Desiline Victor- sorry to burst the happy bubble but…

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d victor

Desiline Victor was one of the props used by Barack Obama in his State of the Union Address. She has been widely celebrated in the press largely because she waited three hours to vote for Obama.

Daily Mail

A 102-year-old woman has been chosen to sit next to Michelle Obama at the annual State of the Union address in Washington.

Desaline Victor, a naturalized U.S citizen from Miami, Florida, waited for more than three hours to cast her ballot for the President on November 6.

Ms Victor will sit in the First Lady’s box with military families, people who are championing immigration reform and victims of gun violence.

Haitian born Ms Victor, who is known as ‘Granny’ in her local community, expressed her surprise at the opportunity.

She said: ‘I know I’m going to sit with the president’s wife. I did not think I would get here. I am proud.’

White House Officials say that Ms Victor represents the minorities and immigrants who stand to benefit from the policies President Obama will discuss in his speech.

About what she said- we’ll be revisiting that.

“White House Officials say that Ms Victor represents the minorities and immigrants who stand to benefit from the policies President Obama will discuss in his speech”

They got that part right.

HuffPo:

WASHINGTON — A determined Florida centenarian who had to make two trips and wait several hours to vote for President Barack Obama last fall joined first lady Michelle Obama for Tuesday’s State of the Union. Her resolve to cast a ballot became a symbol of early voting obstacles in the presidential election.

Desiline Victor, 102, of Miami, endured a weather-delayed flight to Washington on Monday in order to get to town for Obama’s address. She was among the guests seated in the House visitors’ gallery, an opportunity she called “a beautiful thing.”

During his address, Obama cited Victor as an example worth following, saying she was concerned about “whether folks like her would get to have their say.”

Tampa Bay Times:

When she set out to cast her vote last year in North Miami, Desiline Victor had no way of knowing the journey would lead all the way to the White House. Tuesday night, Victor, a 102-year-old Haitian immigrant, sat in the House chamber as a guest of first lady Michelle Obama. Victor voted for the president, but it was not easy. On her first visit to the polls Oct. 28, the first day of early voting, she waited in line for three hours. Poll workers eventually advised her to come back later. She finally cast her vote that evening.

In his speech, President Barack Obama said we should follow Victor’s example.

“When she arrived at her polling place, she was told the wait to vote might be six hours,” Obama said, “And as time ticked by, her concern was not with her tired body or aching feet, but whether folks like her would get to have their say.”

And there’s lots more. The first question that popped into my mind was “What kind of people would make a centenarian wait three hours to vote?” Why wasn’t she immediately granted access to the front of the line?

I guess that what they do in North Miami.

But then I began wondering more about her. Specifically, why is she even here and how is she a US citizen?

Victor was born in 1910 and she is 102 years old. It’s admirable that she is “determined.” The problem is that she came to this country in 1989 at the age of 79. She doesn’t speak English.

“I’m very happy, very proud,” she said, communicating through a translator because she speaks only Haitian Creole. The translator is her godson, Mathieu Pierre Louis, whom she raised as her son. She moved to the United States in 1989 and became a naturalized citizen in 2005.

One of the requirements for citizenship is the ability to speak English:

General Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for naturalization pursuant to section 319(a) of the INA, an applicant must:

Be 18 or older
Be a permanent resident (green card holder) for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
Have been living in marital union with the U.S. citizen spouse, who has been a U.S. citizen during all of such period, during the 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application and up until examination on the application
Have lived within the state, or USCIS district with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence, for at least 3 months prior to the date of filing the application
Have continuous residence in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for at least 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application
Reside continuously within the United States from the date of application for naturalization until the time of naturalization
Be physically present in the United States for at least 18 months out of the 3 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application
Be able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and government (also known as civics)
Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law

“Be able to read, write, and speak English” Hmm. How did she gain citizenship?

And let’s examine why the President says we need immigration reform:

“Real reform means fixing the legal immigration system to cut waiting periods, reduce bureaucracy, and attract the highly-skilled entrepreneurs and engineers that will help create jobs and grow our economy.”

