Today California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has a tough decision; he will either dash the hopes of illegal aliens wanting to have the state pay for their higher education and veto The Dream Act, or the governor can do nothing and the legislation will become law after midnight.
With Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman in the middle of housekeeper-gate (opponents say she knowingly hired an illegal maid) and Republican Senatorial candidate Carly Fiorina, who said at her first debate that she supports the Dream Act, the governors office is waiting until the last day to decided the fate of two immigration bills.
Many opponents think the federal DREAM Act that languished a few weeks ago in Washington D.C. was nothing more than granting amnesty for illegal immigrants that would only encourage more illegal immigration.
The Heritage Foundation believes Congress needs to work “toward an immigration system that enforces rule of law, maintains security, and promotes the economy. Such a system can be achieved by robustly enforcing immigration laws, securing the border, reforming the visa system, and working with Mexico and other appropriate countries on law enforcement/public safety issues as well as free market initiatives.”
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act essentially repeals part of a prior federal law- specifically the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA); “that prohibits any state from offering in-state tuition rates to illegal aliens unless the state also offers in-state tuition rates to all U.S. citizens,” according to The Heritage Foundation.
Consequences of enacting a Dream-type piece of legislation include; rewarding illegal behavior by giving them in-state tuition, encourage more illegal aliens to cross the often treacherous southern borders knowing children will get a college education at taxpayer expense, penalizes U.S. residents from seeking college outside their state because they will have to pay out-of-state tuition and it stops all deportations of those 36 and under if they attend college or join the military.
“Instead of focusing on making amnesty the centerpiece of immigration reform efforts, Congress and the Administration should: Ensure robust enforcement of immigration laws, finish securing the border, institute much-needed reforms of the visa system and work with Mexico and other appropriate countries,” says Jena Baker McNeill, Policy Analyst for Homeland Security for The Heritage Foundation.
However, there is another side to this issue and they are trying equally as hard to convince Governor Schwarzenegger to do nothing and allow the two bills to become law.
California’s very own Dream Act comes in the form of Senate Bill 1460 and Assembly Bill 1413 both were approved by the state legislature and are ready for a signature.
California AB 1413 and SB 1460 also dubbed “The Dream Act” – would divert financial aid away from legal California residents and give assistance to illegal aliens. Critics argue the new benefit will only offer more incentives to break the U.S. immigration law.
Early cost estimates of the Dream Act weigh in the neighborhood of $40 million. The bill calls for the state to provide benefits to assist illegal aliens who attend California colleges. Critics argue that this assistance will add to the estimated $90 million a year California taxpayers already provide to give some illegal aliens in-state tuition benefits.
Spokespeople from the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) have expressed their support for the Dream Act even though it would add a financial burden to cash-strapped colleges.
Karen French, UCOP representative even wrote a letter to the governor’s office on behalf of the UCOP, offering support for SB1460 and requested that the Schwarzenegger sign the bill.
“SB1460 addresses the remaining hurdle for (undocumented) students: their inability to receive institutional aid,” French said. “Through their hard work and perseverance, these students have earned the opportunity to attend a UC. Their accomplishments should not be disregarded or their future jeopardized because of their legal status.”
The A.S. Vice President of External Affairs Michael Lam says he is working with UC student leaders to get the word out and mobilize student support of the legislation.
“This year (we will be working) with University of California Student Association to launch a campaign titled Economic Justice for the UC (which in part) will be to ensure that all students, no matter their documentation status, have a right to afford higher education,” he said.
The bill’s author, Senator Gil Cedillo (D-LA) also feels a pang of anger that the bill failed in D.C., but remains hopeful the Golden State’s governor will do the right thing.
“The U.S. Senate has lost the opportunity to advance the future of thousands of young talented students and our economy. We have duties and obligations to move young talent forward in our state and support them with equal education opportunities,” Cedillo said in a release posted on his website.
Republican gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman has articulated a polar opposite view on her policy page, “Meg is opposed to any form of amnesty. As Governor, Meg will support policies that will not allow undocumented immigrants admission to state-funded institutions of higher education.”
On the other hand, California's Republican Senate candidate Carly Fiorina, said at her first debate with incumbent Barbara Boxer (D-CA) she would support the DREAM Act, setting her apart from the majority of GOP lawmakers.
"I would support the DREAM Act because I do not believe that we can punish children who through no fault of their own are here trying to live the American dream," she said.
Her opponent, Boxer said would rather see a comprehensive immigration reform.
"The way to get the economy going again is to go with comprehensive immigration reform," Boxer pointed out. "The DREAM Act is part of that."
While the Dream Act is a tough sell to Californians who are dealing with the nation’s third highest unemployment numbers, close to 13 percent, supporters believe it is vital to pass the legislation in order to move the immigration reform debate forward.
Despite Schwarzenegger’s action or inaction federal law will trump state law and as such will nullify most of the bills components. And without the federal bill, illegal aliens who receive college degrees will still be unable to legalize their status and join their fellow classmates in the U.S. workforce.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
California Gubernatorial candidate Whitman’s former housekeeper claims abuse
In a late morning news conference at celebrity attorney Gloria Allred’s office, a former housekeeper has revealed charges that have exploded the California’s governor’s race in controversy. Republican candidate Meg Whitman’s former housekeeper, Nicky Diaz-Santillan, alleges her employer of nine years mistreated and overworked her and claims she knew she was an illegal alien from Mexico.
The press conference was carried by Hollywood gossip site TMZ who often works with the celebrity attorney.
Not surprisingly the Meg Whitman camp sees things a lot differently.
Whitman said in a statement, "After nine years of employment Nicky confessed that she 'was an illegal worker.' Nicky has falsified the hiring documents and personal information she provided to the employment agency that brought her to us in 2000."
Whitman contends that Diaz-Santillan "is being manipulated by Gloria Allred for political and financial purposes during the last few weeks of a hotly-contested election."
Allred did admit that she was supporting Democrat Jerry Brown in the governor’s race and this case has nothing to do with politics. “When people revert to name calling, as Whitman has, I know I have won the argument.”
However, Whitman spokesman Rob Stutzman said before the press conference that Diaz-Santillan "falsified her employment records" and Diaz-Santillan is being "manipulated by Ms. Allred,” according to The Los Angeles Times.
But Allred believes, "that Ms. Whitman was aware of her status, and may have understood that she was vulnerable because of it," She also implied Whitman was playing a game of "don't ask, don't tell" to "exploit her while pretending that she didn't know the truth about her status."
Details disclosed at the press conference include; the housekeepers salary of $23-per hour, when she was hired she was expected to work 15-hours-per week, the housekeeper drove Whitman’s children to and from school, tended to the grocery shopping and was expected to perform light cleaning duties.
The housekeeper Diaz-Santillan claims she worked much more than 15-hours-per week and was never reimbursed for mileage or extra hours over her nine-year employment stint.
It appears when the housekeeper’s legal status came into contention, Diaz-Santillan claims that Whitman fired her after her husband said, “I knew she was going to cause problems for us.”
The actual firing came after a teary-eyed face to face meeting with Whitman in which Diaz-Santillan came clean about her legal status and told the gubernatorial candidate she was from Mexico and had no legal papers to be in this country.
