Ugly, ugly scene in Colorado...

[Taco John]

I just came across this in the RMN, and thought I'd post it. Sounds like a politician looking to get his name in the papers over the immigration issue, and ended up screwing with people's lives in the process.



Letter to Rep. Dave Schultheis from the Bustillos family

October 20, 2006
During the first days of October 2006, our family experienced immeasurable pain due to the loss of Enrique Bustillos (15), Miguel Bustillos (12), and Destiny Musquiz (3 months). Our beloved children are immensely missed by our entire family.
During this difficult time, our family has also experienced the love and support from many in the community. To these friends, some of which we have never met, your love and support is greatly appreciated.

We grieve every minute of every hour of every day. Yet the healing process was brought to an abrupt halt due to questions posed by Republican Rep. Dave Shultheis of Colorado Springs. Unfortunately, Rep. Schultheis has pushed our family into the eye of the storm which is the immigration issue.

Mr. Schultheis, we pray that God provide some sensitivity upon your soul. As a public official, you could have decided to wait for the completion of an investigation yet you chose to make inquiries on the same day that one of our children was being taken off life support. To shift responsibility of your words and actions to a newspaper is unbecoming of an elected official.

Mr. Schultheis, the Bustillos Family asks you:

1. How many other times have you asked these specific questions concerning accidents throughout the entire state?

2. Why not wait until an investigation was completed before making inquiries?

3. Did you verify the legal status of the "constituent" that contacted you regarding this accident?

4. More importantly, what information did you and your "constituent" use as a base to inquire about our deceased children’s status in this Country?

5. Is it your position that all Latinos should be assumed "illegal aliens" unless proven otherwise?

To answer your questions, yes — the car was properly registered and insured. Tania followed the required State of Colorado protocol to obtain a driving permit. ALL THE CHILDREN INVOLVED IN THIS ACCIDENT ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS with the same rights as you and your constituent (if the inquiring person is an American citizen). Their mother, Grasiela, is also an AMERICAN CITIZEN. Their father is a LEGAL RESIDENT.

Mr. Schultheis, with this letter we seek answers and a public apology from you. We wish to avoid further grief upon other families during tragic times.

Here are the answers you seek. Mr. Schultheis, we await your prompt reply to our questions. God bless you.

THE BUSTILLOS FAMILY

[Taco John]

Greeley mourners call for apology
Politician questioned immigration status

By Joe Garner, Rocky Mountain News
October 20, 2006
The family of three Greeley children killed in a car wreck wants a public apology from a state legislator, whom they accuse of exploiting the deaths for political gain on the issue of illegal immigration.
The issue arose after state Rep. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs, e-mailed a Greeley newspaper to question the immigration status of the Bustillos family on the day the third injured child died.
"He's using this tragedy and pushing this family into the immigration debate to garner votes," said Sylvia Martinez, a Hispanic activist who is the family spokeswoman.
"What he did was reprehensible," said Martinez, chairwoman of the Greeley-based community group Latinos Unidos of Northern Colorado. "They have received support from all ethnicities, with the exception of people like him."
The grieving family e-mailed Schultheis on Wednesday, asking for the public apology. The poignant letter also stated that all the passengers involved in the Oct. 2 accident were American citizens riding in a car that had been properly licensed and insured.
Schultheis, a Republican running for the state Senate who has focused on immigration for two years, did not respond Thursday to four telephone messages and an e-mail seeking response.
But Joy Breuner, a Greeley resident who has been a vocal opponent of illegal immigration, said Schultheis was asking questions that needed to be asked.
"I don't think he has to apologize for anything he was checking - unless he wants to," Breuner said. "What would they like for him to apologize for?"
The wreck occurred when Tania Bustillos, 17, was driving her two younger brothers home from school, with her infant daughter riding along. Bustillos reportedly drove through a stop sign in rural Weld County and was hit by a pickup truck.
Her 15-year-old brother, Enrique Bustillos, died that evening. Her other brother, Miguel, 12, died the next day. And on the third day, her daughter, 3-month-old Destiny Musquiz, died. Tania Bustillos survived and was released from the hospital earlier this week.
On Oct. 4, the day the baby died, Schultheis e-mailed the Greeley Tribune, raising questions about the accident.
"Was the driver properly licensed? Was the vehicle properly registered and insured? Was this person the child of parents in the U.S. illegally? Or was she here illegally?" Schultheis wrote.
"Why is it that the investigative reports we read in the papers and see on TV do not point out the fact that these accidents and the resulting cost to taxpayers (hospitalization, etc.) are a direct result of our lax immigration policies and enforcement?" he asked.
Schultheis' e-mail was posted on the newspaper's Web site alongside other reaction to the story. The e-mail ignited a firestorm that intensified when Martinez appeared on a Spanish-language radio station, eliciting outrage from listeners.
Martinez said Thursday that the mother of the family, Grasiela Bustillos, is an American citizen, and the father, Valentin Bustillos, is a legal resident. They also are parents of a 10-year-old daughter, Marisela, who was not involved in the accident.
Last week, Schultheis was quoted as saying he regretted the timing of his questions. Blaming the Tribune for blindsiding him, the representative said he did not know that the accident had just occurred and that the baby had died the day he sent his e-mail on behalf of a constituent.
Bryant Adams, spokesman for the Colorado Republican Party, said Thursday that Schultheis continues to lament his timing.
"Immigration is an important issue to people all over Colorado that will not go away, but Representative Schultheis chose a poor time to bring it up," Adams said. "I know he's apologetic that he brought it up then."
Still, Breuner said, the accident needs more investigation and less emotion focused on it. "I'm not sure of all the facts, and I don't believe other people are either," she said.
Schultheis' e-mail continues to reverberate. "I believe it was totally un-American and disregarded our American values," said Polly Baca, president and CEO of Denver's Latin American Research and Service Agency. "We, as Americans, have always valued life and support those in their time of need and in an emergency situation. I think he least he could do is offer an apology."

