Department of Homeland Security unveils comprehensive immigration enforcement strategy for the nation's interior
WASHINGTON , D.C. - Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Julie L. Myers, Assistant Secretary for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today unveiled a comprehensive immigration enforcement strategy for the nation's interior.
The new interior enforcement strategy represents the second phase of the Secure Border Initiative (SBI), which is the Department of Homeland Security's multi-year plan to secure America 's borders and reduce illegal migration. The first phase of the SBI remains focused on gaining operational control of the nation's borders through additional personnel and technology, while also re-engineering the detention and removal system to ensure that illegal aliens are removed from this country quickly and efficiently.
The interior enforcement strategy will complement the Department's border security efforts by expanding existing efforts to target employers of illegal aliens and immigration violators inside this country, as well as the many criminal networks that support these activities. The primary objectives are to reverse the tolerance of illegal employment and illegal immigration in the United States . To meet these objectives, the strategy sets out three primary goals or courses of action that will be carried out simultaneously:
The first is to identify and remove criminal aliens, immigration fugitives and other immigration violators from this country.
The second is to build strong worksite enforcement and compliance programs to deter illegal employment in this country.
The third is to uproot the criminal infrastructures at home and abroad that support illegal immigration, including human smuggling / trafficking organizations and document / benefit fraud organizations.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said, "Illegal immigration poses an increasing threat to our security and public safety, and hard-hitting interior enforcement will reinforce the strong stance we are taking at our borders. With the interior enforcement strategy of the Secure Border Initiative, we will aggressively target the growing support systems that make it easier for aliens to enter the country and find work outside of the law. This department will counter the unscrupulous tactics of employers with intelligence-driven worksite enforcement actions and combat exploitation by dangerous smuggling organizations with the full force of the law."
ICE Assistant Secretary Myers said, "This strategy lays down a detailed roadmap for ICE and Homeland Security to pursue in addressing the massive illegal alien problem in this country. Reversing growing tolerance for the employment of illegal aliens and for illegal immigration in general is critical to achieving success in this task."
Goal one: identify and remove criminal aliens, fugitives and other immigration violators
Identify and remove incarcerated criminal aliens -- The prisons and jails in this country are estimated to book roughly 630,000 foreign-born nationals on criminal charges annually. Too often, the criminal aliens among this population are not removed from the country upon completion of their criminal sentences, but released into society. To combat this problem, ICE will expand its Criminal Alien Program to ensure these aliens are properly identified while in jail and removed immediately after serving their sentences.
Locate and remove immigration fugitives -- There are more than 590,000 aliens at large in this country who are fugitives that have been ordered removed by an immigration judge. This number is increasing at a rate of more than 40,000 each year. ICE Fugitive Operations teams are charged with tasked with locating and arresting these fugitives. Since ICE was created in March 2003, these teams have arrested more than 42,000 aliens, of which 31,000 were fugitives. More than 29,000 of these individuals have been removed from the country. To help combat this problem, ICE will expand the number of Fugitive Operations teams from the existing 35 teams to 52 teams by the end of this fiscal year, with an additional 1,000 arrests projected per team, per year. The goal for ICE Fugitive Operation team arrests this fiscal year is approximately 25,000 arrests. ICE also plans to open a Fugitive Operation Support Center to assist field agents and officers in record checks and processing real-time leads from national computer databases.
Target and remove visa violators - A substantial portion of the illegal aliens in this country are visa violators, with an estimated 165,000 new visa violations occurring annually. ICE created the Compliance Enforcement Unit in June 2003 to focus on high-risk visa violators by using new computer systems such as the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to flag violators. Since its inception, this unit has sent more than 10,000 leads to ICE field offices resulting in 2,100 arrests. ICE will be expanding the capacity of this unit and other visa compliance efforts of its field offices. The Fiscal Year 2007 budget request seeks an additional $10 million for ICE compliance enforcement efforts. Last year, ICE arrested more than 6,000 visa violators nationwide.
Target and remove aliens that pose criminal / national security threats - There are numerous illegal aliens at large in this country that pose criminal and/or national security threats. ICE has created several programs to combat this problem. ICE's Operation Community Shield targets foreign-born gang members and has resulted in the arrest of 2,400 gang members since its inception in 2005. ICE also launched Operation Predator in 2003 to target, among others, illegal alien child sex offenders. This effort has resulted in more than 7,500 arrests, most of whom were alien child sex offenders. ICE also has more than 200 agents assigned to the nation's Joint Terrorism Task Forces. Last year, these agents made roughly 270 arrests for criminal or administrative immigration charges.
Provide real-time information to law enforcement officers - The ICE Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC) in Vermont provides real-time assistance 24 hours-per-day, 365 days-a-year to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who are investigating or who have arrested foreign-born nationals involved in criminal activity. The LESC has responded to more than 1.3 million such requests in the last two fiscal years and has lodged more than 7,000 immigration detainers in response to such requests this fiscal year. ICE will be expanding the capacities of the LESC.
Goal two: build strong worksite enforcement and compliance programs to deter illegal employment
Punish knowing and reckless employers of illegal aliens - Employers that knowingly and recklessly employ illegal aliens must be punished. ICE has already initiated a strategic shift in the way it approaches such employers by bringing criminal charges against them and seizing their illegally-derived assets -- rather than relying on the old tactic of administrative fines as sanctions. Last fiscal year, this new approach resulted in 127 criminal convictions, up from 46 the previous fiscal year. More employers are also being charged with money laundering violations, which can result in prison sentences of up to 20 years. Last year, a single ICE worksite enforcement investigation resulted in a settlement and forfeiture of $15 million, an amount that represented the largest worksite enforcement penalty in U.S. history and surpassed the sum of all administrative fines from the previous eight years. ICE seeks to enhance its worksite enforcement investigations with proposed additional funding. The Administration's Fiscal Year 2007 budget request seeks $41.7 million in new funds and 171 additional agents to enhance ICE's worksite enforcement efforts.
Eliminate Social Security abuses that support illegal immigration - Hundreds of thousands of workers in this country have registered "000-00-000" as a Social Security number. Millions have supplied social security numbers to their employers that do not match their names. This Social Security abuse provides a gateway for illegal aliens to obtain jobs. Currently, ICE does not have access to Social Security data to investigate these abuses. DHS is currently seeking a legislative fix in Congress that would provide ICE investigators with access to such data to combat this rampant fraud.
Work with Congress to build employer compliance systems - Employers who want to stay within the law need a clear set of rules to follow. ICE and DHS will seek to develop an administrative regulatory program to provide clearer guidance to employers.
Goal three: uproot the criminal infrastructure that supports illegal immigration
Target and dismantle human smuggling and trafficking organizations -- ICE investigations into human smuggling and trafficking organizations have resulted in 2,358 criminal convictions over the past two fiscal years. The number of ICE investigations launched into these organizations has increased from 2,564 in FY 2004 to 3,348 in FY 2005. ICE has begun applying its financial expertise to these investigations to target the illicit proceeds of these criminal organizations. ICE will continue to enhance its human smuggling and trafficking investigations and tighten its focus on the financial infrastructures of these organizations. One critical component of this effort will be the use of new Border Enforcement Security Task Forces (BEST) along the Southwest border to pool intelligence information from numerous agencies to better attack these organizations. The Department of Homeland Security created a BEST in Laredo , TX , last summer that has had considerable success in targeting cross-border criminal organizations and related violent crime. Another BEST has been launched in Arizona and others are scheduled to be created in Southwest border locations. ICE will also be harnessing the resources of its Attaché offices in more than 50 foreign nations to target human smuggling and trafficking organizations overseas in partnership with foreign law enforcement.
Detect and deter immigration-related document and benefit fraud -- In recent years, the problems of document and benefit fraud have surged, becoming increasingly sophisticated and lucrative. ICE established an Identity and Benefit Fraud Unit in 2003 to help address this problem. Over the past two years, the number of document and benefit fraud investigations launched by ICE has increased from 2,334 in FY 2004 to 3,591 in FY 2005. Criminal convictions in these cases have increased from 559 to 992 during this period. Earlier this month, ICE teamed up with officials from the Department of Justice, Department of Labor, Department of State and other agencies to create new "Document and Benefit Fraud Task Forces" in 10 major U.S. cities to combat this growing problem. Led by ICE, the task forces will build on existing partnerships to bring investigators together from a variety of agencies with expertise in different aspects of document and benefit fraud.
-- ICE --
Friday, April 21, 2006
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Senator "crash" Mccain can't read the dictionary?
Senator "crash" Mccain can't read the dictionary?
what part of "illegal aliens" does he not understand?
anyone who enters the US without permission is illegal.
Whenever a resident during the hour-long question/answer
session alleged his proposal offered amnesty to an
estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in
this country, McCain shook his head.
"We're obviously not reading the same dictionary,"
he said.
Throughout the evening, people called the
undocumented in this country, especially in Arizona,
"invaders," "illegal" and "disgusting." Some suggested
busing them back to their Latin American homelands,
while others called McCain's plan "moronic."
McCain agreed with many in the audience that federal
officials need to toughen border control.
He also insisted employment regulations would begin
to alleviate whatever burden the undocumented have
presented on the middle class.
"It may not be a perfect solution, but if somebody
has a better idea than screaming, 'fix the borders,'
then I'm listening," McCain said.
At one point in the evening, former democratic
governor of Montana Thomas L. Judge, a seasonal
Sun Lake resident, asked McCain why he supported
President Bush after they faced off in a GOP
presidential primary and Bush disparaged him.
see more at
http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/0420CR-mccain0420.html
what part of "illegal aliens" does he not understand?
anyone who enters the US without permission is illegal.
Whenever a resident during the hour-long question/answer
session alleged his proposal offered amnesty to an
estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in
this country, McCain shook his head.
"We're obviously not reading the same dictionary,"
he said.
Throughout the evening, people called the
undocumented in this country, especially in Arizona,
"invaders," "illegal" and "disgusting." Some suggested
busing them back to their Latin American homelands,
while others called McCain's plan "moronic."
McCain agreed with many in the audience that federal
officials need to toughen border control.
He also insisted employment regulations would begin
to alleviate whatever burden the undocumented have
presented on the middle class.
"It may not be a perfect solution, but if somebody
has a better idea than screaming, 'fix the borders,'
then I'm listening," McCain said.
At one point in the evening, former democratic
governor of Montana Thomas L. Judge, a seasonal
Sun Lake resident, asked McCain why he supported
President Bush after they faced off in a GOP
presidential primary and Bush disparaged him.
see more at
http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/0420CR-mccain0420.html
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
proposition 200 times 200? new anti-illegal laws for Georgia
proposition 200 times 200? new anti-illegal laws for Georgia
In Georgia, Governor Sonny Perdue this week signed into law what is being called the toughest piece of anti-illegal immigration law in the country. This law will deny state services to adults whose can't prove they're in the country legally. Employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens under this legislation will be subject to state penalty. And state police will be required to check the immigration status of every criminal suspect. Joining me now, the sponsor of the legislation, Georgia state Senator Chip Rogers who says this is the strongest bill in America dealing with illegal immigration. Good to have you with us, Senator.
CHIP ROGERS (R), GEORGIA STATE SENATE: Lou, it is great to be back again.
DOBBS: We talked with you back in March, and, frankly, it was unclear as to whether or not this legislation would pass. First, congratulations as the author of it.
ROGERS: Thank you.
DOBBS: The governor signing it into law. When will it actually go into enforcement?
ROGERS: This is such a comprehensive bill, Lou, that we have actually had the enactment date on July 1st of 2007. But when you consider what we've accomplished here with law enforcement, with public benefits, with public contracts, with private employers all across the board, it is a major, major undertaking. We are going to give those agencies a little time to get ready for it, but it is a big, big bill.
DOBBS: It's a big bill. Both sides, the pro-amnesty crowd, the pro-open borders folks, the anti-illegal immigration folks, all are upset with the legislation. What does that tell you?
ROGERS: We probably got it right because everybody was upset. But the reality is, Lou, there are some people who would like to go further. We're in a political process, but I can assure you this bill has been characterized as proposition 200 times 200.
So at the end of the day, those who realize that illegal immigration is destroying this nation and destroying our state in Georgia have come away very happy, because they realize what we've accomplished.
DOBBS: Well the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund, MALDAF, is threatening legal action, as you know, against the law. They call it unjust, unfair. How do you react?
ROGERS: Look, you know, if I legislated worrying about what some fringe group was going to do after the bill was passed, I wouldn't get much accomplished. I realize there are fringe groups out there that are going to try to take anybody and everybody to court. But look, we do what's right and we worry about what happens after that.
DOBBS: Well the Mexican government, some might call it a fringe group, blasting your legislation, now law, saying it discriminates against Mexicans, it's a half measure. How do you react to a government taking you on?
ROGERS: Well, I immediately challenged President Fox to read the bill again, and if he can find the word Mexico or any nation mentioned in that bill, next year I would move to repeal the bill. If he can't find it, I would ask him to worry about his problems in his country, problems which by the way are causing millions of his own citizens to leave his country. I would suggest, Lou, he's got more problems happening in his country that he needs to deal with rather worrying about what's happening in Georgia.
DOBBS: Well that is probably a sound and valid point. And again, we want to congratulate you, Senator Rogers, on the legislation. We thank you very much for joining us here tonight.
ROGERS: Thank you, Lou.
see cnn Lou Dobbs at
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/19/ldt.01.html
In Georgia, Governor Sonny Perdue this week signed into law what is being called the toughest piece of anti-illegal immigration law in the country. This law will deny state services to adults whose can't prove they're in the country legally. Employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens under this legislation will be subject to state penalty. And state police will be required to check the immigration status of every criminal suspect. Joining me now, the sponsor of the legislation, Georgia state Senator Chip Rogers who says this is the strongest bill in America dealing with illegal immigration. Good to have you with us, Senator.
CHIP ROGERS (R), GEORGIA STATE SENATE: Lou, it is great to be back again.
DOBBS: We talked with you back in March, and, frankly, it was unclear as to whether or not this legislation would pass. First, congratulations as the author of it.
ROGERS: Thank you.
DOBBS: The governor signing it into law. When will it actually go into enforcement?
ROGERS: This is such a comprehensive bill, Lou, that we have actually had the enactment date on July 1st of 2007. But when you consider what we've accomplished here with law enforcement, with public benefits, with public contracts, with private employers all across the board, it is a major, major undertaking. We are going to give those agencies a little time to get ready for it, but it is a big, big bill.
DOBBS: It's a big bill. Both sides, the pro-amnesty crowd, the pro-open borders folks, the anti-illegal immigration folks, all are upset with the legislation. What does that tell you?
ROGERS: We probably got it right because everybody was upset. But the reality is, Lou, there are some people who would like to go further. We're in a political process, but I can assure you this bill has been characterized as proposition 200 times 200.
So at the end of the day, those who realize that illegal immigration is destroying this nation and destroying our state in Georgia have come away very happy, because they realize what we've accomplished.
DOBBS: Well the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund, MALDAF, is threatening legal action, as you know, against the law. They call it unjust, unfair. How do you react?
ROGERS: Look, you know, if I legislated worrying about what some fringe group was going to do after the bill was passed, I wouldn't get much accomplished. I realize there are fringe groups out there that are going to try to take anybody and everybody to court. But look, we do what's right and we worry about what happens after that.
DOBBS: Well the Mexican government, some might call it a fringe group, blasting your legislation, now law, saying it discriminates against Mexicans, it's a half measure. How do you react to a government taking you on?
ROGERS: Well, I immediately challenged President Fox to read the bill again, and if he can find the word Mexico or any nation mentioned in that bill, next year I would move to repeal the bill. If he can't find it, I would ask him to worry about his problems in his country, problems which by the way are causing millions of his own citizens to leave his country. I would suggest, Lou, he's got more problems happening in his country that he needs to deal with rather worrying about what's happening in Georgia.
DOBBS: Well that is probably a sound and valid point. And again, we want to congratulate you, Senator Rogers, on the legislation. We thank you very much for joining us here tonight.
ROGERS: Thank you, Lou.
see cnn Lou Dobbs at
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/19/ldt.01.html
Monday, April 17, 2006
Rpublican Newsletter for Arizona
"It isn't fair that students have to be forced to listen to a political diatribe for 40 minutes and are not allowed to leave ... . I don't see where the diversity is. The school district said this is all about the diversity of opinion. But the reality is that there is only one voice that's being heard, and that's the pro-illegal immigrant."
- District 30 State Representative Jonathon Paton speaking on Fox News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor," about a recent speech given by activist Dolores Huerta at Tucson High Magnet School on April 3.
Annual Salute to Republican Legislators a Rousing Success
Many thanks to all of you who turned out to salute our Republican legislators last week at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort. The event was a phenomenal success.
Thanks also to Senate President Ken Bennett and Speaker of the House Jim Weiers for their remarks that night. We are fortunate to have such great leadership in our legislature.
Representative Paton Seeks Answers From Tucson Unified School District
District 30 Representative Jonathon Paton is seeking answers from the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) after recent events present a picture of a school district more concerned with promoting a political agenda rather than education.
On April 3, co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union Dolores Huerta addressed a student assembly at Tucson High Magnet School. During her remarks, Huerta said that, "Republicans hate Latinos."
Huerta also used the occasion to praise Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and blame the United States for problems in Latin America.
Representative Paton appeared on the April 13 edition of Fox News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor" with student Mon-yee Fung to discuss the incident and question why TUSD would allow Huerta a forum to promote such inflammatory rhetoric.
