Only in America. In an effort to help those who are trying to break into our country, a University of California at San Diego professor has invented an application for cell phones to help illegals cross the border illegally, but safely.
Dismayed?
Not only has your tax dollars been used to design this GPS-type tool, but it will most likely be used in the giant push for amnesty. The pro-open borders crowd is quick to point out that this will help the tired and the weary, who are trying to cross the U.S. border illegally, make their way to water or the nearest town. These liberal activists don’t want any unnecessary deaths while illegal aliens attempt to break the law and cross the brutal desert terrain in an effort to reach the promise land.
Here’s a tip -don’t try to break into the country illegally. Try entering through the front door legally. Problem solved. No deaths, no need for cell phone apps and no illegal immigration.
The cell phone application works similar to the GPS system most new cars are outfitted with says the inventor, Ricardo Dominguez, a visual arts professor at UCSD. Dominguez claims he invented the Transborder Immigrant Tool to keep immigrants safe as they cross the treacherous desert climate.
However, not everyone agrees this is a good idea. Fellow professor of immigration policy at UCSD, Pete Nunez, who is also a retired U.S. Attorney, explained that people who are caught distributing these types of devices could be committing a crime. This program is used to assist people entering the country illegally. That’s a crime, according to Nunez.
The new application tool was not designed solely by Dominguez. He had some help, Enrique Morones a well-known open border advocate and activist for Border Angels a group that places water in bins across the east county desert, worked with Dominguez to create a program that would help those crossing the borders illegally arrive safe.
Working with other activists, Dominguez hopes to be able to offer the program on the internet free of charge and make the phones available to area churches so they can assist the next generation of illegal immigrants.
However sympathetic the new cell phone program may seem, it wasn’t so long ago this country was viciously attacked on 9/11. We have a border patrol force in place protecting our borders for a reason. Each day an unknown number of illegals cross into the U.S. illegally, many without pure intentions.
Border Sheriff, Sigi Gonzales of Zapata County Texas said, “Do we really want drug dealers, cop killers and MS13 gang members crossing into our country?”
He continues to explain that law enforcement has a tough enough time monitoring the borders why make it any easier for criminals?
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Monday, November 30, 2009
The health care debate begins -Senator Nelson pleads his case
With their belly’s full of turkey and stuffing, Senators will now look to dissecting the 2,000 page health care bill. The gigantic legislation is waiting to ignite the passionate Liberals and inflame the Conservatives; the lively debate will surely include fireworks over hot-button issues like the public-option and abortion.
The ensuing discussion will not be pretty, the sausage making process will include various special interests groups looking to take their place in the bureaucratic regulation and average citizens will look to their representatives to make the right decisions regarding an industry that carves out a huge part of the economy and affects every American citizen who visits a health care facility.
Current poll numbers from Rasmussen show lagging support for the Congressional and Presidential health care bill. Only 36 percent favor the legislation as it is written, while a staggering 59 percent oppose the health care reform package offered by Democrats.
Senior citizens have been following this legislation closer than anyone and have written letters to their Senators in large numbers. The following is a letter written by Senator Ben Nelson-D of Nebraska.
From: senator@bennelson.senate.gov [mailto:senator@bennelson.senate.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 3:44 PM
To: cd
Subject: Responding to your message
Dear Carol:
Thank you for contacting me regarding health care reform. I appreciate hearing from you on this critical issue.
As you may know, the greatest long-term economic concern our nation faces is out of control spending on health care. The Government Accountability Office said last year, “If there is one thing that could bankrupt America, its runaway healthcare costs.” Additionally, the Medicare program is predicted to become insolvent in 2017. We must not allow that to happen.
On November 21, 2009, the Senate held a vote, which I supported, on the motion to proceed to the bill currently before the Senate, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I would like to explain what a vote on the motion to proceed means because there has been a lot of commentary in the media, by special interest groups, and in Congress offering definitions. The motion to proceed is a vote to begin debate, consider amendments, and have an opportunity to make improvements. I anticipate weeks of debate and the consideration of dozens of amendments.
Some seek to define a vote for the motion to proceed as one in favor of or in opposition to the Senate bill; those who do so are either misinformed or intentionally trying to mislead people. Others define the vote as supporting or opposing President Obama and his agenda because they want him to either succeed or fail. And still others define it as the last chance to stop bad legislation because they have a political agenda.
All of this is more of the old Washington political gamesmanship with which Americans are fed up. Congress needs to be working together on a bipartisan basis for the good of the American people, and we need to take the time to craft the right health care bill. So, in reality, the meaning of the motion to proceed is very simple: It is a motion to commence debate, which will give the Senate the opportunity to make changes, and be pro-active on an issue affecting every American.
If the changes I believe must be made to this bill are not possible, I will oppose the second cloture motion to end debate (one which requires 60 votes) and ultimately oppose the final bill. But I will not slam the Senate doors in the face of fellow Nebraskans now. The Senate owes Americans a full and open debate to try to improve our health care system and make sure the changes are the right ones for Nebraskans.
I have posted links to the bill, as well as other resources pertaining to the current health care reform debate, on the Health Reform feature on my website at:
http://bennelson.senate.gov/feature_healthcare.cfm
I hope you find this information useful.
As I continue to scrutinize this legislation and do all I can to make positive changes, I will work to ensure that the final plan provides Americans with reliable and secure health care at all stages of their lives. The final health plan should reduce costs, extend the solvency of Medicare and be one which stresses prevention and wellness and improves quality in the delivery of health care services, while not raising taxes, increasing the deficit, rationing care, or funding abortions. These are some of the basic principles which will remain my guides as Congress works its way through this difficult issue.
I am truly thankful that so many Nebraskans such as yourself have shared their opinions and ideas with me on this crucial matter. Rest assured I will keep them in mind as Congress needs the input of all Americans to solve such an important issue.
Sincerely,
Ben Nelson
U.S. Senator
Carol’s reply:
Dear Mr. Nelson,
This “health care reform” bill has nothing to do with health care – and everything to do with the total control of citizens of this once-great Constitutional Republic. No where in the Constitution can you find justification for any of the provisions of this bill.
Nowhere in the Constitution (to which you took a Solemn Oath to protect) does it say a word about being forced to buy health insurance – or anything else mandated by government.
I strongly suggest that you read some information about the Constitution – including the Federalist Papers, which ‘explain’ the Constitution for those who might have a difficult time understanding what is said in that document which was the basis for this nation. The Constitution is the reason why this county grew in such a relatively short historical period and has grown into the strongest nation in the world – one to which millions of people in other nations look to for hope and freedom.
I think someone should have the moral courage to stand up one day in Congress and read the entire Constitution, even now, as amended over the years, that document is only 17 pages long.
You and your colleagues had better start planning now for a major shake up in Congress for the coming 2010 mid-term elections! We the people have awakened. To use what has become a seemingly trite saying, “You have awakened a Sleeping Giant”. There are more of us and our voices, when joined, are loud and strong. And we, sir, have the Constitution and God on our side.
Respectfully, Carol
Only time will tell if lawmakers in Washington will heed the American public’s strong objection to this legislation. With massive deficits, uncontrollable spending seems to be weighing on the minds of all citizens – employed or not.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
The ensuing discussion will not be pretty, the sausage making process will include various special interests groups looking to take their place in the bureaucratic regulation and average citizens will look to their representatives to make the right decisions regarding an industry that carves out a huge part of the economy and affects every American citizen who visits a health care facility.
Current poll numbers from Rasmussen show lagging support for the Congressional and Presidential health care bill. Only 36 percent favor the legislation as it is written, while a staggering 59 percent oppose the health care reform package offered by Democrats.
Senior citizens have been following this legislation closer than anyone and have written letters to their Senators in large numbers. The following is a letter written by Senator Ben Nelson-D of Nebraska.
From: senator@bennelson.senate.gov [mailto:senator@bennelson.senate.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 3:44 PM
To: cd
Subject: Responding to your message
Dear Carol:
Thank you for contacting me regarding health care reform. I appreciate hearing from you on this critical issue.
As you may know, the greatest long-term economic concern our nation faces is out of control spending on health care. The Government Accountability Office said last year, “If there is one thing that could bankrupt America, its runaway healthcare costs.” Additionally, the Medicare program is predicted to become insolvent in 2017. We must not allow that to happen.
On November 21, 2009, the Senate held a vote, which I supported, on the motion to proceed to the bill currently before the Senate, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I would like to explain what a vote on the motion to proceed means because there has been a lot of commentary in the media, by special interest groups, and in Congress offering definitions. The motion to proceed is a vote to begin debate, consider amendments, and have an opportunity to make improvements. I anticipate weeks of debate and the consideration of dozens of amendments.
Some seek to define a vote for the motion to proceed as one in favor of or in opposition to the Senate bill; those who do so are either misinformed or intentionally trying to mislead people. Others define the vote as supporting or opposing President Obama and his agenda because they want him to either succeed or fail. And still others define it as the last chance to stop bad legislation because they have a political agenda.
All of this is more of the old Washington political gamesmanship with which Americans are fed up. Congress needs to be working together on a bipartisan basis for the good of the American people, and we need to take the time to craft the right health care bill. So, in reality, the meaning of the motion to proceed is very simple: It is a motion to commence debate, which will give the Senate the opportunity to make changes, and be pro-active on an issue affecting every American.
If the changes I believe must be made to this bill are not possible, I will oppose the second cloture motion to end debate (one which requires 60 votes) and ultimately oppose the final bill. But I will not slam the Senate doors in the face of fellow Nebraskans now. The Senate owes Americans a full and open debate to try to improve our health care system and make sure the changes are the right ones for Nebraskans.
I have posted links to the bill, as well as other resources pertaining to the current health care reform debate, on the Health Reform feature on my website at:
http://bennelson.senate.gov/feature_healthcare.cfm
I hope you find this information useful.
As I continue to scrutinize this legislation and do all I can to make positive changes, I will work to ensure that the final plan provides Americans with reliable and secure health care at all stages of their lives. The final health plan should reduce costs, extend the solvency of Medicare and be one which stresses prevention and wellness and improves quality in the delivery of health care services, while not raising taxes, increasing the deficit, rationing care, or funding abortions. These are some of the basic principles which will remain my guides as Congress works its way through this difficult issue.
I am truly thankful that so many Nebraskans such as yourself have shared their opinions and ideas with me on this crucial matter. Rest assured I will keep them in mind as Congress needs the input of all Americans to solve such an important issue.
Sincerely,
Ben Nelson
U.S. Senator
Carol’s reply:
Dear Mr. Nelson,
This “health care reform” bill has nothing to do with health care – and everything to do with the total control of citizens of this once-great Constitutional Republic. No where in the Constitution can you find justification for any of the provisions of this bill.
Nowhere in the Constitution (to which you took a Solemn Oath to protect) does it say a word about being forced to buy health insurance – or anything else mandated by government.
I strongly suggest that you read some information about the Constitution – including the Federalist Papers, which ‘explain’ the Constitution for those who might have a difficult time understanding what is said in that document which was the basis for this nation. The Constitution is the reason why this county grew in such a relatively short historical period and has grown into the strongest nation in the world – one to which millions of people in other nations look to for hope and freedom.
I think someone should have the moral courage to stand up one day in Congress and read the entire Constitution, even now, as amended over the years, that document is only 17 pages long.
You and your colleagues had better start planning now for a major shake up in Congress for the coming 2010 mid-term elections! We the people have awakened. To use what has become a seemingly trite saying, “You have awakened a Sleeping Giant”. There are more of us and our voices, when joined, are loud and strong. And we, sir, have the Constitution and God on our side.
Respectfully, Carol
Only time will tell if lawmakers in Washington will heed the American public’s strong objection to this legislation. With massive deficits, uncontrollable spending seems to be weighing on the minds of all citizens – employed or not.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Friday, November 27, 2009
Democrats propose tax increase to fund new jobs
If you are in the stock market you may see increased taxes soon to fund a new job program Congress is trying to pass before the end of the year. The legislation is currently being drafted in the House by Democrats and they are seeking to place a tax on stock market investors in order to create badly needed jobs.
Now that the $787 billion stimulus package has failed to ease the unemployment numbers facing the country, Democrats will now reach into their playbook and raise stock market taxes. The .25 percent tax is part of the “Let Wall Street Pay for the Restoration of Main Street Act of 2009,” and will give Congress the new power to create jobs.
The bill doesn’t come without skeptics and Americans aren’t convinced the federal government is able to take on this noble challenge. The bill is deceiving from the get go as it hopes to raise $150 billion, half of which will pay down the deficit and then create a new jobs reserve. This sounds vaguely similar to another bureaucratic entity which requires money and produces little results.
The White House is facing declining poll numbers and insiders point to the rising unemployment numbers as the main reason lawmakers are so unpopular. However, House leader Nancy Pelosi raised some concerns about the tax hike on Wall Street and said the only way this new program will work is if other countries pursue similar tactics.
According to the sponsors of the bill Rep. Peter DeFazio-D OR and Rep. Ed Perlmutter-D CO, the program would need to create jobs that pay at least the median wage in the U.S. Also the proposed legislation would prevent recipients of stimulus money from returning to the cookie jar.
Legislator’s claim the new tax wouldn’t hurt Wall Street and said it was about time they ponied up to the table and supported Main Street. Among the leading groups who support the new tax are the Service Union Employees International (SEIU) and the AFL-CIO union.
It looks like all those White House visits by Andy Stern, SEIU's front man, are about to pay off in the form of more wealth redistribution.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Now that the $787 billion stimulus package has failed to ease the unemployment numbers facing the country, Democrats will now reach into their playbook and raise stock market taxes. The .25 percent tax is part of the “Let Wall Street Pay for the Restoration of Main Street Act of 2009,” and will give Congress the new power to create jobs.
The bill doesn’t come without skeptics and Americans aren’t convinced the federal government is able to take on this noble challenge. The bill is deceiving from the get go as it hopes to raise $150 billion, half of which will pay down the deficit and then create a new jobs reserve. This sounds vaguely similar to another bureaucratic entity which requires money and produces little results.
The White House is facing declining poll numbers and insiders point to the rising unemployment numbers as the main reason lawmakers are so unpopular. However, House leader Nancy Pelosi raised some concerns about the tax hike on Wall Street and said the only way this new program will work is if other countries pursue similar tactics.
According to the sponsors of the bill Rep. Peter DeFazio-D OR and Rep. Ed Perlmutter-D CO, the program would need to create jobs that pay at least the median wage in the U.S. Also the proposed legislation would prevent recipients of stimulus money from returning to the cookie jar.
Legislator’s claim the new tax wouldn’t hurt Wall Street and said it was about time they ponied up to the table and supported Main Street. Among the leading groups who support the new tax are the Service Union Employees International (SEIU) and the AFL-CIO union.
It looks like all those White House visits by Andy Stern, SEIU's front man, are about to pay off in the form of more wealth redistribution.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
It's dumpster diving for documents at ACORN
What comes to mind when you think about document cover-ups? Watergate? Perhaps, Sandy Berger stuffing his pants full of classified documents from the National Archives in Washington D.C.? Now we can add ACORN to that list.
ACORN in San Diego first came under fire when they fell for the old pimp and prostitute number that included opening a sex den with taxpayer money and sneaking under-age El Salvadorian girls into the U.S. to perform sex acts for perverts.
The excuse for that indiscretion was the employee spoke English as a second language and didn’t understand what the undercover filmmakers were saying. Really? That particular employee, Juan Carlos Vera, was thrown under the bus and fired the next day.
In a phone interview David Lagstein, San Diego ACORN director explained, “Our employee was guilty of bad judgment and he was terminated. There is no story here. The San Diego Republican party is trying to play gotcha politics, nothing more.”
In an effort to shine up ACORN’s tarnished image Lagstein, announced at a Democratic meeting that he had spoken with the State Attorney General, Jerry Brown and was told the fault would placed on the videographers, not ACORN.
He explained the State of California’s AG, Brown is a “political animal.” Brown is expected to be the front runner for an upcoming California governor’s race, making the ACORN investigation a particularly tricky problem due to the new audio tapes that have surfaced and document dumping just days before his office was set to investigate.
In a written statement, Evan Westrup wrote “The Attorney General's Office has contacted the office of the individual who allegedly recovered these documents and has requested that he turn over all information which he believes relates to a violation of law or otherwise relates to our investigation.”
“There is absolutely no truth to the assertion that the Attorney General's Office has come to any conclusions or that the investigation is complete,” Westrup said. “This investigation, like all investigations conducted by the Attorney General's Office, will be fair, comprehensive and independent.”
However, ACORN’s devious days are not over. Now they have dumped more than 20,000 documents into their trash dumpster. Some of the documents that were found included; Social Security numbers, driver licenses, birth dates, credit card numbers, cancel checks, bank mortgage paper work, various official applications and food stamp paperwork.
Again ACORN had an answer. “It’s routine for ACORN offices to empty office files to make way for upcoming projects and employees must have inadvertently thrown out the wrong documents,” said Amy Schur, California State Organizer for ACORN.
Unfortunately for ACORN, San Diego private detective, Derrick Roach happened to be driving by and video tape ACORN employees take numerous bags to the garbage dumpster.
“It’s careless disregard for the people that ACORN claims to be helping,” Roach said. “They put people’s lives at risk. This was a massive data breech.”
In the meantime the excuses and blame continue at the San Diego ACORN office. “We are looking to attorneys and the District Attorneys office to file charges against the man who took the documents.”
Tony Krvaric, Chairman of the San Diego Republican Party lambasted the ACORN office at a press conference and called it “a massive data breach, at the very least, of individuals who have come to ACORN for help and assistance.” He continued to say ACORN’s failure to protect or shred the documents “is an absolute affront to every San Diegan.”
Brown spokesman Westrup said yesterday the attorney general’s investigation into ACORN is ongoing. The Oct. 15 meeting in National City was scheduled in advance by both parties. Strangely this makes the ACORN October 9th document dump perfect timing.
However, document dumping isn’t only happening in San Diego, yesterday it was reported by BigGovernment.com that another Oklahoma ACORN office has dumped paperwork into the trash and left items behind in an abandoned office. The landlord of the Oklahoma office says he is owed several months back rent.
One of the documents left by ACORN employees in Oklahoma was quite revealing and offered advice to staff members on how to win political races. The document read; “Become an influential organization by shaping a handful of strategic legislative districts that, by themselves, can change that controls the state legislature. In other words, by taking credit for controlling some swing seats that return state senate power to progressives in 2008 and the state house to progressives in 2010, ACORN may not have members in a majority of districts, but we will be seen as the force that is making Oklahoma a progressive state in the way that it was 100 years ago.”