“attract the highly-skilled entrepreneurs and engineers”

Like Desiline Victor, right? How much has she contributed to the system? How much has she paid in income and social security taxes?

We’re going to strengthen the economy by importing 80 year olds with no skills and who cannot speak English and who are wholly dependent on the government for support?

Seriously?

Or are we merely importing elderly dependent future democrat voters who are willing to wait three hours to vote for their “son”?

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@Rus Huegi:

I stand by my earlier comment that you can get government assistance even if you just got off the boat (if over 65).

Well, you can stand by it all you want. That won’t make you any more correct.

From your very own linked source:

Generally, if you are a noncitizen in one of certain immigration categories granted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), you may be eligible for SSI if:

*You were lawfully residing in the United States on Aug. 22, 1996, and you are blind or disabled; or
*You were receiving SSI on Aug. 22, 1996, and you are lawfully residing in the United States; or
*You were lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and have a total of 40 credits of work in the United States. (Your spouse’s or parent’s work also may count.)

NOTE: If you entered the United States on or after Aug. 22, 1996, then you may not be eligible for SSI for the first five years as a lawfully admitted permanent resident even if you have 40 credits of earnings.

In other words, no one who entered the US after 1996 can instantly qualify for SSI sans citizenship.

Thanks for playing.

From the Social Security website:

2115: Citizenship/Alien Status

2115.2 How is an alien eligible for SSI benefits?

5 (4) Cuban/Haitian entrant under one of the categories in Section 501(e) of the Refugee Education and Assistance Act of 1980 or alien in a status that is to be treated as a Cuban/Haitian entrant for SSI purposes

Dated 2009

Desiline Victor is Haitian.

Yes, Aye, I did say “Medicare”. But anyone with two grey cells understood I meant Medicaid.

no one who entered the US after 1996 can instantly qualify for SSI sans citizenship.

Actually, no one, not even citizens, can instantly qualify for SSI. It is applied for just like SSDI, and can be refused at which point, a citizen can repeal the refusal.

But, if you are Cuban/Haitian, you are eligible to apply for SSI, not to be confused with Social Security Retirement Benefits.. But you chose to leave that part out.

Desiline Victor is Haitian.

Dink Newcomb
hi,
where were you all this time,
nice to read you again, hope you are well, and ready for a match again,
bye

Dink Newcomb
I know, you come to be my VALENTINE
AREN’T YOU?

they are going basurk at MEDIAS AND BLOGS,
BECAUSE MARCO DRANK A BIT OF WATER BETWEEN HIS SPEECH,
WHAT A BUNCH OF IDIOTS THEY ARE,
GO MARCO TEACH THEM A LESSON.

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

You are disgusting.

@Aqua:

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

Nice, but written prior to things called entitlements. Do away with them and I’m on board.

@ilovebeeswarzone:
Hey Bees! I miss our exchanges but I have too much that requires my last few brain cells in normal life to visit often. I don’t get in here more than once a month or so.
I had to comment on the idiocy of contemplating the swine from a country where killing and abusing each other is the cultural standard and assuming you will solve that place’s ills by giving them “humanitarian” exceptions and allow them into THIS country where we have the identical problem with very similar people and are desperate for a solution.
102 years old, in this country 23 years and STILL requiring one of her progeny to translate for her– yep, this is a strong candidate for an asset to no one but her family. I do not advocate cruelty but suggest that we raise the bar on immigration before we bring more problems into our own house. Haiti?? This is a country that has spent its entire history seeking the lowest level it could sink to. I would suggest that you read about the optimistic beginnings with slaves throwing off their chains and the horror it quickly descended to. Read about Dessalines and Henri Cristophe (King Henri I) with his enlightened administration of a newly freed country of ex-slaves and his “humanitarian” program of forced labor (Slavery Part II) to finance his greediness. Those men are sadly typical rulers of this cesspool and amazingly, the country actually went down from there to what it is now. The lowest stratum of a corrupt society is not necessarily noble because more powerful predators prey on them.
Humanitarian is a phrase that should apply to humans, not beasts.