The Arizona House of Representatives will convene a hearing on the incident on Thursday.
Time Magazine: Senators McCain and Kyl Two of the Senate's Best
Time Magazine this week reports what we already know: Arizona has two of the best senators in the country.
In its "America's 10 Best Senators" Time places both Arizona senators in the spotlight. In the article Time writes, "They say the Senate is the world's most exclusive club. But the real elite is made up not of those who break in but of those who make a difference once they get there."
Arizona is the only state with both senators featured.
Read the feature online.
Kyl Captains Needed to Combat Distortion by Pederson
On Monday of last week, Jim Pederson ran his first television spots in the Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma markets. The former chairman of the State Democrat Party, who has a record of supporting liberal Democrat candidates and causes, is now running for Senate claiming that he will be an "independent Senator." Thus begins the extreme makeover of Jim Pederson.
Please ask ten friends and family to sign-up to be Kyl Captains today at www.jonkyl.com/captains/. Now more than ever, it is imperative we continue growing a strong grassroots network on behalf of Senator Kyl to fight off Mr. Pederson's deep pockets.
Capitol Update
WHAT YOUR REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE IS DOING - For the week ending April 14, 2006
• No trespassing! Last week the legislature sent a bill to the governor that creates the state crime of trespass. Under Senate Bill 1157, being in Arizona in violation of immigration laws would be a class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense. Subsequent arrests would subject the person to being charged with a felony offense.
The bill gives local law enforcement a tool they have never had before. For the first time in situations where there is reason to believe that a person is in the United States illegally, state and local officers will have the basis to hold and transfer the person to federal authorities or bring forward a state charge.
SB 1157 will create a fingerprint database of those charged with this crime, which is especially critical in tracking human smugglers, drug dealers and other negative elements among illegal border crossers. The measure should also act as a deterrent to entering Arizona illegally.
The governor has a chance to take a big step in the right direction by signing SB 1157 and finally begin showing she is interested in joining with legislative Republicans in the effort to curb the onslaught of illegal immigration in Arizona.
• She doesn't feel their pain. Governor Napolitano vetoed a bill that would have required doctors to inform women at least 20 weeks pregnant and seeking an abortion that a fetus may feel pain during the abortion. The bill in no way impacted a woman's ability to obtain an abortion, but that didn't stop Napolitano from cow-towing to the abortion-at-all-costs constituency.
• Timber! The Legislature is on its way to fulfilling a promise to implement at least $250 million in broad-based tax relief. Much of the plan centers on permanent income tax cuts and a phase out of the state education property tax. The final version of the plan will go hand in hand with a fiscally responsible budget that does not outspend anticipated revenue, which is now in the process of being finalized by the legislative majority.
• Did you know? Governor Napolitano is lining up police union officials to come up with excuses why they don't want a new state crime of trespass established to deal with illegal aliens. Meanwhile a CBS 5 news poll shows that 76 percent of Arizonans believe the governor should sign the bill allowing local law enforcement to arrest illegal immigrants.
• Quote of the week: "All too often we hear that law enforcement cannot enforce federal law, so nothing is done. Under this proposal, local law enforcement will not be enforcing federal law, they will be enforcing Arizona's law." -- Senate Bill 1157 sponsor Senator Barbara Leff (R-11).
Phone Banks: Your Chance to Get Involved and Help the GOP
The Arizona Republican Party will be conducting three phone banks this week as part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that we are in the best position to claim victory in November. We need your help!
If you've been looking for an opportunity to help the Arizona GOP, phone banks are a great way to get involved.
The following locations will be used for phone banks. Call Mike Haller for more details at (602) 957-7770.
Tuesday, April 18:
AZ GOP Headquarters
3501 N. 24th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 957-7770
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 19:
Maricopa County GOP Headquarters
15440 N. 35th Ave.
Phoenix AZ, 85053
(35th Ave. and Greenway)
(602) 957-3999
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 20:
124 E. Auto Center Drive
Mesa, AZ 85204
(just South of US 60, West of Mesa Drive)
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Senator McCain to Conduct Town Halls Throughout State
Senator John McCain will be holding town hall meetings throughout the state this week. This is your opportunity to hear a report from Washington, D.C. and get your questions answered.
Seating is on a first come, first served basis. The meetings are open to the public and no ticket is required.
Monday, April 17, 2006
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Kofa Highschool
3100 South Avenue A
Yuma, Arizona
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Pyle Center
655 E. Southern Ave. (One block west of Rural)
Tempe, Arizona
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
6:00 p.m. to last question
Oakwood Country Club
24215 South Oakwood Blvd.
Sun Lakes, Arizona
ASU and NAU College Republicans Host Conservative Pride Week
The week of April 17th marks the second annual Conservative Pride Week at Arizona State University. The university's College Republicans will be hosting events examining issues such as corruption within the United Nations, illegal immigration, and academic freedom.
The week's events will culminate with a presentation by columnist and author David Horowitz on Thursday, April 20th. Seating begins at 4:15 PM in SCOB 210. Horowitz will also participate in a book signing at Border's on Mill Avenue and 7th Street in downtown Tempe at 7:30PM.
Hieu Tran, the club's director of relations, can be contacted at (480) 634-3898 for more information.
At Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, events will highlight students' support for our U.S. military, opposition to illegal immigration, and pointing out the folly of animal rights activists.
For a full calendar of events, please visit www.azgop.org.
- District 30 State Representative Jonathon Paton speaking on Fox News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor," about a recent speech given by activist Dolores Huerta at Tucson High Magnet School on April 3.
Annual Salute to Republican Legislators a Rousing Success
Many thanks to all of you who turned out to salute our Republican legislators last week at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort. The event was a phenomenal success.
Thanks also to Senate President Ken Bennett and Speaker of the House Jim Weiers for their remarks that night. We are fortunate to have such great leadership in our legislature.
Representative Paton Seeks Answers From Tucson Unified School District
District 30 Representative Jonathon Paton is seeking answers from the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) after recent events present a picture of a school district more concerned with promoting a political agenda rather than education.
On April 3, co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union Dolores Huerta addressed a student assembly at Tucson High Magnet School. During her remarks, Huerta said that, "Republicans hate Latinos."
Huerta also used the occasion to praise Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and blame the United States for problems in Latin America.
Representative Paton appeared on the April 13 edition of Fox News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor" with student Mon-yee Fung to discuss the incident and question why TUSD would allow Huerta a forum to promote such inflammatory rhetoric.
The Arizona House of Representatives will convene a hearing on the incident on Thursday.
Time Magazine: Senators McCain and Kyl Two of the Senate's Best
Time Magazine this week reports what we already know: Arizona has two of the best senators in the country.
In its "America's 10 Best Senators" Time places both Arizona senators in the spotlight. In the article Time writes, "They say the Senate is the world's most exclusive club. But the real elite is made up not of those who break in but of those who make a difference once they get there."
Arizona is the only state with both senators featured.
Read the feature online.
Kyl Captains Needed to Combat Distortion by Pederson
On Monday of last week, Jim Pederson ran his first television spots in the Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma markets. The former chairman of the State Democrat Party, who has a record of supporting liberal Democrat candidates and causes, is now running for Senate claiming that he will be an "independent Senator." Thus begins the extreme makeover of Jim Pederson.
Please ask ten friends and family to sign-up to be Kyl Captains today at www.jonkyl.com/captains/. Now more than ever, it is imperative we continue growing a strong grassroots network on behalf of Senator Kyl to fight off Mr. Pederson's deep pockets.
Capitol Update
WHAT YOUR REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE IS DOING - For the week ending April 14, 2006
• No trespassing! Last week the legislature sent a bill to the governor that creates the state crime of trespass. Under Senate Bill 1157, being in Arizona in violation of immigration laws would be a class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense. Subsequent arrests would subject the person to being charged with a felony offense.
The bill gives local law enforcement a tool they have never had before. For the first time in situations where there is reason to believe that a person is in the United States illegally, state and local officers will have the basis to hold and transfer the person to federal authorities or bring forward a state charge.
SB 1157 will create a fingerprint database of those charged with this crime, which is especially critical in tracking human smugglers, drug dealers and other negative elements among illegal border crossers. The measure should also act as a deterrent to entering Arizona illegally.
The governor has a chance to take a big step in the right direction by signing SB 1157 and finally begin showing she is interested in joining with legislative Republicans in the effort to curb the onslaught of illegal immigration in Arizona.
• She doesn't feel their pain. Governor Napolitano vetoed a bill that would have required doctors to inform women at least 20 weeks pregnant and seeking an abortion that a fetus may feel pain during the abortion. The bill in no way impacted a woman's ability to obtain an abortion, but that didn't stop Napolitano from cow-towing to the abortion-at-all-costs constituency.
• Timber! The Legislature is on its way to fulfilling a promise to implement at least $250 million in broad-based tax relief. Much of the plan centers on permanent income tax cuts and a phase out of the state education property tax. The final version of the plan will go hand in hand with a fiscally responsible budget that does not outspend anticipated revenue, which is now in the process of being finalized by the legislative majority.
• Did you know? Governor Napolitano is lining up police union officials to come up with excuses why they don't want a new state crime of trespass established to deal with illegal aliens. Meanwhile a CBS 5 news poll shows that 76 percent of Arizonans believe the governor should sign the bill allowing local law enforcement to arrest illegal immigrants.
• Quote of the week: "All too often we hear that law enforcement cannot enforce federal law, so nothing is done. Under this proposal, local law enforcement will not be enforcing federal law, they will be enforcing Arizona's law." -- Senate Bill 1157 sponsor Senator Barbara Leff (R-11).
Phone Banks: Your Chance to Get Involved and Help the GOP
The Arizona Republican Party will be conducting three phone banks this week as part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that we are in the best position to claim victory in November. We need your help!
If you've been looking for an opportunity to help the Arizona GOP, phone banks are a great way to get involved.
The following locations will be used for phone banks. Call Mike Haller for more details at (602) 957-7770.
Tuesday, April 18:
AZ GOP Headquarters
3501 N. 24th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 957-7770
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 19:
Maricopa County GOP Headquarters
15440 N. 35th Ave.
Phoenix AZ, 85053
(35th Ave. and Greenway)
(602) 957-3999
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 20:
124 E. Auto Center Drive
Mesa, AZ 85204
(just South of US 60, West of Mesa Drive)
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Senator McCain to Conduct Town Halls Throughout State
Senator John McCain will be holding town hall meetings throughout the state this week. This is your opportunity to hear a report from Washington, D.C. and get your questions answered.
Seating is on a first come, first served basis. The meetings are open to the public and no ticket is required.
Monday, April 17, 2006
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Kofa Highschool
3100 South Avenue A
Yuma, Arizona
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Pyle Center
655 E. Southern Ave. (One block west of Rural)
Tempe, Arizona
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
6:00 p.m. to last question
Oakwood Country Club
24215 South Oakwood Blvd.
Sun Lakes, Arizona
ASU and NAU College Republicans Host Conservative Pride Week
The week of April 17th marks the second annual Conservative Pride Week at Arizona State University. The university's College Republicans will be hosting events examining issues such as corruption within the United Nations, illegal immigration, and academic freedom.
The week's events will culminate with a presentation by columnist and author David Horowitz on Thursday, April 20th. Seating begins at 4:15 PM in SCOB 210. Horowitz will also participate in a book signing at Border's on Mill Avenue and 7th Street in downtown Tempe at 7:30PM.
Hieu Tran, the club's director of relations, can be contacted at (480) 634-3898 for more information.
At Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, events will highlight students' support for our U.S. military, opposition to illegal immigration, and pointing out the folly of animal rights activists.
For a full calendar of events, please visit www.azgop.org.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Letter to Senator Kyl and a copy to Mccain
deepest sympathy.
I just heard Senator "crash" Mccain is chairman of your re election campaign.
If Mccain continues to peedle his $2,000 amenesty
with Kennedy, Mccain may bring you down in November.
May have your staff update thier resumes today.
thanks
ed
secure the border.
I just heard Senator "crash" Mccain is chairman of your re election campaign.
If Mccain continues to peedle his $2,000 amenesty
with Kennedy, Mccain may bring you down in November.
May have your staff update thier resumes today.
thanks
ed
secure the border.
McCain warns 2006 will be "tough election" for GOP
McCain warns 2006 will be "tough election" for GOP
by O. Kay Henderson
Arizona Senator John McCain was in Iowa Thursday to help Republican candidates for governor and congress raise campaign cash, but McCain is warning that 2006 will not be an easy road for the GOP. "I think we have a tough election coming up," McCain says.
The rebounding economy as well as local issues and personalities will have some influence on the final outcome, but McCain is less than optimistic. "I don't discount that this is going to be a tough election for Republicans all over the country," McCain says.
President Bush's approval ratings have fallen to all-time lows and McCain points to polls which show just less than one-third of American approve of the job performance of the Republican-led Congress. McCain himself may be seeking a new job in 2008, that of president. McCain's trip to Iowa is an indication he will compete in Iowa's lead-off Caucuses.
McCain did not run here in 2000, but started in New Hampshire where he scored a victory over then-Governor George Bush. "Iowans feel that everybody should come here and compete and I understand that," McCain says. "We didn't have the resources, primarily. We just didn't have the money to come here and to wage what we thought was a viable campaign in New Hampshire, but I can certainly understand why people wouldn't like it if you don't come here. That's the Iowa Caucuses."
While McCain appears prepared to compete in Iowa this time around, McCain's stand on key issues like immigration and ethanol highlight the obstacles that stand in the way. McCain has a long record of opposing the tax advantage for corn-based ethanol. "I don't like subsidies," McCain says.
McCain isn't sure how that will play in Iowa. "I hope that people will understand my position and judge me on my overall record and view of the future and all that, but I don't know how they'll judge it," McCain says.
McCain made his comments at a news conference in Des Moines. He made appearances yesterday in Dyersville, Cedar Rapids and Muscatine, too.
by O. Kay Henderson
Arizona Senator John McCain was in Iowa Thursday to help Republican candidates for governor and congress raise campaign cash, but McCain is warning that 2006 will not be an easy road for the GOP. "I think we have a tough election coming up," McCain says.
The rebounding economy as well as local issues and personalities will have some influence on the final outcome, but McCain is less than optimistic. "I don't discount that this is going to be a tough election for Republicans all over the country," McCain says.
President Bush's approval ratings have fallen to all-time lows and McCain points to polls which show just less than one-third of American approve of the job performance of the Republican-led Congress. McCain himself may be seeking a new job in 2008, that of president. McCain's trip to Iowa is an indication he will compete in Iowa's lead-off Caucuses.
McCain did not run here in 2000, but started in New Hampshire where he scored a victory over then-Governor George Bush. "Iowans feel that everybody should come here and compete and I understand that," McCain says. "We didn't have the resources, primarily. We just didn't have the money to come here and to wage what we thought was a viable campaign in New Hampshire, but I can certainly understand why people wouldn't like it if you don't come here. That's the Iowa Caucuses."
While McCain appears prepared to compete in Iowa this time around, McCain's stand on key issues like immigration and ethanol highlight the obstacles that stand in the way. McCain has a long record of opposing the tax advantage for corn-based ethanol. "I don't like subsidies," McCain says.
McCain isn't sure how that will play in Iowa. "I hope that people will understand my position and judge me on my overall record and view of the future and all that, but I don't know how they'll judge it," McCain says.
McCain made his comments at a news conference in Des Moines. He made appearances yesterday in Dyersville, Cedar Rapids and Muscatine, too.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Sen. John McCain seeking revenge ?
Sen. John McCain seeking revenge ?
Sources close to Sen. John McCain say he hopes the Justice Department
will indict embattled Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, which would
terminate investigation by McCain's Senate Indian Affairs Committee of
Abramoff's deals with Indian tribes.
McCain has been accused by critics inside the Republican Party of using
the Abramoff investigation to get back at foes of the senator's 2000
presidential campaign and help his possible 2008 candidacy. Government
sources report federal prosecutors are considering possible RICO
(anti-racketeering) and tax evasion indictments."
- Robert Novak
This piece belittles the story:
"This is political dynamite. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was
quick to charge Republicans with a "climate of corruption," and other
Democrats will point to the recent indictments of a White House
procurement official and of Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, on
unrelated charges, as further instances of such a climate. "
- Michael Barone
Sources close to Sen. John McCain say he hopes the Justice Department
will indict embattled Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, which would
terminate investigation by McCain's Senate Indian Affairs Committee of
Abramoff's deals with Indian tribes.
McCain has been accused by critics inside the Republican Party of using
the Abramoff investigation to get back at foes of the senator's 2000
presidential campaign and help his possible 2008 candidacy. Government
sources report federal prosecutors are considering possible RICO
(anti-racketeering) and tax evasion indictments."
- Robert Novak
This piece belittles the story:
"This is political dynamite. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was
quick to charge Republicans with a "climate of corruption," and other
Democrats will point to the recent indictments of a White House
procurement official and of Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, on
unrelated charges, as further instances of such a climate. "
- Michael Barone
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
healthy showing by Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist in California
is it time for a third party ?
Special election in Orange County featuring a maverick, third-party candidate who sought to capitalize on growing fears of illegal immigration.
In a race that drew national attention, Sen. John Campbell (R-Irvine) held a wide lead throughout the evening, ending the night with nearly 45% of the vote. But it was Minuteman Project co-founder and first-time candidate Jim Gilchrist of the American Independent Party who drew the spotlight with his one-issue campaign.
hwo much is " illegal immigration. adding to your health costs and taxes ?
see more at............
see http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-coxseat7dec07,0,7190560.story?coll=la-home-headlines
Special election in Orange County featuring a maverick, third-party candidate who sought to capitalize on growing fears of illegal immigration.