“By using this power to win significant changes for working people, by the end of our 5 years, we will have legitimized the progressive takeover of the statehouse and head into 2012 with a real possibility of changing what Oklahomans look for and expect out of their Congressional delegation.”
In another ACORN story, the battered organization has put together a lawsuit and will sue the federal government for halting funding at the height of the company hoopla. The group contends Congress and the federal government have tarnished their fundraising abilities.
Finally it’s quite clear that BigGovernment.com’s Andrew Brietbart is not going to back off until a meaningful investigation takes place in California as well as Washington D.C.
“The questions millions want to know now, that ACORN has again brazenly mocked our nation’s laws; will Eric Holder and Jerry Brown do their jobs?” Brietbart explained this is only the beginning of all the documents and if Holder fails to conduct a full investigation of ACORN, BigGovernment.com will continue to release tapes and documents leading up to the 2010 elections making it embarrassing for Democrats.
It looks like BigGovernment.com has an early Christmas present for the folks at ACORN.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
ACORN in San Diego first came under fire when they fell for the old pimp and prostitute number that included opening a sex den with taxpayer money and sneaking under-age El Salvadorian girls into the U.S. to perform sex acts for perverts.
The excuse for that indiscretion was the employee spoke English as a second language and didn’t understand what the undercover filmmakers were saying. Really? That particular employee, Juan Carlos Vera, was thrown under the bus and fired the next day.
In a phone interview David Lagstein, San Diego ACORN director explained, “Our employee was guilty of bad judgment and he was terminated. There is no story here. The San Diego Republican party is trying to play gotcha politics, nothing more.”
In an effort to shine up ACORN’s tarnished image Lagstein, announced at a Democratic meeting that he had spoken with the State Attorney General, Jerry Brown and was told the fault would placed on the videographers, not ACORN.
He explained the State of California’s AG, Brown is a “political animal.” Brown is expected to be the front runner for an upcoming California governor’s race, making the ACORN investigation a particularly tricky problem due to the new audio tapes that have surfaced and document dumping just days before his office was set to investigate.
In a written statement, Evan Westrup wrote “The Attorney General's Office has contacted the office of the individual who allegedly recovered these documents and has requested that he turn over all information which he believes relates to a violation of law or otherwise relates to our investigation.”
“There is absolutely no truth to the assertion that the Attorney General's Office has come to any conclusions or that the investigation is complete,” Westrup said. “This investigation, like all investigations conducted by the Attorney General's Office, will be fair, comprehensive and independent.”
However, ACORN’s devious days are not over. Now they have dumped more than 20,000 documents into their trash dumpster. Some of the documents that were found included; Social Security numbers, driver licenses, birth dates, credit card numbers, cancel checks, bank mortgage paper work, various official applications and food stamp paperwork.
Again ACORN had an answer. “It’s routine for ACORN offices to empty office files to make way for upcoming projects and employees must have inadvertently thrown out the wrong documents,” said Amy Schur, California State Organizer for ACORN.
Unfortunately for ACORN, San Diego private detective, Derrick Roach happened to be driving by and video tape ACORN employees take numerous bags to the garbage dumpster.
“It’s careless disregard for the people that ACORN claims to be helping,” Roach said. “They put people’s lives at risk. This was a massive data breech.”
In the meantime the excuses and blame continue at the San Diego ACORN office. “We are looking to attorneys and the District Attorneys office to file charges against the man who took the documents.”
Tony Krvaric, Chairman of the San Diego Republican Party lambasted the ACORN office at a press conference and called it “a massive data breach, at the very least, of individuals who have come to ACORN for help and assistance.” He continued to say ACORN’s failure to protect or shred the documents “is an absolute affront to every San Diegan.”
Brown spokesman Westrup said yesterday the attorney general’s investigation into ACORN is ongoing. The Oct. 15 meeting in National City was scheduled in advance by both parties. Strangely this makes the ACORN October 9th document dump perfect timing.
However, document dumping isn’t only happening in San Diego, yesterday it was reported by BigGovernment.com that another Oklahoma ACORN office has dumped paperwork into the trash and left items behind in an abandoned office. The landlord of the Oklahoma office says he is owed several months back rent.
One of the documents left by ACORN employees in Oklahoma was quite revealing and offered advice to staff members on how to win political races. The document read; “Become an influential organization by shaping a handful of strategic legislative districts that, by themselves, can change that controls the state legislature. In other words, by taking credit for controlling some swing seats that return state senate power to progressives in 2008 and the state house to progressives in 2010, ACORN may not have members in a majority of districts, but we will be seen as the force that is making Oklahoma a progressive state in the way that it was 100 years ago.”
“By using this power to win significant changes for working people, by the end of our 5 years, we will have legitimized the progressive takeover of the statehouse and head into 2012 with a real possibility of changing what Oklahomans look for and expect out of their Congressional delegation.”
In another ACORN story, the battered organization has put together a lawsuit and will sue the federal government for halting funding at the height of the company hoopla. The group contends Congress and the federal government have tarnished their fundraising abilities.
Finally it’s quite clear that BigGovernment.com’s Andrew Brietbart is not going to back off until a meaningful investigation takes place in California as well as Washington D.C.
“The questions millions want to know now, that ACORN has again brazenly mocked our nation’s laws; will Eric Holder and Jerry Brown do their jobs?” Brietbart explained this is only the beginning of all the documents and if Holder fails to conduct a full investigation of ACORN, BigGovernment.com will continue to release tapes and documents leading up to the 2010 elections making it embarrassing for Democrats.
It looks like BigGovernment.com has an early Christmas present for the folks at ACORN.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Crime and loyal operatives part of Mexico strategy to undermine U.S.; bridges provide the path
The current of the Rio Grande drags the pebbles and water through the tale of two cities. Those who reside on the U.S. side of El Paso count their blessings to be living in the second safest small city behind Honolulu; while a hop, skip and jump across the bridge sits Mexico’s most violent city of Juarez, where murder, chaos and drug cartels are commonplace.
Juarez has become the new Nuevo Laredo of 2009 and is a throw back into the wild west, gun battles in the streets, unidentified bodies taken away by the dozen; yet one thing protects the seemingly innocence of American lifestyle – the bridges. http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m11d24-Crime-part-of-Mexico-strategy-to-undermine-US-corruption-abounds-at-Juarez-bridge
Juarez has become the new Nuevo Laredo of 2009 and is a throw back into the wild west, gun battles in the streets, unidentified bodies taken away by the dozen; yet one thing protects the seemingly innocence of American lifestyle – the bridges. http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m11d24-Crime-part-of-Mexico-strategy-to-undermine-US-corruption-abounds-at-Juarez-bridge
Monday, November 23, 2009
Planners of 9/11 terrorist attacks to plead not guilty in New York City
The attorney for at least one of the 9/11 attack planners announced that Ali Abdal al-Aziz Ali would plea not guilty in a New York court room. However, the alleged terrorist will not deny his role in the planning of a terrorist attack that rocked New York City and ultimately killed more than 3,000 people.
Attorney Scott Fenstermaker said his client will use the New York federal court trial as a platform to express his political view and explain why he attacked the country. According to the attorney representing al-Aziz Ali, the five 9/11 terrorists have been discussing the trial among themselves at their current residence in Guantanamo Bay.
Fenstermaker claims the defendants will explain “their assessment of American foreign policy in the courtroom.”
The trial is expected to get under way sometime next year in New York and the security price tag has soared past the $75 million mark, something that has sparked opposition debate as to the soundness of trying war criminals in open federal court.
In an interview with Fox News, the father of Todd Breamer, who uttered the now famous words “let’s roll” aboard flight 93, explained his profound objection to the terrorist ability to use U.S. courtrooms as a platform to expose radical views and insult the victim’s families all over again.
David Breamer was able to attend the Senate Judiciary hearing last week where Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General pointed out that the suspected terrorists would receive a fair trial. President Obama also weighed in on this issue and stated he was confident the terrorists would receive a guilty verdict and pay the ultimate price – death.
Breamer wrote an Op-Ed in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal in which he referred to the New York City trial as September 11th the sequel.
With his eyes and ears open to the legal process Beamer said, “This showed a political system that we have a ruling party. The decision to try the terrorists in open court is a violation of the oath he (Holder) took, I believe, that he is duty bound to protect our country and uphold the Constitution.”
The trial comes with unnecessary risks and forces New Yorkers to face ramped up security during the trial, according to Breamer. “These evil people have confessed their guilt already and have asked to be executed. We should quickly grant their wish.”
The "left-minded decision" of allowing these terrorists a platform will only cause insecurities among the 9/11 survivors and leave taxpayers with another unnecessary tax burden, he finished.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Attorney Scott Fenstermaker said his client will use the New York federal court trial as a platform to express his political view and explain why he attacked the country. According to the attorney representing al-Aziz Ali, the five 9/11 terrorists have been discussing the trial among themselves at their current residence in Guantanamo Bay.
Fenstermaker claims the defendants will explain “their assessment of American foreign policy in the courtroom.”
The trial is expected to get under way sometime next year in New York and the security price tag has soared past the $75 million mark, something that has sparked opposition debate as to the soundness of trying war criminals in open federal court.
In an interview with Fox News, the father of Todd Breamer, who uttered the now famous words “let’s roll” aboard flight 93, explained his profound objection to the terrorist ability to use U.S. courtrooms as a platform to expose radical views and insult the victim’s families all over again.
David Breamer was able to attend the Senate Judiciary hearing last week where Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General pointed out that the suspected terrorists would receive a fair trial. President Obama also weighed in on this issue and stated he was confident the terrorists would receive a guilty verdict and pay the ultimate price – death.
Breamer wrote an Op-Ed in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal in which he referred to the New York City trial as September 11th the sequel.
With his eyes and ears open to the legal process Beamer said, “This showed a political system that we have a ruling party. The decision to try the terrorists in open court is a violation of the oath he (Holder) took, I believe, that he is duty bound to protect our country and uphold the Constitution.”
The trial comes with unnecessary risks and forces New Yorkers to face ramped up security during the trial, according to Breamer. “These evil people have confessed their guilt already and have asked to be executed. We should quickly grant their wish.”
The "left-minded decision" of allowing these terrorists a platform will only cause insecurities among the 9/11 survivors and leave taxpayers with another unnecessary tax burden, he finished.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Global warming skeptics seize emails that cast doubt on climate change
Global warming skeptics seize emails that cast doubt on climate change
Global warming skeptics were quick to pillage through emails after hackers broke into the server of a prominent British university that researches climate change.
The hackers were successful in obtaining emails that allegedly prove global warming is overstated and human influence on the environment is overstated.
Documents within the hacked email include discussion among researchers whether current trends could be disputed by skeptics and how to best combat those arguments.
Drafts of the technical documents and photos were discovered that could spark major debates in the world of science and administrations that are promoting economic policy based on the results of that scientific theory. For those who remain leery about whether the globe is actually warming or cooling, these documents could shed negative light within the scientific community.
According to a climatologist who faults the current global-warming hysteria, Patrick Michaels says, “This is not a smoking gun; this is a mushroom cloud.”
However, it is revealed that the bulk of the emails were simply about how best to describe the cooling trend currently taking place and how it contradicts what researchers predicted in the past.
The skeptic web sites pointed to one line that leads them to believe the science behind global warming is a hoax, “The fact is that we can’t account for the lack of warming at the moment and it is a travesty that we can’t,” wrote Dr. Kevin Trenberth a climatologist for the National Center for Atmospheric Research in a report from Fox News.
It was confirmed by officials at University of East Anglia that their server had been hacked, but they refused to authenticate material showing up on the Internet throughout the world.
The Telegraph.co.uk printed more contemptuous emails that suggest the researchers manipulated evidence and had private doubts about the reality of global warming.
One thing is certain there is a lot of disagreement between countries regarding climate change and as the Al Gore’s of the world look to Copenhagen in December to lament world policy and set stringent guidelines for companies to follow, global-warming alarmist may have to wait for science to actually catch-up to their philosophy.
For more stories;
Global warming skeptics were quick to pillage through emails after hackers broke into the server of a prominent British university that researches climate change.
The hackers were successful in obtaining emails that allegedly prove global warming is overstated and human influence on the environment is overstated.
Documents within the hacked email include discussion among researchers whether current trends could be disputed by skeptics and how to best combat those arguments.
Drafts of the technical documents and photos were discovered that could spark major debates in the world of science and administrations that are promoting economic policy based on the results of that scientific theory. For those who remain leery about whether the globe is actually warming or cooling, these documents could shed negative light within the scientific community.
According to a climatologist who faults the current global-warming hysteria, Patrick Michaels says, “This is not a smoking gun; this is a mushroom cloud.”
However, it is revealed that the bulk of the emails were simply about how best to describe the cooling trend currently taking place and how it contradicts what researchers predicted in the past.
The skeptic web sites pointed to one line that leads them to believe the science behind global warming is a hoax, “The fact is that we can’t account for the lack of warming at the moment and it is a travesty that we can’t,” wrote Dr. Kevin Trenberth a climatologist for the National Center for Atmospheric Research in a report from Fox News.
It was confirmed by officials at University of East Anglia that their server had been hacked, but they refused to authenticate material showing up on the Internet throughout the world.
The Telegraph.co.uk printed more contemptuous emails that suggest the researchers manipulated evidence and had private doubts about the reality of global warming.
One thing is certain there is a lot of disagreement between countries regarding climate change and as the Al Gore’s of the world look to Copenhagen in December to lament world policy and set stringent guidelines for companies to follow, global-warming alarmist may have to wait for science to actually catch-up to their philosophy.
For more stories;
Friday, November 20, 2009
Obamacare heads to Senate for Saturday Night vote
A severe recession, double-digit unemployment, record foreclosures and $12 trillion debt doesn’t paint a very rosy picture about the country’s future; Americans across the country are working harder and longer to meet their monthly budget – not Washington D.C.
As Washington prepares for a rare weekend vote, American’s are bracing for the surprises that are sure to pop out of the massive 2,000 page health care reform bill.
An issue sure to take center stage is the payroll tax increase. According to reports, the Senate legislation includes $376 billion in new taxes. These taxes are expected to trickle down to every American.
Experts agree that raising payroll taxes will dampen any new hiring and curtail business expansion, the result will have the opposite effect the American people are looking for.
Page nine of the Senate health care bill discusses the public option. While there may be different ideas as to the viability of the public option, one thing is certain, it in theory is supposed to offer lower-cost health insurance to those who have trouble obtaining insurance.
The Senate’s version of public-option will actually cost more than similar plans offered by companies such as Blue Cross/Shield, again not what the beltway promised Democrat voters during the Presidential campaign.
The Administration also floated a trial balloon this week regarding guidelines for women’s mammograms. They used a government panel within the Health and Human Services Department as the lapdog and the net result was outraged women crying this was only the beginning of government rationing.
The ‘Doctor fix’ which amounts to $210 billion in payment to physicians has been kicked out of the health care bill because the cost would send this legislation past the trillion dollar mark. This in turn will tack on billions to an already out-of-control federal deficit.
Another key point to keep in mind is that union leaders are supporting this plan, not only with purple shirts, but greenbacks. Millions of dollars have been spent to support Obamacare.
Leading the health care charge is Service Employees International Union’s Andy Stern. Unionization of the health care workers is at the top of his wish list and it looks like Santa may deliver this to him as Stern has topped the White House visitor list with 23 visits to the Oval Office.
However, unions cost money. The Heritage Foundation estimates the boost in health care union money would add up to $27 billion in the first year. They also project the total cost for out years 2013-2018 will be in the neighborhood of $192 billion.
The cost of the bill isn’t solely targeted to tax increases or decreased benefits. On page 432, Senate Leader Harry Reid-D NV offers a bribe to Senator Mary Landrieu-D of LA in the form of tax relief for her state. A $100 million tax-relief bribe.
Even more troubling is the real cost of the health care bill over the 10-year period will be $2.5 trillion, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
No doubt the mega bill holds many more surprises for Americans; the question remains will the Senate surprise the President on Saturday night with a no vote?
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
As Washington prepares for a rare weekend vote, American’s are bracing for the surprises that are sure to pop out of the massive 2,000 page health care reform bill.
An issue sure to take center stage is the payroll tax increase. According to reports, the Senate legislation includes $376 billion in new taxes. These taxes are expected to trickle down to every American.
Experts agree that raising payroll taxes will dampen any new hiring and curtail business expansion, the result will have the opposite effect the American people are looking for.
Page nine of the Senate health care bill discusses the public option. While there may be different ideas as to the viability of the public option, one thing is certain, it in theory is supposed to offer lower-cost health insurance to those who have trouble obtaining insurance.
The Senate’s version of public-option will actually cost more than similar plans offered by companies such as Blue Cross/Shield, again not what the beltway promised Democrat voters during the Presidential campaign.
The Administration also floated a trial balloon this week regarding guidelines for women’s mammograms. They used a government panel within the Health and Human Services Department as the lapdog and the net result was outraged women crying this was only the beginning of government rationing.
The ‘Doctor fix’ which amounts to $210 billion in payment to physicians has been kicked out of the health care bill because the cost would send this legislation past the trillion dollar mark. This in turn will tack on billions to an already out-of-control federal deficit.
Another key point to keep in mind is that union leaders are supporting this plan, not only with purple shirts, but greenbacks. Millions of dollars have been spent to support Obamacare.
Leading the health care charge is Service Employees International Union’s Andy Stern. Unionization of the health care workers is at the top of his wish list and it looks like Santa may deliver this to him as Stern has topped the White House visitor list with 23 visits to the Oval Office.
However, unions cost money. The Heritage Foundation estimates the boost in health care union money would add up to $27 billion in the first year. They also project the total cost for out years 2013-2018 will be in the neighborhood of $192 billion.
The cost of the bill isn’t solely targeted to tax increases or decreased benefits. On page 432, Senate Leader Harry Reid-D NV offers a bribe to Senator Mary Landrieu-D of LA in the form of tax relief for her state. A $100 million tax-relief bribe.
Even more troubling is the real cost of the health care bill over the 10-year period will be $2.5 trillion, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
No doubt the mega bill holds many more surprises for Americans; the question remains will the Senate surprise the President on Saturday night with a no vote?
