Marking the first official act of extreme violence after Arizona enacted a tough new illegal immigration law, a Central Arizonan Sheriff was shot in the stomach with an AK-47 by alleged group of illegal aliens.
The shooting took place after the Sheriff Deputy spotted a group of illegal smugglers. The Deputy was able to radio in the incident, and he has been airlifted to a Phoenix, Arizona hospital is condition is unknown.
The attack on a law enforcement deputy comes after Arizona steps up their crack down on illegal immigration.
"Over the past 12 months we've seen an increase in the amount of drugs, and an increase in violence that has been going on in this particular corridor," Tammy Villar Pinal County sheriff's Lt. told KPNX news. "We've had increasing concerns in this area about being outmanned and outgunned, and unfortunately this evening, this is coming true."
It’s also worth pointing out that Border Patrol agents have been told at daily musters that the Mexican drug cartels have put a $250 thousand bounty on their lives.
U.S. agents are taking the threat very seriously and say officers in the field should use extreme caution when approaching the border fence area. The threat comes after an Arizona rancher was murdered on his own property last month by an alleged illegal alien.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a warning to law enforcement officers in west Texas due to retaliatory killings by a Mexican gang. The agency has suggested agents’ change up their routes and wears body armor while on duty.
DHS headquarters said gang members might issue a “green light” to murder law enforcement officers in the Arizona and other U.S. border areas. The report also suggests that the law enforcement officers pay special attention to any unusual activity.
One agent said it this way; “We were warned about this recently at several musters and we were advised to take this threat seriously and to take precautions. This is the life we chose and it is certainly not our first threat. Over two years ago we received intelligence that a $2 million contract was put out for the assassination of a Border Patrol Agent. Last year, Agent Rosas was murdered. Coincidence? I doubt it. If they are willing to pay two million for a hit, then they have enough money to pay for a fall guy. The cartels don't need to prove to America that they can pull this off. They only need to prove it to other cartels, for credibility in the fight amongst themselves.”
The renewed violence comes on the eve of May Day rallies set to take place across the country. As news about the Deputy, who was gunned down while he was on the job, circulates the news cycle it is sure to play a pivotal role in tomorrow’s nationwide demonstrations. If an illegal immigrant committed the brutal act, the rallying cry against Arizona’s new illegal immigration law could be snuffed out.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Arizona's new illegal immigration law finds favor in state and nationwide
Arizona’s new illegal immigration law finds favor in the state as well as nationwide, according to a new Rasmussen Poll out this week. While the new law draws the ire of President Obama and the open borders, amnesty crowd on the left, the vast majority of Americans agree with the new legislation to help combat illegal immigration.
Rasmussen points out that 70 percent of Arizonians approve of enforcing the illegal immigration problem that is overwhelming the state. The same poll found 60 percent of American’s throughout the country also favor Arizona new law and say Washington D.C. is falling down on the job when it comes to securing the nation’s borders. The poll also found that only 31 percent of voters are against the new law nationwide.
While the numbers favor the new law, 58 percent say there is a possibility of some American citizen civil rights may be violated in an effort to curtail illegal immigration.
Reports also point to Arizona’s dubious title of kidnapping capitol of the U.S. -currently Mexico City, Mexico hold the top spot.
Phoenix, Arizona’s population consists of 1.4 million and last year’s crime log came in at 90,000. On the other hand New York City’s population is 8.3 million and the crime log read 104,000. Both states had similar crime rates, yet New York City is much larger than Phoenix. Many lawmakers and law enforcement officers attribute the high crime levels to the extensive illegal immigrant population.
It is this very crime that has driven the folks in Arizona to take over where the federal government has failed.
The following is two different opinions as to what Arizona’s fate should be. One is from an Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and the other point of view is from an Arizona/Mexico border resident, Al Garza who is Hispanic. Their take on the illegal immigration problem that plagues Arizona are very different.
A word from a politician and a resident
According to a post from the Huffington Post, Congressman Gutierrez recently went on the record regarding Arizona’s new law.
“It is open season on the Latino community in Arizona. In Phoenix, Tucson, and across the state, people in Latino neighborhoods are afraid to leave their houses, afraid to be apart from their children for even a minute, and afraid to walk the streets because they feel their arrest on suspicion of being an undocumented immigrant could happen at any moment. It is a horrifying glimpse at what our future holds across the country if we continue down the path the Obama administration is leading us on immigration,” said the Congressman.
Douglas, Arizona resident Al Garza, sees it differently. “Luis Gutierrez is Mexico’s number one reconquista agent, the congressional representative from the 4th district in Chicago, thinks he knows what's best for Arizona. If Chicago politician Gutierrez wants to meddle in local Arizona politics, ask him to move to Douglas, Arizona, to see if he can make enough "Chicago style" friends to get elected. We've alerted you about him before. He is one of the reasons that our Republic is no longer being governed in the best interests of its citizens.”
Congressman Gutierrez continues; “This week, we saw how destructive things are getting. The combination of a harsh piece of anti-immigrant legislation advancing in the Arizona legislature and a massive, well-publicized federal enforcement action against a broad human smuggling network has sent the unmistakable message to Arizona's one million immigrants and two million Hispanics: there is a target on your backs and authorities are coming after you.”
Garza takes exception with this point; “I’m Hispanic and I’ve served my country proudly in Vietnam and I can tell you I’ve never been pulled over because I’m brown. I’ve been pulled over for speeding and presented my drivers license and had no problems. Our state is under siege and we need to do something to turn this around before it’s too late.”
Gutierrez contends Arizona’s new law “throws in a bounty of $500 in fines and a possible misdemeanor conviction on criminal trespassing if the particular lawman involved happens to guess correctly and the person they arrest cannot prove they are here legally.”
However, Arizona is hopeful the new law will act as a deterrent for illegal immigrants not to settle in the state and add to the government doles. Like California, Arizona’s budget is overstretched and cuts to services is looming. Governor Brewer says the schools; hospitals and jails are at risk. She has even sent a bill to the federal government for $1 billion to cover the already burdened state.
After several attempts to communicate with Washington D.C. Arizona has yet to hear back from Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano or the White House.
Many residents and lawmakers are not concerned with the ability of law enforcement to do their job.
“As we know from experience in Arizona and elsewhere, giving police such a broad mandate to arrest and book people ‘suspected’ of looking a certain way isn't just an invitation to racial profiling, it's like waving a green flag and saying ‘gentlemen start your engines.’ It is an insult to American justice and one of the harshest assaults on basic civil rights in recent American history,” Gutierrez said.
“After years of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Latino neighborhood sweeps, harsher and harsher state laws that target Latinos and immigrants, and escalating federal deportation, I'm afraid we have turned a very dangerous corner in the war on immigrants,” he said.
However America’s toughest Sheriff continues to win reelections in a landslide fashion.
Garza finds the statements put forward by the Congressman from Illinois unacceptable. “Chicago Gutierrez's foul technique is nothing new. This time, however, Chicago Luis Gutierrez is attempting to expand the tentacles of influence over the good citizens of Arizona. Like other politicians and groups that support illegal aliens, open borders and, in some cases, reconquista, he attempts to group all people with Latino backgrounds in one group. Legal and patriotic Arizona citizens support (SB 1070). Those who he describes as living in fear and afraid to leave their houses do not support (SB 1070) because they are in this country illegally. Note, Chicago Luis uses the word "houses" and not homes. That's because their homes are elsewhere in foreign lands.”
After the Washington Post published, “internal memos from Homeland Security headquarters to their field agents instructing them that their job performance would be judged by filling deportation quotas for simple visa and immigration violations, all of the President's lofty promises about a new approach went out the window,” Gutierrez writes. “At a minimum, the President has failed to put his heart into reforming immigration. He has dropped the ball in the first year of his presidency and as we head into election season in his second year, we are seeing more of the same.”
Arizona is the state most affected by illegal alien criminal behavior Garza contends, “Chicago Luis wishes to paint the deported alien and the criminals who live among us as the victims in a bizarre attempt to pander to La Raza and similar groups. Would he allow the drug dealers, kidnappers, human smugglers and illegal foreign criminals to continue their activities in his neighborhood and in view of his children and their playmates? This what he wants Arizonans to continue to live with.”
Garza is Hispanic and his only concern is that he may be attacked by “montoneros covardes, better known as illegal alien thugs. If I defend myself against their attacks, and trust me, defend myself I will, I will be accused of victimizing those poor innocent hard workers. I certainly have no fear of wandering throughout my neighborhood or anywhere I choose. No one has ever stopped me for being brown.”
During the 2008 election campaign candidate Obama promised the Latino community amnesty was on the way if they voted for him.
They did. However Obama’s immigration overhaul has turned out to be another empty promise to Hispanics.
“The President knows what we must do, but he alone must summon the political will in Washington to do it. The short-run calculations of politics are deeply rooted and hard to overcome, but as we saw in the health care debate, he can do it if he wants to,” Gutierrez claims. “He needs to stop appeasing those who embrace the persistent fantasy of mass deportation or the delusion that by making America so hostile and uninviting, tens of millions of immigrants will deport themselves. Obama the President needs to stand up for what Obama the candidate and what Obama the Senator and what Obama the Chicago community organizer stood for and lead the Congress towards reform.”
Gutierrez admits that Washington may have waited too long to negotiate the immigration battle zone because midterm elections are looming.
“But I'm already afraid that for the people of Arizona, he has waited too long. Even if an immigration reform bill passed tomorrow, Latino families in Arizona still face the prospect of going out into a hostile world next week,” Gutierrez explains. “I know thousands of Latino families will hesitate before dropping their kids off at school or will have that terrifying twinge of fear before venturing out to buy groceries or go to work. If we allow police-state tactics in Arizona to continue, the level of basic community security will erode and civil unrest could escalate. The President must act now to diffuse the Arizona panic and take control of a deteriorating situation that could become a national crisis.”
Garza sums it up this way. “You've been reading for the last few years about the illegal activities of many Chicago politicians. Chicago Luis Gutierrez's latest demands coming from Chicago, attempting to influence the internal Arizona affairs, demonstrate the new liberal ‘November fear syndrome’ and will not end with Arizona. Chicago Luis and his type of politician, who pander to criminals and ethno-centric outfits, always crawl back between the cracks in the congressional baseboards when the light comes on. We intend to provide that illumination.”
Everyone agrees racial profiling leads to hurt feelings, but when Americans travel to Europe and stay in a hotel, they are asked for their passports upon check in. Many of these hotels will keep the passports during their entire stay, where is the cry of Nazi Germany tactics Europe is practicing?
Arizona’s plight needs to be addressed by all involved and hopefully cooler heads will prevail and Americans will come out the winner. Most agree a good place to start is to secure the country’s borders.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Rasmussen points out that 70 percent of Arizonians approve of enforcing the illegal immigration problem that is overwhelming the state. The same poll found 60 percent of American’s throughout the country also favor Arizona new law and say Washington D.C. is falling down on the job when it comes to securing the nation’s borders. The poll also found that only 31 percent of voters are against the new law nationwide.
While the numbers favor the new law, 58 percent say there is a possibility of some American citizen civil rights may be violated in an effort to curtail illegal immigration.
Reports also point to Arizona’s dubious title of kidnapping capitol of the U.S. -currently Mexico City, Mexico hold the top spot.
Phoenix, Arizona’s population consists of 1.4 million and last year’s crime log came in at 90,000. On the other hand New York City’s population is 8.3 million and the crime log read 104,000. Both states had similar crime rates, yet New York City is much larger than Phoenix. Many lawmakers and law enforcement officers attribute the high crime levels to the extensive illegal immigrant population.
It is this very crime that has driven the folks in Arizona to take over where the federal government has failed.
The following is two different opinions as to what Arizona’s fate should be. One is from an Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and the other point of view is from an Arizona/Mexico border resident, Al Garza who is Hispanic. Their take on the illegal immigration problem that plagues Arizona are very different.
A word from a politician and a resident
According to a post from the Huffington Post, Congressman Gutierrez recently went on the record regarding Arizona’s new law.
“It is open season on the Latino community in Arizona. In Phoenix, Tucson, and across the state, people in Latino neighborhoods are afraid to leave their houses, afraid to be apart from their children for even a minute, and afraid to walk the streets because they feel their arrest on suspicion of being an undocumented immigrant could happen at any moment. It is a horrifying glimpse at what our future holds across the country if we continue down the path the Obama administration is leading us on immigration,” said the Congressman.
Douglas, Arizona resident Al Garza, sees it differently. “Luis Gutierrez is Mexico’s number one reconquista agent, the congressional representative from the 4th district in Chicago, thinks he knows what's best for Arizona. If Chicago politician Gutierrez wants to meddle in local Arizona politics, ask him to move to Douglas, Arizona, to see if he can make enough "Chicago style" friends to get elected. We've alerted you about him before. He is one of the reasons that our Republic is no longer being governed in the best interests of its citizens.”
Congressman Gutierrez continues; “This week, we saw how destructive things are getting. The combination of a harsh piece of anti-immigrant legislation advancing in the Arizona legislature and a massive, well-publicized federal enforcement action against a broad human smuggling network has sent the unmistakable message to Arizona's one million immigrants and two million Hispanics: there is a target on your backs and authorities are coming after you.”
Garza takes exception with this point; “I’m Hispanic and I’ve served my country proudly in Vietnam and I can tell you I’ve never been pulled over because I’m brown. I’ve been pulled over for speeding and presented my drivers license and had no problems. Our state is under siege and we need to do something to turn this around before it’s too late.”
Gutierrez contends Arizona’s new law “throws in a bounty of $500 in fines and a possible misdemeanor conviction on criminal trespassing if the particular lawman involved happens to guess correctly and the person they arrest cannot prove they are here legally.”
However, Arizona is hopeful the new law will act as a deterrent for illegal immigrants not to settle in the state and add to the government doles. Like California, Arizona’s budget is overstretched and cuts to services is looming. Governor Brewer says the schools; hospitals and jails are at risk. She has even sent a bill to the federal government for $1 billion to cover the already burdened state.
After several attempts to communicate with Washington D.C. Arizona has yet to hear back from Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano or the White House.
Many residents and lawmakers are not concerned with the ability of law enforcement to do their job.
“As we know from experience in Arizona and elsewhere, giving police such a broad mandate to arrest and book people ‘suspected’ of looking a certain way isn't just an invitation to racial profiling, it's like waving a green flag and saying ‘gentlemen start your engines.’ It is an insult to American justice and one of the harshest assaults on basic civil rights in recent American history,” Gutierrez said.
“After years of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Latino neighborhood sweeps, harsher and harsher state laws that target Latinos and immigrants, and escalating federal deportation, I'm afraid we have turned a very dangerous corner in the war on immigrants,” he said.
However America’s toughest Sheriff continues to win reelections in a landslide fashion.
Garza finds the statements put forward by the Congressman from Illinois unacceptable. “Chicago Gutierrez's foul technique is nothing new. This time, however, Chicago Luis Gutierrez is attempting to expand the tentacles of influence over the good citizens of Arizona. Like other politicians and groups that support illegal aliens, open borders and, in some cases, reconquista, he attempts to group all people with Latino backgrounds in one group. Legal and patriotic Arizona citizens support (SB 1070). Those who he describes as living in fear and afraid to leave their houses do not support (SB 1070) because they are in this country illegally. Note, Chicago Luis uses the word "houses" and not homes. That's because their homes are elsewhere in foreign lands.”
After the Washington Post published, “internal memos from Homeland Security headquarters to their field agents instructing them that their job performance would be judged by filling deportation quotas for simple visa and immigration violations, all of the President's lofty promises about a new approach went out the window,” Gutierrez writes. “At a minimum, the President has failed to put his heart into reforming immigration. He has dropped the ball in the first year of his presidency and as we head into election season in his second year, we are seeing more of the same.”
Arizona is the state most affected by illegal alien criminal behavior Garza contends, “Chicago Luis wishes to paint the deported alien and the criminals who live among us as the victims in a bizarre attempt to pander to La Raza and similar groups. Would he allow the drug dealers, kidnappers, human smugglers and illegal foreign criminals to continue their activities in his neighborhood and in view of his children and their playmates? This what he wants Arizonans to continue to live with.”
Garza is Hispanic and his only concern is that he may be attacked by “montoneros covardes, better known as illegal alien thugs. If I defend myself against their attacks, and trust me, defend myself I will, I will be accused of victimizing those poor innocent hard workers. I certainly have no fear of wandering throughout my neighborhood or anywhere I choose. No one has ever stopped me for being brown.”
During the 2008 election campaign candidate Obama promised the Latino community amnesty was on the way if they voted for him.