In a race that drew national attention, Sen. John Campbell (R-Irvine) held a wide lead throughout the evening, ending the night with nearly 45% of the vote. But it was Minuteman Project co-founder and first-time candidate Jim Gilchrist of the American Independent Party who drew the spotlight with his one-issue campaign.
hwo much is " illegal immigration. adding to your health costs and taxes ?
see more at............
see http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-coxseat7dec07,0,7190560.story?coll=la-home-headlines
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
22 bags of garbage were left at Rep Koble office
Twenty-two bags of garbage were left leaning against
the door of Rep. Jim Kolbe's (R-AZ) office in Sierra
Vista, Arizona.
(See http://www.svherald.com/articles/2003/09/29/news/news1.txt) The garbage was gathered earlier that day from a lay-up site used by illegal aliens as they crossed through Cochise County, Arizona on their way north. The garbage was unsightly, smelly, and prevented access to Congressman Kolbe's office until it was removed. The illegal alien garbage was stuffed into bags provided by Cochise County which are clearly labeled "Cochise County UDA Cleanup". (UDA means "Undocumented Aliens". Sanitation engineers were forced to come and remove the trash and to sanitize the sidewalk upon which the trash sat and the wall and door against which the trash was leaned in order for Rep. Kolbe's office to resume normal operations.
Until now, no one has taken responsibility for this
act of protest against Kolbe's failed border policies.
No one has come forward to claim credit for this act
against the Congressman who is sponsoring a stealth
amnesty "guest worker" bill (HR2899) which will lead
to even more illegal aliens and thus more illegal
alien trash in our desert and backyards.
No one has put their name to this act against Kolbe
who defies 70% of Arizona citizens when he opposes
the Protect Arizona Now Initiative
(The Arizona Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act).
No one has said, "I did it!" when it comes to this
protest against Rep. Kolbe who has, every time,
voted against allowing INS and now DHS to request
military assistance on the border. No one has
stepped forward as the perpetrator of this act against
Kolbe who is primarily responsible for the
dismantling of the Border Patrol checkpoints
on the highways north in Cochise County.
No one has claimed responsibility,
until now.
I, the Undersigned, claim responsibility for this act
of protest against Rep. Jim Kolbe and his failed
border policies.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
the door of Rep. Jim Kolbe's (R-AZ) office in Sierra
Vista, Arizona.
(See http://www.svherald.com/articles/2003/09/29/news/news1.txt) The garbage was gathered earlier that day from a lay-up site used by illegal aliens as they crossed through Cochise County, Arizona on their way north. The garbage was unsightly, smelly, and prevented access to Congressman Kolbe's office until it was removed. The illegal alien garbage was stuffed into bags provided by Cochise County which are clearly labeled "Cochise County UDA Cleanup". (UDA means "Undocumented Aliens". Sanitation engineers were forced to come and remove the trash and to sanitize the sidewalk upon which the trash sat and the wall and door against which the trash was leaned in order for Rep. Kolbe's office to resume normal operations.
Until now, no one has taken responsibility for this
act of protest against Kolbe's failed border policies.
No one has come forward to claim credit for this act
against the Congressman who is sponsoring a stealth
amnesty "guest worker" bill (HR2899) which will lead
to even more illegal aliens and thus more illegal
alien trash in our desert and backyards.
No one has put their name to this act against Kolbe
who defies 70% of Arizona citizens when he opposes
the Protect Arizona Now Initiative
(The Arizona Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act).
No one has said, "I did it!" when it comes to this
protest against Rep. Kolbe who has, every time,
voted against allowing INS and now DHS to request
military assistance on the border. No one has
stepped forward as the perpetrator of this act against
Kolbe who is primarily responsible for the
dismantling of the Border Patrol checkpoints
on the highways north in Cochise County.
No one has claimed responsibility,
until now.
I, the Undersigned, claim responsibility for this act
of protest against Rep. Jim Kolbe and his failed
border policies.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
Rep. Jim Kolbe will not seek re election
Rep. Jim Kolbe will not seek re election
Rep. Jim Kolbe
the only gay Republican in Congress,
announced Wednesday that he will not seek
a 12th term next year, and cited Washington's
increasingly partisan atmosphere as one reason
he's leaving.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051124/ap_on_el_ho/kolbe_re_election
Rep. Jim Kolbe
the only gay Republican in Congress,
announced Wednesday that he will not seek
a 12th term next year, and cited Washington's
increasingly partisan atmosphere as one reason
he's leaving.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051124/ap_on_el_ho/kolbe_re_election
Monday, November 21, 2005
McCain, Graham Warn GOP May Be in Trouble
McCain, Graham Warn GOP May Be in Trouble
With the war in Iraq, higher energy costs and breakneck government spending, the GOP faces a tough round of congressional elections in 2006 unless things change, two key Republican senators warned during a campaign appearance.
"I think if this were not an odd-numbered year, we would have great difficulties," said U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
McCain and fellow-Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina were interviewed by The Associated Press when they stopped here Sunday night to campaign for Republican state Attorney General Henry McMaster.
"But we can recover," McCain said. "Reagan recovered. Clinton recovered. We can recover."
The party must show "progress in Iraq, we need a comprehensive energy package and we need to stop this profligate spending," he warned.
"If the election were tomorrow, we'd be in trouble," agreed Graham, who said the party must work to cut spending.
"If we really want to do well in 2006, we need to have fiscal discipline like Republicans campaigned on," he said. "We have lost our way as a party. Our base is deflated and taxpayers don't see any difference between us and the Democrats."
Graham said the party has to again reach the voters.
"You don't have to stop being conservative, you got to start connecting," he said, adding "we need to adjust and if we don't adjust, we're going to be in trouble."
The party, he said, must be honest enough to admit that things aren't going as well as hoped in Iraq.
"Democrats who have this cut-and-run strategy _ the public doesn't want to follow that. They want to follow Republicans who understand the war is not going as well as it should but who understand that our security is better off with a successful outcome in Iraq," he said.
The message in Iraq, McCain said, "is we are making progress, we have to make progress and we regret the loss of every single young American. But the benefits of success are enormous."
McCain has been mentioned as a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2008. He said he will not make a decision on a race until after next year's elections.
McCain, looking at Graham, told the crowd of about 100 people that "some people have said this might be a very attractive vice presidential candidate."
The crowd clapped and whistled. Graham simply smiled.
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/11/21/D8E1450G1.html
With the war in Iraq, higher energy costs and breakneck government spending, the GOP faces a tough round of congressional elections in 2006 unless things change, two key Republican senators warned during a campaign appearance.
"I think if this were not an odd-numbered year, we would have great difficulties," said U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
McCain and fellow-Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina were interviewed by The Associated Press when they stopped here Sunday night to campaign for Republican state Attorney General Henry McMaster.
"But we can recover," McCain said. "Reagan recovered. Clinton recovered. We can recover."
The party must show "progress in Iraq, we need a comprehensive energy package and we need to stop this profligate spending," he warned.
"If the election were tomorrow, we'd be in trouble," agreed Graham, who said the party must work to cut spending.
"If we really want to do well in 2006, we need to have fiscal discipline like Republicans campaigned on," he said. "We have lost our way as a party. Our base is deflated and taxpayers don't see any difference between us and the Democrats."
Graham said the party has to again reach the voters.
"You don't have to stop being conservative, you got to start connecting," he said, adding "we need to adjust and if we don't adjust, we're going to be in trouble."
The party, he said, must be honest enough to admit that things aren't going as well as hoped in Iraq.
"Democrats who have this cut-and-run strategy _ the public doesn't want to follow that. They want to follow Republicans who understand the war is not going as well as it should but who understand that our security is better off with a successful outcome in Iraq," he said.
The message in Iraq, McCain said, "is we are making progress, we have to make progress and we regret the loss of every single young American. But the benefits of success are enormous."
McCain has been mentioned as a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2008. He said he will not make a decision on a race until after next year's elections.
McCain, looking at Graham, told the crowd of about 100 people that "some people have said this might be a very attractive vice presidential candidate."
The crowd clapped and whistled. Graham simply smiled.
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/11/21/D8E1450G1.html
Sunday, November 20, 2005
more info on senator mccain
Q: Back in December the GOP candidates were asked at a group debate to name their favorite philosophers. George W. Bush said Jesus Christ; John McCain said Teddy Roosevelt. Which has been, in his behavior since, more true to his philosopher?
A: TR is no doubt spinning in his grave.
~ ~ ~
Perhaps to understand John Sidney McCain III, we must start at the (practical) beginning.
He was known among many of his Vietnam flight buddies as "Ace" McCain. This title was not bestowed because he destroyed five enemy aircraft. On the contrary: It was five on our side — in fact, five of his own. Since throwing his hat into the presidential ring, the fact that McCain was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy nearly at the bottom of his class has not been much publicized. Still less has been his reckless, incompetent flying.
It wasn’t long after arriving in Pensacola that McCain racked up the first of his five crashes, beginning in 1958, on his way to becoming a "reverse ace." As told by McCain biographer Robert Timberg, "McCain was practicing landings; his engine quit and he plunged into Corpus Christi Bay. Knocked unconscious by the impact, he came to as the plane settled to the bottom." There was, however, no engine failure with the aircraft. According to one of McCain’s former flight instructors, "The engine was removed from the aircraft that afternoon, mounted on a test stand and a new propeller installed. [It] was flushed with fresh water and started. It ran just fine. So the theory of engine failure was proven false." The instructor added that McCain was "positively one of the weakest students to pass our way, and received consistently poor marks and a number of Dangerous Down grades assigned by more than one instructor. He had no real ability and was clearly out of his element in an airplane, and way over his head even as a junior naval officer."
The second of McCain’s crashes occurred while he was deployed in the Mediterranean. "Flying too low over the Iberian Peninsula," reports Timberg, "he took out some power lines which led to a spate of newspaper stories in which he was predictably identified as the son of an admiral."
Crash three occurred when McCain was returning from flying a trainer solo to Philadelphia for an Army-Navy football game. According to Timberg, McCain radioed, "I’ve got a flameout." He went through the standard relight procedures three times. At one thousand feet, he ejected, landing on the deserted beach moments before the plane slammed into a clump of trees."
Despite all this, by 1967, McCain was somehow deemed ready for battle and assigned to the USS Forrestal as an A-4 Skyhawk pilot. While seated in the cockpit of his aircraft waiting for takeoff, a freak accident occurred when a rocket slammed into the exterior fuel tank of McCain’s plane. Miraculously, McCain escaped from the burning aircraft, but dozens of his shipmates were killed and injured in the explosions that followed.
McCain’s final downing came just three months later when his A-4 was hit by antiaircraft artillery over Truc Bach Lake near Hanoi, North Vietnam. McCain spent the next five-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war and, upon return to the United States in 1973, like the other returning POWs, McCain became an instant hero. The POWs had been treated abominably, yet stood up to their torturers and were deserving of the accolades they received. But some questioned the number and types of medals bestowed upon "Ace" McCain, the son of the admiral commanding in the Pacific as well as the grandson of another admiral.
"McCain had roughly 20 hours in combat," explains Bill Bell, a veteran of Vietnam and chief of the U.S. Office for POW/MIA Affairs — the first official U.S. representative in Vietnam since the 1973 fall of Saigon. "Since McCain got 28 medals," Bell continues, "that equals out to about a medal-and-a-half for each hour he spent in combat. There were infantry guys — grunts on the ground — who had more than 7,000 hours in combat and I can tell you that there were times and situations where I’m sure a prison cell would have looked pretty good to them by comparison. The question really is how many guys got that number of medals for not being shot down."
Why all of the above matters is that the Arizona senator is purporting to be running a campaign based not primarily upon issues but upon "biography" and "character." That is certainly the core of his appeal to so-called independents and Democrat crossovers. Yet the truth is that his biography is exaggerated at best. The appellation "war hero" should be an embarrassment to him, and certainly an insult to genuine war heroes like, well, Bob Dole and George Bush the Elder, whose exploits exceeded by quite a bit mishaps stemming from not being sure which end of the cockpit to face. And if McCain possessed the level of character he claims, he would be embarrassed.
Far from it. He revels in his "war hero" image; wallows in it, really. So much so that he ridicules Bush the Younger's National Guard service and GHWB's alleged string-pulling to get it for him even though Sailor would have been drummed out of the Navy for all his foul-ups were his sire and grandsire not amongst the top brass.
The effect of that seems to have been to develop within McCain an entitlement mentality. One that has grown a pace with his political ambitions. Only difference is, now his elders aren't around to clean up his messes for him.
McCain points to his eighteen years in Congress as the kind of experience needed to run the country as President. Yet the bulk of that time he has simply taken up space. He has no noteworthy legislative achievements to his name. The closest thing he has attained to a reputation is for being remarkably arrogant and ill-tempered with colleagues, to the point of blithering, profanity-laced rages against any who don't see things the way he does. Which is part & parcel of why so few GOP members in either house have endorsed him.
McCain, in a belated effort to reach out to the Republican base he's been figuratively kneeing in the collective groin in recent months, points to his career voting record as proof that he's a "Reagan Republican." Which is a little like Krusty the Clown claiming Fred Rogers as his professional mentor.
Through about 1996 "Sailor's" claim is true. Since then his record has moved considerably leftward - again, concurrent with his national political ambitions.
And now? He favors evisceration of the First Amendment via another spasm of so-called campaign finance reform. He opposes real Medicare reform and supports greater spending on it instead. He supports the so-called Patient's Bill of Rights, which would be a boon to trial lawyers. He was a big backer of the shakedown of Big Tobacco and still favors ratcheting up cigarette taxes. He opposes "meaningful" tax cuts and uses leftish class warfare rhetoric to criticize Governor Bush's rather modest proposal. He is now squishy on abortion, as evidenced by his answer to the hypothetical question of a pregnant daughter that "it would be her decision." And he was one of the few enthusiastic Republican backers of Bill Clinton's aggression against Yugoslavia a year ago.
Is that "growing in office"? Has he "changed his mind," or "gained a broader perspective"? If so, fine; let him say so. And he was, as long as it was helping him hijack a few early GOP primaries. Now come the serious contests, most of them Republican-only, and overnight he's a born-again Reaganite. Hardly the way to build a "new coalition."
What's more, it's difficult to take even his dogged, passionate stumping for campaign finance reform very seriously, if only because it was his own dalliance with Charles Keating that almost destroyed his political career. Was a reformer born that day, the scales fallen from his eyes? Or did he figure he had to sell out in order to survive, and picked the issue most likely to curry the favor of the Beltway press?
In any case, his hypocrisy on his core issue continues to this day. Really, how much credibility does any man have to claim to be an "outsider" when he is the Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee in his day job? How much credibility does he have when the "special interests" of which he claims to be the nemesis are big contributors to his campaign, and lend him corporate jets to whisk him around the country? How much of a "reformer" is he when he violates federal spending limits in state after state and rolls over some $2 million in cash left over from his last Senate re-election warchest - both actions he endless and sanctimoniously condemns in others?
He's only playing by the rules? But if he seeks to tighten those rules, shouldn't he live by his higher standard to set a "good example"?
Still, phonies and hypocrites in politics are a dime a dozen.
And then "Ace" McCain went to Virginia Beach.
And all hell broke loose.
more info at................
http://home.comcast.net/~jimsondergeld/McCainiatheMan.html
A: TR is no doubt spinning in his grave.
~ ~ ~
Perhaps to understand John Sidney McCain III, we must start at the (practical) beginning.
He was known among many of his Vietnam flight buddies as "Ace" McCain. This title was not bestowed because he destroyed five enemy aircraft. On the contrary: It was five on our side — in fact, five of his own. Since throwing his hat into the presidential ring, the fact that McCain was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy nearly at the bottom of his class has not been much publicized. Still less has been his reckless, incompetent flying.
It wasn’t long after arriving in Pensacola that McCain racked up the first of his five crashes, beginning in 1958, on his way to becoming a "reverse ace." As told by McCain biographer Robert Timberg, "McCain was practicing landings; his engine quit and he plunged into Corpus Christi Bay. Knocked unconscious by the impact, he came to as the plane settled to the bottom." There was, however, no engine failure with the aircraft. According to one of McCain’s former flight instructors, "The engine was removed from the aircraft that afternoon, mounted on a test stand and a new propeller installed. [It] was flushed with fresh water and started. It ran just fine. So the theory of engine failure was proven false." The instructor added that McCain was "positively one of the weakest students to pass our way, and received consistently poor marks and a number of Dangerous Down grades assigned by more than one instructor. He had no real ability and was clearly out of his element in an airplane, and way over his head even as a junior naval officer."
The second of McCain’s crashes occurred while he was deployed in the Mediterranean. "Flying too low over the Iberian Peninsula," reports Timberg, "he took out some power lines which led to a spate of newspaper stories in which he was predictably identified as the son of an admiral."
Crash three occurred when McCain was returning from flying a trainer solo to Philadelphia for an Army-Navy football game. According to Timberg, McCain radioed, "I’ve got a flameout." He went through the standard relight procedures three times. At one thousand feet, he ejected, landing on the deserted beach moments before the plane slammed into a clump of trees."
Despite all this, by 1967, McCain was somehow deemed ready for battle and assigned to the USS Forrestal as an A-4 Skyhawk pilot. While seated in the cockpit of his aircraft waiting for takeoff, a freak accident occurred when a rocket slammed into the exterior fuel tank of McCain’s plane. Miraculously, McCain escaped from the burning aircraft, but dozens of his shipmates were killed and injured in the explosions that followed.