Dink Newcomb
you must make the effort to come here and give your wise opinions,
it is important from a person like you which is credible, more than many,
AMERICA IS DEPENDING ON PEOPLE LIKE YOU TO EXPRESS THEIR INNER THOUGHT ON THE COUNTRY THEY AND YOU LOVE,
THANK YOU AND BEST TO YOU.

GLORIA’S B FROM
DAILYKOS IS ALL SHOOK UP BY drjohn POST,
OH MY THE OUTRAGE,
SHE LIVE THE LIE OF THE IMMIGRATION PROBLEM,
GLORIA’SB MUST BE PART OF THE PROBLEM ,TO ANSWER
AND INSULT THE OPINIONS OF THIS POST,
WHO NEED IT, NOT THIS POST, NOW RUN ALONG,
AND FIND BETTER OUTRAGES THAN THAT.
IT DOESN’T PASS, AND KEEP YOUR COOL

drjohn
yes I thought that was before the borders where wide open and the illegals cross with help from money maker criminals who don’t care if they get drawn in the muddy water or get shot,
they come from haters counties to hurt THE TOLERANT AMERICANS, AND TAKE THEIR JOBS,
OR BECOME THE WELFARE RECIPIENTS AND DEPLETE AMERICA OF HER WEALTH,
BECAUSE OF THEIR NUMBER COUNTED BY MULTI MILLIONS,
we can see how the truth hurt the one who don’t care
what is happening in AMERICA THEY SHARE SELFISHLY FOR THEIR OWN BENEFITS

@retire05:

Desiline Victor is Haitian.

And that’s all you’ve got as a means by which to prove your thesis? That’s it? [snicker]

Turns out that there are multiple narrow qualifications which apply in order to be considered as an entrant under the Refugee Education and Assistance Act of 1980. Of course, you most conveniently failed to address any of those.

One has to wonder why you made those exclusions. Are you poorly researched on this particular topic or were you simply hoping that you wouldn’t be called out on your exclusions?

Yes, Aye, I did say “Medicare”. But anyone with two grey cells understood I meant Medicaid.

Well, anyone with two grey cells to rub would have the ability to proof read/edit their comment prior to posting it. It’s certainly not my responsibility to translate your fevered mutterings into something that makes sense. You are simply not worthy of my time in that regard.

That being said, Medicaid lays claim to assets in order to recover their expenditures so, while a Medicaid recipient may get dollars on the front side, they’re fully recoverable.

@retire05:

no one who entered the US after 1996 can instantly qualify for SSI sans citizenship.

Actually, no one, not even citizens, can instantly qualify for SSI.

You should be directing that commentary to Russ, who was confused on that point.

But, if you are Cuban/Haitian, you are eligible to apply for SSI

If you are Cuban/Haitian and meet multiple narrow threshold/qualification requirements, including but not limited to, being covered as an entrant under the REEA, you may qualify.

But you chose to leave that part out. So, tell us… Oh Tiresome One…

1) Was Ms. Victor considered an entrant under the REEA of 1980? If so, in what year were her qualifications under the REEA evaluated?

2) If she qualified under the REEA, which section(s) of 501(e) did she qualify under?

3) In what year, if any, was Ms. Victor “paroled” from status?

4) Was Ms. Victor was one of few wealthy Haitians? Or was she poor, coming here to escape oppression and seek political asylum?

5) Did she or perhaps her husband (if any) actually work and contribute toward SocSec thus earning eligibility?

The simple fact is that you and the author of this post aren’t likely in possession of the answers to any of those questions, all of which are key factors in determining whether or not Ms. Victor was/is “wholly” or even partially dependent on the government for her support.

Just declaring “Desiline Victor is Haitian” is simply insufficient to prove your point.