“I ask Ms. Whitman if she would help me get an immigration lawyer so I could stay in America. She said she would call her lawyer and call me soon,” Diaz-Santillan said at the press conference. A few days later when Diaz-Santillan called her employer, Whitman said she couldn’t help her and told Diaz-Santillan that “you don’t know me do you understand?”
Allred described Whitman’s treatment of Diaz-Santillan as "cold and heartless treatment of a hardworking Latina."
The comments from Whitman’s camp will be released later today, but the candidate claims the charges are false and they have documents to prove their case.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
The press conference was carried by Hollywood gossip site TMZ who often works with the celebrity attorney.
Not surprisingly the Meg Whitman camp sees things a lot differently.
Whitman said in a statement, "After nine years of employment Nicky confessed that she 'was an illegal worker.' Nicky has falsified the hiring documents and personal information she provided to the employment agency that brought her to us in 2000."
Whitman contends that Diaz-Santillan "is being manipulated by Gloria Allred for political and financial purposes during the last few weeks of a hotly-contested election."
Allred did admit that she was supporting Democrat Jerry Brown in the governor’s race and this case has nothing to do with politics. “When people revert to name calling, as Whitman has, I know I have won the argument.”
However, Whitman spokesman Rob Stutzman said before the press conference that Diaz-Santillan "falsified her employment records" and Diaz-Santillan is being "manipulated by Ms. Allred,” according to The Los Angeles Times.
But Allred believes, "that Ms. Whitman was aware of her status, and may have understood that she was vulnerable because of it," She also implied Whitman was playing a game of "don't ask, don't tell" to "exploit her while pretending that she didn't know the truth about her status."
Details disclosed at the press conference include; the housekeepers salary of $23-per hour, when she was hired she was expected to work 15-hours-per week, the housekeeper drove Whitman’s children to and from school, tended to the grocery shopping and was expected to perform light cleaning duties.
The housekeeper Diaz-Santillan claims she worked much more than 15-hours-per week and was never reimbursed for mileage or extra hours over her nine-year employment stint.
It appears when the housekeeper’s legal status came into contention, Diaz-Santillan claims that Whitman fired her after her husband said, “I knew she was going to cause problems for us.”
The actual firing came after a teary-eyed face to face meeting with Whitman in which Diaz-Santillan came clean about her legal status and told the gubernatorial candidate she was from Mexico and had no legal papers to be in this country.
“I ask Ms. Whitman if she would help me get an immigration lawyer so I could stay in America. She said she would call her lawyer and call me soon,” Diaz-Santillan said at the press conference. A few days later when Diaz-Santillan called her employer, Whitman said she couldn’t help her and told Diaz-Santillan that “you don’t know me do you understand?”
Allred described Whitman’s treatment of Diaz-Santillan as "cold and heartless treatment of a hardworking Latina."
The comments from Whitman’s camp will be released later today, but the candidate claims the charges are false and they have documents to prove their case.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Voters still leery of establishment GOP candidates- favor tea party conservatives
While Republican candidates are expected to take back the House in November a new poll by Rasmussen Reports says voters are weary of the GOP’s “Pledge to America,” but are willing to believe they will change the direction in Washington D.C.
The new Rasmussen Reports took data from a national telephone survey of “likely voters” and found only 32 percent believe the Republican “Pledge to America” as a serious policy document like the much talked about 1996 “Contract with America.”
Fifty percent also think the 21-page document is a campaign gimmick. Most conservatives and tea party members say the document did not go far enough to reign in spending and shrink the size of government.
Rasmussen also reported that 18 percent of those polled aren’t sure what to make of the GOP “Pledge to America” one way or the other.
However, 53 percent of likely voters think, at least somewhat, that Republicans will follow through with their campaign promises in their “Pledge to America” if they win control of Congress.
A significant portion of likely voters, 40 percent, think the Republicans are unlikely to follow up with their campaign promises. And it is these 40 percent of voters who call themselves conservatives and tea party supporters. This group remains skeptical of “the lesser of two evils” GOP party.
The remaining 17 percent don’t think the GOP is capable of sticking to the “Pledge to America” at all.
The Rasmussen survey interviewed 1,000 likely voters during September 26-27 and the poll has a margin of error of +/- three percentage points. To view more Rasmussen reports polls; http://www.rasmussenreports.com/
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/another-city-another-hoax-15-year-old-not-gang-raped-san-diego
The new Rasmussen Reports took data from a national telephone survey of “likely voters” and found only 32 percent believe the Republican “Pledge to America” as a serious policy document like the much talked about 1996 “Contract with America.”
Fifty percent also think the 21-page document is a campaign gimmick. Most conservatives and tea party members say the document did not go far enough to reign in spending and shrink the size of government.
Rasmussen also reported that 18 percent of those polled aren’t sure what to make of the GOP “Pledge to America” one way or the other.
However, 53 percent of likely voters think, at least somewhat, that Republicans will follow through with their campaign promises in their “Pledge to America” if they win control of Congress.
A significant portion of likely voters, 40 percent, think the Republicans are unlikely to follow up with their campaign promises. And it is these 40 percent of voters who call themselves conservatives and tea party supporters. This group remains skeptical of “the lesser of two evils” GOP party.
The remaining 17 percent don’t think the GOP is capable of sticking to the “Pledge to America” at all.
The Rasmussen survey interviewed 1,000 likely voters during September 26-27 and the poll has a margin of error of +/- three percentage points. To view more Rasmussen reports polls; http://www.rasmussenreports.com/
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/another-city-another-hoax-15-year-old-not-gang-raped-san-diego
Monday, September 27, 2010
Another city another hoax- 15-year-old not gang raped in San Diego
In an astonishing turn of events a 15-year-old girl of Hispanic origin who claimed she was gang raped after school in San Diego on Friday now tells detectives she was sacred and ashamed about meeting a man online and having consensual sex with him.
After an extensive investigation that consisted of numerous interviews and lasted more than 72 hours, Sheriff’s detectives finally procured the truth from the high school sophomore. Captain Sherri Sarro said at a late afternoon press conference that the girl had been remorseful and said she lied because “she was embarrassed, ashamed and afraid.”
Regardless of the consensual nature of the act, authorities say the adult male is on the hook for several crimes like luring a minor for sexual favors online, statutory rape and depending on his age a misdemeanor or if there is a 10-year-age difference he will face felony charges. In either case the male will be tagged as a sexual predator the rest of his life.
On the other hand the minor could possibly face a few charges herself; lying to police, filing a fake police report and be billed for a case that cost law enforcement tens of thousands dollars to investigate.
Spokesperson for the San Diego Sheriff Department, Jan Caldwell knew the case would be solved correctly in the end. “Our detectives are pros at what they do.”
An event that rocked the small north county community for days have parents breathing a sigh of relief; “At the very least this opens the door for parental conversations about safety and the perils of lying,” said Carol Smith a parent of a son who attends San Dieguito High School where the alleged event occurred.
It is now being reported by the Sheriff Department that, “the suspect, an adult, convinced the victim to meet him at school.” It was also reported the student skipped the last class of the day to meet the adult male where they went to an undisclosed location for sex.
After the sexual assault concluded the male suspect returned the 15-year-old girl to the school grounds where the victim’s mother was searching for her daughter.
