Author of SB 1070, on decision to take appeal directly to U.S. Supreme Court
“Governor Brewer and Attorney General Horne announced they will petition the U.S. Supreme Court to lift a hold on the portion of SB 1070 not in effect. I fully support this decision. There is no reason to delay full implementation of Arizona’s tough illegal immigration law by appealing to the full 9th Circuit. Last month, the 9th Circuit ruled 2-1 to side with foreign governments and against Arizona and its citizens in what is a clear case of state sovereignty. To appeal to the full 9th Circuit would only delay full implementation. A U.S. Supreme Court appeal is the right move.
Most of SB 1070 is in effect, including a ban on sanctuary city policies, the establishment of a state crime making it illegal to transport an illegal alien, and allowing Arizona residents to file suit against any agency for adopting policies restricting enforcement of federal immigration law. We now need to fully implement SB 1070, and the U.S. Supreme Court is the proper venue to overturn a clearly flawed lower court ruling.
• Arizona has a right to protect its citizens
• Arizona has a right to self defense under the Constitution particularly when the federal government fails to act.
• I complied with all relevant federal, state and local laws, including Arizona Constitution and the U.S. Constitution in crafting SB 1070.
• SB1070 is not preempted by federal law or the Constitution. SB1070 does not conflict with federal law, does not constitute an improper regulation of immigration and Congress has not fully occupied the field.
As recently as one week ago we had a police officer murdered and another critically wounded in Phoenix, and two homicides in Show Low involving illegal aliens. Yet where is the media on this? Where are the cheap labor and cheap vote crowd on this? Enough is enough.
Arizona has an obligation to protect its citizens from those who break our laws. We will enforce our laws with compassion but without apology. I am confident our state will prevail in this appeal.”
Senate President Russell Pearce
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Border Sheriffs statement on Gov. Brewer appeal
In response to Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer announcing that the state will appeal the Ninth Circuit ruling on SB 1070 to the Supreme Court, Sheriffs Larry Dever and Paul Babeu, co-chairs of www.BorderSheriffs.com, released the following statement:
“We need our nation’s top court to weigh in and lay the ground rules for what states can and cannot do, and we applaud Gov. Brewer for appealing to it directly. The Supreme Court must take up this issue that is critical to law enforcement efforts from Arizona to Georgia and across the country. Then all the states will have clear guidance on exactly what border security efforts they can undertake in the face of the federal government’s shortfall.”
Both are available for interview to discuss the appeal and www.BorderSheriffs.com which was formed to help provide Arizona sheriffs a sufficient legal defense to take on the Obama Administration, the ACLU and others opposing a secure border and enforcement of SB1070.
Sheriffs Larry Dever and Paul Babeu | BorderSheriffs.com
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Maricopa County GOP leaders unite in support of Pearce, DiCiccio
Two conservative stalwarts face recall by big government advocates. The following resolution passed unanimously by the Executive Guidance Committee of the Maricopa County Republican Committee which met Thursday evening. The committee is comprised of 20 legislative district chairman, five members-at-large and the statutory officers:
WHEREAS, Senate President Russell Pearce and Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio were duly elected by the voters of their district; and
WHEREAS, both Pearce and DiCiccio are governing in a manner consistent with the promises and agendas each ran on in their election; and
WHEREAS, both Pearce and DiCiccio are now the target of liberal special interest groups, from both inside and outside Arizona, who are seeking their recall;
RESOLVED, That both Senate President Russell Pearce and Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio are commended for their steadfast determination and conservative values on behalf of Arizona's citizens and taxpayers, and
RESOLVED, That the Executive Guidance Committee of the Maricopa County Republican Committee will support and defend both Senate President Russell Pearce and Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio against the attempts at recall.
American Post Gazette | Distributed by COMMON SENSE in Arizona
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Eleven Republican Senators vote ‘YES” on Closure, then “NO” on Confirmation for approval of former Planned Parenthood Director
For the third time, President Obama submitted John J. McConnell, Jr. to be United States District Judge for the District of Rhode Island.
