LIAR, LIAR - GOP Candidate Lies to GOP, Supported Clinton

LIAR, LIAR -
GOP Candidate Lies, Supported Hillary Clinton

By Bob Haran

At a candidate forum for the Arizona House on Monday night, (July 26), in Legislative District 6, I asked the five candidates that showed up if any of them had contributed to any liberal, pro-abortion cause or Democrat candidates like Hillary Clinton in the past ten years? And yes, I specifically said Hillary Clinton. All five candidates; John Adam Kowalski, Amanda Reeve, Steve Kaiser, David Fitzgerald lll, and Carl Seel, all in turn adamantly responded NO to my question.

After asking my question, a lady asked me if I knew the answer my question, I responded with a simple "YES."

One of the five candidates for the Republican nomination for the Arizona House of Representatives, all who claim to be strongly conservative, pro-life, and a life long Republican, had just lied to the District 6 Republican Precinct Committeemen.

Unlike some other political blogs, The American Conservative Republican likes to verify information before we publish it.

A reliable source, (which means someone I know but who's name I will keep confidential), E-mailed me a copy of Federal Elections Commission form 3, (REPORT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS) for the "Friends of Hillary" committee dated 10/15/2005. On page 584 of the report under item B was the name of a contributor as David Fitzgerald lll, mailing address 4530 W. Misty Lane, Glendale, AZ 85310-3901, name of employer as SELF, Occupation Real Estate Broker, Date of Receipt 9/15/2005, amount of receipt $250.00.

It might be possible that two people in Arizona in the real estate business might have the name David Fitzgerald lll, therefore, I had to verify that this was the same David Fitzgerald lll running for the Arizona House as a Republican in LD6.

The Arizona Corporation Commission -- Corporations Division, had a listing for a David E Fitzgerald lll with the address as 4530 W Misty Willow Ln, Glendale, 85310 listed as the President/CEO of Success One Realty Inc and a Yukari Fitzgerald of the same address, listed as the Secretary of Success One.

So far I have proved that the David Fitzgerald lll listed in the FEC report is the same David E Fitzgerald lll listed with the Arizona Corporation Commission. However, is this the same Fitzgerald running for office in LD 6?

The Arizona Capitol Times 2010 Primary Elections Guide has a listing of all candidates for the Arizona legislature. Under Arizona House District 6 is Fitzgerald, David (Republican), OCCUPATION: Broker/owner, Success One Realty, since 1998. MARTIAL: Married (Yukari, loan officer).

The information therefore has been verified, the David Fitzgerald III that contributed $ 250 to the Hillary Clinton campaign for the United States Senate from New York on 9/15/2005 is one and the same as the David Fitzgerald currently running for the Republican nomination for the Arizona House of Representatives from LD 6 and he did in fact publicly lie to the Republican Precinct Committeemen and others at a candidates forum on July 26 at the Deer Valley Airport Restaurant in regard to making a contribution to any Democrat candidate like Hillary Clinton in the past ten years.

In the interest of fair play, the Chairman of District 6, Larry Gorman, contacted David Fitzgerald to offer him an opportunity to respond, David Fitzgerald asked that the following statement be distributed.

"As a Republican candidate for House in LD6, I would like to make sure that PCs are able to contact me directly to answer any questions they might have. To all PCs (and all constituents!) in LD6, please feel free to contact me anytime on my cell phone at 480-688-8217"

A very interesting response, I wonder what his explanation will be, they always have an explanation. Maybe he can claim temporary insanity or he didn't understand the question.

David Fitzgerald is running on a slate with Lori Klein and Carl Seel.

Lori Klein, who claims to be pro-life, was discovered to have made a contribution to the pro-abortion WISH LIST and to have been convicted for drunk driving last year.

Carl Seel, who is running a publicly funded campaign, has just completed his first term in the Arizona House and submitted 46 bills, not one of which was passed into law. It was recently reported that he is being sued by a Pay-Day Loan company for writing them a bad check.

Amazingly, Klein, Seel and Fitzgerald have all been endorsed by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who claims to be America's toughest sheriff.

We have no word if Hillary Clinton will be endorsing the Klein, Seel, Fitzgerald slate.

BREWER on SB 1070, "I will fight all the way to the Supreme Court"

Statement by Governor Brewer on Federal Court decision.

July 28, 2010

“This fight is far from over. In fact, it is just the beginning, and at the end of what is certain to be a long legal struggle, Arizona will prevail in its right to protect our citizens. I am deeply grateful for the overwhelmingly support we have received from across our nation in our efforts to defend against the failures of the federal government.

“I have consulted with my legal counsel about our next steps. We will take a close look at every single element Judge Bolton removed from the law, and we will soon file an expedited appeal at the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

“For anyone willing to see it -- the crisis is as clear as is the federal government’s failure to address it.

“The judge herself noted that the stash houses where smugglers hide immigrants from Mexico before bringing them into the country's interior have become a fixture on the news in Arizona and that, ‘You can barely go a day without a location being found in Phoenix where there are numerous people being harbored."

“When I signed the bill on April 23rd, I said, SB 1070 – represents another tool for our state to use as we work to address a crisis we did not create and the federal government has actively refused to fix. The law protects all of us, every Arizona citizen and everyone here in our state lawfully. And, it does so while ensuring that the constitutional rights of ALL in Arizona are undiminished – holding fast to the diversity that has made Arizona so great.

“I will battle all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary, for the right to protect the citizens of Arizona. Meanwhile, I also know we still have work to do in confronting the fear-mongers, those dealing in hate and lies and economic boycotts that seek to do Arizona harm.

