Comments at an illegal immigration rally under the microscope.

At a January 16th anti illegal immigration rally put on by the Minuteman Project at the Santa Clarita Valley Civic Center, Councilman Bob Kellar offered some comments that are now being analyzed in the public eye.

Speaking to a large group that had assembled to oppose illegal immigration, Kellar was quick to underscore his belief that the issue is one of significance.

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"This is important stuff, and I mean this sincerely," he told the crowd. "You know if we just deal with the illegals we wouldn't have a deficit in the state of California...do you realize that? That's how many billions they're costing the taxpayers."

He continued; "If I sound like a radical, thank you, I consider that a compliment."

Kellar's controversial comments came after citing a quote by Theodore Roosevelt, which includes: "We have room for but one flag, the American flag...we have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Kellar stated: "I read that comment by Teddy Roosevelt at one of our Council meetings a couple of years ago and I said ‘folks this is important.' And you know the only thing I heard back from a couple of people was ‘Bob, you sound like a racist.' I said ‘That's good. If that's what you think I am because I happen to believe in America, I'm a proud racist, you're darn right I am.'"

That comparison has garnered some press recently in the Santa Clarita Valley.

KHTS spoke with Councilman Kellar about what he meant by it, and he began by pointing out the portion of his response that said: "If that's what you think I am because I happen to believe in America" as an example that he was using the term "racist" in a particular perspective.

"You have to put it in the proper context," Kellar said. "I wish I would have not used that word, but that is the word that had been mentioned to me."

"I am not a racist," he continued. "I am a proud American who believes in the values that made this country great. If the media or anyone wants to take that and make it seem like it's something else, there's nothing I can do about that."

In a world of YouTube clips and Twitter comments, people with varying degrees of fame are finding themselves subjects of public scrutiny.

It is no secret that Kellar is an opponent of illegal immigration. His comments have been shared in public at Council meetings and other events numerous times.

Kellar's comments are recorded in a YouTube video, available by clicking here.
(Note: video is not the property of KHTS and can be removed or relocated at any time by its owner. Comments on the video page may contain inappropriate language.)