Twice before, the US Senate has rejected this nominee on "Closure."
John J. McConnell, Jr. served four years as Director of Rhode Island Planned Parenthood, is a member of Amnesty International since 1989, and worked with ACORN in convincing municipalities to bring lead-paint lawsuits. McConnell pioneered the practice of "soliciting public officials to bring lawsuits in which the private lawyers are paid a percentage of any judgment or settlement."
http://commonamericanjournal.com/?p=27973
From 1991 until present, he has been a partner and director of the Environmental practice group at Motley Rice LLC, working with state and local governments, groups, and individuals in cases of personal injury, property damage and economic loss as a result of negligent environmental practices.
For the first "ever" in its 100-year history, the US Chamber of Commerce opposed John J. McConnell, Jr., to be United States District Judge.
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) said that there are also serious ethical
>issues with Mr. McConnell's nomination. "He has given statements to the Judiciary Committee that are misleading at best, and untrue at worse, about his familiarity with a case involving stolen litigation documents."
Many members of the radical left-wing environment radicals are attacking our economy by demanding less oil and gasoline drilling, more requirements on industry making businesses less-competitive in the marketplace, and more government bureaucracy. (Y)our GOP Platform supports common-sense protection of our environment as defined in "Addressing Climate Change Responsibly"
http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/Environment.htm
The Washington Examiner wrote an editorial critical of McConnell for making almost $700,000 in campaign contributions to Democrats by him and his wife since 1993. The editorial in the Washington Examiner claimed he is trying to buy a federal judgeship through targeted contributions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_J._McConnell,_Jr
With this evidence, it appears that McConnell will be a Federal Judge who creates the law, rather than rule on the laws as written. McConnell is quoted as saying, “There are wrongs that need to be righted, and that's how I see the law.” In Mr. McConnell's eyes, the wrongdoers in America are invariably its job creators.
http://www.patriotactionnetwork.com/forum/topics/dist-judge-nomination-cloture?commentId=2600775%3AComment%3A3773077&xg_source=activity
With this pro-abortionist evidence and other radical left-wing history, why could or would Scott Brown (MA), Susan Collins (ME), Lindsey Graham (SC), Johnny Isakson (GA), Mark Kirk (IL), John McCain AZ), Lisa Murkowski (AK) Olympia Snowe (ME), and John Thune (SD) of South Dakota elect "YES" on a Closure Vote? http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm? congress=112&session=1&vote=00065
In the Senate, 60 "YES" votes are required to move forward on an issue. Why did these same GOP Senators turn around on the next Roll Call Vote only to vote "NO" on Confirmation of this same Obama lifetime Federal Judgeship nominee? "All Democrats" who cast their votes chose "YES" on both "Closure" and "Confirmation."
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?
congress=112&session=1&vote=00066
While this is the third time Sen. "Flimsy" Graham has shown support for pro-abortionists in less than two years (SCOTUS nominees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan), most Republicans, along with (y)our GOP Platform as defined, support "Maintaining The Sanctity and Dignity of Human Lifesupport."
http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/Values.htm#5
Do these 11 GOP Senators believe they may be able to "fool" and/or convince their constituents that they support "pro-life"? How can these 11 Republican Senators say they support a free and open economy after supporting "Closure" on John J. McConnell, Jr., to be United States District Judge? What did these 11 GOP Senators get in return for their vote, or is this their true political belief and practice? President Obama's approved US District Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. is a way-out radical left-winger. Again, "all Democrats" who cast their votes chose "YES" on both "Closure" and "Confirmation." How corrupt are the 11 Republicans and almost all Democrats in the U.S. Senate?
Oscar Y Harward | Monroe, North Carolina
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The Future of American Prosperity
Members of both parties agree that Washington’s present fiscal course is dangerously unsustainable. We’re now borrowing 40 cents for every dollar we spend. This profligacy continues to weaken the dollar, threatening its status as the global reserve currency and fostering anxiety in the bond markets. Last month, Standard & Poor’s delivered a sobering wake-up call when it revised its outlook on the U.S. long-term credit rating from “stable” to “negative.”