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Thursday, November 19, 2009
U.S gives Mexico keys to open borders and amnesty
Congressman calls for investigation on Sutton and House of Death
Mexico’s culture of corruption is synonymous with the drug dealers, Federales as well as the government. It is no secret business south of the border is handled with a greasy handshake full of money, but what’s surprising to most Americans are the major trade deals cut to benefit our neighbor to the south.
Why has America bent over backwards to create free trade and open borders with such an uncooperative neighbor? What has Mexico given up for the sake of our benefit? Still thinking? It could take awhile.
Mexico is a country filled with natural resources. There is plenty of fertile land for crops, it lays claim to a massive amount of oil and contains thousands of miles of sandy beaches for tourists to frolic on. So why does this country, so close to the successes of its North American neighbor continue to stagnate in corruption and remain an oligarchy?
For the meantime America is the sole superpower. But unlike the past, American administrations have made mistakes and those blunders translated into some bad deals for the American people.
So where did it begin to go wrong?
Beginning in 2002/03 the American government was in the business of trying to catch the bad guys in Juarez and in the midst of catching the murderous cartel members, ICE found itself involved in a dozen murders.
The murders took place in Juarez, Mexico at the now infamous ‘House of Death.’ Twelve murders should have shook Mexico awake and dealt a blow to the American law enforcement community. Strangely it did not. Mexico would hold on to that huge mistake and smartly use it to their advantage at a later date.
This would now become the first major law enforcement cover-up in the Bush “W” White House.
While 12 murders are taking place under the watchful eye of ICE, a mistake is made and it nearly cost the lives of several DEA agents assigned to the Juarez office. This would forever be known as the catalyst point. Once a senior DEA agent Sandalio Gonzalez learns of ICE’s shenanigans, he writes a letter and begins a paper trail.
When Gonzalez learned about the House of Death details he rightly knows something is afoul. He then writes his ICE counterpart and the office of U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton formally demanding accountability for the missteps that led to the U.S. knowing and allegedly participating in 12 murders.
It is worth pointing out that there is no statute of limitations for murder.
“Over the past five and a half years I found a trail that didn’t make sense regarding economic disparities and the undermining of national security. All paths led right back to the El Paso Region because everyone understood Mexico was holding something over us. The pattern was easily documented and verifiable. Ultimately it all led back to the House of Death,” says Andy Ramirez, president of the California based nonprofit Law Enforcement Officers Advocates Council, who documented a pattern of prosecutorial abuse by Justice, and misrepresentations of fact by Homeland Security.
With an internal cover-up in play, Mexico was in position to play the House of Death card in 2004 and thereafter due to the failure of the U.S. government to clean house. This would eventually somewhat play out in federal court in December 2006 where sworn testimony of Michelle Leonhart, then DEA Deputy Administrator places responsibility for the House of Death squarely on ICE.
When Leonhart was asked if ICE was responsible, she responded, “ICE was responsible, yes…ICE caused the incident.”
At this point, former U.S. Attorney Pete Nunez said, “heads should have rolled in this case.” Yet no high-ranking U.S. officials lost their jobs, nor were they prosecuted.
This simple fact, coupled with a massive cover-up and Mexico’s silence would allow Mexico to gain favorable economic and immigration related concessions while restructuring U.S. border security- with a very complicit Bush White House.
Uncovering the favors for the Mexican Government
Now that the cover-up is in full swing a pair of meetings would take place in Crawford, TX with Mexico’s President Vicente Fox and U.S. President Bush. During the first meeting in March of 2004, Mexico and the U.S. reached a critical agreement that allowed Mexicans with short-term visas to cross the border without being fingerprinted and photographed by U.S. authorities. The respective leaders also began a discussion of a “Guest Worker Plan” or amnesty.
In April of 2004 a plea agreement was reached regarding the murders in the House of Death case. The cartel leader, Heriberto Santillan pled guilty to drug trafficking while the murder charges were dropped. He accepted 25 years in a U.S. prison courtesy of Sutton. This plea deal ensured that Johnny Boy and the Bush Administration would not have to go into court where the gruesome tortures and murders, as well as the case mismanagement by Sutton’s office and ICE (the very things being covered-up) would be exposed in the light of day.
One can conclude that Sutton was placed all along in the position of gatekeeper to protect the White House. Along with his partner in crime Alberto Gonzales, who went from Special Counsel to the President to Attorney General, both would be able to protect all the Bush Administration’s policies regarding Mexico.
It was also during this time that Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, El Paso Border Patrol Agents, found themselves in a heap of trouble regarding shots fired at a known drug dealer. Sutton was the prosecuting attorney in this case, and in another case involving illegal aliens, that being Edwards County Deputy Sheriff Gilmer Hernandez.
“This case (Ramos-Compean) was a skunk. It had a terrible odor,” explains Congressman Walter B. Jones-R NC. “I always wondered why there was no investigation in this matter and why the Mexican Government had so much sway in this American case involving Border Patrol Agents.”
For Jones and a few other Senior Congressional members the story is becoming increasingly clear, referring to the House of Death. “This conspiracy, corruption and cover-up screams for immediate Congressional investigation,” Jones said matter of factly.
“Wrong is wrong, and after reading more about this case it was expected that Sutton would have shut down the House of Death case after the first murder. He did not. We need to remember we are a nation of laws,” Jones finished.
However, these favors for Mexico did not just involve the questionable prosecutions of law enforcement officers.
Marginalizing the Border Patrol
Soon after in June 2004, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge releases an internal memorandum, which prohibited race profiling as an enforcement method.
U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Temecula Border Patrol Sector were conducting interior enforcement operations in Ontario, CA, which resulted in condemnation by the Mexican government and Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus claiming race profiling. Such actions have continued to this day when it comes to immigration enforcement.
June would prove to be a busy month for the Mexican government.
A Social Security Totalization Agreement was signed with Mexico. This agreement would put millions of illegal Mexican workers into the U.S. Social Security system. It is alleged that they would collect U.S. benefits based on their U.S earnings under false or stolen Social Security numbers plus earnings in Mexico. Opponents claimed this pact would further lure illegal immigration, and remain a key component for the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America.
On July 1, 2004 David V. Aguilar became Chief of the Border Patrol after being named to the position in May 2004. The appointment of Aguilar, Chief Patrol Agent of Tucson Sector, was key as he immediately began restructuring the patrol from which many controversial internal events began to inexplicably shape.
This brings us back to Andy Ramirez who stated, “It was the appointment of David Aguilar where the Border Patrol was destroyed from within. Very quickly, I had sources consisting of active duty and retired agents telling me that Mexico was running all the sectors and stations along the southwest border. In a very short time an agency who’s motto was ‘Honor First’ became one of ‘no confidence’ where their own employees would be filled with mistrust and fear of the very government they were willing to die for defending our front lines.”
By the end of summer 2004 a “gag” order was put in place by the Department of Homeland Security ending any unauthorized discussion or statements by its’ employees with the public and media. This was needed to stop any whistle blowing within the department or comments by agents to the media regarding the outrageous policies of the Bush Administration.
It is also worth pointing out that the formation of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 was critical in bringing immigration and customs law enforcement agencies together under one umbrella and squelch any stray employees’ opposition to these types of matters.
DHS now had the Border Patrol, Customs, and ICE all within one roof. No one could step out of line under the Bush White House’s watchful eyes. Secretary Ridge and Attorney General Ashcroft would have a direct pipeline to the president, both of whom had full knowledge of the House of Death case as documented in Sandy Gonzalez’ civil suit.
Taking a cue from the 9/11 Commission Report, the Bush Administration released a new National Border Patrol Strategy, which made stopping the terrorists the top priority.
The reality was that such a strategy sounded good on paper, but accomplished very little other than giving Congress and the public a façade of smoke and mirrors to give a sense of “wow they’re doing something to control the borders.”
However, local Border Patrol sector chiefs were stripped of command and control over their kingdoms. All operations were subsequently centralized and placed under the control of headquarters and Chief Aguilar in Washington, DC. In effect, headquarters no longer served the field.
On November 16, 2004, a memorandum of understanding was completed between CBP and ICE in which ICE’ Office of Investigations was given control of key investigative responsibilities while ultimately neutering the Border Patrol by limiting enforcement to cross border traffic in “routine areas of patrol”.
Moving forward into 2005 the Congress was making a full-court press for immigration reform or amnesty.
In early spring another Bush Administration meeting took place in Texas with President Fox, and Canadian Prime Minister Martin to outline the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America.
This deal would further weaken border security and interior enforcement as well as denounce U.S. civilian border observers or Minutemen groups as vigilantes, and proposed Republican Congressional legislation calling for construction of a border fence. Discussions about a new “guest worker” plan for Mexican illegal aliens that experts have called a second amnesty also began to take shape at this tri-country pow-wow.
Throughout the summer the country would begin its grumblings about the McCain/Kennedy/Bush immigration reform bill.
Curiously the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations Official Website outlines all the activities by U.S. civilian groups including the Minutemen groups, and official investigations by Congressmen regarding border security and interior enforcement.
During this same time period numerous Chief Patrol Agents and other high-ranking officials in the Border Patrol suddenly began to retire early before their mandatory age-57 retirement requirement.
New Mexican President, Same Interference
In the interim, Mexican violence continued to spin out of control with the election of new President Felipe Calderon.
Meanwhile as word of the border fence made its way into the 2006 legislation it was becoming increasingly clear a fence would not be built as many Americans wanted.
“The Bush Administration was constantly dragging their feet. They wanted no part in clear language that put a mandated double fence in high traffic zones and they didn’t want a time certain for completion,” said retired Congressman Duncan L. Hunter, R-CA. “I finally just pushed for the double and triple fence in the San Diego region and left Arizona and Texas out.”
The Bush White House along with other Texas legislators would water down the required fencing in the 2006 immigration reform bill and to this day the fence has been plagued by delays, cost overruns, and bureaucratic obstruction due to immense pressure from Mexico.
However, Americans were having no part in the new amnesty talk and it would be the radio talk shows leading the charge to stop the final McCain/Kennedy/Bush legislation in its tracks.
A defeated White House and an empowered Mexican government wouldn’t end on that note.
The outgoing President Bush would get the Merida Initiative signed into law by June 30 of 2008. It provided $1.4 billion ($400 million immediately) financed through Congressional Appropriations (from U.S. taxpayers) to assist Mexico in combating transnational organized crime; Ambassador Garza and counterpart in Mexico City sign implementation agreement Dec. 3, 2008
Considering the mishandling and subsequent cover-up of the House of Death murder spree that began in El Paso and found its way to Washington, local Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) oddly has never issued any statement regarding this entire mess.
When asked to comment, Vincent Perez, Reyes’ press secretary responded with, “I don’t know what this had to do with us.”
When pressed with the fact that the agencies involved were working in his district, Perez responded, “I still don't understand what this has to do with our office.”
However, in a different matter Reyes’ office contacted ICE on June 19, 2008 regarding the kidnapping of a relative in Juarez though ICE had no jurisdiction. As a result, Reyes is now under investigation by the House Ethics Committee as a complaint was filed in July 2008 questioning the improper usage of a U.S. law enforcement agency.
Betting the House
The only way this type of political play could have been pulled off was by Mexico having a chip; keeping in mind they want open borders – amnesty at minimum. They had the political chip, or blackmail, courtesy of the mishandling and cover-up of the House of Death case. But to pull it off, law enforcement starting with the Border Patrol had to be undermined and destroyed from within; the very thing Mexico has always wanted. ICE is corrupt, overwhelmed, and melting anyhow so they would be an ineffective replacement.
The long-standing relationship between Reyes and Aguilar within management at Border Patrol is equally important. Reyes was Chief Patrol Agent of McAllen Sector while Aguilar was a high-ranking subordinate under him.
Given this relationship it would be easy to communicate and restructure the Border Patrol to the agency’s detriment with Reyes shepherding it through Congress without much notice. Many Members of Congress have deferred to Reyes due to his experience as a Border Patrol high-ranking agent.
Given DHS and the Justice Department’s roles in the House of Death case, with the ‘rule of law’ eliminated, and their failure to hold people accountable in this matter, amnesty could be pushed. The American people have been left standing alone against these overwhelming odds.
For part one; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m11d2-House-of-Death-in-Juarez-prelude-to-a-massive-murder-coverup
For part two; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m11d4-House-of-Death--US-Government-coverup-unveiled
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
More About: Immigration · 2009 · Border security · Amnesty · Mexico violence · House of Death · La Raza
Click here to find out more!
Mexico’s culture of corruption is synonymous with the drug dealers, Federales as well as the government. It is no secret business south of the border is handled with a greasy handshake full of money, but what’s surprising to most Americans are the major trade deals cut to benefit our neighbor to the south.
Why has America bent over backwards to create free trade and open borders with such an uncooperative neighbor? What has Mexico given up for the sake of our benefit? Still thinking? It could take awhile.
Mexico is a country filled with natural resources. There is plenty of fertile land for crops, it lays claim to a massive amount of oil and contains thousands of miles of sandy beaches for tourists to frolic on. So why does this country, so close to the successes of its North American neighbor continue to stagnate in corruption and remain an oligarchy?
For the meantime America is the sole superpower. But unlike the past, American administrations have made mistakes and those blunders translated into some bad deals for the American people.
So where did it begin to go wrong?
Beginning in 2002/03 the American government was in the business of trying to catch the bad guys in Juarez and in the midst of catching the murderous cartel members, ICE found itself involved in a dozen murders.
The murders took place in Juarez, Mexico at the now infamous ‘House of Death.’ Twelve murders should have shook Mexico awake and dealt a blow to the American law enforcement community. Strangely it did not. Mexico would hold on to that huge mistake and smartly use it to their advantage at a later date.
This would now become the first major law enforcement cover-up in the Bush “W” White House.
While 12 murders are taking place under the watchful eye of ICE, a mistake is made and it nearly cost the lives of several DEA agents assigned to the Juarez office. This would forever be known as the catalyst point. Once a senior DEA agent Sandalio Gonzalez learns of ICE’s shenanigans, he writes a letter and begins a paper trail.
When Gonzalez learned about the House of Death details he rightly knows something is afoul. He then writes his ICE counterpart and the office of U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton formally demanding accountability for the missteps that led to the U.S. knowing and allegedly participating in 12 murders.
It is worth pointing out that there is no statute of limitations for murder.
“Over the past five and a half years I found a trail that didn’t make sense regarding economic disparities and the undermining of national security. All paths led right back to the El Paso Region because everyone understood Mexico was holding something over us. The pattern was easily documented and verifiable. Ultimately it all led back to the House of Death,” says Andy Ramirez, president of the California based nonprofit Law Enforcement Officers Advocates Council, who documented a pattern of prosecutorial abuse by Justice, and misrepresentations of fact by Homeland Security.
With an internal cover-up in play, Mexico was in position to play the House of Death card in 2004 and thereafter due to the failure of the U.S. government to clean house. This would eventually somewhat play out in federal court in December 2006 where sworn testimony of Michelle Leonhart, then DEA Deputy Administrator places responsibility for the House of Death squarely on ICE.
When Leonhart was asked if ICE was responsible, she responded, “ICE was responsible, yes…ICE caused the incident.”
At this point, former U.S. Attorney Pete Nunez said, “heads should have rolled in this case.” Yet no high-ranking U.S. officials lost their jobs, nor were they prosecuted.
This simple fact, coupled with a massive cover-up and Mexico’s silence would allow Mexico to gain favorable economic and immigration related concessions while restructuring U.S. border security- with a very complicit Bush White House.
Uncovering the favors for the Mexican Government
Now that the cover-up is in full swing a pair of meetings would take place in Crawford, TX with Mexico’s President Vicente Fox and U.S. President Bush. During the first meeting in March of 2004, Mexico and the U.S. reached a critical agreement that allowed Mexicans with short-term visas to cross the border without being fingerprinted and photographed by U.S. authorities. The respective leaders also began a discussion of a “Guest Worker Plan” or amnesty.
In April of 2004 a plea agreement was reached regarding the murders in the House of Death case. The cartel leader, Heriberto Santillan pled guilty to drug trafficking while the murder charges were dropped. He accepted 25 years in a U.S. prison courtesy of Sutton. This plea deal ensured that Johnny Boy and the Bush Administration would not have to go into court where the gruesome tortures and murders, as well as the case mismanagement by Sutton’s office and ICE (the very things being covered-up) would be exposed in the light of day.
One can conclude that Sutton was placed all along in the position of gatekeeper to protect the White House. Along with his partner in crime Alberto Gonzales, who went from Special Counsel to the President to Attorney General, both would be able to protect all the Bush Administration’s policies regarding Mexico.
It was also during this time that Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, El Paso Border Patrol Agents, found themselves in a heap of trouble regarding shots fired at a known drug dealer. Sutton was the prosecuting attorney in this case, and in another case involving illegal aliens, that being Edwards County Deputy Sheriff Gilmer Hernandez.
“This case (Ramos-Compean) was a skunk. It had a terrible odor,” explains Congressman Walter B. Jones-R NC. “I always wondered why there was no investigation in this matter and why the Mexican Government had so much sway in this American case involving Border Patrol Agents.”
For Jones and a few other Senior Congressional members the story is becoming increasingly clear, referring to the House of Death. “This conspiracy, corruption and cover-up screams for immediate Congressional investigation,” Jones said matter of factly.
“Wrong is wrong, and after reading more about this case it was expected that Sutton would have shut down the House of Death case after the first murder. He did not. We need to remember we are a nation of laws,” Jones finished.
However, these favors for Mexico did not just involve the questionable prosecutions of law enforcement officers.
Marginalizing the Border Patrol
Soon after in June 2004, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge releases an internal memorandum, which prohibited race profiling as an enforcement method.
U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Temecula Border Patrol Sector were conducting interior enforcement operations in Ontario, CA, which resulted in condemnation by the Mexican government and Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus claiming race profiling. Such actions have continued to this day when it comes to immigration enforcement.
June would prove to be a busy month for the Mexican government.
A Social Security Totalization Agreement was signed with Mexico. This agreement would put millions of illegal Mexican workers into the U.S. Social Security system. It is alleged that they would collect U.S. benefits based on their U.S earnings under false or stolen Social Security numbers plus earnings in Mexico. Opponents claimed this pact would further lure illegal immigration, and remain a key component for the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America.
On July 1, 2004 David V. Aguilar became Chief of the Border Patrol after being named to the position in May 2004. The appointment of Aguilar, Chief Patrol Agent of Tucson Sector, was key as he immediately began restructuring the patrol from which many controversial internal events began to inexplicably shape.
