February 22, 2007
NYU Kids "Hunt," Protest and Talk to the Media
A reader snapped this picture from the protest against the NYU College Republicans' "Find the Illegal Immigrant" game in Washington Square Park today. College Republicans president Sarah Chambers denied the event was racist and told the Washington Square News, "The event will open up both vocally and physically the issue of illegal immigration." She added, "The media response was much larger then I expected - the NYU response was no."
NYU's response was, "Our inclination is always to support free speech. Just as one group of students will conduct this so-called 'game,' others will be protesting it. At a university, this is exactly the kind of outcome we hope for from engaged students and scholars." And a media frenzy, as evinced by this video from Gawker.
Senator Charles Schumer, shilling his new book on campus, told students he thought the group's actions were "obnoxious" and explained, "A person who's making a dollar a day in Oaxaca, who risks their life to come and make two dollars an hour here in America, is not to be ridiculed. It's not to be despised. So what I think they're doing is obnoxious."
NYU College Republicans are scheduled to have a general meeting tonight. That's another good time to chat with them about their views.
Photograph by gfhdickinson on Flickr; image from the College Republicans' Facebook invite for the "hunt"
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This is so typical. Rather than present a rational plan for fixing illegal immigration the protestors and Schumer attack the Republican students. I'm sure they will manage to disrupt the meeting tonight as well. Democrats have Congress. I can't wait until they have the White House as well and will have to actually lead.
I have a game:
Find NYU buildings. They're everywhere so it shouldn't be too hard!
what Schumer left out was.. 'and then send $1.50 back to Oaxaca via western union, while there are plenty of unemployed american citizens who won't be hired because the contractor can hire pedro for half the cost.'
Sarah Chambers should work the jobs that "illegal immigrants" do. No one is complain that illegal immigrants are taking their jobs that they want. Fuck off. Get real.
I'll have a bunch of photos up later on my photoblog, as well as tagged for gothamist on flickr...
All these trust-fund babies need to suck it up and realize that whether it's a popular view or not, people can express how they feel about an issue. IT'S A GAME, KIDS. The more noise and attention you give this the more life it gets. Get a life.
Let's cancel St. Patrick's day, next month, if these guys truly believe in celebrate-assimulate.
I hope their morning breakfast sandwiches come with extra DNA tomorrow.
On the Gawker video: That has to be the worst cover of "I Shot The Sheriff" I've ever heard.
What Schumer left out was.. 'and then send $1.50 back to Oaxaca via western union, while there are plenty of unemployed american citizens who won't be hired because the contractor can hire pedro for half the cost.'
It goes to show that Schumer can still lower the bar and prognosticate on any subject that shouldn't concern him. No matter how obscure or trivial the subject, Gasbag will still stick his nose in someone else's business. Here we have the Senator of NY responding to a bunch of idiot college kids. Why doesn't he get to work on some real stuff, like a binding resolution to end the war in Iraq?
i just can't believe i agree with chuck.
adam, so purchasing an inexpensive product that's just as good as a much more expensive product is somehow wrong?
Maybe the democrats didn't present a "rational plan" for fixing illegal immigration, but these college republicans didn't either. Sure, you can find the illegal immigrant, but then what?
Maybe the democrats didn't present a "rational plan" for fixing illegal immigration, but these college republicans didn't either. Sure, you can find the illegal immigrant, but then what?
I wouldn't be at all surprised if these "college Republicans" also staged a mock "snipe the abortion doctor" with paint guns.
The problem with young, smug republicans is that their "activism" comes not from the heart, but from a series of hate-filled nooks and crannies within the heart.
(my apologies if this double posts)
This is typical ignorant college aged bullshit. I have written about 10 things in this spot and deleted all of them. Rest assured that some of these asshats behind the actual "hunt" will regret having taken part in such a thing. That said, get your asses out there and photograph the hell out of these wankers. Load YouTube up with as many videos as possible. Never let them live it down.
I suppose God forbid they hold a symposium or discussion on the issue and maybe present, oh, an idea... rather than this obscene display... chase down the other... maybe they can draw a line on the street and ceremoniously throw him over it.
Amazing what can happen in the absence of thought.
When a Republican says, "it's not about race" it's like when athletes say "it's not about the money." Trust me, it's ALL about the money and it's all about race.
johnny lynch, is that you?
Schumer = the white John Liu
Wow, Schumer openly supports illegal immigration. Way to go, New York.
you're right on the money, hs. Couldn't have said it better myself!
Hey Will,
Keep shopping at wal-mart because you aren't only saving 20 percent, with every purchase, you are helping China build up the military that will eventually try and dominate this country in about 20-30 years.
This is so typical. Rather than present a rational plan for fixing illegal immigration the Republican students pull a publicity stunt.
Great...
