A Message from a Marine in Iraq to All Vietnam Vets

A Pal sent this to me, even though it is a bit long it is worth passing on.

Please Send to all Vietnam Vets you know.

Listen up. Your care of today’s military folks is being recognized and appreciated.

Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 8:01 PM

A Thank You to Vietnam Vets from a Marine in Iraq

A guy gets time to think over here and I was thinking about all the support we get from home. Sometimes it's overwhelming. We get care packages at times faster than we can use them. There are boxes and boxes of toiletries and snacks lining the center of every tent; the generosity has been amazing. So, I was pondering the question: "Why do we have so much support?"

In my opinion, it came down to one thing: Vietnam. I think we learned a lesson, as a nation, that no matter what, you have to support the troops who are on the line, who are risking everything. We treated them so poorly back then. When they returned was even worse. The stories are nightmarish of what our returning warriors were subjected to. It is a national scar, a blemish on our country, an embarrassment to all of us.

After Vietnam, it had time to sink in. The guilt in our collective consciousness grew. It shamed us. However, we learned from our mistake.

Somewhere during the late 1970's and into the 80's, we realized that we can't treat our warriors that way. So, starting during the Gulf War, when the first real opportunity arose to stand up and support the troops, we did. We did it to support our friends and family going off to war. But we also did it to right the wrongs from the Vietnam era. We treated our troops like the heroes they were, acknowledged and celebrated their sacrifice, and rejoiced at their homecoming instead of spitting on them. And that support continues today for those of us in Iraq. Our country knows that it must support us and it does. The lesson was learned in Vietnam and we are better because of it.

Everyone who has gone before is a hero. They are celebrated in my heart. I think admirably of all those who have gone before me. From those who fought to establish this country in the late 1770's to those I serve with here in Iraq. They have all sacrificed to ensure our freedom. But when I get back, I'm going to make it a personal mission to specifically thank every Vietnam Vet I encounter for their sacrifice. Because if nothing else good came from that terrible war, one thing did. It was the lesson learned on how we treat our warriors. We as a country learned from our mistake and now treat our warriors as heroes, as we should.

I am the beneficiary of their sacrifice. Not only for the freedom they, like veterans from other wars, ensured, but for how well our country now treats my fellow Marines and I. We are the beneficiaries of their sacrifice.

Semper Fidelis,

Major Brian P. Bresnahan

United States Marine Corps

reply;

Thank you Major but we were just doing what you are doing now, paying our dues to our great nation.

Merry Christmas and Semper Fidelis,

Bob Haran,

USMC 1968-71

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM RONALD REAGAN

A Christmas message was eloquently delivered to the American people by an American president in December 1981, that president was a former movie actor and Republican governor of California who went on to become one of America's greatest presidents, his name was Ronald Reagan.

December 23, 1981

Good Evening,

At Christmas time, every home takes on a special beauty a special warmth. And that’s certainly true at the White House where so many famous Americans have spent their Christmases over the years. This fine old home—the people’s house—has seen so much, been so much a part of all our lives and history.

G.K. Chesterton once said that “The world would never starve for wonders, but only for the want of wonder.” At this special time of year we all renew our sense of wonder in recalling the story of the first Christmas in Bethlehem nearly 2,000 years ago.

Some celebrate Christmas as the birthday of a great and good philosopher and teacher. Others of us believe in the Divinity of the child born in Bethlehem, that He was, and is, the promised Prince of Peace.

Yes, we’ve questioned why He, who could perform miracles, chose to come among us as a helpless babe. But maybe that was His first miracle; His first great lesson that we should learn to care for one another.

Tonight, in millions of American homes the glow of the Christmas tree is a reflection of the love Jesus taught us. Like the shepherds and wise men of that first Christmas, we Americans have always tried to follow a higher light—a star if you will. At lonely campfire vigils along the frontier, in the darkest days of the Great Depression, through war and peace, the twin beacons of faith and freedom have brightened the American sky.

At times our footsteps may have fallen, but trusting in God’s help we’ve never lost our way. Just across the way from the White House stand the two great emblems of the holiday season: a Menorah, symbolizing the Jewish festival of Hanukkah and the National Christmas Tree, a beautiful towering blue spruce from Pennsylvania.

Like the National Christmas Tree, our country is a living, growing thing planted in the rich American soil. Only our devoted care can bring it to full flower. So let this holiday season be for us a time of re-dedication. Christmas means so much because of One special child.

But Christmas also reminds us that all children are special; that they are gifts from God; gifts beyond price that mean more than any presents money can buy. In their love and laughter, in our hopes for their future, lies the true meaning of Christmas.

So, in a spirit of gratitude for what we’ve been able to achieve together over the past year, and looking forward to all that we hope to achieve together in the years ahead, Nancy and I want to wish you all the best of holiday seasons.

As Charles Dickens, who said it so well in A Christmas Carol, “God bless us, every one.”
Good night.

***

ACR;

At this time in history, when our country is facing war by an enemy who has no love, let us show love for all.

We ask the one true God to watch over our best patriots, who are now defending our great nation at great sacrifice to themselves, let them return home safely and in return for the time they spent in war, let them have lives of peace.

Let us remember this day is to celebrate the coming into the world of our savior Jesus, let us remember to pray to him for forgiveness of our many sins and his guidance in all we do.

Have a Merry Christmas,

Bob Haran,

American Conservative Republican

A MESSAGE FROM OUR GOVERNOR

Last March I proposed to the Arizona Legislature a comprehensive, multi-year solution to address our massive state budget deficit. But many of the important components of that plan have yet to be adopted by the Legislature. This year I have implemented the largest state budget reductions ever in our state’s history. Further budget reductions will certainly be necessary, but much more work remains to rescue the finances of our state. Reality about the depth of this deficit and fiscal crisis must set in.

We, who have taken an oath to steer this Arizona ship, cannot now refuse to take the helm. Arizonans expect us to do our duty. That’s what they deserve. They are entitled to our very best – our courage to confront difficulties in the pursuit of solutions, not political points or partisan gamesmanship. The time has come to put aside temptations to run from what this moment in Arizona history demands of us. The time has come to place our hands on the wheel and do what we all know is right.

As Governor, I ask that we confront our financial plight with the strength of a united purpose. That is our commitment to Arizona. Let us fulfill it.

GOP Governors want a Kinder, Gentler Party

From Politics Daily,
Melinda Henneberger,
Editor in Chief


AUSTIN – Here's what I did not hear at the annual confab of Republican governors held here this week: The words socialist, extremist, or government takeover. With the focus on jobs, jobs and jobs, the only red meat was the Texas barbecue. And by design, there was no Obama-bashing.

The surest sign that leaders of the post-George W. Bush, post-Karl Rove GOP really might feel as optimistic as their talking points sound is that they are not only moving away from the last decade's focus on wedge issues and personal attacks, but are explicitly repudiating them. Rhetorically, at least, they have ditched the whole Rove approach – that the party with the angriest base will have the greater turnout, and thus will win. They see independent voters as the way to win in 2010.

"When Bush became president,'' Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said from the podium, "there was a hardening of partisanship" that worked in the Republicans' favor in '02 and '04, but against them in '06 and '08. He spoke approvingly of voters moving now towards a post-partisan moment in which "people will say 'I vote for the woman, not the party.' ''
Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle followed up on that politically correct happy talk: "I hope it does go in a direction where people can work together,'' she said, and ended the session with a pacific "Aloha!''

Barbour cautioned Republican candidates to refrain from attacking the president, period: "People want the president to succeed; good Lord, they want the country to succeed, and particularly the first African-American president has a lot of goodwill. . . . We need to be careful, we need to treat the president respectfully, we need to make this about policies, not personal. . . . This is a guy people like.''