“We have already made some progress in waking up Washington. But the question still remains: will Washington do its job, and put an end to the daily operations of smugglers in our nation, or will the delays and sidesteps continue? I believe that the defenders of the rule of law will ultimately succeed with us in our demand for action

GORMAN ENDOSED BY ALAN KEYES

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Chris Baker 602-677-1380

ALAN KEYES ENDORSES PAMELA GORMAN FOR CONGRESS IN AZ-03

(Phoenix, AZ) Alan Keyes, Chairman of Conservative Majority PAC, announced his support for former Senator Pamela Gorman (R) in the crowded ten-way primary for Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District to replace retiring Congressman John Shadegg.

The Conservative Majority PAC states, “In the battle to preserve the rights and free institutions of the American people, we need sincere, principled leaders. We need those with the moral courage to assert and defend our God-given rights. Our purpose at Conservative Majority is to identify those good candidates for public office, and to return this nation to its foundational core.”

Of Gorman, specifically, Keyes says, “I believe there is one candidate in the Republican primary for Congress in (the 3rd) district who can truly help lead the effort to save America, if you will empower her to do so. That candidate is Pamela Gorman. “In a field of 10 Republican candidates, Keyes has chosen to back the proven conservative who has a solid record of leading on key conservative issues. He explained, “She knows that without respect for life, property and all the individual freedoms guaranteed under our Constitutional system of ordered liberty, tyranny triumphs.” He added, “Her record reflects the heart of a person who has the courage and the will to carry her convictions into public policy, in fulfillment of her sworn oath of office.”

Pamela Gorman said, “I am honored by this endorsement from Mr. Keyes. As an anti-establishment candidate, it is great to be recognized by a respected national figure for my leadership on key issues we share. Most notably we share a passion for furthering policies to defend the sanctity of life.” Keyes, a pro-life activist, was selected by President Reagan to negotiate the language of the Mexico City Policy, which withheld federal funds from international organizations that support abortion.

More information can be found on Pamela Gorman, candidate for U.S. Congress, at www.Gorman2010.com.
###

LORI KLEIN EXPLAINS DUI ARREST

In the Matter of Arizona V. Lori Klein.

On October 2 2008, Lori Klein, who is a candidate for the Republican nomination for the Arizona Senate from Legislative District 6, was arrested and charged with violating ARS 28-701.02A3, (speed exceeding 85 MPH); ARS 28 -1381A1, (DUI); and ARS 28- 1381A2 (DUI with Blood-Alcohol of .08 or More). In other words, this wannabe law-maker, was breaking the law and driving without regard to human life, at 85 MPH on public roads with a very high octane blood-alcohol level. Thankfully the police apprehended her before she killed or injured anyone.

After fighting the charges for over a year, Lori Klein was sentenced to 3 years probation; 1 day in jail which was served on 8/17/09; Alcohol Education with DUI Education, Treatment & Counseling with Court Support Services, which she completed on 10/28/2009; Ignition Interlock Device per MVD order and; Penalty Fees totaling $1,460.00, which she paid on 8/10/2009.

Now, Lori Klein has tried to explain away her irresponsible behavior on her campaign Web site under a section she calls "Lessons Learned."

From Lori Klein's Campaign Web Site
http://www.kleinforsenate.net/issues.html

Lessons Learned:

A couple of years ago, on my way home from an event, I was pulled over for speeding. The officer asked me if I had had anything to drink that night. I had two glasses of wine so I said "yes" and agreed to take a breathalyzer test. I wasn’t terribly concerned because I had consumed the glasses over a long period of time and I felt fine.

So you can imagine how I felt when he said that my blood alcohol content was at .08—the legal definition of a DUI. Stunned, shocked, and embarrassed just to start. As the mother of three teenaged boys, I always had imagined how I would handle it when the call came from them in the middle of night. Now I was the one making the phone call. It turns out that losing fifty pounds and being in ketosis, as well as having a slower metabolism is not a good combination if you are going to drink wine, even with dinner.

It only took me a short while to realize that as embarrassing as this was, I was actually quite lucky. I might not have felt impaired, but the limit is set at .08 for a reason, and the evening could very well have ended tragically for me, my family, or even someone else’s family.
Since that night, I’ve used the event to warn and teach my friends and family about the importance of not having even that first drink if you know you will be driving later on. Get a designated driver or order the iced tea.

Some people are surprised by my willingness to talk about this event, but what good is learning a lesson the hard way if you can’t share it and help others with the lesson learned? For more information on the dangers of drinking and driving, please visit http://www.drinkinganddriving.org/, and for information on how to talk to your kids about alcohol/drugs, please visit http://www.theantidrug.com/.

Paid for by Klein for Senate © 2010

It was also discovered that Ms. Klein has also contributed money to the pro-abortion WISH List, which is dedicated to electing pro-choice Republican women at all levels of government. WISH List also has very little regard for human life.

Klein, who is not a precinct committeemen in LD 6 is being strongly supported by Arizona Treasurer Dean Martin; former LD 6 representative and congressional candidate Sam Crump; and current LD 6 Arizona Representative Carl Seel.

Thankfully for Ms. Klein, she also has the support of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, just in case she lands in Tent City.

CARL SEEL - Bad Check Writer

According to a report published in the Arizona Capitol Times, a payday lender has had to sue Arizona Representative Carl Seel, R, LD 6, for a check that bounced.

Payday Loan Store of AZ # 341 filed a lawsuit against Seel on June 17, claiming that Seel bounced a check for $ 588.23, he had written to the lender to secure a loan.

Seel told the Yellow Sheet Report, a publication of the Arizona Capitol Times, that he was unaware the check had bounced or that he was being sued.

