Monday, April 11, 2011
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
“I Definitely Love Being Represented By An Elephant!"
~ by Naomi Knox ~
October 2010
I have often thought it humorous that the Democrats picked the “donkey” to represent themselves. Donkeys wear the name “jack ass” with pride … and they don’t seem to care who they hurt if they become angered or scared … they do what they can do best … 'kick toosh' with their hind legs, then stand up on their hind legs and belt out a loud noise, sometimes rising to the attack before their minds realize what on earth they are attacking … and why they’re attacking it! And it’s not fun getting to know a donkey because you never know when they’ll turn into a mean ol’ jack ass. They seem to jump to their own conclusions 'before they’ve even thought it through.' And have you ever watched two donkeys standing together? It looks like they’re just waiting for the other one to make the first move, and they look a bit inhibited for being bothered as they lackadaisically chew their grass. And when donkeys go into a stampede, it looks like their stampeding into their own herd while “fearfully running from” the real problems.
I’ve always preferred the elephant to represent what I believe in, because maybe it’s that parental feeling to protect the younger and the older elephants in the herd, that comes along with the responsibilities of the grown herd to protect their young & old in a very loving & caring way, because elephants are more protective of the lives of those around them … but when you threaten them, they become fierce and overly protective … and will stampede whatever brings harm or fear to their family herd. And if they do come into a dangerous circumstance, they take precautions over the members of their herd’s safety before their preparation to take action ~ watching out & making sure there is protection for their young ones & the older of the herd. It is then that they go into their stampede. There is more of a “thought process before an action.” The elephants are very hard working animals … you very seldom find the herd of elephants standing around, looking like they can’t figure out how to do what is needed to be done. And the elephants will stampede by “fearlessly running toward the problem” to overcome it.
I’ve decided that I’m proud of being represented by the “courageous & protective elephant” rather than a "jump-to-conclusions, run away jac- - - - (ooops …) ~ donkey.” If I remember what my Mom might earlier in life ask of me, she'd want me to be understanding, yet firm with kindness, to those of a differing breed ... because one day they just might become desiring to change. So with honor & graciousness & a kind heart, we can always know that our actions speak much louder than our words … because we in the "elephant family," more often than not, think before we speak. And if and when we do get bruised ~ we think & reason a little longer before taking that path again!
So whether through life it's the donkey vs. the elephant, or the fox vs. the hound, be wise in your choices, think before you act, and at peace in all that you do, because you carry your actions with you wherever you go.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
October 2010
I have often thought it humorous that the Democrats picked the “donkey” to represent themselves. Donkeys wear the name “jack ass” with pride … and they don’t seem to care who they hurt if they become angered or scared … they do what they can do best … 'kick toosh' with their hind legs, then stand up on their hind legs and belt out a loud noise, sometimes rising to the attack before their minds realize what on earth they are attacking … and why they’re attacking it! And it’s not fun getting to know a donkey because you never know when they’ll turn into a mean ol’ jack ass. They seem to jump to their own conclusions 'before they’ve even thought it through.' And have you ever watched two donkeys standing together? It looks like they’re just waiting for the other one to make the first move, and they look a bit inhibited for being bothered as they lackadaisically chew their grass. And when donkeys go into a stampede, it looks like their stampeding into their own herd while “fearfully running from” the real problems.
I’ve always preferred the elephant to represent what I believe in, because maybe it’s that parental feeling to protect the younger and the older elephants in the herd, that comes along with the responsibilities of the grown herd to protect their young & old in a very loving & caring way, because elephants are more protective of the lives of those around them … but when you threaten them, they become fierce and overly protective … and will stampede whatever brings harm or fear to their family herd. And if they do come into a dangerous circumstance, they take precautions over the members of their herd’s safety before their preparation to take action ~ watching out & making sure there is protection for their young ones & the older of the herd. It is then that they go into their stampede. There is more of a “thought process before an action.” The elephants are very hard working animals … you very seldom find the herd of elephants standing around, looking like they can’t figure out how to do what is needed to be done. And the elephants will stampede by “fearlessly running toward the problem” to overcome it.
I’ve decided that I’m proud of being represented by the “courageous & protective elephant” rather than a "jump-to-conclusions, run away jac- - - - (ooops …) ~ donkey.” If I remember what my Mom might earlier in life ask of me, she'd want me to be understanding, yet firm with kindness, to those of a differing breed ... because one day they just might become desiring to change. So with honor & graciousness & a kind heart, we can always know that our actions speak much louder than our words … because we in the "elephant family," more often than not, think before we speak. And if and when we do get bruised ~ we think & reason a little longer before taking that path again!