“The investigation is continuing, detectives are following-up on all leads in order to apprehend the suspect in this case,” according to the Sheriff Department. “The victim has apologized for creating an atmosphere of fear in the community and now realizes she should have told the truth in the beginning.”
Once word of the kidnapping and gang rape unfolded, detectives canvassed the neighborhood, expedited the DNA evidence and contacted all the sexual predators in the vicinity. Hundreds of overtime hours were logged by the investigators and in the end justice will be served a little differently than they anticipated, but authorities are confident the suspect will be apprehended soon.
Captain Sarro said their primary concern throughout this ordeal was for the victim’s safety as well as her fellow students and if a similar event happened tomorrow they would aggressively pursue the case just as they did with this fake kidnapping and gang rape.
For more stories;
After an extensive investigation that consisted of numerous interviews and lasted more than 72 hours, Sheriff’s detectives finally procured the truth from the high school sophomore. Captain Sherri Sarro said at a late afternoon press conference that the girl had been remorseful and said she lied because “she was embarrassed, ashamed and afraid.”
Regardless of the consensual nature of the act, authorities say the adult male is on the hook for several crimes like luring a minor for sexual favors online, statutory rape and depending on his age a misdemeanor or if there is a 10-year-age difference he will face felony charges. In either case the male will be tagged as a sexual predator the rest of his life.
On the other hand the minor could possibly face a few charges herself; lying to police, filing a fake police report and be billed for a case that cost law enforcement tens of thousands dollars to investigate.
Spokesperson for the San Diego Sheriff Department, Jan Caldwell knew the case would be solved correctly in the end. “Our detectives are pros at what they do.”
An event that rocked the small north county community for days have parents breathing a sigh of relief; “At the very least this opens the door for parental conversations about safety and the perils of lying,” said Carol Smith a parent of a son who attends San Dieguito High School where the alleged event occurred.
It is now being reported by the Sheriff Department that, “the suspect, an adult, convinced the victim to meet him at school.” It was also reported the student skipped the last class of the day to meet the adult male where they went to an undisclosed location for sex.
After the sexual assault concluded the male suspect returned the 15-year-old girl to the school grounds where the victim’s mother was searching for her daughter.
“The investigation is continuing, detectives are following-up on all leads in order to apprehend the suspect in this case,” according to the Sheriff Department. “The victim has apologized for creating an atmosphere of fear in the community and now realizes she should have told the truth in the beginning.”
Once word of the kidnapping and gang rape unfolded, detectives canvassed the neighborhood, expedited the DNA evidence and contacted all the sexual predators in the vicinity. Hundreds of overtime hours were logged by the investigators and in the end justice will be served a little differently than they anticipated, but authorities are confident the suspect will be apprehended soon.
Captain Sarro said their primary concern throughout this ordeal was for the victim’s safety as well as her fellow students and if a similar event happened tomorrow they would aggressively pursue the case just as they did with this fake kidnapping and gang rape.
For more stories;
California Dreaming Act gives higher education hope to illegal aliens
The Golden State is drowning in budget shortfalls to the tune of $20 billion; Californians’ have done without pay increases, services and increased taxes, however, one sector of the state’s residents that haven’t suffered cuts are illegal aliens.
While the DREAM Act may have languished at a national level, it is still on this week’s to do list for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. California’s very own Dream Act comes in the form of Senate Bill 1460 and Assembly Bill 1413 both were approved by the state legislature and are ready for Gov. Schwarzenegger's signature.
California AB 1413 and SB 1460 aka “The Dream Act” – would divert financial aid away from legal California residents and give assistance to illegal aliens. Critics argue the new benefit will only offer more incentives to break the U.S. immigration law.
Early cost estimates of the Dream Act weigh in the neighborhood of $40 million. The bill calls for the state to provide benefits to assist illegal aliens who attend California colleges. Critics argue that this assistance will add to the estimated $90 million a year California taxpayers provide to give illegal aliens in-state tuition benefits.
Proponents say the legislation will help those in the country illegally be more competitive in a diverse job market. That is a true statement, except for one thing- if illegal’s graduate college they still cannot not legally get a job under federal law.
The ramifications of a Gov. Schwarzenegger signature means taxpayers will have to add more money to cover the increase in budgetary expenditures. Some benefits illegal aliens would receive include taxpayer-funded grants and other assistance to offset increasing costs of colleges in California.
The bill's author, Gil Cedillo (D-LA) claims, “We want people to become prepared, and we want people to be good citizens,” he said defending the state’s investment in K-12 education for illegal immigrants. “We do that at a considerable cost, because we are a forward-looking state.”
According to PR Newswire, “the bill also expands the definition of who is eligible to receive in-state tuition subsidies. Currently, students must have attended three years of high school in California to qualify. Under SB 1460, anyone who completes three years of secondary school, and earns a degree, in California is eligible for in-state tuition. Secondary schools include trade and adult schools.”
The added expenses and lax enforcement have many anti-amnesty organizations upset about a state law that would encourage more illegal immigration practices. They have long contended that giving benefits for those who broke the law only leads to more law breaking.
“The California legislature continues to demonstrate its contempt for law-abiding, taxpaying Californians,” said Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). “As they put the final touches on a budget that cuts vital services and programs, illegal aliens get new rewards. The California college and university system – once the crown jewel of America’s public higher education system – has been forced to cut admissions and programs, while dramatically increasing tuition and student fees in recent years. While countless deserving students, who are legal U.S. residents, are being left out in the cold because admissions have been cut, or because they cannot afford the rising tuitions, the legislature is approving new benefits to illegal aliens," he said.
It must be noted that Gov. Schwarzenegger has refused to sign similar legislation three times in the past. Each time the Governor noted that the state’s fiscal situation was a concern and American citizens should be the beneficiaries of state aid for college.
Since that time California’s financial house has not improved, quite the opposite. State employees have been issued furlough days, services have been trimmed in some cases to a four-day-work week and fees for government services, like vehicle registration has skyrocketed.
“We call upon Gov. Schwarzenegger to once again act as a check on a reckless and irresponsible legislature that continues to provide benefits to illegal aliens as it inflicts pain on everyone else in the state. Fiscal responsibility, not to mention basic respect for the people of California, requires that the governor veto SB 1460,” Stein finished.
During the last fiscal year, the state’s college system was forced to cut nearly $565 million, as a result college admissions were cut by 40,000 students.
The average in-state tuition for a California State college is more than $5,000 per year. On top of this parents are told to expect semesterly increases in fees. Students also gauged for parking fees, higher student body card fees and less time in the classroom.
The crown jewel of California used to be the 10 University of California schools. In-state tuition has skyrocketed to $11,285 per year. When parents and students begin to add the other costs of college like books, supplies, and insurance the cost rises to $16,470. Of course the cost of room and board sends the tab to nearly $30,000.
According to a recently commissioned in-depth study by FAIR, California spends more than $21 billion per year on various programs and services for illegal aliens and their families. This smacks in the face of taxpaying Californian’s who must now decide what programs to cut in order to balance the $20 billion budget shortfall.
The California version of the Dream Act is on Gov. Schwarzenegger’s desk waiting for a signature, if he refuses to veto the legislation by September 30 the bill will officially become law.