Asked later whether he meant to suggest that tea-party rhetoric was hurting his party with the independent voters it needs to win, he said no: "I'm talking about winning candidates being prudent at what they talk about.'' In the recent gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia, it was the losing Democratic candidates who were relentlessly negative. Barbour called Virginia's Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell a "master'' at the new model of candidate he'd like to recruit more of: "He never got off on personalities, and winning candidates don't; they're not shrill, they're not accusatory.''

So, is the party moving away from a focus on social issues like gay marriage and abortion?
Barbour said that smart politicians talk about whatever is on the minds of voters, and right now that's not social but economic issues.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said that even when social issues are broached, they should be discussed in a way that's "thoughtful, civil, respectful and a tone that's not condescending.''
It's not surprising that party leaders said they like their chances in '10, when 37 gubernatorial and 37 Senate races will be on the ballot. But Barbour went so far as to predict a 1994-style Republican blowout next year: "I was chairman of the party 16 years ago when we were similarly situated'' – having just won gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia in 1993, a year into a new Democratic administration and energized by the victories of Christie Todd Whitman and George Allen. The two moments are a lot alike, he said – only "this feels better.''

GOD Bless our Veterans

It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the veteran, like you, who salutes the flag, who served under the flag, and whose coffin will be draped by the flag.

GOD Bless our Veterans!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

To all past and present Marines and members of the Marine Corps family, happy 234 years of service to our great country.

The Marine Corps dates from 10 November 1775, the day the Continental Congress authorized the formation of two battations of Marines.

The first Marine recruiting rendezvous opened at Tun's Tavern in Philadelphia, which is considered the birth place of the Marine Corps.

By early 1776, before the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Marines were ready to take the fight to the enemy and 234 Marines sailed from Philadelphia in Continential Navy warships. The mission was to take a British fort in the Bahamas and capture large supplies of munitions for General Washington's army and on 3 March 1776, for the first time in American History, the Marines had landed and the situation was well in hand.

Since the birth of the Corps, as the Marines's Hymm says,

"We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off northern lands
And in sunny trobic scenes,
You will find us always on the job-
The United States Marines."

And so to my brother and sister Marines, we few who have earned the title of Marine, as the end of our hymm proclaims, I offer this toast on our Corps birthday.

"Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we our proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines."

Semper Fidelis

Bob Haran,
USMC 1968-71

Once a Marine, always a Marine

"The Axis of Idiots"

"The Axis of Idiots"

By J. D. Pendry,

Retired Sergeant Major,

United States Marine Corp




Jimmy Carter, you are the father of the Islamic Nazi movement. You threw the Shah under the bus, welcomed the Ayatollah home, and then lacked the spine to confront the terrorists when they took our embassy and our people hostage. You're the "runner-in-chief."

Bill Clinton, you played ring around the Lewinsky while the terrorists were at war with us. You got us into a fight with them in Somalia and then you ran from it. Your weak-willed responses to the USS Cole and the First Trade Center Bombing and Our Embassy Bombings emboldened the killers.. Each time you failed to respond adequately, they grew bolder, until 9/11/2001.

John Kerry, dishonesty is your most prominent attribute. You lied about American Soldiers in Vietnam. Your military service, like your life, is more
fiction than fact. You've accused our military of terrorizing women and children in Iraq. You called Iraq the wrong war, wrong place, wrong time, and the same words you used to describe Vietnam. You're a fake! You want to run from Iraqand abandon the Iraqis to murderers just as you did to the Vietnamese. Iraq, like Vietnam, is another war that you were for, before you were against it.

John Murtha, you said our military was broken.. You said we can't win militarily in Iraq. You accused United States Marines of cold-blooded murder without proof and said we should redeploy to Okinawa. Okinawa, John? And the Democrats call you their military expert! Are you sure you didn't suffer a traumatic brain injury while you were off building your war hero resume? You're a sad, pitiable, corrupt, and washed up old fool. You're not a Marine, sir.. You wouldn't amount to a good pimple on a real Marine's ass. You're a phony and a disgrace. Run away, John.

Dick Durbin, you accused our Soldiers at Guantanamo of being Nazis, tenders of Soviet style gulags and as bad as the regime of Pol Pot, who murdered two million of his own people after your party abandoned Southeast Asia to the Communists. Now you want to abandon the Iraqis to the same fate. History was not a good teacher for you, was it? Lord help us! See Dick run.

Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Carl Levine, Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein, Russ Feingold, Pat Leahy, Barack Obama, Chuck Schumer, the Hollywood Leftist morons, et al, ad nauseam: Every time you stand in front of television cameras and broadcast to the Islamic Nazis that we went to war because our President lied, that the war is wrong and our Soldiers are torturers, that we should leave Iraq, you give the Islamic butchers - the same ones that tortured and mutilated American Soldiers - cause to think that we'll run away again, and all they have to do is hang on a little longer.. It is inevitable that we, the infidels, will have to defeat the Islamic jihadists. Better to do it now on their turf, than later on ours after they have gained both strength and momentum.

American news media, the New York Times particularly: Each time you publish stories about national defense secrets and our intelligence gathering methods, you become one united with the sub-human pieces of camel dung that torture and mutilate the bodies of American Soldiers. You can't strike up the courage to publish cartoons, but you can help Al Qaeda destroy my country. Actually, you are more dangerous to us than Al Qaeda is. Think about that each time you face Mecca to admire your Pulitzer.

You are America's 'AXIS OF IDIOTS.' Your Collective Stupidity will destroy us. Self-serving politics and terrorist-abetting news scoops are more important to you than our national security or the lives of innocent civilians and Soldiers. It bothers you that defending ourselves gets in the way of your elitist sport of politics and your ignorant editorializing. There is as much blood on your hands as is on the hands of murdering terrorists. Don't ever doubt that. Your frolics will only serve to extend this war as they extended Vietnam. If you want our Soldiers home as you claim, knock off the crap and try supporting your country ahead of supporting your silly political aims and aiding our enemies.

Yes, I'm questioning your patriotism. Your loyalty ends with self. I'm also questioning why you're stealing air that decent Americans could be breathing. You don't deserve the protection of our men and women in uniform. You need to run away from this war, this country. Leave the war to the people who have the will to see it through and the country to people who are willing to defend it.

Our country has two enemies: Those who want to destroy us from the outside and those who attempt it from within.

Semper Fi,
J. D. Pendry - Sergeant Major, USMC, Retired



This is a savvy man. He has nailed it down pretty good. Too bad it won't do any good. There won't be 1 in 10 that receive it who will forward it.

It's Official, Brewer is Running

November 5, 2009,
Phoenix, AZ
By Bob Haran

Early today Arizona Governor Jan Brewer submitted the initial paperwork with the Secretary of State to run for election in her own right as Governor.

Brewer inherited the Governor's office in January when former Governor Janet Napolitano, a Democrat, resigned in order to become U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security in the Obama administration.

The duties and responsibilities of the office of Governor were not the only things Brewer inherited from Napolitano. Brewer said that she inherited a budget deficit created from years of overspending and living beyond our means.

To reduce spending and manage the budget Brewer and the Republican controlled Legislature made the largest spending cuts in Arizona history, around $1 billion.

Brewer admitted that some of those cuts were not easy to make but also said that, "tough times call for a tough leader."

In August Governor Brewer and the Republican leadership of the Arizona Legislature reached an agreement which was praised by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) as an alternative to tax, spend, and tax again. Designed to entice more employers and high-income taxpayers to Arizona and to stimulate the economy by putting more money in the hands of consumers, instead of trying to tax their way out of a huge budget deficit, Arizona would grow its way out by repealing the hated business property tax, reducing the state corporate income tax rate from 6.97% to 4.86%, and in addition, cutting all personal income tax rates by 6.6%. In exchange for the tax cuts the legislature would allow the voters to decide if they were willing to temporarily pay an extra one cent on the dollar in sales tax for two years and a half cent for a third year.