So whether through life it's the donkey vs. the elephant, or the fox vs. the hound, be wise in your choices, think before you act, and at peace in all that you do, because you carry your actions with you wherever you go.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thursday, August 26, 2010
http://www.brucekelly.com/conservative-websites.html
"NomiAnnzHere" ~ Obama at 9/11/01 in his cowboy suit and hand on a pistol: "ComeOn, my Jihad brudas! Where are ya? Ya knows I'm in dis widya!!!" (( ... to the end! ... )) Come on, November 2012!!!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Saturday, November 21, 2009
"Joe Legal VS. Jose Illegal"
Here is an example of why hiring illegal aliens is not economically
productive for the United States .. ((and I did Jose Illegal in green
because of his "green card!"))
You have two families: "Joe Legal" and Jose Illegal".
Both families have two parents, two children, and live in California ..
Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social
Security Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.
Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number,
and gets paid $15.00 cash " under the table".
Ready? Now pay attention.
Joe Legal:
$25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week, or $52,000.00 per year.
Now take 30% away for state and federal tax;
Joe Legal now has $36,400.00.
Jose Illegal:
$15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600..00 per week, or
$31,200.00 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes.
Jose Illegal now has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for
his family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year.
Joe Legal now has $29,200.00.
Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage
through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year.
Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible
for food stamps or welfare.
Joe Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or $6,000.00 per year.
Joe Legal now has $23,200.00.
Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible
for food stamps and welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or r $14,400.00 per year.
Joe Legal now has $8,800.00.
Jose Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal
rent subsidy. Jose Illegal pays $500 per month or $6,000.00 per year.
Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for insurance.
Joe Legal now has $6,400.00.
Jose Illegal says, "We don't need no steeeenkeeeen' insurance!"
and still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal has to make his $6,400.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc.
Jose Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities,
gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month.
Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or
gets a part time job after work.
Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy
with his family.
Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school.
Joe Legal's kids eat breakfast at home, & he pays for his children's lunches.
Joe Illegal's children get a government sponsored breakfast & lunch.
Joe Legal's children go home after school.
Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program.
Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services,
but Joe Legal paid for them and Jose Illegal did NOT pay.
Do you get it, now?
If you vote for or support any politician that supports
illegal aliens ... You ARE part of the problem!
It's way PAST time to take a stand for America and Americans!
productive for the United States .. ((and I did Jose Illegal in green
because of his "green card!"))
You have two families: "Joe Legal" and Jose Illegal".
Both families have two parents, two children, and live in California ..
Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social
Security Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.
Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number,
and gets paid $15.00 cash " under the table".
Ready? Now pay attention.
Joe Legal:
$25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week, or $52,000.00 per year.
Now take 30% away for state and federal tax;
Joe Legal now has $36,400.00.
Jose Illegal:
$15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600..00 per week, or
$31,200.00 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes.
Jose Illegal now has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for
his family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year.
Joe Legal now has $29,200.00.
Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage
through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year.
Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible
for food stamps or welfare.
Joe Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or $6,000.00 per year.
Joe Legal now has $23,200.00.
Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible
for food stamps and welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or r $14,400.00 per year.
Joe Legal now has $8,800.00.
Jose Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal
rent subsidy. Jose Illegal pays $500 per month or $6,000.00 per year.
Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for insurance.
Joe Legal now has $6,400.00.
Jose Illegal says, "We don't need no steeeenkeeeen' insurance!"
and still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal has to make his $6,400.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc.
Jose Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities,
gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month.
Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or
gets a part time job after work.
Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy
with his family.
Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school.
Joe Legal's kids eat breakfast at home, & he pays for his children's lunches.
Joe Illegal's children get a government sponsored breakfast & lunch.
Joe Legal's children go home after school.
Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program.
Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services,
but Joe Legal paid for them and Jose Illegal did NOT pay.
Do you get it, now?
If you vote for or support any politician that supports
illegal aliens ... You ARE part of the problem!
It's way PAST time to take a stand for America and Americans!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
"Obama's Secret Past"
In February 2009 this was posted, and holds some great questions, with information, and concerns which many of us hold.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dAucT_TDG4
Some have decided that it's no use, but there are others of us who will continue to question this persona who came from nowhere ... and is being used as a puppet on strings. These are questions that have become hushed/suffocated/silenced ... but I have no doubt in my mind that there is truth to this info of this potus' and his regime. There are just too many unanswered questions still lingering ... and as of yet, they are not totally silenced!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dAucT_TDG4
Some have decided that it's no use, but there are others of us who will continue to question this persona who came from nowhere ... and is being used as a puppet on strings. These are questions that have become hushed/suffocated/silenced ... but I have no doubt in my mind that there is truth to this info of this potus' and his regime. There are just too many unanswered questions still lingering ... and as of yet, they are not totally silenced!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
"Who Do You Think I Am?"
