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Richard C. Rocha 04/27/2010 6:37:00 AM
No matter how many times this guy had been elected, he is just a bigot. The very thing you say about other can be said about you, so do not be too loud.
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Cathy Horneyer 12/17/2008 11:10:00 AM
A comment to "Skylla" from Manchester:
About your comment that Florence Streeter might feel differently about the Valley Park situation if she lived next door to Mexicans:
Florence Streeter's father IS Mexican and came to this country legally when he was a teenager. Florence speaks Spanish and intentionally rents to Mexicans as they are the best tenants. They keep their homes spotless, pay their rent and cause no trouble, as opposed to the white crackheads Florence has had to kick out of her properties for not paying rent and covering the back yards of their homes with used hypodermic needles.
Perhaps, "Skylla", you should examine your own prejudices and seek to discover why you are so theatened by Mexicans. Have you tried to research why Mexicans are here? Do you know the type of life they left behind and why? Here's a start: Google "drought in Mexico", Skylla, and read what you find. Perhaps you will develop a more compassionate attitude after seeing what comes up on that search.
Skylla, have you also delved into your own past? Have you looked to see how many immigrants are on your own family tree and asked older relatives why those ancestors left their country to come here and how they were received?
My wish for you, Skylla, is that you realize there are many reasons for tolerance, the least of which is, you want people to be tolerant of you.
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Timmy C 10/10/2007 4:57:00 AM
Well he might be wrong, or he might be right. But one thing is for sure, his daughters are hot!!!!
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Kay 05/08/2007 5:23:00 AM
I am not writing to you on behalf of any group or organization. I am just a fed up citizen in California.
California's illegal immigration problem is probably alot worse than those who are not living in border states, can imagine.
This is just an example of what any city in America could be facing soon.
On May 5, 2007, the Save Our State organization protested this monument in Baldwin Park, CA. The monument was errected in 1997 by the City Council. It sits in the middle of the city at the Metrolink Rail Station, a very busy area. In one spot the monument says:
"This land was Mexican once, Indian always and is, And will be again."
Another area reads: "IT WAS BETTER BEFORE THEY CAME" They" is referring to "white people".
The Baldwin Park Mayor stated that the protestors were "terrorists and racists." All of the city officials are Latino. This is just an example of what border states are dealing with every day.
The Mexican Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonia Villaraigosa, recently returned from Mexico after discussing illegal immigration with Mexico's president. He did not make public any details.
On May 4, 2007, just to show how easy it was, a undercover news crew captured on film illegals on a major street selling fake social security cards and licenses. After buying the fake documents, the buyer walked into the photo shop conveniently located nearby, and POOF, he has a drivers license. When the news crew approached those selling the documents they ran off. They asked folks in the photo shop why they were creating fake ID's, they said they do not know why people need the photos. No comment from the mayor. These are just a few problems border states have to contend with. I hope you will look to the border states and see what's coming. Thanks - Kay from California.
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Mara 05/04/2007 3:39:00 AM
The mayor's blatant lack of respect for other human beings astounds me. It's more than obvious that his claims of overcrowding and crime due to illegal immigration are barely veiling racist and uneducated ulterior motives.
Thousands of Valley Park residents, and this guy's the leader? Pathetic.
The United States, noble country that we are, is nothing without diversity. What is an American but an alloy of the world, and an alloy all the stronger for its diverse bases?
Cut out a specific group of people, and you've undercut our society's strength.
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Skylla 04/16/2007 12:19:00 AM
Florence Street the Slum Lord and her cohort Stephanie Reynolds WHITE TRASH ALL!
Ms. Streeter isn't a resident of Valley Park. She uses the town for financial gain. I'll bet she'd raise quite a fuss if illegals moved next to her. She is one of the reasons Valley Park has been kept in the lower classes. She allows poor illegal immigrants to house there. She is BREAKING THE LAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Since when do illegal immigrants gets rights in this country? THEY DON'T! They are illegal and do not belong in Valley Park or anywhere else in the USA. Let them come through the proper channels as so many have done before. And to look at her properties, well, she is a slum lord. As a former resident of Valley Park, I support the fight to keep the illegals OUT!
