Now that I see Don Perata is in the mix, re-stating the media’s oft-reported but incorrect contention that there were "several" strident opponents of illegal immigration "angrily confronting" the governor at his La Mesa Town Hall stop last week (in the SDUT this morning, for one), I thought I should weigh in.
As I have noted before, here, I was there. Although there were a relatively few folks (like two, as I remember) who "angrily" questioned the Gov on some serious issues — after he clearly indicated that any line of questioning was acceptable — this was not a hostile crowd, not by a longshot.
Further, my guess is that although many in the crowd did not agree completely or at all with Arnold’s position on illegal immigration, they listened to his answers completely and politely, applauding throughout. The media have now created a fact about the hostility of the crowd out of wheat thin air.
It was beneath either of them for the Gov or Senator Perata to call anyone — whether an "angry" questioner 
or not — by any name other than an engaged, patriotic citizen of this state. In Arnold’s case, a poor choice of words centered on less than sound policy. In Perata’s, he meant the cracker comment.
Most of us are simply graham crackers on the question of illegal immigration compared to Arnold’s milque-toast and Perata’s soggy saltines.
Now, can we move on to something more meaningful, perhaps Mel Gibson?
August 4th, 2006 at 12:00 am
I’ll confirm the count for you, Barry. The loudest critic was an angry lady who was shouting out before the Governor even finished the previous question. I suppose the Governor could have ignored her, but he didn’t and answered her question. That, of course, didn’t stop her. So much for civility. The other question was critical, but not in any way angry.
August 4th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Thanks, Jeff, even if angry, it was the Gov’s choice on the open invite, the “ask any question” approach, and the setting. Some of Arnold’s biggest detractors have indicated to me how well he handled the situation.
August 4th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Barry:
For people outside San Diego County … La Mesa is a friendly, low-key city,
with well-educated citizens. It is politically moderate-conservative, and has
had a Latino mayor for more than a decade.
This has nothing to do with the Pop Culture idea of a “Cracker”. Rather
than recite the dictionary definition, here are some Hollywood examples
of Crackers:
*** … ” Deliverance ” …. just about everybody in the countryside
***….. ” Cool Hand Luke” …. all prison guards and half the inmates
***…… “To Kill a Mockingbird” … all of the white jurors who convict
……….. the obviously innocent Brock Peters of rape.
***…….” Slingblade” …. the menacing Doyle Whleer character.
***……. “Mississippi Burning” …. everybody in a pickup truck.
NONE of these characters or personality types have anything to do with
the fine city of La Mesa. Shame on the senator for knowing so little
about that community.