Read to the end...please. You Will Be Surprised.
"WHO AM I?"
* I was born in one country, raised in another. My father was
born in another country. I was not his only child. He fathered several
children with numerous women.
* I became very close to my mother, as my father showed no
interest in me. My mother died at an early age from cancer.
* Later in life, questions arose over my real name.
* My birth records were sketchy and no one was able to produce a
legitimate, reliable birth certificate.
* I grew up practicing one faith but converted to Christianity,
as it was widely accepted in my country, but I practiced nontraditional
beliefs & didn't follow Christianity, except in the public eye under
scrutiny.
* I worked and lived among lower-class people as a young adult,
disguising myself as someone who really cared about t
* That was before I decided it was time to get serious about my
life and I embarked on a new career.
* I wrote a book about my struggles growing up. It was clear to
those who read my memoirs that I had difficulties accepting that my
father abandoned me as a child.
* I became active in local politics in my 30's then with help
behind the scenes, I literally burst onto the scene as a candidate for
national office in my 40s. They said I had a golden tongue and could
talk anyone into anything. That reinforced my conceit.
* I had a virtually nonexistent resume, little work history, and
no experience in leading a single organization. Yet I was a powerful
speaker and citizens were drawn to me as though I were a magnet and they
were small roofing tacks.
* I drew incredibly large crowds during my public appearances.
This bolstered my ego.
* At first, my political campaign focused on my country's
foreign policy. I was very critical of my country in the last war and
seized every opportunity to bash my country
* But what launched my rise to national prominence were my views
on the country's economy. I pretended to have a really good plan on how
we could do better and every poor person would be fed & housed for free.
* I knew which group was responsible for getting us into this
mess. It was the free market, banks & corporations. I decided to start
making citizens hate them and if they were envious of others who did
well, the plan was clinched tight.
* I called mine "A People's Campaign" and that sounded good to
all people.
* I was the surprise candidate because I emerged from outside
the traditional path of politics & was able to gain widespread popular
support.
* I knew that, if I merely offered the people 'hope' , together
we could change our country and the world.
* So, I started to make my speeches sound like they were on
behalf of the downtrodden, poor, ignorant to include "persecuted
minorities" like the Jews. My true views were not widely known & I
needed to keep them unknown, until after I became my nation's leader.
* I had to carefully guard reality, as anybody could have easily
found out what I really believed, if they had simply read my writings and
examined those people I associated with.
* I'm glad they didn't. Then I became the most powerful man in
the world. And the world learned the truth.
*Who am I?*
ADOLF HITLER
WHO WERE YOU THINKING OF?
Scary isn't it?
"WHO AM I?"
* I was born in one country, raised in another. My father was
born in another country. I was not his only child. He fathered several
children with numerous women.
* I became very close to my mother, as my father showed no
interest in me. My mother died at an early age from cancer.
* Later in life, questions arose over my real name.
* My birth records were sketchy and no one was able to produce a
legitimate, reliable birth certificate.
* I grew up practicing one faith but converted to Christianity,
as it was widely accepted in my country, but I practiced nontraditional
beliefs & didn't follow Christianity, except in the public eye under
scrutiny.
* I worked and lived among lower-class people as a young adult,
disguising myself as someone who really cared about t
* That was before I decided it was time to get serious about my
life and I embarked on a new career.
* I wrote a book about my struggles growing up. It was clear to
those who read my memoirs that I had difficulties accepting that my
father abandoned me as a child.
* I became active in local politics in my 30's then with help
behind the scenes, I literally burst onto the scene as a candidate for
national office in my 40s. They said I had a golden tongue and could
talk anyone into anything. That reinforced my conceit.
* I had a virtually nonexistent resume, little work history, and
no experience in leading a single organization. Yet I was a powerful
speaker and citizens were drawn to me as though I were a magnet and they
were small roofing tacks.
* I drew incredibly large crowds during my public appearances.
This bolstered my ego.
* At first, my political campaign focused on my country's
foreign policy. I was very critical of my country in the last war and
seized every opportunity to bash my country
* But what launched my rise to national prominence were my views
on the country's economy. I pretended to have a really good plan on how
we could do better and every poor person would be fed & housed for free.