THE BORDER PATROL MEN RISK THEIR LIVES EVERY DAY,
they mentioned that OBAMA ORDER THEM TO NOT ARREST
ANYONE FOUND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND,
THEY CANNOT DO ANY OTHER THING THAN LET THEM GO,
WHERE THOSE DISAPPEAR IN THE MAINSTREAM,
SO CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR,
HE MIGHT NOT BE A GOOD WELL MEANING ILLEGAL
ON THE TAKE ANY BENEFITS THEY CAN FROM THE SYSTEM AND FROM YOU ALL WITH SMILES, EVEN TAKE YOUR LIVES

YES WE KNOW THAT THE WHOLE WORLD IS AWARE OF THE COMPASSION
AND TOLERANCE OF THE AMERICANS,
and they abuse it now like never before in the HISTORY OF THIS NATION,
WHICH NOW REFUSE TO SAY” ENOUGH”
BECAUSE THE AMERICANS ARE GETTING CROWDED AND DON’T HAVE
THE BEST MINDED ILLEGALS CROWDING THEIR LAND ANYMORE,
AND THEY SAY STOP THE WORLD, IT IS DESTROYING US, OUR CULTURE
AND OUR LAWS MADE FOR AMERICANS ONLY.

@drjohn:

Nice, but written prior to things called entitlements. Do away with them and I’m on board.

With the exception of refugees, anyone that comes here “legally” must have a sponsor. And that sponsor signs an affidavit of support for 10 years.

If you click on the Exceptions & Accommodations link you’ll see that she is indeed an American citizen and is exempt from the English language requirement.

English Language Exemptions

You Are Exempt From The English Language Requirement, But Are Still Required To Take The Civics Test If You Are:

Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (green card holder) in the United States for 20 years (commonly referred to as the “50/20” exception).
OR
Age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years (commonly referred to as the “55/15” exception)

She moved to the U.S. in 1989 and became a naturalized citizen in 2005. She qualifies under the “55/15? exception.

So……. why did she have to wait in line — she is a legal citizen of the United States and you guys tried to keep her from voting — that is rather the bottom line

@Aye:

If you are Cuban/Haitian and meet multiple narrow threshold/qualification requirements, including but not limited to, being covered as an entrant under the REEA, you may qualify.

1) Was Ms. Victor considered an entrant under the REEA of 1980? If so, in what year were her qualifications under the REEA evaluated?

Why are you asking me those questions? I asked if you knew when Ms. Victor came the U.S. and with your usual obfuscation, you said you did but refused to tell the rest of us. Gee, is that because you know that she would have been covered under the REEA, Section 501(e) clause?

I am not/have not said that Desiline Victor draws SSI or has Medicaid benefits, but considering the circumstances, the possibility is strong. It is also strong that she gets public housing assistance, along with all the other benefits awarded by the State of Florida and the City of Miami. Consequently, if that is the case, she is a prime voter for Obama.

Exboyracer
if you guys you said,
no if this side would have done it they would have won the election,
look more on your side of selfish who would do a thing like that,
and it was surely a lie fix to accuse our side, what your side is good at,
giving the blame to other

@Clare Duncan: That was already covered in comment #3 by conservative Flopping Aces author, Aye Chihuahua:

Be able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and government (also known as civics)

�Be able to read, write, and speak English� Hmm. How did she gain citizenship?

Indeed, I wonder how she accomplished that.

Dayum!

The answers to your questions are hiding in plain sight, right within your own linked materials:

 photo Capture_zps05687e72.jpg

When Ms. Victor got her citizenship under the GWB second term (2005), she was 94-95 years old (depending upon her birth month), and had resided in the US for 16 years.

Basic Research 101.

Now, what was the point of this post again?

If you came here by way of Occasional Planet or its cross-post at Daily Kos, I will dare make the assumption that she owes credit to aye for the gif find she included in her post, and perhaps knowledge of the legal exemption as well.

@retire05:

Why are you asking me those questions?

Because it was you who said that Ms. Victor was eligible for SSI via the REEA in #31 and #35 and #43 and #52 and #53 above.

You also made the allegation that Ms. Victor was “wholly dependent” on the government and that she qualifies for food stamps.

You made the claims. That puts the burden on you to pull the REEA and show us the specific sections under which Ms. Victor qualified. Without proof that Ms. Victor meets the REEA and other requirements she cannot be eligible for benefits as you claim.

