AZ Rep. Ben Arredondo: Nothing’s my fault

Tested positive for amphetamines; claimed to treat ADHD, narcolepsy

With his lawyer alleging that the charges against him are “manufactured,” Democrat state Rep. Ben Arredondo, 63, pleaded not guilty today to federal counts of bribery, fraud and extortion.

A July 3, 2012 trial date in Federal Court has been set for the former Tempe city councilman, and current state representative who has been allowed to remain on his own recognizance while awaiting trial. He was elected to the state House representing LD 17 in 2010.

Not content to leave well enough alone, Arredondo’s lawyer called him “a dedicated public official targeted by the government in D.C.” He said, “Ben Arredondo is not for sale.”

Would that be the same federal government led by fellow liberal Barack Obama?

Arredondo was caught in an FBI sting. According to the indictment we covered on May 16, he accepted gifts and thousands of dollars in game tickets to sporting events in 2009 and 2010 in exchange for the promise of brokering property deals while serving as a Tempe councilman. Arredondo is charged with two counts of mail fraud and one count each of bribery, attempted extortion and false statements.

The daily reports Arredondo was required to surrender his passport. The federal magistrate noted that Arredondo had tested positive for amphetamines, but said that was common for people taking Adderall, a drug used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.

The indictment (courtesy of the AZ Capitol Times) can be read here. Curiously his usually vocal fellow legislative Democrats have been mum regarding issuing a call for him to step down.

Magical voters: The dead rise

Here’s a case of the dead voting in Massachusetts, and another in Mississippi that landed a member of the Tunica County NAACP Executive Committee in prison on 10 counts of fraudulently casting absentee ballots.

Although the Daily Caller reports on this crime, the only other media outlet to cover the Mississippi sentencing was the Tunica Times. Circuit Court Judge Charles Webster, who some might say imposed too lenient a sentence by allowing Lessadolla Sowers’ terms to be served concurrently, said “This crime cuts against the fabric of our free society.”

Can’t argue with that. So why the light sentence, judge?

But even these crimes pale in comparison to the outrage of 53,000 dead Florida voters casting ballots reported by PJ Media.

A couple of months ago, we posted Voter fraud? “We’re not the police” which detailed shocking conversations between election officials and those obviously intent on fraudulent voting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is all caught on video, which we feel is important enough to repost in conjunction with this exposé on voter fraud.

Once again we give a grateful hat tip to Project Veritas.

Rep. Ben Arredondo: Another AZ Democrat indicted

A federal grand jury today sent up a true bill charging Legislative District 16 Democrat Rep. Ben Arredondo with bribery, fraud, attempted extortion and false statements for allegedly taking thousands of dollars in game tickets and other perks in exchange for brokering property deals in Tempe.

The former Tempe Councilman, who served in that capacity for 16 years, was caught in a sting conducted by the FBI.

Since his election to the AZ House of Representatives in 2010, he has focused on liberal issues, promoting the adoption of a state version of the amnesty-twin DREAM Act, and such pressing matters as Reproductive Rights Awareness Week.

The indictment can be read here, courtesy of the AZ Capitol Times.

J.T. Ready: Mass murderer — UPDATE and additional photo

 J.T. Ready, an East Valley resident known for his arrogant eccentricities and with decided neo-Nazi leanings, has been identified as the monster who wiped out an entire family, including an infant girl, before taking his own life, earlier this afternoon.

 According to this report in the daily, the shootings occurred in a residential area in the 500 block of West Tumbleweed Road, near Warner and Cooper roads in Gilbert.

 Ready used his military background to organize the U.S. Border Guard, a militia-style group of self styled “border rangers,” that routinely performed armed patrols in the southern Arizona desert.

J.T. Ready, whose given name was Jason, had formed an exploratory committee to run for the office of  Pinal County sheriff.