I used visit Twin Oaks park which is the burg next to Valley Park, (they use the same zip code and school dist.) and the last few times I went to the park, there must have been 30-40 Mexicans playing volleyball. I'll bet 30 of them were here illegally. I told my daughter she wasn't allowed to ride her bike up there anymore.
Also, if an illegal alien breaks the law in the US, they'll probably just get deported and never brought to trial. And the US citizen will still be the victim. And why is it that I have to pay good money for health insurance when one of these illegal freeloaders can walk into any clinic and get free health care.
Slum lords like Florence Streeter need to be kept out of Valley Park. Or make her live next door to Juan and is 49 relatives.
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Truman 03/14/2007 7:47:00 PM
Anybody else think this guy looks like Hitler? Or is it just me?
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Ariel 03/13/2007 10:52:00 PM
This mayor is an idiot! He made the comment that he has never really spoken to any Mexicans however, when he was in Cozumel and was barhopping and sightseeinng (yeah right like rednecks really sightsee)more like just barhopping was on his way back to the ship and got lost (well if you would have stopped at just one drink or even one bar you may not have gotten lost you ignorant hillbilly) and you had to ask for directions from Spanish speaking locals (and locals mean residents of the area) in a spanish speaking country but they lied to you because you claim they gave you the wrong directions, well if you would have bothered taking a taxi or maybe getting a map or possibly just keeping your fat racist behind on the ship you wouldnt have barely made your ship! Maybe you were just so loaded that you didnt truly listen to the locals give you directions....but then again do you ever really listen?
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Les Cassady 03/10/2007 1:56:00 AM
"John" Billy Bob or whatever.You've illustrated my point. When I bought my house in Valley Park real estate agents were showing me houses in Cedar Hill and High Ridge in the same price range. I opted for the shorter drive to work. I bought before the levee was built. Now the Board of Aldermen are comitted to developing New Town where Old Town is now. They want the present residents, Mexican or native born, gone to attract a higher tax base to the area. Yes there are a lot of amazing homes in Jefferson and Franklin Counties. They attract people from St. Louis who want a deal but where did the people in the trailers and small farms go when they were bought out for progress?
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Shelly Walker 03/09/2007 9:05:00 AM
Is this guy kidding? I couldn't believe the cover of this week's RFT! I have never been to Valley Park until about two weeks ago when my sister moved there with her children. I thought that it looked real nice, looked like a good school system for the kids and then this has to pop up! Oh my! This mayor is an idiot! I can understand not wanting to support illegal immigrants, but this was not the way to do it. This man is clearly a racist for using such derogatory statements towards Hispanics. What is wrong with the citizens of Valley Park for condoning this man's behavior? Get him out of there! Racism is not going to improve anything, it hasn't in our country's past and it surely isn't going to work for our future. This man needs a reality check, BIG TIME!
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John 03/09/2007 12:53:00 AM
First of all I grew up in Valley Park and know Jeff personally. Although I agree that there needs to be something done about illegal immigrants, I think Jeff's attitude and comments have taken Valley Park's progress of becoming a reputable city back about 20 years. I graduated in the late 80's from VPHS and my relatives still live there. Since then Valley Park has grown so much. A bigger and better school, higher property values, and new businesses. The principal of this whole thing is not the problem, it's the way one person, who happens to be the mayor is handling it. Instead of focusing on the positives, he had to become a spectacle and throw himself into the center of attention. Typical actions by him. He has always liked the shock factor. I feel sorry for his family who never asked for this and whom have to live with the brunt of his actions. This case could have been a huge shot in the arm for Valley Park with all the press coverage and media attention. Instead it is a one man show leaving the residents to once again have to defend the city's reputation.