Surely you’ve got some sort of evidentiary basis for what you said. Without any sort of basis for your claims, it’s a strong possibility you were just talking out of your azz. Again.

I asked if you knew when Ms. Victor came the U.S. and with your usual obfuscation, you said you did but refused to tell the rest of us.

Bullshit.

I told you that if you wanted to know, then you should go look it up. It’s not my responsibility to do your research and, since I didn’t raise that issue as a point of debate, I have no burden to produce it for you. but I will give you this hint: The answer in the post

@Exboyracer:

Good question. You have to wonder why none of her friends suggested she vote via absentee ballot.

I’d love to have you show us how “we” tried to keep her from voting. I’d have tried to get her to the front of the line immediately.

dr john — What planet are you visiting from or is this just news outside the bubble. The republicans did not just try to make it tough for “those people” They FRIGGIN BRAGGED about it. You missed all the fiddling in Florida Ohio Penn. — you are probably totally unaware of the gerrymandering going on now.

Exboyracer
your stories don’t pass here try something else,

Clare Duncan
thank you for the info,
so OBAMA IN HIS STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH was not telling the truth about her representing the immigration he want change,
she is AMERICAN SINCE 2005, SHE DOESN’T FIT HIS INTENT,
BYE

@ilovebeeswarzone:

so OBAMA IN HIS STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH was not telling the truth about her representing the immigration he want change,
she is AMERICAN SINCE 2005, SHE DOESN’T FIT HIS INTENT,

Sigh. Bees, Obama didn’t use Ms. Victor as an immigration example or illustration. Instead, he spoke of her experience when she went to cast her vote.

Yet another flawed, poorly researched, and undocumented premise represented in this post.

AYE
HI
WHICH SIDE ARE YOU?
YOU HAVE CRITISIZE OUR COMMENTERS ON THIS POST
AND CRITISIZE THE AUTHOR TOO MUCH,
IS IT THAT YOU HAVE A BAD DAY OR WHAT,
WHY DO YOU PICK ON YOUR OWN SIDE,
I kept wondering that, and did not have the guts to confront you before,
they could defend themselves,
but now that you pick on me, I must ask you what is wrong with you.,
I don’t mind you pick on me but leave my friend alone,
yes OBAMA use her as his immigration profile, read the POST

Anyone is more than welcome to read this:’

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/resource/the-refugee-act

@ilovebeeswarzone:

WHICH SIDE ARE YOU?
YOU HAVE CRITISIZE OUR COMMENTERS ON THIS POST
AND CRITISIZE THE AUTHOR TOO MUCH,
IS IT THAT YOU HAVE A BAD DAY OR WHAT,
WHY DO YOU PICK ON YOUR OWN SIDE,

Why? Let’s see: Standards. Principles. Consistency. Honesty. Those are just some of the reasons.

You know, as well as anyone, that I bash the leftist heads when they come in here with their falsehoods and their foolishness.

Now, would I be an honest, honorable, consistent, principled kind of guy if I then turned a blind eye toward the same or worse behavior from those on the other side? No, I wouldn’t.

You see, standards, principles, consistency, and honor have no loyalties. They’re either steadfast and true, or they’re not.

As much as people here may not like what I have to say, there will never ever be any doubt that I am unwavering, unafraid, and unapologetic about what I believe.

Now, I was not picking on you. I was simply disagreeing based on facts. There’s nothing personal about my response and you shouldn’t be taking it that way.

Finally, no, Obama did NOT use her as an immigration example. He used her as a voting example:

We should follow the example of a North Miami woman named Desiline Victor. When Desiline arrived at her polling place, she was told the wait to vote might be six hours. And as time ticked by, her concern was not with her tired body or aching feet, but whether folks like her would get to have their say. And hour after hour, a throng of people stayed in line in support of her, because Desiline is 102 years old. And they erupted in cheers when she finally put on a sticker that read “I Voted.”

That’s precisely the reason I pointed out yet another flaw in the post.