This brings us back to Andy Ramirez who stated, “It was the appointment of David Aguilar where the Border Patrol was destroyed from within. Very quickly, I had sources consisting of active duty and retired agents telling me that Mexico was running all the sectors and stations along the southwest border. In a very short time an agency who’s motto was ‘Honor First’ became one of ‘no confidence’ where their own employees would be filled with mistrust and fear of the very government they were willing to die for defending our front lines.”
By the end of summer 2004 a “gag” order was put in place by the Department of Homeland Security ending any unauthorized discussion or statements by its’ employees with the public and media. This was needed to stop any whistle blowing within the department or comments by agents to the media regarding the outrageous policies of the Bush Administration.
It is also worth pointing out that the formation of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 was critical in bringing immigration and customs law enforcement agencies together under one umbrella and squelch any stray employees’ opposition to these types of matters.
DHS now had the Border Patrol, Customs, and ICE all within one roof. No one could step out of line under the Bush White House’s watchful eyes. Secretary Ridge and Attorney General Ashcroft would have a direct pipeline to the president, both of whom had full knowledge of the House of Death case as documented in Sandy Gonzalez’ civil suit.
Taking a cue from the 9/11 Commission Report, the Bush Administration released a new National Border Patrol Strategy, which made stopping the terrorists the top priority.
The reality was that such a strategy sounded good on paper, but accomplished very little other than giving Congress and the public a façade of smoke and mirrors to give a sense of “wow they’re doing something to control the borders.”
However, local Border Patrol sector chiefs were stripped of command and control over their kingdoms. All operations were subsequently centralized and placed under the control of headquarters and Chief Aguilar in Washington, DC. In effect, headquarters no longer served the field.
On November 16, 2004, a memorandum of understanding was completed between CBP and ICE in which ICE’ Office of Investigations was given control of key investigative responsibilities while ultimately neutering the Border Patrol by limiting enforcement to cross border traffic in “routine areas of patrol”.
Moving forward into 2005 the Congress was making a full-court press for immigration reform or amnesty.
In early spring another Bush Administration meeting took place in Texas with President Fox, and Canadian Prime Minister Martin to outline the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America.
This deal would further weaken border security and interior enforcement as well as denounce U.S. civilian border observers or Minutemen groups as vigilantes, and proposed Republican Congressional legislation calling for construction of a border fence. Discussions about a new “guest worker” plan for Mexican illegal aliens that experts have called a second amnesty also began to take shape at this tri-country pow-wow.
Throughout the summer the country would begin its grumblings about the McCain/Kennedy/Bush immigration reform bill.
Curiously the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations Official Website outlines all the activities by U.S. civilian groups including the Minutemen groups, and official investigations by Congressmen regarding border security and interior enforcement.
During this same time period numerous Chief Patrol Agents and other high-ranking officials in the Border Patrol suddenly began to retire early before their mandatory age-57 retirement requirement.
New Mexican President, Same Interference
In the interim, Mexican violence continued to spin out of control with the election of new President Felipe Calderon.
Meanwhile as word of the border fence made its way into the 2006 legislation it was becoming increasingly clear a fence would not be built as many Americans wanted.
“The Bush Administration was constantly dragging their feet. They wanted no part in clear language that put a mandated double fence in high traffic zones and they didn’t want a time certain for completion,” said retired Congressman Duncan L. Hunter, R-CA. “I finally just pushed for the double and triple fence in the San Diego region and left Arizona and Texas out.”
The Bush White House along with other Texas legislators would water down the required fencing in the 2006 immigration reform bill and to this day the fence has been plagued by delays, cost overruns, and bureaucratic obstruction due to immense pressure from Mexico.
However, Americans were having no part in the new amnesty talk and it would be the radio talk shows leading the charge to stop the final McCain/Kennedy/Bush legislation in its tracks.
A defeated White House and an empowered Mexican government wouldn’t end on that note.
The outgoing President Bush would get the Merida Initiative signed into law by June 30 of 2008. It provided $1.4 billion ($400 million immediately) financed through Congressional Appropriations (from U.S. taxpayers) to assist Mexico in combating transnational organized crime; Ambassador Garza and counterpart in Mexico City sign implementation agreement Dec. 3, 2008
Considering the mishandling and subsequent cover-up of the House of Death murder spree that began in El Paso and found its way to Washington, local Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) oddly has never issued any statement regarding this entire mess.
When asked to comment, Vincent Perez, Reyes’ press secretary responded with, “I don’t know what this had to do with us.”
When pressed with the fact that the agencies involved were working in his district, Perez responded, “I still don't understand what this has to do with our office.”
However, in a different matter Reyes’ office contacted ICE on June 19, 2008 regarding the kidnapping of a relative in Juarez though ICE had no jurisdiction. As a result, Reyes is now under investigation by the House Ethics Committee as a complaint was filed in July 2008 questioning the improper usage of a U.S. law enforcement agency.
Betting the House
The only way this type of political play could have been pulled off was by Mexico having a chip; keeping in mind they want open borders – amnesty at minimum. They had the political chip, or blackmail, courtesy of the mishandling and cover-up of the House of Death case. But to pull it off, law enforcement starting with the Border Patrol had to be undermined and destroyed from within; the very thing Mexico has always wanted. ICE is corrupt, overwhelmed, and melting anyhow so they would be an ineffective replacement.
The long-standing relationship between Reyes and Aguilar within management at Border Patrol is equally important. Reyes was Chief Patrol Agent of McAllen Sector while Aguilar was a high-ranking subordinate under him.
Given this relationship it would be easy to communicate and restructure the Border Patrol to the agency’s detriment with Reyes shepherding it through Congress without much notice. Many Members of Congress have deferred to Reyes due to his experience as a Border Patrol high-ranking agent.
Given DHS and the Justice Department’s roles in the House of Death case, with the ‘rule of law’ eliminated, and their failure to hold people accountable in this matter, amnesty could be pushed. The American people have been left standing alone against these overwhelming odds.
For part one; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m11d2-House-of-Death-in-Juarez-prelude-to-a-massive-murder-coverup
For part two; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m11d4-House-of-Death--US-Government-coverup-unveiled
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
More About: Immigration · 2009 · Border security · Amnesty · Mexico violence · House of Death · La Raza
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Boxer touts $787 billion stimulus and San Diego’s one new job
Senator Barbara Boxer-D CA tried to pass off an infusion of cash into 50 San Diego companies as stimulus money. However, what San Diego got was more Obama fuzzy math and one new job.
Speaking to a group of people at University of California San Diego, Boxer talked about the great new research projects making their way into San Diego business sector. What she failed to point out was that the $45 million in funds came from the National Institute of Health grants – not the $787 billion stimulus.
Local news station KUSI was quick to report San Diego has created just one new job with money from the stimulus boondoggle. Boxer claimed that there would be 16,000 new jobs in San Diego alone, but that didn’t pass the KUSI smell test.
The job in question was given to a neuro-oncologist doctor who will be researching brain tumors, according to UCSD.
Political opponent, Carly Fiorina a Republican Senatorial hopeful looking to unseat Boxer in the 2010 mid-terms said Boxer will forever be remembered with three pieces of legislation accredited to her 17 year career as Senator.
“Boxer has been Senator for 17 years and she’s delivered three pieces of legislation; a name of a river, a name of a courthouse in Fresno and some seismic technology to the Bay Area. I guess one piece of legislation in 17 years isn’t so bad.”
This political jab will be a staple on the campaign trail for Fiorina.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Speaking to a group of people at University of California San Diego, Boxer talked about the great new research projects making their way into San Diego business sector. What she failed to point out was that the $45 million in funds came from the National Institute of Health grants – not the $787 billion stimulus.
Local news station KUSI was quick to report San Diego has created just one new job with money from the stimulus boondoggle. Boxer claimed that there would be 16,000 new jobs in San Diego alone, but that didn’t pass the KUSI smell test.
The job in question was given to a neuro-oncologist doctor who will be researching brain tumors, according to UCSD.
Political opponent, Carly Fiorina a Republican Senatorial hopeful looking to unseat Boxer in the 2010 mid-terms said Boxer will forever be remembered with three pieces of legislation accredited to her 17 year career as Senator.
“Boxer has been Senator for 17 years and she’s delivered three pieces of legislation; a name of a river, a name of a courthouse in Fresno and some seismic technology to the Bay Area. I guess one piece of legislation in 17 years isn’t so bad.”
This political jab will be a staple on the campaign trail for Fiorina.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Health care reform bought and paid for by the Obama Administration
The House barely passed the 2,000-page health care bill and the Senate is now wading through its own complex version, what many American’s don’t know is all the high-powered endorsements come with a price tag.
Much to the dismay of doctors across the country, the American Medical Association (AMA) supported the President’s health care reform package. The cost for this support came in the form of doctor reimbursements.
According to Dick Morris, doctors faced a 21 percent cut in their reimbursement for Medicare, but if the association backed Obama, the administration promised to make that cut go away. This amounts to Chicago strong-arm tactics, but it worked.
Second, the AARP jumped on board the Obama Health care express. Why? By in large seniors oppose the Medicare cuts and are fearful of the new plan. However, the White House stepped in again and offered a sweetheart deal to those in charge at AARP.
By eliminating Medicare Advantage, AARP can offer another program to seniors looking to bridge the gap in care. Medi-gap is a plan offered by AARP to seniors at a much higher premium and seniors who can afford the new higher premium will return to AARP once they are dropped by the government-backed Medicare Advantage.
The next industry to join the Obama express was the big pharmaceutical companies. The industry offered $80 billion cuts for the next 10 years and in return the White House promised to continue the ban on low-cost Canadian drugs coming into America. But that’s not all, the White House wanted free advertising supporting health care to encourage skeptical Americans reform was a good idea.
Finally, the White House needed to prod the insurance companies themselves.
This would prove to be easy; the promise of 40 million new customers was dangled in front of the greedy insurance companies. The government was not only going to give these new customers to the likes of Blue Cross, but the penalties and threat of jail time grabbed the insurers hook, line and sinker.
However, once the Senate lowered the penalties for non-insurers – the insurance companies went back to their capitalist ways and jumped ship, leaving the White House without the support from the insurance companies.
Another medical industry that decided to steer clear of Obamacare was the medical device companies. They chose to stand by the seniors and veterans who depend on them for items like, wheelchairs, pacemakers, arterial stints, prosthetic limbs, artificial knees and hips.
The medical device field was promptly hit by the Senate Finance Committee, who imposed a tax on the very devices many seniors and veterans feel are necessary for their quality of life.
It is crystal clear; nothing is free not even in health care reform.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Much to the dismay of doctors across the country, the American Medical Association (AMA) supported the President’s health care reform package. The cost for this support came in the form of doctor reimbursements.
According to Dick Morris, doctors faced a 21 percent cut in their reimbursement for Medicare, but if the association backed Obama, the administration promised to make that cut go away. This amounts to Chicago strong-arm tactics, but it worked.
Second, the AARP jumped on board the Obama Health care express. Why? By in large seniors oppose the Medicare cuts and are fearful of the new plan. However, the White House stepped in again and offered a sweetheart deal to those in charge at AARP.
By eliminating Medicare Advantage, AARP can offer another program to seniors looking to bridge the gap in care. Medi-gap is a plan offered by AARP to seniors at a much higher premium and seniors who can afford the new higher premium will return to AARP once they are dropped by the government-backed Medicare Advantage.
The next industry to join the Obama express was the big pharmaceutical companies. The industry offered $80 billion cuts for the next 10 years and in return the White House promised to continue the ban on low-cost Canadian drugs coming into America. But that’s not all, the White House wanted free advertising supporting health care to encourage skeptical Americans reform was a good idea.
Finally, the White House needed to prod the insurance companies themselves.
This would prove to be easy; the promise of 40 million new customers was dangled in front of the greedy insurance companies. The government was not only going to give these new customers to the likes of Blue Cross, but the penalties and threat of jail time grabbed the insurers hook, line and sinker.
However, once the Senate lowered the penalties for non-insurers – the insurance companies went back to their capitalist ways and jumped ship, leaving the White House without the support from the insurance companies.
Another medical industry that decided to steer clear of Obamacare was the medical device companies. They chose to stand by the seniors and veterans who depend on them for items like, wheelchairs, pacemakers, arterial stints, prosthetic limbs, artificial knees and hips.
The medical device field was promptly hit by the Senate Finance Committee, who imposed a tax on the very devices many seniors and veterans feel are necessary for their quality of life.
It is crystal clear; nothing is free not even in health care reform.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Monday, November 16, 2009
American’s rally against amnesty across the country
On a Friday afternoon when Americans were reeling from a terrorist massacre in Fort Hood, learning the mastermind of 9/11 will be tried in federal court like any other common criminal, the Obama Administration dusted off the 2007 immigration reform plan to resuscitate amnesty.
The Obama team can’t seem to get past the campaign trail. The speech hit the usual topics; “we’ve brought the economy back from the brink by passing the Recovery Act, tackled health care reform, planted seeds of growth for a new clean energy economy, made serious national commitment to education, which means college for every young person…”
Seriously, the Obama Administration needs to put down the kool-aid and get back to reality.
With unemployment in the double digits, Americans losing their homes and borders that remain unsecured, Janet Napolitano, Department of Homeland Security Secretary has decided to resurrect the 2007 McCain/Kennedy/Bush immigration reform failure to pay off Obama’s political debts to certain special interest groups.
As a result, on Saturday there were more than 50 anti-amnesty rallies held around the nation protesting the Obama’s Administration’s attempt to shove another unwanted program onto Americans who are struggling to stay afloat.
The number one issue on American’s mind is “it’s the economy stupid.” A lagging economy coupled with a withering job market hardly seems like the ideal time to dump an estimated 20 million illegal aliens into the U.S. job market.
At the Friday speech, Napolitano described the Administration’s “three-legged stool formula as a way to solve the nation’s out-of-control immigration problem. “One that must include commitment to effective enforcement, improved legal flows for families and workers and a firm, but fair way to deal with those who are already here,” Napolitano said.
One would think that the DHS head would know how to deal with the immigration issues as Napolitano was once Governor of Arizona. However, under her tutelage, Arizona garnered the auspicious title of kidnapping capital of the U.S. and it also ranked second in the world behind Mexico City.
Arizona saw an increase in illegal crimes each year she was in office. Hardly a stellar record for someone who announced the country has solved our border security issues.
Napolitano points to the 600-miles of secure border fence that have been constructed. However, the fence was constructed under the Bush Administration- not Obama. And it is worth pointing out that the 600-miles of southern border fence built only covers about one-third of the 2,000+ mile fence the U.S. shares with Mexico. (The border we share with Mexico is not a straight line)
The so-called three-legged stool example has now lost a leg.
The Secure Communities program is another agenda DHS touts as a success. However, many look to the program as another reason amnesty is doomed to fail. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) nabbed more than 111,000 criminal aliens in one year. Great. But the new program has only deported 9,500 criminal illegal aliens. This leaves more than 100,000 criminal aliens in America.
The statistics in the state of California are even more staggering. The illegal inmates residing in California prisons tally 30 percent, one-third of all births are to illegal immigrants and the FBI reports most of the Latino MS13 gang members are here illegally. Los Angeles’ sanctuary city status forbids Los Angeles police officers to question the legal status of the most violent gang members in the country.
Napolitano claims the Obama Administration is dedicated to fighting the drug cartels, money they collect and guns returning to Mexico. She produces the $34 million confiscated in smuggling attempts. Again seems like a tidy sum of money.
However, the fact is the drug cartels pay much more than that on a monthly basis in bribes. In Mexico, drug cartels earn upwards of $10 billion per year - per cartel. Suddenly that $24 million doesn’t seem like much.
As far as the violence; this year alone there have been more murders in Mexico than the Iraq and Afghanistan wars combine eight years. Again, seems like we are fighting the wrong war.
Under the Obama Administration the violence south of the border continues to escalate, not only does Mexico lay claim to record breaking murder numbers, approximately 13,500 murders since 2006. But the violence is not only endemic to Mexico, Guatemala (3,286 murders per year), Honduras (4,214 murders per year) and San Salvador (3,673 murders per year) this all follows directly in Mexico’s footpaths and the carnage continues to unfold throughout Latin America.
This path of murder and corruption will slowly make its way into the United States.
Many claim the borders can never be fully secure and the thirst for U.S. drug consumption is impossible to overcome. Yet former U.S. Attorney Pete Nunez thinks differently. His first hand knowledge of the topic dates back to ‘Operation Intercept’ in 1969.
The program was directed by President Richard Nixon’s vow to fight drugs and it took aim at the 2,500-mile border we share with Mexico from San Diego, California to Brownsville, Texas.
President Nixon virtually shut down all the border crossings when Mexico refused to help with the war on drugs, says Nunez. “The point was to inspect 100 percent of vehicles crossing into America, there were no exceptions.”
Nunez reports during that period, large drug cases in San Diego decreased by 75 percent. “That is something that has never been repeated,” he said. “The notion that we can’t stop illegal drug trafficking into this country is false and ‘Operation Intercept’ proved the war on drugs could be fought successfully.”
Looking to other successful programs like E-Verify, the Obama Administration has continued to weaken its effectiveness by not mandating the program for every business. The restricted usage allows more illegal aliens to take jobs in an ailing U.S. economy.
However, once employees are deemed to be here illegally, they are not deported. This is mind boggling since in many cases the illegals have either used stolen or bogus Social Security numbers to gain employment, breaking another American law.
Also, another factor to keep in mind is assimilation into the American way of life. In the past second generation immigrants were more likely to succeed. The first generation parents would work hard and make sure their children received a good education, learn the language and successfully assimilate into society.
However, according to studies from the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), almost two-thirds of adult Mexican immigrants have not completed high school. This unskilled work force has a much tougher time assimilating in the U.S. compared to their other immigrant counterparts.
The dubious cycle plays out when you see second generation Latino immigrants accepting food stamps, welfare payments and straining the already burdened health care systems.
But Napolitano refuses to focus on the real numbers. She states her administration wishes to get tougher on “anti-smuggling laws and dealing with the aggravated crimes smugglers commit- including assaulting law enforcement officers, endangering children and threatening relatives and abandoning people in the desert.”
This problem could be solved without U.S. taxpayer money. It is sad to see these illegal aliens succumb to the coyotes (human smugglers) as they try to break into our country illegally. A simple solution- come through the front door, wait in line with the millions of immigrants before you.
American’s do not force Latino’s to pay coyotes to enter into this country illegally. Why should it be our responsibility? There would be no deaths in the desert if those seeking a better life played by the rules, end of story.