* I knew which group was responsible for getting us into this
mess. It was the free market, banks & corporations. I decided to start
making citizens hate them and if they were envious of others who did
well, the plan was clinched tight.
* I called mine "A People's Campaign" and that sounded good to
all people.
* I was the surprise candidate because I emerged from outside
the traditional path of politics & was able to gain widespread popular
support.
* I knew that, if I merely offered the people 'hope' , together
we could change our country and the world.
* So, I started to make my speeches sound like they were on
behalf of the downtrodden, poor, ignorant to include "persecuted
minorities" like the Jews. My true views were not widely known & I
needed to keep them unknown, until after I became my nation's leader.
* I had to carefully guard reality, as anybody could have easily
found out what I really believed, if they had simply read my writings and
examined those people I associated with.
* I'm glad they didn't. Then I became the most powerful man in
the world. And the world learned the truth.
*Who am I?*
ADOLF HITLER
WHO WERE YOU THINKING OF?
Scary isn't it?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
"Sarah Palin & Her Family ~ Deserves More Than Just An Apology"
What a rotten thing to do, when Governor Palin was there in NY to speak for
an autistic event. Letterman couldn't even bring up something positive for the reason that she was there. A Special "Thank You" To "Embassy Suites" for removing their ads with CBS ~ because of Letterman!!!
1.) Greta's Report On This 'Usual Letterman Trash':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZVBi0P8YXQ
2.) Bill O'Reilly's Report On Dispicable Letterman's Slutty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFtyg-VTruk&feature=related
3.) Letterman's 'Low-Life' Apology:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrM1dtMLPys
4.) TV Guide's Take on Letterman's Apology ... (This is still not good enough of an apology to me! ~Naomi~)
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Letterman-Apology-Palin-1006911.aspx
5.) Great Blog with information on Companies who do ads on Letterman! Let them know that you will not support them if they overlook what Letterman said about Palin & her daughters!!!
http://hillbuzz.org/2009/06/10/list-of-david-lettermans-advertisers/
an autistic event. Letterman couldn't even bring up something positive for the reason that she was there. A Special "Thank You" To "Embassy Suites" for removing their ads with CBS ~ because of Letterman!!!
1.) Greta's Report On This 'Usual Letterman Trash':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZVBi0P8YXQ
2.) Bill O'Reilly's Report On Dispicable Letterman's Slutty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFtyg-VTruk&feature=related
3.) Letterman's 'Low-Life' Apology:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrM1dtMLPys
4.) TV Guide's Take on Letterman's Apology ... (This is still not good enough of an apology to me! ~Naomi~)
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Letterman-Apology-Palin-1006911.aspx
5.) Great Blog with information on Companies who do ads on Letterman! Let them know that you will not support them if they overlook what Letterman said about Palin & her daughters!!!
http://hillbuzz.org/2009/06/10/list-of-david-lettermans-advertisers/
Governor Sarah Palin ~ Such a Lady ~ Accepts Letterman's Apology On Rotten Comments About Her Daughter"
As far as I'm concerned Letterman has lost it! That was absolutely wrong ... and I think that we need to make sure and send a "special note of thanks" to Embassy Suites! Sarah Palin is such a gracious lady, and her family is wonderful! I want to see her run for President!!! Letterman has absolutely NO brain ... he is a louse!!! ~NomiAnn~
/~//~///~//~///~//~/
June 16, 2009
**A message to all members of Team Sarah**
Dear Friends,
Last night David Letterman again addressed the distasteful “jokes” he made at the expense of Governor Sarah Palin and her teenage daughter on June 8. Governor Palin issued a statement accepting last night’s apology:
"Of course it's accepted on behalf of young women, like my daughters, who hope men who 'joke' about public displays of sexual exploitation of girls will soon evolve. Letterman certainly has the right to 'joke' about whatever he wants to, and thankfully we have the right to express our reaction. And this is all thanks to our U.S. military women and men putting their lives on the line for us to secure America's right to free speech - in this case, may that right be used to promote equality and respect."
The controversy over Letterman’s “jokes” has already cost CBS at least one advertiser: Embassy Suites. Company spokeswoman Kendra Walker told TVGuide.com, “We received lots of e-mails from concerned guests and we assessed that the statement that he made was offensive enough to our guests and prospective guests that we elected to take the ads down."
