It's now been ONE WEEK since the racial insensitivity, anti-immigrant sentiment, and outright ignorance of Republicans Pauline Basso and Joel Urice has been exposed to the public.As of this date:
1. Pauline Basso has offered NO apology to the public for her actions and a half-hearted two paragraph to NAACP President Rev. Ivon Pitts.
2. Pauline Basso has only offered this flippant statement to the press."I really have nothing to say...I sent an apology and that's it."
3. "Cowboy" Urice thinks the whole thing is a "joke" and offered this boneheaded response to the News-Times Brian Koonz that only inflamed the level of outrage.I just thought that it was funny," said Urice, an outspoken opponent of illegal immigration. "There was nothing intended about anything.
"I am definitely a believer in law and order," he said. "Once again, these people are a burden on our tax system and we're forced to pay for them. It was in no way a racial slur."
Of course, Urice's "these people" remark speaks louder than any denial.
4. Our mayor, the last honest man in Danbury and leader of the seventh largest city in Connecticut, was too afraid to take questions from the networks, refuse to return calls from the networks, didn't give the impression that he took the matter seriously when first informed, didn't make a public statement condemning Basso's actions at this month's Common Council meeting, AND is attempting to distance himself from the matter by playing the role of "The Mediator."
5. The OTHER COMMON COUNCIL MEMBER WHO'S RECEIVED THE EMAILS HASN'T COME FORWARD AND OFFERED AN EXPLANATION IN REGARDS TO HER/HIS ROLE IN THE MATTER. You know who you are, I know you read this blog and your silence on this matter speaks volumes and will not be forgotten.
and now...
6. In an act of complete arrogance, word has it from several people who've either talked to, or talk to people who chatted with Basso is that she will not offer a public apology to the residents of Danbury (who had to endure the pain she has created) nor will she resign.
No word from the Republican leadership.
No word from Wayne Baker and the Republican Town Committee.
No word from the Republicans on the council and COMPLETE silence from the ONE Republican on the council who in a position to do something when Basso forwarded HER the first disgusting email back in April.
Instead what do we get...nothing but politics...over people.
Faced with the shame and embarrassment Basso has brought upon this community, and faced against the overwhelming majority of people in the News-Times poll who call for her resignation, the majority leader of the city refuses to show any sign of remorse to the public...unbelievable.
Remember this on election day and give Basso, Urice, and those who didn't step forward and do the right thing when they had a chance, their pink slip.
The message is clear...those who are in majority rule care only about one thing...their majority rule.
Help bring this insanity to an end before they do even more damage to OUR city.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