"I'll make good on it. I'm not going to leave them hanging," Seel said. "It's embarrassing. It shouldn't have happened."

Seel said he sought the payday loan earlier this year after his business, a small publishing company, began to suffer as a result of the economic downturn.

"A lot of people are struggling now, and I'm not immune to the economy," Seel said.

Stolen Valor Legal Says Fed Judge

EDITORIAL: Medals of Dishonor

Real heroes need to be distinguished from the fakes
By THE WASHINGTON TIMES

7:06 p.m., Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Attention, phony war heroes: Dust off those surplus uniforms and shine up those medals awarded by eBay. U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn has ruled that the Stolen Valor Act is an unconstitutional abridgment of your free-speech rights to deceive the public and dishonor those who actually did the heroic acts that you can only dream of doing.

Judge Blackburn, in a case before the District of Colorado over faux Marine Rick Glen Strandlof, ruled that the government lacked a compelling interest in abridging speech rights when it came to warrior impersonators. This is no G.I. Joke.

The Stolen Valor Act made it a misdemeanor for people to falsely claim "verbally or in writing, to have been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces of the United States." Congress thought the law was necessary because "fraudulent claims surrounding receipt of the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Air Force Cross, the Navy Cross, the Purple Heart, or any other medal or decoration awarded by Congress or the Armed Forces damage the reputation and meaning of these medals."

Counterfeiting is an apt analogy. The counterfeiter turns paper into wealth he did not earn, and in so doing dilutes the value of legitimate currency possessed by others. Service medals are akin to currency, but they are backed by blood, sweat and sacrifice. They are a form of recognition that has value because of the official regulations and honored traditions that govern the awards. Those who have earned the right to wear them, possess them or even say they were awarded them have acquired a tangible asset in the form of the respect bestowed on them by the public. Most recipients of military medals don't seek them, and many are unassuming about their awards after the fact. But the phonies seek only to profit from claiming to be among the ranks of these heroes. They impersonate specifically to seek gain in the same way the counterfeiter seeks to profit from making phony bills.

Fraudulent heroes devalue military medals in two ways. By making awards seem more common, they become less rare and seem more ordinary. If every veteran - or rather, imposter - claimed to have been awarded the Silver Star, the award would soon inspire the same awe and admiration as a Girl Scout Brownie's merit badge for basket-weaving. And when fakers are exposed, the disappointed public then looks with suspicion on genuine heroes. The phonies break the bonds of trust established by those who earned it. Heroes unjustly lose their repute; the public unfairly loses the opportunity to have heroes to emulate. In this way, the fakers assault the integrity of the military awards system itself.

It is in the government's compelling interest to defend the system established by Congress to render these official honors. The issue is not whether all lying should be made illegal; lying, with some notable exceptions, is protected speech under the Constitution. Acknowledging a special interest in safeguarding the military awards system is no more a slippery slope than the laws governing perjury, libel, slander and criminal fraud. If the government has an interest in recognizing valor at all, it also has an interest in seeing to it that valor is not cheapened.

A Purple Heart medal can be purchased online for less than $35. Compare that to the price paid by warriors who survived enemy attacks or who face a lifetime of disability from their wounds - or those who never make it back home. No matter what some confused judge thinks, honoring genuine heroism and sacrifice for America is a compelling interest.

Senate Rejects GOP Bid to Block Arizona Lawsuit

From the Arizona Republic

Our colleage Raju Chebium of the Gannett Washington Bureau contributed the following item.

WASHINGTON – A Republican bid to stop the federal government's lawsuit against Arizona’s
immigration law failed Wednesday.

The vote was 43-55 along mostly partisan lines.

Republican Sens. Jim DeMint of South Carolina and David Vitter of Louisiana sought to prohibit the White House from using federal funds to finance the lawsuit, which the U.S. Department of Justice filed earlier this month. The senators wanted to attach their measure to legislation extending unemployment benefits.

Before the vote, DeMint accused President Barack Obama's White House of trying to “intimidate” Arizona for seeking to enforce federal immigration law.

The federal government failed in its duty to secure the border and Arizona is merely trying to protect its citizens, DeMint said on the Senate floor, adding that the law doesn’t advocate racial profiling but expressly forbids it.

“This is something we know the American people – if they could vote here today – would vote in favor of,” DeMint said. “The question is will the majority vote to support the people of Arizona or to support this political move that we’re now seeing from the White House?”

The Justice Department argues that Arizona is violating the Constitution by trying to usurp the federal government's sole authority to regulate immigration. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to block the law from taking effect on July 29.

South Carolina has joined eight other states – Michigan, Alabama, Florida, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas and Virginia – and the Northern Mariana Islands in filing a legal brief supporting the Arizona law.

The Senate also rejected, by a vote of 39-59, a separate DeMint measure to permanently repeal a real estate tax that critics call the “death tax.”

Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl, both Arizona Republicans, voted for both DeMint proposals.

Erin Kelly of The Arizona Republic's Washington Bureau contributed to this report.

POLL FINDS BREWER, McCAIN WOULD WIN GOP PRIMARY - MARTIN, MILLS DROP OUT

A Behavior Research telephone poll conducted June 30 to July 11, indicates that incumbent Republican Governor Jan Brewer would win the GOP primary for governor with the support of 57% of Republicans and Independents who plan to vote in the GOP primary on August 24.

Arizona businessman Buz Mills, who contributed millions of dollars to his campaign, had the support of 12% of those planning to vote and Arizona Treasurer Dean Martin had the support of only 9%.

Jan Brewer has also been endorsed by the National Rifle Association, Arizona Right to Life and, both Arizona Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl.