Governor Palin has very graciously accepted Letterman’s apology, and her hope that men who make jokes of this nature will “evolve” certainly resonates with the public. It is OUR hope that David Letterman has seen first hand how the laughter ends when comedy routines become nothing more than thinly-disguised ideological grandstanding designed around the humiliation of others for cheap laughs.
THANK YOU to all of the Team Sarah members who have contacted CBS and their sponsors to express their views on this latest controversy. We are truly touched by all of the supportive comments and emails we have received.
Best,
Lisa S.
teamsarahhq@gmail.com
/~//~///~//~///~//~/
June 16, 2009
**A message to all members of Team Sarah**
Dear Friends,
Last night David Letterman again addressed the distasteful “jokes” he made at the expense of Governor Sarah Palin and her teenage daughter on June 8. Governor Palin issued a statement accepting last night’s apology:
"Of course it's accepted on behalf of young women, like my daughters, who hope men who 'joke' about public displays of sexual exploitation of girls will soon evolve. Letterman certainly has the right to 'joke' about whatever he wants to, and thankfully we have the right to express our reaction. And this is all thanks to our U.S. military women and men putting their lives on the line for us to secure America's right to free speech - in this case, may that right be used to promote equality and respect."
The controversy over Letterman’s “jokes” has already cost CBS at least one advertiser: Embassy Suites. Company spokeswoman Kendra Walker told TVGuide.com, “We received lots of e-mails from concerned guests and we assessed that the statement that he made was offensive enough to our guests and prospective guests that we elected to take the ads down."
Governor Palin has very graciously accepted Letterman’s apology, and her hope that men who make jokes of this nature will “evolve” certainly resonates with the public. It is OUR hope that David Letterman has seen first hand how the laughter ends when comedy routines become nothing more than thinly-disguised ideological grandstanding designed around the humiliation of others for cheap laughs.
THANK YOU to all of the Team Sarah members who have contacted CBS and their sponsors to express their views on this latest controversy. We are truly touched by all of the supportive comments and emails we have received.
Best,
Lisa S.
teamsarahhq@gmail.com
"The First Supreme Court Latino? ~ By Antonio Olivo, The Chicago Tribune
Some say that Justice Benjamin Cardozo, reportedly of Portuguese descent, beat her to it in the 1930s. The debate renews old questions about the labels 'Latino' and 'Hispanic.'
By Antonio Olivo
May 31, 2009
Reporting from Chicago
When President Obama nominated federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court, ethnic advocacy groups praised the selection of the first Latino to the nation's highest court.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**NomiAnnz Thoughts on this....**
It absolutely amazes me that we are So Full Of "being self absorbed" & "being called the first" that Sotomayor seems to want to claim it. Should it matter? Absolutely NOT! If that's what she is in there for, Then Step Down! There are plenty of "much better" Hispanic, Black, Portugese, Scottish, Irish, Indian, etc., to be in there. The "color of the skin" has NO PURPOSE WHATSOEVER for WHY we should appoint/select anyone! The only reason that ANYONE should be appointed to an office of leadership ... IS BECAUSE THEY WILL DO THE JOB WELL!!! LEAVE OUT THE COLOR OF THE OUTER SKIN ~ THE ETHNICITY, ... IT'S THE HEART AND MIND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT TO LEAD OUR NATION!!!
AMERICA, LAND OF THE FREE ... HOME OF THE BRAVE!!! (Leave the ethnicity out of it!!! Thank Goodness God IS "Colorblind"!!!) ~NomiAnn~
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yet some political opponents, such as Republican strategist Karl Rove, sought to downplay the nomination's significance by pointing out that Benjamin N. Cardozo, who served on the Supreme Court in the 1930s, was born to parents who claimed Portuguese descent. So did that make him the first Latino?
The question since has been hotly debated in the blogs and other media. Then on Thursday, the Pew Hispanic Center issued a report that said Sotomayor, whose parents were Puerto Rican, is indeed the first Latino Supreme Court nominee. But the authors added that the category depends on how people define themselves, meaning that Cardozo might argue differently were he still alive.
If that sounds confusing, consider the fact that "Hispanic" is a word made up by federal bureaucrats preparing for the 1980 U.S. census, in an attempt to categorize what was becoming an increasingly diverse population of residents with roots in "Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico" and other Spanish-speaking places, according to the Pew report.
Jeffrey Passel, a senior researcher who co-wrote the study, said that initial efforts to define who might fit into such a category faltered.
"People didn't really know what the word meant . . . and that seemed to be true of Hispanics and non-Hispanics," he said.