Next the Obama Administration claims they have met with labor union leaders and “immigration reform will be a boon to American workers.”
Really? Are those here illegally multi-millionaires? Are they going to open large manufacturing plants and employ millions of Americans who remain unemployed?
Not likely. The union would love to see the millions of illegal aliens legalized because it means the unions could recruit them to join unions and extol money in dues from an already struggling group of people. Nothing more.
Napolitano states, “Think about it; unions will never achieve the best terms for workers when a large part of the workforce is illegal and operates in a shadow economy.”
The Secretary is admitting there are millions here working illegally. Why is nothing being done to stop illegals from gaining employment and once they are discovered working illegally why aren’t they returned to their home country?
One last point, in the speech given at the American Center of Progress, Napolitano stresses that “no one should have to wait in line for years in order to reunite with a spouse or young child.”
This is code for allowing all family members of those who broke the law sneaking into America, to reunite in the U.S. The number of immigrants rushing across the borders would swell to the 30-40 million people. This is something America could not sustain.
This is why American’s don’t support amnesty. It is not even on the top five list of priorities that need attention in this country.
This reckless behavior by the Obama Administration prompted 53 anti-amnesty rallies across the nation.
The San Diego Minutemen joined the tea party movement and sponsored the rally in Southern California.
“It is not fair for those in power to give our country away to illegal immigrants,” said Diane Carols who attended the rally in San Diego. “This is my first rally and it looks like I’ll have to attend many more to make sure this travesty doesn’t come true.”
This sentiment was echoed throughout rally attendees. Especially ardent opponents of anti-amnesty come from those who immigrated to America legally. Francisca Galvan, a recent legal immigrant from Mexico, spoke at the rally and explained amnesty would kill America.
With the USS Midway as a backdrop roughly 200 concerned citizens came out to support local activists in their efforts to fight amnesty and encourage political leaders to secure the country’s borders.
Looking to recent polls from Rasmussen, 66 percent of Americans want a reduction in immigration not an increase.
San Diego is a border city and rally attendees made one thing absolutely clear, amnesty is not okay and the White House can expect a big fight.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
The Obama team can’t seem to get past the campaign trail. The speech hit the usual topics; “we’ve brought the economy back from the brink by passing the Recovery Act, tackled health care reform, planted seeds of growth for a new clean energy economy, made serious national commitment to education, which means college for every young person…”
Seriously, the Obama Administration needs to put down the kool-aid and get back to reality.
With unemployment in the double digits, Americans losing their homes and borders that remain unsecured, Janet Napolitano, Department of Homeland Security Secretary has decided to resurrect the 2007 McCain/Kennedy/Bush immigration reform failure to pay off Obama’s political debts to certain special interest groups.
As a result, on Saturday there were more than 50 anti-amnesty rallies held around the nation protesting the Obama’s Administration’s attempt to shove another unwanted program onto Americans who are struggling to stay afloat.
The number one issue on American’s mind is “it’s the economy stupid.” A lagging economy coupled with a withering job market hardly seems like the ideal time to dump an estimated 20 million illegal aliens into the U.S. job market.
At the Friday speech, Napolitano described the Administration’s “three-legged stool formula as a way to solve the nation’s out-of-control immigration problem. “One that must include commitment to effective enforcement, improved legal flows for families and workers and a firm, but fair way to deal with those who are already here,” Napolitano said.
One would think that the DHS head would know how to deal with the immigration issues as Napolitano was once Governor of Arizona. However, under her tutelage, Arizona garnered the auspicious title of kidnapping capital of the U.S. and it also ranked second in the world behind Mexico City.
Arizona saw an increase in illegal crimes each year she was in office. Hardly a stellar record for someone who announced the country has solved our border security issues.
Napolitano points to the 600-miles of secure border fence that have been constructed. However, the fence was constructed under the Bush Administration- not Obama. And it is worth pointing out that the 600-miles of southern border fence built only covers about one-third of the 2,000+ mile fence the U.S. shares with Mexico. (The border we share with Mexico is not a straight line)
The so-called three-legged stool example has now lost a leg.
The Secure Communities program is another agenda DHS touts as a success. However, many look to the program as another reason amnesty is doomed to fail. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) nabbed more than 111,000 criminal aliens in one year. Great. But the new program has only deported 9,500 criminal illegal aliens. This leaves more than 100,000 criminal aliens in America.
The statistics in the state of California are even more staggering. The illegal inmates residing in California prisons tally 30 percent, one-third of all births are to illegal immigrants and the FBI reports most of the Latino MS13 gang members are here illegally. Los Angeles’ sanctuary city status forbids Los Angeles police officers to question the legal status of the most violent gang members in the country.
Napolitano claims the Obama Administration is dedicated to fighting the drug cartels, money they collect and guns returning to Mexico. She produces the $34 million confiscated in smuggling attempts. Again seems like a tidy sum of money.
However, the fact is the drug cartels pay much more than that on a monthly basis in bribes. In Mexico, drug cartels earn upwards of $10 billion per year - per cartel. Suddenly that $24 million doesn’t seem like much.
As far as the violence; this year alone there have been more murders in Mexico than the Iraq and Afghanistan wars combine eight years. Again, seems like we are fighting the wrong war.
Under the Obama Administration the violence south of the border continues to escalate, not only does Mexico lay claim to record breaking murder numbers, approximately 13,500 murders since 2006. But the violence is not only endemic to Mexico, Guatemala (3,286 murders per year), Honduras (4,214 murders per year) and San Salvador (3,673 murders per year) this all follows directly in Mexico’s footpaths and the carnage continues to unfold throughout Latin America.
This path of murder and corruption will slowly make its way into the United States.
Many claim the borders can never be fully secure and the thirst for U.S. drug consumption is impossible to overcome. Yet former U.S. Attorney Pete Nunez thinks differently. His first hand knowledge of the topic dates back to ‘Operation Intercept’ in 1969.
The program was directed by President Richard Nixon’s vow to fight drugs and it took aim at the 2,500-mile border we share with Mexico from San Diego, California to Brownsville, Texas.
President Nixon virtually shut down all the border crossings when Mexico refused to help with the war on drugs, says Nunez. “The point was to inspect 100 percent of vehicles crossing into America, there were no exceptions.”
Nunez reports during that period, large drug cases in San Diego decreased by 75 percent. “That is something that has never been repeated,” he said. “The notion that we can’t stop illegal drug trafficking into this country is false and ‘Operation Intercept’ proved the war on drugs could be fought successfully.”
Looking to other successful programs like E-Verify, the Obama Administration has continued to weaken its effectiveness by not mandating the program for every business. The restricted usage allows more illegal aliens to take jobs in an ailing U.S. economy.
However, once employees are deemed to be here illegally, they are not deported. This is mind boggling since in many cases the illegals have either used stolen or bogus Social Security numbers to gain employment, breaking another American law.
Also, another factor to keep in mind is assimilation into the American way of life. In the past second generation immigrants were more likely to succeed. The first generation parents would work hard and make sure their children received a good education, learn the language and successfully assimilate into society.
However, according to studies from the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), almost two-thirds of adult Mexican immigrants have not completed high school. This unskilled work force has a much tougher time assimilating in the U.S. compared to their other immigrant counterparts.
The dubious cycle plays out when you see second generation Latino immigrants accepting food stamps, welfare payments and straining the already burdened health care systems.
But Napolitano refuses to focus on the real numbers. She states her administration wishes to get tougher on “anti-smuggling laws and dealing with the aggravated crimes smugglers commit- including assaulting law enforcement officers, endangering children and threatening relatives and abandoning people in the desert.”
This problem could be solved without U.S. taxpayer money. It is sad to see these illegal aliens succumb to the coyotes (human smugglers) as they try to break into our country illegally. A simple solution- come through the front door, wait in line with the millions of immigrants before you.
American’s do not force Latino’s to pay coyotes to enter into this country illegally. Why should it be our responsibility? There would be no deaths in the desert if those seeking a better life played by the rules, end of story.
Next the Obama Administration claims they have met with labor union leaders and “immigration reform will be a boon to American workers.”
Really? Are those here illegally multi-millionaires? Are they going to open large manufacturing plants and employ millions of Americans who remain unemployed?
Not likely. The union would love to see the millions of illegal aliens legalized because it means the unions could recruit them to join unions and extol money in dues from an already struggling group of people. Nothing more.
Napolitano states, “Think about it; unions will never achieve the best terms for workers when a large part of the workforce is illegal and operates in a shadow economy.”
The Secretary is admitting there are millions here working illegally. Why is nothing being done to stop illegals from gaining employment and once they are discovered working illegally why aren’t they returned to their home country?
One last point, in the speech given at the American Center of Progress, Napolitano stresses that “no one should have to wait in line for years in order to reunite with a spouse or young child.”
This is code for allowing all family members of those who broke the law sneaking into America, to reunite in the U.S. The number of immigrants rushing across the borders would swell to the 30-40 million people. This is something America could not sustain.
This is why American’s don’t support amnesty. It is not even on the top five list of priorities that need attention in this country.
This reckless behavior by the Obama Administration prompted 53 anti-amnesty rallies across the nation.
The San Diego Minutemen joined the tea party movement and sponsored the rally in Southern California.
“It is not fair for those in power to give our country away to illegal immigrants,” said Diane Carols who attended the rally in San Diego. “This is my first rally and it looks like I’ll have to attend many more to make sure this travesty doesn’t come true.”
This sentiment was echoed throughout rally attendees. Especially ardent opponents of anti-amnesty come from those who immigrated to America legally. Francisca Galvan, a recent legal immigrant from Mexico, spoke at the rally and explained amnesty would kill America.
With the USS Midway as a backdrop roughly 200 concerned citizens came out to support local activists in their efforts to fight amnesty and encourage political leaders to secure the country’s borders.
Looking to recent polls from Rasmussen, 66 percent of Americans want a reduction in immigration not an increase.
San Diego is a border city and rally attendees made one thing absolutely clear, amnesty is not okay and the White House can expect a big fight.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Friday, November 13, 2009
A new tape surfaces, casting doubt into the investigation of ACORN
Not only was ACORN disgraced at several locations throughout the country when employees allegedly jumped at the chance to participate in criminal activities, but now they have a sticky situation developing with California State Attorney General, Jerry Brown.
State of California’s AG, Brown is a “political animal,” said David Lagstein, San Diego ACORN’s go to guy. Brown is expected to be the front runner for an upcoming California governor’s race, making the ACORN investigation a particularly tricky problem due to the new audio tapes that have surfaced.
If the audio tapes are true there is some profoundly unethical behavior taking place. According to judicial advocates it is not proper protocol to discuss the eventual outcome of an ongoing investigation with the party involved. This is exactly what happened when a call was placed to the State Attorney General’s office yesterday. “We cannot comment on an ongoing investigation,” said a spokesperson.
However, information received from the San Diego Republican Party leader, Tony Krvaric stated, “A spokesman for Jerry Brown stated that they’re going to look at the tapes, they’re going to follow the facts without fear or favor, and they’re going to see where it takes them.”
The brand new audio tape floating around the internet and posted on BigGovernment.com, has ACORN’s San Diego Director Lagstein explaining to group of trusted friends at a Democratic Club meeting in El Cajon, that all the communications he is having with the AG’s office have been positive and it will be the two videographers who will be in trouble, not ACORN.
“The Republican Party is trying to create a new scandal out of nothing. I asserted my belief that the investigation will find fault with the videographers and not with ACORN because no one at our ACORN office broke the law and the videographers did,” Lagstein said.
In a phone interview Lagstein explained, “Our employee was guilty of bad judgment and he was terminated. There is no story here. The San Diego Republican party is trying to play gotcha politics, nothing more.”
Whether the tapes are authentic or not only those involved will know, but one thing is certain, ACORN needed another scandal like they needed another bad employee.
On the tape, Mr. Lagstein asserts that he has been in contact with the Attorney General’s office and suggests that they have been assured that “the fault will be found with the people that did the video - not ACORN.” Lagstein is also heard claiming that a serious investigation is “completely not what’s happening.” In words and in tone, Lagstein appears to suggest that Attorney General Brown would turn a blind eye to ACORN’s alleged misdeeds and focus instead on the actions of the individuals who uncovered those misdeeds, according to Krvaric.
“Californians are entitled to know that their Attorney General is conducting an honest, thorough, and unprejudiced inquiry into the very serious allegations of misconduct by ACORN, and that the target of the inquiry is fully cooperating with the investigation - not colluding with the AG's office to stymie it,” Krvaric explained.
In another ACORN story, the battered organization has put together a lawsuit and will sue the federal government for halting funding at the height of the company hoopla. The group contends that Congress and the federal government have tarnished their fundraising abilities.
To hear the audio tapes; http://biggovernment.com/2009/11/10/exclusive-audio-from-acorn-claims-jerry-brown-will-whitewash-investigation/
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
State of California’s AG, Brown is a “political animal,” said David Lagstein, San Diego ACORN’s go to guy. Brown is expected to be the front runner for an upcoming California governor’s race, making the ACORN investigation a particularly tricky problem due to the new audio tapes that have surfaced.
If the audio tapes are true there is some profoundly unethical behavior taking place. According to judicial advocates it is not proper protocol to discuss the eventual outcome of an ongoing investigation with the party involved. This is exactly what happened when a call was placed to the State Attorney General’s office yesterday. “We cannot comment on an ongoing investigation,” said a spokesperson.
However, information received from the San Diego Republican Party leader, Tony Krvaric stated, “A spokesman for Jerry Brown stated that they’re going to look at the tapes, they’re going to follow the facts without fear or favor, and they’re going to see where it takes them.”
The brand new audio tape floating around the internet and posted on BigGovernment.com, has ACORN’s San Diego Director Lagstein explaining to group of trusted friends at a Democratic Club meeting in El Cajon, that all the communications he is having with the AG’s office have been positive and it will be the two videographers who will be in trouble, not ACORN.
“The Republican Party is trying to create a new scandal out of nothing. I asserted my belief that the investigation will find fault with the videographers and not with ACORN because no one at our ACORN office broke the law and the videographers did,” Lagstein said.
In a phone interview Lagstein explained, “Our employee was guilty of bad judgment and he was terminated. There is no story here. The San Diego Republican party is trying to play gotcha politics, nothing more.”
Whether the tapes are authentic or not only those involved will know, but one thing is certain, ACORN needed another scandal like they needed another bad employee.
On the tape, Mr. Lagstein asserts that he has been in contact with the Attorney General’s office and suggests that they have been assured that “the fault will be found with the people that did the video - not ACORN.” Lagstein is also heard claiming that a serious investigation is “completely not what’s happening.” In words and in tone, Lagstein appears to suggest that Attorney General Brown would turn a blind eye to ACORN’s alleged misdeeds and focus instead on the actions of the individuals who uncovered those misdeeds, according to Krvaric.
“Californians are entitled to know that their Attorney General is conducting an honest, thorough, and unprejudiced inquiry into the very serious allegations of misconduct by ACORN, and that the target of the inquiry is fully cooperating with the investigation - not colluding with the AG's office to stymie it,” Krvaric explained.
In another ACORN story, the battered organization has put together a lawsuit and will sue the federal government for halting funding at the height of the company hoopla. The group contends that Congress and the federal government have tarnished their fundraising abilities.
To hear the audio tapes; http://biggovernment.com/2009/11/10/exclusive-audio-from-acorn-claims-jerry-brown-will-whitewash-investigation/
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Thursday, November 12, 2009
ICE nabs 111,000 criminal illegal aliens in one year
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the Secure Communities initiative nabbed more than 111,000 criminal illegal aliens since its inception one year ago.
The debut program is a partnership between ICE and local law enforcement agencies that uses biometrics to identify and remove criminal aliens.
Secure Communities operates jointly between DHS, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and participating law enforcement agencies to check the digital fingerprints of illegals arrested and booked into local level against DHS “biometrics-based immigration records in addition to FBI databases." This process allows ICE to take appropriate action to ensure that dangerous criminal aliens are not released back into communities.
The new law enforcement tool classifies illegal immigrants into three categories; level one crime includes murder, rape and kidnapping; level two and three include burglary and property type of crimes.
The first year of Secure Communities netted approximately 11,000 undocumented aliens with level one crimes, DHS also claims 1,900 of those criminals have already been deported.
“Secure Communities is one of the programs that enhance our efforts to keep the peace in the largest urban area in Texas,” said Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia. “My department was the first local law enforcement agency in the country to adopt the program.”
Now, a year later, the Sheriff’s department continues to use the program as a ‘safety net’ to help identify inmates who, have been placed in custody for allegedly committing a crime under state law.
In a statement from DHS, Secretary Janet Napolitano said, “Secure Communities provides our local partners with an effective tool to identify and remove dangerous criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety. We will continue to expand these partnerships to provide a force multiplier for ICE's immigration enforcement efforts across the country.”
Due to the success of the new program, DHS projected that every state will have these tools to combat undocumented aliens who commit crimes by 2011. Each county across the country will be categorized into jurisdictions with the highest volume of dangerous criminals, those counties will receive assistance from DHS first.
For more information on the program; http://www.ice.gov
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
The debut program is a partnership between ICE and local law enforcement agencies that uses biometrics to identify and remove criminal aliens.
Secure Communities operates jointly between DHS, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and participating law enforcement agencies to check the digital fingerprints of illegals arrested and booked into local level against DHS “biometrics-based immigration records in addition to FBI databases." This process allows ICE to take appropriate action to ensure that dangerous criminal aliens are not released back into communities.
The new law enforcement tool classifies illegal immigrants into three categories; level one crime includes murder, rape and kidnapping; level two and three include burglary and property type of crimes.
The first year of Secure Communities netted approximately 11,000 undocumented aliens with level one crimes, DHS also claims 1,900 of those criminals have already been deported.
“Secure Communities is one of the programs that enhance our efforts to keep the peace in the largest urban area in Texas,” said Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia. “My department was the first local law enforcement agency in the country to adopt the program.”
Now, a year later, the Sheriff’s department continues to use the program as a ‘safety net’ to help identify inmates who, have been placed in custody for allegedly committing a crime under state law.
In a statement from DHS, Secretary Janet Napolitano said, “Secure Communities provides our local partners with an effective tool to identify and remove dangerous criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety. We will continue to expand these partnerships to provide a force multiplier for ICE's immigration enforcement efforts across the country.”
