It’s been a while since we last inducted anyone into our hall of shame for outrageous and stupid remarks. There have been several worthy candidates not related to Latin America such as the asinine controversy over President Obama’s “stay in school” speech earlier today. This week’s “¿Por qué no te callas?” honors goes to some attendees of a recent town hall debate on health care.
Throughout the summer, numerous forums on the proposed health care reform have turned into shouting matches and at times forums for ugly slurs. Unfortunately things got a little testy at a Norwalk, Connecticut forum last week when a Peruvian-born bishop walked up to the mic and spoke Spanish:
Amidst the heckling and jeering over the clergyman speaking in Spanish where a few some other taunts like “just give him the country, give it to him.” His legitimate concerns over health care (he lost his insurance after his wife was laid off from her job) were overshadowed by the boorish behavior of some louts in the audience.
Yes the bishop could have spoken in English yet he preferred to comment in the language where he could best express himself. He did not speak in Spanish in order to harangue or tease or insult but rather to provide a legitimate opinion. To his credit, the bishop calmly continued with his remarks and did not apologize for his actions. His civil behavior and civic duty are lessons that we should all learn whether we speak English, Spanish, Hungarian, Mandarin, or any other language. Pity it’s a lesson that most of the hecklers will probably never understand.
Why don’t you just shut up Connecticut debate hecklers?
(Hat tip: Wonkette).
Online Sources- Wonkette, Think Progress, YouTube, Gawker
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