No question, our accounts must be brought into balance – but not at the expense of economic growth. Those who advocate gigantic tax increases are short-sighted. Amid a sluggish recovery, abrupt tax hikes could drive the economy back into recession. (That’s what happened in Japan during the late 1990s.) Moreover, it will be impossible to generate sufficient revenue without robust growth. A rapidly expanding economy creates new jobs and income for investment in wealth-creating enterprises. Some of that wealth flows back to the government and can be used to reduce the debt.
The policy tools we use to restore fiscal stability will go a long way toward shaping the future of American prosperity and promoting the economic expansion we need. Will we impose tax hikes that discourage investment and punish job creation? Or will we make the tax system more efficient and conducive to growth?
As these and other questions are debated, policymakers should consult the evidence from other industrialized countries, which overwhelmingly suggests that spending cuts, not tax hikes, are the best way to close massive budget gaps and help produce economic growth.
Indeed, after studying large-scale fiscal adjustments by wealthy, developed countries between 1970 and 2007, Harvard economists Alberto Alesina and Silvia Ardagna determined that “spending cuts are much more effective than tax increases in stabilizing the debt and avoiding economic downturns.” Moreover, they found “several episodes in which spending cuts adopted to reduce deficits have been associated with economic expansions rather than recessions.”
Goldman Sachs economists Ben Broadbent and Kevin Daly recently undertook a similar study that reviewed every major fiscal correction in wealthy nations since 1975. They found that “decisive budgetary adjustments that have focused on reducing government expenditures have
(i)
been successful in correcting fiscal imbalances;
(ii)
typically boosted growth; and
(iii)
resulted in significant bond and equity market outperformance.
Tax-driven fiscal adjustments, by contrast, typically fail to correct fiscal imbalances and are damaging for growth.”
Broadbent and Daly pointed to successful fiscal adjustments in Ireland (1987–89), Sweden (1994–98), and Canada (1994–97). In each case, the adjustment was driven primarily by cuts in public spending. Sweden in particular is famous for the generosity of its welfare state. Yet, when faced with a crisis, Swedish officials were able to trim the size of government substantially. If Stockholm could do it back in the mid-1990s, Washington can do it today.
Reducing the short-term deficit and stabilizing the long-term debt are critically important to American prosperity and living standards. But studies show that if fiscal consolidation relies heavily on tax increases, it will stifle economic growth and prove counterproductive.
This is the lesson we must apply as we try to forge a genuine bipartisan compromise to deal with our debt crisis.
Sen. Jon Kyl | Senate Republican Whip and serves on the Senate Finance and Judiciary committees | www.kyl.senate.gov
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Keep up the good work Congressman Quayle
I would like to congratulate Congressman Ben Quayle for launching the House Energy Action Team. It's about time our leaders in Congress recognize the damage high gas prices are doing to small businesses and families. It is truly refreshing to see some movement on this country's ongoing energy problems. Let’s hope the Congressman and his colleagues make significant progress on issues such as energy independence, job creation in the energy sector, easing the high cost at the pump, and incorporating all forms of energy into our future policies. Keep up the good work Congressman!
Troy Hyde | Chairman, Arizona Energy Forum | Phoenix
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People are starting to come forward
Hello Ms. MacLennan, Ms. Burdick, and Mr. Schaefer,
I had an ex-employee of your district contact me today. The employee stated she has first hand knowledge of an account that was funded specifically for a child’s purpose at your district. There was some money left in the balance of the account and when this employee went to retrieve the last of the funds needed to take care of this child or fund the rest of the program, the money was gone. According to this ex-employee you said, “Sorry, we needed the money for something else.” At this point we will be vigorously pursuing accountability for the funds the parents paid to the baseball program. Do you want to comply with our requests for financial accountability of the parent funded baseball program at this time?
Falcon Baseball parents, please forward this to other parents of student athletes.