The bright side for residents of the Golden State is Sacramento cannot invoke the printing money option like Washington D.C. and only time will tell if California will be the first state to file bankruptcy or possibly enter treatment for spendaholics anonymous.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
While the DREAM Act may have languished at a national level, it is still on this week’s to do list for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. California’s very own Dream Act comes in the form of Senate Bill 1460 and Assembly Bill 1413 both were approved by the state legislature and are ready for Gov. Schwarzenegger's signature.
California AB 1413 and SB 1460 aka “The Dream Act” – would divert financial aid away from legal California residents and give assistance to illegal aliens. Critics argue the new benefit will only offer more incentives to break the U.S. immigration law.
Early cost estimates of the Dream Act weigh in the neighborhood of $40 million. The bill calls for the state to provide benefits to assist illegal aliens who attend California colleges. Critics argue that this assistance will add to the estimated $90 million a year California taxpayers provide to give illegal aliens in-state tuition benefits.
Proponents say the legislation will help those in the country illegally be more competitive in a diverse job market. That is a true statement, except for one thing- if illegal’s graduate college they still cannot not legally get a job under federal law.
The ramifications of a Gov. Schwarzenegger signature means taxpayers will have to add more money to cover the increase in budgetary expenditures. Some benefits illegal aliens would receive include taxpayer-funded grants and other assistance to offset increasing costs of colleges in California.
The bill's author, Gil Cedillo (D-LA) claims, “We want people to become prepared, and we want people to be good citizens,” he said defending the state’s investment in K-12 education for illegal immigrants. “We do that at a considerable cost, because we are a forward-looking state.”
According to PR Newswire, “the bill also expands the definition of who is eligible to receive in-state tuition subsidies. Currently, students must have attended three years of high school in California to qualify. Under SB 1460, anyone who completes three years of secondary school, and earns a degree, in California is eligible for in-state tuition. Secondary schools include trade and adult schools.”
The added expenses and lax enforcement have many anti-amnesty organizations upset about a state law that would encourage more illegal immigration practices. They have long contended that giving benefits for those who broke the law only leads to more law breaking.
“The California legislature continues to demonstrate its contempt for law-abiding, taxpaying Californians,” said Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). “As they put the final touches on a budget that cuts vital services and programs, illegal aliens get new rewards. The California college and university system – once the crown jewel of America’s public higher education system – has been forced to cut admissions and programs, while dramatically increasing tuition and student fees in recent years. While countless deserving students, who are legal U.S. residents, are being left out in the cold because admissions have been cut, or because they cannot afford the rising tuitions, the legislature is approving new benefits to illegal aliens," he said.
It must be noted that Gov. Schwarzenegger has refused to sign similar legislation three times in the past. Each time the Governor noted that the state’s fiscal situation was a concern and American citizens should be the beneficiaries of state aid for college.
Since that time California’s financial house has not improved, quite the opposite. State employees have been issued furlough days, services have been trimmed in some cases to a four-day-work week and fees for government services, like vehicle registration has skyrocketed.
“We call upon Gov. Schwarzenegger to once again act as a check on a reckless and irresponsible legislature that continues to provide benefits to illegal aliens as it inflicts pain on everyone else in the state. Fiscal responsibility, not to mention basic respect for the people of California, requires that the governor veto SB 1460,” Stein finished.
During the last fiscal year, the state’s college system was forced to cut nearly $565 million, as a result college admissions were cut by 40,000 students.
The average in-state tuition for a California State college is more than $5,000 per year. On top of this parents are told to expect semesterly increases in fees. Students also gauged for parking fees, higher student body card fees and less time in the classroom.
The crown jewel of California used to be the 10 University of California schools. In-state tuition has skyrocketed to $11,285 per year. When parents and students begin to add the other costs of college like books, supplies, and insurance the cost rises to $16,470. Of course the cost of room and board sends the tab to nearly $30,000.
According to a recently commissioned in-depth study by FAIR, California spends more than $21 billion per year on various programs and services for illegal aliens and their families. This smacks in the face of taxpaying Californian’s who must now decide what programs to cut in order to balance the $20 billion budget shortfall.
The California version of the Dream Act is on Gov. Schwarzenegger’s desk waiting for a signature, if he refuses to veto the legislation by September 30 the bill will officially become law.
The bright side for residents of the Golden State is Sacramento cannot invoke the printing money option like Washington D.C. and only time will tell if California will be the first state to file bankruptcy or possibly enter treatment for spendaholics anonymous.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
Saturday, September 25, 2010
San Diego high school student kidnapped and raped on her way home from school
Authorities confirmed that a 15-year-old girl, who was on her way home from school Friday, was kidnapped, forced into a vehicle, driven around for an hour and raped repeatedly. Sheriff Department officials said the victim was able to give deputies an accurate description of the three Latino men who kidnapped and raped the young girl.
Three assailants are currently the focus of the county-wide search. The Sheriff Department says multiple agencies are working together and are expected to sort through the numerous leads from witnesses all weekend.
The alleged incident happened near San Dieguito High School at approximately 4:10 p.m. on Friday.
The victim told authorities that one man grabbed her from behind and forced her into the back seat of an older white mid-sized vehicle where two more suspects were waiting. Then the perpetrators sped away from the scene, according to Sheriff's spokeswoman Captain Sherri Sarro.
The victim also told authorities that the men drove through area residential streets for an hour while they repeatedly sexually assaulted her. Once the suspects were finished they drove the 15-year-old back to the high school where she was abducted and pushed her out of the car.
However, Capt. Sarro said they didn’t know what grade or high school the victim attended.
Investigators are taking the abduction and sexual assault seriously says Justin White, sergeant of the Sexual Assault Division at the Encinitas Sheriff substation. He reported that 10 detectives are working this case around the clock and have been searching the community hoping to locate leads from nearby residents who may have information leading to the arrest of the three Latino men.
The victim contends the men did not brandish a weapon, but Sergeant White said that it doesn’t mean the suspects were not armed.
“The victim has given us enough details and we are putting together a composite sketch of the men,” said Sergeant White at a press conference. Very few details about the rape were released as the investigation is ongoing; however, the victim did receive a rape kit evaluation.
The young girl was taken to an area hospital by her parents and given a Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) kit or a Sexual Offense Evidence Collection (SOEC) kit said Captain Sarro. The results were not immediately known, but it is highly unlikely that the outcome will be given out because the victim is a minor.
Law enforcement officers also said this is an active, ongoing investigation and they are hopeful an arrest will be made soon.
Capt. Sarro indicated they had contacted Customs and Border Protection shortly after the assault and issued a “Be On the Look Out” (BOLO), especially since the U.S./Mexico border is only minutes from the crime scene.
Sergeant White also admitted that they were looking through surveillance video from the school and area businesses in an effort to shed light on what may have happened as well as get more detailed descriptions of the criminals.
The three suspects are described as Hispanic between the ages of 20 and 32. The first suspect is approximately 6-feet tall, thin, a shaved head, thin mustache and a tattoo on the back of his head (possibly with a ‘6’ or ‘619’ on it) and he was wearing a black long sleeve shirt with baggy jeans.
The second suspect was between 5-feet-8 inches and 5-feet-10-inches tall, medium build, short brown hair, dark brown complexion with some acne and a goatee, he was wearing a white t-shirt and blue shorts.