He announced his intention to run in January, switching his party affiliation to Democrat. Following his announcement, the Pinal County Democrat Party released this statement regarding his candidacy, and urged Democrats not to sign any petitions for Pinal County Sheriff, until all Democrat candidates for the office of Sheriff have entered the race.

His website Elect J.T. Ready for Sheriff of Pinal County, Arizona can be seen here.

It is unfortunate that this unspeakable tragedy is being used by local media hounds to link Ready to former Senate President Russell Pearce by virtue of peripheral connections and a widely circulated and misused photo showing the two standing together, compelling Pearce to write this response:

“Our prayers and thoughts are with the surviving family members and friends of the victims of today’s horrific and evil act. There are no words to adequately express the sadness we share, as a community, with those affected.

I spent much of my day resisting efforts by those in the media to get me to make a statement. Today’s events have nothing to do with me and no connection to me. Yet TV news crews started coming to my home seeking comments and my telephone rang nonstop with calls from those who were desperate to score the ugliest of political points off of this tragedy. Now my name is being mentioned in coverage and I have no choice but to respond.

Regarding whether I knew JT Ready, I did, as did many of us who have been involved in Mesa politics for a long time. When we first met JT he was fresh out of the Marine Corp and seemed like a decent person. He worked as a telephone fundraiser for Christian and pro-life groups, he dated the daughter of one of our District 18 members, and his attitudes and spoken opinions were good and decent. At some point in time darkness took his life over, his heart changed, and he began to associate with the more despicable groups in society. They were intolerant and hateful and like so many who knew him from before, I was upset and disappointed at the choices he was making. I worked with others to have him removed from his local position within our Republican Party because there has never been and will never be any room in our Party or our lives for those preaching hatred. He was angry with me and stayed angry with me, and it has been several years since I have had reason to speak with JT.

In the past several years the local media has worked hard to try to tie me to the JT Ready that preached hate, and that is nothing more than a lie. When I learned the truth about him, I made it clear how wrong I thought it was and I worked to remove him from our Party. Yet the lie is told and retold over and over again. It is the ugliest form of politics. The most radical groups I have ever belonged to are the Boy Scouts of America and the Fraternal Order of Police, and in my 65 years in Mesa, as a law enforcement deputy, as a judge and as the head of state agencies, I have never been accused of mistreating anyone or of unfair conduct toward anyone I have associated with, hired or supervised.

Finally, while I am frequently critical of the job the mainstream media does in pursuing a political agenda instead of the truth, today’s behavior is the most reprehensible that I have ever witnessed. On the very day that these unspeakable crimes take place, editors and producers all over town are making a concerted effort to make the story about a politician whose conservative politics they disagree with.

Today, the Devil won and claimed the soul of one young man and the lives of others, including the most innocent of all, a child. Our thoughts and prayers are with the four beautiful souls that are now in God’s hands. We pray that He accepts them into his kingdom and that he grants comfort and solace to the friends and surviving family. Loving and defending this Republic and the Rule of law is no hate crime.”

To this statement, Seeing Red AZ adds that the photo is no more relevant than this one showing First Lady Roslyn Carter with Democrat operative and serial killer John Wayne Gacy. People in the public arena often appear in photos with others.  That is not an endorsement of the people or an indication of a complete knowledge of their views or deviancies.

Illegal immigration down? Really?

An SUV stuffed with 11 illegal aliens slammed into a brick wall during a high-speed chase as the vehicle was fleeing U.S. Border Patrol agents early this morning. The agents were following two vehicles in Casa Grande when the crash occurred. Four people died and 7 were injured following the crash which took place as the driver lost control while trying to negotiate a corner.  The brick wall surrounded a home that was– fortunately — unoccupied.  A Deputy from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office said the vehicle  reached speeds of 100 mph before the driver lost control.

Still, the Periódico de la República de Arizona (Arizona Republic) repeatedly assures its few remaining readers that Arizona’s illegal population has “plunged” in recent years. The newspaper cites a recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report to bolster its contention. 