The WSJ article pointed out that economic studies have shown that states have more jobs and higher income growth when they tax consumption rather than savings, investment and business profits.

The tax and spend Democrats called the agreement a tax giveaway to big business and voted as a block against it. The package past however in the Republican controlled House but ran into trouble in the Republican controlled Senate when two extremist, anti-government senators, Pam Gorman of LD 6 and Ron Gould of LD 3, broke ranks with the Republican party and voted with the Democrats against the sales tax referral to the voters, defeating it by one vote, thereby killing the agreement and forcing the governor to veto the tax cuts. Later Gorman resigned as Senate Majority Whip, citing philosophical differences with the Republican Caucus and went on a mid-west vacation.

Jan Brewer is a conservative Republican from Glendale who was first elected to the Arizona House in 1982 and to the Arizona Senate in 1986 were she also served as Majority Whip for two terms. In 1996 she was elected to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and went on to become Chairman of the Board.

First elected to statewide office in 2002 as Arizona Secretary of State and re-elected in 2006. Brewer has been a Republican Precinct Committeemen since 1970 and has always been a stalwart, hard working Republican who has never lost an election.

After taking office as governor, Brewer told the Arizona Daily Star; "First I was worried, then I was concerned, and now I'm just angry to see what has happened and the irresponsible management that has led us to the brink of bankruptcy."

It seems that Napolitano knew when to abandon a ship in trouble, thankfully Brewer is made of sterner stuff and will not abandon ship because Brewer has the Right Stuff.

Bob Haran,
American Conservative Republican

Bob Burns, "Let the Voters Decide"

Burns on budget: We’re out of gimmicks and time
November 3, 2009 by azsenaterepublicans

In today’s Arizona Republic, Senate President Bob Burns says let voters decide what they’re willing to do to help our state recover:

Your state government is in trouble. The money we collect in taxes and fees from you, your neighbors and your employers has declined sharply during this economic crisis. The money the state spends to educate our children, provide healthcare and welfare benefits and public safety services, is far outpacing the money we’re taking in.

The latest estimate of our current budget deficit is $2 billion. There are really four major components to that number. The first is that plummeting revenue that caused last year’s budget to fall short by $500 million. That’s money we already spent. Whether we like it or not, we will have to find the revenue for it in FY 2010.

Another factor affecting the deficit is the aftermath of the governor vetoing significant parts of the budget package the Legislature sent her last summer – the Department of Economic Security (welfare) and K-12 education budgets, and the bill containing budget provisions relating to taxation and revenue. That added another $500 million to the deficit.

The remaining $1 billion of the $2 billion deficit stems from a number of projections that are considered highly likely: that our tax revenues will continue to fall ($700 million) and that demand for healthcare for the poor will grow and other provisions of the FY 2010 budget will not generate the savings we had hoped for ($300 million).

Meanwhile, the overall public message to the Legislature has continued to be “Don’t raise taxes and don’t cut spending.” The previous governor, despite clear signs of economic stress and dropping revenues, insisted on significant increases in spending. While I think we should have been much more aggressive in our effort to control or decrease spending, the fact of the matter is that we are essentially budgeting the same spending level as when the recession began.

To maintain a general fund budget of about $10 billion over the last few years of this recession, your state government – Republicans and Democrats alike – have depleted our savings, delayed payments, swept funds from other accounts, used one-time federal stimulus dollars, and gone deeper into debt. Our projected ongoing revenues are only $6.4 billion, meaning the budget has a structural deficit of $3.6 billion that will plague us in the future until we enact permanent solutions.

Now we’ve hit the wall on short-term budget maneuvers and gimmicks. Those options are no longer available. We will have to cut spending or increase taxes, or both. There is very little else of substance we can do at this point.

Many of you know that I have a reputation as a fiscal conservative from my many years as chair of the appropriations committees in both the House and Senate. When it comes to making decisions on how to spend taxpayer dollars, I have always seen my role as that of a gatekeeper, not a gift-giver.

Over the years I have come to the opinion that many people tend to exaggerate the restrictions on the Legislature’s legal authority to reduce spending. Nevertheless, there are real limits that come in various forms: federal, constitutional, judicial, and electoral.

We need to act decisively, and time is not on our side. It won’t be long before state employees won’t be able to cash their paychecks. This insolvency of state government will affect more of you than you might think.

I surprised many people when I announced earlier this year my support for putting a one-cent sales tax increase on the ballot. Do not misunderstand me. The revenue generated from such a tax increase (less than $900 million in current economic conditions) will not entirely solve the problem. I also recognize the distinct possibility that voters may reject any such proposal. In either case, I will continue to advocate for more reductions in state spending to balance the budget.

I will support putting the referral to a vote in the Legislature whenever and as many times as we need to in order to get the question to the voters. But I will not be supportive of higher state spending as a price to get those votes.

We have lost enough precious time already. The question needs to be asked: Are you willing to pay, in addition to your current tax burdens, another penny on the dollar in sales tax in order to provide more revenue for your government? There may not be an official declaration that Arizona is in a state of emergency, but in my view, we’re in one.

Brewer Honored with Achievement Award

Brewer Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
By Helaine Chersonsky
　
Congratulations and kudos to Governor Jan Brewer, who will receive the 2009 John F. Long Lifetime Achievement Award on November 5 at the Renaissance Glendale Hotel and Spa. The Phoenix Business Journal described the award being given to the governor in spite of the recent “nail-biting legislative session.” As I see it, the award is actually an acknowledgment of Governor Brewer’s political courage in the face of the U.S. tanked economy and the reality of lower revenues for states because of the on-going recession-depression.
Governor Brewer has always displayed a combination of political courage and common sense as she has served the state of Arizona in her capacity as Arizona’s Secretary of State. I want to remind the citizens of Arizona about the financial debacle former governor Janet Napolitano left the state of Arizona in when she became head of the Department of Homeland Security under our “dear leader” President Barack Obama.
Napolitano’s spending spree during her years as governor put the state of Arizona on a deficit footing with increased expenditures for the state on a three-year average of 13.25 percent (these figures are taken from the Arizona 10-year budget history from 2000 to 2009). Napolitano was also warned by the treasurer about the budget-busting expenditures. Think about one of Napolitano’s pet projects: day care for children under five years old; now think about how much that one little item cost per year and you will have a small idea of Arizona’s budget deficit and the reason for the budget deficit in 2009.

Pullen on the fall of ACORN

"One too many nuts have fallen from this tree," said Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen, as public outcry mounts for a transparent and accountable investigation into the activities of Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN.)

Widely reported in the national news media, ACORN employees were recently filmed giving two individuals posing as a pimp and prostitute, illicit financial advice encouraging them to scam the Internal Revenue Service. This comes on the heals of nearly a dozen arrest warrants being issued in Miami for ACORN workers suspected of falsifying information on hundreds of voter registration cards last year, and States from coast to coast clamping down public funding to the corrupt organization.

"Over the years, we've all suspected that ACORN was involved in nefarious activities," said Chairman Pullen. "Now we can see exactly what they are up to, and it is as disturbing as it is appalling. ACORN officials would have you believe that the actions of a few employees are not representative of their organization, but a few poisoned apples makes me suspicious of the whole barrel. I suspect the more people look into the ACORN's activities, the more irregularities they will find. I think that this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg."

"Ironically, they are appointing someone to oversee an internal investigation who already has a criminal record," the Chairman continued. "Henry Cisneros, who may be best known for being caught lying to the FBI prior to being named as Clinton's Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, will participate in the probe into ACORN's practices. I can think of no better person to advise ACORN on legal issues than someone who had a mistress convicted of bank fraud and obstruction of justice," he said. "This man also sat on the board of Countrywide Financial which was roundly criticized for their dubious mortgage practices which allowed borrowers to buy homes without down payments, income verification and who allowed monthly payments that didn't even cover the interest. This is the guy they want looking into their misdeeds? You couldn't make this up if you tried."