Martin and Mills have boyh suspended their campaigns.

The sample of 236 registered Republicans and independents had a margin of error of 6.5 %.

Recent polling by Behavior Research also showed that Sen. John McCain would prevail over his two primary opponents; former Member of Congress and radio talk show host, J.D. Hayworth and, citizen candidate, businessman and tea party activist, Jim Deakin.

McCain had the support 64% of Republicans and GOP-leaning Independent voters. Hayworth had only 19 percent, Deakin had 5%, 12% are undecided.

In April Hayworth was at 28%.

McCain - Kyl Endorse Brewer

Arizona’s two Republican senators are endorsing Gov. Jan Brewer in the state’s gubernatorial primary, citing her defense of a new illegal immigration law currently being challenged by the Obama administration.

“There has been no stronger defender of the State of Arizona than Gov. Jan Brewer,” said Sen. John McCain in a joint statement with Sen. Jon Kyl. “From border security to health care to job creation, Gov. Brewer has consistently stood up for our state. Gov. Brewer continues to lead the fight against the Obama Administration’s frivolous lawsuit against Arizona’s immigration law.”
Kyl said that Brewer "has shown courage in fighting for the rights of Arizonans."

McCain, previously a champion of comprehensive immigration reform, has become more hawkish on border security in the face of his own tough primary contest against radio host J.D. Hayworth. He recently disagreed with Brewer’s statement that most illegal immigrants are “mules” being used to smuggle drugs into America, but lauded her overall handling of the immigration law. “I think the governor of Arizona has done a good job in this whole debate,” he said on NBC’s Meet the Press last month.

Brewer, who once struggled in her re-election bid, enjoyed a burst of popularity after the passage of the new law. She now leads in her contest against businessman Owen “Buz” Mills and political newcomer Matthew Jette in the lead-up to the August 24 primary election. State Treasurer Dean Martin bowed out of the race last week.

AZ Right to Life Endorses Brewer

Phoenix, AZ-

July 12, 2010 -

Arizona Right to Life Political Action Committee ("AZRTL PAC") today announces its endorsement of Jan Brewer in the Republican Primary for Arizona Governor.

AZRTL PAC endorses Jan Brewer because of her strong support of the pro-life cause over her 25 year political career. In just her first term as governor since being appointed in January of 2009, Governor Brewer signed eight pro-life bills into law that will help protect innocent human life in Arizona. Among those bills signed into law incude a ban of partial-birth abortions in Arizona and a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before an abortion can be performed. "Unlike her immediate predecessor, Governor Brewer has shown she truly cares about women and children by recognizing the importance of protecting all innocent life, including the unborn. For these reasons, AZRTL PAC strongly endorses Governor Brewer in the Republican Primary for Arizona Governor," according to Walt Opaska, Chairman of the AZRTL PAC.

Other pro-life bills signed by Governor Brewer include a ban on non-doctors performing surgical abortions, a bill that opts Arizona out of providing abortion coverage in any insurance exchanges offered under the new federal health care law and a prohibition on Arizona taxpayer dollars from being used to fund insurance coverage for elective abortions for government employees.

The Arizona Right to Life Political Action Committee is Arizona's oldest, largest, and strongest political pro-life organization. To learn more about Arizona Right to Life, please visit our website at www.arizonarighttolife.org

Sheriff Paul Babeu also Major Babeu, AZ National Gaurd.

July 11, 2010

from
http://www.nationalguard.com/

Guard Officer elected Sheriff in landslide vote

By Clint Wood
MAJ PAUL BABEU knows a thing or two about accepting new roles and challenges.
While attending Officer Candidate School (OCS), he remembers being told, “You shall seek and accept responsibility.”

The Arizona Army National Guard officer, who has nearly 20 years of service in the Guard, has embraced responsibility as both a Citizen- Soldier and a civilian. In the latter position, Babeu has served nearly a year as the sheriff of Pinal County, AZ, which measures approximately 5,400 square miles and is the fastest growing county in the U.S.

Asked why he chose to run for sheriff , 40-yearold Babeu, who became a police officer at 32, replied, “Because the organization was screwed up, and I knew I could do a better job than the sheriff .”

Despite Babeu being a republican in a democratic county, the voters agreed and he won by a “landslide”—about 8,000 votes. He was the first republican elected to office in Pinal County since its formation in 1875.

He feels one of the reasons for his election was that he shook hands and made eye contact with many of the county’s residents—a number estimated at 400,000.

“If you don’t believe in yourself and your own ability, nobody ever will,” he commented. Babeu is “leading” more than 700 employees in the sheriff’s office. Being responsible for so many people is nothing new to him, as he led between 400 and 1,000 Guard Soldiers as the Task Force Yuma commander during his 16-month Operation Jump Start tour. This operation saw Guard troops deployed along the U.S.-Mexico border to keep the borders safe.

Babeu remembers the first time he accepted a challenge: when he stepped off the bus for Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, GA.

Babeu, who served three years as an enlisted infantryman, practically grew up “bleeding Army green.” His father served in the Army during the Korean War, surviving a very low life expectancy rate in combat for the Soldiers on the frontline. At one point in Babeu’s Guard career, his three brothers served as well.

“I am an unabashed patriot,” said Babeu. “I’ve always loved and respected the military.”

BABEU LEADS TASK FORCE TO FAME

He was one of the most successful task force commanders of Operation Jump Start. Of the nine units, his achieved more than double the results of halting illegal border crossings.
Babeu said other task force commanders spent a lot of time attempting to learn why he was so successful.

