MALDEF stands up to Rush
While Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants to let the "shoe shine guy" comments of radio's Rush Limbaugh pass without comment, MALDEF officials are stepping forward to challenge the talk show host on his behalf.
John Trasviña, President and General Counsel of MALDEF, sent a letter objecting to Limbaugh's description of the mayor.
On May 5, Limbaugh appeared on FOX News to discuss Sen. Hillary Clinton's joke that he had a crush on her. Limbaugh responded with a story about how former President Bill Clinton allegedly "hit on" Limbaugh's date and introduced Villaraigosa to Limbaugh in order to distract him.
"The fact that your stated first impression of [Mayor Villaraigosa] was to consider him "a shoeshine boy" instead of the elected mayor of America's second largest city speaks volumes about your view of America and the role or status of people who do not fit your preconceived notion of what an elected official should be," Trasviña wrote.
"Perhaps as our community continues to increase its presence as the teachers, lawyers, professionals and civic leaders that our country depends on, you will finally move beyond your outdated mindset which attempts to exclude an entire American population from being the leaders of this nation."