"More troubling is the media's coverage and President Obama response," said Chairman Pullen. "All but one of last Sunday's talk shows failed to address the issue, but when they did, the President brushed it off as if he was vaguely aware of the controversy. President Obama has evidently seems to be suffering from have short-term memory loss when it comes to his involvement with ACORN. He worked with ACORN for 20 years. He was a community organizer, Director of Project Vote in Chicago, and even served as their attorney. But I guess we shouldn't be surprised by this approach towards his involvement with ACORN. During the campaign he denied had been an ACORN trainer until the New York Times proved he was. We all know that the President has a soft spot in his heart for ACORN, but these recent revelations warrant a strong and immediate response from President Obama."

"Some Democrats like the New York Attorney General have launched full investigations and we need more to follow the lead of Republican Governors from Georgia, Louisiana and California who have already halted ACORN's funding. Even the nonpartisan Census Bureau has severed ties with the group. The question is, 'Who will be the last person left on this sinking ship'?"

Pearce Demands End to Sanctuary Cities.

Arizona State Senate

1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007

Sen. Russell Pearce, R-18
Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee
602-926-5760

NEWS RELEASE


Oct. 21, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pearce Demands End to Sanctuary City and “Catch and Release” Policies

Legislation would crack down on these illegal practices



(STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX) – State Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, J.D. Hayworth, Phoenix Law Enforcement Association President Mark Spencer and others today demanded the end to sanctuary city and “catch and release” policies and pledged to deal with recent attempts by the federal government to erode the progress made in Arizona in combating this problem. Pearce announced he will file a citizen’s initiative and has the support of the Governor’s Office to eliminate these illegal practices.



“We pledge to work with the governor to end these ‘catch and release’ policies and remove the political handcuffs on our law enforcement. Enough is enough,” Pearce said. “The Governor’s Office has assured me they will work with us to end these illegal policies and support our law enforcement and our Hometown Heroes.”



Pearce points to the federal government and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano for trying to erode the progress made in Arizona with our tough and effective laws.



“If our leaders want to address the growing disdain, they must first restore trust with the American people. If you say you are going to secure our borders, then secure them, if you say you are going to enforce the law, then enforce it. If you take an oath of office then keep it,” Pearce declared.



Pearce unveiled his legislation, the “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act,” that would crack down on illegal immigration in the following three ways:


1. Outlawing sanctuary city policies by prohibiting cities and towns in Arizona from limiting or restricting enforcement federal immigration laws to less than the full extent of the law. This state has seen and continues to see various open border special interests groups constantly apply pressure to give illegal immigrants a pass. Outlawing sanctuary cities makes sure the dedicated men and women in Arizona law enforcement are not handcuffed by bureaucrats who would turn a blind eye to the illegal immigration crisis.



2. The second provision would make it a Class 1 misdemeanor for an illegal alien to enter into or be on any public or private land in Arizona if they are in violation of federal immigration law. The charge is elevated to a Class 4 felony if someone is convicted, deported and they return to Arizona. The charge would rise to a Class 2 felony if this person violates this section of the law while committing other crimes involving illegal drugs, weapons or terrorism.



3. The third provision puts some needed teeth in the state’s employer sanctions law. It would give civil subpoena power to prosecuting agencies enabling them to question witnesses and obtained needed documentation. That’s the same type of authority that is used by the Arizona Insurance Department and the Department of Liquor License and Control. This authority will give prosecutors the ability to more efficiently and more quickly investigate claims. It will essentially open the second half of the employer sanctions law that up until now has dealt primarily with criminal complaints against employees.



“We have seen sharp decreases in both crime and illegal immigration, which demonstrates that enforcement works. What we need to do now is safeguard that enforcement by making some much needed changes in state law. Illegal immigration creates one of the greatest hardships on working families who live in neighborhoods impacted by kidnappings, home invasions, gangs, drugs and drop houses. They see their wages depressed by greedy business owners who exploit an illegal work force. This law will also have a deterrent effect. Until the federal government wakes up to the crisis, illegal border crossers will at least be on notice to stay out of Arizona,” Pearce said.



County Attorney Andrew Thomas said “I greatly appreciate Sen. Pearce’s continuing efforts to reign in illegal immigration by giving law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to address this crisis. By strengthening our employer sanctions law, outlawing sanctuary city policies, and making it a crime to illegally immigrate into Arizona, this legislation would send a strong deterrent message to would-be illegal immigrants and the people who hire them.”



Sheriff Joe Arpaio stated, “This new legislation is very important given the fact that the federal government has moved to restrict my authority to enforce illegal immigration laws. Their recent action in doing so makes this legislation even more critical to ensure that state laws are in place so I can continue to do my job.”



Officer Mark Spencer, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association stated, “It’s never wrong to support the rule of law. Phoenix Police officers see a clear connection between illegal immigration and the quality of life in the city of Phoenix. When it comes to illegal immigration, rank and file Phoenix police officers have paid a heavy price protecting our communities. Over 80 percent of PLEA members are supportive of legislation that gives them the discretionary ability to enforce immigration statutes.”



Pearce shifted his plan to address this crisis from a call for an immediate special session to filing a citizen’s initiative and letting the voters decide. He remains open to tackling it in a special session or in the regular session that begins in January. He is pleased to have the support of the Governor’s Office to end these illegal practices.



Supporters of this legislation include the following members of the Arizona Legislature:

Rep. Frank Antenori

Rep. Cecil Ash

Rep. Ray Barnes

Rep. Andy Biggs

Rep. Judy Burges Rep. Steve Court

Rep. Rich Crandall

Rep. Sam Crump

Rep. Doris Goodale

Rep. David Gowan

Rep. Laurin Hendrix

Rep. John Kavanagh

Rep. Debbie Lesko

Rep. Lucy Mason

Rep. Nancy McLain

Rep. Steve Montenegro

Rep. Rick Murphy

Rep. Warde Nichols

Rep. Franklin Pratt

Rep. Michele Reagan

Rep. Carl Seel

Rep. David Stevens

Rep. Andy Tobin

Rep. Jerry Weiers

Rep. Jim Weiers

Rep. Vic Williams

Rep. Steve Yarbrough

Sen. Sylvia Allen

Sen. Bob Burns

Sen. Ron Gould

Sen. Linda Gray

Sen. Jack Harper

Sen. John Huppenthal

Sen. Al Melvin

Sen. Jonathan Paton

Sen. Steve Pierce

Sen. Thayer Verschoor

Sen. Jim Waring



Additional supporters of the “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” include:

Latest poll: 89 percent of the public
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio
Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas
Mark Spencer, president, Phoenix Law Enforcement Association
Ed Tuffly, Local 2544 president, National Border Patrol Council
Brian Fieros Thomas Hardie, Local Union No. 394 Plasterers' and Cement Masons
Arizona Republican Party by a unanimous resolution
Rob Haney, Maricopa County Republican Party Chairman
Tom Husband, Maricopa County Republican Party executive director
Sandy Doty, member-at-large, Maricopa County Republican Party
Pinal Co. Sheriff Babeu
Mohave Co. Sheriff Sheahan
Yavapai Co. Sheriff Waugh
Cochise Co. Sheriff Dever
Gila Co. Sheriff Armer
Navajo Co. Sheriff Clark
Graham Co. Sheriff Allred
Greenlee Co. Sheriff Tucker
The Maricopa Deputy's Law Enforcement Association
Arizona Highway Patrol Association
Bryan Stoller, Arizona Fraternal Order of Police
Col. Albert Rodriguez , president of You Don't Speak for Me
Arizona African American Republican Club
Arizona Republican Assembly
Anna Gaines, president, American Citizens United
NAILEM
The Pachyderms
9-11 Families for a Secure America
United Sovereign America (USA)

Pearce Calls for Special Session

Pearce calls for special session to address illegal immigration crisis



WHAT:

Advocates of tougher illegal immigration laws will hold a press conference Wednesday urging Gov. Jan Brewer to call a special session to address the immigration crisis and recent attempts by the federal government to erode Arizona’s progress in combating this problem.