AYE
YES but you did not read the other paragraft, saying;
THE WHITE HOUSE SAID SHE REPRESENT THE MINORITIES AND IMMIGRANTS
WHO STAND TO BENEFIT FROM THE POLCIES, THE PRESIDENT WILL DISCUSS
IN HIS SPEECH,
SHE AS AN ALREADY AMERICAN DOESN’T REPRESENT THEM WHO DON’T HAVE THE
NAME AMERICAN,
THAT WAS MY POINT,
I had not read your paragraft until now.

@ilovebeeswarzone:

Actually, that source claims that the White House said that regarding Ms. Victor.

There is no second source that agrees with what they are saying. Plus, that same source states that Ms. Victor voted on Nov 6 when, in reality, she did early voting on Oct 28th.

Seems that the Daily Mail source screwed up their facts too.

AYE
I didn’t believe that she would have been left waiting 6 hours,
even OBAMA WAS SCREWED FOR REPEATING IT,

@retire05:

And that linked source is somehow supposed to mean something regarding this topic? Or, is it more likely a strong possibility that this is yet another of your straw man arguments? I know which way I’m leaning.

Rather than muddying the waters further you need to zero in on the Refugee Education and Assistance Act of 1980. That’s what you’ve been claiming to be the key to this huge wealth of benefits that Ms. Victor is supposedly qualified for and, according to you, possibly receiving.

Focus. Focus. Focus.

Pro Tip: The Refugee Act is NOT the same as the Refugee Education and Assistance Act.

Aye
you put your finger on the dot there ,
she might have come as a refugee,
and got a different help from a different office
bye

@Aye:

What does it take to convince you that Ms. Victor was covered by the REAA passed in 1980? Do you think that law ended when Jimmie Carter left office?

I am not saying that Ms. Victor has ever been a government dependant, but the REAA allowed for her to have the ability to apply for SSSI, and if approved, have access to Medicaid. It also gave her the ability apply for public housing, food stamps, and any other social welfare benefits that were offered to any American citizen in Florida.

Did she have a husband that paid into Social Security? I have not read anything that says she did.
So I will be waiting for you to give some evidence that the benefits allowed to Cuban/Haitian refugees was ended before Ms. Victor came in 1989.

@retire05:

I have to admit that your comment made me laugh out loud at you.

Another comment filled with “may haves”, “might haves”, and “could haves”. Yet, not a single scintilla of proof.

All thru this thread you’ve been vowing and declaring that Ms. Victor is “eligible” and is “dependent” and blah, blah, blather, blather, blather… Yet, when presented with the golden opportunity to prove your points you suddenly try to shift the burden of proving your points off on me.

Sorry. It doesn’t work that way.

The REEA only gave Ms. Victor a gateway to those opportunities if she was qualified under the narrow specifications therein. The mere presence of the REEA and a Haitian woman do not qualifications make.

Now you ask “What does it take to convince you that Ms. Victor was covered by the REAA passed in 1980?” Do you really want to know? I’ve already provided you the basis by which you can establish that in #66. Here they are again:

So, tell us… Oh Tiresome One…

1) Was Ms. Victor considered an entrant under the REEA of 1980? If so, in what year were her qualifications under the REEA evaluated?

2) If she qualified under the REEA, which section(s) of 501(e) did she qualify under?

3) In what year, if any, was Ms. Victor “paroled” from status?

4) Was Ms. Victor was one of few wealthy Haitians? Or was she poor, coming here to escape oppression and seek political asylum?

5) Did she or perhaps her husband (if any) actually work and contribute toward SocSec thus earning eligibility?

We both know that you’re all about forcing people to prove the points they raise. Well, except when those standards are applied to you.

Strange that now, when confronted once again with your own standards, you still want to play Whack-a-Weasel instead of defending your arguments.

I wonder why. Were you for your standards before you were against them?

In fact, that’s the same behavior we’ve been seeing from the author of this article as well as this one. Just throw a handful of poorly researched, undocumented poo up against the wall in order to see what will stick.

