Foot-In-Mouth Disease

Senator George F. Allen, Jr. (R-VA) is not the only politician who has problems with racist remarks during an election year. California's governor, Arnold Schwartzenegger (R), has cut loose with a few rather ill-advised remarks as well. Earlier this year, the Austrian Oaf referred to the temperments of Cuban and Puerto Rican women as being caused by the mixture of Latin and Black blood. The remarks, made in a private meeting in the governor's office, caused only a minor flurry, primarily because the tape they had been recorded on had allegedly been obtained by his opponent under questionable circumstances. In other words, Democratic nominee Phil Angelides was painted as the heavy in the incident.

However, Arnold stepped in it again this week with comments made at an Asian-American celebration. From the Sacramento Bee:

No stranger to sensitive ethnic remarks, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger drew criticism Thursday for saying Mexican Americans have acculturation problems "because they are so close to their country here" while collectively praising Asian Americans for "assimilating into the American way of living."

Democratic lawmakers supporting gubernatorial challenger Phil Angelides charged that the Republican governor was once again engaging in "divisive" racial stereotyping in remarks similar to taped comments he made about Cuban and Puerto Rican women that were revealed last month.

...Asked his views on assimilation, Schwarzenegger said being a successful American requires immigrants to learn English and U.S. history in addition to fully engaging in the nation's culture.

"And that is very difficult for some people to do, especially, I think, for Mexicans, because they are so close to their country here, so they try to stay Mexican but try to be in America, so there is this kind of back and forth," Schwarzenegger said, according to a transcript provided by the Governor's Office. "And what I am saying to the Mexicans is, you've got to go and immerse yourself, and assimilate into the American culture, and become part of the American fabric. That is how Americans will embrace you."

Addressing Asian American leaders, the governor called Asians "smart" and "hardworking," adding that their cultures remind him "very much of the Austrian way of -- you know, it's education, education, education."

Apparently the Governator is a little out of touch with a huge segment of the state's population, the Hispanic-American population, quite a few of whom have done quite nicely in the state providing its share of political leaders: Cruz Bustamante, Antonio Villaraigosa, to name just two (I've only had half a cup of coffee). That segment of the state population has also provided thousands of their sons and daughters to the military at numbers that are more than representative of the ethnic make-up of the state.

Apparently the Governator is also a little out of touch with the industry that provided him with his wealth. The use of the word "assimilate" seems a bit scary to the millions of Americans familiar with Star Trek: TNG. Is he really calling on Mexican Americans to forego their own culture in favor of the Borg? It certainly sounds so, especially in light of the final comment cited above.

I don't think most Americans are comfortable being compared to Austria, especially by the son of a man who at the very least was a Nazi supporter, if not a member of the party itself.

Yes, the Asian-American culture has emphasized the importance of education to their children, but so does the Mexican American culture. That's one of the reasons so many of them came to the US, to give their children a shot at a better life. Apparently the Governator doesn't think that's enough.