Suspect three, who was the driver of the vehicle, he had green/hazel eyes, dark-brown complexion, short hair, medium build, a thin mustache and goatee and he was wearing a dark blue t-shirt and possibly had a scar on his neck.
The quiet community of Encinitas just north of San Diego is known for its young families and low crime rates. The city’s Mayor, Dan Dalager was on hand to reassure city residents the Sheriff’s substation was doing everything possible to apprehend the culprits.
“I just want families to know that the Sheriff crews who are working this are real good,” said Mayor Dalager, who has lived in the community his entire life. “Crime is crime and law enforcement will do everything necessary to capture these criminals no matter their ethnic background.”
As news of the rape floods the community, Sheriff Capt. Sarro wanted to reassure parents that schools can expect a strong, visible presence first thing Monday morning. The Sheriff Department is also working with area schools to inform parents what happened and to ensure they take extra precautions when traveling to and from school.
The Sheriff Department urges anybody with information about the crime to contact Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or the Sheriff Department at 858-565-5200.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/gop-makes-a-move-on-the-issues-pledge-to-american
Three assailants are currently the focus of the county-wide search. The Sheriff Department says multiple agencies are working together and are expected to sort through the numerous leads from witnesses all weekend.
The alleged incident happened near San Dieguito High School at approximately 4:10 p.m. on Friday.
The victim told authorities that one man grabbed her from behind and forced her into the back seat of an older white mid-sized vehicle where two more suspects were waiting. Then the perpetrators sped away from the scene, according to Sheriff's spokeswoman Captain Sherri Sarro.
The victim also told authorities that the men drove through area residential streets for an hour while they repeatedly sexually assaulted her. Once the suspects were finished they drove the 15-year-old back to the high school where she was abducted and pushed her out of the car.
However, Capt. Sarro said they didn’t know what grade or high school the victim attended.
Investigators are taking the abduction and sexual assault seriously says Justin White, sergeant of the Sexual Assault Division at the Encinitas Sheriff substation. He reported that 10 detectives are working this case around the clock and have been searching the community hoping to locate leads from nearby residents who may have information leading to the arrest of the three Latino men.
The victim contends the men did not brandish a weapon, but Sergeant White said that it doesn’t mean the suspects were not armed.
“The victim has given us enough details and we are putting together a composite sketch of the men,” said Sergeant White at a press conference. Very few details about the rape were released as the investigation is ongoing; however, the victim did receive a rape kit evaluation.
The young girl was taken to an area hospital by her parents and given a Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) kit or a Sexual Offense Evidence Collection (SOEC) kit said Captain Sarro. The results were not immediately known, but it is highly unlikely that the outcome will be given out because the victim is a minor.
Law enforcement officers also said this is an active, ongoing investigation and they are hopeful an arrest will be made soon.
Capt. Sarro indicated they had contacted Customs and Border Protection shortly after the assault and issued a “Be On the Look Out” (BOLO), especially since the U.S./Mexico border is only minutes from the crime scene.
Sergeant White also admitted that they were looking through surveillance video from the school and area businesses in an effort to shed light on what may have happened as well as get more detailed descriptions of the criminals.
The three suspects are described as Hispanic between the ages of 20 and 32. The first suspect is approximately 6-feet tall, thin, a shaved head, thin mustache and a tattoo on the back of his head (possibly with a ‘6’ or ‘619’ on it) and he was wearing a black long sleeve shirt with baggy jeans.
The second suspect was between 5-feet-8 inches and 5-feet-10-inches tall, medium build, short brown hair, dark brown complexion with some acne and a goatee, he was wearing a white t-shirt and blue shorts.
Suspect three, who was the driver of the vehicle, he had green/hazel eyes, dark-brown complexion, short hair, medium build, a thin mustache and goatee and he was wearing a dark blue t-shirt and possibly had a scar on his neck.
The quiet community of Encinitas just north of San Diego is known for its young families and low crime rates. The city’s Mayor, Dan Dalager was on hand to reassure city residents the Sheriff’s substation was doing everything possible to apprehend the culprits.
“I just want families to know that the Sheriff crews who are working this are real good,” said Mayor Dalager, who has lived in the community his entire life. “Crime is crime and law enforcement will do everything necessary to capture these criminals no matter their ethnic background.”
As news of the rape floods the community, Sheriff Capt. Sarro wanted to reassure parents that schools can expect a strong, visible presence first thing Monday morning. The Sheriff Department is also working with area schools to inform parents what happened and to ensure they take extra precautions when traveling to and from school.
The Sheriff Department urges anybody with information about the crime to contact Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or the Sheriff Department at 858-565-5200.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/gop-makes-a-move-on-the-issues-pledge-to-american
Thursday, September 23, 2010
GOP makes a move on the issues in Pledge to American
A new pledge to America from Republicans was unveiled to give voters on the fence a reason to take a look at the energized GOP and change the balance of power in Washington.
The 21-page plan put forth to a weary electorate begins with, “America is an idea- an idea that free people can govern themselves, that government’s powers are derived from the consent of the governed, that each of us is endowed by their Creator with the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Sound familiar? It should it is taken from America’s founding fathers and has been used by many of the tea party organizations from California to New York. It’s simple, straightforward and what dismayed voters are looking for – a smaller, leaner and more responsible government.
Will the GOP blueprint help or hurt the Republicans in 40 days? No one really knows as both parties are claiming they can use it to their advantage. However, the Democrats will most likely succumb to the country’s first political tsunami since the 1994 Newt Gingrich revolution.
Some of the hallmarks Republican lawmakers are calling for include the government’s need to slash spending, repeal Obama’s signature piece of healthcare legislation as well as preventing the Bush tax cuts to expire.
Top GOP leaders also came up with ideas to help Americans get back on their feet. Specifically there are plans for job creation, reforms to curb “out-of-control” spending, repealing and replacing "the government takeover of healthcare,” adding real government transparency, providing more stringent homeland security measures, securing the southern borders and allowing states to enforce illegal immigration.
The document looks to inspire the swing voters and even quotes Democratic President John F. Kennedy, “An economy constrained by high tax rates will never produce enough revenue to balance the budget, just as it will never create enough jobs.”
The roll out of the Pledge to America admits politicians haven’t listened to the people and many of them have imposed a party agenda that doesn’t reflect the folks on Main Street. Clearly, the angry voters are not happy with all the backroom dealing elected officials participate in to ensure their reelections.
Other points listed in the document include ensuring terrorists are kept out of America, imposing a freeze on federal hiring for non-security related employees, cut the Congressional budget, reduce government spending to “pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels,” and get the government out of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in an effort to let banks lend money to worthy buyers who are good credit risks.
While the familiar ideas read well, critics say the 21-page change in course is short on details and puts forth no specifics to accomplish the real change Republican’s claim are needed in Washington.
In an effort to resonate with the tea party organization, nostalgic prose weaves its way throughout the document. “America is an inspiration to those who yearn to be free and have the ability and the dignity to determine their own destiny.” So far the tea party movement hasn't commented on the new pledge.
While the Pledge to America harkens back to the founding fathers, irritated voters are still not convinced the Republicans have what it takes to return to their common-sense conservative roots. So far it has been the electricity provided by the tea party candidates that has sparked a reemergence of “for the people, by the people” attitude.