Reminder to Arizona newcomers: Janet Napolitano, who previously was the state’s liberal and veto-prone governor now heads up DHS where she has played politics to the hilt and done nothing to eradicate the massive influx. Napolitano gained notoriety for her laxness on the issue of enforcement and was known for her blasé retort when frustrated Arizonans pleaded for border action: “Show me a 50-foot fence, and I’ll show you a 51-foot ladder.” (lower your voice several decibels to sound more authentically Napolitano-like.)

Zimmerman case fast-tracked; Ft Hood mass murderer? Not yet

Could face life in prison if convicted

The antics and threats of the Black Panthers, the Revs. Sharpton, Jackson and now career-criminal Michael Tyson have guaranteed that George Zimmerman — now charged with second degree murder in the death of teenager Trayvon Martin –  will get a fast-tracked trial.  Arraignment is scheduled for May 29. Even Barack Obama got involved, referring to Martin as his “son.”

The murder charge could send Zimmerman to prison for life if he’s convicted. Manslaughter, which usually carries a 15-year prison term, covers reckless or negligent killings. Zimmerman made his first court appearance today.

Watch for this case to proceed faster than that of radicalized U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, who was responsible for the November 2009 slaughter of 14 (including an unborn baby) and wounding of 31 fellow soldiers. Obama and Holder refused to bring the Muslim U.S. Army psychiatrist to trial for the Fort Hood massacre. As he released a barrage of deadly bullets, Hasan  shouted “Allahu Akbar!” (Allah is greater!)   But was it a “hate crime?” Not to this administration. They managed to configure the bloodbath  as “workplace related.” Hasan is still being held in Bell County jail in Beltan, Texas (page 39 of inmate search) listed with “Offense Unknown.” His case has never gone to trial.

Soon after the Foot Hood attack, American born and educated imam Anwar al-Awlaki praised his friend Hasan for the shooting, encouraged other Muslims serving in the military to “follow in the footsteps of men like Nidal.”  Calling him “a hero,” he said “Nidal killed soldiers who were about to be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in order to kill Muslims.”

But politically correct silence rang out from the administration. In fact Obama waited to specifically address the massacre. He only did so later, and three minutes into a speech at a Native American tribal conference. Obama steadfastly refused to acknowledge Islamic terrorism as having a role in the shooting.

Finally in the most muted terms and twisting the carnage to fit the administration’s pro-Muslim agenda, Janet Napolitano, Homeland INsecurity chieftain, took the same approach, saying “This was an individual who does not, obviously, represent the Muslim faith.”

Apparently the words “Allahu Akbar!” accompanying the deadly rampage meant nothing.

But in the case of Martin’s death, George Zimmerman, patrolling as he did neighborhood block watch security, will be held out as the golden nugget to placate the unruly mob. Make no mistake; this is race-baiting with a veneer of political correctness, configured to coincide with Obama’s reelection campaign.

Expulsion looms for AZ Rep. Dan Patterson

AZ Legislative embarrassment has to go

The facts as they were presented — first by his former wife, Jeneiene Marie Schaffer, and then by his former girlfriend and erstwhile campaign manager, Georgette Escobar — charging physical abuse at the hands of state Rep. Daniel Patterson  are extraordinary. Both women filed domestic violence reports against Patterson, although questions remain regarding Escobar’s retraction of her complaint.

If the rumors are true as alleged by a female lobbyist, staffers and other legislators, Patterson is a dangerous man who needs to resign before he has, at the very least, a permanent shoe print on his arrogant ass. A team of four lawyers, conducting an ethics investigation as special counsel for the House Ethics Committee, have  put together this damning report, recommending Patterson be expelled for ethical violations and ongoing crimes.

House Minority Leader Chad Campbell (D-Dist.14) says there is a good probability that Patterson has seen his last day in the state House. The daily quotes Campbell as saying the report recommends expulsion and is “far reaching.” It covers incidents over a number of years that [he] was never aware of,” Campbell said. “I think we should expel him immediately,” he said. “I don’t want there to be any delay. Based on the report, once you see it, there should not be any delay.”