BABEU’S CIVILIAN EDUCATION INCLUDES AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNOLOGY AND A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN HISTORY/POLITICAL SCIENCE.

“It’s all about people, and … leaders [need] to get over themselves,” he noted. “They need to focus on the mission. We did that right from the start.”

He said his mission intent was to maintain communication with the Border Patrol leaders, unlike the other task forces, who considered it a military operation. Included in this dialog was what each entity’s goals were.

He said he educated the patrol on what his task force brought to the table to benefit the patrol’s mission. He also challenged the patrol in tactics and procedures.

“There was a sense of trust that was developed so they didn’t take it in the wrong matter, and they ended up achieving results that they had never seen,” he explained.

He noted that some of the agents had served for more than 20 years and were “up to their eyeballs” in just trying to catch and release.

His task force’s direct support and cooperation with the U.S. Border Patrol resulted in a 74-percent reduction in illegal aliens crossing the border.

Babeu is still in contact with the two Arizona Border Patrol chiefs, and they have had conversations about the operation. One of these included how the cooperation with Babeu’s task force allowed the patrol to concentrate on other criminal activity, including human trafficking.
Babeu, who has been a commander for a combat engineer company, considers leading a task force during a domestic mission like Operation Jump Start as his “greatest privilege.”

LESSONS LEARNED

Babeu brings all his lessons learned in his Guard career to his role as sheriff. He said this responsibility is different than leading Soldiers, though. Everything the sheriffs office does affects nearly all of the citizens in the county.

“I tell my employees that everything we do must be driven by our desire to improve service to the public,” he explained.

And he communicates his intent to his charges at the sheriffs office just as he does to his Soldiers. “I always articulate and define very clearly what I expect from the department collectively,” he explained.

CHANGES WERE MADE

Before the citizens of Pinal County had a chance to remove their “Vote for Babeu” signs from their lawn, he was hard at work, making the changes he deemed necessary.
Some seemed insurmountable. His county has one deputy per 1,000 citizens. The national average is 2.2 deputies per 1,000. Babeu instituted a beat system, where each deputy was assigned a small area to oversee. This meant the deputy would become familiar with all the businesses and schools in his beat.

Babeu also ensured that about 500 of his employees, including him, were certified in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This process took time, but helped deliver his promise of making the county safer.

“Even if it takes a lot of effort, if we say we are going to do something, damn it, we are going to do it,” he noted.

This was just one example of the way Babeu “changed business” in the sheriff ’s office. But each time he made changes like this, he told the voters why—something he learned in the Guard, specifically, while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2004–2005.

He volunteered as an individual augumentee and was assigned to one of the 42nd Infantry Division’s aviation brigades.

Serving under the 42nd—or “Rainbow”— division was sort of a homecoming for Babeu, who was born and raised in North Adams, MA. He and his three brothers drilled with the division at the North Adams armory.

His duties in Iraq included being a human relations expert and public affairs officer. He excelled at increasing morale and handling Soldiers’ issues, including family and psychological issues.
Unlike most military units, whose leaders made decisions without telling the Soldiers why, his commander fully supported him listening to the Soldiers’ concerns and attempting to solve their problems. Naturally, they chose their chain of command in the process.

“Imagine if you have everybody on the same sheet of music fully believing in what you’re doing,” he said. “That we're accountable even to ourselves. That we’re working to improve our operations and what is most important to us is the Soldier. So many leaders talk that game and not as many follow through.”

Some officers were removed from their leadership positions because of their inability to take care of their Soldiers’ personal issues. Babeu, who said his leadership trait is having discipline in everything he does, kept a watchful eye on every leader. He especially reached out for mentoring from the stellar leaders.

“I tried to implement those life skills and leadership skills into my life,” he said.

NOT HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

One of these “skills” was spending holidays visiting his Soldiers or employees. Recently, this included “riding shotgun” with his deputies and shaking hands with every detention officer.
“When they can’t be with their family,” he explained, “they know their sheriff is there to say hello and ask how they’re doing.”

CAMPAIGN LIKE A MISSION

Babeu treated campaigning for sheriff as though it were a military mission. Every step was planned out. He feels policy is similar to a military plan. “It’s a dynamic, living, breathing plan like any mission or operation,” he commented.

He added that he spoke several times to the voters about his military experiences.
“Americans are proud of our military, so they get it. They understand that the best leadership in the country is a result of training in the military.“

His days at OCS helped, too. He is fulfilling the school’s intent at 110 percent.

Democrat Governors Concerned About Obama vs Arizona Lawsuit.

From The New York Times.

July 11, 2010

Governors Voice Grave Concerns on Immigration

By ABBY GOODNOUGH

BOSTON — In a private meeting with White House officials this weekend, Democratic governors voiced deep anxiety about the Obama administration’s suit against Arizona’s new immigration law, worrying that it could cost a vulnerable Democratic Party in the fall elections.

While the weak economy dominated the official agenda at the summer meeting here of the National Governors Association, concern over immigration policy pervaded the closed-door session between Democratic governors and White House officials and simmered throughout the three-day event.

At the Democrats’ meeting on Saturday, some governors bemoaned the timing of the Justice Department lawsuit, according to two governors who spoke anonymously because the discussion was private.

“Universally the governors are saying, ‘We’ve got to talk about jobs,’ ” Gov. Phil Bredesen of Tennessee, a Democrat, said in an interview. “And all of a sudden we have immigration going on.”

He added, “It is such a toxic subject, such an important time for Democrats.”

The administration seemed to be taking a carrot-and-stick approach on Sunday. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, in town to give the governors a classified national security briefing, met one-on-one with Jan Brewer, the Republican who succeeded her as governor of Arizona and ardently supports the immigration law.