Then, when that’s unsuccessful and critics raise questions, he disappears into the mist, making no effort whatsoever to defend his points. It was skiing last time… I wonder if he’s now on a romantic ballooning adventure… Or, perhaps he’s busy canoeing the Nile and that’s what has kept him occupied…

Surely, something has kept the Honorable Dr. John from coming back here to defend his points and answer his critics. Or perhaps not.

Here’s how I see it. You guys saw this centenarian in the gallery of the House. You saw her get recognized by POTUS during his SOTU speech. That pissed you off for whatever reason and, rather than celebrating the rich immigrant heritage of this great nation and cheering the determination of a 100 year old woman, you decided instead that you’d attempt to destroy her. Simply because she sat in the gallery that night.

You guys attempted to pigeon hole her into your preconceived notions.

You guys attempted to stereotype this 102 year old woman with black skin.

And when she didn’t fit those stereotyped attitudes, you continued to try and jam her in there anyway. Smearing and maligning and just making stuff up in order to accuse and sneer at someone who didn’t do a thing to deserve it.

You want to know why Conservatism in general, and Republicans in particular, have gotten a sullied reputation on matters of race and immigration and attitudes regarding the elderly? You want to know why “throw granny off the cliff” was so sticky for us?

I know, I know… you’ll want to blame the media and the Dims and whoever else for these negative portrayals…but are you really interested in knowing who is responsible for what’s happening?

Go stand in front of a mirror and take a nice long gander at yourselves.

This post and the ensuing responses to it are stellar examples of disgusting, loathsome, bigoted behavior.

This 102 year old woman, as far as we know, is guilty of nothing more than flying to DC, getting dressed in a nice outfit, and sitting in the gallery of the House during a speech.

Every single one of you should be ashamed to show your faces.

@Aye:

“You guys attempted to stereotype this 102 year old woman with black skin.”

This is not about race. It’s about immigration choices.

As if you haven’t been sufficiently pompous, self-righteous and vindictive already. The usual.

@drjohn:

This is not about race.

Did I say it was about race? Why no, I didn’t.

Nice straw man though.

As if you haven’t been sufficiently pompous, self-righteous and vindictive already.

Well, even if any of those things were true, at least I didn’t demonstrate to everyone that I am a living, breathing example of ageism and bigotry, eh?

@Aye:

All thru this thread you’ve been vowing and declaring that Ms. Victor is “eligible” and is “dependent” and blah, blah, blather, blather, blather… Yet, when presented with the golden opportunity to prove your points you suddenly try to shift the burden of proving your points off on me.

Actually, if you were intellectually honest you would admit that the only claim I have made is that Ms. Victor was probably covered under the REAA due to the year she entered the United States and the fact that she is Haitian. Do I think she was “eligible?” Yes. Do I know for a fact that she took advantage of that law? No, but on the other hand, you don’t know that she didn’t. Or at least have never provided any basis for her not taking advantage of the benefits given to Cuban/Haitian refugees.

You guys attempted to stereotype this 102 year old woman with black skin.

You guys? Sorry, Aye, I am an individual, not responsible for the opinions of others. Sterotype? Odd that you should use a term that was introducted into the American political lexicon by a person who thought the average American was too stupid to make choices about national events and needed, unsurprisingly, the press to create opinion for them. And of course, no one who wants to destroy their opponent with insult would miss the chance to call them centenarian bigots and racists.

You want to know why Conservatism in general, and Republicans in particular, have gotten a sullied reputation on matters of race and immigration and attitudes regarding the elderly? You want to know why “throw granny off the cliff” was so sticky for us?

Actually, I do know. But it is as clear as the nose on your face that you don’t.

Go stand in front of a mirror and take a nice long gander at yourselves.

Pot, meet kettle.

This 102 year old woman, as far as we know, is guilty of nothing more than flying to DC, getting dressed in a nice outfit, and sitting in the gallery of the House during a speech.

Where did I say she was “guilty” of anything. The term “guilty” denotes wrong doing. You are really stretching there, Aye. Of course, you will not address what my actual posts were about; her ability to live off government largess due to the laws of this nation regarding Cubans/Haitians. Instead, you will twist and bend, like the willow in the wind, to try to put words into someone’s mouth that were not there.