Seeing Red AZ has previously written about Patterson’s ongoing pattern of aggressive behavior here  (February 27) and here (March 9). The saga has become a distraction from the duties of serious legislators and an embarrassment to all who are trying to devote their efforts to wrapping up the session.

Patterson entered office as a Democrat representing District 9. Now we hear he has reregistered as an Independent.

Party politics aside, it’s time for Daniel Patterson to be unceremoniously escorted out the door. He’ll be lucky if the street outside is all he faces.

Read the complete Investigative Report prepared for the House of Representatives Ethics Committee.

WATCH LIVE HOUSE PROCEEDINGS HERE.

SENATE SESSIONS CAN BE SEEN HERE.

HOUSE DEMOCRAT CAUCUS CAN BE SEEN HERE.

AZ República spins for Mexico, ignores facts

Another bizarre editorial in this morning’s newspaper. This one, filled with cutesy colloquialisms is titled “Arizona missing out on rewards.” It begins: “For cryin’ out loud, people. This should never have happened. It could have been Arizona. But no. Texas gets the attaboys for cashing in on the benefits of a shared international border. And we do mean benefits.”

Arizona is accused of getting “sidetracked” making news “for being tough on” illegal aliens,* “while Texas was rustlin’ up some business. And we do mean business,” states the editorialist who sounds suspiciously like Linda Valdez, Mexico’s lead cheerleader drawing a paycheck at the Periódico de la República de Arizona (Arizona Republic).

“Arizona could write a primer on what not to do,” we are told.

Some pertinent facts are missing as Arizona is scolded for not engaging in more trade with our not-so-neighborly neighbor to the south.

Facts: Organized crime-related deaths in the Mexican state of Chihuahua during the first nine months of 2011 exceeded the number of Afghan civilians killed in roughly the same period in all of war-torn Afghanistan. Chihuahua borders Texas and New Mexico. The Mexican government acknowledged from January through September last year, 2,276 deaths were recorded in Chihuahua.

Again comparing the Mexican and Afghanistan figures, 11,007 Afghan civilians were killed from 2007 through October 2011. That is about 80 percent fewer deaths than the 47,515 drug-related murders in Mexico over roughly the same period  — numbers substantiated by the U.S. Department of State in its tactfully worded, yet still alarming travel warning for Mexico. Begin under the heading “General Conditions.” Read carefully our government’s alert stating U.S. citizens have fallen victim to Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCO) activity, including homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking and highway robbery.

There were more organized crime-related killings in Chihuahua than in any other Mexican state, according to the government figures. Chihuahua, the largest state in Mexico, includes Ciudad Juarez, a border city located across from El Paso, Texas. It is the deadliest city in Mexico and is considered one of the most dangerous places in the entire world.

Although eight decapitated bodies were recently found in the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas, the Republic’s editorial ends with, “Time’s awastin’ people.”  It should more accurately read, “Mexico’s wasting people.”

*The daily refuses to use the term “illegal aliens,” instead calling the illegal invaders (watch shocking embedded video) “immigrants.” True immigrants come legally and unreservedly become proud, acclimated U.S. citizens.  Our popular glossary offers a valuable assist in deciphering the local newspaper’s terminology.

AZ Supreme Court: “gratuitous violence” standard

“Insufficient evidence to prove aggravating circumstance”

Apparently James Granvil Wallace’s confessions to the grisly premeditated bludgeoning deaths of his girlfriend Susan Insalaco, her 12-year-old son Gabriel and 16-year-old daughter Anna aren’t “aggravating” enough to warrant the previous death sentences imposed by Pima County Trial Courts.

