Recently, Washington State House representative Larry Seaquist made this inflammatory statement regarding the proposal for a new NASCAR track in Washington State…
These people are not the kind of people you would want living next to you. They’d be the ones with the junky cars in their front yard and would try to slip around the law.
Gee, who wouldn’t be convinced by such a solid argument?
In the wake of these comments, Rep. Seaquist has claimed he misspoke and that his intention was to criticize the International Speedway Corporation (who he called a “terrible corporate citizen”) and its lobbying efforts.
Granted, the ISC hasn’t made a lot of friends in their quest for expanding territory. But I’m not sure I picture Lesa France Kennedy’s house with a Chevy on blocks out front.
No, this statement was aimed squarely at NASCAR fans, themselves.
I shouldn’t be surprised. Insulting NASCAR fans is the new martini: the easiest way to demonstrate sophistication. But doesn’t it ever get old?
While there may be legitimate grounds to contest the track, this comment doesn’t demonstrate any of them.
It’s inaccurate, insulting, and very disappointing.
Yet fortunately for race lovers in the Northwest, it also exposed which party truly lacks class.
If you would like to respond to the Honorable Larry Seaquist, you can contact his office by phone, email, or letter:
The Honorable Larry Seaquist
317 John L. O’Brien Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7802
seaquist.larry@leg.wa.gov
I saw the story of the Washington State anti nascar insult on Brit Hume’s show last week and was shocked, not just at the Less than Honorable Larry Seaquist, but also at the man on the street interviews. They consider nascar fans “white trash” (that was the street interview, not Mr. Seaquist). One at that meeting also demeaned Richard Petty by making a comment about him getting a DUI (he does not drink). Richard Petty handled himself after the meeting with more dignity than the Honorable Seaquist ever could. I hope everyone writes a note to the Honorable Seaquist but also I hope you all keep it clean and show him just how dignified racing fans are.
Representative Larry Seaquist (D) 26th Legislative District
The following message was sent to Representative Larry Seaquist
TO: Representative Larry Seaquist
FROM:
STREET ADDRESS:
SUBJECT: NASCAR
MESSAGE: Mr Seaquist,
Though I am not a member of the communities you represent, I felt compelled to voice my displeasure and disbelief in words that have been attributed to you regarding individuals that follow NASCAR. I am middle management for a large global telecommunications corporation and I have a Master of Science in Technology Management, a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management, a 6 figure base salary and 4 boys, 3 girls who think I am superman. The thing we have that would be a blemish for us in your bigoted world is that we are all fans of NASCAR. My kids are all on the honor roll and quite often, the principals honor roll for straight A’s. Why wouldn’t you want “My Kind” in your neighborhood???
Think before you speak.
PS I graduate with an MBA also by years end.
Sincerely
Steven D Grumbine
RESPONSE: Mr. Grumbine has requested a response to this message.
The following is my email to the [censored] in Seattle…
“These people are not the kind of people you would want living next to you. They’d be the ones with the junky cars in their front yard and would try to slip around the law.”
Mr. Seaquist,
I’d like to hope that the above quote was inaccurate but I highly doubt it was. It is exactly the type of hyperbole I’ve come to expect from politicians who like to pound their chests and howl at the top of their lungs to gain media attention.
I would be one of the “people” you reference above. I am a NASCAR fan. The reality is I am a 31 year old two time college graduate, I drive an SUV, work at an investment bank, am the daughter of a law enforcement officer whose neighbors are police officers and paramedics.
We in Kansas City have a beautiful race track, surrounded by a fantastic shopping facility that generates a huge amount of money for Wyandotte County. If you do not want that type of business for your area, that is your prerogative. I can tell you that NASCAR fans are much friendlier and spend a lot more money than football fans as we’re in the area for a lot more time than just one day for a race. Again, it is your prerogative to reject the track project on whatever grounds you choose. HOWEVER, and I say this with the strongest objection possible, you do not have the right to denigrate anyone in such a stereotypical manner as you have in the quote above. Trying to say you’ve been misquoted or you misspoke is ridiculous. If you want to take a shot at ISC, fine. I don’t think anyone in the France family has anything less than a luxury car however, so anyone with two functioning brain cells knows your quote had to do with the fans and not the France family and ISC. Your “misspoke” retraction is pure bull and we all know it.
Next time you have to address the topic of the ISC project, and I’m sure there will be a next time; I suggest you send one of your minions to do some demographic research. Better yet, send them to do the research and then you actually READ it. You’ll find some interesting information there. The vast majority of us have all our teeth, don’t live in mobile homes (unless you count the million dollar RV’s at the tracks), and don’t fly the rebel flags anymore. Not that there’s anything wrong with any of that – it sure keeps jerks like you out of our presence.
With the least possible regard,
Kansas City, MO
I too wrote this Seaquist character. I informed him that I had all my teeth, my home has won yard of the month awards and have no cars up on blocks anywhere on my property. I’m a retired electronics tech who tests in the upper five percentile and question his mental abilities. This guy is a pure jerk politician and the reason politicans garner so little respect.
Here’s my letter:
Dear Rep Seaquist,
It looks like you struck a few redneck nerves. Keep up the good work.
Signed,
Zippy