First the story, then i have a few questions:

http://www.jacksonville.com/apnews/stories/041307/D8OG00081.shtml

At least one member of the Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus has demanded a public apology over an e-mail that a fellow Republican lawmaker thought was a funny way to remind people to pay their taxes.

Rep. Don Brown, R-DeFuniak Springs, recently forwarded a cartoon from his state e-mail account to his colleagues that read: "Don't forget to pay your taxes ... 12 million illegal aliens are depending on you!"

Brown said Friday he meant the message as a joke, but it was met with a fierce reaction from many other lawmakers. He later sent a follow-up e-mail to apologize.

Brown still needs to make a public apology, said Rep. Juan Carlos "J.C." Planas, a Miami Republican and member of the Hispanic caucus.

"I think he has to specifically state that he understands now that that term, illegal alien, is extremely insulting to many individuals, and I think there has to be something a little bit more public and a little bit more contrite in his apology," Planas said.

First question:  What does he need to apologize for?  There are 12-20 million illegal aliens in the country who very often are a burden to local communities, who have to spend tax dollars on them.  If they are in this country and are not documented, they are illegal aliens.

Second question?  Why the hell did he apologize?  Because god help any politician that angers the Hispanic community (in this case the complaint was from the Hispanic caucus) by pointing out they have among them people in this country illegally.

This is a joke.  it is like there is some big secret here, that "gasp" we suddenly discover these lawbreakers among and act shocked and amazed.  Everyone knows they are here, heck in many places they are proudly here.  So what is wrong with calling them what they are.