About the same time as that meeting, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. said on a taped Sunday talk show that the Justice Department could bring yet another lawsuit against Arizona if there is evidence that the immigration law leads to racial profiling.

Ms. Brewer said she and Ms. Napolitano did not discuss the current lawsuit. Instead, in a conversation she described as cordial, they discussed Arizona’s request for more National Guard troops along the border with Mexico, as well as other resources.

The Democrats’ meeting provided a window on tensions between the White House and states over the suit, which the Justice Department filed last week in federal court in Phoenix. Nineteen Democratic governors are either leaving office or seeking re-election this year, and Republicans see those seats as crucial to swaying the 2012 presidential race.

The Arizona law — which Ms. Brewer signed in April and which, barring an injunction, takes effect July 29 — makes it a state crime to be an illegal immigrant there. It also requires police officers to determine the immigration status of people they stop for other offenses if there is a “reasonable suspicion” that they might be illegal immigrants.

The lawsuit contends that controlling immigration is a federal responsibility, but polls suggest that a majority of Americans support the Arizona law, or at least the concept of a state having a strong role in immigration enforcement.

Republican governors at the Boston meeting were also critical of the lawsuit, saying it infringed on states’ rights and rallying around Ms. Brewer, whose presence spurred a raucous protest around the downtown hotel where the governors gathered.

“I’d be willing to bet a lot of money that almost every state in America next January is going to see a bill similar to Arizona’s,” said Gov. Dave Heineman of Nebraska, a Republican seeking re-election.

But the unease of Democratic governors, seven of whom are seeking re-election this year, was more striking.

“I might have chosen both a different tack and a different time,” said Gov. Bill Ritter Jr. of Colorado, a Democrat who was facing a tough fight for re-election and pulled out of the race earlier this year. “This is an issue that divides us politically, and I’m hopeful that their strategy doesn’t do that in a way that makes it more difficult for candidates to get elected, particularly in the West.”

The White House would not directly respond to reports of complaints from some Democratic governors.

But David Axelrod, the president’s senior adviser, said on Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that the president remained committed to passing an immigration overhaul, and that addressing the issue did not mean he was ignoring the economy.

“That doesn’t mean we can’t have a good, healthy debate about the economy and other issues,” Mr. Axelrod said.

Mr. Obama addressed the economy last week during stops in Kansas City and Las Vegas, and has been calling on Congress to offer additional tax relief to small businesses.

And the heads of Mr. Obama’s national debt commission — Alan K. Simpson and Erskine B. Bowles — were on hand here on Sunday to press the economic issue.

The nation’s total federal debt next year is expected to exceed $14 trillion, and Mr. Simpson, a former Republican senator from Wyoming, and Mr. Bowles, a Democrat and the White House chief of staff under President Bill Clinton, offered a gloomy assessment if spending is not brought under control even more.

“This debt is like a cancer,” Mr. Bowles said. “It is truly going to destroy the country from within.”

Still, the issue of immigration commanded as much attention as anything here this weekend.
Ms. Brewer, who was trailed by television cameras all weekend, called the lawsuit “outrageous” and said the state was receiving donations from around the country to help fight it.
“I think Arizona will win,” she said, “and we will take a position for all of America.”

Immigration was not the only topic at the Saturday meeting between Democratic governors and two White House officials — Patrick Gaspard, Mr. Obama’s political director, and Cecilia Munoz, director of intergovernmental affairs. But several governors, including Christine Gregoire of Washington, said it was a particularly heated issue.

Ms. Gregoire, who does not face an election this year, said the White House was doing a poor job of showing the American public that it was working on the problem of illegal immigration.
“They described for me a list of things that they are doing to try and help on that border,” Ms. Gregoire said of the White House officials at the closed-door meeting. “And I said, ‘The public doesn’t know that.’ ”
She added, “We’ve got a message void, and the only thing we’re hearing is that they’re filing a lawsuit.”

Some Democrats also joined Republicans in calling for Congress to pass an immigration policy overhaul this year.
“There are 535 members of Congress,” said Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana, a Democrat. “Certainly somebody back there can chew gum and hold the basketball at the same time. This is not an either-or.”

Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico praised the Justice Department’s lawsuit, saying his fellow Democrats’ concerns were “misguided.”
“Policy-wise it makes sense,” said Mr. Richardson, who is Hispanic and who leaves office this year on term limits, “and Obama is popular with Hispanic voters and this is going to be a popular move with them nationally.”

Gov. Martin O’Malley of Maryland — a Democrat who voiced apprehension about the lawsuit in the private meeting, according to the two governors who requested anonymity — said in an interview that he supported it.

“The president doesn’t have control over some of the timing of things that happen,” Mr. O’Malley said. “When those things arise, you can’t be too precious about what’s in it for your own personal political timing or even your party’s timing. When matters like this arise, I think the president has to take a principled stand.”

But Mr. Bredesen said that in Tennessee, where the governor’s race will be tight this year, Democratic candidates were already on the defensive about the federal health care overhaul, and the suit against Arizona further weakened them. In Tennessee, he said, Democratic candidates are already “disavowing” the immigration lawsuit.

“Maybe you do that when you’re strong,” he said of the suit, “and not when there’s an election looming out there.”

Mr. Ritter of Colorado said he wished the Justice Department had waited to sue Arizona until after the law went into effect, to give the public a chance to see how difficult it would be to enforce.

“It’s just an easier case to make,” he said. “I just think that law enforcement officers are going to have a terribly difficult time applying this law in a constitutional way.”

Sheryl Gay Stolberg contributed reporting from Washington, and Katie Zezima from Boston.