As a result, status quo politicians need not apply for the 2010 midterms and as such the founding fathers may actually be proud of the electoral enthusiasm demonstrated by ordinary Americans, who have shown they are not so ordinary after all.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/juarez-newspaper-concedes-to-drug-cartels-say-they-run-the-city-now
The 21-page plan put forth to a weary electorate begins with, “America is an idea- an idea that free people can govern themselves, that government’s powers are derived from the consent of the governed, that each of us is endowed by their Creator with the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Sound familiar? It should it is taken from America’s founding fathers and has been used by many of the tea party organizations from California to New York. It’s simple, straightforward and what dismayed voters are looking for – a smaller, leaner and more responsible government.
Will the GOP blueprint help or hurt the Republicans in 40 days? No one really knows as both parties are claiming they can use it to their advantage. However, the Democrats will most likely succumb to the country’s first political tsunami since the 1994 Newt Gingrich revolution.
Some of the hallmarks Republican lawmakers are calling for include the government’s need to slash spending, repeal Obama’s signature piece of healthcare legislation as well as preventing the Bush tax cuts to expire.
Top GOP leaders also came up with ideas to help Americans get back on their feet. Specifically there are plans for job creation, reforms to curb “out-of-control” spending, repealing and replacing "the government takeover of healthcare,” adding real government transparency, providing more stringent homeland security measures, securing the southern borders and allowing states to enforce illegal immigration.
The document looks to inspire the swing voters and even quotes Democratic President John F. Kennedy, “An economy constrained by high tax rates will never produce enough revenue to balance the budget, just as it will never create enough jobs.”
The roll out of the Pledge to America admits politicians haven’t listened to the people and many of them have imposed a party agenda that doesn’t reflect the folks on Main Street. Clearly, the angry voters are not happy with all the backroom dealing elected officials participate in to ensure their reelections.
Other points listed in the document include ensuring terrorists are kept out of America, imposing a freeze on federal hiring for non-security related employees, cut the Congressional budget, reduce government spending to “pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels,” and get the government out of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in an effort to let banks lend money to worthy buyers who are good credit risks.
While the familiar ideas read well, critics say the 21-page change in course is short on details and puts forth no specifics to accomplish the real change Republican’s claim are needed in Washington.
In an effort to resonate with the tea party organization, nostalgic prose weaves its way throughout the document. “America is an inspiration to those who yearn to be free and have the ability and the dignity to determine their own destiny.” So far the tea party movement hasn't commented on the new pledge.
While the Pledge to America harkens back to the founding fathers, irritated voters are still not convinced the Republicans have what it takes to return to their common-sense conservative roots. So far it has been the electricity provided by the tea party candidates that has sparked a reemergence of “for the people, by the people” attitude.
As a result, status quo politicians need not apply for the 2010 midterms and as such the founding fathers may actually be proud of the electoral enthusiasm demonstrated by ordinary Americans, who have shown they are not so ordinary after all.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/juarez-newspaper-concedes-to-drug-cartels-say-they-run-the-city-now
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Juarez newspaper concedes to drug cartels, say they run the city now
A stunning front page editorial appeared in Northern Mexico’s largest newspaper El Diario; they conceded the country’s most violent city, Ciudad Juarez, is now controlled by the narco-drug cartels.
The front page editorial came after the murder of one of their reporters- another cameraman was also seriously injured after cartels open fired on the journalists in response to news coverage about the brutality and violence that continues to escalate under Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon.
“Lords of the different organizations that are fighting the square of Ciudad Juarez,” is how the editorial begins. “You are, at present, the de facto authorities in this city because the controls have been instituted.”
The paper clearly states they do not want anymore employees to die at the hands of the cartel assassins and said journalists can no longer live with the daily narco intimidation.
Simply put, El Diario will no longer cover the cartel violence because police can no longer provide security or protection for journalists.
“The vacuum of power in Chihuahua in the midst of an environment in which there is no sufficient guarantees for citizens to develop their lives…activities, journalism has become one of the most dangerous professions,” the editorial column reads.
The newspaper also contends that even in war there are rules, there are protocols or guarantees for the warring sides. In Juarez the streets are the battlefield and the cartels are under no obligation to honor the integrity of the media.
The editor goes on and pleads with the cartel leaders, “I reiterate, gentlemen of the various drug trafficking organizations, explain to us what you want us to stop saying (so we can protect) the lives of our comrades.”
Then El Diario slams President Calderon for his administrations lack of protection for members of the media and residents in Mexico.
“In the case of the murders (of journalists) and I am protected by my status as a candidate, I think to the extent that an active community service and (news organizations) have dangerous (job) there must be mechanisms to protect them. A journalist who has been threatened or conduct an investigation against organized crime should have special protection mechanisms,” Calderon said when he was running for office.
The protection for members of the media is a campaign promise that was never honored.
In this context, Mexican journalists have battled with the organized crime syndicates and their effort to inform citizens about the dangers, intimidation and fear tactics used by the cartels. As a result employees have been harassed and the newspaper has no other choice but to give in to the cartels' demands and stop covering the fact that Mexico is dangerously close to becoming a narco-state.
El Diario says even their repeated requests for protection from the government went unnoticed. Therefore the newspaper can no longer responsibly cover any drug cartel violence.
“The state is the protector of the rights of citizens, and thus, of the media, but they have been absent during the years of militancy, even when you pretended to do so through a range of operations in practice failures have been noticeable,” the story concedes.
Last Friday, El Diario photojournalist Luis Carlos Santiago Orozco was murdered on his lunch break. And the El Diario publishers want a simple question answered, “Who do we call justice?”
A few weeks ago U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton was brandished by the Obama Administration for declaring that the people of Mexico are facing a drug cartel insurgency. While the Obama Administration may not agree with the Secretary, the people of Mexico concur with Mrs. Clinton assessment and says Mexico is losing the battle.
They believe Mexico is “obligated to protect citizens lost in fruitless disquisitions on whether Mexico is equal to or worse than Colombia 20 years ago. The statement issued by Hillary Clinton, was backed by media.”
El Diario also slams President Calderon for making false pronouncements. “The president pontificates on peace in the country as if it were real, to send a letter to each of the families in the nation in which, among other things, and rhetorically, stresses the white color of the national flag is ‘the peace we have won.’ That statement is a mockery of Juarenses who drown in a bath of blood.”
As if the murders, assaults and intimidation tactics of the media were not enough, Mexico’s Secretary of Education and Culture of State Government, Guadalupe Chacón Monárrez, declared that news organizations are guilty of psychological terrorism that exists in the Juarez.
Hernán Ortiz, an anthropologist and researcher at the UACJ, agrees, “Chacon Monárrez should not blame the media of terrorism…, but the incompetence shown by governments,”according to El Diario.
The Education minister continued to blast news agencies and said, “I want to tell the media, with all respect, that we become partners in this, because the psychological terrorism is achieved through communication.”
Understandably El Diario was shaken by these comments. “What do you mean by this? What, stop publishing? Or only disclose ‘good’ or ‘positive’ news?”
When a country is no longer in the hands of the people, but run nefariously by mafia-drug thugs, the adhesion to the rule of law becomes blurred and deciphering who are victims and who are executioners are even more difficult. Citizens of Mexico no longer know who to trust and now fear rules the day. This is exactly what the narco traffickers want. They are counting on the government’s collapse to ensure billions of dollars in profits from drugs, extortion, kidnapping and human trafficking continue flowing into their bank accounts.