They did. However Obama’s immigration overhaul has turned out to be another empty promise to Hispanics.
“The President knows what we must do, but he alone must summon the political will in Washington to do it. The short-run calculations of politics are deeply rooted and hard to overcome, but as we saw in the health care debate, he can do it if he wants to,” Gutierrez claims. “He needs to stop appeasing those who embrace the persistent fantasy of mass deportation or the delusion that by making America so hostile and uninviting, tens of millions of immigrants will deport themselves. Obama the President needs to stand up for what Obama the candidate and what Obama the Senator and what Obama the Chicago community organizer stood for and lead the Congress towards reform.”
Gutierrez admits that Washington may have waited too long to negotiate the immigration battle zone because midterm elections are looming.
“But I'm already afraid that for the people of Arizona, he has waited too long. Even if an immigration reform bill passed tomorrow, Latino families in Arizona still face the prospect of going out into a hostile world next week,” Gutierrez explains. “I know thousands of Latino families will hesitate before dropping their kids off at school or will have that terrifying twinge of fear before venturing out to buy groceries or go to work. If we allow police-state tactics in Arizona to continue, the level of basic community security will erode and civil unrest could escalate. The President must act now to diffuse the Arizona panic and take control of a deteriorating situation that could become a national crisis.”
Garza sums it up this way. “You've been reading for the last few years about the illegal activities of many Chicago politicians. Chicago Luis Gutierrez's latest demands coming from Chicago, attempting to influence the internal Arizona affairs, demonstrate the new liberal ‘November fear syndrome’ and will not end with Arizona. Chicago Luis and his type of politician, who pander to criminals and ethno-centric outfits, always crawl back between the cracks in the congressional baseboards when the light comes on. We intend to provide that illumination.”
Everyone agrees racial profiling leads to hurt feelings, but when Americans travel to Europe and stay in a hotel, they are asked for their passports upon check in. Many of these hotels will keep the passports during their entire stay, where is the cry of Nazi Germany tactics Europe is practicing?
Arizona’s plight needs to be addressed by all involved and hopefully cooler heads will prevail and Americans will come out the winner. Most agree a good place to start is to secure the country’s borders.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Fiscal responsibility strikes the heart of America’s problems
Like a speeding train headed for a cliff, the conductor knows impending catastrophe is rapidly approaching and the time to act is running out. Just like that conductor, America is now facing a similar scenario as the deficits the country is racking up are reaching unsustainable levels.
The current White House administration has enacted record breaking spending packages like, TARP part two, stimulus one and two as well as a new trillion-dollar health care entitlement program.
While the country continues to face a stubborn recession and families tightened their budgets in order to wait out the economic storm, President Obama continues to put forth larger than life yearly budgets with massive spending programs and no budgetary control in sight.
However, team Obama has put together a debt commission. The co-chairs, Erskine Bowles a Democrat and Alan Simpson a Republican are searching for a solutions regarding America’s impending financial doomsday.
The commission says that at all options are on the table during their first once month meetings. They expect to present the President with their findings right after the November mid-term elections.
The commission is made up of 10 Democrats and eight Republicans and for a recommendation to move forward they must have 14 of the 18 members in agreement. This will not be easy considering the Senate cannot come up with 60 of 100 votes to move legislation ahead.
Adding insult to injury, Washington Post writer Dana Milbank said, “Holding a ‘fiscal responsibility summit’ at the White House in the middle of a government spending spree is a bit like having an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at a frat house on homecoming weekend.”
Seeing the writing on the wall Congress has not put forth its normally straightforward budget resolution by the April 15 deadline. If House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) doesn’t act it would be the first time since 1974 that Congress failed to pass a yearly budget.
In the midst of record level deficits it looks like Congress may be coming to their senses regarding the federal government’s budget as they are having trouble passing a bill with overwhelming numbers skewing in the Democrats favor.
If Congress isn’t operating with a budget, Congressional appropriators could ignore standard caps on discretionary spending for fiscal year 2011. On top of that the debt commission holds no real power in Washington D.C. Any recommendations made by the panel must be adopted by Congress and the panel lacks any public input.
Until Congress realizes debt is the symptom and spending is the disease gridlock in Washington will remain intact.
According to a Fox News report the prized-jewel health care reform bill could be a sitting duck for the newly formed debt commission. In the discussions this week President Obama said everything was on the table – including the new health care bill, Social Security, Value Added Tax (VAT) and steep tax increases for those making less than $250 thousand per year.
On word of Greece’s reduced credit rating the stock markets tumbled in Europe and America.
"We live in a global economy," Commissioner Bowles said. "We've got a deficit this year of $1.6 trillion. Half of what we're borrowing every year we borrow from foreign countries. Forget if China starts to sell our (Treasury) bonds. Think if they just quit buying and what that will do to our interest rates, what that will do to the dollar, and what that will do to the economy in America. We've got to fix this debt problem or there's not going to be a great future for this country."
Republican co-chair, Simpson of the commission concurred. "These things are known to guys in Dubuque, Iowa, and Cody, Wyoming. You just don't realize how alert the American people are to what's happening. And they'll come up to you on the street and say I'm willing to pay more taxes or I'm ready to cut back on this. Unsustainable is not a good word. It's called going broke."
The Heritage Foundation acknowledges the problem is far larger than Washington is alluding to. “The only reason to consider the VAT is because the current tax system cannot support the massive spending surge the President has already pushed through let alone the additional spending he envisions or the entitlements wave to follow. Either he finds a way to finagle the VAT or he will be forced to pare spending back to previous levels. Either Washington puts a much bigger squeeze on the taxpayers, or Washington must go on a crash diet. It’s time to send the federal government to a fat farm.”
The debt commission’s goal is to reduce the federal budget to three percent of the country’s gross domestic product by 2015. The 10 percent number the U.S. is currently saddled with means there are some tough choices on the horizon.
Big-ticket entitlement programs the debt commission is looking at include, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
Earlier in the week Obama said he would ask the panel to scour the current U.S. tax code and he said he would not rule out any tax increases for the middle class if the debt commission believes it is necessary to begin chipping away at the deficit.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
The current White House administration has enacted record breaking spending packages like, TARP part two, stimulus one and two as well as a new trillion-dollar health care entitlement program.
While the country continues to face a stubborn recession and families tightened their budgets in order to wait out the economic storm, President Obama continues to put forth larger than life yearly budgets with massive spending programs and no budgetary control in sight.
However, team Obama has put together a debt commission. The co-chairs, Erskine Bowles a Democrat and Alan Simpson a Republican are searching for a solutions regarding America’s impending financial doomsday.
The commission says that at all options are on the table during their first once month meetings. They expect to present the President with their findings right after the November mid-term elections.
The commission is made up of 10 Democrats and eight Republicans and for a recommendation to move forward they must have 14 of the 18 members in agreement. This will not be easy considering the Senate cannot come up with 60 of 100 votes to move legislation ahead.
Adding insult to injury, Washington Post writer Dana Milbank said, “Holding a ‘fiscal responsibility summit’ at the White House in the middle of a government spending spree is a bit like having an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at a frat house on homecoming weekend.”
Seeing the writing on the wall Congress has not put forth its normally straightforward budget resolution by the April 15 deadline. If House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) doesn’t act it would be the first time since 1974 that Congress failed to pass a yearly budget.
In the midst of record level deficits it looks like Congress may be coming to their senses regarding the federal government’s budget as they are having trouble passing a bill with overwhelming numbers skewing in the Democrats favor.
If Congress isn’t operating with a budget, Congressional appropriators could ignore standard caps on discretionary spending for fiscal year 2011. On top of that the debt commission holds no real power in Washington D.C. Any recommendations made by the panel must be adopted by Congress and the panel lacks any public input.
Until Congress realizes debt is the symptom and spending is the disease gridlock in Washington will remain intact.
According to a Fox News report the prized-jewel health care reform bill could be a sitting duck for the newly formed debt commission. In the discussions this week President Obama said everything was on the table – including the new health care bill, Social Security, Value Added Tax (VAT) and steep tax increases for those making less than $250 thousand per year.
On word of Greece’s reduced credit rating the stock markets tumbled in Europe and America.
"We live in a global economy," Commissioner Bowles said. "We've got a deficit this year of $1.6 trillion. Half of what we're borrowing every year we borrow from foreign countries. Forget if China starts to sell our (Treasury) bonds. Think if they just quit buying and what that will do to our interest rates, what that will do to the dollar, and what that will do to the economy in America. We've got to fix this debt problem or there's not going to be a great future for this country."
Republican co-chair, Simpson of the commission concurred. "These things are known to guys in Dubuque, Iowa, and Cody, Wyoming. You just don't realize how alert the American people are to what's happening. And they'll come up to you on the street and say I'm willing to pay more taxes or I'm ready to cut back on this. Unsustainable is not a good word. It's called going broke."
The Heritage Foundation acknowledges the problem is far larger than Washington is alluding to. “The only reason to consider the VAT is because the current tax system cannot support the massive spending surge the President has already pushed through let alone the additional spending he envisions or the entitlements wave to follow. Either he finds a way to finagle the VAT or he will be forced to pare spending back to previous levels. Either Washington puts a much bigger squeeze on the taxpayers, or Washington must go on a crash diet. It’s time to send the federal government to a fat farm.”
The debt commission’s goal is to reduce the federal budget to three percent of the country’s gross domestic product by 2015. The 10 percent number the U.S. is currently saddled with means there are some tough choices on the horizon.
Big-ticket entitlement programs the debt commission is looking at include, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
Earlier in the week Obama said he would ask the panel to scour the current U.S. tax code and he said he would not rule out any tax increases for the middle class if the debt commission believes it is necessary to begin chipping away at the deficit.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
San Diego rally decries Arizona's tough new immigration law
About 40 people gathered at a rally in downtown San Diego voicing their dissenting view on the tough new Arizona illegal immigration issue signed into law on Friday.
Police on the scene commented that there were more media trucks and law enforcement at the “Boycott Arizona” evening rally than actual rally supporters. One of the officers on duty said, “Media must have been hoping there would be a large number of protesters like we had during the 2006 failed amnesty push.”
Approximately seven media trucks, seven police cars and SUVs, two fire trucks and one ambulance lined the street in front on the federal building along Front Street. There were no reports of any arrests and protesters were able to get their message out with only one counter-protester on the sidelines.
Rally attendees listened to speakers in English and Spanish talk about how racist Arizona’s new law is and the need to show support for the immigrant population throughout the country.
Many signs and Mexican flags sprinkled the crowd and the lone American flag captured the attention of passerby’s as there were many more Mexican flags waving in the air. Folks leaving the building after a long day at work didn’t appreciate the blatant disrespect for the American flag. “Why not support Americans?” asked John Leary of San Diego.
As far as the supporters point of view the rally was a chance to support the Latinos in the country, legally or illegally.
“I support Hispanic immigrants around the country and in Arizona. Because laws in other states affect us we need to make sure illegal immigrants liberties are not violated. I believe this new law infringes on the 4th Amendment and will lead to racial profiling,” said Leo Carrillo of San Diego. “This isn’t my first rally I have been to before and it’s important to let people know I support them.”
While there was only one counter-protester on the sidewalk, many people in cars driving by shouted “No amnesty, go home,” and there were cars that simply honked in support of illegal immigrants.
One thing is clear – this debate is not over.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Police on the scene commented that there were more media trucks and law enforcement at the “Boycott Arizona” evening rally than actual rally supporters. One of the officers on duty said, “Media must have been hoping there would be a large number of protesters like we had during the 2006 failed amnesty push.”
Approximately seven media trucks, seven police cars and SUVs, two fire trucks and one ambulance lined the street in front on the federal building along Front Street. There were no reports of any arrests and protesters were able to get their message out with only one counter-protester on the sidelines.
Rally attendees listened to speakers in English and Spanish talk about how racist Arizona’s new law is and the need to show support for the immigrant population throughout the country.
Many signs and Mexican flags sprinkled the crowd and the lone American flag captured the attention of passerby’s as there were many more Mexican flags waving in the air. Folks leaving the building after a long day at work didn’t appreciate the blatant disrespect for the American flag. “Why not support Americans?” asked John Leary of San Diego.
As far as the supporters point of view the rally was a chance to support the Latinos in the country, legally or illegally.
“I support Hispanic immigrants around the country and in Arizona. Because laws in other states affect us we need to make sure illegal immigrants liberties are not violated. I believe this new law infringes on the 4th Amendment and will lead to racial profiling,” said Leo Carrillo of San Diego. “This isn’t my first rally I have been to before and it’s important to let people know I support them.”
While there was only one counter-protester on the sidewalk, many people in cars driving by shouted “No amnesty, go home,” and there were cars that simply honked in support of illegal immigrants.
One thing is clear – this debate is not over.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Monday, April 26, 2010
Congressman Hunter discusses Arizona's new illegal immigration law at townhall meeting
Congressman Hunter took the opportunity to talk to San Diegans about hot button issues like immigration and border security at two county townhall events over the weekend.
With Arizona passing the country’s toughest illegal immigration legislation to date, making it illegal to be illegal in the state and requiring residents to show acceptable identification to law enforcement for those who are loitering is places like Home Depot parking lots or known day labor sites. Candidates running for public office were chomping at the bit to share their point of view about the divisive issue.
California is a border state and counties in the southern portion are rife with problems. “Our borders are not secure. We have a good fence for a few miles here in San Diego because my father made sure the fence was built,” said Congressman Duncan Hunter Jr. (R-CA).
Hunter and Sheriff hopeful Jay LaSuer attended two townhall events, one at the Ramona Main Stage Theater and the other the Sweetwater Harley Freedom Rally 2010 in National City.
LaSuer spoke to voters about his tough stance on illegal immigration and the endorsement he received from America’s toughest Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Like Sheriff Joe, LaSuer says there are plenty of laws on the books and they are in need of being enforced.
“When you pick and choose the laws you enforce, you’ve lost your moral compass,” LaSuer said.
Voters who attended both events were able to put the candidates on the spot and ask tough questions.
Many questions were about securing the borders and stopping illegal immigration, while others were concerned with border security. Another topic of discussion was the new health care reform bill and how it may impact the middleclass citizens.
Hunter’s clear answer was to get Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) fired so responsible politicians can block funding to portions of the bill. Hunter said, “We need to make President Obama- former President Obama so we can repeal the bill.”
Hunter also wanted folks to know that he and other Republicans aren’t the party of no and they will continue to work hard to construct a health care bill and immigration bills that includes reform every American is demanding.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
With Arizona passing the country’s toughest illegal immigration legislation to date, making it illegal to be illegal in the state and requiring residents to show acceptable identification to law enforcement for those who are loitering is places like Home Depot parking lots or known day labor sites. Candidates running for public office were chomping at the bit to share their point of view about the divisive issue.
California is a border state and counties in the southern portion are rife with problems. “Our borders are not secure. We have a good fence for a few miles here in San Diego because my father made sure the fence was built,” said Congressman Duncan Hunter Jr. (R-CA).
Hunter and Sheriff hopeful Jay LaSuer attended two townhall events, one at the Ramona Main Stage Theater and the other the Sweetwater Harley Freedom Rally 2010 in National City.
LaSuer spoke to voters about his tough stance on illegal immigration and the endorsement he received from America’s toughest Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Like Sheriff Joe, LaSuer says there are plenty of laws on the books and they are in need of being enforced.
“When you pick and choose the laws you enforce, you’ve lost your moral compass,” LaSuer said.
Voters who attended both events were able to put the candidates on the spot and ask tough questions.
Many questions were about securing the borders and stopping illegal immigration, while others were concerned with border security. Another topic of discussion was the new health care reform bill and how it may impact the middleclass citizens.
Hunter’s clear answer was to get Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) fired so responsible politicians can block funding to portions of the bill. Hunter said, “We need to make President Obama- former President Obama so we can repeal the bill.”
Hunter also wanted folks to know that he and other Republicans aren’t the party of no and they will continue to work hard to construct a health care bill and immigration bills that includes reform every American is demanding.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Friday, April 23, 2010
California's governor hopeful Poizner - climbs in the polls
In what’s shaping up to be another Massachusetts-like race California governor-hopeful Steve Poizner’s poll numbers are rapidly rising late in the primary race. A month ago Poizner’s bleak poll numbers had him more than 50 points behind fellow Republican and former CEO of EBay Meg Whitman.
At a tea party event in Oceanside, California last week, Poizner said, “Meg Whitman has spent $50 million to win the governorship and she will peak too soon.” A week later the prediction appears to be true.
According to a recent Capitol Weekly Poll, Poizner trails Whitman 47-19 with one-third of voters still undecided. However, the most recent ABC poll has Poizner just 22 points behind Whitman.