Senator Charles Schumer, shilling his new book on campus, told students he thought the group's actions were "obnoxious" and explained, "A person who's making a dollar a day in Oaxaca, who risks their life to come and make two dollars an hour here in America, is not to be ridiculed. It's not to be despised. So what I think they're doing is obnoxious."
Charles Shumer is obnoxious and should keep his piehole shut when I have to pay $ 3.00 in taxes an hour for welfare, medicaid foodstamps etc.,to support ILLEGAL Aliens. What a jerk.
Tim: when was the last time a symposium got this much attention?
IF they're smart, tonight's general meeting will be a symposium of sorts, one that will have more of a discussion and garner more attention that if they had never played the silly game.
This is so typical. Rather than present a rational plan for fixing illegal immigration the Republican students pull a publicity stunt.
Great...
The last time a college Republican organization tried to have an open dialogue about illegal immigration, liberal maniacs stormed the stage.
Remember Columbia?
I love how all these immigrant-haters get so upset that incredibly poor people desperate for work are breaking the law by crossing a border to go get it.
Amazingly, these "law and order" types never seem too upset at the SOBs who are breaking the law by exploiting these desperate souls and paying them less than minimum wage.
Seriously, when's the last time they had a sweatshop-owner hunt?
Of course racism has nothing to do with it. Obviously.
And I'm sure they don't have a soft spot for the modern-day Simon Legrees in the sweatshop world. I mean, bashing immigrants while totally failing to go after the guys who exploit them--yeah, that's definitely going to make it easier for immigrants to come forward and expose the crooks who are breaking the wage law and perverting the job market.
The last time a college Republican organization tried to have an open dialogue about illegal immigration, liberal maniacs stormed the stage.
With that, the message presented by liberals is that they don't want a comprehensive plan to solve the problem. They just want to attack Republicans.
Remember Columbia?
I'd venture to guess my entire PC (personal computer) is made from 100 percent imported parts.
Not one single item is made in the US, maybe the old US robotics modem is but I doubt it.
It served me well for over six years.
I love Wal-Mart. Everyone who works for a living should love Wal-Mart. Not all of us can buy our meats at that lobel's of NY.
The last time a college Republican organization tried to have an open dialogue about illegal immigration, liberal maniacs stormed the stage.
With that, the message presented by liberals is that they don't want a comprehensive plan to solve the problem. They just want to attack Republicans.
Remember Columbia?
Hey, Doctorted, how many "Americans" do you know who are willing to work for 3 dollars an hour? That's what it's come down to. Illegal immigrants are filling the jobs that no American wants to do.
Before you go around saying things that are entirely stupid (do you think these immigrants are getting welfare? food stamps? are you insane?) think a little bit. Do you honestly think these government issued aides are supporting illegal immigrants? Show me that proof. Please. I beg of you. Show me that proof.
Until the jobs that no American wants are granted higher hourly wages, we're not going to be able to change anything. People think that these people are here hanging out, sucking American's dry a lot of the time. This couldn't be further from the truth.
Sometimes I wish we could turn it off, all the work being done by illegal immigrants who REALLY want to live here. This country benefits from them and their hard work. I know you can't see that, but it's true. The folks saying, "Get 'em out!" might sing a different tune entirely if they could see just how shitty some of these jobs are.
Point is, the answer is not to throw them all out, it's to look at our system as it is and try and figure out why this is happening, why nobody wants these jobs and why we're so dependent on them.
I love how all these immigrant-haters get so upset that incredibly poor people desperate for work are breaking the law by crossing a border to go get it.
Amazingly, these "law and order" types never seem too upset at the SOBs who are breaking the law by exploiting these desperate souls and paying them less than minimum wage.
Seriously, when's the last time they had a sweatshop-owner hunt?
Of course racism has nothing to do with it. Obviously.
And I'm sure they don't have a soft spot for the modern-day Simon Legrees in the sweatshop world. I mean, bashing immigrants while totally failing to go after the guys who exploit them--yeah, that's definitely going to make it easier for immigrants to come forward and expose the crooks who are breaking the wage law and perverting the job market.
The last time a college Republican organization tried to have an open dialogue about illegal immigration, liberal maniacs stormed the stage.
With that, the message presented by liberals is that they don't want a comprehensive plan to solve the problem. They just want to attack Republicans.
Remember Columbia?
Clearly, I need to read my comments before posting. Also, Doctorted, I am not trying to attack you. I promise. I'm just frustrated. Not trying to take it out on you personally.
The "illegal aliens do jobs Americans won't do" excuse was completely shattered by the New York Times last fall. They found only one industry was more than 50% staffed by people born outside of the US. Not even cab drivers are 50% foreign born. Other articles in the Times have shown that illegals have decimated construction companies in the Carolinas that employed only US workers. They had a great piece on an African American business owner that saw his business decline like 90% after a legal Mexican worker started a firm and hired all illegals. so explain to us why the democrats here are more interested in Mexican rights than US workers? It couldn't be for the votes, could it?