By the mid-1980s, however, the term was used widely enough to make it into the Oxford English Dictionary, which partly defines it as "pertaining to Spain or its people." The first definition in Webster's New World is "Spanish or Spanish-and-Portuguese," adding force to the argument that Cardozo was Hispanic.
In fact, 12% of America's small Portuguese population and about 15% of Brazilian immigrants identified themselves as "Hispanic" in the 1980 census. Those responses dropped to 1% and 4% in 2007, Passel said.
In the 1980s, a decade in which U.S. involvement in Latin America's civil wars fanned historical resentment over imperialism and the Spanish conquest, the term "Hispanic" was rejected by activists who preferred to call themselves "Latino." That word "has much more, in its roots, the indigenous connotation as well as the Spanish connotation of the people from Latin America," said Sylvia Puente, executive director of the Latino Policy Forum.
The term was coined in Chicago, Puente said. Although initially used mainly on the East Coast, it gained enough traction elsewhere in the country during the 1990s to be included along with "Hispanic" in 2000 census questions.
But, because the Census Bureau does not confirm respondents' heritage, anyone can say they're Hispanic/Latino.
"It really depends on how you feel about yourself," said Angelo Falcon, president of the National Institute for Latino Policy in New York.
And that brings the issue back to Cardozo. When he was confirmed to the Supreme Court in 1932, the New York-born justice was embraced by the Jewish community there as a son of Sephardic Jews, which is how his parents identified themselves.
Today, he might have recognized the political advantages of identifying himself with the nation's fastest-growing demographic group, Passel said.
"We don't know because he's not alive to tell us," he said.
Nelson de Castro, the Portuguese consul general in Chicago, said that "in the context of the United States," most descendants of Portuguese immigrants "see themselves as Hispanic."
But he said the Portuguese in general might see it differently.
"First and foremost," he said, "the Portuguese identify themselves as European."
By Antonio Olivo
May 31, 2009
Reporting from Chicago
When President Obama nominated federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court, ethnic advocacy groups praised the selection of the first Latino to the nation's highest court.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**NomiAnnz Thoughts on this....**
It absolutely amazes me that we are So Full Of "being self absorbed" & "being called the first" that Sotomayor seems to want to claim it. Should it matter? Absolutely NOT! If that's what she is in there for, Then Step Down! There are plenty of "much better" Hispanic, Black, Portugese, Scottish, Irish, Indian, etc., to be in there. The "color of the skin" has NO PURPOSE WHATSOEVER for WHY we should appoint/select anyone! The only reason that ANYONE should be appointed to an office of leadership ... IS BECAUSE THEY WILL DO THE JOB WELL!!! LEAVE OUT THE COLOR OF THE OUTER SKIN ~ THE ETHNICITY, ... IT'S THE HEART AND MIND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT TO LEAD OUR NATION!!!
AMERICA, LAND OF THE FREE ... HOME OF THE BRAVE!!! (Leave the ethnicity out of it!!! Thank Goodness God IS "Colorblind"!!!) ~NomiAnn~
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Yet some political opponents, such as Republican strategist Karl Rove, sought to downplay the nomination's significance by pointing out that Benjamin N. Cardozo, who served on the Supreme Court in the 1930s, was born to parents who claimed Portuguese descent. So did that make him the first Latino?
The question since has been hotly debated in the blogs and other media. Then on Thursday, the Pew Hispanic Center issued a report that said Sotomayor, whose parents were Puerto Rican, is indeed the first Latino Supreme Court nominee. But the authors added that the category depends on how people define themselves, meaning that Cardozo might argue differently were he still alive.
If that sounds confusing, consider the fact that "Hispanic" is a word made up by federal bureaucrats preparing for the 1980 U.S. census, in an attempt to categorize what was becoming an increasingly diverse population of residents with roots in "Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico" and other Spanish-speaking places, according to the Pew report.
Jeffrey Passel, a senior researcher who co-wrote the study, said that initial efforts to define who might fit into such a category faltered.
"People didn't really know what the word meant . . . and that seemed to be true of Hispanics and non-Hispanics," he said.
By the mid-1980s, however, the term was used widely enough to make it into the Oxford English Dictionary, which partly defines it as "pertaining to Spain or its people." The first definition in Webster's New World is "Spanish or Spanish-and-Portuguese," adding force to the argument that Cardozo was Hispanic.
In fact, 12% of America's small Portuguese population and about 15% of Brazilian immigrants identified themselves as "Hispanic" in the 1980 census. Those responses dropped to 1% and 4% in 2007, Passel said.