McCain’s final downing came just three months later when his A-4 was hit by antiaircraft artillery over Truc Bach Lake near Hanoi, North Vietnam. McCain spent the next five-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war and, upon return to the United States in 1973, like the other returning POWs, McCain became an instant hero. The POWs had been treated abominably, yet stood up to their torturers and were deserving of the accolades they received. But some questioned the number and types of medals bestowed upon "Ace" McCain, the son of the admiral commanding in the Pacific as well as the grandson of another admiral.
"McCain had roughly 20 hours in combat," explains Bill Bell, a veteran of Vietnam and chief of the U.S. Office for POW/MIA Affairs — the first official U.S. representative in Vietnam since the 1973 fall of Saigon. "Since McCain got 28 medals," Bell continues, "that equals out to about a medal-and-a-half for each hour he spent in combat. There were infantry guys — grunts on the ground — who had more than 7,000 hours in combat and I can tell you that there were times and situations where I’m sure a prison cell would have looked pretty good to them by comparison. The question really is how many guys got that number of medals for not being shot down."
Why all of the above matters is that the Arizona senator is purporting to be running a campaign based not primarily upon issues but upon "biography" and "character." That is certainly the core of his appeal to so-called independents and Democrat crossovers. Yet the truth is that his biography is exaggerated at best. The appellation "war hero" should be an embarrassment to him, and certainly an insult to genuine war heroes like, well, Bob Dole and George Bush the Elder, whose exploits exceeded by quite a bit mishaps stemming from not being sure which end of the cockpit to face. And if McCain possessed the level of character he claims, he would be embarrassed.
Far from it. He revels in his "war hero" image; wallows in it, really. So much so that he ridicules Bush the Younger's National Guard service and GHWB's alleged string-pulling to get it for him even though Sailor would have been drummed out of the Navy for all his foul-ups were his sire and grandsire not amongst the top brass.
The effect of that seems to have been to develop within McCain an entitlement mentality. One that has grown a pace with his political ambitions. Only difference is, now his elders aren't around to clean up his messes for him.
McCain points to his eighteen years in Congress as the kind of experience needed to run the country as President. Yet the bulk of that time he has simply taken up space. He has no noteworthy legislative achievements to his name. The closest thing he has attained to a reputation is for being remarkably arrogant and ill-tempered with colleagues, to the point of blithering, profanity-laced rages against any who don't see things the way he does. Which is part & parcel of why so few GOP members in either house have endorsed him.
McCain, in a belated effort to reach out to the Republican base he's been figuratively kneeing in the collective groin in recent months, points to his career voting record as proof that he's a "Reagan Republican." Which is a little like Krusty the Clown claiming Fred Rogers as his professional mentor.
Through about 1996 "Sailor's" claim is true. Since then his record has moved considerably leftward - again, concurrent with his national political ambitions.
And now? He favors evisceration of the First Amendment via another spasm of so-called campaign finance reform. He opposes real Medicare reform and supports greater spending on it instead. He supports the so-called Patient's Bill of Rights, which would be a boon to trial lawyers. He was a big backer of the shakedown of Big Tobacco and still favors ratcheting up cigarette taxes. He opposes "meaningful" tax cuts and uses leftish class warfare rhetoric to criticize Governor Bush's rather modest proposal. He is now squishy on abortion, as evidenced by his answer to the hypothetical question of a pregnant daughter that "it would be her decision." And he was one of the few enthusiastic Republican backers of Bill Clinton's aggression against Yugoslavia a year ago.
Is that "growing in office"? Has he "changed his mind," or "gained a broader perspective"? If so, fine; let him say so. And he was, as long as it was helping him hijack a few early GOP primaries. Now come the serious contests, most of them Republican-only, and overnight he's a born-again Reaganite. Hardly the way to build a "new coalition."
What's more, it's difficult to take even his dogged, passionate stumping for campaign finance reform very seriously, if only because it was his own dalliance with Charles Keating that almost destroyed his political career. Was a reformer born that day, the scales fallen from his eyes? Or did he figure he had to sell out in order to survive, and picked the issue most likely to curry the favor of the Beltway press?
In any case, his hypocrisy on his core issue continues to this day. Really, how much credibility does any man have to claim to be an "outsider" when he is the Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee in his day job? How much credibility does he have when the "special interests" of which he claims to be the nemesis are big contributors to his campaign, and lend him corporate jets to whisk him around the country? How much of a "reformer" is he when he violates federal spending limits in state after state and rolls over some $2 million in cash left over from his last Senate re-election warchest - both actions he endless and sanctimoniously condemns in others?
He's only playing by the rules? But if he seeks to tighten those rules, shouldn't he live by his higher standard to set a "good example"?
Still, phonies and hypocrites in politics are a dime a dozen.
And then "Ace" McCain went to Virginia Beach.
And all hell broke loose.
more info at................
http://home.comcast.net/~jimsondergeld/McCainiatheMan.html
Monday, November 14, 2005
Bush to promote fund raiser for Senator Kyl in Phoenix on 11/28
Bush to promote fund raiser for Senator Kyl in Phoenix on 11/28
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Press Release - State GOP Delighted to Welcome President Back to Arizona
Contact: Colin McCracken
602-957-7770
Phoenix - The Arizona Republican Party is proud
to welcome President George W. Bush back to the
great state of Arizona on Monday, November 28, 2005.
This will be the President’s second visit to
Arizona since winning the state by 11% in 2004.
The President will be in Phoenix to raise significant
dollars for the re-election campaign of United
States Senator Jon Kyl.
Arizona was a sizeable factor in the President’s
victory last year, and his presence will raise vital
campaign funds for our targeted Senator,
said Bill Christiansen, Executive Director
of the Arizona Republican Party.
Arizona is Bush Country.
see more at........
http://www.azgop.org/News/Read.aspx?ID=195
Bush to rally for Senato Kyl on 11/28
Mark your calendars, Bush lovers.
The prez is coming back to Arizona.
President Bush makes his 13th visit to the Grand
Canyon State on Nov. 28, when he'll be the star attraction at a fund-raiser for Sen. Jon Kyl.
Bill Christiansen, executive director of the
state Republican Party, issued a statement
last week saying Bush "will raise vital campaign funds"
for the two-term senator.
see more ............
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/allheadlines/102360.php
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Press Release - State GOP Delighted to Welcome President Back to Arizona
Contact: Colin McCracken
602-957-7770
Phoenix - The Arizona Republican Party is proud
to welcome President George W. Bush back to the
great state of Arizona on Monday, November 28, 2005.
This will be the President’s second visit to
Arizona since winning the state by 11% in 2004.
The President will be in Phoenix to raise significant
dollars for the re-election campaign of United
States Senator Jon Kyl.
Arizona was a sizeable factor in the President’s
victory last year, and his presence will raise vital
campaign funds for our targeted Senator,
said Bill Christiansen, Executive Director
of the Arizona Republican Party.
Arizona is Bush Country.
see more at........
http://www.azgop.org/News/Read.aspx?ID=195
Bush to rally for Senato Kyl on 11/28
Mark your calendars, Bush lovers.
The prez is coming back to Arizona.
President Bush makes his 13th visit to the Grand
Canyon State on Nov. 28, when he'll be the star attraction at a fund-raiser for Sen. Jon Kyl.
Bill Christiansen, executive director of the
state Republican Party, issued a statement
last week saying Bush "will raise vital campaign funds"
for the two-term senator.
see more ............
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/allheadlines/102360.php
Thursday, November 10, 2005
How Senator Teddy Kennedy uses offshore trusts to shelter his money from U.S. taxes
How Senator Teddy Kennedy uses offshore trusts to shelter his money from U.S. taxes
New book..........
Do As I Say (Not As I Do): Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy."
Ann Coulter makes crystal clear how she feels about Peter Schweizer's new book, "Do As I Say (Not As I Do): Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy."
Ann announced today on her Web site that she believes this book yes, this book alone is the "Book of the Century!"
Ann has been battling hypocritical liberals for years and
she has, no doubt, found profound solace in a book that
proves her liberal opponents more times than not dont
practice what they preach.
Ann recommends this must-read book because, as she says,
you’ll even "learn how to shelter your money in the Cayman Islands like liberals!"
How Teddy Kennedy uses off shore tax shelter to aviod millions in taxes.
Of course you will. Because Peter Schweizer exposes big-name liberals like Teddy Kennedy and George Soros who have used offshore trusts to shelter their money from U.S. taxes while they complain that the rich are not taxed enough!
This is just the tip of the iceberg of what Schweizer uncovered.
There’s more, including:
Air America radio host Al Franken says conservatives are
racist because they lack diversity and oppose affirmative action. But fewer than 1 percent of the people he has hired over the past 15 years have been African-American.
It gets worse.
Bill and Hillary Clinton have spoken in favor of the estate tax, and in 2000 Bill vetoed a bill seeking to end it.
But the Clintons have set up a contract trust that allows them to substantially reduce the amount of inheritance tax
their estate will pay when they die.
Hillary, for her part, has written and spoken extensively
about the right of children to make major decisions
regarding their own lives, such as having an abortion
without parental consent. But she barred 13-year-old daughter Chelsea from getting her ears pierced and forbade her
to watch MTV or HBO.
Barbra Streisand has talked about the necessity of
unions to protect a "living wage." But she prefers
to do her filming and post-production work in Canada,
where she can pay less than American union wages.
Schweizer sums up his book this way: "The reality is
that liberals like to preach in moral platitudes.
They like to condemn ordinary Americans and Republicans
for a whole host of things - racism, lack of concern
for the poor, polluting the environment, and greed.
But when it comes to applying those same standards to themselves, liberals are found to be shockingly guilty of hypocrisy.
"The media and the American people need to hold them accountable."
Ann Coulter: This Is ‘Book of the Century’
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/11/8/153908.shtml
New book..........
Do As I Say (Not As I Do): Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy."
Ann Coulter makes crystal clear how she feels about Peter Schweizer's new book, "Do As I Say (Not As I Do): Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy."
Ann announced today on her Web site that she believes this book yes, this book alone is the "Book of the Century!"
Ann has been battling hypocritical liberals for years and
she has, no doubt, found profound solace in a book that
proves her liberal opponents more times than not dont
practice what they preach.
Ann recommends this must-read book because, as she says,
you’ll even "learn how to shelter your money in the Cayman Islands like liberals!"
How Teddy Kennedy uses off shore tax shelter to aviod millions in taxes.
Of course you will. Because Peter Schweizer exposes big-name liberals like Teddy Kennedy and George Soros who have used offshore trusts to shelter their money from U.S. taxes while they complain that the rich are not taxed enough!
This is just the tip of the iceberg of what Schweizer uncovered.
There’s more, including:
Air America radio host Al Franken says conservatives are
racist because they lack diversity and oppose affirmative action. But fewer than 1 percent of the people he has hired over the past 15 years have been African-American.
It gets worse.
Bill and Hillary Clinton have spoken in favor of the estate tax, and in 2000 Bill vetoed a bill seeking to end it.
But the Clintons have set up a contract trust that allows them to substantially reduce the amount of inheritance tax
their estate will pay when they die.
Hillary, for her part, has written and spoken extensively
about the right of children to make major decisions
regarding their own lives, such as having an abortion
without parental consent. But she barred 13-year-old daughter Chelsea from getting her ears pierced and forbade her
to watch MTV or HBO.
Barbra Streisand has talked about the necessity of
unions to protect a "living wage." But she prefers
to do her filming and post-production work in Canada,
where she can pay less than American union wages.
Schweizer sums up his book this way: "The reality is
that liberals like to preach in moral platitudes.
They like to condemn ordinary Americans and Republicans
for a whole host of things - racism, lack of concern
for the poor, polluting the environment, and greed.
But when it comes to applying those same standards to themselves, liberals are found to be shockingly guilty of hypocrisy.
"The media and the American people need to hold them accountable."
Ann Coulter: This Is ‘Book of the Century’
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/11/8/153908.shtml
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Senator Mccain sells /outsources over 368,000 American jobs
Senator Mccain sells over 368,000 American jobs a year to a combination of immigrants, foreign guest workers,
Reminder - Hold Your Senators Accountable for Rejecting Byrd Amendment to Stop Major Foreign Worker/Immigration Increase
Remember to hold your senators accountable this week for their vote on Sen. Robert Byrd's (D-WV) amendment to strip the massive foreign worker/immigration increase from the Deficit Reduction bill. Sen. Byrd's amendment was rejected last Thursday by a 14-85 vote.
Click here to see how your senators voted, then call their offices to voice your approval or disapproval of their vote. Remember, a vote against the Byrd amendment is a vote for increasing immigration and displacing American workers with foreign labor.
(Call the Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) and ask to be connected or find your senators phone numbers here on our web site.)
Background:
Sen. Byrd's amendment would have replaced the Specter/Kennedy language which sells over 368,000 American jobs a year to a combination of immigrants, foreign guest workers, and their families, with the House Judiciary Committee proposal to raise fees on L-1 intra-company transferee visas. Byrd's amendment would have achieved the required savings without making wholesale changes to our immigration system.
Reminder - Hold Your Senators Accountable for Rejecting Byrd Amendment to Stop Major Foreign Worker/Immigration Increase
Remember to hold your senators accountable this week for their vote on Sen. Robert Byrd's (D-WV) amendment to strip the massive foreign worker/immigration increase from the Deficit Reduction bill. Sen. Byrd's amendment was rejected last Thursday by a 14-85 vote.
Click here to see how your senators voted, then call their offices to voice your approval or disapproval of their vote. Remember, a vote against the Byrd amendment is a vote for increasing immigration and displacing American workers with foreign labor.
(Call the Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) and ask to be connected or find your senators phone numbers here on our web site.)
Background:
Sen. Byrd's amendment would have replaced the Specter/Kennedy language which sells over 368,000 American jobs a year to a combination of immigrants, foreign guest workers, and their families, with the House Judiciary Committee proposal to raise fees on L-1 intra-company transferee visas. Byrd's amendment would have achieved the required savings without making wholesale changes to our immigration system.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Senate Sells Out American Workers:
Senate Sells Out American Workers: Rejects Byrd Amendment to Stop Major Foreign Worker/Immigration Increase
Thanks for making calls this week in support of Sen. Robert Byrd's (D-WV) amendment to strip the massive foreign worker/immigration increase from the Deficit Reduction bill. We received feedback that phones were ringing off the hook in Senate offices. I'm sorry to report that the Senate chose to sell out American workers yesterday, and rejected the Byrd amendment by a 14-85 vote.
FOLLOW THIS LINK TO FIND OUT HOW YOUR SENATORS VOTED
Sen. Byrd's amendment would have replaced the Specter/Kennedy language which sells over 368,000 American jobs a year to a combination of immigrants, foreign guest workers, and their families, with the House Judiciary Committee proposal to raise fees on L-1 intra-company transferee visas. Byrd's amendment would have achieved the required savings without making wholesale changes to our immigration system.
This vote clearly demonstrates that the Senate is willing to pass major immigration and guest worker expansions without proper debate under the guise of reducing the deficit.
After voting down the Byrd amendment, the Senate approved the Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2005 (S. 1932) by a 52-47 vote.
We will continue to fight this foreign worker/immigration increase as the reconciliation process moves towards the House/Senate conference stage.
HOLD YOUR SENATORS ACCOUNTABLE!
For now, take this vote as an opportunity to hold your senators accountable. Find out how they voted, then call their offices to voice your approval or disapproval of their vote. Remember, a vote against the Byrd amendment is a vote for increasing immigration and displacing American workers with foreign labor.
Call the Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) and ask to be connected or find your senators phone numbers here on our web site.
BACKGROUND:
Last week, without a public hearing or even a warning, the Senate Judiciary Committee inserted language authored by Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) that increases revenue by selling over 368,000 American jobs a year to foreign workers and their families who will enter the United States and stay permanently.
The Specter/Kennedy language would increase the number of H-1B workers by 30,000 each year, increase the number of permanent employment-based visas by 90,000 each year, and exempt families of these new workers from the 140,000 annual cap on employment-based immigration. This will add an estimated 278,000 family members - many of them will also find jobs in the United States - to the number of high tech and permanent new foreign workers allowed under the plan. If enacted, the Specter plan would constitute one of the largest immigration increases in American history under the guise of deficit reduction.
The Committee was charged with finding $60 million in FY 06 and $300 million over the period between FY 20006 and FY 2010. The Specter/Kennedy language raises fees on H-1B and permanent employment-based visas charged to employers to accomplish savings. Sen. Byrd's amendment would have striped out the Specter/Kennedy language and replaced it with the House Judiciary Committee proposal to raise the fees on L-1 intra-company transferees to $1,500 per visa. Sen. Byrd's amendment would have provided the required savings without making wholesale changes to our immigration system.
Thanks for making calls this week in support of Sen. Robert Byrd's (D-WV) amendment to strip the massive foreign worker/immigration increase from the Deficit Reduction bill. We received feedback that phones were ringing off the hook in Senate offices. I'm sorry to report that the Senate chose to sell out American workers yesterday, and rejected the Byrd amendment by a 14-85 vote.
FOLLOW THIS LINK TO FIND OUT HOW YOUR SENATORS VOTED
Sen. Byrd's amendment would have replaced the Specter/Kennedy language which sells over 368,000 American jobs a year to a combination of immigrants, foreign guest workers, and their families, with the House Judiciary Committee proposal to raise fees on L-1 intra-company transferee visas. Byrd's amendment would have achieved the required savings without making wholesale changes to our immigration system.