As for Les' comment about Jefferson or Franklin Couty, what an idiot!! I work in the real estate industry and close houses in both counties with values equal or greater to those in his precious West County where a cracker box sells for $200,000. Les should take a drive to the many subdivisions in these counties which offer larger houses and yards at comparable prices. He must have graduated in the 70's with Jeff when these counties were rural. Well guess what Les, Billy Bob done left the farm and is living in 2,500 sq feet.
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Jose Mendoza 03/07/2007 1:04:00 AM
People, do not worry. One day Mexico will build the fence. Mexico will organise the border. One day Mexico will deal with her own corruption, much of it stemming from rich interest in the United States. Please, those of you who know who you are, stop calling us people who want to make economic and real political change in Mexico, please stop calling us communist. We are not!!!
Until, the better time, think of the undocumented, and documented, Hispanic worker like Wal Mart. The majority of the United States population benefits from lower prices and holds the line on the inflation. Maybe, the Valley Park mayor should try working in a slaughter house. In a free market, you are asking us to come. You know, most of us do pay taxes, do learn English, do pay in to social security, though most likely never see the benefits. Please address your laws on a national or state level. This city to city law, will only cause havoc and make more the prejudice many of you don't even know you have. It's so silly.
Also, about prejudice. It is here. My friends who have darker skin, get more stares and are stopped by the police on occasion. I have light skin. Nobody ever bothers me. And to the the Valley Park Mayor, as a Catholic we do not condemn the individual, I don't know how to say this. You say, he acts like, he behaves as, such and such. So on that note, I do not know your soul, but you may refer to me as a beener or a taco and I say to you. I see your picture, and, to quote the show Raymond, You remind me of an Idiot wrapped up in a Moron Shell. Sorry about that.
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Tiffany 03/06/2007 10:22:00 PM
I was embarrassed and appalled to read this article. I have been a valley park resident for about a year. My husband and I thought it would be a nice, growing area to buy our first home and start a family. I am saddened by the negative publicity that Mayor Whitteaker has brought to our town. He is clearly not fit to be in public office. Such references as "Cousin Puerto Rico and Taco Whoever" are inappropriate and discriminatory. And what public official uses words like "cojones" when speaking to a reporter on a serious issue?! I am becoming increasingly concerned about the future of Valley Park. I do believe that illegal immigration is a problem in this country, but Mayor Whitteaker's sad and uninformed attempt at combating it is an embarrassment. This is a national issue that needs to be addressed on a national level.
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Bryan Schmidt 03/06/2007 5:45:00 PM
I can see why the lawyers did not want the mayor to talk to the press. His comments show his cockiness and arrogance. To make such a law without even talking to the Mexican people involved is so irresponsible. And it shows he acted in ignorance, fear, and bias. I am white. I grew up in an environment much like Valley Park. While I understand the fears that led to this law, the reality is that it was not well thought out, and from a legal perspective, is probably immanently unenforcable and will be thrown out ultimately by a higher court as discriminatory. I have worked with an know many Mexican Americans and Mexican nationals and the stereotypes involved here are very harmful and misleading. There are cultural aspects, such as the emphasis on family, that lead to often many generations occupying less space than most white Americans would be comfortable with. But for the most part, the factors pointed out by the mayor are representative of a small portion of the Hispanic population, not everyone. And the realities of immigration will force landlords in the face of this law to evict anyone who fits the stereotypes rather than risk fines or problems, meaning some good, hard working and responsible people lose out too. I hope no other area city follows this lousy example. And if they do, I hope the federal and state government can intervene to be sure such blatant racism does not continue.