Minuteman Founder Offers Support to Arizona & Brewer

Dear Governor Brewer,

You have the full and unconditional support of myself, and the Minuteman Project, regarding Arizona Senate Bill 1070.

I have read the Bill and find it fair, reasonable, and within the spirit of the rule of law.

The Minuteman Project offers its vehement support to SB 1070, Az. State Senator Russell Pearce, and to Governor Jan Brewer. If there is any way you would like the visible support and endorsement of me or the Minuteman Project, please contact us.

Thank you for your tireless efforts to preserve the United State of America as a civilized nation governed by the rule of law.

Sincerely Yours,

Signed by

Jim Gilchrist,
Founder/President - Minuteman Project

Proud to Serve My Country, By Rick Romley

Proud to Serve My Country

By Rick Romley

My parents taught me what it means to be of service to others. And they taught me that, other than family, perhaps nothing in life is more important.

I grew up in the sixties. It was a decade defined by political turmoil and Woodstock. I didn’t go to Woodstock. Instead, my best friend and I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps soon after graduating from high school. That was in April of 1968. Just four months later, I was through boot camp and infantry training and was on a military transport to Da Nang, Vietnam. Shortly thereafter, I was made a squad leader.

On the evening of April 6th of 1969, the squad leaders were called together and told that we would be doing a sweeping operation south of Marble Mountain. Da Nang had taken some artillery fire believed to be coming from that area and it needed to be stopped.

We began our mission the next morning, under beautiful blue skies. After nearly completing the mission, several of my fellow Marines went down. We took no gunfire, but there were land mines and booby traps, seemingly everywhere. After evacuating my fellow Marines, we continued our mission. We then hit another area of land mines. We lost a total of six Marines that day. While rushing to provide assistance and to reassign weaponry, a land mine exploded beneath me.

Although my active military service ended that day, I will never forget the young soldiers of my youth, including my best friend who joined the Marine Corps with me and was killed on a forgotten hill in the demilitarized zone in August, 1969. Many are gone now. Sadly, Vietnam veterans are dying at a faster rate than the veterans of previous wars. In so many ways, their sacrifices continue.

As we celebrate this Fourth of July, let's take a moment to pause and remember the sacrifices of the men and women in uniform who have fought and continue to fight for the freedoms we enjoy today. It is because of these men and women that our country, founded on the principles of freedom, liberty and justice, will be celebrating its 234th anniversary.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Fourth of July.

God Bless America.

Respectfully,Rick Romley

So Why Can't We Solve the Immigration Problem?

So Why Can't We Solve the Immigration Problem?


By Bob Haran;
American Conservative Republican

President Barack Obama says our immigration system is broken.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce in a statement they recently issued pointed out that the federal failure to enact immigration reform has thrust Arizona into a "divisive, emotionally charged environment that is tearing at the fabric of Arizona's sense of community and threatening the essence of our historically diverse culture."

The Arizona Republic in an editorial today said, "Arizona has to be more than the sum of our frustrations," and that "Yes, federal policies made our state the nation's busiest crossing point for illegal immigration and drug smuggling." The Republic then concludes that the "ultimate solution" has to come from Congress.

The Republic further claims that, "The state's soul is at risk," and that "saving it means calling out the bullies."

Of course, those of us demanding a secure border and the enforcement of our immigration laws are the bullies of which the Republic speaks. The assumption being that all who want immigration laws enforced must certainly be the bullies and racist of our society and those opposed to enforcement and advocating a "comprehensive solution" and "immigration reform" are the open minded, tolerant and good people in American society.

Interestingly, all their "comprehensive reform solutions," always include a path to citizenship for the millions illegally residing in America as an important element in solving our nations illegal immigration problem.

President Obama has endorsed a proposal by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., that would require illegal immigrants to admit they broke the law, pay a fine and any back taxes and perform community service to obtain legal status.

What these good, tolerant and open minded people will never admit, is that every path to legalization and citizenship for those who are in our country illegally is an amnesty for violating our immigration laws.

The true path to legalization and citizenship for those here illegally would be to return to their own countries and enter the United States legally by the front door, after getting permission to enter, then apply for citizenship and take the oath that millions of our ancestors have proudly taken.

The assumption that those demanding a secure border and enforcement of our laws are racist is just ignorance.

The assumption that we somehow hate Latino's or Mexicans or any other group of people is ignorant.

The fact is that America is a nation of immigrants and we welcome those who come here legally and earn American citizenship. All we ask is that you come in the front door and let us know who you are before entering our homeland.

Trying to solve the problem of illegal immigration by making the "illegal" alien a "legal" alien is like trying to solve a speeding problem on the highway by increasing the speed limit. You wont have less speeders but less people will be breaking the speed limit.

The solution to the illegal immigration problem is not that complex, fist look at what caused the problem.

Having a unsecured border that anyone could walk or even drive across was a major cause on illegal immigration. It's the same as keeping your back door wide open and then wondering why people keep coming in your house that way.

Securing the border is just common sense.

As President Obama said however, "the problem cannot be solved only with fences and border patrols."

The greatest magnet to illegal immigration are jobs, jobs that greedy business people give to those here illegally because they profit from the low cost of the illegal immigrant's labor. Of course these employers are the good people of the Chamber of Commerce and certainly not racist, just as the plantation owners who profited from slave labor were good people and pillars of the community.

But wait a minute, we have laws against hiring undocumented workers, why are these people being hired if it's illegal to hire them? The answer is that the law is not being enforced.