Mexico’s future now lies squarely on the government’s ability to either suppress or work with the drug cartels to quell the violence, if they do not move quickly to protect their citizens and avalanche of illegal aliens will soon pour across the southern border and become America’s problem.
Time is not on Mexico’s side, yet it is only time that will define Mexico’s future.
To read entire El Diario editorial; http://www.diario.com.mx/notas.php?f=2010/09/18&id=6b124801376ce134c7d6ce2c7fb8fe2
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/secret-white-house-meeting-pushes-for-support-of-dream-act
The front page editorial came after the murder of one of their reporters- another cameraman was also seriously injured after cartels open fired on the journalists in response to news coverage about the brutality and violence that continues to escalate under Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon.
“Lords of the different organizations that are fighting the square of Ciudad Juarez,” is how the editorial begins. “You are, at present, the de facto authorities in this city because the controls have been instituted.”
The paper clearly states they do not want anymore employees to die at the hands of the cartel assassins and said journalists can no longer live with the daily narco intimidation.
Simply put, El Diario will no longer cover the cartel violence because police can no longer provide security or protection for journalists.
“The vacuum of power in Chihuahua in the midst of an environment in which there is no sufficient guarantees for citizens to develop their lives…activities, journalism has become one of the most dangerous professions,” the editorial column reads.
The newspaper also contends that even in war there are rules, there are protocols or guarantees for the warring sides. In Juarez the streets are the battlefield and the cartels are under no obligation to honor the integrity of the media.
The editor goes on and pleads with the cartel leaders, “I reiterate, gentlemen of the various drug trafficking organizations, explain to us what you want us to stop saying (so we can protect) the lives of our comrades.”
Then El Diario slams President Calderon for his administrations lack of protection for members of the media and residents in Mexico.
“In the case of the murders (of journalists) and I am protected by my status as a candidate, I think to the extent that an active community service and (news organizations) have dangerous (job) there must be mechanisms to protect them. A journalist who has been threatened or conduct an investigation against organized crime should have special protection mechanisms,” Calderon said when he was running for office.
The protection for members of the media is a campaign promise that was never honored.
In this context, Mexican journalists have battled with the organized crime syndicates and their effort to inform citizens about the dangers, intimidation and fear tactics used by the cartels. As a result employees have been harassed and the newspaper has no other choice but to give in to the cartels' demands and stop covering the fact that Mexico is dangerously close to becoming a narco-state.
El Diario says even their repeated requests for protection from the government went unnoticed. Therefore the newspaper can no longer responsibly cover any drug cartel violence.
“The state is the protector of the rights of citizens, and thus, of the media, but they have been absent during the years of militancy, even when you pretended to do so through a range of operations in practice failures have been noticeable,” the story concedes.
Last Friday, El Diario photojournalist Luis Carlos Santiago Orozco was murdered on his lunch break. And the El Diario publishers want a simple question answered, “Who do we call justice?”
A few weeks ago U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton was brandished by the Obama Administration for declaring that the people of Mexico are facing a drug cartel insurgency. While the Obama Administration may not agree with the Secretary, the people of Mexico concur with Mrs. Clinton assessment and says Mexico is losing the battle.
They believe Mexico is “obligated to protect citizens lost in fruitless disquisitions on whether Mexico is equal to or worse than Colombia 20 years ago. The statement issued by Hillary Clinton, was backed by media.”
El Diario also slams President Calderon for making false pronouncements. “The president pontificates on peace in the country as if it were real, to send a letter to each of the families in the nation in which, among other things, and rhetorically, stresses the white color of the national flag is ‘the peace we have won.’ That statement is a mockery of Juarenses who drown in a bath of blood.”
As if the murders, assaults and intimidation tactics of the media were not enough, Mexico’s Secretary of Education and Culture of State Government, Guadalupe Chacón Monárrez, declared that news organizations are guilty of psychological terrorism that exists in the Juarez.
Hernán Ortiz, an anthropologist and researcher at the UACJ, agrees, “Chacon Monárrez should not blame the media of terrorism…, but the incompetence shown by governments,”according to El Diario.
The Education minister continued to blast news agencies and said, “I want to tell the media, with all respect, that we become partners in this, because the psychological terrorism is achieved through communication.”
Understandably El Diario was shaken by these comments. “What do you mean by this? What, stop publishing? Or only disclose ‘good’ or ‘positive’ news?”
When a country is no longer in the hands of the people, but run nefariously by mafia-drug thugs, the adhesion to the rule of law becomes blurred and deciphering who are victims and who are executioners are even more difficult. Citizens of Mexico no longer know who to trust and now fear rules the day. This is exactly what the narco traffickers want. They are counting on the government’s collapse to ensure billions of dollars in profits from drugs, extortion, kidnapping and human trafficking continue flowing into their bank accounts.
Mexico’s future now lies squarely on the government’s ability to either suppress or work with the drug cartels to quell the violence, if they do not move quickly to protect their citizens and avalanche of illegal aliens will soon pour across the southern border and become America’s problem.
Time is not on Mexico’s side, yet it is only time that will define Mexico’s future.
To read entire El Diario editorial; http://www.diario.com.mx/notas.php?f=2010/09/18&id=6b124801376ce134c7d6ce2c7fb8fe2
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/secret-white-house-meeting-pushes-for-support-of-dream-act
Monday, September 20, 2010
Secret White House meeting pushes for support of DREAM Act
A Friday afternoon telephone conference was held by Cecelia Munoz and Stephanie Valencia, members of Obama’s staff, urging participants to reach out to community organizers and encouraging them to call their lawmakers acknowledging their support for the DREAM Act (AKA amnesty).
The 20-minute call was an off-the-record conversation that was billed as a “no media or blogger” conference call.
The topic of discussion was the DREAM Act. The Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors that would provide a road to citizenship for young illegal aliens if their parents brought them into the country before age 16 and they attend college for at least two years, join the U.S. military or be under the age of 35.
During this six-year conditional period, immigrants would not be eligible for federal higher education grants, but they would be able to apply for scholarships, student loans and work study grants.
Since Obama is a cosponsor of the original DREAM Act it’s natural for the president to be pleased with Senate leader Harry Reid’s intensions to place the amnesty amendment in a defense spending bill.
It was clear at the beginning of the conference call that this session was not meant to lobby for anything in particular by the senior-level staffers, but it was apparent they felt strongly that including the DREAM Act in a defense bill was the right thing to do.
Munoz and Valencia informed listeners that the White House and cabinet leaders would be on the phones all weekend securing the necessary 60 votes to get the amendment out of committee and into the legislation for debate.
The fact that the White House was proactively mobilizing its community organization network made it clear the Democrats do not have the votes they need to get the amendment out of committee. Political insiders agree and say this is nothing more than a political ploy to show Latino voters that the GOP is not on their side and they better vote for Democrats come November.
However, the fact that Democrats have large majorities in both houses and have failed to get any form of immigration reform legislation introduced, let alone passed, signals the party is divided on this issue.
Over the weekend the White House was working the phone lines and preparing for a GOP filibuster, the White House staffers said.