"If our leaders want to address the growing disdain, they must first restore trust with the American people. If you say you are going to secure our borders, then secure them, if you say we are going to enforce the law, then enforce it. If you take an oath of office, then keep it," declared Sen. Russell Pearce.



Surrounded by more than 200 police officers and other supporters, Sen. Pearce will unveil legislation that would outlaw all sanctuary cities policies and toughen sanctions on people in the country illegally. Specifics of the bill and a list of 35+ legislators and additional proponents will be distributed.


“We have seen sharp decreases in both crime and illegal immigration, which demonstrates that enforcement works. What we need to do now is safeguard that enforcement by making some much needed changes in state law,” Pearce said.




WHO:

Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio
Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas
J.D. Hayworth, talk radio show host, KFYI
Mark Spencer, president, Phoenix Law Enforcement Association
Arizona Fraternal Order of Police members
Hundreds of members of state and federal law enforcement, citizen groups, victims of violent crimes and other supporters



WHEN:

10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009



WHERE:

Arizona State Capitol, Senate lawn
1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix, Ariz.





###

AZ FACING MORE CUTS

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, a conservative Republican, inherited, as a result of the housing slump and a spending spree by Democrat former Governor, Janet Napolitano, a state government spending more then it was taking in. Hard, responsible, decisions had to be made and Brewer made them. She made the greatest cuts in state spending in Arizona history.

Brewer accepted reality however, budget cuts alone would not solve the budget crisis and let the Republican controlled legislature know that nothing was off the table, including the need for increased revenue to provide government services.

The governor sponsored a plan that was hailed by the Wall Street Journal as a budget breakthrough for state government and an alternative to the California tax and spend model. The plan would have repealed the hated tax on business property, would have provided one of the largest state corporate income tax cuts in the nation, from 6.97% down to 4.86% and cut all individual income tax rates by 6.6%. In exchange, the legislature would allow a one cent temporary sales tax increase to be referred to the voters. The temporary sales tax referral would have given the people of Arizona a say in how much they wanted to spend on government and would have only taken effect if they approved it.

Former U.S. Treasury economist Robert Carroll of the Tax Foundation claims that states with lower corporate tax rates have higher wages and more productivity. Small business also would have benefited from the lower rates, which would have allowed them to reinvest in their business.

Governor Brewer's plan was a, win-win, for Arizona and an agreement was reached with the Republican Caucus of both the House and the Senate to repeal the business property tax and cut the corporate and individual income tax rate in exchange for a referral to the voters of a temporary sales tax increase of one cent.

The Arizona House approved the agreement but two extremist in the Republican controlled Senate, Pamela Gorman and Ron Gould, who both claim to be Republican, broke ranks and voted with the Democrats against the sales tax referral and therefore killed the agreement.

Arizona now faces a $1,5 billion deficit for the FY 2010 and possibly a $3 billion deficit next year unless draconian cuts are made in state spending.

The governor's office has asked state agency directors to submit plans for a possible additional 15% cut in their budgets.

Some state agencies have reported what they would have to cut if budget cuts of 15% were required of their agencies because extremist in the legislature insist on cuts to close the state budget deficit.

According to a report in today's Arizona Republic.

The Arizona Department of Corrections would be forced to reduce its budget by $153 million. which would require;

* Early release of 13,000 prisoners.

* Reducing mandatory time served by 50 percent for most serious felonies,

* Closing the Arizona State Prison Complex at Douglas and the prisons at Globe, Fort Grant, and St. Johns,

* Laying off 1,500 employees.

In his letter to Brewer's budget director, Eileen Klein, DOC Director Charles Ryan explained, "Rewriting the criminal code and releasing thousands of prisoners is neither realistic nor in the best interest of public safety," and that , "Releasing thousands of prisoners because of the budget deficit will place the public at risk and is akin to turning our back on the law-abiding citizens of Arizona."

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality warned of increased noncompliance at landfills and bio-hazardous medical waste treatment facilities and reduced monitoring of pesticides entering the water systems in Arizona.

Arizona's universities, ASU, UofA and NAU, have already cut $231 million, or 21% of their state funding this year and estimate that a 15 % cut would equal an additional $135 million is cuts.

Regents President Ernest Calderon reported that, "We'd have to look at everything." Calderon explained that 15% was the equivalent of $1,300 in additional annual tuition charges per student or the elimination of 2,200 jobs.

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, (AHCCCS), would be forced to reduce its budget by $44 million and would have to eliminate its Kids Care program, which currently covers 46,957 children, who would lose their health insurance coverage.

The Department of Public Safety, (DPS), Director, Roger Vanderpool, during a radio interview today said he would have fever officers, resulting in longer response time to emergencies. He estimated 570 to 600 employee cuts.

We may have to suffer further cuts that may turn Arizona into a third world state and seriously hurt the Republican party in future elections for the legislature and the governor's office, but Senator Pamela Gorman, who is eyeing a Congressional seat and Senator Ron Gould, can always say they never voted for a tax increase or referral and are therefore champions of the taxpayer, of course what is good for Gorman and Gould comes first before; country, state, community or party, at least according to Gorman and Gould.


Bob Haran,
American Conservative Republican

Hayworth Considering Run Against McCain

According to a report in the Washington Post by Chris Cillizza, "former representative J.D. Hayworth is weighing a candidacy against Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) in 2010, according to sources familiar with his thinking. Hayworth, a former sportscaster who spent more than a decade in Congress before he was defeated in 2006 by Rep. Harry Mitchell (D), is a popular figure among grassroots conservatives -- a status McCain has never courted or achieved. McCain already faces a primary challenge from Chris Simcox, a founder of the Minutemen -- a leading anti-immigration group. While there is considerable resentment from some grassroots conservatives toward McCain, it's not clear that he is vulnerable to a primary challenge. McCain ended June with $4.65 million in the bank."

GOP NEEDS BUCKLEYS Not BIRTHERS & GLENN BECK

OPINION

By Will Munsil - ASU

I begin by clarifying objectives: Like you, I desire a vibrant, intellectually serious, politically ascendant conservatism.

In political debates, we are often grateful for aid, from wherever it may come. But in the current struggle — a necessary one, I hasten to add — against the political agenda of President Barack Obama, too many conservatives have fallen to the temptation to find no enemies to the Right.

This has meant we have accepted, tacitly or explicitly, the aid of Glenn Beck, Orly Taitz, Michael Savage and the thousand anonymous lunatics called “Birthers” who maintain, clear evidence to the contrary, that Obama was born elsewhere, and serves in violation of the Constitution.

We have accepted, tacitly or explicitly, the Godwin’s Law-flaunting ravings of those who would compare the president, with clever ambiguities, to certain historical dictators.

We have accepted the metaphor of politics as war, and we have accepted that we must fight, as in war, with whatever weapons are at hand.

It’s easy enough to denounce the insane ranting of the Birthers, and we should. They destroy our credibility and damage our better arguments against the president’s agenda.

But we must also realize that many of the voices that have led conservatism in the past are not the voices that must lead it into the future.

William F. Buckley, the man most responsible for creating the intellectual movement that flounders today, was once faced with a familiar choice. Before Bush, before Reagan, and even before Goldwater, he was confronted with the dilemma of the John Birch Society.

