Parting Shot — 3/20/07
Boise State University Republicans Web site
Here's the Boise State Republican poster that has Treasure Valley Demos and human-rights activists stirred up. At the bottom of the poster, the young Repubs said: "The College Republicans are not racist, and do not wish to offend anyone. We simply want to bring attention to the problem of illegal immigration in America, and have chosen a humorous approach to draw interest and student involvement. While the drawing for dinner is all in good fun, the topic is serious, and the College Republicans have chosen a serious speaker. Robert Vasquez is one of Idaho's leading Latino citizens, and an authority on the subject of illegal immigration. Please join us as we celebrate Cesar Chavez Week by discussing this important issue."
Craig's Office Condemns Flyer While Senator Craig always supports a healthy debate of the issues, tasteless promotion of stereotypes -- simply for the sake of shock value -- have no place in that debate. The goal ought to be to provoke thoughtful dialogue, not revulsion and anger. North Idaho has led the way in the effort to dispel the false perception that our state is a bastion of racists, but flyers like this only undo that work, putting the entire state in a negative light -- Sid Smith/press secretary for U.S. Sen. Larry Craig.