This vote clearly demonstrates that the Senate is willing to pass major immigration and guest worker expansions without proper debate under the guise of reducing the deficit.
After voting down the Byrd amendment, the Senate approved the Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2005 (S. 1932) by a 52-47 vote.
We will continue to fight this foreign worker/immigration increase as the reconciliation process moves towards the House/Senate conference stage.
HOLD YOUR SENATORS ACCOUNTABLE!
For now, take this vote as an opportunity to hold your senators accountable. Find out how they voted, then call their offices to voice your approval or disapproval of their vote. Remember, a vote against the Byrd amendment is a vote for increasing immigration and displacing American workers with foreign labor.
Call the Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) and ask to be connected or find your senators phone numbers here on our web site.
BACKGROUND:
Last week, without a public hearing or even a warning, the Senate Judiciary Committee inserted language authored by Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) that increases revenue by selling over 368,000 American jobs a year to foreign workers and their families who will enter the United States and stay permanently.
The Specter/Kennedy language would increase the number of H-1B workers by 30,000 each year, increase the number of permanent employment-based visas by 90,000 each year, and exempt families of these new workers from the 140,000 annual cap on employment-based immigration. This will add an estimated 278,000 family members - many of them will also find jobs in the United States - to the number of high tech and permanent new foreign workers allowed under the plan. If enacted, the Specter plan would constitute one of the largest immigration increases in American history under the guise of deficit reduction.
The Committee was charged with finding $60 million in FY 06 and $300 million over the period between FY 20006 and FY 2010. The Specter/Kennedy language raises fees on H-1B and permanent employment-based visas charged to employers to accomplish savings. Sen. Byrd's amendment would have striped out the Specter/Kennedy language and replaced it with the House Judiciary Committee proposal to raise the fees on L-1 intra-company transferees to $1,500 per visa. Sen. Byrd's amendment would have provided the required savings without making wholesale changes to our immigration system.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
another cronie ? Julie Myers declined to discuss her plan to address problems what the shit ?
another cronie ? Julie Myers declined to discuss her plan to address problems what the shit ?
If Julie Myers is confirmed as expected as director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Homeland Security Department, one of her top priorities and major challenges will be repairing the agency’s financial integrity.
Federal auditors have singled out the agency’s financial management problems as particularly troublesome in the last year.
Myers told senators at her Sept. 15 nomination hearing that fixing ICE’s financial management will be paramount among her concerns. Myers said the problem stretches back to ICE’s creation in March 2003, when it was cobbled together from remnants of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and Customs Service. She said ICE was shortchanged in those early days of Homeland Security.
Homeland Security’s current and former inspectors general told lawmakers in July that ICE’s effort to provide accounting and other services to other department agencies during that time contributed to its budget shortfall. ICE and its customer bureaus did not agree on what ICE would provide and how much it would charge until late fiscal 2004, former IG Clark Kent Ervin said in a written statement to the House Government Reform subcommittee on government management, finance and accountability. By that point, ICE was left with a shortfall of between $200 million and $300 million, Ervin said.
Since then, Myers said, Congress ensured ICE received necessary funding, but the effects of that initial underfunding are still being felt.
The budget problems prompted a year-long hiring freeze that began in fall 2004, and some agents were forced to pay for their own gas and did not have enough money to pay confidential informants or use cell phones, Ervin said. ICE’s already-underfunded efforts to house arrested illegal aliens awaiting deportation also suffered further, he said.
Also, experienced financial staff began bolting in the summer of 2003 some to other Homeland Security bureaus delivering another blow to the agency’s financial management, Inspector General Richard Skinner said.
By fiscal 2004, ICE had fallen far behind in its basic accounting functions, Skinner said, such as balancing checkbooks and resolving bookkeeping anomalies.
Skinner said ICE’s accounting records were so bad that independent auditors could not tell whether the agency had broken federal law by spending more than it was budgeted.
ICE’s difficulties have affected the entire department by consuming large amounts of management time that could have gone to helping other agencies, Skinner said.
Myers on Sept. 15 pledged to get the agency’s financial house in order. But a major hurdle is that the agency still lacks enough financial managers, Myers said. She told senators one of her first tasks will be to hire a permanent chief financial officer.
Myers declined to discuss her plan to address the agency’s financial problems until after she is confirmed. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved her nomination in an Oct. 7 party-line vote; it now awaits a Senate vote.
Myers, now President Bush’s special assistant for personnel, was an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, a deputy assistant secretary of the Treasury Department in charge of investigating money laundering and financial crimes, an assistant secretary of Commerce for export enforcement, and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff’s chief of staff when he was the Justice Department’s assistant attorney general.
Several senators from both parties, including Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, expressed concerns during Myers’ nomination hearing about her lack of experience with immigration issues. Running ICE, which has a $4 billion budget and more than 14,000 employees, is a vast step up from her Commerce position, where she oversaw 170 employees and a $25 million budget. Her tenure at Commerce was the largest management job she noted in written responses to Senate questions.
Republican senators’ subsequent conversations with Chertoff and Myers alleviated their concerns, and Myers’ nomination was passed out of committee. Before the committee approved Myers, Democrats such as Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut restated their misgivings.
Experts contacted by Federal Times said Myers is right to make improving finances a priority.
Former IG Ervin said that financial management problems will plague the agency until it can staff itself with enough qualified accountants and financial managers.
By STEPHEN LOSEY see more at ..........
http://federaltimes.com/index2.php?S=1212903
If Julie Myers is confirmed as expected as director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Homeland Security Department, one of her top priorities and major challenges will be repairing the agency’s financial integrity.
Federal auditors have singled out the agency’s financial management problems as particularly troublesome in the last year.
Myers told senators at her Sept. 15 nomination hearing that fixing ICE’s financial management will be paramount among her concerns. Myers said the problem stretches back to ICE’s creation in March 2003, when it was cobbled together from remnants of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and Customs Service. She said ICE was shortchanged in those early days of Homeland Security.
Homeland Security’s current and former inspectors general told lawmakers in July that ICE’s effort to provide accounting and other services to other department agencies during that time contributed to its budget shortfall. ICE and its customer bureaus did not agree on what ICE would provide and how much it would charge until late fiscal 2004, former IG Clark Kent Ervin said in a written statement to the House Government Reform subcommittee on government management, finance and accountability. By that point, ICE was left with a shortfall of between $200 million and $300 million, Ervin said.
Since then, Myers said, Congress ensured ICE received necessary funding, but the effects of that initial underfunding are still being felt.
The budget problems prompted a year-long hiring freeze that began in fall 2004, and some agents were forced to pay for their own gas and did not have enough money to pay confidential informants or use cell phones, Ervin said. ICE’s already-underfunded efforts to house arrested illegal aliens awaiting deportation also suffered further, he said.
Also, experienced financial staff began bolting in the summer of 2003 some to other Homeland Security bureaus delivering another blow to the agency’s financial management, Inspector General Richard Skinner said.
By fiscal 2004, ICE had fallen far behind in its basic accounting functions, Skinner said, such as balancing checkbooks and resolving bookkeeping anomalies.
Skinner said ICE’s accounting records were so bad that independent auditors could not tell whether the agency had broken federal law by spending more than it was budgeted.
ICE’s difficulties have affected the entire department by consuming large amounts of management time that could have gone to helping other agencies, Skinner said.
Myers on Sept. 15 pledged to get the agency’s financial house in order. But a major hurdle is that the agency still lacks enough financial managers, Myers said. She told senators one of her first tasks will be to hire a permanent chief financial officer.
Myers declined to discuss her plan to address the agency’s financial problems until after she is confirmed. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved her nomination in an Oct. 7 party-line vote; it now awaits a Senate vote.
Myers, now President Bush’s special assistant for personnel, was an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, a deputy assistant secretary of the Treasury Department in charge of investigating money laundering and financial crimes, an assistant secretary of Commerce for export enforcement, and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff’s chief of staff when he was the Justice Department’s assistant attorney general.
Several senators from both parties, including Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, expressed concerns during Myers’ nomination hearing about her lack of experience with immigration issues. Running ICE, which has a $4 billion budget and more than 14,000 employees, is a vast step up from her Commerce position, where she oversaw 170 employees and a $25 million budget. Her tenure at Commerce was the largest management job she noted in written responses to Senate questions.
Republican senators’ subsequent conversations with Chertoff and Myers alleviated their concerns, and Myers’ nomination was passed out of committee. Before the committee approved Myers, Democrats such as Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut restated their misgivings.
Experts contacted by Federal Times said Myers is right to make improving finances a priority.
Former IG Ervin said that financial management problems will plague the agency until it can staff itself with enough qualified accountants and financial managers.
By STEPHEN LOSEY see more at ..........
http://federaltimes.com/index2.php?S=1212903
Sunday, October 30, 2005
FS: John Mccain home for $4.25 million
PHOENIX Arizona Senator John McCain is putting his central Phoenix estate up for sale.
The Republican's 11-thousand-square-foot home near
Glendale and Central avenues is being listed for 4-point-25
(m) million dollars.
McCain's wife Cindy, who is the daughter of
liquor-distribution magnate Jim Hensley, grew up in the mansion. The home
has since been expanded and renovated.
The gated estate sits on two acres. It has a large guesthouse, nine bedrooms, eight bathrooms and plenty of security cameras.
Realtor Bobby Lieb of Realty Executives has been hired to sell the home. He says the land alone is worth two (m) million dollars.
A spokeswoman in McCain's Washington D-C office says the senator and his wife want to downsize now that only the youngest of their four children is living at home.
Their casual, Southwestern-style house was featured
in the July issue of Architectural Digest.
see more at............
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=4047625&nav=HMO6
The Republican's 11-thousand-square-foot home near
Glendale and Central avenues is being listed for 4-point-25
(m) million dollars.
McCain's wife Cindy, who is the daughter of
liquor-distribution magnate Jim Hensley, grew up in the mansion. The home
has since been expanded and renovated.
The gated estate sits on two acres. It has a large guesthouse, nine bedrooms, eight bathrooms and plenty of security cameras.
Realtor Bobby Lieb of Realty Executives has been hired to sell the home. He says the land alone is worth two (m) million dollars.
A spokeswoman in McCain's Washington D-C office says the senator and his wife want to downsize now that only the youngest of their four children is living at home.
Their casual, Southwestern-style house was featured
in the July issue of Architectural Digest.
see more at............
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=4047625&nav=HMO6
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Rush rejects Senator Mccain
Rush Limbaugh Recommends Virginia Senator George Allen As 2008 Republican Nominee
Local: Wed, Oct 19 2005 7:46 am
Subject: Rush Limbaugh Recommends Virginia Senator George Allen As 2008 Republican Nominee
Reply | Reply to Author | Forward | Print | Individual Message | Show original | Report Abuse
Last night on the Fox TV Sean Hannity show conservative talk-radio host
Rush Limbaugh advised that the Republicans reject moderates like John
McCain and Rudy Giuliano and nominate a right-wing candidate like
current Virginia Republican senator George Allan for president in 2008.
Limbaugh said that there in now a state of war between the Left and
Right in the U.S. and there is no possibility of compromise. The base of
the Democratic Left is radical, hate- America and its middle-class
capitalist republic.
Limbaugh stated that the Republicans best chance for political victory
is reaming well to the right like Ronald Regan and not try to appease
the Left in any way. This has been the mistake of George Bush, primarily
in his second term, of believing that there can be some kind of
compromise, that he could win some "liberals" over by granting
concessions. Bush tried that with disastrous results e.g. in allowing
Ted Kennedy to write his education policy, "Leave No Child Behind".
Limbaugh mentioned that talk radio which he more or less initiated back
in 1988 has been a decisive force in the rejuvenation of
U.S.conservatism, whose revolution actually began back in the 1960s
with William F. Buckley, National Review and Barry Goldwater. Now the
charge is being led by talk radio and Fox News for the battle of the
hearts and minds of the American people.
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.politics.usa.republican/browse_thread/thread/c47357b06e978575/7bc724ae79e1a320?q=senator+john+mccain&rnum=2#7bc724ae79e1a320
Local: Wed, Oct 19 2005 7:46 am
Subject: Rush Limbaugh Recommends Virginia Senator George Allen As 2008 Republican Nominee
Reply | Reply to Author | Forward | Print | Individual Message | Show original | Report Abuse
Last night on the Fox TV Sean Hannity show conservative talk-radio host
Rush Limbaugh advised that the Republicans reject moderates like John
McCain and Rudy Giuliano and nominate a right-wing candidate like
current Virginia Republican senator George Allan for president in 2008.
Limbaugh said that there in now a state of war between the Left and
Right in the U.S. and there is no possibility of compromise. The base of
the Democratic Left is radical, hate- America and its middle-class
capitalist republic.
Limbaugh stated that the Republicans best chance for political victory
is reaming well to the right like Ronald Regan and not try to appease
the Left in any way. This has been the mistake of George Bush, primarily
in his second term, of believing that there can be some kind of
compromise, that he could win some "liberals" over by granting
concessions. Bush tried that with disastrous results e.g. in allowing
Ted Kennedy to write his education policy, "Leave No Child Behind".
Limbaugh mentioned that talk radio which he more or less initiated back
in 1988 has been a decisive force in the rejuvenation of
U.S.conservatism, whose revolution actually began back in the 1960s
with William F. Buckley, National Review and Barry Goldwater. Now the
charge is being led by talk radio and Fox News for the battle of the
hearts and minds of the American people.
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.politics.usa.republican/browse_thread/thread/c47357b06e978575/7bc724ae79e1a320?q=senator+john+mccain&rnum=2#7bc724ae79e1a320
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Senator Conrad Hits DeLay in Indian Affairs Hearings
Senator Conrad Hits DeLay in Indian Affairs Hearings
All 2 messages in topic - view as tree
Obwon Oct 18, 3:17 pm show options
Newsgroups: nyc.politics, alt.politics.democrats, nj.politics, ca.politics, alt.politics.clinton
From: Obwon - Find messages by this author
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005 19:17:39 GMT
Local: Tues, Oct 18 2005 3:17 pm
Subject: Senator Conrad Hits DeLay in Indian Affairs Hearings
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Executive Intelligence Review
This article appears in the October 8, 2004 issue of
Executive Intelligence Review.
Senator Conrad Hits DeLay in Indian
Affairs Hearings on Abramoff Looting
by Anton Chaitkin
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee stunned a public
hearing by revealing that recent newspaper coverage had
inaccurately understated what the committee identified
as over $66 million in payments and millions more in
political donations, extracted from six Indian tribes
by casino lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his secret junior
partner Michael Scanlon. The partners shared millions
of this loot with former Christian Coalition executive
director Ralph Reed, Abramoff's protégé and currently
Southeast USA director of the Bush-Cheney election
campaign, who has used the Christian Coalition to carry
out the Abramoff/Scanlon schemes.
Tension in the Sept. 29 hearings was high, as the
stakes are high.
The role of Abramoff, Scanlon, and Reed, in creating
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's Congress-dominating
machine, overshadowed the hearings. North Dakota
Democrat Sen. Kent Conrad repeatedly brought out the
fact that the looters had made their access to DeLay
their selling point for getting lobbying contracts with
the casino-owning tribes.
Arizona Republican John McCain, who himself has been
attacked for pushing these hearings, intervened, in an
effort to take the spotlight off DeLay and the
Republicans. McCain Grover Norquist, whose Americans
for Tax Reform got $25,000 from the Abramoff Indian
loot, has accused McCain of pushing the hearings to get
back at Bush partisans for opposing McCain for the 2000
Republican Presidential nomination, and McCain may have
been covering himself within the Republican Party as
the election approaches.
In the Senators' opening remarks, the perpetrators'
leaked e-mails were read and displayed for the hearing,
as were Abramoff's references to the tribal leaders
whom he was ripping off, as "monkeys" and other racist
epithets.
Senator Conrad began in the preliminary statements to
highlight the schemes in DeLay's Texas, by Abramoff,
Scanlon, and Reed. McCain asked Conrad to move along,
not to dwell on this side of things.
Committee Chairman Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell
(R-Colo.)—himself a chief of the Northern Cheyenne
tribe—announced that Mike Scanlon is dodging subpoenas
and resisting the committee's request to appear before
them. Senator Campbell emphasized that either Scanlon
would come voluntarily or would be escorted in by
Federal marshals.
Jack Abramoff appeared and invoked his Constitutional
right not to testify.
Senator Campbell, in his unanswered questions to
Abramoff, said that Jewish people had long been the
victims of such bigotry as Abramoff showed in his
contemptuous e-mails about his clients, so Campbell was
surprised to hear this coming from Abramoff. Abramoff
presents himself as an Orthodox Jew, and is Tom DeLay's
intermediary with the Israeli political forces around
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his Likud party.
Senator Conrad hit Abramoff with questions centering on
his schemes with Ralph Reed and the Christian
Coalition. Senator McCain twice asked Conrad to stop
asking these questions, since Abramoff was not
answering, suggesting that it was "badgering" the
witness.
All 2 messages in topic - view as tree
Obwon Oct 18, 3:17 pm show options
Newsgroups: nyc.politics, alt.politics.democrats, nj.politics, ca.politics, alt.politics.clinton
From: Obwon
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005 19:17:39 GMT
Local: Tues, Oct 18 2005 3:17 pm
Subject: Senator Conrad Hits DeLay in Indian Affairs Hearings
Reply | Reply to Author | Forward | Print | Individual Message | Show original | Report Abuse
Executive Intelligence Review
This article appears in the October 8, 2004 issue of
Executive Intelligence Review.