Due to the success of the new program, DHS projected that every state will have these tools to combat undocumented aliens who commit crimes by 2011. Each county across the country will be categorized into jurisdictions with the highest volume of dangerous criminals, those counties will receive assistance from DHS first.
For more information on the program; http://www.ice.gov
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Senator DeMint puts forth legislation to spread the wealth – term limits
In an effort to abolish gridlock in Washington D.C., Senator Jim DeMint-R SC hopes to enact the first new Constitutional Amendment in 17 years - term limits.
When one thinks of stalwart Senators, names like Kennedy, Byrd, and Specter come to mind. All these Senators have spent their entire working careers inside the Beltway. However, with a recession in full swing, congressional politics more partisan than ever, a couple Senators would like to shake things up a bit.
"Americans know real change in Washington will never happen until we end the era of permanent politicians," said DeMint. "As long as members have the chance to spend their lives in Washington, their interests will always skew toward spending taxpayer dollars to buy off special interests, covering over corruption in the bureaucracy, fundraising, relationship building among lobbyists, and trading favors for pork – in short, amassing their own power.”
For the millions of Americans who are fed up with business as usual, this new legislation could strike a balance with voters and take that power away from the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.
However, changing the country’s oldest living document is no easy task. It requires a two-thirds majority vote in the House and Senate and must be ratified by three-fourths of the states. The bill is cosponsored by Tom Coburn-R OK, Kate Bailey Hutchison-R TX and Sam Brownback-R KS.
The DeMint measure would limit every member of the House to three terms or six years and every Senator to two terms or 12 years. However good this sounds, getting members of Congress to vote themselves out of a job will prove very difficult.
In the past couple of decades, Washington insiders have been reelected 90 percent of the time, according to DeMint who is a freshman Senator.
Co-sponsor of the term-limit bill Coburn couldn’t agree with DeMint more. “The power of incumbency has created an almost insurmountable advantage for Washington politicians.”
“Incumbency allows politicians to raise millions of dollars in campaign funds in exchange for earmarks,” he said. “Incumbency gives Congress the power to raise money for itself – Congress just approved itself an increase of nearly $250 million from the U.S. Treasury that members will spend to promote themselves.”
Some argue that long-serving legislators provide experience and stability for the country.
“It wasn’t the ‘people’ who gave us a $12 trillion debt, an IRS tax code seven times longer than the Bible, over 1,700 departments of the federal government, trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see, $100 trillion long-term shortfall in Social Security and Medicare, the Wall Street and auto bailouts, and the pending health care takeover,” DeMint explains.
The tea party folks say term limits increase the Congressional turnover needed to ensure the transparency, accountability and limit lobbying efforts public servants are subject to on yearly basis.
“By ratifying this amendment, we can end the tremendous advantage enjoyed by incumbents in Washington, break long-lasting ties to special interests and lobbyists, and transform Congress from the body of career politicians that it has become, to a chamber of true citizen legislators,” says DeMint.
While term limits seem like a great idea especially since Congress suffers dismal approval numbers, 29 percent, most Washington insiders say the bar is set rather high for a group of politicians who can’t agree on much these days to amend the Constitution.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
When one thinks of stalwart Senators, names like Kennedy, Byrd, and Specter come to mind. All these Senators have spent their entire working careers inside the Beltway. However, with a recession in full swing, congressional politics more partisan than ever, a couple Senators would like to shake things up a bit.
"Americans know real change in Washington will never happen until we end the era of permanent politicians," said DeMint. "As long as members have the chance to spend their lives in Washington, their interests will always skew toward spending taxpayer dollars to buy off special interests, covering over corruption in the bureaucracy, fundraising, relationship building among lobbyists, and trading favors for pork – in short, amassing their own power.”
For the millions of Americans who are fed up with business as usual, this new legislation could strike a balance with voters and take that power away from the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.
However, changing the country’s oldest living document is no easy task. It requires a two-thirds majority vote in the House and Senate and must be ratified by three-fourths of the states. The bill is cosponsored by Tom Coburn-R OK, Kate Bailey Hutchison-R TX and Sam Brownback-R KS.
The DeMint measure would limit every member of the House to three terms or six years and every Senator to two terms or 12 years. However good this sounds, getting members of Congress to vote themselves out of a job will prove very difficult.
In the past couple of decades, Washington insiders have been reelected 90 percent of the time, according to DeMint who is a freshman Senator.
Co-sponsor of the term-limit bill Coburn couldn’t agree with DeMint more. “The power of incumbency has created an almost insurmountable advantage for Washington politicians.”
“Incumbency allows politicians to raise millions of dollars in campaign funds in exchange for earmarks,” he said. “Incumbency gives Congress the power to raise money for itself – Congress just approved itself an increase of nearly $250 million from the U.S. Treasury that members will spend to promote themselves.”
Some argue that long-serving legislators provide experience and stability for the country.
“It wasn’t the ‘people’ who gave us a $12 trillion debt, an IRS tax code seven times longer than the Bible, over 1,700 departments of the federal government, trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see, $100 trillion long-term shortfall in Social Security and Medicare, the Wall Street and auto bailouts, and the pending health care takeover,” DeMint explains.
The tea party folks say term limits increase the Congressional turnover needed to ensure the transparency, accountability and limit lobbying efforts public servants are subject to on yearly basis.
“By ratifying this amendment, we can end the tremendous advantage enjoyed by incumbents in Washington, break long-lasting ties to special interests and lobbyists, and transform Congress from the body of career politicians that it has become, to a chamber of true citizen legislators,” says DeMint.
While term limits seem like a great idea especially since Congress suffers dismal approval numbers, 29 percent, most Washington insiders say the bar is set rather high for a group of politicians who can’t agree on much these days to amend the Constitution.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
La Raza looks to the Senate to claim their slice of health care
Millions of Americans including those in the country illegally are one step closer to getting health care benefits courtesy of the U.S. government and American taxpayer.
The Nation Council of La Raza (NCLR) is seeking their slice of the health care pie in the nation's capitol. When it comes to health care reform the NCLR says, “The Senate needs to complete the task and build on the House effort.”
The largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization inside America, NCLR has declared their support of several key elements in the health care reform legislation Congress passed over weekend.
A major issue the group is standing behind is the “emphasis on preventative care.”
“The House bill would ensure that illnesses and diseases are detected at the earliest possible stages and it takes tremendous steps to improve health care delivery,” a NCLR statement explained.
In an effort to make up inequalities and health disparities of Latinos, the House bill will identify and eradicate unequal access.
Furthermore, NCLR says “roadblocks to insurance must be eliminated by removing excessive verification requirements that raise costs and increase barriers to health care.”
The group also maintains that the Senate must promote an equitable system for all, “restrictions on legal immigrants, access to federal aid such as Medicaid, Medicare and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) must be removed.”
Looking to the leadership of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, NCLR applauded the caucus for fending off efforts by some lawmakers to strip the health care bill of unnecessary immigrant restrictions.
However, it is exactly measures like this make reform unpopular with most Americans.
“It is disappointing that despite assurances by President Obama and promises by Senate Democrats, the latest version of the House health care bill still contains loopholes that will allow illegal immigrants to benefit under the plan. When will House Democrats listen to the American people? Taxpayers do not want to subsidize people who are here illegally,” said Rep. Lamar Smith-R TX.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) found that the House bill contains no restrictions on noncitizens, whether legally or illegally in the country to participate in taxpayer-funded health care.
“Even President Obama and Democratic Senator Baucus reject this radical move and oppose participation by illegal immigrants,” said Smith.
However, the NCLR doesn’t mention the fact that an overwhelming number of Americans are not happy about providing extra health care to those in the country illegally.
The latest Rasmussen Reports poll confirms that “83 percent of voters nationwide say that people should be required to prove they are a citizen of the United States before receiving government health care subsidies.”
Finally, something most Americans can agree on.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
The Nation Council of La Raza (NCLR) is seeking their slice of the health care pie in the nation's capitol. When it comes to health care reform the NCLR says, “The Senate needs to complete the task and build on the House effort.”
The largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization inside America, NCLR has declared their support of several key elements in the health care reform legislation Congress passed over weekend.
A major issue the group is standing behind is the “emphasis on preventative care.”
“The House bill would ensure that illnesses and diseases are detected at the earliest possible stages and it takes tremendous steps to improve health care delivery,” a NCLR statement explained.
In an effort to make up inequalities and health disparities of Latinos, the House bill will identify and eradicate unequal access.
Furthermore, NCLR says “roadblocks to insurance must be eliminated by removing excessive verification requirements that raise costs and increase barriers to health care.”
The group also maintains that the Senate must promote an equitable system for all, “restrictions on legal immigrants, access to federal aid such as Medicaid, Medicare and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) must be removed.”
Looking to the leadership of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, NCLR applauded the caucus for fending off efforts by some lawmakers to strip the health care bill of unnecessary immigrant restrictions.
However, it is exactly measures like this make reform unpopular with most Americans.
“It is disappointing that despite assurances by President Obama and promises by Senate Democrats, the latest version of the House health care bill still contains loopholes that will allow illegal immigrants to benefit under the plan. When will House Democrats listen to the American people? Taxpayers do not want to subsidize people who are here illegally,” said Rep. Lamar Smith-R TX.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) found that the House bill contains no restrictions on noncitizens, whether legally or illegally in the country to participate in taxpayer-funded health care.
“Even President Obama and Democratic Senator Baucus reject this radical move and oppose participation by illegal immigrants,” said Smith.
However, the NCLR doesn’t mention the fact that an overwhelming number of Americans are not happy about providing extra health care to those in the country illegally.
The latest Rasmussen Reports poll confirms that “83 percent of voters nationwide say that people should be required to prove they are a citizen of the United States before receiving government health care subsidies.”
Finally, something most Americans can agree on.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Monday, November 9, 2009
Pelosi’s health care bonanza includes jail time for those who don’t buy in
If the House health care bill squeaks through the Senate and is signed into law by the President, those failing to buy into the health insurance business will face steep fines and even jail time.
According to the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation, the House version of this trillion dollar health-care boondoggle will pay a fine of 2.5 percent of their yearly salary or face up to five years in prison.
Pelosi’s massive health legislation describes the penalties in section 7203; it is a misdemeanor to willfully fail to pay for health insurance and it is punishable by a fine of up to $25, 000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.
In section 7201 it will be a felony to willfully evade purchasing health insurance and it is punishable by five years in prison and/or $250,000 fine.
If American’s would like to pass on jail time, they will need to pony up some serious Benjamin’s by 2016. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that a family of four would have to pay $15,000 per year.
The Obama vision of health care will cost low-income families, who make $45,000, approximately 8 percent of their salary. While those making upwards of $65,000 will have to pitch in approximately 12 percent of their earnings in order to pay their insurance tab.
To be fair, The Joint Committee on Taxation reported the Senate Finance Committee bill doesn’t include the same prison time provisions. It also points to the fact that it will be a tough road for both bills to reconcile in order to present unified health care legislation for the President’s to sign.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
According to the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation, the House version of this trillion dollar health-care boondoggle will pay a fine of 2.5 percent of their yearly salary or face up to five years in prison.
Pelosi’s massive health legislation describes the penalties in section 7203; it is a misdemeanor to willfully fail to pay for health insurance and it is punishable by a fine of up to $25, 000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.
In section 7201 it will be a felony to willfully evade purchasing health insurance and it is punishable by five years in prison and/or $250,000 fine.
If American’s would like to pass on jail time, they will need to pony up some serious Benjamin’s by 2016. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that a family of four would have to pay $15,000 per year.
The Obama vision of health care will cost low-income families, who make $45,000, approximately 8 percent of their salary. While those making upwards of $65,000 will have to pitch in approximately 12 percent of their earnings in order to pay their insurance tab.
To be fair, The Joint Committee on Taxation reported the Senate Finance Committee bill doesn’t include the same prison time provisions. It also points to the fact that it will be a tough road for both bills to reconcile in order to present unified health care legislation for the President’s to sign.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Fire breaks out in San Diego - fire hazards persist in illegal migrant camps
Bone-dry conditions persist in California’s southland and water shortages have lead to mandatory rationing, yet San Diego’s picturesque canyons remain littered with illegal migrant squatters and their fire-making gadgets.
Over the weekend 45 firefighters fought a fire in tough canyon terrain near the community of Del Cerro off highway 8 and Adobe Falls road.
The fire was believed to be started by a homeless camp in the canyon. The blaze took two helicopters, eight fire engine companies, three brush rigs as well as two battalion chiefs and three fire investigators to fight the fire-thirsty canyon.
“It’s difficult terrain,” explained Maurice Luque, spokesman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. He continued to say the canyon terrain makes firefighting with water tougher.
Multiple homes in the area were threatened by the blaze and the fire fighters had to water down roof tops to protect them from the flying embers.
Back in other San Diego Canyon regions the migrant squatter cycle continues unabated. Each time squatter camps are found, photos are taken and photos are presented to law enforcement, yet little has been done to get them to leave the canyons.
ICE and Border Patrol still are not allowed to check the legal status of all the migrants who are believed to be illegally working in the country.
More than a week after camps were located near Vista, and photos and maps provided to the Vista Sheriff Department, all the camps remain and no eviction notices have been posted.
“Some camps appeared to be vacant while others seem to have recent activity,” said Capt. Timothy Curran in a follow-up interview last week. He said his Deputies did not locate anyone in the camps, which is normal during the day when migrant squatters are seeking day labor or working in nearby fields.
What will it take to have these migrant camps removed from the San Diego Canyons?
Capt. Curran claims they are working on it.
“On 10-30-09, Deputy Aitken contacted San Diego County Legal Counsel, B. Ziegler, and advised him of the situation. Mr. Ziegler is coordinating with San Diego County Code Enforcement to contact the land owner for clean up of the property. If we are unsuccessful with this legal and appropriate tactic, the clean up will be undertaken by the County of San Diego and legal action will commence against the property owner.”
The message has to get out there that camping in our canyons is not allowed; Period, is San Diego resident Julie Adam’s point. “I know I was threatened with arrest if I camped in the canyon during the ‘Rick Roberts First Citizen’s Campout in 2006.’ I can only ask that these squatters not be told to hide better, but have the same consequences levied on them as was levied on me, a homeowner in the area. The law needs to be applied equally.”
However, as of yesterday no signs were posted, all camps contained fire making capabilities (propane and butane stoves, lighters, cigarettes, drugs) and evidence of heavy drinking – nothing is changed. All these activities will eventually end in another accidental fire and loss of nearby homes.
“Wow, looks like some long-term residents are residing in the canyons and all that fire equipment scares the daylights out of me. I’m disappointed to hear what Curran's response is,” explains Suellen Shea, a Vista resident who lives near the northern county canyons.
Other problem canyon areas that continue to be inhabited by illegal migrants who stay rent-free are McGonigle and Rancho Penasquitos Canyons in the city of San Diego. More than a month after illegal prostitution was uncovered and numerous camp sites located, nearby residents there still see little progress.
“It should be as simple as the migrant liaisons going in and tagging (the camps) and then following through to see that they are removed,” says Adams. “ With citizens actually mapping the camp locations, there is no need for spending the extra resources on helicopters, extra patrols, quads, horses etc. I just want law enforcement to follow through with the evictions.”
According to the State of California Penal code CPC 647 (e); every person who commits any of the following acts is guilty of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor: (e) who lodges in any building, structure, vehicle, or place, whether public or private, without the permission of the owner or person entitled to the possession or in control of it. http://law.onecle.com/california/penal/647.html.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Over the weekend 45 firefighters fought a fire in tough canyon terrain near the community of Del Cerro off highway 8 and Adobe Falls road.
The fire was believed to be started by a homeless camp in the canyon. The blaze took two helicopters, eight fire engine companies, three brush rigs as well as two battalion chiefs and three fire investigators to fight the fire-thirsty canyon.
“It’s difficult terrain,” explained Maurice Luque, spokesman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. He continued to say the canyon terrain makes firefighting with water tougher.
Multiple homes in the area were threatened by the blaze and the fire fighters had to water down roof tops to protect them from the flying embers.
Back in other San Diego Canyon regions the migrant squatter cycle continues unabated. Each time squatter camps are found, photos are taken and photos are presented to law enforcement, yet little has been done to get them to leave the canyons.
ICE and Border Patrol still are not allowed to check the legal status of all the migrants who are believed to be illegally working in the country.
More than a week after camps were located near Vista, and photos and maps provided to the Vista Sheriff Department, all the camps remain and no eviction notices have been posted.
“Some camps appeared to be vacant while others seem to have recent activity,” said Capt. Timothy Curran in a follow-up interview last week. He said his Deputies did not locate anyone in the camps, which is normal during the day when migrant squatters are seeking day labor or working in nearby fields.
What will it take to have these migrant camps removed from the San Diego Canyons?
Capt. Curran claims they are working on it.
“On 10-30-09, Deputy Aitken contacted San Diego County Legal Counsel, B. Ziegler, and advised him of the situation. Mr. Ziegler is coordinating with San Diego County Code Enforcement to contact the land owner for clean up of the property. If we are unsuccessful with this legal and appropriate tactic, the clean up will be undertaken by the County of San Diego and legal action will commence against the property owner.”
The message has to get out there that camping in our canyons is not allowed; Period, is San Diego resident Julie Adam’s point. “I know I was threatened with arrest if I camped in the canyon during the ‘Rick Roberts First Citizen’s Campout in 2006.’ I can only ask that these squatters not be told to hide better, but have the same consequences levied on them as was levied on me, a homeowner in the area. The law needs to be applied equally.”
However, as of yesterday no signs were posted, all camps contained fire making capabilities (propane and butane stoves, lighters, cigarettes, drugs) and evidence of heavy drinking – nothing is changed. All these activities will eventually end in another accidental fire and loss of nearby homes.
“Wow, looks like some long-term residents are residing in the canyons and all that fire equipment scares the daylights out of me. I’m disappointed to hear what Curran's response is,” explains Suellen Shea, a Vista resident who lives near the northern county canyons.
Other problem canyon areas that continue to be inhabited by illegal migrants who stay rent-free are McGonigle and Rancho Penasquitos Canyons in the city of San Diego. More than a month after illegal prostitution was uncovered and numerous camp sites located, nearby residents there still see little progress.
“It should be as simple as the migrant liaisons going in and tagging (the camps) and then following through to see that they are removed,” says Adams. “ With citizens actually mapping the camp locations, there is no need for spending the extra resources on helicopters, extra patrols, quads, horses etc. I just want law enforcement to follow through with the evictions.”
