Haitian fury grows; 6 held in plot: Protests press for release of asylum-seekers
I think Jay Leno hit it dead when he asked, "If the Haitians wanted to go to a country with free elections, why did they go to Florida??"
Floriduh Governor Jeb Bush, of course, had his usual "deer-caught-in-the-headlights" look about him when forced to confront the issue.
The ruckus over the detentions prompted a rally outside the INS headquarters in Miami that lasted into the evening. That followed a campaign appearance Wednesday morning at a Liberty City school by Gov. Jeb Bush, who was greeted by 300 angry demonstrators demanding fair treatment for the new arrivals.
''You say you care about Haitians, then put your money where your mouth is,'' Jacques Despinosse, vice mayor of North Miami, shouted outside.
The governor reiterated a message he has issued previously: That Haitian asylum-seekers should be freed from detention to pursue their claims once they demonstrate a credible fear of persecution if sent back home -- a stance that puts Bush in opposition to his brother, President Bush.
Gov. Bush said he had spoken to White House and INS officials about the issue, but not to the president, prompting a demand from U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek that he do so.
It's about leadership, Jeb, and it's more than just a good idea. It's what you were elected to provide. Now it's time to remove your anterior from your posterior and provide some leadership to the people of Floriduh.