Perhaps you would like to go back to the basics:

was Ms. Victor eligible for government largess via the REAA, or not? Is it possible that for the majority of the time she has been in the U.S. she has lived off taxpayer largess? Being a senior, would she also be eligible for social welfare as given in the State of Florida?

I have nothing against any political/social refugee coming to the U.S. to seek sanctuary from oppressive governments. I do have a problem with supporting them once they get here. And claiming, as some have done, that Ms. Victor is the 2013 answer to Rosa Parks, well, it is a bit much. Why did she just not vote by mail, as is guaranteed to all seniors in this nation? Or vote early?

You seem to have taken the position on this website to simply play Devil’s Advocate. You insult almost everyone you respond to. Why is that, Aye? Has your personal life become such that you must take out your anger on others who have never insulted you? What a small man you have become. I used to actually enjoy reading what you wrote here. Now you have just become an angry neighbor who so disagreeable that no one wants to even say “Hi” to you.

@Aye:

Well, even if any of those things were true, at least I didn’t demonstrate to everyone that I am a living, breathing example of ageism and bigotry, eh?

Neither did I. You are projecting again.

@retire05:

This 102 year old woman, as far as we know, is guilty of nothing more than flying to DC, getting dressed in a nice outfit, and sitting in the gallery of the House during a speech.

Where did I say she was “guilty” of anything.

Great point. We were speaking of the shortcomings of the system as it exists. I don’t believe anyone besides the Almighty Chihuahua said anyone was “guilty” of anything.

@Aye:

“You guys attempted to stereotype this 102 year old woman with black skin.”

“Did I say it was about race? Why no, I didn’t.”

Geez, when did you graduate from Obama school, Captain Obvious?

Let’s look at what I said:

The first question that popped into my mind was “What kind of people would make a centenarian wait three hours to vote?” Why wasn’t she immediately granted access to the front of the line?

I guess that what they do in North Miami.

But then I began wondering more about her. Specifically, why is she even here and how is she a US citizen?

Victor was born in 1910 and she is 102 years old. It’s admirable that she is “determined.”

I do admire her determination and I felt she was mistreated in her effort to vote.

That’s very clear to everyone with half a brain since it’s right there. Then someone projected his own insecurities onto this and went downhill.

That’s the person who should hang his head in shame.

@retire05:
@drjohn:

Where did I say she was “guilty” of anything.

Great point. We were speaking of the shortcomings of the system as it exists. I don’t believe anyone besides the Almighty Chihuahua said anyone was “guilty” of anything.

So, ahem… let me see if I can stop laughing at the two of you long enough to type this…after spending the bulk of the post body itself and then the majority of the ensuing 90 plus comments pointing your fingers and accusing this woman of supposedly doing things you don’t like… you’re now saying that she’s not “guilty” of anything and that you don’t have one shred of proof or backing to support the accusations that you’ve been hurling since the get go?

Is that right? Hahahaha….[I’m trying…honest!].…Mwahahahaahaha…..cough, cough.

Dayum!

You guys tried so desperately to stereotype and pigeon hole Ms. Victor and you failed miserably. You’ve both been reduced to “who me?” kinds of responses because…now that you cannot present any facts to support yourselves…your blackened, shriveled souls have been exposed to some much needed sunlight.

I will give you two some well-deserved credit though…I’ve seen some weaselly, dishonest, dispicable behavior from fellow humans over my lifetime but I have to say that you two… you guys are da best at it.

Congratulations. And I really mean it.

Oh, and thanks for finally admitting what I’ve been saying all along is correct: Ms. Victor isn’t guilty of a damned thing.

IMO Conservative voices of of reason, truth and compassion( a positive quality)., like Word, Aqua,Aye and the much missed Mata can voice a message that will resonate among a majority of American voters and turn the liberal tide that has brought them continued and widening victories.
The voices of the radical right that we find here can only lead to continued thumpings.