While these numbers may seem daunting, one only needs to look at the Martha Coakley/Scott Brown Senatorial race in Massachusetts and how quickly the polls can change.
Meg Whitman’s free fall continues as Poizner has now shaved 28 points off of her lead in a matter of weeks. A new poll from SurveyUSA continues to demonstrate a strong shift in momentum for Poizner. In spite of spending more than $50 million on negative ads against Poizner, Whitman is beginning to lose support with each passing day, while Poizner begins his ascent with the grassroots voters.
"Meg Whitman has spent record amounts of her Wall Street billions to tell a record number of lies, but all of Goldman Sachs' money and all the Queen's men won't be enough to put this rookie candidate back together again. Seven years ago, Republicans were fooled by marketing and a celebrity. It isn't happening twice," explained Jarrod Agen, the communications director for Poizner.
Pollster Ben Tulchin of Capitol Weekly says the results could pose some trouble for Whitman. “She’s ahead, but compared to other polling that’s out there, her numbers have dropped,” Tulchin said. “She’s spent a lot of money and she’s under 50 percent.”
It is statements like this that keeps Poizner pushing and seeking key endorsements.
One such endorsement comes from Conservative stalwart Congressman Tom McClintock (R-CA). During a conference call McClintock pointed to a few reasons why he will support Poizner for California’s governor. “We simply cannot afford anymore Republicans in name only in California. Meg is nothing more than a Schwarzenegger third term.”
If Whitman were to win the primary, McClintock said Californians would have two choices, a third term of the current governor or a third term of Jerry Brown.
“California’s recent history has the state with the largest deficits and largest tax increases all under Republican watch. California Republicans need to wake up,” McClintock said. “Voters need to fight for the soul of the Republican Party.”
This is where the grassroots tea party movement comes into play. In primary races throughout the country, establishment candidates are finding it tough to gain the trust of the voters. An example of this is the Florida Senatorial primary. Establishment Republican Governor, Charlie Crist, trails his Senate opponent Marco Rubio who has earned the support of tea party voters.
The tea party movement sets themselves apart from other groups in several key categories. According to a recent CBS/New York Times poll, tea party folks are better educated than most Americans; they make a higher than average salary and most describe themselves as conservative.
Congressman McClintock couldn’t agree more; “they (tea party) are one of the most sophisticated electorate and they know enormous damage has been done and they are looking for a candidate who is for smaller government, conservative spending and their political record.”
The Congressman explains that the country is seeing a 1994-like groundswell of unknown candidates beating incumbents or anti-establishment contenders coming forward.
Luckily for relative political newcomers it’s their record and values not the dollars in the bank that is resonating with angry voters. These discontented constituents are paying attention to details, researching candidates and watching debates.
This bodes well for the Poizner camp who claims the former EBay executive’s TV messaging simply isn’t resonating with Californians. Agen points to Whitman’s reluctance to embrace conservative Republican values as one of the reasons for her sliding poll numbers.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
At a tea party event in Oceanside, California last week, Poizner said, “Meg Whitman has spent $50 million to win the governorship and she will peak too soon.” A week later the prediction appears to be true.
According to a recent Capitol Weekly Poll, Poizner trails Whitman 47-19 with one-third of voters still undecided. However, the most recent ABC poll has Poizner just 22 points behind Whitman.
While these numbers may seem daunting, one only needs to look at the Martha Coakley/Scott Brown Senatorial race in Massachusetts and how quickly the polls can change.
Meg Whitman’s free fall continues as Poizner has now shaved 28 points off of her lead in a matter of weeks. A new poll from SurveyUSA continues to demonstrate a strong shift in momentum for Poizner. In spite of spending more than $50 million on negative ads against Poizner, Whitman is beginning to lose support with each passing day, while Poizner begins his ascent with the grassroots voters.
"Meg Whitman has spent record amounts of her Wall Street billions to tell a record number of lies, but all of Goldman Sachs' money and all the Queen's men won't be enough to put this rookie candidate back together again. Seven years ago, Republicans were fooled by marketing and a celebrity. It isn't happening twice," explained Jarrod Agen, the communications director for Poizner.
Pollster Ben Tulchin of Capitol Weekly says the results could pose some trouble for Whitman. “She’s ahead, but compared to other polling that’s out there, her numbers have dropped,” Tulchin said. “She’s spent a lot of money and she’s under 50 percent.”
It is statements like this that keeps Poizner pushing and seeking key endorsements.
One such endorsement comes from Conservative stalwart Congressman Tom McClintock (R-CA). During a conference call McClintock pointed to a few reasons why he will support Poizner for California’s governor. “We simply cannot afford anymore Republicans in name only in California. Meg is nothing more than a Schwarzenegger third term.”
If Whitman were to win the primary, McClintock said Californians would have two choices, a third term of the current governor or a third term of Jerry Brown.
“California’s recent history has the state with the largest deficits and largest tax increases all under Republican watch. California Republicans need to wake up,” McClintock said. “Voters need to fight for the soul of the Republican Party.”
This is where the grassroots tea party movement comes into play. In primary races throughout the country, establishment candidates are finding it tough to gain the trust of the voters. An example of this is the Florida Senatorial primary. Establishment Republican Governor, Charlie Crist, trails his Senate opponent Marco Rubio who has earned the support of tea party voters.
The tea party movement sets themselves apart from other groups in several key categories. According to a recent CBS/New York Times poll, tea party folks are better educated than most Americans; they make a higher than average salary and most describe themselves as conservative.
Congressman McClintock couldn’t agree more; “they (tea party) are one of the most sophisticated electorate and they know enormous damage has been done and they are looking for a candidate who is for smaller government, conservative spending and their political record.”
The Congressman explains that the country is seeing a 1994-like groundswell of unknown candidates beating incumbents or anti-establishment contenders coming forward.
Luckily for relative political newcomers it’s their record and values not the dollars in the bank that is resonating with angry voters. These discontented constituents are paying attention to details, researching candidates and watching debates.
This bodes well for the Poizner camp who claims the former EBay executive’s TV messaging simply isn’t resonating with Californians. Agen points to Whitman’s reluctance to embrace conservative Republican values as one of the reasons for her sliding poll numbers.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Arizona's new tough illegal immigration law angers liberals
Arizona’s new illegal immigration bill is expected to be signed into law by Saturday by Conservative Gov. Jan Brewer and will toughen the state’s already stern immigration laws.
According to Fox News, the bill has sparked high emotion and the sponsor of the bill State Senator Russell Pearce (R) says “it will take the handcuffs off law enforcement and allow them to respect the states’ immigration laws to puts focus on violent criminals.”
The Los Angeles Catholic Arch Bishop took exception to the tougher law and said it represents “Nazi and Soviet-style” repression.
Protests were held outside the Arizona state capitol in Phoenix demanding Governor Brewer to strike down the new proposed legislation. However, Brewer is a Conservative leaning towards signing and opponents know lawmakers inside the capitol are not going to listen to their cries.
The landmark legislation will alleviate an insurmountable problem the state faces with illegal immigration and the crime it attracts.
“Our citizens have a Constitutional right to expect our laws to be enforced and that’s what we’re going to do in Arizona,” Pearce said.
In a new Rasmussen poll out today, 70 percent of Arizonians support the tough new legislation, but 53 percent are somewhat concerned about infringing on the rights of some U.S. citizens.
Conservative Latinos say the passage of the bill could mean political suicide for the GOP. “The state is going to turn blue and they will have Mr. Russell Pearce and Jan Brewer to blame,” Deedee Blasé of SOMOS Republicans said in a Fox News interview.
“The lunacy of rounding up people because they look a certain way or are suspected of being in violation of immigration statutes leads to one thing the violations of basic fundamental civil rights – profiling,” said Luis Gutierrez Congressman (D-IL).
The bill’s sponsor Pearce sees it differently, “illegal isn’t a race it’s a crime.”
The bill does, however, have support from law enforcement. They say it will make it easier to approach illegal immigrants outside Home Depot, a known hot spot for day labor work sites, and ask for their legal papers (either a drivers license or visa), failure could mean arrest and deportation.
“When one becomes proactive in addressing illegal immigration what happens here in Phoenix, crime didn’t fall, it plummeted,” said Mark Spencer of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association.
With the recent murder of Arizona rancher, Robert Krentz, Arizona Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) the Republican Whip, have requested more than 3,000 National Guard troops be place along the Arizona/Mexico border to stop the incursion of illegal immigrants that cross the border on a daily basis.
The state’s Senators admit the issue is a federal one, but the lack of enforcement has pushed responsibility onto the states in a time when they need the help financially more than ever.
In a statement from Gov. Brewer dated April, 13, 2010 she said, “As Governor of the State of Arizona, my highest priority is the safety and security of our citizens. I met late today with Arizona ranchers, and heard their concerns, which I deeply share. Arizona roads and open spaces have become thoroughfares for illegal alien traffic and smuggling operations — drugs, arms and humans. Recently, an Arizona rancher in southeastern Cochise County was shot and killed, with evidence suggesting the crime was part of border-related criminal activity. With regard to border security, I am not taking “No,” for an answer from the federal government. I visited the area, and I’ve seen firsthand what needs to be done. I’ve communicated with President Obama and repeated my numerous requests for additional troops.”
The Arizona governor finished with “I will NOT accept the notion that border security is a responsibility of Arizona and the other Border States, but I will do what is necessary to protect this great State if additional federal assistance is not forthcoming.”
It looks like the show down on illegal immigration will be stirring up all kinds of consequences no matter which side citizens are on.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Click here to find out more!
According to Fox News, the bill has sparked high emotion and the sponsor of the bill State Senator Russell Pearce (R) says “it will take the handcuffs off law enforcement and allow them to respect the states’ immigration laws to puts focus on violent criminals.”
The Los Angeles Catholic Arch Bishop took exception to the tougher law and said it represents “Nazi and Soviet-style” repression.
Protests were held outside the Arizona state capitol in Phoenix demanding Governor Brewer to strike down the new proposed legislation. However, Brewer is a Conservative leaning towards signing and opponents know lawmakers inside the capitol are not going to listen to their cries.
The landmark legislation will alleviate an insurmountable problem the state faces with illegal immigration and the crime it attracts.
“Our citizens have a Constitutional right to expect our laws to be enforced and that’s what we’re going to do in Arizona,” Pearce said.
In a new Rasmussen poll out today, 70 percent of Arizonians support the tough new legislation, but 53 percent are somewhat concerned about infringing on the rights of some U.S. citizens.
Conservative Latinos say the passage of the bill could mean political suicide for the GOP. “The state is going to turn blue and they will have Mr. Russell Pearce and Jan Brewer to blame,” Deedee Blasé of SOMOS Republicans said in a Fox News interview.
“The lunacy of rounding up people because they look a certain way or are suspected of being in violation of immigration statutes leads to one thing the violations of basic fundamental civil rights – profiling,” said Luis Gutierrez Congressman (D-IL).
The bill’s sponsor Pearce sees it differently, “illegal isn’t a race it’s a crime.”
The bill does, however, have support from law enforcement. They say it will make it easier to approach illegal immigrants outside Home Depot, a known hot spot for day labor work sites, and ask for their legal papers (either a drivers license or visa), failure could mean arrest and deportation.
“When one becomes proactive in addressing illegal immigration what happens here in Phoenix, crime didn’t fall, it plummeted,” said Mark Spencer of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association.
With the recent murder of Arizona rancher, Robert Krentz, Arizona Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) the Republican Whip, have requested more than 3,000 National Guard troops be place along the Arizona/Mexico border to stop the incursion of illegal immigrants that cross the border on a daily basis.
The state’s Senators admit the issue is a federal one, but the lack of enforcement has pushed responsibility onto the states in a time when they need the help financially more than ever.
In a statement from Gov. Brewer dated April, 13, 2010 she said, “As Governor of the State of Arizona, my highest priority is the safety and security of our citizens. I met late today with Arizona ranchers, and heard their concerns, which I deeply share. Arizona roads and open spaces have become thoroughfares for illegal alien traffic and smuggling operations — drugs, arms and humans. Recently, an Arizona rancher in southeastern Cochise County was shot and killed, with evidence suggesting the crime was part of border-related criminal activity. With regard to border security, I am not taking “No,” for an answer from the federal government. I visited the area, and I’ve seen firsthand what needs to be done. I’ve communicated with President Obama and repeated my numerous requests for additional troops.”
The Arizona governor finished with “I will NOT accept the notion that border security is a responsibility of Arizona and the other Border States, but I will do what is necessary to protect this great State if additional federal assistance is not forthcoming.”
It looks like the show down on illegal immigration will be stirring up all kinds of consequences no matter which side citizens are on.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Click here to find out more!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Republicans submit new bill to strengthen U.S./Mexican Border
Republicans have introduced new legislation to secure the U.S. border that is located on federal land; the bill hopes to prevent environmental damage, crime, drug smuggling and terrorist threats against residents who live along the southern region.
The House National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee Ranking Member Rob Bishop (R-UT), House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hastings (R-WA), Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Peter King (R-NY) and Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-TX) introduced legislation to prohibit the Department of the Interior (DOI) from using environmental regulations to hinder U.S. Border Patrol from securing the border on federal lands.
As a result of DOI’s actions, federal open space has become an unpatrolled highway that endangers American lives and causes severe environmental damage along the unobstructed trek from Mexico to the U.S.
Last month Arizona rancher Rob Krentz, was murdered by an alleged illegal alien who entered and exited the U.S. on federal land through the San Bernardino Wildlife Refuge in which there is no border security, according to authorities.
This wildlife region lends itself to ineffective monitoring by the Border Patrol. In 2007, Krentz and his wife wrote a letter to members of Congress expressing concern about the increased criminal activity that was taking place along the border. The letter expressed concern that “we are in fear for our lives and safety and health of ourselves and that of our families and friends.”
“The gravity of the situation must no longer be ignored. This legislation helps ensure that DOI policies no longer enable dangerous criminals to co-opt federal border lands as their drug trafficking highways,” Congressman Bishop said. “What many fail to recognize is that allowing the USBP to apprehend and deter trains of criminal traffickers will not only remedy weaknesses in border security, but also improve the health and vitality of our protected federal lands, which have been severely damaged by years of abuse from drug and human traffickers.”
The new legislation ensures that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Border Patrol are permitted to assert operational control over the border regions in order to carry out their mission as mandated by Congress.
“Effectively securing our borders against illegal entry is a matter of homeland security. Border Patrol agents spend every day on the front line - securing our homeland from terrorists,” said Congressman King. “Denying or limiting the Border Patrol access to public lands and allowing the flow of illegals, including potential terrorists, doesn’t protect anything. It doesn’t protect the public lands that the illegals carelessly cross, and it certainly doesn’t protect American lives placed at risk by terrorists who seek to exploit unpatrolled areas of the border.”
The bill sets out to free DHS and Border Patrol Agents from bureaucratic interferences that currently impact their ability to effectively secure the border on public lands.
“It makes no sense to prevent the Border Patrol from accessing these lands in the name of some future preservation,” Congressman Smith said. “The people – not the plants – need our protection now. By stopping the drug smugglers and human traffickers from trampling the earth and terrorizing our communities, we will preserve pristine areas for future generations to enjoy.”
The coalition of Congressmen are concerned with multiple agencies competing for control over the border region and want security to be first and foremost for all federal agencies.
“We all share the same goals of wanting to protect our environment and keep our country safe,” Congressman Hastings explained. “However, Interior Department land managers are waging a turf war along the border that is making it impossible to achieve either. Today, Rep. Bishop is leading us in introducing a common sense solution that I hope will have bipartisan support.”
Currently, Republicans are sponsoring the bill, but several Democrats are hinting at bipartisanship with this legislation.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
The House National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee Ranking Member Rob Bishop (R-UT), House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hastings (R-WA), Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Peter King (R-NY) and Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-TX) introduced legislation to prohibit the Department of the Interior (DOI) from using environmental regulations to hinder U.S. Border Patrol from securing the border on federal lands.
As a result of DOI’s actions, federal open space has become an unpatrolled highway that endangers American lives and causes severe environmental damage along the unobstructed trek from Mexico to the U.S.
Last month Arizona rancher Rob Krentz, was murdered by an alleged illegal alien who entered and exited the U.S. on federal land through the San Bernardino Wildlife Refuge in which there is no border security, according to authorities.
This wildlife region lends itself to ineffective monitoring by the Border Patrol. In 2007, Krentz and his wife wrote a letter to members of Congress expressing concern about the increased criminal activity that was taking place along the border. The letter expressed concern that “we are in fear for our lives and safety and health of ourselves and that of our families and friends.”
