A.G. Gancarski
Lurid allegations stoked by Donald Trump that Haitian immigrants are eating domestic pets in Ohio have been discredited. But for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a larger issue is in play than whether pooches and kitties are cuisine.
“It shouldn’t be a distraction,” Rubio said on “Face the Nation.” “It shouldn’t keep us from, for example, saying, OK, well maybe I don’t believe the dogs and the cats thing, but there are literally people moving in by the by the thousands in the case of Springfield.”
The Senator cited “legitimate reports of huge increases in traffic accidents leading to slower police response time” and “overcrowded schools” as the real issue at play.
“The strain this puts on a community, and if you complain about it, somehow you’re a bigot, you’re a racist, you’re a hater,” Rubio lamented.
The Senator went on to further absolve Trump and his running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, from culpability for circulating the allegation.
“Those are claims that people in those communities made, maybe some have now recanted or moved aside from it. But that should not take us away from the fundamental truth,” Rubio said. “There are real impacts happening when you move people into communities, as has been done by design, by the (Joe) Biden administration.”
The local woman who started the rumor on social media recanted her statement last week, lamenting how the story “exploded.” But the damage was long since done, with Vance and Trump circulating the rumor as if it was true. Trump even referenced the allegations on the presidential debate stage earlier this month.
Though the story has long since become a political liability for Republicans, some prominent Florida figures such as New College trustee Chris Rufo have kept it alive, claiming that new arrivals to another Ohio city were chowing down on domestic pets.
17 comments
George
September 23, 2024 at 10:55 am
Kinda’ like Cubans overwhelming Miami in the 60’s.
MH/Duuuval
September 23, 2024 at 3:50 pm
Except the light was left on and the welcome mat was out for anti-Castro element. No such treatment for those fleeing right-wing dictators, many of whom the US financially and militarily supported.
Or, in Haiti’s case, ripped off for years in the name of repaying former slaveowners who were backed by large international banks and at various points, by the US Marines.
Michael K
September 23, 2024 at 11:00 am
Kind of like the “migrant caravan invasion” scare that never happened. Different lies but same old playbook.
Hurricane Helene
September 23, 2024 at 11:45 am
Now that Helene has officially been declared to.impact Florida by Friday,will Desantis declare a state of Emergency Google Hurricane Helene Tallahassee
Michael
September 23, 2024 at 12:21 pm
“There are real impacts happening when you move people into communities, as has been done by design, by the (Joe) Biden administration.”
Yet another lie, just articulated with more finesse. Easy to Google first-hand explanations from both the Springfield mayor and Ohio Republican governor that no government involvement led the Haitians to Springfield, but rather just the word of mouth about employment opportunities. Not unlike the Irish immigration to NYC from 1845-1852….and just about all immigration thereafter.
Yes, it does stretch existing resources, but it seems existing population will take those issues over the town otherwise shrinking into a ghost town.
PeterH
September 23, 2024 at 12:30 pm
Florida quietly settled 150,000 Cuban and Haitian immigrants during the 1980’s. Was it a challenge for Florida? Certainly! Did Florida manage? Yes we did.
Ocean Joe
September 23, 2024 at 3:40 pm
The point Marco misses is the use of a dehumanizing slander against an entire ethnic group. Or maybe he’s OK with that. Trump sure is.
MH/Duuuval
September 23, 2024 at 3:51 pm
I doubt Little Marco gets many votes in Little Haiti.
Michael K
September 23, 2024 at 3:53 pm
Of course he’s OK with it. Almost all Republicans are. Only a handful of them have the moral fortitude and courage to denounce racism and lies.
ScienceBLVR
September 23, 2024 at 4:02 pm
My first teaching position in St Petersburg was inundated with second generation Vietnamese refugees, followed by Bosnian-Serbian(Interesting fun when kids were in same classes), various Middle eastern groups, mainly Iranian and Iraqi, but others, also. Seems to me it’s not limited to Bidens time in office, but has been going on for years, and as the child of Cuban immigrants, who seem to have especially enjoyed preferential access, Rubio should know this. I can’t ever recall any of the kind of rhetoric or hatred towards any of the students or their parents that Republicans are spewing now.. we just taught them and helped them assimilate, like other teachers helped Mario and his family. Remember that, Mario.
Jojo
September 23, 2024 at 6:02 pm
Indeed- these immigrants are here legally- just like Marco’s family
Jojo
September 23, 2024 at 6:01 pm
Marco- why don’t you also add the fact that this Ohio town was dying before the arrival of the LEGAL Haitian immigrants? Ask the business owners- these hard working people have been great for their bottom line.
MH/Duuuval
September 23, 2024 at 9:23 pm
Like back in the day: No Irish, no Blacks, and no dogs
WGD
September 24, 2024 at 12:36 am
If Republicans cared about the “fundamental truth” they would talk about the fundamental truth. Instead they make racist claims and demonize immigrants, because they are not trying to solve problems, just make headlines and make people mad.
Andy
September 24, 2024 at 12:11 pm
Lies and Liars have been the primary focus of the Felon and his puppets. The shame is half the Country believes and repeats the lies! As well as media networks making money off of it!
Cindy
September 24, 2024 at 4:36 pm
I just chalked it off as gangs warfare.. and acting like a weirdo 😤
martucci
September 26, 2024 at 12:36 pm
As a small business owner, I would bet that all of you bleeding heart liberals,have never had to deal with these immigrants. Just Google Haitian insurance fraud. Read and learn,