According to the State of California Penal code CPC 647 (e); every person who commits any of the following acts is guilty of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor: (e) who lodges in any building, structure, vehicle, or place, whether public or private, without the permission of the owner or person entitled to the possession or in control of it. http://law.onecle.com/california/penal/647.html.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Sunday, November 8, 2009
1 in 5 patients die over 50 die of H1N1, yet CDC refuses to offer vaccine
The current Swine flu pandemic gripping the country hits those over 50 and children under-6 months particularly hard.
However, those who most need the specific-strain flu shot are not the ones first in line. According to the Journal of American Medical Association, those over 50 are most likely to suffer death due to the Swine flu.
A California study looked back to flu deaths this year and found 18-20 percent of the 50 and older age group was more likely to succumb to the swine flu pandemic.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said the H1N1 is continuing to spread among the U.S. population, however, they don’t see the strain becoming more virulent. So far the CDC has released 31 million doses of the swine flu vaccines, well short of the 300 million-plus Americans living in the country.
In a story from Disabled World titled ‘Map of Latest H1N1 swine Flu Outbreak Cases and Statistics,’ “170 out of 382 deaths in the world are in the United States. The United States only accounts for 37% of the cases, yet we have 44% of the Deaths,” Terri Linnell a concerned resident points out.
Taking all this data into account, the health department has expanded the base of citizens who will be vaccinated. The new groups include, pregnant women, those who provide care to infants under the age of six-months, health care professionals and those 6-months-to 24 years.
This isn’t exactly good news for those in the over 50 category who are most likely to die from the Swine flu.
“Why with our great hospital system, who doesn’t even ask if we have insurance or any ability to pay, are people over 50 at such a high risk of death being denied the swine flu shot? Why has my mother, age 67, a high risk COPD patient, been refused the swine flu shot?” asked Terri Linnell.
It costs the insurance companies a lot of money, especially for children who need special, high cost care in children's hospitals. It also costs the insurance companies a lot of money to prolong the life of our elderly.
So what do the insurance companies want? “They want fewer seniors to provide for. They also want to lower the number of children hospitalized. So when given a choice, which would be the most profitable business decision,” Linnell pointing out.
The decision of who gets the H1N1 vaccine lies with the head of the CDC, Dr. Thomas Frieden, who was appointed by Obama on May 15th of this year.
Linnell believes this is genocide. “Our elderly being systematically killed with a refusal of swine flu shots. I feel strongly our health care system is better than this and that the people in control are either failing completely in their jobs, or are purposely doing this.”
The unseemly decision of the CDC to leave out the highest risk citizens, the 50-plus category, does put forth the question, why are they being refused the H1N1 vaccine?
For more information about H1N1; http://www.disabled-world.com/health/influenza/swine-flu/cases-statistics.php
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
However, those who most need the specific-strain flu shot are not the ones first in line. According to the Journal of American Medical Association, those over 50 are most likely to suffer death due to the Swine flu.
A California study looked back to flu deaths this year and found 18-20 percent of the 50 and older age group was more likely to succumb to the swine flu pandemic.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said the H1N1 is continuing to spread among the U.S. population, however, they don’t see the strain becoming more virulent. So far the CDC has released 31 million doses of the swine flu vaccines, well short of the 300 million-plus Americans living in the country.
In a story from Disabled World titled ‘Map of Latest H1N1 swine Flu Outbreak Cases and Statistics,’ “170 out of 382 deaths in the world are in the United States. The United States only accounts for 37% of the cases, yet we have 44% of the Deaths,” Terri Linnell a concerned resident points out.
Taking all this data into account, the health department has expanded the base of citizens who will be vaccinated. The new groups include, pregnant women, those who provide care to infants under the age of six-months, health care professionals and those 6-months-to 24 years.
This isn’t exactly good news for those in the over 50 category who are most likely to die from the Swine flu.
“Why with our great hospital system, who doesn’t even ask if we have insurance or any ability to pay, are people over 50 at such a high risk of death being denied the swine flu shot? Why has my mother, age 67, a high risk COPD patient, been refused the swine flu shot?” asked Terri Linnell.
It costs the insurance companies a lot of money, especially for children who need special, high cost care in children's hospitals. It also costs the insurance companies a lot of money to prolong the life of our elderly.
So what do the insurance companies want? “They want fewer seniors to provide for. They also want to lower the number of children hospitalized. So when given a choice, which would be the most profitable business decision,” Linnell pointing out.
The decision of who gets the H1N1 vaccine lies with the head of the CDC, Dr. Thomas Frieden, who was appointed by Obama on May 15th of this year.
Linnell believes this is genocide. “Our elderly being systematically killed with a refusal of swine flu shots. I feel strongly our health care system is better than this and that the people in control are either failing completely in their jobs, or are purposely doing this.”
The unseemly decision of the CDC to leave out the highest risk citizens, the 50-plus category, does put forth the question, why are they being refused the H1N1 vaccine?
For more information about H1N1; http://www.disabled-world.com/health/influenza/swine-flu/cases-statistics.php
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Friday, November 6, 2009
Boxer votes to allow 9/11 terrorists to possibly relocate to California
California has problems, higher than average unemployment, a budget that’s bust and a man-made drought, however that is nothing compared to what California Barbara Boxer has planned – housing the 9/11 terrorists somewhere in the golden state.
Yes, move over Alcatraz, Boxer would like to see the 9/11 terrorists tried in federal civilian courts instead of traditional military commissions.
The same dirt bags that were responsible for killing more than 3,000 innocent Americans in 2001, may be transferred to California soil and join the ranks of Charles Manson, Hillside Strangler and O.J. Simpson.
Amendment 2669 in the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 was written by Sen. Lindsey Graham-R S.C.; the amendment would have prevented those responsible for the 9/11 attacks any funds for prosecution.
California’s other Senator Diane Feinstein-D joined her partner in crime in voting to allow the terrorists to be tried in federal court.
“Boxer voted to weaken America’s national security tonight when she voted against a measure that would keep some of the world’s deadliest terrorists out of American communities,” said Amber Wilkerson Marchand of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
“Boxer needs to explain to her constituents why she suddenly believes the co-conspirators of the 9/11 attacks should be tried in civilian courtrooms alongside common criminals,” she said.
Boxer’s challengers, Carly Fiorina or Chuck DeVore will clearly take Boxer to task on this careless vote in the nation’s capital.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Yes, move over Alcatraz, Boxer would like to see the 9/11 terrorists tried in federal civilian courts instead of traditional military commissions.
The same dirt bags that were responsible for killing more than 3,000 innocent Americans in 2001, may be transferred to California soil and join the ranks of Charles Manson, Hillside Strangler and O.J. Simpson.
Amendment 2669 in the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 was written by Sen. Lindsey Graham-R S.C.; the amendment would have prevented those responsible for the 9/11 attacks any funds for prosecution.
California’s other Senator Diane Feinstein-D joined her partner in crime in voting to allow the terrorists to be tried in federal court.
“Boxer voted to weaken America’s national security tonight when she voted against a measure that would keep some of the world’s deadliest terrorists out of American communities,” said Amber Wilkerson Marchand of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
“Boxer needs to explain to her constituents why she suddenly believes the co-conspirators of the 9/11 attacks should be tried in civilian courtrooms alongside common criminals,” she said.
Boxer’s challengers, Carly Fiorina or Chuck DeVore will clearly take Boxer to task on this careless vote in the nation’s capital.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Senator DeMint throws his weight behind California Senate hopeful DeVore
A big time endorsement from Senator Jim DeMint-R SC went to California conservative Chuck DeVore who hopes to win his primary and take on sitting liberal Democrat Senator Barbara Boxer.
Looking ahead to the 2010 election, Chuck DeVore hopes a Reagan-style landslide is in his future with the support of such a prominent Republican Senator. This five-year veteran in the California State Assembly sees the upcoming election as a way to change the country’s future.
“He is in a very difficult state (CA), and when he gets here (D.C.) he’s going to join a country- not a club,” DeMint quipped. “We need to shake up the Republican Party, and Chuck’s not afraid to stand up to his own party and say you’re wrong.”
California currently faces historic unemployment rates, continued budget shortfalls and a man made drought in the Central Valley.
“Chuck stands by the farmers even when California’s current Senators continue to do nothing,” says DeMint.
DeVore explained he was delighted to get DeMint’s endorsement. “Jim sees our California Senators are falling down on the job at the federal level- they could help our farmers in the Central Valley.”
After the political landslide in this week’s elections, both Senator and candidate see promise in the upcoming 2010 midterms. “The election’s were an indication that if Republicans are willing to put a good campaign together, they can win in any state in the country,” DeMint said.
Running for office in ultra liberal California poses unique challenges for Republicans, especially a conservative one. You have to go all the way back to Ronald Reagan to see a strong victory.
“There are two reasons why I am running against Ma’am Boxer; one because we so badly need to beat her and two, I know we can do it in 2010,” DeVore enthusiastically said.
DeVore expects to run on conservative principles. In his five-year career in the California State Assembly, DeVore held his ground. DeVore also has a strong military background.
“We (California) can’t keep spending and borrowing our way out problems,” DeVore explained. “California can’t grow government with borrowed money from China.”
Clearly DeVore believes something is broken in the California legislative process and would like an opportunity to address the issues at a federal level.
Before DeVore can take his shot against Boxer, he must win the Republican primary against Carly Fiorina. “This race will set up a wonderful contrast. I consider myself a true Reagan Republican, Carly is more of a Rockefeller Republican.”
In any case California’s Senate seat is ripe for the picking.
For another story on Chuck DeVore; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m9d18-DeVore-has-his-eye-on-Maam-Barbara-Boxers-Senate-seat
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Looking ahead to the 2010 election, Chuck DeVore hopes a Reagan-style landslide is in his future with the support of such a prominent Republican Senator. This five-year veteran in the California State Assembly sees the upcoming election as a way to change the country’s future.
“He is in a very difficult state (CA), and when he gets here (D.C.) he’s going to join a country- not a club,” DeMint quipped. “We need to shake up the Republican Party, and Chuck’s not afraid to stand up to his own party and say you’re wrong.”
California currently faces historic unemployment rates, continued budget shortfalls and a man made drought in the Central Valley.
“Chuck stands by the farmers even when California’s current Senators continue to do nothing,” says DeMint.
DeVore explained he was delighted to get DeMint’s endorsement. “Jim sees our California Senators are falling down on the job at the federal level- they could help our farmers in the Central Valley.”
After the political landslide in this week’s elections, both Senator and candidate see promise in the upcoming 2010 midterms. “The election’s were an indication that if Republicans are willing to put a good campaign together, they can win in any state in the country,” DeMint said.
Running for office in ultra liberal California poses unique challenges for Republicans, especially a conservative one. You have to go all the way back to Ronald Reagan to see a strong victory.
“There are two reasons why I am running against Ma’am Boxer; one because we so badly need to beat her and two, I know we can do it in 2010,” DeVore enthusiastically said.
DeVore expects to run on conservative principles. In his five-year career in the California State Assembly, DeVore held his ground. DeVore also has a strong military background.
“We (California) can’t keep spending and borrowing our way out problems,” DeVore explained. “California can’t grow government with borrowed money from China.”
Clearly DeVore believes something is broken in the California legislative process and would like an opportunity to address the issues at a federal level.
Before DeVore can take his shot against Boxer, he must win the Republican primary against Carly Fiorina. “This race will set up a wonderful contrast. I consider myself a true Reagan Republican, Carly is more of a Rockefeller Republican.”
In any case California’s Senate seat is ripe for the picking.
For another story on Chuck DeVore; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m9d18-DeVore-has-his-eye-on-Maam-Barbara-Boxers-Senate-seat
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Boxer faces another contender in her 2010 reelection race – Carly Fiorina
During a live web cast, Carly Fiorina announced her intention to run for the California Senate seat currently occupied by Democrat Barbara Boxer. However, she will have to make it through a tough primary race against fellow Republican Chuck DeVore.
Claiming to have a new lease on life after her nine-month battle with breast cancer, Fiorina stated that “Boxer isn’t so scary, after my chemo-therapy treatments.”
In a calm and determined manner Fiorina talked about the current economic crisis and understood that it was difficult to remain optimistic. “California faces historic unemployment levels and out-of-control spending,” she explained. “Instead of investing for growth in Washington, we get talk, partisanship and back room deals.”
What would a campaign speech be without targeting the opposition? “Boxer has been Senator for 17 years and she’s delivered three pieces of legislation; a name of a river, a name of a courthouse in Fresno and some seismic technology to the Bay Area. I guess one piece of legislation in 17 years isn’t so bad.”
This political jab will be a staple on the campaign trail for Fiorina.
However, Boxer’s prized jewel of her 17-year career will definitely be the Cap and Trade Bill she co-sponsors with Senator John Kerry-D-MA.
The 800-plus page Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act has already met with fierce opposition and is expected to garner few if any votes from the Republican side of the isle.
“We need simple logic and common sense when it comes to the environment. We can save the environment and protect jobs with innovation and entrepreneurs,” she explained.
Fiorina, who worked her way through the male-dominated technology sector with Hewlett Packard, pointed to her years of running a large corporation as her template to get Washington back onto the right track and give Californian’s the voice they deserve.
“D.C. needs to start with the obvious thing first – live within your means.”
Wasting no time on her first day of campaigning, Fiorina signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.
She also turned to a few issues her campaign will focus on. Audience favorite was the no new taxes, followed by additional funding for small businesses who didn’t receive any bailout money.
“We also need to look at our regulation framework. It’s been around for a century and it needs to fixed,” she explained.
If Fiorina is successful in her Republican primary race, she will face an incumbent who has been described by the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s Brian Walsh, as "Ineffective, polarizing and partisan."
With an even tone, Fiorina said, “She (Boxer) has taken the low road to reach higher office every election cycle.”
Sounds like Fiorina is ready to rumble.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Claiming to have a new lease on life after her nine-month battle with breast cancer, Fiorina stated that “Boxer isn’t so scary, after my chemo-therapy treatments.”
In a calm and determined manner Fiorina talked about the current economic crisis and understood that it was difficult to remain optimistic. “California faces historic unemployment levels and out-of-control spending,” she explained. “Instead of investing for growth in Washington, we get talk, partisanship and back room deals.”
What would a campaign speech be without targeting the opposition? “Boxer has been Senator for 17 years and she’s delivered three pieces of legislation; a name of a river, a name of a courthouse in Fresno and some seismic technology to the Bay Area. I guess one piece of legislation in 17 years isn’t so bad.”
This political jab will be a staple on the campaign trail for Fiorina.
However, Boxer’s prized jewel of her 17-year career will definitely be the Cap and Trade Bill she co-sponsors with Senator John Kerry-D-MA.
The 800-plus page Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act has already met with fierce opposition and is expected to garner few if any votes from the Republican side of the isle.
“We need simple logic and common sense when it comes to the environment. We can save the environment and protect jobs with innovation and entrepreneurs,” she explained.
Fiorina, who worked her way through the male-dominated technology sector with Hewlett Packard, pointed to her years of running a large corporation as her template to get Washington back onto the right track and give Californian’s the voice they deserve.
“D.C. needs to start with the obvious thing first – live within your means.”
Wasting no time on her first day of campaigning, Fiorina signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.
She also turned to a few issues her campaign will focus on. Audience favorite was the no new taxes, followed by additional funding for small businesses who didn’t receive any bailout money.
“We also need to look at our regulation framework. It’s been around for a century and it needs to fixed,” she explained.
If Fiorina is successful in her Republican primary race, she will face an incumbent who has been described by the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s Brian Walsh, as "Ineffective, polarizing and partisan."
With an even tone, Fiorina said, “She (Boxer) has taken the low road to reach higher office every election cycle.”
Sounds like Fiorina is ready to rumble.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
House of Death – U.S. Government cover-up unveiled
The ‘House of Death’ case lends itself to a sad part of American history for the government, a low point, but now five years and a new president later the case continues to be swept under the mat.
Over the past nine months the White House has hammered away at the Bush Administration on everything from bungling the war on terrorism to the economy. How many times have we heard “We are a nation of laws?” Or “I don’t mind cleaning up the mess; just don’t tell me how to do it?” Or seen the word “transparency” used.
U.S. law enforcement certainly tweaked the laws concerning the Juarez House of Death case that ultimately cost 12 lives; 11 of which could have been prevented. So why are the recent and current White House Administrations failing to stand by the laws of America? Why look the other way? These are questions this story will attempt to answer without any help from government officials.
It’s no secret that Juarez is presently the most violent city in Mexico and murders take place on a daily basis. But does it mean the U.S. government should be complicit when said murders are known to take place? This is exactly what happened after the first murder at the House of Death in Juarez.
In an affidavit, Juanita Fielden, an Assistant U.S. Attorney says; “I learned of the first murder on August 5, 2003… I, in turn, contacted Ass. U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman who advised Richard Durbin, chief of the criminal division for the Western District of Texas.”
A full five months pass before the truth comes out. During those five months, eleven more murders will be committed.
After the proverbial s**t hit the fan and DEA agents’ lives were put in grave danger and the out-of-control case sped faster off the cliff, one senior agent had enough. “We had five to six DEA staff members in danger as well as their families,” said Sandalio ‘Sandy’ Gonzalez the retired special agent in charge for the El Paso DEA office.
This final incident in January 2004 at the House of Death became the parameter in seeking the truth for one man at the DEA.
Meanwhile the El Paso Ice office began reporting the House of Death matter to Washington D.C. Eventually the case also passed through the office of Johnny Sutton, the US Attorney for Western Texas and a close ally of George W. Bush.
It was expected that Sutton would have shut down the case after the first murder, according to Bill Weaver, a law professor at the University of Texas at El Paso who has written extensively about the murder case. Sutton should have told ICE to “go with what you have, and let's try to bring Santillan to justice.”
It is worth pointing out that there was already a pending case on Heriberto Santillan-Tabares (a top lieutenant of the drug cartel in Juarez). In the end, he would be sent to prison for more than 25 years on the original drug charges, not for the murders he authorized and was charged with in the superseding indictment of February 18, 2004.
In the months before Washington decided to move on Santillan, the backyard of the Juarez house at 3633 Calle Parsonieros was filling up with tortured murdered corpses.
The term “carne asada” was used frequently to discuss murders that were about to take place. Each time Lalo had to get permission from his ICE handlers to cross the Mexico border to witness the murders and then report back to the U.S. government.
