Rep. Brown apologizes to official

[Freddie Stubbs]

Target of "white men" remark meant for Bush policies, she says.


By RACHEL DAVIS
The Times-Union

U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown apologized Thursday to a top Bush administration official for referring to the Bush administration policies on Haiti as "racist," calling his representatives "a bunch of white men" and telling Assistant Secretary of State Roger Noriega "you all look alike to me" when he said he was Mexican-American.

The Jacksonville Democrat verbally attacked Noriega during a Washington briefing on the Haiti crisis Wednesday. Her comments sent a hush over the hourlong meeting, which was attended by about 30 people, including several members of Congress and Bush administration officials, according to The Associated Press.

Noriega later told Brown: ''As a Mexican-American, I deeply resent being called a racist and branded a white man,'' according to three participants. Brown then told him ''you all look alike to me,'' the participants said.

"I sincerely did not mean to offend Secretary Noriega or anyone in the room. Rather, my comments, as they relate to 'white men,' were aimed at the policies of the Bush administration as they pertain to Haiti, which I do consider to be racist," she said.

more: http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/022704/met_14936422.shtml

[Wickerman]

1. Dumb, dumb, dumb

Bush's* policy do reek of racism, but Brown's comments to Noriega are inexcusable.

Noriega later told Brown: ''As a Mexican-American, I deeply resent being called a racist and branded a white man,'' according to three participants. Brown then told him ''you all look alike to me,'' the participants said.

[emcglynn]

2. Excuse me

Colin Powell seems to be getting whiter all the time. You don't have to be black to be treated like a nigger and you don't have to be of northern european disent to be a racist. A democracy in the poorest country in the western hemisphere is being overthrown with U.S. involvement. Rep. Brown is right. They all look alike to me.

[dryan]

3. Corrine Brown was wrong

Corrine Brown is a great gal and works hard for her district. She has had to do battle with three tough opponents - two years ago tom feeney and his goons tried to redistrict her out of congress. This was not her finest hour though. Its a shame because she is a good representative.