“The gravity of the situation must no longer be ignored. This legislation helps ensure that DOI policies no longer enable dangerous criminals to co-opt federal border lands as their drug trafficking highways,” Congressman Bishop said. “What many fail to recognize is that allowing the USBP to apprehend and deter trains of criminal traffickers will not only remedy weaknesses in border security, but also improve the health and vitality of our protected federal lands, which have been severely damaged by years of abuse from drug and human traffickers.”
The new legislation ensures that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Border Patrol are permitted to assert operational control over the border regions in order to carry out their mission as mandated by Congress.
“Effectively securing our borders against illegal entry is a matter of homeland security. Border Patrol agents spend every day on the front line - securing our homeland from terrorists,” said Congressman King. “Denying or limiting the Border Patrol access to public lands and allowing the flow of illegals, including potential terrorists, doesn’t protect anything. It doesn’t protect the public lands that the illegals carelessly cross, and it certainly doesn’t protect American lives placed at risk by terrorists who seek to exploit unpatrolled areas of the border.”
The bill sets out to free DHS and Border Patrol Agents from bureaucratic interferences that currently impact their ability to effectively secure the border on public lands.
“It makes no sense to prevent the Border Patrol from accessing these lands in the name of some future preservation,” Congressman Smith said. “The people – not the plants – need our protection now. By stopping the drug smugglers and human traffickers from trampling the earth and terrorizing our communities, we will preserve pristine areas for future generations to enjoy.”
The coalition of Congressmen are concerned with multiple agencies competing for control over the border region and want security to be first and foremost for all federal agencies.
“We all share the same goals of wanting to protect our environment and keep our country safe,” Congressman Hastings explained. “However, Interior Department land managers are waging a turf war along the border that is making it impossible to achieve either. Today, Rep. Bishop is leading us in introducing a common sense solution that I hope will have bipartisan support.”
Currently, Republicans are sponsoring the bill, but several Democrats are hinting at bipartisanship with this legislation.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Chelsea’s Law moves onward with California’s Governor approval
It’s been less than two months since Chelsea King was raped and murdered by a convicted sexual predator, with the dedication of her parents Chelsea’s Law has moved forward in the usually gridlocked Sacramento legislature.
The new law seeks to toughen existing sexual offenders laws by adding mandatory life prison sentences for forcible violent sex crimes against children, tightening sex offenders parole guidelines and adding requirements for the life-long tracking of certain repeat sexual offenders.
Chelsea’s law, Assembly Bill 1844 made it out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee this morning. The bill was penned by San Diego Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego) has been working closely with the King family since their daughter was tragically murdered in late February.
“Public safety is my number one priority, and I share Assemblyman
Fletcher's goal of making our communities safer and protecting our kids from
sexual predators,'” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement today.
“It is our job to make sure that we have the right laws in place that
will keep our children safe, and I applaud the Assembly Public Safety Committee
for passing this important legislation today,'' he said. “I look forward to
working with Assemblyman Fletcher and the rest of the legislature to make
`Chelsea's Law' a reality and create harsher penalties for those that prey on
children.''
John Gardner plead guilty to all charges for the murder of Amber Dubois and Chelsea King on Friday afternoon in a San Diego. In return the sexual predator will not face the death penalty.
The plea agreement states Gardner will get life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Amber Dubois, 14, went missing in February of 2009 and her body was recovered after Chelsea King’s murder took place in March of this year. Gardner was believed to be the killer of the Dubois case after DNA evidence linked the sexual predator to the King murder.
There has been speculation that Gardner was taken out of jail to show investigators the location of Dubois’ body in order to receive life in prison instead of the death penalty. Authorities also report Gardner is the potential perpetrator of other missing girls in Southern California.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
The new law seeks to toughen existing sexual offenders laws by adding mandatory life prison sentences for forcible violent sex crimes against children, tightening sex offenders parole guidelines and adding requirements for the life-long tracking of certain repeat sexual offenders.
Chelsea’s law, Assembly Bill 1844 made it out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee this morning. The bill was penned by San Diego Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego) has been working closely with the King family since their daughter was tragically murdered in late February.
“Public safety is my number one priority, and I share Assemblyman
Fletcher's goal of making our communities safer and protecting our kids from
sexual predators,'” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement today.
“It is our job to make sure that we have the right laws in place that
will keep our children safe, and I applaud the Assembly Public Safety Committee
for passing this important legislation today,'' he said. “I look forward to
working with Assemblyman Fletcher and the rest of the legislature to make
`Chelsea's Law' a reality and create harsher penalties for those that prey on
children.''
John Gardner plead guilty to all charges for the murder of Amber Dubois and Chelsea King on Friday afternoon in a San Diego. In return the sexual predator will not face the death penalty.
The plea agreement states Gardner will get life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Amber Dubois, 14, went missing in February of 2009 and her body was recovered after Chelsea King’s murder took place in March of this year. Gardner was believed to be the killer of the Dubois case after DNA evidence linked the sexual predator to the King murder.
There has been speculation that Gardner was taken out of jail to show investigators the location of Dubois’ body in order to receive life in prison instead of the death penalty. Authorities also report Gardner is the potential perpetrator of other missing girls in Southern California.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Illegal alien wins defamation case for being called a 'criminal' – set back for 1st Amendment
Illegal alien wins defamation case for being called a 'criminal' – set back for 1st Amendment
An illegal-alien day laborer who attacked a U.S. photographer at a notorious San Diego day labor site in 2006, was awarded $2,500 in damages for "defamation per se" by Judge Ronald Styn in a non-jury trial in San Diego Superior Court.
The Mexican national plaintiff, Alberto Jimenez, who was illegally in the country at the time of the attack of Los Angeles photographer John Monti, sued San Diego Minutemen founder Jeff Schwilk for defamation for calling the illegal immigrant attackers "criminals" when he forwarded an email with Monti's pictures of Jimenez and six other suspects who were at the scene of the crime.
Initially the lawsuit was filed in October 2007 and all seven men shown on the flyer sued Schwilk, Monti, and Fox News Corporation for defamation. However, Fox News and Monti were eventually dismissed from the case in 2008 and 2009 and six of the seven plaintiffs dropped their lawsuits against Schwilk in February, leaving only Jimenez vs. Schwilk for the one-day judge-only trial.
When the trial began, Jimenez was not in the courtroom to meet his accuser. Schwilk immediately asked Judge Styn for a directed verdict to dismiss the case, but the judge opted to start the trial without him and gave Jimenez additional time to appear in court as his attorney said he was running late. The plaintiff's attorney, Dan Gilleon, claimed his client was trying to get across the border and needed more time because he was a Tijuana, Mexico resident.
As testimony began Schwilk admitted that he had forwarded Monti's ‘wanted’ flyer by email the day after the attack. The email was sent to a dozen law enforcement and trusted community leaders so they could be on the lookout for the suspects who were still at large. He explained anyone with knowledge of these pictured men needed to notify San Diego Police Department.
The victim, Mr. Monti then testified that Jimenez was indeed one of the seven men who attacked him from “behind and knocked him into the busy boulevard that Saturday morning in 2006.” Monti explained he had gone to the day labor site to investigate the connection between the street-side illegal alien hiring site and child prostitution in the nearby the migrant camps where many of the day laborers live.
Monti also said under oath that Jimenez had previously testified in his criminal trial in 2007 that he was an illegal alien and had no legal papers to gain employment legally in the U.S.
It is worth pointing out that Gilleon wanted to bar television video coverage of the one-day trial, however, the defendant, Schwilk and the judge stated it was an open court and cameras would be permitted in the courtroom.
After a lunch break the defense called Jimenez to the witness stand, but Jimenez still had not arrived in court 4 1/2 hours after the start of the trial.
Gilleon then claimed that “Jimenez' wife was having surgery and he could not attend the trial that day.” Judge Styn was clearly tired of the excuses, however he allowed the trial to continue. It became clear the real reason Jimenez could not come to the trial was because he was not eligible to enter the country legally from his home in Tijuana, Mexico.
Schwilk again asked Judge Styn for a directed verdict, but again the judge declined, he wanted to proceed with closing statements. Schwilk pointed out to the judge that he had a right to question his accuser and the judge seemed to agree, but he also wanted to conclude the trial without the plaintiff.
Schwilk said, “I knew at that point the fix was in. This was so obviously a charade by Dan Gilleon and his La Raza employers who brought this frivolous case against us. There was no plaintiff in this case. This was a sham trial with no real accuser and Judge Styn played right along with La Raza's devious plan."
During the closing arguments, Gilleon accused Schwilk of conspiring with Sean Hannity, Alan Colmes and Fox News to spread Jimenez' face around the world in an effort to defame the day laborer by characterizing him as a wanted criminal.
The case against Fox News was dismissed earlier in what was a fishing expedition because Hannity and Colmes aired a story in late November 2006 regarding the assault featuring Monti and his flyer with the seven men's grainy pictures on it. See video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqscavZ4tyY
Gilleon asked the judge to award Jimenez $85,000 in damages for four counts of defamation, including $50,000 for providing NewFox s with a copy of the flyer.
Schwilk reminded the judge in his closing arguments that his private emails with Monti's pictures had been sent only to a small group of law enforcement contacts, local community leaders and two local politicians who are leaders in the fight against illegal immigration.
Schwilk says Gilleon and his La Raza employers most likely got the email months after the fact from a disgruntled former member of SDMM who was kicked out of the group in February 2007 for bad behavior. He also pointed out again that Jimenez was an illegal alien and had obviously broken laws by entering the U.S. illegally.
Finally, Schwilk reminded the court that although Jimenez was never formally charged with the assault on Monti, he did participate in the attack and then fled the scene of the crime. “In law enforcement, flight implies guilt,” he said.
After a 15-minute recess, Judge Styn returned with his verdict finding Schwilk liable for one count of defamation for "carelessly" calling Jimenez a "criminal." Schwilk plans to appeal.
Asked about the verdict, Schwilk said, "Judge Styn not only ruled against our protection of free speech, he is attempting to de-criminalize illegal aliens and the crimes they commit on American soil. Styn is yet another example of a bad judge attempting to legislate from the bench."
Fellow San Diego Minuteman Barry Shipley observed the entire 5-hour trial and agreed.
"The judge completely ignored the court testimony that Jimenez was a criminal illegal alien and that the truth is a defense in a defamation case. Judge Styn should be removed from the bench," Shipley explained. "He is a danger to our American Constitutional rights".
The plaintiff’s attorney Daniel Gilleon was obviously pleased with the outcome of the trial. “We are very pleased with Judge Ronald Styn's ruling. Once again, the Court system has shown that defamation is Schwilk's chief weapon in his ‘war’ against illegal immigration. The judgments against Schwilk are starting to pile up.”
Schwilk saw it differently; "Of course La Raza and agents of the Mexican Government (Gilleon's employers) are pleased that they have been able to chip away at the U.S. First Amendment. Their greatest fear in the border and immigration debate is truth tellers like myself and other leaders fighting daily to secure America from the mass criminal invasion from Mexico. Unfortunately for them, they will never shut down our free speech".
Schwilk said the San Diego Minutemen would not be deterred by these malicious politically motivated lawsuits by the open border groups. "Our corrupt court system is all they have to try to shut us down," he said. "Honestly, we don't get distracted by all this court drama. We're fighting to save San Diego from the invasion of criminals and drug smugglers from Mexico."
SDMM have continued to expose outdoor prostitution rings in nearby McGonigle Canyon, including a highly publicized incident last October in which they caught another field brothel in action with trafficked Mexican girls and numerous Latino "Johns" paying for cheap sex in the bushes.
SDPD again refused to prosecute the suspected pimp and prostitute that were detained, but Mayor Sanders and SDPD were forced to clear out the canyons of migrant squatters yet again.
Schwilk said it is a constant cat and mouse game with the Mexican migrant camps and field prostitution rings. "We've been monitoring the canyons for four years now. We get the camps cleared out, but some of them eventually come back due to SDPD looking the other way at the illegal Mexican squatters. But there are far fewer migrant camps in San Diego County than when we started investigating these crime zones in 2006. We expect our success to continue to drive the Mexican Consulate and its operatives to further desperate measures to try and stop us."
For the first time in more than three years, there are no lawsuits pending against SDMM members. Perhaps the illegal alien activists in San Diego are finally giving up on that failed and costly tactic.
With the latest push for amnesty heating up again, it appears that both sides in the illegal immigration debate are gearing up for some major battles.
Schwilk, who is a retired Marine, says he will fight until America's borders are fully secured and the country returns to an orderly system of legal immigration. He believes most Americans strongly oppose amnesty for the approximately 20 million illegal aliens currently in the U.S.
"We've made huge gains in the past five years, but we still have a ways to go. We're up against some very rich and powerful ethno-centric special interest groups, but no one should underestimate the spirit and determination of the American citizens", he concluded.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
An illegal-alien day laborer who attacked a U.S. photographer at a notorious San Diego day labor site in 2006, was awarded $2,500 in damages for "defamation per se" by Judge Ronald Styn in a non-jury trial in San Diego Superior Court.
The Mexican national plaintiff, Alberto Jimenez, who was illegally in the country at the time of the attack of Los Angeles photographer John Monti, sued San Diego Minutemen founder Jeff Schwilk for defamation for calling the illegal immigrant attackers "criminals" when he forwarded an email with Monti's pictures of Jimenez and six other suspects who were at the scene of the crime.
Initially the lawsuit was filed in October 2007 and all seven men shown on the flyer sued Schwilk, Monti, and Fox News Corporation for defamation. However, Fox News and Monti were eventually dismissed from the case in 2008 and 2009 and six of the seven plaintiffs dropped their lawsuits against Schwilk in February, leaving only Jimenez vs. Schwilk for the one-day judge-only trial.
When the trial began, Jimenez was not in the courtroom to meet his accuser. Schwilk immediately asked Judge Styn for a directed verdict to dismiss the case, but the judge opted to start the trial without him and gave Jimenez additional time to appear in court as his attorney said he was running late. The plaintiff's attorney, Dan Gilleon, claimed his client was trying to get across the border and needed more time because he was a Tijuana, Mexico resident.
As testimony began Schwilk admitted that he had forwarded Monti's ‘wanted’ flyer by email the day after the attack. The email was sent to a dozen law enforcement and trusted community leaders so they could be on the lookout for the suspects who were still at large. He explained anyone with knowledge of these pictured men needed to notify San Diego Police Department.
The victim, Mr. Monti then testified that Jimenez was indeed one of the seven men who attacked him from “behind and knocked him into the busy boulevard that Saturday morning in 2006.” Monti explained he had gone to the day labor site to investigate the connection between the street-side illegal alien hiring site and child prostitution in the nearby the migrant camps where many of the day laborers live.
Monti also said under oath that Jimenez had previously testified in his criminal trial in 2007 that he was an illegal alien and had no legal papers to gain employment legally in the U.S.
It is worth pointing out that Gilleon wanted to bar television video coverage of the one-day trial, however, the defendant, Schwilk and the judge stated it was an open court and cameras would be permitted in the courtroom.
After a lunch break the defense called Jimenez to the witness stand, but Jimenez still had not arrived in court 4 1/2 hours after the start of the trial.
Gilleon then claimed that “Jimenez' wife was having surgery and he could not attend the trial that day.” Judge Styn was clearly tired of the excuses, however he allowed the trial to continue. It became clear the real reason Jimenez could not come to the trial was because he was not eligible to enter the country legally from his home in Tijuana, Mexico.
Schwilk again asked Judge Styn for a directed verdict, but again the judge declined, he wanted to proceed with closing statements. Schwilk pointed out to the judge that he had a right to question his accuser and the judge seemed to agree, but he also wanted to conclude the trial without the plaintiff.
Schwilk said, “I knew at that point the fix was in. This was so obviously a charade by Dan Gilleon and his La Raza employers who brought this frivolous case against us. There was no plaintiff in this case. This was a sham trial with no real accuser and Judge Styn played right along with La Raza's devious plan."
During the closing arguments, Gilleon accused Schwilk of conspiring with Sean Hannity, Alan Colmes and Fox News to spread Jimenez' face around the world in an effort to defame the day laborer by characterizing him as a wanted criminal.
The case against Fox News was dismissed earlier in what was a fishing expedition because Hannity and Colmes aired a story in late November 2006 regarding the assault featuring Monti and his flyer with the seven men's grainy pictures on it. See video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqscavZ4tyY
Gilleon asked the judge to award Jimenez $85,000 in damages for four counts of defamation, including $50,000 for providing NewFox s with a copy of the flyer.
Schwilk reminded the judge in his closing arguments that his private emails with Monti's pictures had been sent only to a small group of law enforcement contacts, local community leaders and two local politicians who are leaders in the fight against illegal immigration.