Obama said that business should face consequences for knowingly employing illegal immigrants. Well Mr. President, that is the responsibility of the executive branch of government, the branch you are in charge of, you don't need a new law from Congress, just enforce the laws we already have against hiring undocumented workers and call it a "comprehensive solution."

If the president, the Chamber of Commerce and, the Arizona Republic are all that concerned with illegal immigration and what it is doing to our country and state, then they should help solve the problem, secure the border, prosecute those who knowingly hire undocumented workers, and yes, when someone is found to be in the United States illegally, do what the law prescribes, deport them.

Maybe the real problem is that the president and the Republic are afraid of today's plantation owners who must have their cheap labor regardless of the cost to the state or nation.

Brewer Tops Goddard, 53% to 35%

Source: Rasmussen Reports.

Arizona’s gubernatorial race is shaping up as a referendum on two of the nation’s hottest political issues – health care and immigration. Republican Governor Jan Brewer has turned to outside legal help to challenge the national health care bill and defend Arizona’s new immigration law because the state’s Democratic attorney general, Terry Goddard, opposes both moves.

Brewer, the runaway leader in her own party’s primary contest, is now leading Goddard, the unchallenged Democratic candidate for governor, by 18 points in the latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of the governor’s race.

Fifty-three percent (53%) of Likely Voters in the state support Brewer, while Goddard earns 35% of the vote. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, and nine percent (9%) remain undecided.

This marks a slight improvement for Brewer who in mid-May led Goddard 52% to 39%. However, it’s a huge change from earlier in the year. Brewer trailed Goddard 45% to 36% in March. Since then, she has benefitted significantly from the national debates over health care and immigration.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of all voters in the state now approve of the job Brewer is doing as governor. That represents quite a jump from 41% in March.

Forty percent (40%) now disapprove. The current figures include 33% who Strongly Approve and 24% who Strongly Disapprove.

The survey of 500 Likely Voters in Arizona was conducted on June 29, 2010 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC.

Things began to break for Brewer when Goddard refused to join the Attorney Generals from other states in suing the federal government over the health care law. The likely Democratic nominee lost ground in the race and fell behind Brewer.

The next step was the immigration law. Just days after signing the law in April, Brewer posted a 48% to 40% lead. Since then, as many from outside the state have attacked both Arizona and Brewer, the incumbent Governor has seen her lead grow and she has held a double-digit lead over Goddard since then.

The GOP Primary race is a similar story. Brewer’s unpopularity, largely over her handling of the state’s budget problems, prompted several other Republicans to challenge her for the gubernatorial nomination. Brewer was struggling until she signaled her opposition to the health care law and then began to move ahead. Since signing the immigration law, however, her support has soared to 61%. Barring unforeseen developments, she is expected to easily win the August 24 primary contest.

Sixty-six percent (66%) of Arizona voters now favor the state’s immigration law, while 24% oppose it. This is in line with findings over the past two months.

Seventy-seven percent (77%) of the voters who favor the law support Brewer. Goddard earns 82% of the vote from those who oppose the law.

Sixty percent (60%) of Arizona voters favor repeal of the recently passed health care law, while 37% oppose repeal. This includes 49% who Strongly Favor repeal of the measure and 28% who are Strongly Opposed. Support for repeal is higher in Arizona than it is nationally.

Among voters in the state who Strongly Favor repeal, Brewer picks up 81% support. Seventy-five percent (75%) of those who Strongly Oppose repeal favor Goddard.

Twenty-three percent (23%) of Arizona voters consider themselves members of the Tea Party movement, compared to 16% nationally. Sixty-one percent (61%) say they are not members, but another 16% are not sure.

Eighty-nine percent (89%) of Tea Party members support Brewer. Non-members break almost evenly between the two candidates.

Goddard is viewed Very Favorably by 18% of Arizona voters and Very Unfavorably by 14%. The Democratic contender, served as mayor of Phoenix in the 1980s and also is the son of a former governor.

Thirty-three percent (33%) hold a favorable opinion of Brewer, who became governor last year when President Obama named Janet Napolitano secretary of Homeland Security. Twenty-two percent (22%) view her Very Unfavorably.

At this point in a campaign, Rasmussen Reports considers the number of people with strong opinions more significant than the total favorable/unfavorable numbers.

Longtime Senator John McCain continues to lead Arizona’s Republican Primary by double digits but remains in the same narrow range of support he’s drawn since January.

Arizona Democrats won’t pick their Senate nominee until August 24, which is just as well since 46% of Likely Democratic Primary Voters in the state are undecided at this point.

Sixty-three percent (63%) of all Arizona voters support offshore drilling, and a plurality (49%) favor deepwater drilling as well. Both findings echo voter sentiments nationally.

Seventy-five percent (75%), however, think the ongoing oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico will have a significant long-term impact on the environment. Seventy-five percent (75%) also think the oil companies responsible for the leak should pay all the cleanup costs, but 21% say the government should chip in and help pay some of those costs.

In 2008, Rasmussen Reports projected nationally that Barack Obama would defeat McCain in the presidential contest by a 52% to 46% margin. Obama won 53% to 46%. Four years earlier, Rasmussen Reports projected the national vote totals for both George W. Bush and John Kerry within half-a-percentage-point.

In Arizona during the 2008 campaign, Rasmussen Reports polling showed McCain winning the state by a 51% to 45% margin. He defeated Obama 54% to 45%.

In the 2006 Arizona governor’s race, Rasmussen polling showed Napolitano defeating Len Munsil 58% to 37%. Napolitano won 63% to 35%. In the 2006 race for U.S. Senate, Rasmussen polling showed Jon Kyl leading Jim Pederson by nine, 51% to 42%. Kyl won by nine, 53% to 44%.