Senator Conrad Hits DeLay in Indian
Affairs Hearings on Abramoff Looting
by Anton Chaitkin
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee stunned a public
hearing by revealing that recent newspaper coverage had
inaccurately understated what the committee identified
as over $66 million in payments and millions more in
political donations, extracted from six Indian tribes
by casino lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his secret junior
partner Michael Scanlon. The partners shared millions
of this loot with former Christian Coalition executive
director Ralph Reed, Abramoff's protégé and currently
Southeast USA director of the Bush-Cheney election
campaign, who has used the Christian Coalition to carry
out the Abramoff/Scanlon schemes.
Tension in the Sept. 29 hearings was high, as the
stakes are high.
The role of Abramoff, Scanlon, and Reed, in creating
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's Congress-dominating
machine, overshadowed the hearings. North Dakota
Democrat Sen. Kent Conrad repeatedly brought out the
fact that the looters had made their access to DeLay
their selling point for getting lobbying contracts with
the casino-owning tribes.
Arizona Republican John McCain, who himself has been
attacked for pushing these hearings, intervened, in an
effort to take the spotlight off DeLay and the
Republicans. McCain Grover Norquist, whose Americans
for Tax Reform got $25,000 from the Abramoff Indian
loot, has accused McCain of pushing the hearings to get
back at Bush partisans for opposing McCain for the 2000
Republican Presidential nomination, and McCain may have
been covering himself within the Republican Party as
the election approaches.
In the Senators' opening remarks, the perpetrators'
leaked e-mails were read and displayed for the hearing,
as were Abramoff's references to the tribal leaders
whom he was ripping off, as "monkeys" and other racist
epithets.
Senator Conrad began in the preliminary statements to
highlight the schemes in DeLay's Texas, by Abramoff,
Scanlon, and Reed. McCain asked Conrad to move along,
not to dwell on this side of things.
Committee Chairman Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell
(R-Colo.)—himself a chief of the Northern Cheyenne
tribe—announced that Mike Scanlon is dodging subpoenas
and resisting the committee's request to appear before
them. Senator Campbell emphasized that either Scanlon
would come voluntarily or would be escorted in by
Federal marshals.
Jack Abramoff appeared and invoked his Constitutional
right not to testify.
Senator Campbell, in his unanswered questions to
Abramoff, said that Jewish people had long been the
victims of such bigotry as Abramoff showed in his
contemptuous e-mails about his clients, so Campbell was
surprised to hear this coming from Abramoff. Abramoff
presents himself as an Orthodox Jew, and is Tom DeLay's
intermediary with the Israeli political forces around
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his Likud party.
Senator Conrad hit Abramoff with questions centering on
his schemes with Ralph Reed and the Christian
Coalition. Senator McCain twice asked Conrad to stop
asking these questions, since Abramoff was not
answering, suggesting that it was "badgering" the
witness.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
The blogosphere burns the witch (?) Julie Myers
The blogosphere burns the witch (?) Julie Myers
By: smagar · Section: Diaries
Remember the stories about how sharks, once they taste blood, go into a feeding frenzy and devour anything in their path?
This latest hit piece by Michelle Malkin leads me to wonder if Michelle has tasted blood, and likes it a bit too much.
More to the point, I wonder if the conservative blogosphere is too eagerly joining into feeding frenzies, such as the outrage over Julie Myers and Michael Brown. Or, to use another analogy, too willing to tie people to stakes and burn them as witches.
We may be too willingly eschewing minor but useful details in the process. Such as, oh, determining if they actually are witches BEFORE we burn them!
Or, in the case of Ms. Myers, showing an interest in exhibiting fair play and a sense of "due process" in what we say on these blogs.
I suspect I'll be in the minority here, but I feel that Ms. Malkin, the chattering crew at National Review Online, and other strident voices in the conservative blogosphere heard of Ms. Myers, decided that she be a witch, and tied her to the stake and burned her with no interest in a trial. Or, letting her defend herself and her reputation.
Is THAT the Modus Operandi we want the conservative blogosphere to adopt? Is THAT the reputation we want the conservative blogosphere to earn for itself, as it grows into a more potent force in American political discouse?
For myself, I hope not.
As for Michael Brown, the deposed FEMA head, follow this link for what I wrote a while back on how I feel Mike Brown was treated. IMO, too many people (e.g., Michelle Malkin and the NRO crew) were willing to burn Brown at the stake and scapegoat him for the NO shortcomings, before we had a chance to learn what really happened. That's all I'll say in this diary about Brown.
As for Julie Myers, here's what the Washington Post had to say about her on Tuesday, September 20th:
The Bush administration is seeking to appoint a lawyer with little immigration or customs experience to head the troubled law enforcement agency that handles those issues, prompting sharp criticism from some employee groups, immigration advocates and homeland security experts.
The push to appoint Julie Myers to head the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, part of the Department of Homeland Security, comes in the midst of intense debate over the qualifications of department political appointees involved in the sluggish response to Hurricane Katrina.
And, that same day, at 0645 Eastern Standard Time, Michelle Malkin was off to the races. Here are a few of her assessments of Ms. Myers as a potential civil servant:
NO MORE CRONYISM: BUSH DHS NOMINEE DOESN'T DESERVE THE JOB
Another disastrous crony appointment in the making
This is Julie Myers, President Bush's nominee to head the the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security.
Her nomination is a joke. A bad joke:
Erin Healy, a White House spokeswoman, cited Myers's work with customs agents on money-laundering and drug-smuggling cases. "She's well-known and respected throughout the law enforcement community," Healy said. "She has a proven track record as an effective manager."
Oh, give me a ^*&%$# break and a half! This nomination is a monumental political and policy blunder in the wake of the Michael Brown/FEMA fiasco.
see more at ........
http://smagar.redstate.org/story/2005/9/24/112515/657
By: smagar · Section: Diaries
Remember the stories about how sharks, once they taste blood, go into a feeding frenzy and devour anything in their path?
This latest hit piece by Michelle Malkin leads me to wonder if Michelle has tasted blood, and likes it a bit too much.
More to the point, I wonder if the conservative blogosphere is too eagerly joining into feeding frenzies, such as the outrage over Julie Myers and Michael Brown. Or, to use another analogy, too willing to tie people to stakes and burn them as witches.
We may be too willingly eschewing minor but useful details in the process. Such as, oh, determining if they actually are witches BEFORE we burn them!
Or, in the case of Ms. Myers, showing an interest in exhibiting fair play and a sense of "due process" in what we say on these blogs.
I suspect I'll be in the minority here, but I feel that Ms. Malkin, the chattering crew at National Review Online, and other strident voices in the conservative blogosphere heard of Ms. Myers, decided that she be a witch, and tied her to the stake and burned her with no interest in a trial. Or, letting her defend herself and her reputation.
Is THAT the Modus Operandi we want the conservative blogosphere to adopt? Is THAT the reputation we want the conservative blogosphere to earn for itself, as it grows into a more potent force in American political discouse?
For myself, I hope not.
As for Michael Brown, the deposed FEMA head, follow this link for what I wrote a while back on how I feel Mike Brown was treated. IMO, too many people (e.g., Michelle Malkin and the NRO crew) were willing to burn Brown at the stake and scapegoat him for the NO shortcomings, before we had a chance to learn what really happened. That's all I'll say in this diary about Brown.
As for Julie Myers, here's what the Washington Post had to say about her on Tuesday, September 20th:
The Bush administration is seeking to appoint a lawyer with little immigration or customs experience to head the troubled law enforcement agency that handles those issues, prompting sharp criticism from some employee groups, immigration advocates and homeland security experts.
The push to appoint Julie Myers to head the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, part of the Department of Homeland Security, comes in the midst of intense debate over the qualifications of department political appointees involved in the sluggish response to Hurricane Katrina.
And, that same day, at 0645 Eastern Standard Time, Michelle Malkin was off to the races. Here are a few of her assessments of Ms. Myers as a potential civil servant:
NO MORE CRONYISM: BUSH DHS NOMINEE DOESN'T DESERVE THE JOB
Another disastrous crony appointment in the making
This is Julie Myers, President Bush's nominee to head the the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security.
Her nomination is a joke. A bad joke:
Erin Healy, a White House spokeswoman, cited Myers's work with customs agents on money-laundering and drug-smuggling cases. "She's well-known and respected throughout the law enforcement community," Healy said. "She has a proven track record as an effective manager."
Oh, give me a ^*&%$# break and a half! This nomination is a monumental political and policy blunder in the wake of the Michael Brown/FEMA fiasco.
see more at ........
http://smagar.redstate.org/story/2005/9/24/112515/657
Monday, October 10, 2005
John McCain to delay decision on '08 run until '06
John McCain to delay decision on '08 run until '06
NEW YORK Senator John McCain is considering a
2008 run for president, but he says he's unlikely
to run for the Number Two spot.
He tells the New York Daily News yesterday that he
is seriously considering a 2008 bid. However,
McCain says he'll wait until after the 2006 election
to decide about his political future.
McCain, who ran for president in 2000,
was re-elected to a six-year Senate term in 2004.
see more at kvoa.com
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=3958305&nav=HMO6
NEW YORK Senator John McCain is considering a
2008 run for president, but he says he's unlikely
to run for the Number Two spot.
He tells the New York Daily News yesterday that he
is seriously considering a 2008 bid. However,
McCain says he'll wait until after the 2006 election
to decide about his political future.
McCain, who ran for president in 2000,
was re-elected to a six-year Senate term in 2004.
see more at kvoa.com
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=3958305&nav=HMO6
Senator Jon Kyl formally announces his bid for re-election
Senator Jon Kyl formally announces his bid for re-election
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
In Tucson at 8:00 a.m.
Pima Air and Space Museum
6000 East Valencia
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
In Tucson at 8:00 a.m.
Pima Air and Space Museum
6000 East Valencia
Sunday, October 09, 2005
MCCAIN STATEMENT ON DETAINEE AMENDMENTS
MCCAIN STATEMENT ON DETAINEE AMENDMENTS
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Oct 05, 2005
Washington D.C. ¬– Senator McCain delivered the following statement today from the Senate floor on the Amendment on (1) the Army Field Manual and (2) Cruel, Inhumane, Degrading Treatment, amendment #1977:
Mr. President, I call up amendment #1977, which is filed at the desk.
The Department of Defense Appropriations bill is one of the most important funding measures considered by Congress. Equally important is the Department of Defense Authorization bill, and it is very unfortunate that we are forced to consider this funding measure without having completed our important work on the authorization bill. Despite the efforts of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, who have worked to bring up and dispense with the authorization bill in a reasonable manner, they have been unable to reach an agreement with the leadership. As a result, the authorizers have filed the authorization bill and a procedural vote will occur on it this evening.
The Senate has an obligation to address the authorizing legislation, just as it has an obligation to deal with the issue that apparently led to the bill being pulled from the floor – America’s treatment of its detainees. Several weeks ago I received a letter from Captain Ian Fishback, a member of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, and a veteran of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. Over 17 months he struggled to get answers from his chain of command to a basic question: what standards apply to the treatment of enemy detainees? But he found no answers. In his remarkable letter, he pleads with Congress, asking us to take action, to establish standards, to clear up the confusion – not for the good of the terrorists, but for the good of our soldiers and our country. The Captain closes his letter by saying, “I strongly urge you to do justice to your men and women in uniform. Give them clear standards of conduct that reflect the ideals they risk their lives for.” I believe that the Congress has a responsibility to answer this call – a call that has come not just from this one brave soldier but from so many of our men and women in uniform.
We owe it to them, Mr. President. We sent them to fight for us in Afghanistan and Iraq. We placed extraordinary pressure on them to extract intelligence from detainees. But then we threw out the rules that our soldiers had trained on, and replaced them with a confusing and constantly changing array of standards. We demanded intelligence without ever clearly telling our troops what was permitted and what was forbidden. And then when things went wrong, we blamed them and we punished them. We have to do better than that.
I can understand why some administration lawyers might want ambiguity, so that every hypothetical option is theoretically open, even those the President has said he does not want to exercise. But war does not occur in theory, and our troops are not served by ambiguity. They are crying out for clarity. The Congress cannot shrink from this duty, we cannot hide our heads, pulling bills from the floor and avoiding votes. We owe it to our soldiers, during this time of war, to take a stand.
And so while I would prefer to offer this amendment to the DOD Authorization bill, I am left with no choice but to offer it to this appropriations measure. I would note that I am offering this amendment in accordance with the options afforded under Rule 16 of the Standing Rules of the Senate. The amendment I will now offer combines the two amendments that I previously filed to the authorizing measure.
This amendment would (1) establish the Army Field Manual as the uniform standard for the interrogation of Department of Defense detainees and (2) prohibit cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment of persons in the detention of the U.S. government.
Mr. President, to fight terrorism we need intelligence. That much is obvious. What should also be obvious is that the intelligence we collect must be reliable and acquired humanely, under clear standards understood by all our fighting men and women. To do differently would not only offend our values as Americans, but undermine our war effort, because abuse of prisoners harms – not helps – us in the war on terror. First, subjecting prisoners to abuse leads to bad intelligence, because under torture a detainee will tell his interrogator anything to make the pain stop. Second, mistreatment of our prisoners endangers U.S. troops who might be captured by the enemy – if not in this war, then in the next. And third, prisoner abuses exact on us a terrible toll in the war of ideas, because inevitably these abuses become public. When they do, the cruel actions of a few darken the reputation of our country in the eyes of millions. American values should win against all others in any war of ideas, and we can’t let prisoner abuse tarnish our image.
And yet reports of detainee abuse continue to emerge, in large part, I believe, because of confusion in the field as to what is permitted and what is not. The amendment I am proposing will go a long way toward clearing up this confusion.
Army Field Manual
The first part of this amendment would establish the Army Field Manual as the uniform standard for the interrogation of Department of Defense detainees. The Army Field Manual and its various editions have served America well, through wars against both regular and irregular foes. It embodies the values Americans have embraced for generations, while preserving the ability of our interrogators to extract critical intelligence from ruthless foes. Never has this been more important than today, in the midst of the war on terror.
The Army Field Manual authorizes interrogation techniques that have proven effective in extracting life-saving information from the most hardened enemy prisoners. It is consistent with our laws and, most importantly, our values. Let us not forget that al-Qaeda sought not just to destroy American lives on September 11, but American values – our way of life and all we cherish. We fight not just to preserve our lives and liberties but also American values, and we will never allow the terrorists to take those away. In this war that we must win - that we will win - we must never simply fight evil with evil.
This amendment would establish the Army Field Manual as the standard for interrogation of all detainees held in DOD custody. The Manual has been developed by the Executive Branch for its own uses, and a new edition, written to take into account the needs of the war on terror and with a new classified annex, is due to be issued soon. My amendment would not set the Field Manual in stone – it could be changed at any time.
The advantage of setting a standard for interrogation based on the Field Manual is to cut down on the significant level of confusion that still exists with respect to which interrogation techniques are allowed. The Armed Services Committee has held hearings with a slew of high-level Defense Department officials, from regional commanders, to judge advocate generals, to the Department’s deputy general counsel. A chief topic of discussion in these hearings was what specific interrogation techniques are permitted in what environments, with which DOD detainees, by whom, and when. And the answers have included a whole lot of confusion. If the Pentagon’s top minds can’t sort these matters out after exhaustive debate and preparation, how in the world do we expect our enlisted men and women to do so?
Confusion about the rules results in abuses in the field. We need a clear, simple, and consistent standard, and we have it in the Army Field Manual on Interrogation. That’s not just my opinion, but that of many more distinguished military minds than mine. I would refer you to a letter expressing strong support for this amendment, signed by 28 former high-ranking military officers, including General Joseph Hoar, who commanded Centcom; General John Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs; RADM John Hutson and RADM Don Guter, who each served as the Navy’s top JAG; and LTGEN Claudia Kennedy, who served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Army Intelligence. These and other distinguished officers believe that the abuses at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo and elsewhere took place in part because our soldiers received ambiguous instructions, which in some cases authorized treatment that went beyond what the Field Manual allows, and that, had the Manual been followed across the board, we could have avoided the prisoner abuse scandal. Mr. President, wouldn’t any of us do whatever we could to have prevented that? By passing this amendment, our service members can follow the Manual consistently from now on. Our troops deserve no less.
Cruel, Inhumane, Degrading Treatment
The second part of this amendment really shouldn’t be objectionable to anyone since I’m actually not proposing anything new. The prohibition against cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment has been a longstanding principle in both law and policy in the United States. Before I get into why this amendment is necessary, let me first review the history.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, states simply that “No one shall be subject to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the U.S. is a signatory, states the same. The binding Convention Against Torture, negotiated by the Reagan administration and ratified by the Senate, prohibits cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. On last year’s DOD Authorization bill, the Senate passed a bipartisan amendment reaffirming that no detainee in U.S. custody can be subject to torture or cruel treatment, as the U.S. has long defined those terms. All of this seems to be common sense, in accordance with longstanding American values.
But since last year’s DOD bill, a strange legal determination was made that the prohibition in the Convention Against Torture against cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment does not legally apply to foreigners held outside the U.S. They can, apparently, be treated inhumanely. This is the administration’s position, even though Judge Abe Soafer, who negotiated the Convention Against Torture for President Reagan, said in a recent letter that the Reagan administration never intended the prohibition against cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment to apply only on U.S. soil.