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Tish 03/06/2007 3:22:00 AM
Having a front row seat to what is going on in Valley Park is nauseating to say the least. For those of you so quick to jump on the illeagl invasion bandwagon I advise you to find out the facts in this town. It is with the sincerest regret that I must inform you that ICE has already visited our fair city and found there was no problem here.At present time there are less than 150 Hispanic residents in this town. Of that number sixty percent are children. The school has reported no overcrowding because of this. All are legal by visa, birth, or having gained citizenship. As for them urinating in public, seems we left out the part about the sitting alderman who urinated on himself at Valley Days. Can we check those crime statistics? Personally would love to see the ratio of police calls on white residents as opposed to hispanics. By the mayors own admission there is no problem here. The ordinence was preventative maitenance. Despite the fact it was "preventative maintenace, The mayor passed on a meeting to extend the boundaries to keep sexual predators away from our schools and churches because he had a prior commitment for a radio interview on the "illegal immigration problem" So, our kids safety is not important to the mayor. Getting on the radio and being told what a bold and great individual he is for coming up with this ordinance and putting the city sixty thousand dollars and counting in the hole is what is important to our mayor. While I understand the exasperation of people when it comes to illegal immigrants, (yes I know what illegal means) there are federal laws. Yes, they are not working. Hire a lobbyist with the money you are wasting.There is a reason no law can supercede federal law. It would create anarchy. There would be a total meltdown in society.But hey, we have a front row seat to that here in Valley Park too!
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Bob Story 03/04/2007 7:16:00 PM
I would like the Mayor of Valley Park come down for a visit to Mexico and get to know the friendliest people with the biggest hearts in the world. Our neighbors here are a mix of Mexican Nationals, US Citizens, snowbirds (people who live here only during the cold weather up north), Canadian & many other nationalities. They live their lives together and have no problems that seem to permeate the mindset of those who are intolerant.
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wesley 03/03/2007 2:50:00 AM
Food For Thought: " A LINE IN THE SAND: CONFRONTING THE THREAT AT THE SOUTHWEST BORDER"
Homeland Security Iraq" s Learning Spanish Before Crossing Senator Mc Cauls Website
http://www.house.gov/mccaul/
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Les Cassady 03/03/2007 2:16:00 AM
This has nothing to do with the Mayor or city ordnance. I've been to Cancun twice and seen some of the beauty of the country. I also saw the poverty of the people working at the resorts and the small towns on the way to Chichen-itza. I'm puzzled by the billions of dollars spent by tourists, all the natural resourses, NAFTA, and a hard working people, what keeps Mexico down? I was seriously considering moving to Mexico after retirement because of the climate and the monetary exchange rate until I heard what the Mexican immigrations laws were like.
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Sean Antonio 03/03/2007 1:53:00 AM
A shame to the community and city of Valley Park. Not long ago, I was a resident of Valley Park. Living there, I was one of the many residents that believe Valley Park is a city of great potential and many great residents and business'... I still am a firm believer of this. However, with the Mayor and city officials that are in office at the moment, I don't see any good things happening for this city or it's residents and business'. You want Valley Park to become the city it CAN and SHOULD be? Get those city officials, OUT. There is NO ROOM for a Mayor that speaks this way about ANYONE.
Sean Antonio (34)
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Staszia 03/02/2007 8:34:00 PM
Also I want to suggest to him that instead of driving them out of town consider what they had to deal with in Mexico and maybe help them take the necessary steps to become a legal citizen. In one of my class we are talking about racial problems in out country for black history month. We had to write a journal and it was how do we feel about Virginia apologizing for slavery, (I know this has nothing to do with the subject but there is a point.) I said in my paper that any racist in America should get over the racism. America is so diverse there are inter-racial relationships and bi-racial children. Thanks to my grandmother and grandfathers �Jungle Fever� I got to be here. Well I think I�ve made my point and I will leave off saying this I am not suggesting that this man is a racist but he can take a better approach and be a little more sensitive to the things that are also going on with them and what they come from, illegal or not. Right or wrong! Also that he should watch what he says because he could offend people like that comment offended me.