In the 1980s, a decade in which U.S. involvement in Latin America's civil wars fanned historical resentment over imperialism and the Spanish conquest, the term "Hispanic" was rejected by activists who preferred to call themselves "Latino." That word "has much more, in its roots, the indigenous connotation as well as the Spanish connotation of the people from Latin America," said Sylvia Puente, executive director of the Latino Policy Forum.
The term was coined in Chicago, Puente said. Although initially used mainly on the East Coast, it gained enough traction elsewhere in the country during the 1990s to be included along with "Hispanic" in 2000 census questions.
But, because the Census Bureau does not confirm respondents' heritage, anyone can say they're Hispanic/Latino.
"It really depends on how you feel about yourself," said Angelo Falcon, president of the National Institute for Latino Policy in New York.
And that brings the issue back to Cardozo. When he was confirmed to the Supreme Court in 1932, the New York-born justice was embraced by the Jewish community there as a son of Sephardic Jews, which is how his parents identified themselves.
Today, he might have recognized the political advantages of identifying himself with the nation's fastest-growing demographic group, Passel said.
"We don't know because he's not alive to tell us," he said.
Nelson de Castro, the Portuguese consul general in Chicago, said that "in the context of the United States," most descendants of Portuguese immigrants "see themselves as Hispanic."
But he said the Portuguese in general might see it differently.
"First and foremost," he said, "the Portuguese identify themselves as European."
"The Truth IS: Justice Benjamin Cardozo Did Beat Sotomayor!!"
Some say that Justice Benjamin Cardozo, reportedly of Portuguese descent, beat her to it in the 1930s. The debate renews old questions about the labels 'Latino' and 'Hispanic.'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE RECORD:
War of words: a glossary to the debate over Sonia Sotomayor. Some Republicans rebuke Limbaugh, Gingrich on Sotomayor criticism First Hispanic justice: An article in Sunday's Section A about Sonia Sotomayor and former Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo incorrectly used, in the headline and the first three paragraphs, the term Latino. The article referred to a semantic debate over whether Sotomayor was the first Hispanic to be nominated to the Supreme Court and not Cardozo. The article should have said that advocacy groups praised Sotomayor, a New-York born Puerto Rican, as the first Hispanic, which prompted political opponents to argue that Cardozo's Portuguese heritage qualified him as the first Hispanic. —
~/~//~/~//~/~//~/~//~/~//~/~
Yet, some political opponents, such as Republican strategist Karl Rove, sought to downplay the nomination's significance by pointing out that Benjamin N. Cardozo, who served on the Supreme Court in the 1930s, was born to parents who claimed Portuguese descent. So did that make him the first Latino?
The question since has been hotly debated in the blogs and other media. Then on Thursday, the Pew Hispanic Center issued a report that said Sotomayor, whose parents were Puerto Rican, is indeed the first Latino Supreme Court nominee. But the authors added that the category depends on how people define themselves, meaning that Cardozo might argue differently were he still alive.
If that sounds confusing, consider the fact that "Hispanic" is a word made up by federal bureaucrats preparing for the 1980 U.S. census, in an attempt to categorize what was becoming an increasingly diverse population of residents with roots in "Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico" and other Spanish-speaking places, according to the Pew report.
Jeffrey Passel, a senior researcher who co-wrote the study, said that initial efforts to define who might fit into such a category faltered.
"People didn't really know what the word meant . . . and that seemed to be true of Hispanics and non-Hispanics," he said.
By the mid-1980s, however, the term was used widely enough to make it into the Oxford English Dictionary, which partly defines it as "pertaining to Spain or its people." The first definition in Webster's New World is "Spanish or Spanish-and-Portuguese," adding force to the argument that Cardozo was Hispanic.
In fact, 12% of America's small Portuguese population and about 15% of Brazilian immigrants identified themselves as "Hispanic" in the 1980 census. Those responses dropped to 1% and 4% in 2007, Passel said.
In the 1980s, a decade in which U.S. involvement in Latin America's civil wars fanned historical resentment over imperialism and the Spanish conquest, the term "Hispanic" was rejected by activists who preferred to call themselves "Latino." That word "has much more, in its roots, the indigenous connotation as well as the Spanish connotation of the people from Latin America," said Sylvia Puente, executive director of the Latino Policy Forum.
The term was coined in Chicago, Puente said. Although initially used mainly on the East Coast, it gained enough traction elsewhere in the country during the 1990s to be included along with "Hispanic" in 2000 census questions.
But, because the Census Bureau does not confirm respondents' heritage, anyone can say they're Hispanic/Latino.