The members of the society, to draw an easy modern comparison, were the Birthers of the 1960s. They were convinced that 60 to 80 percent of the American government was communist, that Eisenhower had been their agent and that anyone who did not accept these arguments was a willing accomplice to the Soviets.

Buckley treated them like the menace they were, writing what he termed a “five thousand word excoriation” of them in National Review.

We can cast out our Birchers, but where are our Buckleys?

Unlike in the 1960s, there is an intellectual void in conservatism. The market has spoken, and in many ways we have the leaders we deserve. Our side of the debate is driven by Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, the aforementioned Beck and by whichever congressman has most recently insulted the president. This is not to say these are bad people, or even that they’ve never contributed to the movement.

It is simply to say that a vibrant, intellectually serious, politically ascendant conservatism needs new voices, and that a modern American conservatism must take a new shape.

True conservatism, winning conservatism, is not afraid of argument. It is not angry or shrill. It does not call names. It does not denigrate the intellect. It is calm and measured. It is passionate in defense of great truths, yet reasonable in small differences.

We will discover new voices, ones that speak the language of our changing country instead of shouting at it for changing.

Until then, we race into uneasy exile when our country needs us most.

Reach Will at wmunsil@asu.edu.

TRENT FRANKS UNDER ATTACK

By Helaine Chersonsky
　
Liberal blog, Huffington Post, attacked Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ)
for comments Franks made at last weekend's "Take Back America" conference held in St. Louis, MO. The conference was sponsored by the American Family Association.

Franks criticized President Barack Obama's first act as president when he sent taxpayer money to fund abortions in other countries "in the middle of a financial meltdown."

The blog has posted a video on its site showing Franks' remarks about Obama.
Franks, who is staunchly pro-life, said if a president would prioritize abortion to that extent "there's almost nothing that you should be surprised at after that."
　

AZ Judge Blocks Pro-Life Laws

From the Center for Arizona Policy.

September 30, 2009

State Court Stops New Abortion Measures from Taking Effect!

Late Tuesday, Maricopa County Judge Donald Daughton agreed with Planned Parenthood and decided that key provisions of Arizona's new abortion laws should not go into effect as scheduled on September 30. The judge gave no reasons for his decision but simply accepted Planned Parenthood's assertion that portions of the law should not be enforced while the lawsuit continues. Judge Daughton further denied our motion to intervene in the lawsuit.

For now, the judge's ruling has the following result:
Non-doctors like nurse practitioners may continue to perform first trimester surgical abortions.
Women do not have a right to an in-person consultation with a doctor 24 hours before having an abortion.
A parent's consent to their minor daughter's abortion does not have to be notarized.
Arizona's law granting rights of conscience protection does not cover abortion medication or pharmacists and pharmacy owners.

Judge Daughton's ruling, however, does allow these provisions to go into effect:


24-hour waiting period after the woman is provided information by a "qualified staff member" (although not necessarily in person), including the name of the doctor performing the abortion, the nature of the procedure, its risks and alternatives.
Women cannot be coerced into having an abortion.
Women cannot be forced to pay for an abortion before the 24-hour waiting period.
Women have a right to sue if the information is not provided.
Parents have a right to sue if the abortion clinic violates the parental consent statute.

In contrast, U.S. District Judge David Campbell in the federal case filed by Center for Reproductive Rights issued a 23-page ruling that abortion advocates had not met the legal standard for him to keep the law from being enforced.


We are very disappointed that Judge Daughton appeared to give little consideration to the needs of women considering an abortion. The blocked provisions are common sense regulations intended to protect the rights of women, parents, and health care professionals. Yesterday's rulings, however, are only "Round 1" in what promises to be a long legal battle.


CAP and our allies will continue to work to defend and protect these laws in their entirety. Now is not the time to grow weary or faint. Rather, it is the time to persevere. We very much appreciate your partnering with us to defend these laws.

SHERIFF"S OFFICE COLLARS 40 ILLEGALS IN 4 HOURS

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), has reported that they arrested 40 illegal aliens during a four hour human smuggling saturation patrol in the North Valley Tuesday night. The arrest were made during four separate traffic stops near Anthem Way under the 287g agreement between the federal government and MCSO.

Those arrested last night admitted to paying between $1,000 to $5,000 for illegal entry into the United States from Mexico.

25 of those arrested by sheriff's deputies were taken into custody under Arizona human smuggling charges, which is a class four felony. The remaining 15 illegal aliens were arrested and processed by the sheriff's office and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The MCSO reported that Tuesday night's arrest bring the total booked under Arizona human smuggling charges by sheriff's deputies to 1,637 since the state law was enacted.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio commented on recent reports that claim the flow of illegal aliens has slowed down into the United States but every time his deputies have gone out they have had no problem making numerous arrests in short periods of time.

One week ago deputies arrested four illegal aliens from The People's Republic of China originating from Beijing.

Arpaio stated that a decision has not yet been made on whether or not the controversial 287g contract will be renewed as the deadline for signing is rapidly approaching.

THE OBAMA MALAISE

By Helaine Chersonsky

I have worked consistently during the past 30 years as a journalist, corrections officer for the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections, and for an airline. Each time I was out of work, I quickly found another job within various professions and organizations. Not this time; not during Obama/Time. For the past five years I had a job I loved- working for an airline. I loved wearing our new, classy uniforms, loved helping people get to their destinations, both domestic and internationally, loved the customer interaction. Now I am on furlough from my job at the T. F. Green Airport in Providence, R. I.; a product of the general malaise throughout the economy; not as many people are flying, and business travel has dipped way down. So, I am laid off , along with the other 14.5 million Americans. (This figure was published in the September 27th issue of the New York Times, under the article “U.S. Job Seekers Exceed Openings by Record Ratio,” by Peter S. Goodman.)
.
Yesterday, was the Jewish High Holiday of Yom Kippur; I observed the holiday by going to services at conservative Temple Beth Israel and visiting my cousins, who have a jewelry store in Waltham, MA on Moody Street. My two uncles started the string of medium-priced jewelry stores over 60 years ago, after they came back from serving in the Pacific Theater in World War II. I know the business struggled at first; their first store in Marlboro didn’t do as well as their second larger store in Waltham. The Moody Street store took off, and served as the launching pad for other stores on Arsenal Street in Watertown, Burlington and Peabody.

The Waltham and Arsenal street stores are holding their own, but my cousin Bobby, who manages the Waltham store along with my other cousins said when ObamaCare gets passed, that will mean a tax increase for the store, plus added insurance costs. Think more layoffs throughout America, especially in small businesses, once the ObamaCare Express begins in earnest.

There is a general sense of unease now that some people can't put their fingers on similar to the Carter year’s misery index throughout the 1970's. We‘re not through yet because Obama/Management hasn't yet hit . I have a sense that the recession/depression hasn’t dropped yet. It’s as if the country is holding its breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop. The real effect of the recession is holding off, I guess, until Obamacare is passed, then businesses will take a look at the tax bite the health care bill will take out of them and lay off more people. Then the malaise index will rise; the middle class will again feel the squeeze of recession and Massachusetts liberals will blame the last eight years of the Bush presidency for it all.

Sheriff Joe Fights Back

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio seems to be getting a little tired of being under attack by the Arizona Republic and instead of surrendering to those that by ink by the barrel, he has decided to take the bull by the horns and wrote a Special to the Republic article fighting back.

What follows is Sheriff Joe's Special to the Republic.
The real witch hunt is vs. Sheriff's Office
by Joe Arpaio - Sept. 26, 2009 12:00 AM
Special for the Republic

The Arizona Republic's editorial on Wednesday suggests that the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office should be removed from the investigation of Don Stapley because of a political dispute between the Board of Supervisors member and myself ("Sheriff must be removed from Stapley case").

What nonsense.

As usual, the paper's Editorial Board fails to mention some very pertinent points that run contrary to their assertions.