Thank you
Staszia C. age 17
Sumner High School St. Louis, MO
Xxlil_ladi08xX@yahoo.com
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Staszia 03/02/2007 8:31:00 PM
I picked up the RFT by noticing a big sign, then (no wetbacks) on the front it hurt me. I am not Hispanic or of origin but I am a 17 year old black girl. I think this country is out of control with this racial identity thing and I did not read the whole article because as soon as I seen the quote he made saying "At first it is a nice family, then it's cousin Puerto Rico and taco..." I feel that was very wrong to say that. How would he feel if someone said something like that about a white person? I�d get mad if someone said something like that about a black person, if someone said Look at bonquisha over there with her boyfriend ray ray. Why is she hanging with that drug dealer or thug? Racism and discrimination is still around silently and should be over and we don't need to start it up again by Starting in on illegal immigrants. But as a mayor he should set the example by not stooping so low as to call them stereotypical names I also understand where he is coming from when he says he is worried about over crowdedness but is it necessary to say things like that? I think he should set the example and choose his words more carefully. ....to be continued
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Jessica Pollmann 03/02/2007 7:39:00 PM
I believe that if you don't want Hispanic immigrants in your city, then say so...there is no reason to call them wetbacks though. I am not of Hispanic descent, but I do have Mexican friends and my boyfriend happens to also be Mexican. To call them wetbacks on the front cover of your paper, is extremely offensive and completely unneccesary. It may not be your opinion, but I don't care, it's still not okay. I had no problem with the article itself, it was nicely written and had useful information, but I am finding fault with your cover designer. You guys are messed up.
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L. Alan Meyer 03/02/2007 6:14:00 PM
Whitteaker gets MY vote! If I were a resident of Valley Park, I would work tirelessly for his re-election.
What this entire country needs is more individuals like him.
As he says, "Illegal is the operative word. What is it that you don't understand?"
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Michael Luna 03/02/2007 2:24:00 PM
Wow, it's a wonder how the writer of this article got all these outrageous quotes from the Valley Park mayor? I feel like the integrity of the entire city has been put in to question. I can see one of the landlord's points. Why should they want to put themselves at the further mercy to what they believe to be a corrupt city government who may very well practice the selective enforcement of the law. If what many landlords say is true, about putting the ca-bash on the Sansone Group buyout deal, the city elected officials must be vindicated. The rumors of a single bid, inside deal, could easily be put to rest by just one good investigative reporter with access to city transcripts, and attorney phone records and billings. In that way all parties concerned could go forth in good faith, and the public would know the city government's illegal immigrant concerns are not just a smokescreen for past deeds, or a payback to landlords who would not sell their property.
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Frank Borovsky 03/02/2007 8:52:00 AM
Dear amigo Luna!
Based on your vocabulary you are not so far away from that major when it comes to good manners.
Your half s...t half saliva spraying words fountain is truly spectacular. Sorry, this is just my personal observations. The point here is not good manners (or abscence thereof) and even not this particular place with its major you hate so much.
You need to admit, amigo one simple thing - the people in those small places across America are just fed up with the hordes of uninvited ILLEGAL aliens. Call them what you want - 'rednecks', white trash, brainless etc, but that doesn't change the fact. The people in those places have all the rights to live their lives as they wish. Respect their desire to preserve the place the way they see fit.
As for the manners...If I feel I'm not welcome, I won't stay there even if I formally have that right as an American citizen. But ILLEGAL aliens don't have that right by default.
I have a question for you, amigo. Why is that, almost any Hispanic American becomes much more of HISPANIC and only then American when it comes to the topic of ILLEGAL immigration, from Mexico in this case? Don't you as a proud citizen MUST respect and protect the LAW of the LAND? Why should Mexican border jumpers enjoy special treatment and demand(!!!) their so called rights? Rights my a...! Tell you the truth, I think I know the answers, but would like to hear them from you Amigo.
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Al Gonzalez 03/02/2007 8:40:00 AM
Commenting on Valley Park;
I am surprise that elected officials of the City of Valley Park had not been advised that Puerto Ricans are US Citizens and that we serve in the same US Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines. I am profundly concern that all this laws will legallize profiling, certainly the City of Valley Park is being advised by counsel. Personally I beleive that law abading citizens, that excercise the right of voting should not be subjected to ridicule and unjustified search just based on the race or place of origin.