Schwilk says Gilleon and his La Raza employers most likely got the email months after the fact from a disgruntled former member of SDMM who was kicked out of the group in February 2007 for bad behavior. He also pointed out again that Jimenez was an illegal alien and had obviously broken laws by entering the U.S. illegally.
Finally, Schwilk reminded the court that although Jimenez was never formally charged with the assault on Monti, he did participate in the attack and then fled the scene of the crime. “In law enforcement, flight implies guilt,” he said.
After a 15-minute recess, Judge Styn returned with his verdict finding Schwilk liable for one count of defamation for "carelessly" calling Jimenez a "criminal." Schwilk plans to appeal.
Asked about the verdict, Schwilk said, "Judge Styn not only ruled against our protection of free speech, he is attempting to de-criminalize illegal aliens and the crimes they commit on American soil. Styn is yet another example of a bad judge attempting to legislate from the bench."
Fellow San Diego Minuteman Barry Shipley observed the entire 5-hour trial and agreed.
"The judge completely ignored the court testimony that Jimenez was a criminal illegal alien and that the truth is a defense in a defamation case. Judge Styn should be removed from the bench," Shipley explained. "He is a danger to our American Constitutional rights".
The plaintiff’s attorney Daniel Gilleon was obviously pleased with the outcome of the trial. “We are very pleased with Judge Ronald Styn's ruling. Once again, the Court system has shown that defamation is Schwilk's chief weapon in his ‘war’ against illegal immigration. The judgments against Schwilk are starting to pile up.”
Schwilk saw it differently; "Of course La Raza and agents of the Mexican Government (Gilleon's employers) are pleased that they have been able to chip away at the U.S. First Amendment. Their greatest fear in the border and immigration debate is truth tellers like myself and other leaders fighting daily to secure America from the mass criminal invasion from Mexico. Unfortunately for them, they will never shut down our free speech".
Schwilk said the San Diego Minutemen would not be deterred by these malicious politically motivated lawsuits by the open border groups. "Our corrupt court system is all they have to try to shut us down," he said. "Honestly, we don't get distracted by all this court drama. We're fighting to save San Diego from the invasion of criminals and drug smugglers from Mexico."
SDMM have continued to expose outdoor prostitution rings in nearby McGonigle Canyon, including a highly publicized incident last October in which they caught another field brothel in action with trafficked Mexican girls and numerous Latino "Johns" paying for cheap sex in the bushes.
SDPD again refused to prosecute the suspected pimp and prostitute that were detained, but Mayor Sanders and SDPD were forced to clear out the canyons of migrant squatters yet again.
Schwilk said it is a constant cat and mouse game with the Mexican migrant camps and field prostitution rings. "We've been monitoring the canyons for four years now. We get the camps cleared out, but some of them eventually come back due to SDPD looking the other way at the illegal Mexican squatters. But there are far fewer migrant camps in San Diego County than when we started investigating these crime zones in 2006. We expect our success to continue to drive the Mexican Consulate and its operatives to further desperate measures to try and stop us."
For the first time in more than three years, there are no lawsuits pending against SDMM members. Perhaps the illegal alien activists in San Diego are finally giving up on that failed and costly tactic.
With the latest push for amnesty heating up again, it appears that both sides in the illegal immigration debate are gearing up for some major battles.
Schwilk, who is a retired Marine, says he will fight until America's borders are fully secured and the country returns to an orderly system of legal immigration. He believes most Americans strongly oppose amnesty for the approximately 20 million illegal aliens currently in the U.S.
"We've made huge gains in the past five years, but we still have a ways to go. We're up against some very rich and powerful ethno-centric special interest groups, but no one should underestimate the spirit and determination of the American citizens", he concluded.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Monday, April 19, 2010
Hollywood’s famous Pink’s Hot Dog names one after Betty White
The 88-year old Emmy award winning actress Betty White who turned heads recently for her latest performance in a Snickers candy bar commercial during the Super Bowl, now adds the “Naked Hot Dog” to her resume.
The queen of the Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore shows unveiled the new hot dog stand at Pink’s on Universal City Walk.
The Betty White ‘Naked Hot Dog’ comes plain with no enhancements. “The weenie is so good, I have the weenie and the bun and that's it. ‘Well, it’s a naked hot dog,’” White laughed about the explicit name of her new hot dog.
“I wish they had never thought of that,” she said.
White’s provocative Snickers commercial stirred a mild amount of controversy when White’s character appeared to be tackled in the mud during a pick-up football game.
All the proceeds from sales today will go to the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services’ animal shelters. White’s love of animals spurred her decision to help out the particularly hard hit animal shelters.
Many of the younger generation have been introduced to White via the Super Bowl commercial and her appearance in the new Sandra Bullock film as well as her hosting duties on Saturday Night Live.
White has won multiple Emmy awards for her work on Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore show and has been on television as far back as the early days of black and white.
Other Pink Hot Dog celebrities are Martha Stewart; 10” stretch dog with relish, plenty of onions, bacon, chopped tomatoes, sauerkraut and sour cream. The Ozzy Osbourne Hot Dog that starts with a spicy Polish dog add nacho cheese, American cheese, grilled onions, guacamole and top it off with chopped tomatoes. And finally the Lord of the RINGS Dog starts off with a 10" Stretch Dog, yummy BBQ sauce and topped with onion rings.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
The queen of the Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore shows unveiled the new hot dog stand at Pink’s on Universal City Walk.
The Betty White ‘Naked Hot Dog’ comes plain with no enhancements. “The weenie is so good, I have the weenie and the bun and that's it. ‘Well, it’s a naked hot dog,’” White laughed about the explicit name of her new hot dog.
“I wish they had never thought of that,” she said.
White’s provocative Snickers commercial stirred a mild amount of controversy when White’s character appeared to be tackled in the mud during a pick-up football game.
All the proceeds from sales today will go to the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services’ animal shelters. White’s love of animals spurred her decision to help out the particularly hard hit animal shelters.
Many of the younger generation have been introduced to White via the Super Bowl commercial and her appearance in the new Sandra Bullock film as well as her hosting duties on Saturday Night Live.
White has won multiple Emmy awards for her work on Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore show and has been on television as far back as the early days of black and white.
Other Pink Hot Dog celebrities are Martha Stewart; 10” stretch dog with relish, plenty of onions, bacon, chopped tomatoes, sauerkraut and sour cream. The Ozzy Osbourne Hot Dog that starts with a spicy Polish dog add nacho cheese, American cheese, grilled onions, guacamole and top it off with chopped tomatoes. And finally the Lord of the RINGS Dog starts off with a 10" Stretch Dog, yummy BBQ sauce and topped with onion rings.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
California's economic woes continue to grow with unemployment
Unemployment in the golden state hit new record highs with 12.6 percent of Californians looking for a job. California’s high unemployment numbers fall behind Michigan, 14.1 percent, Nevada, 13.4 and ties the state for third with Rhode Island; this is not welcome news for Democrats as the upcoming campaign rhetoric picks up.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says his office was encouraged but pointed out in a statement that California needs to focus on training employees and provide employers new/more incentives to hire Californians.
Chief economist for the State Department of Finance, Howard Roth, explained that he thinks the unemployment rate in California appears to be near its peak.
While this is seen as a victory for some political officials, those seeking gainful employment believe the double speak coming from Sacramento rings hollow and until jobless number begin their turnaround all leaders in government need to be mindful of the impending elections.
“While more than 2.3 million Californians are out of work, Barbara Boxer believes taxpayers should foot the bill for the reckless decisions made on Wall Street or in Washington. Voters are suffering from skyrocketing deficits, burdensome unemployment rates, and out-of-control spending thanks to Boxer and the Democrats in Washington, and our country simply cannot afford to keep bailing out the banks for their reckless financial decisions,” said Amber Marchand of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
According to the Los Angeles Times, “more than 2.3 million Californians are still unemployed. The struggle for some is about to get tougher. Tens of thousands have been out of work so long, they will see their unemployment checks cut off within the next few weeks.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner talked about the fact that unemployment numbers generally lag behind the market recovery process. When it came to the new restructuring of the Wall Street big wigs, Geithner stressed that a Financial Services Committee hearing suggested a “standing fund would create expectations the government would step in to protect shareholders and creditors from losses,”
For those 100,000 Californians who are about to exhaust their unemployment benefits this week, bailouts for anyone other than the little guy come as no comfort.
California’s primary is set for June and jobs remains at the top of every candidate campaign stump speech, however there is a big difference between rhetoric and actual policy to put the golden state residents back to work.
The economic uneasiness in California has Senator Boxer in an extremely tight race and the thought of losing another senate seat in a similar fashion as Massachusetts has prompted President Obama to headline a fundraiser for Boxer later today.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says his office was encouraged but pointed out in a statement that California needs to focus on training employees and provide employers new/more incentives to hire Californians.
Chief economist for the State Department of Finance, Howard Roth, explained that he thinks the unemployment rate in California appears to be near its peak.
While this is seen as a victory for some political officials, those seeking gainful employment believe the double speak coming from Sacramento rings hollow and until jobless number begin their turnaround all leaders in government need to be mindful of the impending elections.
“While more than 2.3 million Californians are out of work, Barbara Boxer believes taxpayers should foot the bill for the reckless decisions made on Wall Street or in Washington. Voters are suffering from skyrocketing deficits, burdensome unemployment rates, and out-of-control spending thanks to Boxer and the Democrats in Washington, and our country simply cannot afford to keep bailing out the banks for their reckless financial decisions,” said Amber Marchand of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
According to the Los Angeles Times, “more than 2.3 million Californians are still unemployed. The struggle for some is about to get tougher. Tens of thousands have been out of work so long, they will see their unemployment checks cut off within the next few weeks.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner talked about the fact that unemployment numbers generally lag behind the market recovery process. When it came to the new restructuring of the Wall Street big wigs, Geithner stressed that a Financial Services Committee hearing suggested a “standing fund would create expectations the government would step in to protect shareholders and creditors from losses,”
For those 100,000 Californians who are about to exhaust their unemployment benefits this week, bailouts for anyone other than the little guy come as no comfort.
California’s primary is set for June and jobs remains at the top of every candidate campaign stump speech, however there is a big difference between rhetoric and actual policy to put the golden state residents back to work.
The economic uneasiness in California has Senator Boxer in an extremely tight race and the thought of losing another senate seat in a similar fashion as Massachusetts has prompted President Obama to headline a fundraiser for Boxer later today.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Friday, April 16, 2010
Gardner pleads guilty to murder of 2 San Diego teenagers
John Gardner pleads guilty to all charges for Amber Dubois and Chelsea King murders on Friday afternoon in a San Diego. In return the sexual predator will not face the death penalty.
The plea agreement states Gardner will get life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Amber Dubois, 14, went missing in February of 2009 and her body was recovered after Chelsea King’s murder took place in March of this year. Gardner was believed to be the killer of the Dubois case after DNA evidence linked the sexual predator to the King murder.
There has been speculation that Gardner was taken out of jail to show investigators the location of Dubois’ body in order to receive life in prison instead of the death penalty. Authorities also report Gardner is the potential perpetrator of other missing girls in Southern California.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
The plea agreement states Gardner will get life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Amber Dubois, 14, went missing in February of 2009 and her body was recovered after Chelsea King’s murder took place in March of this year. Gardner was believed to be the killer of the Dubois case after DNA evidence linked the sexual predator to the King murder.
There has been speculation that Gardner was taken out of jail to show investigators the location of Dubois’ body in order to receive life in prison instead of the death penalty. Authorities also report Gardner is the potential perpetrator of other missing girls in Southern California.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Tax day tea parties draw thousands - demand accountability
Tax day tea parties brewed across the country with hundreds of thousands taking a stand against many social ills like health care reform, Cap and Tax, 2nd Amendment infringements and looming tax increases.
The 2nd annual Oceanside rally saw thousands shout, share personal signs and support the tea party movement in San Diego, but what most didn’t know in Oceanside was more turned out for this rally than to catch a glimpse of the first lady, Michelle Obama who was also in San Diego on tax day.
The patriotic crowd started the rally with the pledge of allegiance and singing the national anthem. Many attendees were either currently in the military or retired members who took time to listen and learn about state and local leaders running for public office.
Local heavyweight, Sandy Lehmkuhler of the Warrior Foundation brought fellow wounded veterans to the rally and announced their organization had raised more than $6 million to assist returning injured warriors. “Welcome, Home of the free and land of the amazing,” she began.
“I love our military town. It’s an honor to be a part of Wounded Warriors. We are able to fly both parents to San Diego to see their child when he/she returns injured. Our organization gives palm pilots and other devices to assist with their rehabilitation process.” The crowd greeted Lehmkuhler’s message with loud applause and support.
Rally goers were also able to listen to a short stump speech from two California Republican gubernatorial hopefuls Steve Poizner and Larry Naritelli.
Poizner stated that his late entry into the race would benefit his candidacy as he said Meg Whitman’s $50 million campaign to date would turn off voters looking down on establishment candidates.
Poizner recalled a recent precinct walk in Silcon Valley and giving his best pitch to a 12-year-old girl. “It didn’t go well in the liberal community and I felt like I was talking to a young Barbara Boxer!”
At this point Poizner won the crowd over. He went on to list a few priorities his staff would take care of if he were elected to run the state of California. The agenda included turning on the water in Central California, cutting taxes across the board by 10 percent, cutting capitol gains taxes by 50 percent and cutting funding to programs dishing out taxpayer money to illegal immigrants who snuck into the country.
On the other hand Naritelli, the ICaucus endorsed candidate, said he would revoke policies like Cap and Trade and cure the man-made water crisis the Central Valley farmers currently face. “We represent the people not the fish.”
He talked about the common sense leadership that Sacramento desperately needs.
As always, San Diego’s hot topic is illegal immigration. Naritelli says the state needs to turn off all the incentives that lure illegals to America. “If you don’t get free health care why should they? If elected I will support all measures to secure the border.”
In a bit of a jab at sitting California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, he said, “stop being a girly man and turn on the water.”
On a serious note Naritelli said his run for California’s top post was not about him, “It’s about the people and about their Reagan values.”
San Diego’s walking encyclopedia on tax related issues, Richard Rider fired up the crowd on tax day as well. “Sustainability seems to be the buzzword.” He told protestors that the best way to reach limited government was to starve the federal government. “It’s the nuts and bolts of our movement.”
The guy looking to be the next Sheriff in San Diego, Jay LaSuer told the tea partiers that there are approximately 15 thousand MS13 Latino gang members in the county. That statement drew jeers from the audience. “If I’m elected, there will be 15 thousand less gang members in our county. Sheriff Joe Arpaio told me that he would personally help me build the tent prison they will call home.”
LaSuer also reflected on the recent murder of two young San Diego girls, Amber Dubois and Chelsea King. “When I worked in the state legislature I tried to implement a one strike law. You commit a violent act against a child under the age of 14 and it’s one and you’re done. I’ll push for that as your Sheriff.”
LaSuer also explained there are real time GPS units the courts could place on sexual predators that would allow concerned citizens to know exactly where predators are at all times.
Finally Conservative Chuck DeVore, made his presence known and talked about his opponent, Senator Ma’am Barbara Boxer. The longtime Democrat Senator is facing real trouble from all of the candidates that are running against her. The crisis has even reached the White House and President Obama will be attending a fundraiser for Boxer over the weekend.
This came as good news to DeVore who is also endorsed by ICaucus. “This is the year liberty and freedom will advance.” He also talked about the sleeping giant that has been awakened by the tea party movement. “2010 is a pivotal year. This is the year we will clean house in Washington D.C.”
Again talking about the illegal immigration issue stirred tea party attendees. “The virtual fence is virtually worthless,” he said.
DeVore explained the tea party movement began because many Republicans lost their way and failed their constituents. “We are on the road to Socialism and it seems Democrats want to go 100 mph, while Republicans want to slow it to 50 mph that’s not good enough.”
The current road the Democrats are on is unsustainable, according to DeVore. He faces two other challengers Tom Campbell and Carly Fiorina. All are within the margin of error against Boxer, according to the latest Rasmussen poll.
Taking a swipe at Al Gore, DeVore said, “I used Al Gore’s invention (the so-called internet) to raise more than $1.8 million from 24,000 people, thanks Al.”
Finishing it up he said, “We the people have had it up to here and we are not going to take it anymore.” The crowd was enthusiastic and echoed the sentiment as they left the rally.
