  62. Parlezvous says:

    What 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.


  63. singe_101 says:

    Dey 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.


  64. karadagli61 says:

    Thank you for your sharing.!


  65. gunter says:

    Nobody should care about the hillbillies bootlegging whiskey and making meth in clandestine labs, especially not Smokey the Bear. yag aldirma



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