About the question of illigals, the City of Valley Park better be advised it is up to each of us Americans to form an opinion on this issue and act responsibly. I encourage the members of the police and other services to the community not to assume a position that will violate the rights of US Citizens, while using illegals as an excuse to persecute ethnic minorities. I encourage the City of Valley Park to dialoge and to promote the idea that in America there is liberty and justice for all of those that respect the laws.
I will not accept from anyone that based on race alone justify claiming to be more American than any Hispanic US Citizen. Many Hispanics like me are very concern that in this political crisis the assumption is that the Hispanic Community does not want to follow the laws and that we are trying to circunvent the system. This is far from the thruth.
There is a position paper that was generated by the Hispanic Leaders Group for those interested in solutions to the national problem on immigration.
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Cathy Horneyer 03/02/2007 3:18:00 AM
As I read this article, I would have laughed, if the situation wasn't so desperately sad. This is the first article I've read about the Valley Park situation that wasn't afraid to let Mayor Whittaker's own ridiculous words and bravado convict him. His attitudes towards just about everything he is quoted on show a profound lack of education, tolerance, compassion and respect for his fellow human being. It also shows a general lack of decorum and respect that his position should command.
Valley Park residents should be ashamed of tolerating this sort of low-rent behavior and language from one of their elected officials and should dispatch him back to obscurity forthwith via a recall. He is an embarassment to the city.
Apparently Mayor Whittaker has not bothered to master the history of his own city, which the students in the Valley Park School District have learned.
In the l850's, the mayor of Valley Park was Rob Sargeant, an Irish IMMIGRANT, during a time when signs on businesses throughout the St. Louis area read, "Irish Need Not Apply." Have we really, as a community, learned nothing since then?
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Les Cassady 03/01/2007 7:12:00 PM
I am a home owner of one of the motley old houses in the Lower Section of Valley Park. Mike Sweet is a neighbor and friend. I understand it is your literary license to depict Valley Park residents as hoosiers and rednecks. That group is well represented in the community but there are also many of us who are attempting to improve the image by maintaining and improving our homes. Yes, I believe city hall is still trying to attract development in our area and displace the current residents. I watch the hispanic workers pass by my home daily. They seem friendly but don't associate much because of the language barrier. I have no problem with immigrants because we all came from somewhere. My roots are Irish and we were discriminated against over 100 yrs. ago. My forefathers came here legally and I believe that is the way immigration should be done. The Federal Gov't. has quotas for all other countries. Mexico should not be exempt because it is adjacent to us. My opinion is, it's more about money than race. If you're well to do and well educated you are acceptible. If you are not, then West County is not the place for us. We should move to Jefferson or Franklin County where there is property more suitable to our economic situation.
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Guillermo Luna 03/01/2007 6:05:00 AM
The mayor will hang himself. Watch,he will go down and take the town down with him. Valley park will rise again into a positive viable urban area, with the likes of white trash like him gone. A big mouth defying federal housing regulations, an uneducated biggot that doesnt warrant response.Remember, you cant fix stupid. This is the type of person marketers target on late night television to sell THE CLAPPER, car wax,and 99 dollar same day dentures to.
At least I know where Im from, a second generation mexican american, that says he,s just like a pimple on my ass, I invite him to pop it for me, and then he can see what comes out is what he is made of. PUS!!!!!!!!!!Who knows what country this braindead maggots lore stems from. I do know what part of a country he comes from,,,,,,,the bowels, he better run and buy some pull ups, cause his shit is getting really loose, and is about to run out. Its alrady leaked from his brain. Hey Mayor PUS, kiss my 5 luxury homes across the country MEXICAN ASS! You are truly a nobody Better yet, call MSD, maybe they can treat and recycle you too. Thank god for people like you, it makes it easier for the other 99 percent of people to succeed in life. CONGRATS TO MEXICAN AMERICAN FLORENCE STREETER,KEEP POPPING THE PUS!