The House of Death case was spiraling out of control. In testimony at Gonzalez’ discrimination trial in federal court, current Acting Administrator Michelle Leonhart acknowledged under oath that she notified Attorney General Ashcroft about the House of Death, and then DEA Administrator Karen Tandy did so as well. Tandy also testified to the fact the House of Death case was being handled at the highest levels of the Department of Justice.
In addition to the highest levels of the Justice Department, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson were also briefed about the case. This was testified to under oath by DEA Chief of Operations Michael Furgason at the same civil trial.
By this time the cover-up is in full swing and DOJ, ICE and DEA are all willing participants.
In early February of 2004 Gonzalez was directed by DEA Headquarters to get to the bottom of the House of Death debacle. As a result, Gonzalez conducted relevant inquiries, which led to a letter he sent to his counterpart at ICE and to the U.S. Attorney’s Office on February 24, 2004. In the letter, Gonzalez said it was unacceptable that DEA agents and their families were placed in grave danger by the recklessness of ICE in the handling of the Santillan case.
“This resulted in the unnecessary loss of human life in the Republic of Mexico,” Gonzalez said in a letter to his counterpart the SAC for ICE as well as U.S. Attorney Sutton’s office.
Regarding the letter, during sworn testimony Leonhart claimed that Gonzalez should have cleared the letter with her office prior to sending it. She also said in the past, “I remember occasions when he would have issues with the U.S. Attorney’s office and would even show me a draft letter before he went and sent it or would talk to headquarters and get some guidance before he would send it.” This came as a surprise to Gonzalez and he made it clear during his rebuttal testimony that was not DEA procedure as he was a Senior DEA Executive in charge of a Field Division and had the authority to sign official correspondence on behalf of DEA in his division.
According to Gonzalez’ letter, “Following the August murder of Fernando LNU in 2003, ICE agents requested several country clearances for the informant to travel to Juarez. They continued sending the informant to Juarez while failing to report his activities to DEA as required by internal agreements.”
The letter also included a meeting that took place right after the first murder between FBI, DEA and ICE to discuss the Mexican Police corruption matter as well as the murder. However, ICE blew the meeting off, according to Gonzalez. “This should have ended at the August 11, 2003 meeting.”
“Once it was known that at least 12 murders had taken place at the house, ICE would not let Lalo give a statement to the Mexican authorities for several weeks,” Gonzalez said. “He finally gave his statement regarding the violence and brutality that took place in Juarez from August 2003 to January 2004.”
According to Gonzalez, “weeks later, when Lalo was finally made available to DEA for debriefing, ICE set up some ground rules notifying all parties that Lalo could not be asked about his activities prior to January 14, 2004.”
Gonzalez maintains this game playing by the U.S. amounts to nothing more than obstructing an investigation. In his letter, he wrote “This situation is so bizarre; I have never come across such callous behavior by fellow law enforcement officers.”
Catherine O'Neil, director of the DOJ's Organized Crime Task Force, described Gonzalez’ letter as “inflammatory.” She passed on Sutton's fears to the then Attorney General, John Ashcroft and then to DEA Administrator Karen Tandy.
Tandy explains she was horrified by Gonzalez' letter. “I apologized to Johnny Sutton last night and he and I agreed on a ‘no comment’ to the press.”
Gonzalez would be removed from the House of Death case and ordered not to talk about it to the press.
As a result of conflicting reports about the situation by both DEA and ICE, a Joint Assessment Team was convened to review the situation. More than 40 people were interviewed on both sides of the border. According to Gonzalez, he was blocked from gaining a copy of the report, though during his civil trial then Deputy Administrator Leonhart stated he had been informed he’d get a copy of it.
“There have been several Freedom of Information Act requests for this document,” said Andy Ramirez of the Law Enforcement Officers Advocates Council who has been following this case. “I think the JAT report would answer a lot of questions concerning the mishandling of the House of Death case. If everything is kosher why not release the report?”
Gonzalez concurs, “They (ICE and DEA) needed to get their stories straight. It was clear that DEA and ICE had a strained relationship and there was a lot of finger pointing, but in the end DEA was out of the loop. We had the wisdom to deactivate Lalo when he tried to cross the U.S. border with 100 pounds of marijuana, however; ICE kept him around.”
The letter Gonzalez wrote would be validated by the findings in the JAT report and to this day Gonzalez has never been challenged on the facts he presented in his letter.
“The proof is in the pudding,” Gonzalez said. “The jury didn’t buy anything that the government was saying during my civil trial, and I won.”
Adding to this is the simple fact that on page 516 of the official trial record, then Deputy Administrator Leonhart testified in regards to responsibility over the House of Death, “ICE was responsible, yes…ICE caused the incident.”
Coincidentally, four of the five agency employees who testified against Gonzalez were presidential appointees, and three seemed okay with what took place within the House of Death case. They were not hesitant to throw Gonzalez under the bus for questioning it in writing.
****
This would be the beginning of the end for Lalo. He simply faded into the Texas backdrop until August of 2004 when someone tried to shoot him in El Paso He escaped injury, when he had a fellow snitch go on his behalf instead.
Lalo was then taken into protective custody and in May 2005, ICE, the agency that had cherished him, began legal proceedings to deport him to Mexico. This amounted to a death sentence for an ex-Mexican police officer turned drug dealer turned U.S. snitch.
Why send a former U.S. snitch who earned more than $250,000 from Uncle Sam to certain death. Obama made sure the Uighurs from China were released from Gitmo to Bermuda because they would have been murdered if they returned to China.
In a recent statement from DOJ, “I am told that this is a matter currently in litigation and we would, therefore, not be able to comment,” said Charles Miller of the Department of Justice. Yet, when pressed about the case against Santillan has been closed, DOJ declined to answer.
A similar answer came from the DEA; “The DEA will not comment on this deportation matter because immigration matters in general are outside our jurisdiction, and this case specifically was not a DEA case. In addition, DEA does not speak for DOJ on policy matters.”
Basically, DEA continues its stance on not commenting regarding the deportation of Lalo to Mexico, which amounts to a death sentence. It is also worth pointing out that if Lalo dies, so does the embarrassment of the House of Death incident for the U.S.
And finally ICE had no comment regarding their former informant, Lalo.
All the while the record shows that Acting Administrator Leonhart stated under oath that ICE was responsible for the House of Death case.
Andy Ramirez who has worked and investigated legal cases against law enforcement officers as well as border security compromises sums it up best.
“The undeniable fact is that Attorney General Ashcroft, USA Johnny Sutton, and the Justice Department refused to prosecute Santillan for his role in the murders (in the plea deal for drugs), and any of the other key figures in this and other cases. This cadre clearly protected the bad guys at all costs by keeping them out of the courtroom where possible and sealing their crimes or cutting plea deals for lower crimes,” said Ramirez
“Of course the irony here is one can take the words from Sutton’s press briefings, releases and media tour, between 2006 and 2008, where he talks about agents he prosecuted for significantly lower crimes with distorted circumstantial evidence. For the most part, a pattern of hypocrisy and a clear lack of candor exists,” states Ramirez.
He continues, “In essence the U.S. Government’s Executive Branch (DOJ, DEA, DHS, & ICE) have conspired to cover this case up with their refusals to comment, as well as what are called ‘non-denial denials’ of the FOIA requests for the JAT report, and it all started when Sandy wrote his letter to ICE and Sutton.”
But as Ramirez testified before the House Homeland Security Committee in 2007, “Mexico does not know what corruption is, they come to El Paso to learn.”
“Nothing about this case, outside of their attempt to deport Lalo to certain death has been transparent. To me there is a clear-cut case for obstruction of justice by ordering Lalo not to wear the wire, conspiracy to obstruct when someone orders Sandy to not write any more memos and to not talk to the media, though Sutton clearly initiates that by calling DC and not talking with Sandy about it,” Ramirez explains.
“But what is most amazing is that unlike other patterns in cases I’ve observed, Mexico has not screamed foul. I’d say their silence has been quite deafening,” concluded Ramirez.
For part one of the House of Death; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m11d2-House-of-Death-in-Juarez-prelude-to-a-massive-murder-coverup
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
Over the past nine months the White House has hammered away at the Bush Administration on everything from bungling the war on terrorism to the economy. How many times have we heard “We are a nation of laws?” Or “I don’t mind cleaning up the mess; just don’t tell me how to do it?” Or seen the word “transparency” used.
U.S. law enforcement certainly tweaked the laws concerning the Juarez House of Death case that ultimately cost 12 lives; 11 of which could have been prevented. So why are the recent and current White House Administrations failing to stand by the laws of America? Why look the other way? These are questions this story will attempt to answer without any help from government officials.
It’s no secret that Juarez is presently the most violent city in Mexico and murders take place on a daily basis. But does it mean the U.S. government should be complicit when said murders are known to take place? This is exactly what happened after the first murder at the House of Death in Juarez.
In an affidavit, Juanita Fielden, an Assistant U.S. Attorney says; “I learned of the first murder on August 5, 2003… I, in turn, contacted Ass. U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman who advised Richard Durbin, chief of the criminal division for the Western District of Texas.”
A full five months pass before the truth comes out. During those five months, eleven more murders will be committed.
After the proverbial s**t hit the fan and DEA agents’ lives were put in grave danger and the out-of-control case sped faster off the cliff, one senior agent had enough. “We had five to six DEA staff members in danger as well as their families,” said Sandalio ‘Sandy’ Gonzalez the retired special agent in charge for the El Paso DEA office.
This final incident in January 2004 at the House of Death became the parameter in seeking the truth for one man at the DEA.
Meanwhile the El Paso Ice office began reporting the House of Death matter to Washington D.C. Eventually the case also passed through the office of Johnny Sutton, the US Attorney for Western Texas and a close ally of George W. Bush.
It was expected that Sutton would have shut down the case after the first murder, according to Bill Weaver, a law professor at the University of Texas at El Paso who has written extensively about the murder case. Sutton should have told ICE to “go with what you have, and let's try to bring Santillan to justice.”
It is worth pointing out that there was already a pending case on Heriberto Santillan-Tabares (a top lieutenant of the drug cartel in Juarez). In the end, he would be sent to prison for more than 25 years on the original drug charges, not for the murders he authorized and was charged with in the superseding indictment of February 18, 2004.
In the months before Washington decided to move on Santillan, the backyard of the Juarez house at 3633 Calle Parsonieros was filling up with tortured murdered corpses.
The term “carne asada” was used frequently to discuss murders that were about to take place. Each time Lalo had to get permission from his ICE handlers to cross the Mexico border to witness the murders and then report back to the U.S. government.
The House of Death case was spiraling out of control. In testimony at Gonzalez’ discrimination trial in federal court, current Acting Administrator Michelle Leonhart acknowledged under oath that she notified Attorney General Ashcroft about the House of Death, and then DEA Administrator Karen Tandy did so as well. Tandy also testified to the fact the House of Death case was being handled at the highest levels of the Department of Justice.
In addition to the highest levels of the Justice Department, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson were also briefed about the case. This was testified to under oath by DEA Chief of Operations Michael Furgason at the same civil trial.
By this time the cover-up is in full swing and DOJ, ICE and DEA are all willing participants.
In early February of 2004 Gonzalez was directed by DEA Headquarters to get to the bottom of the House of Death debacle. As a result, Gonzalez conducted relevant inquiries, which led to a letter he sent to his counterpart at ICE and to the U.S. Attorney’s Office on February 24, 2004. In the letter, Gonzalez said it was unacceptable that DEA agents and their families were placed in grave danger by the recklessness of ICE in the handling of the Santillan case.
“This resulted in the unnecessary loss of human life in the Republic of Mexico,” Gonzalez said in a letter to his counterpart the SAC for ICE as well as U.S. Attorney Sutton’s office.
Regarding the letter, during sworn testimony Leonhart claimed that Gonzalez should have cleared the letter with her office prior to sending it. She also said in the past, “I remember occasions when he would have issues with the U.S. Attorney’s office and would even show me a draft letter before he went and sent it or would talk to headquarters and get some guidance before he would send it.” This came as a surprise to Gonzalez and he made it clear during his rebuttal testimony that was not DEA procedure as he was a Senior DEA Executive in charge of a Field Division and had the authority to sign official correspondence on behalf of DEA in his division.
According to Gonzalez’ letter, “Following the August murder of Fernando LNU in 2003, ICE agents requested several country clearances for the informant to travel to Juarez. They continued sending the informant to Juarez while failing to report his activities to DEA as required by internal agreements.”
The letter also included a meeting that took place right after the first murder between FBI, DEA and ICE to discuss the Mexican Police corruption matter as well as the murder. However, ICE blew the meeting off, according to Gonzalez. “This should have ended at the August 11, 2003 meeting.”
“Once it was known that at least 12 murders had taken place at the house, ICE would not let Lalo give a statement to the Mexican authorities for several weeks,” Gonzalez said. “He finally gave his statement regarding the violence and brutality that took place in Juarez from August 2003 to January 2004.”
According to Gonzalez, “weeks later, when Lalo was finally made available to DEA for debriefing, ICE set up some ground rules notifying all parties that Lalo could not be asked about his activities prior to January 14, 2004.”
Gonzalez maintains this game playing by the U.S. amounts to nothing more than obstructing an investigation. In his letter, he wrote “This situation is so bizarre; I have never come across such callous behavior by fellow law enforcement officers.”
Catherine O'Neil, director of the DOJ's Organized Crime Task Force, described Gonzalez’ letter as “inflammatory.” She passed on Sutton's fears to the then Attorney General, John Ashcroft and then to DEA Administrator Karen Tandy.
Tandy explains she was horrified by Gonzalez' letter. “I apologized to Johnny Sutton last night and he and I agreed on a ‘no comment’ to the press.”
Gonzalez would be removed from the House of Death case and ordered not to talk about it to the press.
As a result of conflicting reports about the situation by both DEA and ICE, a Joint Assessment Team was convened to review the situation. More than 40 people were interviewed on both sides of the border. According to Gonzalez, he was blocked from gaining a copy of the report, though during his civil trial then Deputy Administrator Leonhart stated he had been informed he’d get a copy of it.
“There have been several Freedom of Information Act requests for this document,” said Andy Ramirez of the Law Enforcement Officers Advocates Council who has been following this case. “I think the JAT report would answer a lot of questions concerning the mishandling of the House of Death case. If everything is kosher why not release the report?”
Gonzalez concurs, “They (ICE and DEA) needed to get their stories straight. It was clear that DEA and ICE had a strained relationship and there was a lot of finger pointing, but in the end DEA was out of the loop. We had the wisdom to deactivate Lalo when he tried to cross the U.S. border with 100 pounds of marijuana, however; ICE kept him around.”
The letter Gonzalez wrote would be validated by the findings in the JAT report and to this day Gonzalez has never been challenged on the facts he presented in his letter.
“The proof is in the pudding,” Gonzalez said. “The jury didn’t buy anything that the government was saying during my civil trial, and I won.”
Adding to this is the simple fact that on page 516 of the official trial record, then Deputy Administrator Leonhart testified in regards to responsibility over the House of Death, “ICE was responsible, yes…ICE caused the incident.”
Coincidentally, four of the five agency employees who testified against Gonzalez were presidential appointees, and three seemed okay with what took place within the House of Death case. They were not hesitant to throw Gonzalez under the bus for questioning it in writing.
****
This would be the beginning of the end for Lalo. He simply faded into the Texas backdrop until August of 2004 when someone tried to shoot him in El Paso He escaped injury, when he had a fellow snitch go on his behalf instead.
Lalo was then taken into protective custody and in May 2005, ICE, the agency that had cherished him, began legal proceedings to deport him to Mexico. This amounted to a death sentence for an ex-Mexican police officer turned drug dealer turned U.S. snitch.
Why send a former U.S. snitch who earned more than $250,000 from Uncle Sam to certain death. Obama made sure the Uighurs from China were released from Gitmo to Bermuda because they would have been murdered if they returned to China.
In a recent statement from DOJ, “I am told that this is a matter currently in litigation and we would, therefore, not be able to comment,” said Charles Miller of the Department of Justice. Yet, when pressed about the case against Santillan has been closed, DOJ declined to answer.
A similar answer came from the DEA; “The DEA will not comment on this deportation matter because immigration matters in general are outside our jurisdiction, and this case specifically was not a DEA case. In addition, DEA does not speak for DOJ on policy matters.”
Basically, DEA continues its stance on not commenting regarding the deportation of Lalo to Mexico, which amounts to a death sentence. It is also worth pointing out that if Lalo dies, so does the embarrassment of the House of Death incident for the U.S.
And finally ICE had no comment regarding their former informant, Lalo.
All the while the record shows that Acting Administrator Leonhart stated under oath that ICE was responsible for the House of Death case.
Andy Ramirez who has worked and investigated legal cases against law enforcement officers as well as border security compromises sums it up best.
“The undeniable fact is that Attorney General Ashcroft, USA Johnny Sutton, and the Justice Department refused to prosecute Santillan for his role in the murders (in the plea deal for drugs), and any of the other key figures in this and other cases. This cadre clearly protected the bad guys at all costs by keeping them out of the courtroom where possible and sealing their crimes or cutting plea deals for lower crimes,” said Ramirez
“Of course the irony here is one can take the words from Sutton’s press briefings, releases and media tour, between 2006 and 2008, where he talks about agents he prosecuted for significantly lower crimes with distorted circumstantial evidence. For the most part, a pattern of hypocrisy and a clear lack of candor exists,” states Ramirez.
He continues, “In essence the U.S. Government’s Executive Branch (DOJ, DEA, DHS, & ICE) have conspired to cover this case up with their refusals to comment, as well as what are called ‘non-denial denials’ of the FOIA requests for the JAT report, and it all started when Sandy wrote his letter to ICE and Sutton.”
But as Ramirez testified before the House Homeland Security Committee in 2007, “Mexico does not know what corruption is, they come to El Paso to learn.”
“Nothing about this case, outside of their attempt to deport Lalo to certain death has been transparent. To me there is a clear-cut case for obstruction of justice by ordering Lalo not to wear the wire, conspiracy to obstruct when someone orders Sandy to not write any more memos and to not talk to the media, though Sutton clearly initiates that by calling DC and not talking with Sandy about it,” Ramirez explains.
“But what is most amazing is that unlike other patterns in cases I’ve observed, Mexico has not screamed foul. I’d say their silence has been quite deafening,” concluded Ramirez.
For part one of the House of Death; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m11d2-House-of-Death-in-Juarez-prelude-to-a-massive-murder-coverup
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner
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