Tom Tancredo-Jeb Bush War of Words

Denver (TLS). WorldNetDaily News is the source of a controversy that has sparked national interest, the result of a war of words being waged by Governor Jeb Bush of Florida and Representative Tom Tancredo of Colorado. In an interview with WorldNetDaily Tancredo, never one to mince words, made some blunt comments about Miami as an example of the damage done to the country by our politicians' refusal to enforce immigration law.

Tancredo pointed to the fact that in many sectors of Miami English is not spoken at all, allegiance is given to Cuba rather than the United States, and the feel is more like a third world country than a city in America.

Here is the text of Tancredo's remarks:

"Look at what has happened to Miami. It has become a Third World country," Tancredo told WND in a Nov. 19 story as he lamented how the nature of America can be changed by uncontrolled immigration. "You just pick it up and take it and move it someplace. You would never know you're in the United States of America. You would certainly say you're in a Third World country."

Florida Governor Jeb Bush was incensed. Bush fired off a letter to Tancredo which stated the following:

''The bottom line is Miami is a wonderful city filled with diversity and heritage that we choose to celebrate, not insult. Miami has been my home for years and I am looking forward to returning there in January.''

Never one to back down when he is convinced of the truth of his words, Tancredo responded by email to Governor Bush, in which he stated the following:

"I certainly understand and appreciate your need and desire to try and create the illusion of Miami as a multiethnic 'All American' city. Indeed sir, one of us is naive."

The exchange is now being reported by several news wire services nationwide.

The buzz is that there is bad blood between Tancredo and the Bush family. The Colorado Republican has dared to take the President and other members of his own Party to task for the failure to do something about the nation's immigration problem that is spiraling out of control. Tancredo's statements about Miami were simply too much for Jeb Bush to resist.

But Governor Bush isn't the only one blasting Tancredo. A fellow member of the House who represents the Miami district invited her colleague to the city to enjoy its finer qualities. She says unequivocally that Tancredo is 'flat wrong.'

In fact, that is only partially true. Miami certainly has its endearing side. It is a center of free commerce and trade that provides a showcase for American capitalism in one of our southernmost areas. However, the city has another side--a dark side that attests to the failed policy of immigration this nation has pursued for over 20 years. The Cuban exiles who have taken refuge in Miami are some of the finest people on earth. There is, however, within their ranks an element that loathes the American culture, political system, and language. It is these who give the rest a bad name, unfortunately.

Countless numbers of Cuban exiles and their families are freedom-loving people who abhor the totalitarian rule of Castro. For this they are to be applauded, and, to the degree that they wish to remain here and support our way of life, they are welcome. But their support for the American way must be demonstrated by a willingness to honor OUR flag, speak OUR language, etc.

Thus, in a sense both Tancredo AND Bush are right. But the point is that the politicians in both parties have still failed at addressing one of the most pressing issues of the day--immigration policy and the enforcement of law.