Yesterday. Arizona’s Supreme Court overturned his death sentences, declaring the acts committed in 1984 were not heinous or depraved enough even though they were “atrocious” and “senseless.”   The justices found that Wallace didn’t knowingly inflict more wounds on the family than he thought were necessary to kill them.

Wallace’s sentence is reduced to two consecutive terms of life in prison.

These are the facts: After lying in wait for the children to return from school, he first beat Anna in the head with a baseball bat and rammed the then-broken bat into her neck, down her chest cavity and out her back.

When Gabriel entered the residence, Wallace hit him repeatedly with an 18-inch pipe wrench, until he had “crushed his skull.” A couple of hours later Susan was murdered with the same pipe wrench when she returned from work.

In 2008 the state’s high court threw out the previously imposed death penalty against Wallace for murdering Susan Insalaco.

Here Justice John Pelander writing for the court states: “….evidence does not show beyond a reasonable doubt that Wallace actually or constructively knew that he had delivered one or more fatal blows to Anna or Gabriel before he stopped striking them. We therefore vacate the death sentences imposed on the two convictions relating to Anna and Gabriel’s murders and impose life sentences for each of those convictions.” (Page 20 of the opinion.)

In his confession, Wallace described killing Anna. “I thought she would die with one blow…that’d be it, like in the movies,” he told police. “It ain’t that way. She looked me in the eye, she knew who was killing her. … I wanted to put her out of her misery, man.”

Read the Arizona Supreme Court opinion issued March 27, 2012.

Inconvenient truths about Obama’s “son”

The death of any teenager is a tragedy. A life cut short causes us all anguish. The shooting death of unarmed, black Florida teen Trayvon Martin fits that description to a tee. The fact that this incident has become riddled with racial and political overtones, even causing the President of the United States to jump into the fray and declare, “If I had a son, he would look like Treyvon.” raises the profile to even higher proportions. 

Protest marches from coast to coast — including here in Phoenix — feature professional athletes, celebrities and the now-standard self-appointed black “leaders” Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Activists from the ACLU and Urban League are capitalizing on the momentum.

An interjection of sanity comes as former NAACP leader Rev. C.L. Bryant accuses Jackson and Sharpton of “exploiting” the Trayvon Martin tragedy to “racially divide this country.” Bryant, quoted in the Daily Caller, says, “His family should be outraged at the fact that they’re using this child as the bait to inflame racial passions.”  The pastor called Jackson and Sharpton “race hustlers” and said they are “acting as though they are buzzards circling the carcass of this young boy.”

But it turns out even the family is cashing in on the bounty, with Trayvon’s mother Sybrina Fulton filing documents to trademark her son’s name. In case you find that difficult to believe, The Smoking Gun website has six pages of applications.

George Zimmerman, 28, a neighborhood watch captain, shot Martin, a 17-year-old youth last month. Zimmerman, also a minority with a mother who is Hispanic, was bruised and bleeding from head and face wounds following an altercation with Martin. He says he shot Martin in self-defense. Though he has not been charged with a crime, Zimmerman has gone into hiding, as the New Black Panther Party vigilantes have offered a $10,000 reward for his “capture.”

The Obama Justice Department and the FBI have opened an investigation into the death and a state grand jury is set to convene April 10.  And in the most glaring example of the racial overtones undergirding the situation, the Sanford Police Department has replaced the white chief, who they say has “temporarily stepped down” with a black appointee.

The Martin case captures the essence of Tom Wolfe’s 1987 classic The Bonfire of the Vanities.  In the novel, a hot-bed of racial tensions erupt as a young black victim sets a city seething. The youth is given sainthood status and the unintentional perpetrator becomes the hunted prey. It’s probably still in the library and chances are you haven’t ventured into one lately. Take this opportunity and pick up the book.  It’s all there — 25 years ago mirrors today.

In that accounting,  the youth became an honor student in death. In the Martin case, the inadvertent victim has had his third, and still current, school suspension for drug possession mysteriously erased and a president with two daughters wax eloquent about his “son.”