Rick Amato a locally taped talk radio show host that broadcasts live across the country on KCBQ 1170 emceed the rally.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
The 2nd annual Oceanside rally saw thousands shout, share personal signs and support the tea party movement in San Diego, but what most didn’t know in Oceanside was more turned out for this rally than to catch a glimpse of the first lady, Michelle Obama who was also in San Diego on tax day.
The patriotic crowd started the rally with the pledge of allegiance and singing the national anthem. Many attendees were either currently in the military or retired members who took time to listen and learn about state and local leaders running for public office.
Local heavyweight, Sandy Lehmkuhler of the Warrior Foundation brought fellow wounded veterans to the rally and announced their organization had raised more than $6 million to assist returning injured warriors. “Welcome, Home of the free and land of the amazing,” she began.
“I love our military town. It’s an honor to be a part of Wounded Warriors. We are able to fly both parents to San Diego to see their child when he/she returns injured. Our organization gives palm pilots and other devices to assist with their rehabilitation process.” The crowd greeted Lehmkuhler’s message with loud applause and support.
Rally goers were also able to listen to a short stump speech from two California Republican gubernatorial hopefuls Steve Poizner and Larry Naritelli.
Poizner stated that his late entry into the race would benefit his candidacy as he said Meg Whitman’s $50 million campaign to date would turn off voters looking down on establishment candidates.
Poizner recalled a recent precinct walk in Silcon Valley and giving his best pitch to a 12-year-old girl. “It didn’t go well in the liberal community and I felt like I was talking to a young Barbara Boxer!”
At this point Poizner won the crowd over. He went on to list a few priorities his staff would take care of if he were elected to run the state of California. The agenda included turning on the water in Central California, cutting taxes across the board by 10 percent, cutting capitol gains taxes by 50 percent and cutting funding to programs dishing out taxpayer money to illegal immigrants who snuck into the country.
On the other hand Naritelli, the ICaucus endorsed candidate, said he would revoke policies like Cap and Trade and cure the man-made water crisis the Central Valley farmers currently face. “We represent the people not the fish.”
He talked about the common sense leadership that Sacramento desperately needs.
As always, San Diego’s hot topic is illegal immigration. Naritelli says the state needs to turn off all the incentives that lure illegals to America. “If you don’t get free health care why should they? If elected I will support all measures to secure the border.”
In a bit of a jab at sitting California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, he said, “stop being a girly man and turn on the water.”
On a serious note Naritelli said his run for California’s top post was not about him, “It’s about the people and about their Reagan values.”
San Diego’s walking encyclopedia on tax related issues, Richard Rider fired up the crowd on tax day as well. “Sustainability seems to be the buzzword.” He told protestors that the best way to reach limited government was to starve the federal government. “It’s the nuts and bolts of our movement.”
The guy looking to be the next Sheriff in San Diego, Jay LaSuer told the tea partiers that there are approximately 15 thousand MS13 Latino gang members in the county. That statement drew jeers from the audience. “If I’m elected, there will be 15 thousand less gang members in our county. Sheriff Joe Arpaio told me that he would personally help me build the tent prison they will call home.”
LaSuer also reflected on the recent murder of two young San Diego girls, Amber Dubois and Chelsea King. “When I worked in the state legislature I tried to implement a one strike law. You commit a violent act against a child under the age of 14 and it’s one and you’re done. I’ll push for that as your Sheriff.”
LaSuer also explained there are real time GPS units the courts could place on sexual predators that would allow concerned citizens to know exactly where predators are at all times.
Finally Conservative Chuck DeVore, made his presence known and talked about his opponent, Senator Ma’am Barbara Boxer. The longtime Democrat Senator is facing real trouble from all of the candidates that are running against her. The crisis has even reached the White House and President Obama will be attending a fundraiser for Boxer over the weekend.
This came as good news to DeVore who is also endorsed by ICaucus. “This is the year liberty and freedom will advance.” He also talked about the sleeping giant that has been awakened by the tea party movement. “2010 is a pivotal year. This is the year we will clean house in Washington D.C.”
Again talking about the illegal immigration issue stirred tea party attendees. “The virtual fence is virtually worthless,” he said.
DeVore explained the tea party movement began because many Republicans lost their way and failed their constituents. “We are on the road to Socialism and it seems Democrats want to go 100 mph, while Republicans want to slow it to 50 mph that’s not good enough.”
The current road the Democrats are on is unsustainable, according to DeVore. He faces two other challengers Tom Campbell and Carly Fiorina. All are within the margin of error against Boxer, according to the latest Rasmussen poll.
Taking a swipe at Al Gore, DeVore said, “I used Al Gore’s invention (the so-called internet) to raise more than $1.8 million from 24,000 people, thanks Al.”
Finishing it up he said, “We the people have had it up to here and we are not going to take it anymore.” The crowd was enthusiastic and echoed the sentiment as they left the rally.
Rick Amato a locally taped talk radio show host that broadcasts live across the country on KCBQ 1170 emceed the rally.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
House of Death ICE informant "Lalo" freed from prison
It started seven long years ago with Lalo selling his cartel knowledge to the U.S. government. The Mexican national would give America important details regarding the inner workings of drug cartels in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
It was good information.
Guillermo Eduardo Ramirez Peyro or ‘Lalo’s’ results-orientated methods earned him recognition with his Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) handlers. His work ethic garnered him 60 plus convictions and millions in money and drugs for the prized El Paso ICE office. Lalo’s information was so ironclad, criminals plead guilty and saved the taxpayers the expense of courtroom trials.
Looking back to the days leading up to the January 2004 showdown with ICE and DEA, Lalo began his exit from the dark underworld of drug cartel bosses and the murder that often accompanied the Mexican mafia.
To be honest, Lalo says he was glad to escape with his life. Once the House of Death and 12 murders unraveled; the U.S. knew the jig was up, Lalo began his exit strategy and hoped he’d return to his life in central Mexico.
It didn’t happen.
The U.S. government wanted one more favor from Lalo; they wanted him to lure Santillan, a high-ranking member of the Juarez cartel, into America. Lalo was reluctant because he knew the cartel leaders would figure out that he was a snitch and luring a high-profile drug boss would prevent him from ever returning to his home country.
Lalo reluctantly agreed to lure Santillan and a trap was set in place. Not only did Lalo get the ruthless cartel member to cross the U.S. border, but also he drove him around El Paso as he spilled the beans about the day-to-day operations of the cartel.
After years of undercover work for ICE Lalo’s dangerous cartel job was about to come to an end.
However, the nightmare wasn’t over. He thought he would return to his duties as a father and even began work as a contractor, but Lalo’s world came crashing down when the U.S. government took him into “protective custody.”
“They stole my life,” Lalo explains. “When they (U.S. government) took me into custody they told me it was for my protection, they lied.”
Lalo would spend the next six years in solitary confinement for his supposed protection. “When I went to jail my kids, were kids. Now they are teenagers,” Lalo tearfully describes after being reunited with his children for the first time in six long years.
“The government kidnapped me from my life,” he says.
There is no doubt that the House of Death in Juarez, Mexico remains a black eye in American federal law enforcement history. It was under the watchful eye of the U.S. that a dozen murders were committed and bodies buried in the backyard of the infamous house on 3633 Calle Parsioneros, Juarez, Mexico. The non-descript house is located in a middle-class neighborhood in the most violent city in Mexico.
There were many times when Lalo and his immediate ICE handlers wanted out. Each time they were denied by supervisors who thought the case would make careers – it didn’t.
“It seems like a distant memory now. Had I knew what was in store for me I would have taken my chances in Mexico,” Lalo confesses.
Now that the nightmare is coming to an end Lalo will begin a new life in America. He admits to fears most parents have when it comes to their children. “I just want to take care of them, Maria (the mother of his children) has worked 12 hour days to just get by. I need to begin to make amends to her and the kids,” Lalo says. “I am just happy to finally see my kids.”
Freedom does come with strings in Lalo’s case. He must wear an ankle bracelet and report to immigration officials. His heart is still heavy with stress, as the world has evolved in the past six years.
Lalo’s attorney Jodi Goodwin said she is glad the six-year legal battle has come to a bittersweet ending.
“I guess I’m lucky to have my life and kids who have stayed out of trouble,” he explains.
Like most teenagers Lalo’s kids have acclimated to life in America and have all the latest electronic gadgets that drive most parents crazy. “When I talk to my family now, I can see them on the computer,” Lalo describes his new freedom with computers. “In prison I didn’t have access to television or computers.”
Looking to the future Lalo sees a brighter outlook, one he must prove himself as a father and as a person. “I’ll get back little by little,” he says. “I have to adjust to many things like my son being bigger and taller than myself. He is a young man now.”
“I realize that my kids have their own life now, with school, friends and sports, but I’m hopeful they will have time for their dad.”
The little things most take for granted will now replace Lalo’s mindset. Americans think about eating out as a treat, Lalo looks forward to home-cooked meals, friendly banter with his kids and thinking about what lies ahead. Adjusting to life in America will have its challenges, but Lalo is confident his newfound freedom will lead to a life filled with happiness.
“I will always miss Mexico, it’s my country,” he explains. “Outside the city violence it really is a magical relaxing country. I know I can never return, but I’ll always have my memories.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2010m2d2-A-walk-down-the-dark-side-reveals-recklessness-at-the-House-of-Death
It was good information.
Guillermo Eduardo Ramirez Peyro or ‘Lalo’s’ results-orientated methods earned him recognition with his Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) handlers. His work ethic garnered him 60 plus convictions and millions in money and drugs for the prized El Paso ICE office. Lalo’s information was so ironclad, criminals plead guilty and saved the taxpayers the expense of courtroom trials.
Looking back to the days leading up to the January 2004 showdown with ICE and DEA, Lalo began his exit from the dark underworld of drug cartel bosses and the murder that often accompanied the Mexican mafia.
To be honest, Lalo says he was glad to escape with his life. Once the House of Death and 12 murders unraveled; the U.S. knew the jig was up, Lalo began his exit strategy and hoped he’d return to his life in central Mexico.
It didn’t happen.
The U.S. government wanted one more favor from Lalo; they wanted him to lure Santillan, a high-ranking member of the Juarez cartel, into America. Lalo was reluctant because he knew the cartel leaders would figure out that he was a snitch and luring a high-profile drug boss would prevent him from ever returning to his home country.
Lalo reluctantly agreed to lure Santillan and a trap was set in place. Not only did Lalo get the ruthless cartel member to cross the U.S. border, but also he drove him around El Paso as he spilled the beans about the day-to-day operations of the cartel.
After years of undercover work for ICE Lalo’s dangerous cartel job was about to come to an end.
However, the nightmare wasn’t over. He thought he would return to his duties as a father and even began work as a contractor, but Lalo’s world came crashing down when the U.S. government took him into “protective custody.”
“They stole my life,” Lalo explains. “When they (U.S. government) took me into custody they told me it was for my protection, they lied.”
Lalo would spend the next six years in solitary confinement for his supposed protection. “When I went to jail my kids, were kids. Now they are teenagers,” Lalo tearfully describes after being reunited with his children for the first time in six long years.
“The government kidnapped me from my life,” he says.
There is no doubt that the House of Death in Juarez, Mexico remains a black eye in American federal law enforcement history. It was under the watchful eye of the U.S. that a dozen murders were committed and bodies buried in the backyard of the infamous house on 3633 Calle Parsioneros, Juarez, Mexico. The non-descript house is located in a middle-class neighborhood in the most violent city in Mexico.
There were many times when Lalo and his immediate ICE handlers wanted out. Each time they were denied by supervisors who thought the case would make careers – it didn’t.
“It seems like a distant memory now. Had I knew what was in store for me I would have taken my chances in Mexico,” Lalo confesses.
Now that the nightmare is coming to an end Lalo will begin a new life in America. He admits to fears most parents have when it comes to their children. “I just want to take care of them, Maria (the mother of his children) has worked 12 hour days to just get by. I need to begin to make amends to her and the kids,” Lalo says. “I am just happy to finally see my kids.”
Freedom does come with strings in Lalo’s case. He must wear an ankle bracelet and report to immigration officials. His heart is still heavy with stress, as the world has evolved in the past six years.
Lalo’s attorney Jodi Goodwin said she is glad the six-year legal battle has come to a bittersweet ending.
“I guess I’m lucky to have my life and kids who have stayed out of trouble,” he explains.
Like most teenagers Lalo’s kids have acclimated to life in America and have all the latest electronic gadgets that drive most parents crazy. “When I talk to my family now, I can see them on the computer,” Lalo describes his new freedom with computers. “In prison I didn’t have access to television or computers.”
Looking to the future Lalo sees a brighter outlook, one he must prove himself as a father and as a person. “I’ll get back little by little,” he says. “I have to adjust to many things like my son being bigger and taller than myself. He is a young man now.”
“I realize that my kids have their own life now, with school, friends and sports, but I’m hopeful they will have time for their dad.”
The little things most take for granted will now replace Lalo’s mindset. Americans think about eating out as a treat, Lalo looks forward to home-cooked meals, friendly banter with his kids and thinking about what lies ahead. Adjusting to life in America will have its challenges, but Lalo is confident his newfound freedom will lead to a life filled with happiness.
“I will always miss Mexico, it’s my country,” he explains. “Outside the city violence it really is a magical relaxing country. I know I can never return, but I’ll always have my memories.”
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2010m2d2-A-walk-down-the-dark-side-reveals-recklessness-at-the-House-of-Death
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Arizona set to allow concealed weapons without a permit
Arizona moved one step closer to becoming the third state in the nation to allow citizens to carry concealed firearms without a permit. The new bill comes after the brutal murder of an Arizona rancher near the U.S./Mexico border and the violence that continues to escalate.
The state-approved legislation will now head to governor, Jan Brewer a Republican, who has indicated her signature on the bill giving Arizonians the ability to carry a weapon without a permit, according to the bill’s co-sponsor Republican Sen. Russell Pearce of Mesa.
The law would allow Arizonans to forego background checks and classes that the state now requires. The legislation was approved by the House 36-19 without debate and sets out to make it legal for most U.S. citizens 21 or older to carry a concealed weapon in Arizona.
Currently if Arizonians carry a hidden firearm without a permit it is a misdemeanor and punishable by six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.
If the legislation is enacted as expected, Arizona will join Vermont and Alaska who do not require permits to carry concealed weapons. There are two states, Wisconsin and Illinois that prohibit handguns all together.
The Supreme Court is currently challenging the Illinois law; the McDonald case disputes the state’s ability to ban handgun ownership and the Supreme Court’s decision is expected to be reached in late June.
Those who fear criminals already have the upper hand cite the new law will protect all citizens in the state and deter future criminal behavior because they will not know who is carrying a weapon.
“What’s dangerous is when they’re in criminals’ hands not citizens’ hands,” explains Rep. David Gowan of Sierra Vista one of the bills sponsors.
However, those who advocate against the new bill say it will make it easier for criminals to obtain weapons and endanger law enforcement officers.
“We wouldn’t give people driver’s licenses without requiring training or testing,” said Democrat Rep. Steve Farley of Tucson in an Associated Press story. “Why would we give people the ability to carry a concealed weapon anywhere?”
The new law would not allow handgun customers to circumvent background checks required by the federal law when purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
The state-approved legislation will now head to governor, Jan Brewer a Republican, who has indicated her signature on the bill giving Arizonians the ability to carry a weapon without a permit, according to the bill’s co-sponsor Republican Sen. Russell Pearce of Mesa.
The law would allow Arizonans to forego background checks and classes that the state now requires. The legislation was approved by the House 36-19 without debate and sets out to make it legal for most U.S. citizens 21 or older to carry a concealed weapon in Arizona.
Currently if Arizonians carry a hidden firearm without a permit it is a misdemeanor and punishable by six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.
If the legislation is enacted as expected, Arizona will join Vermont and Alaska who do not require permits to carry concealed weapons. There are two states, Wisconsin and Illinois that prohibit handguns all together.
The Supreme Court is currently challenging the Illinois law; the McDonald case disputes the state’s ability to ban handgun ownership and the Supreme Court’s decision is expected to be reached in late June.
Those who fear criminals already have the upper hand cite the new law will protect all citizens in the state and deter future criminal behavior because they will not know who is carrying a weapon.
“What’s dangerous is when they’re in criminals’ hands not citizens’ hands,” explains Rep. David Gowan of Sierra Vista one of the bills sponsors.
However, those who advocate against the new bill say it will make it easier for criminals to obtain weapons and endanger law enforcement officers.
“We wouldn’t give people driver’s licenses without requiring training or testing,” said Democrat Rep. Steve Farley of Tucson in an Associated Press story. “Why would we give people the ability to carry a concealed weapon anywhere?”