Michelle Ford, C.Ph.T. | Email
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Oral traditions
That image of the grandchildren sitting around their grandparents seems to be disappearing. When ethnological studies proliferate, with a major effort by two collections of traditions, music and folk stories, -many of the traditional stories come from this source – The paradox is that within the family may now be forgetting the memory of his history.
With the lack of coexistence between generations, and other cases where the children live with only one parent, it creates a breach of family oral traditions: the younger lost not only the story of their ancestors or collateral relatives, but also lack knowledge of narratives or stories, perhaps not transcendent, but relevant to the strengthening of ties between the family group that have retained more of their life experience with their neighbors or their ancestors.
Communication between different ages, in which each one informs the other of their knowledge, enriches all, the youngests will surely be experts in the new techniques of communication, and the grandparents will be expert in life.
Surveys confirm most children like to be with their parents irrespective of the fact the family is the primary community of teaching and learning: in that is learning the strengths and core values, where each person finds his own identity. Family life, many times hindered by the presence of television which induces isolation- the conversation with parents for children is an important factor in education to enhance their verbal expression, helping them to think and listen, and therefore to better understand.
The education of children requires a significant investment of time, sometimes subtracted from the family, perhaps with concern for the economy, but forgetting their role as educators. That paternal dedication in no way is substituted, even with the choice of an elite school. An important part of school failure is related to the lack of support from parents or older siblings. Sure, children learn best when they know they are followed in their homework, or heard from her parents telling a story, that one reading does not give the nuances of voice or the warmth of human presence. The human society will be more supportive and less violent if the parents spend more time with their children, and certainly the nostalgia of the days of living together will be a good inheritance.
Agustín Pérez | Independent Forum of Opinion | indeforum.wordpress.com
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Scary people
Sunday morning on my way into Cave Creek, fear struck. I saw smoke. Since I was very close, I drove toward the smoke, fear mounting. A light breeze was blowing, but not like the recent ones that approached 20 mph.
I thought I’d lost the smoke trail when suddenly it billowed before me. There were two men on the ground and one in the back of a pick-up. The man in the back of the pick-up was pitching dry landscape debris onto a large, hot fire and the two men on the ground were “managing” the fire by stirring the material, causing it to burn very hot.
How dumb is this? How illegal is this? How scary is this?
It’s been six years since the Cave Creek Complex Fire. With people like these in our midst we may very well have another anniversary to celebrate.
Name withheld by request
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Need Comprehensive Energy Strategy
The increase in gasoline prices reflects the instability in the Middle East and attendant speculation in the oil markets. We need to address the huge runup in oil prices with comprehensive policies designed to provide solutions to our energy consumption problems. Unfortunately, past administrations have failed us.
The Obama administration should continue to promote democracy in North Africa and the Middle East, and hopefully democratic reforms in these countries will provide some stability in the region and thereby help decrease speculation in the oil markets.
The U.S. has to increase domestic oil production, including oil derived from our Western U.S. oil shale and Alaskan oil deposits; build new refineries; build nuclear power plants meeting stringent U.S. specifications, including strict siting requirements; increase power production from natural gas and alternative energy sources, e.g. biomass, wind and solar; promote public transportation; and conserve energy in our homes, businesses, vehicles and in our travels. Another way to conserve gasoline consumption is to decrease the speed limits to 55 mph or 60 mph on our expressways, and we have to enforce these limits. Unfortunately many states have increased speed limits to between 70 mph and 85 mph. Some studies have shown going from 75 mph to 55 mph will reduce gasoline consumption by 33 percent.
U.S. nuclear plants should be designed to withstand a 9.0 earthquake, tornadoes, category 5 hurricanes and floods, and have battery and diesel generator back-up to provide power to coolant water for at least one month. Existing plants can only withstand a 7.5 earthquake and have four hours battery back-up; and spent fuel rods are currently stored on site. A reprocessing system must be established to neutralize or reuse these fuel rods.
We need the Obama administration to provide some leadership and implement a comprehensive energy strategy.
Donald A. Moskowitz | Londonderry, New Hampshire
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