Discrimination claims dominate coverage as sanctions law nears

Highly charged language used as hammer

As the January 1, 2008 date for implementation of the state’s Employer Sanction law nears, every conceivable issue intended to undermine and undo it will be hauled into the public square. Today we are treated to the daily paper’s latest tirade.  Taunts and threats are the words in their headline.

Within the body of the article we read of “racial insults and profiling,” “verbal threats,” “discrimination, “ “ugly” language and “hostility” directed at Spanish-speaking workers.

The article quotes Jason LeVecke, who owns 56 Carl’s Jr. and eight Pizza Patron restaurants in Arizona, who says customers have accused Hispanic workers of being illegal more than 50 times since the sanctions bill was signed into law.

What the article glosses over is that LeVecke, along with McDonalds hamburger mogul, Marion “Mac” Magruder, and others who have prospered by exploiting cheap, illegal workers, are integral to the  Wake Up Arizona!  group of businesses who desire to continue their profitable and soon illegal, practices. They have stated their intent to oust lawmakers  who voted for the bill which Gov. Napolitano signed into law.

The words that should be getting attention are “exploitation,” manipulation,” and that novel concept: “obey the  law.”

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Odd death of woman at Sky Harbor

Makes national headlines

An irate passenger, restrained  in handcuffs after an arrest for disorderly conduct at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, mysteriously dies.

And the state calls it “Gaming”

Gambling takes a toll with Arizona youth

In a revealing article in today’s daily, the truth regarding the insidious damage stemming from state-sanctioned gambling casinos is told. The Arizona’s Indian casinos, which grossed nearly $2 billion this past fiscal year, are putting in place programs to treat teen gambling addictions.

Although teenagers are not permitted in casinos, they are frequently found to be engaged in betting on sports, playing poker for money and even routinely playing scratch lottery tickets.

Rick Pyper, director of the Arizona Office of Problem Gambling (did that office exist prior to casinos being licensed?), says  studies have shown  that the younger someone gets involved in gambling, the easier it is to become addicted.

A dramatic report released by the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission  shows epidemic increases in the number of teens who gamble. According to the Arizona Youth Survey, 30 percent of 8th graders surveyed say they are frequent gamblers. Twenty-seven percent of 10th graders and nearly 22 percent of 12th graders fall in the same category. Sixty-one percent of the youth indicate they have gambled at some point. Inevitable losses create desperation, leading to obsessive behavior and even crime. Severe mood swings, money loss, panic, and even suicidal thoughts are common.

Yet the state of Arizona , preferring to call gambling by the less toxic name of “gaming,” promoted its lottery with the slogan, “You can’t win if you don’t play.”

You can’t lose, either.

That GOP Big Tent : Who says Republicans are straitlaced?

Naked politics

Legislative District 6  precinct committeeman,  nudist ranch  owner, state finance committee member and high-dollar GOP donor, Horst Kraus, is a longtime and dedicated Republican activist.

The daily paper gives him more coverage than he usually gives himself in  this article.

Calderon: “Immigration an inevitable phenomenon”

 

Demands open borders without pretense

In a show of unbridled hubris, Mexican President Felipe Calderon told U.S. border state governors meeting in Puerto Penasco, (Rocky Point) Mexico, that immigration is an inevitable, natural phenomenon. He called upon the U.S. Congress to approve reforms that would allow more Mexicans to work legally north of the border, saying his countrymen have the right to be treated with dignity, regardless of their illegal status.

Calderon demanded that the United States respect “the right to work wherever one can make the greatest contribution.” This is pure “open borders” rhetoric. Mexico’s economy is reliant upon the remittances sent home by those working in the states. Apparently Calderon doesn’t think sovereign nations are entitled to have enforceable borders.

`Immigration is a natural phenomenon that is economically and socially inevitable,” he brashly stated at the seaside resort meeting.

The Bush administration, responding to citizen demands, recently announced plans to erect approximately 370 miles of fencing and 200 miles of vehicle barriers by the end of 2008.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, outspokenly opposed to border fencing, praised Mexico and its cooperation with its northern neighbor, ensuring votes for his reelection bid.

“The relationship has become stronger and stronger each year,” he said. “We have become more than just good neighbors. We have become great friends.”  Would Schwarzenegger be as welcoming to someone violating the sanctity of his home without his permission to enter?

Since Schwarzenegger came to America legally, his lackadaisical stance on illegal immigration is curious. California is straining under the burdens of unrestrained human traffic in violation of U.S. laws.

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano spoke about installing a “virtual fence.” This provides her with the ability to use the word “fence,” but to continue to do “virtually” nothing to secure the border.

Read the excellent  NewsMax coverage: We are coming!   Unspoken but implied are the words. Try to stop us.