The new law would not allow handgun customers to circumvent background checks required by the federal law when purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Monday, April 12, 2010
Mexican drug cartels threaten U.S. Border Patrol Agents
After a week marred with violence along the U.S./Mexico border sources admit the Mexican drug cartels have placed a $250 thousand bounty for the kidnapping or murder of Border Patrol Agents.
U.S. agents are taking the threat very seriously and say officers in the field should use extreme caution when approaching the border fence area. The threat comes after an Arizona rancher was murdered on his own property last month by an alleged illegal alien.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a warning to law enforcement officers in west Texas due to retaliatory killings by a Mexican gang. The agency has suggested agents’ change up their routes and wears body armor while on duty.
DHS headquarters said gang members might issue a “green light” to murder law enforcement officers in the Texas and other U.S. border areas. The report also suggests that the law enforcement officers pay special attention to any unusual activity.
The elevated warning comes amidst a crackdown on the Barrio Azteca Mexican gang following the brutal murders of three Americans with ties to the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez on March 13. Law enforcement in the region has begun a broader crackdown, known as “Operation Knockdown.”
The spike in violence along the border transcends state lines and Border Patrol Agents in Arizona and California must now look over their shoulder and be prepared for possible attacks near the U.S. border region.
One agent said it this way; “We were warned about this recently at several musters and we were advised to take this threat seriously and to take precautions. This is the life we chose and it is certainly not our first threat. Over two years ago we received intelligence that a $2 million contract was put out for the assassination of a Border Patrol Agent. Last year, Agent Rosas was murdered. Coincidence? I doubt it. If they are willing to pay two million for a hit, then they have enough money to pay for a fall guy. The cartels don't need to prove to America that they can pull this off. They only need to prove it to other cartels, for credibility in the fight amongst themselves.”
As the war south of the America border continues to rage, it is only a matter of time before another life is taken and another family mourns the loss of a loved one. It is time the U.S. government takes the threat of violence seriously, steps up its surveillance on drug cartels and protects all Americans along the U.S./Mexico border.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
U.S. agents are taking the threat very seriously and say officers in the field should use extreme caution when approaching the border fence area. The threat comes after an Arizona rancher was murdered on his own property last month by an alleged illegal alien.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a warning to law enforcement officers in west Texas due to retaliatory killings by a Mexican gang. The agency has suggested agents’ change up their routes and wears body armor while on duty.
DHS headquarters said gang members might issue a “green light” to murder law enforcement officers in the Texas and other U.S. border areas. The report also suggests that the law enforcement officers pay special attention to any unusual activity.
The elevated warning comes amidst a crackdown on the Barrio Azteca Mexican gang following the brutal murders of three Americans with ties to the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez on March 13. Law enforcement in the region has begun a broader crackdown, known as “Operation Knockdown.”
The spike in violence along the border transcends state lines and Border Patrol Agents in Arizona and California must now look over their shoulder and be prepared for possible attacks near the U.S. border region.
One agent said it this way; “We were warned about this recently at several musters and we were advised to take this threat seriously and to take precautions. This is the life we chose and it is certainly not our first threat. Over two years ago we received intelligence that a $2 million contract was put out for the assassination of a Border Patrol Agent. Last year, Agent Rosas was murdered. Coincidence? I doubt it. If they are willing to pay two million for a hit, then they have enough money to pay for a fall guy. The cartels don't need to prove to America that they can pull this off. They only need to prove it to other cartels, for credibility in the fight amongst themselves.”
As the war south of the America border continues to rage, it is only a matter of time before another life is taken and another family mourns the loss of a loved one. It is time the U.S. government takes the threat of violence seriously, steps up its surveillance on drug cartels and protects all Americans along the U.S./Mexico border.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
CBO Chief calls the Democrat economic path unsustainable
As the nation marks tax freedom day– the day in which most Americans have earned enough money to pay for federal, state, and local taxes – most are left feeling worried instead of relieved thanks to the Democrats out-of-control spending agenda in Washington.
Adding to the misery is the price tag of the new health care reform package that will dig deeper into American’s pocket book by creating $570 billion in new taxes.
As a result senior Obama officials are now hinting that that a European-style ”value added tax” (VAT) will be needed to meet the increased spending, however many say the new hidden tax will slam consumers and kill jobs.
The already bloated deficit is expected to increase by an eye-popping $2.2 trillion. President Obama’s new massive $3.83 trillion budget proposal for 2011 recklessly borrows 42 cents of every $1 spent by the federal government, according to his financial team.
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Chief Doug Elmendorf called the Obama Administration’s fiscal path “unsustainable” and stressed that the crisis cannot be solved through “minor tinkering.”
While the financial markets may have rebounded from the big crash during the Bush Administration the country’s unemployment figure is hovering around the 10 percent mark. Obama’s financial wizards have already indicated the elevated unemployment numbers may become the new norm, in the new America.
As Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) readies herself for a tough reelection battle, she is crisscrossing California during the Senate recess touting what she sees as concrete accomplishments of the past year -jobs created by the economic stimulus package, benefits from the healthcare bill for seniors and tax breaks for businesses that are hiring the unemployed. Most in California see the new legislative packages as a drag on the economy, not a positive.
“As our country marks Tax Freedom Day, Californians are feeling anything but relieved thanks to Barbara Boxer and the Washington Democrats who have racked up reckless debts that will be paid for by future generations. Boxer and the Democrats in Congress have taxed, spent and borrowed America into a fiscal crisis, and we’re confident that voters will hold her accountable for this dangerous economic agenda in November,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokeswoman Amber Marchand.
When the President took office last year the national debt stood at roughly $10.6 trillion, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Public Debt. However, by early April 2010, the national debt had increased by more than $2 trillion to $12.8 trillion and counting.
The bloated deficit is now threatening the country’s credit rating that in turn could cause interest rates to rise, further hindering an economic rebound and sending the economy into a double-dip recession.
The AAA credit rating is threatened by “mushrooming debt” according to Moody’s and they could downgrade America’s credit standing which would harm the federal government’s ability to borrow money cheaply.
The gold standard agency said the United States and other Western nations have moved ‘substantially’ closer to losing their top ratings, as the credit number reflects their ability to pay back loans.
America has enjoyed high credit standards for more than 50 years and Moody’s said it’s not just U.S. prestige at stake. A downgrade would harm the federal government’s ability to borrow money cheaply,” according to an editorial, “A Ticking Debt Bomb,” in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“The federal deficit is expected to rise this year to 10.6 percent of gross domestic product, its highest level since 1946.” The fiscal future for America looks even dimmer according to the editorial.
Lower credit ratings translate into reduced services while spending remains the same. The result would leave schools short changed, roads unfixed, borders less secure and higher taxes.
The Columbus Dispatch explained it this way; “The United States isn’t going to default next week or next year, but the previously unthinkable grows nearer with every day the nation fails to change this disastrous course.”
The head of the CBO, Elmendorf, said the costs of the new health care laws could result in dire consequences if political leaders don’t scale back spending or increase taxes.
Elmendorf noted in a recent CBO report that an increase in the public debt from $7.5 trillion at the end of 2009 to $20.3 trillion at the end of 2020 if the President’s fiscal 2011 budget were to be implemented as written. As a percentage of gross domestic product, the debt would rise from 53 percent to 90 percent, the CBO forecasted. “The only other time the percentage was that high was right after World War II,” Jonathan Allen reported in Politico.
As America inches closer to a form of Socialism, concerned citizens say for the first time in their lives America’s children will not benefit from a brighter future. The tax revenue needed to sustain the federal government and entitlement programs in place will stagnate the economy indefinitely bringing America in line with European countries.
Curtailing spending is a must if America wishes to return to the days of yore, former President Ronald Reagan said it best; "Socialism only works in two places: Heaven where they don't need it and hell where they already have it."
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examine
Adding to the misery is the price tag of the new health care reform package that will dig deeper into American’s pocket book by creating $570 billion in new taxes.
As a result senior Obama officials are now hinting that that a European-style ”value added tax” (VAT) will be needed to meet the increased spending, however many say the new hidden tax will slam consumers and kill jobs.
The already bloated deficit is expected to increase by an eye-popping $2.2 trillion. President Obama’s new massive $3.83 trillion budget proposal for 2011 recklessly borrows 42 cents of every $1 spent by the federal government, according to his financial team.
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Chief Doug Elmendorf called the Obama Administration’s fiscal path “unsustainable” and stressed that the crisis cannot be solved through “minor tinkering.”
While the financial markets may have rebounded from the big crash during the Bush Administration the country’s unemployment figure is hovering around the 10 percent mark. Obama’s financial wizards have already indicated the elevated unemployment numbers may become the new norm, in the new America.
As Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) readies herself for a tough reelection battle, she is crisscrossing California during the Senate recess touting what she sees as concrete accomplishments of the past year -jobs created by the economic stimulus package, benefits from the healthcare bill for seniors and tax breaks for businesses that are hiring the unemployed. Most in California see the new legislative packages as a drag on the economy, not a positive.
“As our country marks Tax Freedom Day, Californians are feeling anything but relieved thanks to Barbara Boxer and the Washington Democrats who have racked up reckless debts that will be paid for by future generations. Boxer and the Democrats in Congress have taxed, spent and borrowed America into a fiscal crisis, and we’re confident that voters will hold her accountable for this dangerous economic agenda in November,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokeswoman Amber Marchand.
When the President took office last year the national debt stood at roughly $10.6 trillion, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Public Debt. However, by early April 2010, the national debt had increased by more than $2 trillion to $12.8 trillion and counting.
The bloated deficit is now threatening the country’s credit rating that in turn could cause interest rates to rise, further hindering an economic rebound and sending the economy into a double-dip recession.
The AAA credit rating is threatened by “mushrooming debt” according to Moody’s and they could downgrade America’s credit standing which would harm the federal government’s ability to borrow money cheaply.
The gold standard agency said the United States and other Western nations have moved ‘substantially’ closer to losing their top ratings, as the credit number reflects their ability to pay back loans.
America has enjoyed high credit standards for more than 50 years and Moody’s said it’s not just U.S. prestige at stake. A downgrade would harm the federal government’s ability to borrow money cheaply,” according to an editorial, “A Ticking Debt Bomb,” in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“The federal deficit is expected to rise this year to 10.6 percent of gross domestic product, its highest level since 1946.” The fiscal future for America looks even dimmer according to the editorial.
Lower credit ratings translate into reduced services while spending remains the same. The result would leave schools short changed, roads unfixed, borders less secure and higher taxes.
The Columbus Dispatch explained it this way; “The United States isn’t going to default next week or next year, but the previously unthinkable grows nearer with every day the nation fails to change this disastrous course.”
The head of the CBO, Elmendorf, said the costs of the new health care laws could result in dire consequences if political leaders don’t scale back spending or increase taxes.
Elmendorf noted in a recent CBO report that an increase in the public debt from $7.5 trillion at the end of 2009 to $20.3 trillion at the end of 2020 if the President’s fiscal 2011 budget were to be implemented as written. As a percentage of gross domestic product, the debt would rise from 53 percent to 90 percent, the CBO forecasted. “The only other time the percentage was that high was right after World War II,” Jonathan Allen reported in Politico.
As America inches closer to a form of Socialism, concerned citizens say for the first time in their lives America’s children will not benefit from a brighter future. The tax revenue needed to sustain the federal government and entitlement programs in place will stagnate the economy indefinitely bringing America in line with European countries.
Curtailing spending is a must if America wishes to return to the days of yore, former President Ronald Reagan said it best; "Socialism only works in two places: Heaven where they don't need it and hell where they already have it."
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examine
Thursday, April 8, 2010
California Senator Boxer approves sexual aids for sex offenders
Now that Americans have a new health care law in place, details are emerging that will require more fixes.
According to the non-partisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) provisions in California Senator Barbara Boxer’s (D-CA) unpopular health care reform bill will provide rapists and sex offenders with taxpayer-funded erectile dysfunction drugs.
“The Congressional Research Service confirmed in a memo that rapists and sex offenders may get federally subsidized Viagra and other sexual-performance enhancing drugs under the recently passed health care reform law — information that Republicans charge will haunt Democrats in upcoming elections… According to the CRS, under existing rules there are no prohibitions against providing erectile dysfunction drugs to rapists, pedophiles or other types of sex offenders,” as reported by John Stanton of Roll Call.
The National Republican Committee exposed Boxer’s vote to provide convicted sex offenders with taxpayer-funded erectile dysfunction drugs, calling her vote “disgusting, disturbing and revolting.”
“Barbara Boxer had every chance to stop this disgusting and disturbing provision, but she opted instead to make Californians foot the bill for this repulsive part of the Democrats’ far-left agenda,” said NRSC spokeswoman Amber Marchand.
“During a time when unemployment in California is at 12.5 percent, there’s no doubt that Senator Boxer will be forced to explain why she voted to provide convicted child molesters and rapists with taxpayer-subsidized sex drugs,” she said.
Apparently, Senator Boxer decided not to convey this part of the health care bill when she appeared on CNN’s Larry King show with Chelsea King’s parents promising to enact tougher sexual predator laws.
Chelsea King was abducted, raped and murdered by a 30-year old repeat sexual predator in San Diego. Once the truth was uncovered Chelsea’s parents discovered there were several missed opportunities to put the rapist/murderer who allegedly killed their daughter back in prison.
Senator Boxer’s office failed to return phone calls regarding this important public safety matter.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
According to the non-partisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) provisions in California Senator Barbara Boxer’s (D-CA) unpopular health care reform bill will provide rapists and sex offenders with taxpayer-funded erectile dysfunction drugs.
“The Congressional Research Service confirmed in a memo that rapists and sex offenders may get federally subsidized Viagra and other sexual-performance enhancing drugs under the recently passed health care reform law — information that Republicans charge will haunt Democrats in upcoming elections… According to the CRS, under existing rules there are no prohibitions against providing erectile dysfunction drugs to rapists, pedophiles or other types of sex offenders,” as reported by John Stanton of Roll Call.
The National Republican Committee exposed Boxer’s vote to provide convicted sex offenders with taxpayer-funded erectile dysfunction drugs, calling her vote “disgusting, disturbing and revolting.”
“Barbara Boxer had every chance to stop this disgusting and disturbing provision, but she opted instead to make Californians foot the bill for this repulsive part of the Democrats’ far-left agenda,” said NRSC spokeswoman Amber Marchand.
“During a time when unemployment in California is at 12.5 percent, there’s no doubt that Senator Boxer will be forced to explain why she voted to provide convicted child molesters and rapists with taxpayer-subsidized sex drugs,” she said.
Apparently, Senator Boxer decided not to convey this part of the health care bill when she appeared on CNN’s Larry King show with Chelsea King’s parents promising to enact tougher sexual predator laws.
Chelsea King was abducted, raped and murdered by a 30-year old repeat sexual predator in San Diego. Once the truth was uncovered Chelsea’s parents discovered there were several missed opportunities to put the rapist/murderer who allegedly killed their daughter back in prison.
Senator Boxer’s office failed to return phone calls regarding this important public safety matter.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
America’s borders remain open for criminals and terrorists
In light of the murder of Arizona rancher Robert Krentz by an illegal alien, the question of secure borders has once again been brought to the attention of the American people. Unfortunately, many in Congress didn’t get the memo and have failed to act on the recent violence those who reside on the border face.
When one thinks about the invasion of illegal aliens along the southern borders many believe these folks are just coming to get a job and establish a better life for their family from Central and Southern America, however, there are many Middle Eastern and Muslim men crossing the border who have something else on their mind - terrorism.
Reports from rank and file Border Patrol Agents confirm the uptick of men entering into the country who are not of Hispanic origin. These men are crossing illegally into America because it is easy and there is no record of their being present. Officials say these men are often part of sleeper cells. Law enforcement estimates there are thousands of sleeper cells strategically placed across America right now.
Recent reports of terrorist activity in Mexico should concern many in the U.S. Case in point; Mexico ‘mistakenly’ released 23 Somalis with possible terrorist ties on January 21, 2010 from jail.
According to Diggers Realm, an immigration watchdog group, the release of these suspects by Mexico was found in a confidential report. The document contained information that suggests the Somalis were on their way to America when Mexican officers intercepted the group.
In light of the uptick in violence along the southern border it remains imperative our country provides secure boundaries and clearly identifies all who enter the country.
The report also suggests that law enforcement agents should use every precaution when approaching suspects, including long arms and body armor because armed confrontations are on the rise.
According to a new article by Sara A. Carter of the Washington Examiner, there is further proof Americans need to pay more attention to the porous borders.