What all this means is that America is the only country in the world that asserts a legal right to engage in cruel and inhuman treatment. But the crazy thing is that it is not even necessary, because the Administration has said that it will not engage in cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment as a matter of policy. What this also means is that confusion about the rules becomes rampant again. We have so many differing legal standards and loopholes that our lawyers and generals are confused – just imagine our troops serving in prisons and the field.
So the amendment I am offering simply codifies what is current policy and reaffirms what was assumed to be existing law for years. In light of the administration’s stated commitment, it should require no change in our current interrogation and detention practices. What it would do is restore clarity on a simple and fundamental question: Does America treat people inhumanely? My answer is no, and from all I’ve seen, America’s answer has always been no.
Mr. President, let me just close by noting that I hold no brief for the prisoners. I do hold a brief for the reputation of the United States of America. We are Americans, and we hold ourselves to humane standards of treatment of people no matter how evil or terrible they may be. To do otherwise undermines our security, but it also undermines our greatness as a nation. We are not simply any other country. We stand for something more in the world – a moral mission, one of freedom and democracy and human rights at home and abroad. We are better than these terrorists, and we will we win. The enemy we fight has no respect for human life or human rights. They don’t deserve our sympathy. But this isn’t about who they are. This is about who we are. These are the values that distinguish us from our enemies.
I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Oct 05, 2005
Washington D.C. ¬– Senator McCain delivered the following statement today from the Senate floor on the Amendment on (1) the Army Field Manual and (2) Cruel, Inhumane, Degrading Treatment, amendment #1977:
Mr. President, I call up amendment #1977, which is filed at the desk.
The Department of Defense Appropriations bill is one of the most important funding measures considered by Congress. Equally important is the Department of Defense Authorization bill, and it is very unfortunate that we are forced to consider this funding measure without having completed our important work on the authorization bill. Despite the efforts of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, who have worked to bring up and dispense with the authorization bill in a reasonable manner, they have been unable to reach an agreement with the leadership. As a result, the authorizers have filed the authorization bill and a procedural vote will occur on it this evening.
The Senate has an obligation to address the authorizing legislation, just as it has an obligation to deal with the issue that apparently led to the bill being pulled from the floor – America’s treatment of its detainees. Several weeks ago I received a letter from Captain Ian Fishback, a member of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, and a veteran of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. Over 17 months he struggled to get answers from his chain of command to a basic question: what standards apply to the treatment of enemy detainees? But he found no answers. In his remarkable letter, he pleads with Congress, asking us to take action, to establish standards, to clear up the confusion – not for the good of the terrorists, but for the good of our soldiers and our country. The Captain closes his letter by saying, “I strongly urge you to do justice to your men and women in uniform. Give them clear standards of conduct that reflect the ideals they risk their lives for.” I believe that the Congress has a responsibility to answer this call – a call that has come not just from this one brave soldier but from so many of our men and women in uniform.
We owe it to them, Mr. President. We sent them to fight for us in Afghanistan and Iraq. We placed extraordinary pressure on them to extract intelligence from detainees. But then we threw out the rules that our soldiers had trained on, and replaced them with a confusing and constantly changing array of standards. We demanded intelligence without ever clearly telling our troops what was permitted and what was forbidden. And then when things went wrong, we blamed them and we punished them. We have to do better than that.
I can understand why some administration lawyers might want ambiguity, so that every hypothetical option is theoretically open, even those the President has said he does not want to exercise. But war does not occur in theory, and our troops are not served by ambiguity. They are crying out for clarity. The Congress cannot shrink from this duty, we cannot hide our heads, pulling bills from the floor and avoiding votes. We owe it to our soldiers, during this time of war, to take a stand.
And so while I would prefer to offer this amendment to the DOD Authorization bill, I am left with no choice but to offer it to this appropriations measure. I would note that I am offering this amendment in accordance with the options afforded under Rule 16 of the Standing Rules of the Senate. The amendment I will now offer combines the two amendments that I previously filed to the authorizing measure.
This amendment would (1) establish the Army Field Manual as the uniform standard for the interrogation of Department of Defense detainees and (2) prohibit cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment of persons in the detention of the U.S. government.
Mr. President, to fight terrorism we need intelligence. That much is obvious. What should also be obvious is that the intelligence we collect must be reliable and acquired humanely, under clear standards understood by all our fighting men and women. To do differently would not only offend our values as Americans, but undermine our war effort, because abuse of prisoners harms – not helps – us in the war on terror. First, subjecting prisoners to abuse leads to bad intelligence, because under torture a detainee will tell his interrogator anything to make the pain stop. Second, mistreatment of our prisoners endangers U.S. troops who might be captured by the enemy – if not in this war, then in the next. And third, prisoner abuses exact on us a terrible toll in the war of ideas, because inevitably these abuses become public. When they do, the cruel actions of a few darken the reputation of our country in the eyes of millions. American values should win against all others in any war of ideas, and we can’t let prisoner abuse tarnish our image.
And yet reports of detainee abuse continue to emerge, in large part, I believe, because of confusion in the field as to what is permitted and what is not. The amendment I am proposing will go a long way toward clearing up this confusion.
Army Field Manual
The first part of this amendment would establish the Army Field Manual as the uniform standard for the interrogation of Department of Defense detainees. The Army Field Manual and its various editions have served America well, through wars against both regular and irregular foes. It embodies the values Americans have embraced for generations, while preserving the ability of our interrogators to extract critical intelligence from ruthless foes. Never has this been more important than today, in the midst of the war on terror.
The Army Field Manual authorizes interrogation techniques that have proven effective in extracting life-saving information from the most hardened enemy prisoners. It is consistent with our laws and, most importantly, our values. Let us not forget that al-Qaeda sought not just to destroy American lives on September 11, but American values – our way of life and all we cherish. We fight not just to preserve our lives and liberties but also American values, and we will never allow the terrorists to take those away. In this war that we must win - that we will win - we must never simply fight evil with evil.
This amendment would establish the Army Field Manual as the standard for interrogation of all detainees held in DOD custody. The Manual has been developed by the Executive Branch for its own uses, and a new edition, written to take into account the needs of the war on terror and with a new classified annex, is due to be issued soon. My amendment would not set the Field Manual in stone – it could be changed at any time.
The advantage of setting a standard for interrogation based on the Field Manual is to cut down on the significant level of confusion that still exists with respect to which interrogation techniques are allowed. The Armed Services Committee has held hearings with a slew of high-level Defense Department officials, from regional commanders, to judge advocate generals, to the Department’s deputy general counsel. A chief topic of discussion in these hearings was what specific interrogation techniques are permitted in what environments, with which DOD detainees, by whom, and when. And the answers have included a whole lot of confusion. If the Pentagon’s top minds can’t sort these matters out after exhaustive debate and preparation, how in the world do we expect our enlisted men and women to do so?
Confusion about the rules results in abuses in the field. We need a clear, simple, and consistent standard, and we have it in the Army Field Manual on Interrogation. That’s not just my opinion, but that of many more distinguished military minds than mine. I would refer you to a letter expressing strong support for this amendment, signed by 28 former high-ranking military officers, including General Joseph Hoar, who commanded Centcom; General John Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs; RADM John Hutson and RADM Don Guter, who each served as the Navy’s top JAG; and LTGEN Claudia Kennedy, who served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Army Intelligence. These and other distinguished officers believe that the abuses at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo and elsewhere took place in part because our soldiers received ambiguous instructions, which in some cases authorized treatment that went beyond what the Field Manual allows, and that, had the Manual been followed across the board, we could have avoided the prisoner abuse scandal. Mr. President, wouldn’t any of us do whatever we could to have prevented that? By passing this amendment, our service members can follow the Manual consistently from now on. Our troops deserve no less.
Cruel, Inhumane, Degrading Treatment
The second part of this amendment really shouldn’t be objectionable to anyone since I’m actually not proposing anything new. The prohibition against cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment has been a longstanding principle in both law and policy in the United States. Before I get into why this amendment is necessary, let me first review the history.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948, states simply that “No one shall be subject to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the U.S. is a signatory, states the same. The binding Convention Against Torture, negotiated by the Reagan administration and ratified by the Senate, prohibits cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. On last year’s DOD Authorization bill, the Senate passed a bipartisan amendment reaffirming that no detainee in U.S. custody can be subject to torture or cruel treatment, as the U.S. has long defined those terms. All of this seems to be common sense, in accordance with longstanding American values.
But since last year’s DOD bill, a strange legal determination was made that the prohibition in the Convention Against Torture against cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment does not legally apply to foreigners held outside the U.S. They can, apparently, be treated inhumanely. This is the administration’s position, even though Judge Abe Soafer, who negotiated the Convention Against Torture for President Reagan, said in a recent letter that the Reagan administration never intended the prohibition against cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment to apply only on U.S. soil.
What all this means is that America is the only country in the world that asserts a legal right to engage in cruel and inhuman treatment. But the crazy thing is that it is not even necessary, because the Administration has said that it will not engage in cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment as a matter of policy. What this also means is that confusion about the rules becomes rampant again. We have so many differing legal standards and loopholes that our lawyers and generals are confused – just imagine our troops serving in prisons and the field.
So the amendment I am offering simply codifies what is current policy and reaffirms what was assumed to be existing law for years. In light of the administration’s stated commitment, it should require no change in our current interrogation and detention practices. What it would do is restore clarity on a simple and fundamental question: Does America treat people inhumanely? My answer is no, and from all I’ve seen, America’s answer has always been no.
Mr. President, let me just close by noting that I hold no brief for the prisoners. I do hold a brief for the reputation of the United States of America. We are Americans, and we hold ourselves to humane standards of treatment of people no matter how evil or terrible they may be. To do otherwise undermines our security, but it also undermines our greatness as a nation. We are not simply any other country. We stand for something more in the world – a moral mission, one of freedom and democracy and human rights at home and abroad. We are better than these terrorists, and we will we win. The enemy we fight has no respect for human life or human rights. They don’t deserve our sympathy. But this isn’t about who they are. This is about who we are. These are the values that distinguish us from our enemies.
I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger looks to Mccain
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger looks to Mccain
is turning to one of the best known political reformers
Arizona Senator John McCain
for help promoting his "year of reform"
ballot initiatives.
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=3952932&nav=HMO6
is turning to one of the best known political reformers
Arizona Senator John McCain
for help promoting his "year of reform"
ballot initiatives.
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=3952932&nav=HMO6
Monday, October 03, 2005
A Time For McCain?
A Time For McCain?
Only 29 percent of Americans say they trust government,
down from 40 percent in 2000.
McCainism -- whether practiced by the senator or by
some other charismatic campaigner
will eventually have its moment.
http://www.washingtonpost.com
Only 29 percent of Americans say they trust government,
down from 40 percent in 2000.
McCainism -- whether practiced by the senator or by
some other charismatic campaigner
will eventually have its moment.
http://www.washingtonpost.com
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Peace mom meets Senator McCain
Peace mom meets Senator McCain
Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan has met with a prominent lawmaker who supports the Iraq war. Sheehan thanked Senator John McCain for meeting with her Tuesday, but she came away disappointed.
The Arizona Republican also seemed disappointed in the Washington meeting. He says it had been misrepresented to him as including some of his constituents. Only one person in Sheehan's small delegation has ties to the state, and that person no longer lives there.
see more at.....
http://www.kcentv.com/news/c-article.php?cid=3&nid=3969
Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan has met with a prominent lawmaker who supports the Iraq war. Sheehan thanked Senator John McCain for meeting with her Tuesday, but she came away disappointed.
The Arizona Republican also seemed disappointed in the Washington meeting. He says it had been misrepresented to him as including some of his constituents. Only one person in Sheehan's small delegation has ties to the state, and that person no longer lives there.
see more at.....
http://www.kcentv.com/news/c-article.php?cid=3&nid=3969
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
What percent of the Hispanic population in Arizona are here illegally?
What percent of the Hispanic population in Arizona are here illegally?
Republican - 33%
Democrat - 41%
Independent - 38%
Not registered - 45%
Caucasian - 36%
Hispanic - 41%
Other - 43%
Under 35 - 41%
35-54 - 35%
55 and older - 39%
Total - 39%
Source: Behavior Research Center
see more info at................
http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/news/94138.php
Republican - 33%
Democrat - 41%
Independent - 38%
Not registered - 45%
Caucasian - 36%
Hispanic - 41%
Other - 43%
Under 35 - 41%
35-54 - 35%
55 and older - 39%
Total - 39%
Source: Behavior Research Center
see more info at................
http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/news/94138.php
Sunday, September 25, 2005
abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S
Senator John McCain said Sunday that abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers, alleged anew in a report and under investigation again by the army, is hurting the country's image abroad.
"We've got to have it stopped," McCain (R-Ariz.) said on This Week on ABC.
"I don't know if these allegations are true or not, but they
have to be investigated."
Human Rights Watch issued a report Friday based on
interviews with a captain and two sergeants who served
in a battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division stationed
at a military base near Fallujah. The report alleged that army soldiers systematically tortured Iraqi detainees from 2003 into 2004, hitting them with baseball bats and dousing them with chemicals.
see Canada news at............
http://www.canada.com/news/world/story.html?id=69419b40-25f3-4c8f-81b8-f721eb84c893
"We've got to have it stopped," McCain (R-Ariz.) said on This Week on ABC.
"I don't know if these allegations are true or not, but they
have to be investigated."
Human Rights Watch issued a report Friday based on
interviews with a captain and two sergeants who served
in a battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division stationed
at a military base near Fallujah. The report alleged that army soldiers systematically tortured Iraqi detainees from 2003 into 2004, hitting them with baseball bats and dousing them with chemicals.
see Canada news at............
http://www.canada.com/news/world/story.html?id=69419b40-25f3-4c8f-81b8-f721eb84c893
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Happy Birthday Senator John McCain
Happy Birthday Senator John McCain!
Senator John McCain celebrated his 69th birthday with President George W. Bush last Monday, August 29th. Senator McCain greeted the President at Luke Air Force Base.
President Bush was in Arizona for a roundtable discussion on his way to Southern California to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the end of World War II.
Senator John McCain celebrated his 69th birthday with President George W. Bush last Monday, August 29th. Senator McCain greeted the President at Luke Air Force Base.
President Bush was in Arizona for a roundtable discussion on his way to Southern California to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the end of World War II.
Senator John McCain on the Death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist
Senator John McCain on the Death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist
"The Supreme Court lost one of its finest jurists and the Nation lost one of its finest legal minds. In his over 30 years on the bench, first as an associate and later as Chief Justice, William Rehnquist was an impartial and objective judge, who always held the Constitution above any personal beliefs or political persuasions.
"Chief Justice Rehnquist began his celebrated legal career in Phoenix, therefore, many Arizonans, including myself, are especially proud of his public service and his contributions toward furthering our Nation’s jurisprudence. The courage the Chief Justice exhibited in his battle against thyroid cancer while continuing his commitment to the American people and the Supreme Court was remarkable, but not surprising.
"There can be no doubt that our nation will miss Chief Justice Rehnquist’s scholarly demeanor and superb leadership. I trust that the same integrity he brought to the highest court of our land will guide the President’s choice and the Senate’s consideration of the next Chief Justice"
"The Supreme Court lost one of its finest jurists and the Nation lost one of its finest legal minds. In his over 30 years on the bench, first as an associate and later as Chief Justice, William Rehnquist was an impartial and objective judge, who always held the Constitution above any personal beliefs or political persuasions.
"Chief Justice Rehnquist began his celebrated legal career in Phoenix, therefore, many Arizonans, including myself, are especially proud of his public service and his contributions toward furthering our Nation’s jurisprudence. The courage the Chief Justice exhibited in his battle against thyroid cancer while continuing his commitment to the American people and the Supreme Court was remarkable, but not surprising.
"There can be no doubt that our nation will miss Chief Justice Rehnquist’s scholarly demeanor and superb leadership. I trust that the same integrity he brought to the highest court of our land will guide the President’s choice and the Senate’s consideration of the next Chief Justice"
Senators McCain and Coburn Call on Congress to Make Sacrifices to Fund Hurricane Relief Effort
Senators McCain and Coburn Call on Congress to Make Sacrifices to Fund Hurricane Relief Effort
U.S. Senators John McCain and Tom Coburn, M.D. issued the following joint statement today calling on Congress to "lead by example" by cutting back on pork-barrel and other unnecessary spending to help fund the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
"Hurricane Katrina is one of the worst national tragedies in our history. Whenever our nation experiences a tragedy Americans come together and make sacrifices to help their neighbors. Individual Americans who are donating their time and money and opening their homes to evacuees are reminding us what sacrificing means. Sacrificing means giving up something you want in order give someone else something they need."
"If Congress wants to inspire the American people to continue to make sacrifices we need to be making sacrifices of our own. The costs of the recovery and relief effort will be enormous. Congress must do all that is necessary to fund essential relief and recovery efforts and help those in need. However, to the extent that it is possible, we should pay for this effort now rather than pass on even more debt to future generations
U.S. Senators John McCain and Tom Coburn, M.D. issued the following joint statement today calling on Congress to "lead by example" by cutting back on pork-barrel and other unnecessary spending to help fund the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
"Hurricane Katrina is one of the worst national tragedies in our history. Whenever our nation experiences a tragedy Americans come together and make sacrifices to help their neighbors. Individual Americans who are donating their time and money and opening their homes to evacuees are reminding us what sacrificing means. Sacrificing means giving up something you want in order give someone else something they need."