City Council Dist. 3 candidate Jon Altmann wins major endorsements

Runoff opponent Maria Baier listed as Republican for Janet

Phoenix City Council District 3 Candidate Jon Altmann has received the endorsements of several Arizona Legislative leaders and a national organization.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Arizona State Legislature, Hon. Jim Weiers  (R- Dist. 10) has endorsed Jon Altmann. House Speaker Weiers is joined by his fellow District 10 legislature member, State Sen. Linda Gray.  Along with them, District 11 Representative Adam Driggs (R- Dist.11) and  Representative Doug Clark (R – Dist. 6) have joined in supporting Jon Altmann for the Phoenix City Council seat.

“I greatly appreciate that I have earned the respect and support of key Arizona legislative leaders – leaders whose work affects our daily lives in Phoenix. I look forward to working with our state legislative leaders on issues of utmost concern to Phoenix and Arizona. All politics are local – and having these respected elected leaders support my campaign is an important statement to Phoenix voters – that they have a candidate who knows how to forge alliances and have open communications for the good of all at the local level,” said Jon Altmann.

In addition to the announcement by these grass roots Arizona legislative leaders, the National Rifle Association’s Political Victory Fund has added their endorsement to Jon Altmann. He was scored with the NRA’s highest candidate rating. Altmann has also previously received the endorsement of the Arizona Taxpayer’s Action Committee, a non-partisan group.

Altmann’s website is accessible here.

Better than “a chicken in every pot”

Clinton: cradle to grave gov’t funded baby bonuses, universal health care

Hillary Clinton, the Democrat presidential frontrunner, addressing a forum of the Congressional Black Caucus declared today that every child born in the United States should get a $5,000 “baby bond” from the government to help pay for future costs of college or buying a home.

“I like the idea of giving every baby born in America a $5,000 account that will grow over time, so that when that young person turns 18 if they have finished high school they will be able to access it to go to college or maybe they will be able to make that down payment on their first home,” she said.

Such liberal generosity is heartwarming—especially when the gift is paid for by others.  Apparently the concepts of personal responsiblity and working for what you acheive are passé notions within the shameless realm of Democrat vote pandering.

The New York senator did not offer any estimate of the costs involved in such a taxpayer funded program. Approximately 4 million babies are born each year in the United States.

By most calculations that would be approximately $20 billion—give or take a billion or two.

Court rules in favor of anti-war activist

ACLU: “Pleased with decision.”

U.S. District Judge Neil Wake has issued a preliminary injunction allowing an anti-war activist to continue manufacturing T-shirts bearing the names of fallen American soldiers, for profit,

Flagstaff resident, Daniel Frazier, has previously sold the shirts bearing slogans such as “Bush Lied, They Died.”

The Arizona State Legislature passed a bill which Gov. Napolitano signed into law in May, banning the use of the names of dead soldiers in such a manner, without expressed permission of their families. In June, the ACLU filed a suit challenging the law.

Judge Wake’s 30-page decision was based upon free speech considerations.

“The nation’s debt to its fallen soldiers may not be paid by giving their families a toll on free speech. The debt must be paid in other ways.”

Frazier said he has stopped answering his telephone due to the irate phone calls he’s received.

Abortion: The elephant in the room

 

Justice Clarence Thomas gives first TV interview

In an interview with CBS correspondent Steve Kroft, Justice Clarence Thomas discusses his childhood, race, his rise to Supreme Court Justice and his job on the nation’s highest court. Justice Thomas says the real issue at his controversial confirmation hearings 16 years ago was abortion, which he calls the “elephant in the room.”

Referring to his confirmation hearings,which he said at the time were a “high-tech lynching,” Thomas said they harmed the country.

Thomas has written a book titled, My Grandfather’s Son: A Memoir, due to be released October

Sheriff Joe Arpaio: “Stay tuned!”

Crackdown on illegals in Cave Creek church

For more than six years, Good Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church located at 6502 E. Cave Creek Road, has provided sanctuary for illegal aliens seeking employment as day laborers.

Angry residents have taken their complaints about drop houses and illegals loitering in the area to elected officials, culminating in the Cave Creek Town Council passing two new laws Monday. One reinforces the town’s ban on loitering and the other prohibits cars from stopping on town streets.. Passed as safety measures. they are to take effect October 24. The report in the daily paper is available  here.

Reporter Linda Bentley of the Sonoran News, a local paper serving Cave Creek and residents in surrounding areas,, has provided extensive coverage of this issue.

Arpaio said Thursday’s arrests are just the beginning.

“We’re not done yet, and I’m not just talking about Cave Creek,” the sheriff said. “Stay tuned!”