Included in the group of men released from Mexican prison is “Mohamed Osman Noor, 35, of Somalia, who U.S. officials suspect has strong ties to Al-Shabaab Mujahideen, an Islamist insurgency group in the ongoing war in Somalia with ties to al Qaeda. “
Carter also reports that, "Five of the subjects are possibly heading towards the Reynosa, Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas areas. ... The Laredo Sector should be cognizant of the high possibility that Noor and the other subjects may attempt to enter illegally into the United States through the Laredo Sector area of responsibility."
This is just the latest evidence that the nation’s borders are not secure and any talk regarding amnesty or illegal immigration is premature at best.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2010m4d6-72-earthquake-rocks-Northern-Mexico-three-die
When one thinks about the invasion of illegal aliens along the southern borders many believe these folks are just coming to get a job and establish a better life for their family from Central and Southern America, however, there are many Middle Eastern and Muslim men crossing the border who have something else on their mind - terrorism.
Reports from rank and file Border Patrol Agents confirm the uptick of men entering into the country who are not of Hispanic origin. These men are crossing illegally into America because it is easy and there is no record of their being present. Officials say these men are often part of sleeper cells. Law enforcement estimates there are thousands of sleeper cells strategically placed across America right now.
Recent reports of terrorist activity in Mexico should concern many in the U.S. Case in point; Mexico ‘mistakenly’ released 23 Somalis with possible terrorist ties on January 21, 2010 from jail.
According to Diggers Realm, an immigration watchdog group, the release of these suspects by Mexico was found in a confidential report. The document contained information that suggests the Somalis were on their way to America when Mexican officers intercepted the group.
In light of the uptick in violence along the southern border it remains imperative our country provides secure boundaries and clearly identifies all who enter the country.
The report also suggests that law enforcement agents should use every precaution when approaching suspects, including long arms and body armor because armed confrontations are on the rise.
According to a new article by Sara A. Carter of the Washington Examiner, there is further proof Americans need to pay more attention to the porous borders.
Included in the group of men released from Mexican prison is “Mohamed Osman Noor, 35, of Somalia, who U.S. officials suspect has strong ties to Al-Shabaab Mujahideen, an Islamist insurgency group in the ongoing war in Somalia with ties to al Qaeda. “
Carter also reports that, "Five of the subjects are possibly heading towards the Reynosa, Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas areas. ... The Laredo Sector should be cognizant of the high possibility that Noor and the other subjects may attempt to enter illegally into the United States through the Laredo Sector area of responsibility."
This is just the latest evidence that the nation’s borders are not secure and any talk regarding amnesty or illegal immigration is premature at best.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2010m4d6-72-earthquake-rocks-Northern-Mexico-three-die
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
7.2 earthquake rocks Northern Mexico- three die
The ground shook, the roads buckled and the Mexican people stood tall. In a completely unexpected turn of events, Mexico remained in tact after a 7.2 massive earthquake struck on Easter Sunday.
“Thank God it was Easter Sunday and families were enjoying what remained of a holiday afternoon,” said Laura De Valdez the mayor of Mexicali’s wife. Lucky indeed, the 7.2 magnitude quake shattered nerves and forced mineral water reeking of sulfur to the surface concerning the Guadalupe Victoria farming community located 25 miles south east of Mexicali.
The bulk of the damage was broken windows, downed power lines and stressed roadways.
After the major quake and aftershocks subsided the Mayor of Mexicali, Mexico, Rodolfo Valdez Gutierrez surveyed the community and was thankful there were only three deaths reported and approximately 200 minor injuries.
“We are asking the people in the region to conserve energy and try to not tie up the phones lines so we can get help to those who need it,” Mayor Gutierrez said. “We want everyone to remain calm as we survey the damage and get Mexicali back on line.”
Once assignments were handed out the Mayor of Mexicali met with Felipe Calderon the President of Mexico and toured the areas with the most damage. “The fact the President of Mexico took time to visit with the shaken people of Northern Mexico means a lot to us,” a relief victim said.
After the main trembler pushed through Baja, Mexico residents spilled onto the streets afraid their homes would collapse leaving most sleeping outdoors without electricity or running water.
As dawn broke Mexicans were clearly shaken by the dozens of aftershocks that rattled throughout the night. Doctors and nurses began making their way to area hospitals and relief centers looking to lend a hand.
In the border town of Mexicali, patients were treated outside the hospital itself due to the damage the health facility sustained after the 7.2 earthquake. As the day unfolded health officials began the process of assessing damage in the outlying areas and in particular the earthquake’s epicenter.
“The quake began with a hard up and down jolt, then it moved in a sideways motion. It was just like the movies,” said Dr. Alfredo Gruel head of Mexicali’s version of the Health and Human Services Department.
The day after the large quake, inconsistent numbers flooded the relief outpost. The epicenter was located near the rural farming community of Guadalupe Victoria that is the home to more than 6,700 families.
Once the word spread that help had arrived, hundreds showed up looking for various types of aid. The Mayor of Mexicali’s wife and her staff organized the relief center in Guadalupe Victoria’s main park.
Shaken residents were waiting in lines to collect food, water, blankets and medical supplies. “It was good to see that we did not have major injuries to deal with here, just cuts and bruises,” Valdez explained. “The medical doctors sat at stations checking vital signs and dispensing appropriate medication.”
Remarkably, the communities in and around the 7.2 earthquake withstood the violent shaking. Ramshackle homes that dot the side of the road were still upright and habitable. The concern moving forward will turn to getting the power and water up and running to prevent sickness, as summer is right around the corner.
The significant damage of property was reserved for newer large manufacturing buildings, objects inside homes, roads and power lines.
“The roads were pretty beat up, yet they were drivable,” said Dr. Gruel.
There was little damage in Tijuana, Mexico and vacationers were able to carrying on with activities despite the earthquake.
“No damage just a lot of scared people. The structures are all in tact in Tijuana and water and electric are working fine,” said Tijuana resident Mike Marin. “The phone system was a little sporadic, but I think it has to do with the saturation of the lines.”
The relief workers and government officials were quick to spring into action and they made sure those affected by the earthquake were calm and they received the necessary care.
The toughest part of the trip to Northern Mexico was crossing back into the U.S. Many families visiting relatives and tourists sought refuge north of the border creating a line that stretched miles and miles.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Mexicali Earthquake
Mexicali Earthquake
“Thank God it was Easter Sunday and families were enjoying what remained of a holiday afternoon,” said Laura De Valdez the mayor of Mexicali’s wife. Lucky indeed, the 7.2 magnitude quake shattered nerves and forced mineral water reeking of sulfur to the surface concerning the Guadalupe Victoria farming community located 25 miles south east of Mexicali.
The bulk of the damage was broken windows, downed power lines and stressed roadways.
After the major quake and aftershocks subsided the Mayor of Mexicali, Mexico, Rodolfo Valdez Gutierrez surveyed the community and was thankful there were only three deaths reported and approximately 200 minor injuries.
“We are asking the people in the region to conserve energy and try to not tie up the phones lines so we can get help to those who need it,” Mayor Gutierrez said. “We want everyone to remain calm as we survey the damage and get Mexicali back on line.”
Once assignments were handed out the Mayor of Mexicali met with Felipe Calderon the President of Mexico and toured the areas with the most damage. “The fact the President of Mexico took time to visit with the shaken people of Northern Mexico means a lot to us,” a relief victim said.
After the main trembler pushed through Baja, Mexico residents spilled onto the streets afraid their homes would collapse leaving most sleeping outdoors without electricity or running water.
As dawn broke Mexicans were clearly shaken by the dozens of aftershocks that rattled throughout the night. Doctors and nurses began making their way to area hospitals and relief centers looking to lend a hand.
In the border town of Mexicali, patients were treated outside the hospital itself due to the damage the health facility sustained after the 7.2 earthquake. As the day unfolded health officials began the process of assessing damage in the outlying areas and in particular the earthquake’s epicenter.
“The quake began with a hard up and down jolt, then it moved in a sideways motion. It was just like the movies,” said Dr. Alfredo Gruel head of Mexicali’s version of the Health and Human Services Department.
The day after the large quake, inconsistent numbers flooded the relief outpost. The epicenter was located near the rural farming community of Guadalupe Victoria that is the home to more than 6,700 families.
Once the word spread that help had arrived, hundreds showed up looking for various types of aid. The Mayor of Mexicali’s wife and her staff organized the relief center in Guadalupe Victoria’s main park.
Shaken residents were waiting in lines to collect food, water, blankets and medical supplies. “It was good to see that we did not have major injuries to deal with here, just cuts and bruises,” Valdez explained. “The medical doctors sat at stations checking vital signs and dispensing appropriate medication.”
Remarkably, the communities in and around the 7.2 earthquake withstood the violent shaking. Ramshackle homes that dot the side of the road were still upright and habitable. The concern moving forward will turn to getting the power and water up and running to prevent sickness, as summer is right around the corner.
The significant damage of property was reserved for newer large manufacturing buildings, objects inside homes, roads and power lines.
“The roads were pretty beat up, yet they were drivable,” said Dr. Gruel.
There was little damage in Tijuana, Mexico and vacationers were able to carrying on with activities despite the earthquake.
“No damage just a lot of scared people. The structures are all in tact in Tijuana and water and electric are working fine,” said Tijuana resident Mike Marin. “The phone system was a little sporadic, but I think it has to do with the saturation of the lines.”
The relief workers and government officials were quick to spring into action and they made sure those affected by the earthquake were calm and they received the necessary care.
The toughest part of the trip to Northern Mexico was crossing back into the U.S. Many families visiting relatives and tourists sought refuge north of the border creating a line that stretched miles and miles.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Mexicali Earthquake
Mexicali Earthquake
Friday, April 2, 2010
Tensions flare on Mexican border after murder of Arizona rancher
After the murder of Arizona rancher, Robert Krentz, residents and lawmakers alike have called for National Guard to be placed on border, however President Obama and DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano remain silent on the issue.
A new Rasmussen Reports poll puts an exclamation point on what Americans want when it comes to the U.S./Mexico border – 72 percent want the military placed on the border while 16 percent are happy with the status quo.
Arizona Senator John McCain’s (R-AZ) recent flip-flop when it comes to placing the military on the nation’s southern borders. The fact McCain is competing in his toughest primary race ever against conservative J.D. Hayworth have many speculating about McCain’s switch from his 2007 amnesty push to protecting the nation’s borders from the escalating drug cartel violence.
After the former presidential contender met with state officials, he sent a letter to the former governor of Arizona, Napolitano.
According to the letter McCain claims; “For years, I have called on the President to send National Guard troops to the border in an effort to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and narcotics. Most recently, I supported Governor Jan Brewer's request to place troops along Arizona’s border with Mexico. Unfortunately that request was rejected by this Administration. A year later, in light of the recent incidents and the continued growth of drug violence along the border, I am asking you and the Administration to immediately reconsider your position and send National Guard troops to our southern border region.”
This is contrary to Senator McCain’s position when he was pushing illegal immigration reform with Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) a few years ago.
“We must make the security of our borders one of our top national security priorities. The United States must also do all it can to assist the Mexican government in its efforts to combat these violent drug cartels. The prosperity and success of Mexico is essential to the prosperity and success of our own country. We share a border, our economies are intertwined, and we are major trading partners. The U.S. must show its support for our neighbor to the south and support the Mexican people and the Calderon Administration in this fundamental struggle against lawlessness and corruption,” the letter further reads.
The people of Arizona and the United States demand and deserve secure borders. McCain also plays on the heart strings by informing Napolitano the residents along the Arizona border’s need to feel protected and safe from the throngs on illegals trekking into the U.S. each day must be a top priority.
“I look forward to a swift and decisive response to this situation,” McCain said. While the letter is a step in the right direction and many Arizonians applaud the rhetoric, most believe it is simply more empty words.
However, after promising amnesty and not delivering it, the Obama Administration is adamant about not further alienating the Latino population and activist groups like La Raza. Most reform-minded folks want the floodgates to remain open so cheap labor can operate in a business as usual manner.
Three of the four border state governors are also demanding the National Guard be deployed to the Southern border region. California’s Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is the only state leader who has not weighed in on the recent violence in Arizona.
The lame duck governor suffers from extremely low approval numbers, just 23 percent of Californians approve of the terminator ‘s job performance, according to the recent Field Poll. His silence is likely to put a Democrat governor into the state capitol.
Schwarzenegger’s falling job approval can be directly linked to his weakness regarding border issues. For example the kidnapping and gang-style violence is creeping across the southern borders at an alarming rate.
A former Tijuana, Mexico Police officer was just arrested on suspicion of kidnapping in Los Angeles.
The suspect, Cesar Ariel Zapata-Landeros told an informant he was planning a kidnapping of a Tustin, California child. Zapata-Landeros planned to forcefully snatch the child, demand a $300,000 ransom and cut off fingers to encourage the family to comply with the ransom demands.
Thankfully the FBI intervened and arrested the suspect who had ties to the family and performed security work in the past.
California is one of the main destinations of choice for illegals. Just nine months ago a Mexican national trying to sneak into the U.S executed Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas near the border.
The violence continues unabated along the Texas border as well. A few weeks back three American’s who worked at the U.S. Consulate were targeted and murdered in Juarez, Mexico. The reason is simple - brazen drug cartels.
The war rages on and as the body count rises it has become clear America’s borders are more open than ever.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
A new Rasmussen Reports poll puts an exclamation point on what Americans want when it comes to the U.S./Mexico border – 72 percent want the military placed on the border while 16 percent are happy with the status quo.
Arizona Senator John McCain’s (R-AZ) recent flip-flop when it comes to placing the military on the nation’s southern borders. The fact McCain is competing in his toughest primary race ever against conservative J.D. Hayworth have many speculating about McCain’s switch from his 2007 amnesty push to protecting the nation’s borders from the escalating drug cartel violence.
After the former presidential contender met with state officials, he sent a letter to the former governor of Arizona, Napolitano.
According to the letter McCain claims; “For years, I have called on the President to send National Guard troops to the border in an effort to stop the flow of illegal immigrants and narcotics. Most recently, I supported Governor Jan Brewer's request to place troops along Arizona’s border with Mexico. Unfortunately that request was rejected by this Administration. A year later, in light of the recent incidents and the continued growth of drug violence along the border, I am asking you and the Administration to immediately reconsider your position and send National Guard troops to our southern border region.”
This is contrary to Senator McCain’s position when he was pushing illegal immigration reform with Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) a few years ago.
“We must make the security of our borders one of our top national security priorities. The United States must also do all it can to assist the Mexican government in its efforts to combat these violent drug cartels. The prosperity and success of Mexico is essential to the prosperity and success of our own country. We share a border, our economies are intertwined, and we are major trading partners. The U.S. must show its support for our neighbor to the south and support the Mexican people and the Calderon Administration in this fundamental struggle against lawlessness and corruption,” the letter further reads.
The people of Arizona and the United States demand and deserve secure borders. McCain also plays on the heart strings by informing Napolitano the residents along the Arizona border’s need to feel protected and safe from the throngs on illegals trekking into the U.S. each day must be a top priority.
“I look forward to a swift and decisive response to this situation,” McCain said. While the letter is a step in the right direction and many Arizonians applaud the rhetoric, most believe it is simply more empty words.
However, after promising amnesty and not delivering it, the Obama Administration is adamant about not further alienating the Latino population and activist groups like La Raza. Most reform-minded folks want the floodgates to remain open so cheap labor can operate in a business as usual manner.
Three of the four border state governors are also demanding the National Guard be deployed to the Southern border region. California’s Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is the only state leader who has not weighed in on the recent violence in Arizona.
The lame duck governor suffers from extremely low approval numbers, just 23 percent of Californians approve of the terminator ‘s job performance, according to the recent Field Poll. His silence is likely to put a Democrat governor into the state capitol.
Schwarzenegger’s falling job approval can be directly linked to his weakness regarding border issues. For example the kidnapping and gang-style violence is creeping across the southern borders at an alarming rate.
A former Tijuana, Mexico Police officer was just arrested on suspicion of kidnapping in Los Angeles.
The suspect, Cesar Ariel Zapata-Landeros told an informant he was planning a kidnapping of a Tustin, California child. Zapata-Landeros planned to forcefully snatch the child, demand a $300,000 ransom and cut off fingers to encourage the family to comply with the ransom demands.
Thankfully the FBI intervened and arrested the suspect who had ties to the family and performed security work in the past.
California is one of the main destinations of choice for illegals. Just nine months ago a Mexican national trying to sneak into the U.S executed Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas near the border.
The violence continues unabated along the Texas border as well. A few weeks back three American’s who worked at the U.S. Consulate were targeted and murdered in Juarez, Mexico. The reason is simple - brazen drug cartels.
The war rages on and as the body count rises it has become clear America’s borders are more open than ever.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
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