First, the Maricopa County Anti-Corruption Enforcement Unit was started by County Attorney Andrew Thomas and me in 2007 with the aim of fighting political corruption and white-collar crime.

It is the duty of both offices to follow up on any and all leads pointing to the possibility of such crimes.

Turning their backs on information out of political favor to a fellow elected official would be tantamount to dereliction of duty.

Additionally, our offices are not the only law enforcement agencies to investigate elected officials.

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, a Democrat and apparent darling of The Arizona Republic Editorial Board, over the years has also investigated several of Arizona's elected Republican officials for various crimes.

Goddard's investigations often were not earth-shaking. Charges were minor, many were reduced, and still other cases were found not guilty. Why doesn't The Arizona Republic shame Goddard for his poor record as it so willingly does County Attorney Thomas and me?

The newspaper also makes the claim in its editorial that I only go after my political enemies, such as County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, former county schools Superintendent Sandra Dowling, Stapley and Goddard.

The fact of the matter is this: None of these officials were my adversaries when the investigations against them launched. To say that each one was a friend of mine would go too far; it's true, because in politics, a person has no friends. But they were by no means my enemies.
The paper also makes the claim that my deputies went after Dowling on a Sunday morning, replete with armored SWAT team members and three helicopters. The search warrant was executed on a Wednesday evening, not a Sunday morning; there were no armored SWAT members present and no sheriff's helicopters were called to the scene. The fact is that the Dowling case was indicted by Goddard, with the final decision being made by prosecutors. It was not my doing.

The paper constantly criticizes me for orchestrating political witch hunts, and yet it fails to write about what a huge political witch hunt is now going on against me. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice are investigating me and my office. Why? Because politically they disagree with how I enforce illegal-immigration and corruption laws in Maricopa County.

The Arizona Republic has joined forces in the witch hunt and has printed numerous misleading headlines, editorial commentaries and negative news articles relating to illegal-immigration and corruption cases.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander, except at The Arizona Republic, where writers and editors always make me out as the evil villain of Maricopa County. They have done this now for 17 years, and sadly, there is no end in sight.


Joe Arpaio is sheriff of Maricopa County

A COURAGEOUS GOVERNOR

Bill McCune is a broadcaster, documentary maker and former Arizona legislator. In the Opinions Section of Today's Republic, McCune authored a Special to the Republic titled, "Brewer's Valor Merits Spot in History Books."

There is a difference between today's politicians and yesterday's political leaders. This article shines a light on the problem with today's political community. Too many politicians put themselves first and the good of the country and community last. Politics has become more of a business then a public service. The only concern our current crop of elected officials seem to have is how to get re-elected.. Public policy is being determined by campaign contributions and public opinion polls and not the public good. And powerful special interest have learned who to contribute to and how to manipulate public opinion to get what they want.

Where have all the statesmen gone?

In this last season of the Arizona Legislature, some members have been guided by dogma instead of practicality, theory over reality, and a pledge to a protegee of corrupt political operative Jack Abramoff, Grover Norquist, over doing what Arizona must do to close a devastating budget gap.

What follows is the full article by Bill McCune .


Brewer's Valor Merits Spot in History Books.
by Bill McCune, September 22, 2009.

Other then some political TV reporting, I have not spent time at the Legislature since I left the state Senate in January 1977. My focus has been Arizona history and the 80-odd documentary projects I've produced.

This year, however, the Legislature captured my attention - and not in a good way. It makes my mind wander back and remember others who had qualities quite in contrast:

I was in awe of Sandra Day O'Connor and Burton Barr as they worked to create a school-tax equalization law.

I remember legislators such as David Kret of Scottsdale and John Wettaw of Flagstaff.
Brillant! Tom Goodwin of Tucson made the University of Arizona Medical School happen. And Howard Adams, himself quadriplegic, gave Arizona its emergency-medical services and put paramedics into every fire department.

Every name I mentioned was a "conservative" Republican.

Now, we turn to that sad aggregation of today's legislative leadership. I wonder if any of the landmark legislation mentioned above would have been approved by the current cast. "Too expensive," So much for Arizona's future.

"Gotta get rid of government! What matters is this year's tax bills...and next year's election."

A real conservative takes a different approach:

Today, we struggle. We have to raise more revenue for a year or two perhaps. Revenue means taxes. It's the true conservative approach - balance the damn budget! It's in our Arizona Constitution.

And finally, this; if memory serves, Gov. Jan Brewer's very first political activity was campaigning door to door for my re-election to the House in 1972. Today, Jan and I would probably disagree on many issues. And that's just fine, for more importantly she has turned out to be a profile in courage.

She has stood up for her righteous beliefs - for schoolchildren, for the mentally and physically challenged. And stood up to pay for it! This, in direct opposition to the small-minded powers of her own angry party. Politically, she has everything to lose. And, indeed, may well lose it.

But in producing Arizona history documentaries, I've studied the political career of every Arizona governor. Never before has one so consciously chosen to stand up and be counted, come what may.

We are witnessing a courageous, historic moment in Arizona history.

DON STAPLEY ARRESTED

DON STAPLEY ARRESTED


Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies arrested Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley about 9:30 AM on 93 new felony counts relating to campaign fraud; including the use of campaign funds to pay personal bills.

Stapley was booked into the downtown fourth Avenue Jail for new allegations unrelated to his previous indictment which is currently being appealed, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office reported in a news release.

Today's arrest stems from an eight month investigation into Stapley's business and campaign accounts. Sheriff Joe Arpaio said this new investigation began as a result of information uncovered by his deputies earlier this year.

"Our investigation began in January of this year and concluded just days ago, on September 11, 2009. After a brief supervisory review of the investigation, deputies were able to locate Stapley and arrested him," Arpaio said.

The 93 felony and 7 misdemeanor allegations are for fraudulent schemes involving his mortgage and loan businesses, campaign account fraud, tax return fraud and campaign fraud which allege Stepley used campaign funds to pay personal bills and pad personal accounts.

Stapley currently is in jail and scheduled for arraignment this afternoon.

McCain a Little ACORN

This was discovered on Facebook from Michelle Malkin's Blog, it shows how changable Sen. John McCain can be.


Sigh: McCain and his friends at…ACORN
By Michelle Malkin • October 13, 2008 01:14 PM
If you want to know why see-sawing John McCain has had to be goaded, prodded, begged, and dragged into spotlighting Barack Obama’s radical ACORN roots, here’s your answer:

Turns out John McCain had no problem calling ACORN members his friends during his ill-fated illegal alien shamnesty crusade.

Ugh.

Here’s a February 2006 press release trumpeting McCain’s appearance at a pro-shamnesty rally organized by a coalition led by ACORN. As the release notes, he made a second appearance for the group in NYC. Read it and gag:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Major Rally in Miami to Support Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Senator John McCain and many others to speak at the rally at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus

Miami, Florida – February 20, 2006 ― Leaders from a diverse array of sectors will hold a rally in Miami on Thursday, February 23, 2006, in support of comprehensive immigration reform in an effort to keep immigration reform at the forefront of the public debate. Leaders from both political parties, immigrant communities, labor, business, and religious organizations will gather to call on Washington to enact workable reform.

The rally will feature Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) as the headline speaker along with elected officials, immigrants and key local and national leaders. Sen. McCain is one of the chief sponsors of the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act; bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform legislation introduced last Congress and scheduled for consideration by the Senate in the coming weeks. A similar rally with Sen. McCain is planned for New York City on February 27.

WHO: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL.), and immigrant, religious, community, business and labor leaders.

WHAT: Comprehensive Immigration Reform Rally

WHEN: Thursday, February 23, at 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Miami Dade College – Wolfson Campus

Chapman Conference Center
Bldg 3000
300 NE 2nd Avenue

EDITOR’S NOTE: Miami Press Availability: Sen. McCain will be available for interviews starting at 4:15 p.m. on location, Feb. 23.