And the Times is hardly pro-business mouthpiece. Sad that the left wingers here consider themselves so well-read and knowledgable and somehow manage to tune out the stuff that proves them wrong.
Mihow,
"doing jobs americans don't want to do is a FALSE TALKING POINT!"
Stop believing what lazy politicians ram down your throat.
Illegal immigrants do nothing but drive down the wages of jobs that americans would have done. It's 3 an hour because that is what they will take as pay! Supply and Demand!
This country should not support the impoverished of other countries when we have enough of it here!
This is so typical. Rather than present a rational plan for fixing illegal immigration the Republican students pull a publicity stunt.
Great...
SD, so you're basically saying your side is no better than the Republicans. Thought so. Thanks!
You're right. My bad. I will instead believe what you ram down my throat.
Illegal immigrants do nothing but drive down the wages of jobs that americans would have done. It's 3 an hour because that is what they will take as pay!
In all seriousness, I can see how the above is true. So, then, let's make this discussion more productive. What can be done to make that change? In a capitalistic society, that's kind of the way of the land. No? He who dies with the most _____, wins?
So the guy on top is living life and the rest of us suffer?
Just trying to turn this around a bit, hate online fighting. Rather discuss.
You're right. My bad. I will instead believe what you ram down my throat.
So you're content being wrong even though it reinforces you're beliefs? Who are you? George W. Bush?
Keep shopping at wal-mart because you aren't only saving 20 percent, with every purchase, you are helping China build up the military that will eventually try and dominate this country in about 20-30 years.
Left wingers always pick on Wal-mart. Why is that Blue State are twice as likely to drive an imported car? China - bad; German luxury car - good?
Waiting for An Answer -
I remember that article (the one about the black construction-business owner in Hilton Head, SC). It was actually on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. It was very interesting, and I was surprised at the time more people weren't talking about it.
Seriously, when's the last time they had a sweatshop-owner hunt?
Exactly. It's just like blaming renters for gentrification (it's not as if they inflate THEIR OWN rents) or thinking the "other person" is entirely at fault if your partner cheats. I thought Republicans were all into free market shit...providing products for the lowest price possible.
You don't want illegals to be enticed by work? Fine...go after the people ENABLING them to work. Regardless of what benefits they may or may not be receiving, most of them wouldn't be enticed unless there were jobs to be had.
On that last subject, if the illegals' employers provided health insurance and a living wage, that would solve one problem. Of course, if all employers did this, there would be fewer immigrants to begin with.
Hmm. I'm not against this stunt. I no problem doing controversial things in name of provoking discourse - to an extent. And illegal immigration is ILLEGAL, so its not like its "kill the jews" or something that is in similar vein.
Here's the thing about Illegal immigration as a whole poses for American society in general (and simplified, principle-type talk): If you are FOR (or, NOT opposed to) illegal immigration in America, you should NOT be for a minimum wage, employee benefits, or anything REQUIRED of an employer that isn't contingent upon the initial contract/work agreement. You should hate unions of all shapes and sizes. Its basically the free market run amok, to the transnational extreme, with no contracts and the most basic determinations of value.
Right? I take these things to a logical conclusion, because even though it seems absurd to do so, I'd be willing to bet that other people do if they are the ones hiring people out of their pocket/bonus.
As for being against it, well, it is illegal, so that simplifies things immensly.
What Schumer left out was.. 'and then send $1.50 back to Oaxaca via western union, while there are plenty of unemployed american citizens who won't be hired because the contractor can hire pedro for half the cost. -Adam
Hey Adam maybe if you got off ur lazy hyde, got off the computer and tried to do the jobs that the illegal immigrants do you wouldn't be complaining?? Ohhh wait lemme guess you were probably sitting in your plush cubicle while Maria the cleaning lady was getting down and dirty with your apartment! I would LOVE to see half of the people that complain about illegal immigrants do the jobs that they do.
owellian,
who says I'm left-wing... far from it. I was actaully responding to someone who asked me if it was wrong to pay less for something. The use of china and wal-mart was an expample of how it may be wrong to do so in certain circumstances. We DO have to think about the consequences of our actions. My position is Anti ILLEGAL immigration AND Anti Free Trade. You see those two ideas happen to stand on opposite sides of a traditional political spectrum because I actually think.
Marci,
Your suggestion is incongruent with my point and somewhat immature. You see my point was that there are americans who are available to do those jobs but can't because they are priced out.
all this free market comparison is unsupported by logic. Tax dollars are expended to care for illegals and fund a welfare state that keeps idle individuals who could work jobs held by illegals. Both live lives of subterranean indignity. We need to tend our own garden to the exclusion of most others. Our largess is all that keeps this issue from the laughable category.
from Carnegie's "Gospel of Wealth":
One man or woman who succeeds in living comfortably by begging is more dangerous to society, and a greater obstacle to the progress of humanity, than a score of wordy socialists.