[bendog]

ugh. Colo Springs. Was once upon a time close to heaven. Now it's populated largely by people who think only they will go to heaven.

[Hotrod]

Originally Posted by bendog

ugh. Colo Springs. Was once upon a time close to heaven. Now it's populated largely by people who think only they will go to heaven.

They are being cursed for having Acadamy and not shutting it down

[Hotrod]

Acadamy the street not the air force by the way

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Yes - It's ugly, but is a perfect representation of the politics in this state. I can only name one from either party that deserves my vote and he is in a non law making position. Probably wouldn't vote for him if he were running for governor or legislature.

I used to testify before a couple of committees on business issues. During one I sat next to my state senator who got up, put his hand on my shoulder as said "This man (me) lives in my district and works in my district so he is god to me. I will be listening to him on every vote" Another senator in the back of the room could hardly stiffle his laugh and of course every time I tried to call the senator, he did not return my calls.

[Hotrod]

Originally Posted by Big Guy

Yes - It's ugly, but is a perfect representation of the politics in this state. I can only name one from either party that deserves my vote and he is in a non law making position. Probably wouldn't vote for him if he were running for governor or legislature.

I used to testify before a couple of committees on business issues. During one I sat next to my state senator who got up, put his hand on my shoulder as said "This man (me) lives in my district and works in my district so he is god to me. I will be listening to him on every vote" Another senator in the back of the room could hardly stiffle his laugh and of course every time I tried to call the senator, he did not return my calls.

he is a senator he has no time to talk to god

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I think we should put antlers on them all and send them out in the woods this time of year.

[Spider]

This is what I feared .........argued with some of my fellow democrats over this ( ilegal imagration)........I know somthing has to be done with the border , I dont like the fence , but I will conceed that ........... Now weare causing pain to people who just want to better thier lives ........we need to stand flat footed , roll up our sleeves and take America back , stop outsourcing , bring back trade schools , rebuild our middle class ............

[Spider]

Not everyone is meant for college ......... Just today was payday , I paid 700.00 in taxes this week alone , spent 450.00 in food ...... and still have plenty to put away ..... I never went to college , in fact I have a 9th grade education ........

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by §Pide®

Not everyone is meant for college ......... Just today was payday , I paid 700.00 in taxes this week alone , spent 450.00 in food ...... and still have plenty to put away ..... I never went to college , in fact I have a 9th grade education ........

You must have quite the appetite to eat $450 worth of groceries a week!

[broncocalijohn]

Immigration (illegal) is a huge problem. This wasnt the proper time to ask these questions. In my house i might say something if the driver dies and wasnt wearing a seat belt (retard) and such. My opinion of that person in my house is one thing and private off the cuff remarks. SOmebody that writes to the editorial on such tragedy is sick. Hot topic but not this cold.

[Smiling Assassin27]

Originally Posted by broncocalijohn

Immigration (illegal) is a huge problem. This wasnt the proper time to ask these questions. In my house i might say something if the driver dies and wasnt wearing a seat belt (retard) and such. My opinion of that person in my house is one thing and private off the cuff remarks. SOmebody that writes to the editorial on such tragedy is sick. Hot topic but not this cold.

Exactly. Character counts (or at least it should count) as well as a candidate's stance on the issues. This action would make me question that guy's character and judgment in a big way. The family has, for their part, handled the response in a dignified way during an incredibly hard time. Prayers go out to them.

[Hotrod]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

You must have quite the appetite to eat $450 worth of groceries a week!

$450 Aint that much wait until that pack of kids of his all reach teenage status. Spider buddy take it from me I only have one teenager and they eat everything/anything in site.

[Hotrod]

Originally Posted by Big Guy

I think we should put antlers on them all and send them out in the woods this time of year.

Well I'll be out there this weekend and maybe next just send out the dems please

[Spider]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

You must have quite the appetite to eat $450 worth of groceries a week!

I am feeding 8 people 450.00 a week wont last ............

[Spider]

Originally Posted by Hotrod

$450 Aint that much wait until that pack of kids of his all reach teenage status. Spider buddy take it from me I only have one teenager and they eat everything/anything in site.

I hope to be insane by then

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by §Pide®

I am feeding 8 people 450.00 a week wont last ............

I thought you were talking about just yourself. I know a little about feeding a pack. My oldest son weighed 280 by 10th grade, I never did get him full.

[Spider]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

I thought you were talking about just yourself. I know a little about feeding a pack. My oldest son weighed 280 by 10th grade, I never did get him full.

the only way I can keep my 11 year old full is .......Pay 8.95 for the all you can eat buffet@ the flying J ..........My 14 year old Daughter puts the food away also .......
and since my Kids are home schooled , the yeat lunch here also ......... But if you are at a truckstop I am easy to spot , I will be the guy on his own hood of his truck holding will work on the side for food

[Spider]

I sure do wish Errand will throw in some more overtime .. my welfare check gets stretched pretty thin .....getting hard to support my Chrome habit