"If Congress wants to inspire the American people to continue to make sacrifices we need to be making sacrifices of our own. The costs of the recovery and relief effort will be enormous. Congress must do all that is necessary to fund essential relief and recovery efforts and help those in need. However, to the extent that it is possible, we should pay for this effort now rather than pass on even more debt to future generations
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Senator John McCain to Speak in the East Valley
Senator John McCain to Speak in the East Valley on Thursday
You are invited to a special meeting with Senator John McCain on Thursday, August 25th at 7:00 p.m. Senator McCain will discuss current events and take your questions.
The event is free and open to the public. Please email me at crystal@friendsofmccain.com if you have any questions.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
7:00 p.m.
Navajo Room at Mesa Community College
1833 West Southern Avenue
Mesa, Arizona 85202
You are invited to a special meeting with Senator John McCain on Thursday, August 25th at 7:00 p.m. Senator McCain will discuss current events and take your questions.
The event is free and open to the public. Please email me at crystal@friendsofmccain.com if you have any questions.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
7:00 p.m.
Navajo Room at Mesa Community College
1833 West Southern Avenue
Mesa, Arizona 85202
Monday, August 22, 2005
McCain Expresses Support for Judge John Roberts
Senator John McCain Expresses Support for Supreme Court Nominee Judge John Roberts
I am pleased that the President has chosen Judge John Roberts as his nominee to the Supreme Court. Judge Roberts would bring a wealth of experience to the nations highest bench having served as an attorney in private practice, as an advisor and Deputy Solicitor General at the Department of Justice and as a federal appeals court judge. I look forward to a smooth confirmation process and a swift up-or-down vote for Judge Roberts.
http://www.friendsofmccain.com/
I am pleased that the President has chosen Judge John Roberts as his nominee to the Supreme Court. Judge Roberts would bring a wealth of experience to the nations highest bench having served as an attorney in private practice, as an advisor and Deputy Solicitor General at the Department of Justice and as a federal appeals court judge. I look forward to a smooth confirmation process and a swift up-or-down vote for Judge Roberts.
http://www.friendsofmccain.com/
America's border crisis
America's border crisis
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2005
America's border crisis
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2005
Anyone who has been to the border areas in Arizona and New Mexico knows about some of the horrible things that are happening at America's edge. The news is so alarming and the hope for relief from Washington is so dim that the governors of New Mexico and Arizona have finally declared states of emergency in those areas. It is as if those counties bordering on Mexico had been hit by floods or hurricanes or any other natural disaster, except that this is not a natural disaster. The scenes of death, drug smuggling, kidnapping and more are manmade, a security emergency that should be fixed, soon, by politicians in Washington and Mexico City.
Short term, the administration simply has to beef up its border surveillance and control. Although patrols have increased and equipment is more sophisticated, other border areas have been closed off in California and Texas, making New Mexico and Arizona the preferred routes for thousands of illegal immigrants over the last few years. Many are simply aiming north to get jobs so they can feed their families back in Mexico. But too many are interested in shadier pursuits.
Almost everybody who thinks hard about the immigration problem knows that the solution is not simply to build a better fence. That won't work as long as there are low-level jobs that need doing and no American citizens willing to do them. Throwing as many as 11 million illegal immigrants out of the United States is simply not going to happen.
At present, Congress has two important bills covering reform. One comes from two Republicans, Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona and Senator John Cornyn of Texas. The Kyl-Cornyn bill is heavy on security - which would be a good thing as long as it included a true guest worker program, but so far, it does not. The other bill, from Senator John McCain of Arizona and Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, has a far better guest worker program, but not as much security. It's possible to see a way to combine these bills to make an immigration system that's better for everybody.
President George W. Bush has been promising immigration reform since he took office, and he promised once again last week that immigration would be a top priority. Through all these years, Bush, as a Texan, has made it clear that he understands this complex problem. But some of those in his party prefer to inflame the issue with anti-immigrant tirades - an embarrassment as old as America itself. The president will have to tame his own party before Americans can all move forward.
Anyone who has been to the border areas in Arizona and New Mexico knows about some of the horrible things that are happening at America's edge. The news is so alarming and the hope for relief from Washington is so dim that the governors of New Mexico and Arizona have finally declared states of emergency in those areas. It is as if those counties bordering on Mexico had been hit by floods or hurricanes or any other natural disaster, except that this is not a natural disaster. The scenes of death, drug smuggling, kidnapping and more are manmade, a security emergency that should be fixed, soon, by politicians in Washington and Mexico City.
Short term, the administration simply has to beef up its border surveillance and control. Although patrols have increased and equipment is more sophisticated, other border areas have been closed off in California and Texas, making New Mexico and Arizona the preferred routes for thousands of illegal immigrants over the last few years. Many are simply aiming north to get jobs so they can feed their families back in Mexico. But too many are interested in shadier pursuits.
Almost everybody who thinks hard about the immigration problem knows that the solution is not simply to build a better fence. That won't work as long as there are low-level jobs that need doing and no American citizens willing to do them. Throwing as many as 11 million illegal immigrants out of the United States is simply not going to happen.
At present, Congress has two important bills covering reform. One comes from two Republicans, Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona and Senator John Cornyn of Texas. The Kyl-Cornyn bill is heavy on security - which would be a good thing as long as it included a true guest worker program, but so far, it does not. The other bill, from Senator John McCain of Arizona and Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, has a far better guest worker program, but not as much security. It's possible to see a way to combine these bills to make an immigration system that's better for everybody.
President George W. Bush has been promising immigration reform since he took office, and he promised once again last week that immigration would be a top priority. Through all these years, Bush, as a Texan, has made it clear that he understands this complex problem. But some of those in his party prefer to inflame the issue with anti-immigrant tirades - an embarrassment as old as America itself. The president will have to tame his own party before Americans can all move forward.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/08/22/opinion/edborder.php
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2005
America's border crisis
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2005
Anyone who has been to the border areas in Arizona and New Mexico knows about some of the horrible things that are happening at America's edge. The news is so alarming and the hope for relief from Washington is so dim that the governors of New Mexico and Arizona have finally declared states of emergency in those areas. It is as if those counties bordering on Mexico had been hit by floods or hurricanes or any other natural disaster, except that this is not a natural disaster. The scenes of death, drug smuggling, kidnapping and more are manmade, a security emergency that should be fixed, soon, by politicians in Washington and Mexico City.
Short term, the administration simply has to beef up its border surveillance and control. Although patrols have increased and equipment is more sophisticated, other border areas have been closed off in California and Texas, making New Mexico and Arizona the preferred routes for thousands of illegal immigrants over the last few years. Many are simply aiming north to get jobs so they can feed their families back in Mexico. But too many are interested in shadier pursuits.
Almost everybody who thinks hard about the immigration problem knows that the solution is not simply to build a better fence. That won't work as long as there are low-level jobs that need doing and no American citizens willing to do them. Throwing as many as 11 million illegal immigrants out of the United States is simply not going to happen.
At present, Congress has two important bills covering reform. One comes from two Republicans, Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona and Senator John Cornyn of Texas. The Kyl-Cornyn bill is heavy on security - which would be a good thing as long as it included a true guest worker program, but so far, it does not. The other bill, from Senator John McCain of Arizona and Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, has a far better guest worker program, but not as much security. It's possible to see a way to combine these bills to make an immigration system that's better for everybody.
President George W. Bush has been promising immigration reform since he took office, and he promised once again last week that immigration would be a top priority. Through all these years, Bush, as a Texan, has made it clear that he understands this complex problem. But some of those in his party prefer to inflame the issue with anti-immigrant tirades - an embarrassment as old as America itself. The president will have to tame his own party before Americans can all move forward.
Anyone who has been to the border areas in Arizona and New Mexico knows about some of the horrible things that are happening at America's edge. The news is so alarming and the hope for relief from Washington is so dim that the governors of New Mexico and Arizona have finally declared states of emergency in those areas. It is as if those counties bordering on Mexico had been hit by floods or hurricanes or any other natural disaster, except that this is not a natural disaster. The scenes of death, drug smuggling, kidnapping and more are manmade, a security emergency that should be fixed, soon, by politicians in Washington and Mexico City.
Short term, the administration simply has to beef up its border surveillance and control. Although patrols have increased and equipment is more sophisticated, other border areas have been closed off in California and Texas, making New Mexico and Arizona the preferred routes for thousands of illegal immigrants over the last few years. Many are simply aiming north to get jobs so they can feed their families back in Mexico. But too many are interested in shadier pursuits.
Almost everybody who thinks hard about the immigration problem knows that the solution is not simply to build a better fence. That won't work as long as there are low-level jobs that need doing and no American citizens willing to do them. Throwing as many as 11 million illegal immigrants out of the United States is simply not going to happen.
At present, Congress has two important bills covering reform. One comes from two Republicans, Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona and Senator John Cornyn of Texas. The Kyl-Cornyn bill is heavy on security - which would be a good thing as long as it included a true guest worker program, but so far, it does not. The other bill, from Senator John McCain of Arizona and Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, has a far better guest worker program, but not as much security. It's possible to see a way to combine these bills to make an immigration system that's better for everybody.
President George W. Bush has been promising immigration reform since he took office, and he promised once again last week that immigration would be a top priority. Through all these years, Bush, as a Texan, has made it clear that he understands this complex problem. But some of those in his party prefer to inflame the issue with anti-immigrant tirades - an embarrassment as old as America itself. The president will have to tame his own party before Americans can all move forward.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/08/22/opinion/edborder.php
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Abolishing Aviation Barriers Act of 2005 ?
SENATORS INTRODUCE BILL TO MAKE AIR TRAVEL MORE COMPETITIVE AND CONVENIENT
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Aug 02, 2005
Washington D.C. – Last Friday, Senators McCain, (R-AZ) Ensign, (R-NV) and Kyl, (R-AZ) introduced the Abolishing Aviation Barriers Act of 2005. The bill is designed to remove the arbitrary restrictions that prevent Americans from having an array of options for non-stop air travel between airports in Western states and LaGuardia International Airport (“LaGuardia”) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (“Washington National”).
“As many in the Senate know, I have been fighting against the perimeter rule for years. I continue to believe that Americans should have access to air travel at the lowest possible cost and with the most convenience for their schedule. Therefore, I have always advocated for the removal of any artificial barrier that prevents free market competition and will continue to do so,” said Senator McCain.
“Two airports should not dictate how Americans travel,” Senator Ensign said. “Opening these markets will increase competition and greatly improve consumer choice. I’m proud to join Senator McCain in opening the skies to more opportunities for the traveling public.”
“A frank and wide-ranging discussion of barriers to competition is long overdue, said Kyl. "I look forward to working with Senators McCain and Ensign to secure the much-needed pro-competitive changes provided for in this bill.”
~end~
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Aug 02, 2005
Washington D.C. – Last Friday, Senators McCain, (R-AZ) Ensign, (R-NV) and Kyl, (R-AZ) introduced the Abolishing Aviation Barriers Act of 2005. The bill is designed to remove the arbitrary restrictions that prevent Americans from having an array of options for non-stop air travel between airports in Western states and LaGuardia International Airport (“LaGuardia”) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (“Washington National”).
“As many in the Senate know, I have been fighting against the perimeter rule for years. I continue to believe that Americans should have access to air travel at the lowest possible cost and with the most convenience for their schedule. Therefore, I have always advocated for the removal of any artificial barrier that prevents free market competition and will continue to do so,” said Senator McCain.
“Two airports should not dictate how Americans travel,” Senator Ensign said. “Opening these markets will increase competition and greatly improve consumer choice. I’m proud to join Senator McCain in opening the skies to more opportunities for the traveling public.”
“A frank and wide-ranging discussion of barriers to competition is long overdue, said Kyl. "I look forward to working with Senators McCain and Ensign to secure the much-needed pro-competitive changes provided for in this bill.”
~end~
Thursday, August 11, 2005
GOP Leaders, Grassroots Republicans Butting Heads over McCain
GOP Leaders, Grassroots Republicans Butting Heads over McCain
By Dennis Durband, Editor
July 14, 2005
Arizona Republican leaders and the party faithful at the grassroots level butted heads last year over the border invasion and Proposition 200 -- and the grassroots GOP faithful won over the pandering politicians. The two groups are dueling again this year over opposition to senior U.S. Senator John McCain.
Three separate Republican grassroots entities have this summer either censured or condemned McCain for consorting with leftist politicos and ideals. While the people cry foul, the party leadership is trying to contain the political fire.
The cascade of contempt for McCain's dismal performance began June 11th with a unanimous censure by the Arizona Republican Assembly (ARA) during its annual convention. That motion was penned by Bruce Barton, borders columnist for The Arizona Conservative and an ARA board member.
Two more measures against McCain followed, both sparked by conservative activist Rob Haney, of Paradise Valley. Haney succeeded with a motion for censure of McCain in District 11, and then he led the Maricopa County Republican Party's Executive Guidance Committee to express its dissatisfaction with the representation of McCain. McCain, a 2008 presidential aspirant who is concerned about the dissatisfaction in his back yard, and Senator Jon Kyl sent representatives to the EGC meeting to defend the senator.
Congressman John Shadegg phoned Haney, the chairman in District 11, in opposition to his actions against McCain. Haney stood his ground and refused to back down.
First-year AZ GOP Chairman Matt Salmon is pressuring districts not to censure McCain. He claims that any further actions directed at McCain will hurt the Republican Party in the 2006 governor's election and may adversely affect the Protect Marriage Arizona (PMA) initiative.
Some Republicans are fearful that McCain will unleash a backlash to assist Democrat Janet Napolitano in her re-election campaign next year, and that he may also work hard to defeat PMA. But McCain already works closely with liberal Democrats, has supported Arizona Democrat candidates and opposes a federal marriage amendment. These betrayals of conservative Republicanism are precisely why so many red staters oppose the radical McCain.
see the complete..........
http://www.azconservative.org/GOP_McCain.htm
By Dennis Durband, Editor
July 14, 2005
Arizona Republican leaders and the party faithful at the grassroots level butted heads last year over the border invasion and Proposition 200 -- and the grassroots GOP faithful won over the pandering politicians. The two groups are dueling again this year over opposition to senior U.S. Senator John McCain.
Three separate Republican grassroots entities have this summer either censured or condemned McCain for consorting with leftist politicos and ideals. While the people cry foul, the party leadership is trying to contain the political fire.
The cascade of contempt for McCain's dismal performance began June 11th with a unanimous censure by the Arizona Republican Assembly (ARA) during its annual convention. That motion was penned by Bruce Barton, borders columnist for The Arizona Conservative and an ARA board member.
Two more measures against McCain followed, both sparked by conservative activist Rob Haney, of Paradise Valley. Haney succeeded with a motion for censure of McCain in District 11, and then he led the Maricopa County Republican Party's Executive Guidance Committee to express its dissatisfaction with the representation of McCain. McCain, a 2008 presidential aspirant who is concerned about the dissatisfaction in his back yard, and Senator Jon Kyl sent representatives to the EGC meeting to defend the senator.
Congressman John Shadegg phoned Haney, the chairman in District 11, in opposition to his actions against McCain. Haney stood his ground and refused to back down.
First-year AZ GOP Chairman Matt Salmon is pressuring districts not to censure McCain. He claims that any further actions directed at McCain will hurt the Republican Party in the 2006 governor's election and may adversely affect the Protect Marriage Arizona (PMA) initiative.
Some Republicans are fearful that McCain will unleash a backlash to assist Democrat Janet Napolitano in her re-election campaign next year, and that he may also work hard to defeat PMA. But McCain already works closely with liberal Democrats, has supported Arizona Democrat candidates and opposes a federal marriage amendment. These betrayals of conservative Republicanism are precisely why so many red staters oppose the radical McCain.
see the complete..........
http://www.azconservative.org/GOP_McCain.htm
Mohave County Republicans Air Public Grievance with McCain
Mohave County Republicans Air Public Grievance with McCain
By Dennis Durband, Editor
July 22, 2005
Join the crowd, Mohave Republicans! You’re the latest GOP organization to officially express displeasure with Arizona’s senior U.S. Senator, John McCain. That makes four Republican organizations – all at the county, district or state level – to express strong disapproval of McCain’s left-leaning representation in Washington, D.C.
The Mohave County GOP has passed a “Resolution of Displeasure over the Grievous Actions of Senator John McCain.”
The other organizations taking public exception to McCain include the Arizona Republican Assembly (ARA), GOP Legislative District 11 and the Maricopa County GOP. Due the ARA’s unanimous June censure of McCain, presidential hopeful George Allen, a U.S. senator from Virginia, has reneged on his commitment to speak at the September national convention of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, in Scottsdale.
for the complete article see.........
http://www.azconservative.org/Mohave_McCain.htm
By Dennis Durband, Editor
July 22, 2005
Join the crowd, Mohave Republicans! You’re the latest GOP organization to officially express displeasure with Arizona’s senior U.S. Senator, John McCain. That makes four Republican organizations – all at the county, district or state level – to express strong disapproval of McCain’s left-leaning representation in Washington, D.C.
The Mohave County GOP has passed a “Resolution of Displeasure over the Grievous Actions of Senator John McCain.”
The other organizations taking public exception to McCain include the Arizona Republican Assembly (ARA), GOP Legislative District 11 and the Maricopa County GOP. Due the ARA’s unanimous June censure of McCain, presidential hopeful George Allen, a U.S. senator from Virginia, has reneged on his commitment to speak at the September national convention of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, in Scottsdale.
for the complete article see.........
http://www.azconservative.org/Mohave_McCain.htm
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