"It really depends on how you feel about yourself," said Angelo Falcon, president of the National Institute for Latino Policy in New York.
And that brings the issue back to Cardozo. When he was confirmed to the Supreme Court in 1932, the New York-born justice was embraced by the Jewish community there as a son of Sephardic Jews, which is how his parents identified themselves.
Today, he might have recognized the political advantages of identifying himself with the nation's fastest-growing demographic group, Passel said.
"We don't know because he's not alive to tell us," he said.
Nelson de Castro, the Portuguese consul general in Chicago, said that "in the context of the United States," most descendants of Portuguese immigrants "see themselves as Hispanic."
But he said the Portuguese in general might see it differently.
"First and foremost," he said, "the Portuguese identify themselves as European."
May 31, 2009
Antonio Olivo
aolivo@tribune.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE RECORD:
War of words: a glossary to the debate over Sonia Sotomayor. Some Republicans rebuke Limbaugh, Gingrich on Sotomayor criticism First Hispanic justice: An article in Sunday's Section A about Sonia Sotomayor and former Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo incorrectly used, in the headline and the first three paragraphs, the term Latino. The article referred to a semantic debate over whether Sotomayor was the first Hispanic to be nominated to the Supreme Court and not Cardozo. The article should have said that advocacy groups praised Sotomayor, a New-York born Puerto Rican, as the first Hispanic, which prompted political opponents to argue that Cardozo's Portuguese heritage qualified him as the first Hispanic. —
~/~//~/~//~/~//~/~//~/~//~/~
Yet, some political opponents, such as Republican strategist Karl Rove, sought to downplay the nomination's significance by pointing out that Benjamin N. Cardozo, who served on the Supreme Court in the 1930s, was born to parents who claimed Portuguese descent. So did that make him the first Latino?
The question since has been hotly debated in the blogs and other media. Then on Thursday, the Pew Hispanic Center issued a report that said Sotomayor, whose parents were Puerto Rican, is indeed the first Latino Supreme Court nominee. But the authors added that the category depends on how people define themselves, meaning that Cardozo might argue differently were he still alive.
If that sounds confusing, consider the fact that "Hispanic" is a word made up by federal bureaucrats preparing for the 1980 U.S. census, in an attempt to categorize what was becoming an increasingly diverse population of residents with roots in "Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico" and other Spanish-speaking places, according to the Pew report.
Jeffrey Passel, a senior researcher who co-wrote the study, said that initial efforts to define who might fit into such a category faltered.
"People didn't really know what the word meant . . . and that seemed to be true of Hispanics and non-Hispanics," he said.
By the mid-1980s, however, the term was used widely enough to make it into the Oxford English Dictionary, which partly defines it as "pertaining to Spain or its people." The first definition in Webster's New World is "Spanish or Spanish-and-Portuguese," adding force to the argument that Cardozo was Hispanic.
In fact, 12% of America's small Portuguese population and about 15% of Brazilian immigrants identified themselves as "Hispanic" in the 1980 census. Those responses dropped to 1% and 4% in 2007, Passel said.
In the 1980s, a decade in which U.S. involvement in Latin America's civil wars fanned historical resentment over imperialism and the Spanish conquest, the term "Hispanic" was rejected by activists who preferred to call themselves "Latino." That word "has much more, in its roots, the indigenous connotation as well as the Spanish connotation of the people from Latin America," said Sylvia Puente, executive director of the Latino Policy Forum.
The term was coined in Chicago, Puente said. Although initially used mainly on the East Coast, it gained enough traction elsewhere in the country during the 1990s to be included along with "Hispanic" in 2000 census questions.
But, because the Census Bureau does not confirm respondents' heritage, anyone can say they're Hispanic/Latino.
"It really depends on how you feel about yourself," said Angelo Falcon, president of the National Institute for Latino Policy in New York.
And that brings the issue back to Cardozo. When he was confirmed to the Supreme Court in 1932, the New York-born justice was embraced by the Jewish community there as a son of Sephardic Jews, which is how his parents identified themselves.
Today, he might have recognized the political advantages of identifying himself with the nation's fastest-growing demographic group, Passel said.
"We don't know because he's not alive to tell us," he said.
Nelson de Castro, the Portuguese consul general in Chicago, said that "in the context of the United States," most descendants of Portuguese immigrants "see themselves as Hispanic."
But he said the Portuguese in general might see it differently.
"First and foremost," he said, "the Portuguese identify themselves as European."
May 31, 2009
Antonio Olivo
aolivo@tribune.com
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