Mihow,
What can be done is to stop Illegal immigrants AND bust the people who employ them.
This shows once again that "compassionate conservative" is an oxymoron.
Don't they mean "Republican'ts"?
Can't lead,
can't govern,
can't balance the budget,
can't keep a single campaign promise,
can't find Ossama binLaden,
can't decide which reason for going to war is the real reason,
can't take responsibility without saying: "But, Clinton..."
can't adequaltely armor our troops,
can't elect a President who's not an idiot...
The list goes on and on. They childishly say "Democrat Party", I say "Republican't", and boy, do they get pissed off.
Can't hear "Republican'ts" without getting angry.
Ah, the "jobs Americans don't want to do" argument.
When the government raided the Swift Premium sausage plant and the company was forced to get rid of its illegal immigrant workers and rehire, there was a long, long line of legally-employable people applying for the jobs. How about the line for Hershey's Times Square store?
Think about it this way - almost anyone will do any job if you pay them enough. What's your price? If you're not supposed to be here and someone can pull out the deportation card anytime you complain, you will shut up real fast and take what you can get.
For instance, take scraping gum off a sidewalk, a task not requiring much skill. Do you think many Americans want to come to work and do that job? Probably not. But if that job is with the MTA scraping gum off the subway platform, you can bet people will clamor for the job, since it's a unionized gig with steady raises, nice benefits and a pension plan.
And it's a fallacy that illegal immigrants get paid much less then minimum wage. On Long Island, the going rate for a day laborer working for a landscaper is $100/day. It's cheap for the landscaper because he gets paid in cash and does haven't to pay payroll taxes on the worker's wages, and also isn't a risk for worker's comp if the guy gets injured on the job. Another article during last May's illegal immigrant rallies profiled a woman who worked in a Manhattan deli for $7.
The reason why the illegal immigrants get work is because there's no incentive for some (lazy) Americans to go to work for $7 an hour if they can just get welfare, Section 8 housing, food stamps, etc. instead. It will be interesting to see what dynamics will change if an increase in the minimum wage is implemented.
It's all relative. Illegal immigrants think they are getting a good deal, when they are really just getting EXPLOITED! And shame on the people who exploit them and benefit for their exploitation, including you and me.
Just like there was an organic food movement, there should be anti-exploitation movement for goods and services, although right now I don't think I would be able to buy anything. But if you offered it, some people would pay extra.
I don’t have time for this shit.
I have strawberries that need to be picked.
The NYU college republics are generally inflamatory and should probably be ignored.
To their defense, they do exist in a rather 'liberal' university and therefore almost have to be inflamatory to get their point across.
For example, a year or two ago, they had a booth out for the club fair where they sold cookies -- with differential pricing depending on your race and gender (the minorities/women got the cheaper cookies) to try to bring a debate up about affirmative action. Now, I'm not saying that was smart, or right and I certainly don't agree with the METHOD (here or with this new example) but in a way, its the only way they can get their point across.
"The problem with young, smug republicans is that their "activism" comes not from the heart, but from a series of hate-filled nooks and crannies within the heart."
Do you have any idea how much a comment like this makes you sound like a total fanboy activist parrot? Take the time to concoct an original thought that doesn't sound like bad dialogue from Lord of the Rings.
The solution? Make them legal. Then they are legal immigrants, and both sides like them, right? End of issue. I say let them come -- foreigners add life and culture to a real wasteland of spoiled brats like that insipid looking girl republican student president that organized it. Get real -- go live in a third world country for a year instead of getting bankrolled by your republican daddy at NYU, learn about real life, and maybe you could finally see how disgusting you are. You stink, like rotten flesh, and deodorant will not help you.
The game didn't have many participants,
they charge $50 per entry. That cuts into the beer fund for St. Patrick's day.
Gotta know your priorities.
#56 Frank Burns: What the hell is your problem? The left wing protestors are just as spoiled as the Republican students. I hate people like you that think your shit doesn't stink, too. Go live in a third world country? What the fuck does that have to do with anything? I'd like to go live in London but they have laws that say I can't just move there by choice. I'd have to be sponsored by a company. Rules are rules. If you want to change the rules make a fucking suggestion that is plausible. Counter-protesting is good for about five minutes. You can't keep running against things forever. Sooner or later you have to lead.
The person who was the most violent at the Columbia/Minutemen incident was actually someone who was WITH the Minutemen, and not the student groups who were protesting them.
Republicans? Democrats? YOU'RE BOTH DICKHEADS!!!!!!!
Ironically, the conservative former Governor of New York and possible presidential candidate admited his Grandmother from Hungary was an illegal immigrant
http://www.indypressny.org/article.php3?ArticleID=3085