The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act was introduced in the Senate by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and John McCain (R-AZ) and in the House by Representatives Jim Kolbe (R-AZ), Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Luis Gutierrez (D-IL). It addresses border security and illegal immigration while bringing the 11 million undocumented immigrants out from the shadows and onto a path to legal permanent status; setting up legal channels and realistic caps for workers and family members to enter in the future; providing for tough enforcement; and enabling more immigrants to learn English and prepare for citizenship.

The rally in Miami is being sponsored by the New American Opportunity campaign (NAOC) in partnership with ACORN, Catholic Legal Services – Archdiocese of Miami, Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Miami Dade College, People for the American Way/Mi Familia Vota en Acción, Service Employees International Union, and UNITE HERE.

ACORN is now gleefully reminding McCain of his common cause with the group to paint itself as bipartisan — while at the same time issuing the usual strident, anti-conservative statements that ought to be immediate grounds for revoking its non-profit tax status.

“I’ll rely on people to judge me by the company that I keep,” McCain said in February.

That’s not working out so well now, is it?

VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL EXHIBIT COMING TO AZ

"All Gave Some - Some Gave All"

A replica of "The Wall," as Vietnam vets refer to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., will be on display in Phoenix, Arizona at the Phoenix Memorial Park located at 200 W. Bearsley Rd in north Phoenix.

Free and open to the public 24 hours a day from Friday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Sept. 20, the replica's black reflective surface is inscribed with the names of the more then 58,000 American who gave their lives or are still listed as missing in action during the Vietnam War.

The three day exhibit is sponsored locally by Phoenix Memorial Park and VFW Post 9400.

"The monument was created as a service to those who might never travel to the nation's capital to experience the Vietnam Veterans Memorial firsthand," said Dan Salter, director of Dignity Memorial providers in the Phoenix area. Our replica offers visitors a chance for healing and reflection, we are very pleased to be able to share it with the community." he said.

The exhibit will open to the public Friday, Sept 18. Opening ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m.

On Saturday, Sept 19. a sunset POW/MIA ceremony will include a candlelight vigil and the reading of the names of prisoners of war and those missing in action, MIA.

Closing Ceremonies will begin at 2:45 p.m. Sunday , Sept. 20 with a motorcycle salute to Vietnam veterans and will conclude with the burial of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Vault of items and memorabilia left at the exhibit . The burial ceremony will include a 12-gun salute and the playing of taps.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington is the most visited National Park Service site.

Each year the replica crisscrosses the country , allowing millions of visitors to see and touch its black, mirror-like surface inscribed with the names of those who gave their all in Vietnam.

After Phoenix, the exhibit will be on display in Houston, Texas.

ANGRY ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST IN D.C.

Anti-Government Demonstration Draws Tens of Thousands to D.C.

By Emma Brown and James Hohmann
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, September 12, 2009 2:52 PM



Conservative protesters by the tens of thousands crowded outside the U.S. Capitol on Saturday, a massive demonstration aimed at stopping what organizers called the over-expansion of the federal government under the Obama administration.

"Hell hath no fury like a taxpayer scorned," declared Andrew Moylan, head of government affairs for the National Taxpayer Union, urging protesters to call their representatives. "You're being ignored today by the media and some politicians."

The crowd -- loud, rambunctious and sprawling -- gathered at the foot of the Capitol after a march along Pennsyvania Avenue from Freedom Plaza. Invocations of God and former President Reagan by the an array speakers drew loud cheers, echoing across the Mall. On a windy, overcast afternoon, hundreds of yellow "Don't Tread on Me" flags flapped in the breeze, mingled with U.S. and Texas state flags.

"We own the dome," the crowd chanted loudly, pointing at the Capitol.

Estimates of the number of protesters varied widely but about 30,000 people have registered online for the march, according to one of the rally's sponsors, FreedomWorks, a Washington-based group headed by former House majority leader Dick Armey (R-Tex.).

"You will not spend the money of our children and our grandchildren to feed an overstuffed government," Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) said of the Obama administration, drawing loud cheers from the throng on the west side of the Capitol.

"Our history is decorated by those who endured the burden of defending freedom," Price said. "Now a new generation of patriots has emerged. You are those patriots."

FreedomWorks and other sponsors, including Tea Party Patriots and ResistNet, comprise a loose coalition of conservative groups that helped organize several health-care and anti-tax rallies during the spring and summer.

At the Federal Triangle Metro stop, demonstrators emerged from packed trains and broke into a rendition of "God Bless America" as they rode escalators to the street.

"Nobody's standing up for us, so we have to stand up for ourselves," said Phil Chancey, 66, who drove to the District from Clinton, Tenn., for the rally. The sign he carried, deriding the president health-care reform plan, read, "OBAMACARE MAKES ME SICK."

Participants in the demonstrations span the spectrum of conservative anger at Obama, including opponents of his tax, spending and health-care plans and protesters who question Obama's U.S. citizenship and liken his administration to the Nazi regime. By 11 a.m., the route between Freedom Plaza and the Capitol was a sea of demonstrators chanting "USA!" and carrying signs such as, "Taxed enough already," "The audacity of dope" and, "Czars belong in Russia."

Most signs were hand made: "Socialism is UnAmerican," "King George Didn't Listen Either!" "Terrorists Won't Destroy America, Congress Will!" "The American Dream R.I.P."

Debbie Wilson, 51 of Apollo Beach, Fla., flew to Washington last Sunday to make a week out of the protest. She drove to colonial Williamsburg in a rented car.

"We want our country to go back to the roots of doing what our Founding Fathers wanted us to do -- less government in every aspect of my life," she said. "We walked the streets of Williamsburg, and it felt like we were learning how to be a patriot."

Dozens of signs mentioned Rep. Joe Wilson, (R-S.C.), who jeered at Obama during his health-care speech to Congress on Wednesday night. Dee Meredith, 62 of Callao, Va., said she had never of Wilson before he shouted at the president, "You lie!" At the rally, Meredith waved a placard: "Thank You Joe Wilson."

"We're the forgotten people, and he's given us a voice," she said.

When Armey, in his address to the crowd, referred to Obama having pledged to uphold the Constitution, the protesters shouted at the president in absentia: "Liar! Liar!"

Jeff Mapps, 29, a stagehand and labor union member from South Philadelphia, left home about 6 a.m. to come to the protest. He said he hadn't been involved in previous Tea Party demonstrations, but he watches Fox News host Glenn Beck "all the time" and he wanted to be a part of something he thinks will be historic. Beck has been drumming up support for the march.

Holding a sign that said "Preserve, Protect, Defend" on a Red Line Metro train packed with conservative activists, Mapps fretted over a "blatant disregard for the Constitution."

"We've been watching it for six to eight months," he said. "It was finally an opportunity to get involved. It's been boiling over . . . It's not just about health care. It's about so much more than that."

Anna Hayes, 58, a nurse from Fairfax County, stood on the Mall in 1981 for Reagan's inauguration. "The same people were celebrating freedom," she said. "The president was fighting for the people then. I remember those years very well and fondly."

Saying she was worried about "Obamacare," Hayes said: "This is the first rally I've been to that demonstrates against something, the first in my life. I just couldn't stay home anymore."

Like countless others at the rally, Joan Wright, 78 of Ocean Pines, Md., sounded angry. "I'm not taking this crap anymore," said Wright, who came by bus to Washington with 150 like-minded residents of Maryland's Eastern Shore. "I don't like the health-care [plan]. I don't like the czars. And I don't like the elitists telling us what we should do or eat."

UPDATE: 9/13/09 05:11

NBC Evening News last night reported crowds in Washington, D.C. to be in the hundreds of thousands and a sea of people stretching from the U.S. Capitol to the White House.