In the end, Munoz and Valencia agreed that the administration had given “very clear marching orders” to get this amendment added to the Department of Defense war appropriations bill, mobilize community organizers much like they did to get President Obama elected and get the DREAM Act signed into law.
Is the conference call legal?
While the White House conference call directive made it clear they were not lobbying for the DREAM Act, the intent was clear- community organizers start mobilizing.
There is a law that prevents White House employees from lobbying particular topics and immigration is clearly a hot-button issue.
Knowing that those in Washington hold a reasonable amount power, legislators drew up the Hatch Act. It was passed into law in 1939 and regulates political activities of federal employees and some state and local government workers.
The legislation originally prohibited nearly all partisan activity by federal employees, banning them from endorsing candidates, distributing campaign literature, organizing political activities and holding posts in partisan organizations.
However, today, most career government employees can run for nonpartisan offices, make financial contributions to political organizations, get involved in political groups, and campaign for candidates by making speeches, distributing literature and signing nominating positions.
The remaining restrictions on federal employees' activities in the political arena are tailored much more narrowly to their jobs; they still are banned from using their authority to exert influence over an election; encourage or discourage political activity by anyone with business before their agency; do political work while on duty, in uniform, in the office or in a government vehicle or run for partisan office.
Political appointees operate under the same rules with some exceptions. They are allowed to engage in and may express opinions about candidates, issues, may attend and be active at political rallies.
Currently White House staffer Valencia, who led the conference call, handles outreach to the Latino community, immigration, and housing groups inside the White House. She also served on the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team and was Deputy Latino Vote Director during Obama’s presidential campaign. The nature of her job lends itself to indirect lobbying, but she is walking a very fine line by expressing action needs to be taken according to the Hatch Act. The same is true for Munoz.
Munoz reached the White House staff via President Obama, she is a known left-leaning Latino activist who was appointed to head the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. She is a former vice president for National Council of La Raza and is charged with outreach to state and local governments as well as constituency groups.
In addition to her La Raza post, Munoz was also the board chair of Center for Community Change, served on the U.S. Programs Board of the Open Society Institute and the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Philanthropies.
National Council of La Raza is a liberal Hispanic organization that advocates for Latinos who reside in America illegally and pushes for open border legislation as a way to gain a foothold in the U.S. political landscape. The group has been supported by both the Republicans and Democrats who are looking to gain control of America’s fastest growing voter block.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/amnesty-debate-heats-up-with-the-dream-act
The 20-minute call was an off-the-record conversation that was billed as a “no media or blogger” conference call.
The topic of discussion was the DREAM Act. The Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors that would provide a road to citizenship for young illegal aliens if their parents brought them into the country before age 16 and they attend college for at least two years, join the U.S. military or be under the age of 35.
During this six-year conditional period, immigrants would not be eligible for federal higher education grants, but they would be able to apply for scholarships, student loans and work study grants.
Since Obama is a cosponsor of the original DREAM Act it’s natural for the president to be pleased with Senate leader Harry Reid’s intensions to place the amnesty amendment in a defense spending bill.
It was clear at the beginning of the conference call that this session was not meant to lobby for anything in particular by the senior-level staffers, but it was apparent they felt strongly that including the DREAM Act in a defense bill was the right thing to do.
Munoz and Valencia informed listeners that the White House and cabinet leaders would be on the phones all weekend securing the necessary 60 votes to get the amendment out of committee and into the legislation for debate.
The fact that the White House was proactively mobilizing its community organization network made it clear the Democrats do not have the votes they need to get the amendment out of committee. Political insiders agree and say this is nothing more than a political ploy to show Latino voters that the GOP is not on their side and they better vote for Democrats come November.
However, the fact that Democrats have large majorities in both houses and have failed to get any form of immigration reform legislation introduced, let alone passed, signals the party is divided on this issue.
Over the weekend the White House was working the phone lines and preparing for a GOP filibuster, the White House staffers said.
In the end, Munoz and Valencia agreed that the administration had given “very clear marching orders” to get this amendment added to the Department of Defense war appropriations bill, mobilize community organizers much like they did to get President Obama elected and get the DREAM Act signed into law.
Is the conference call legal?
While the White House conference call directive made it clear they were not lobbying for the DREAM Act, the intent was clear- community organizers start mobilizing.
There is a law that prevents White House employees from lobbying particular topics and immigration is clearly a hot-button issue.
Knowing that those in Washington hold a reasonable amount power, legislators drew up the Hatch Act. It was passed into law in 1939 and regulates political activities of federal employees and some state and local government workers.
The legislation originally prohibited nearly all partisan activity by federal employees, banning them from endorsing candidates, distributing campaign literature, organizing political activities and holding posts in partisan organizations.
However, today, most career government employees can run for nonpartisan offices, make financial contributions to political organizations, get involved in political groups, and campaign for candidates by making speeches, distributing literature and signing nominating positions.
The remaining restrictions on federal employees' activities in the political arena are tailored much more narrowly to their jobs; they still are banned from using their authority to exert influence over an election; encourage or discourage political activity by anyone with business before their agency; do political work while on duty, in uniform, in the office or in a government vehicle or run for partisan office.
Political appointees operate under the same rules with some exceptions. They are allowed to engage in and may express opinions about candidates, issues, may attend and be active at political rallies.
Currently White House staffer Valencia, who led the conference call, handles outreach to the Latino community, immigration, and housing groups inside the White House. She also served on the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team and was Deputy Latino Vote Director during Obama’s presidential campaign. The nature of her job lends itself to indirect lobbying, but she is walking a very fine line by expressing action needs to be taken according to the Hatch Act. The same is true for Munoz.
Munoz reached the White House staff via President Obama, she is a known left-leaning Latino activist who was appointed to head the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. She is a former vice president for National Council of La Raza and is charged with outreach to state and local governments as well as constituency groups.
In addition to her La Raza post, Munoz was also the board chair of Center for Community Change, served on the U.S. Programs Board of the Open Society Institute and the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Philanthropies.
National Council of La Raza is a liberal Hispanic organization that advocates for Latinos who reside in America illegally and pushes for open border legislation as a way to gain a foothold in the U.S. political landscape. The group has been supported by both the Republicans and Democrats who are looking to gain control of America’s fastest growing voter block.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/amnesty-debate-heats-up-with-the-dream-act
Friday, September 17, 2010
Leaked DHS memo details amnesty without Congress involvement
A newly leaked amnesty-memo inside Department of Homeland Security reveals a way to grant amnesty without Congress debating comprehensive immigration reform or casting a vote.
This is the third inside memo to be leaked to the media regarding the Obama Administration’s intent to legalize 20 million illegal aliens currently residing in America unlawfully. The first memos came out of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agencies- both put together likely tools that could be used to make an amnesty end run around lawmakers.
The American Spectator recovered the latest document from DHS and reports some dubious plans that insiders say went all the way up to the DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano.
“If going forward with a larger registration program is not possible,” the memo reads, “we could propose a narrowly-tailored registration program for individuals eligible for relief under the DREAM Act, AgJOBS, or other specifically designed subcategories.”
For those who don’t believe the Obama Administration’s intensions about back-door amnesty language contained in the DREAM Act asks for targeted amnesty for children under the age of 35 who attend college or join the armed services. The kicker with the DREAM Act is the Democratic leadership is placing this legislation inside a defense spending bill set to hit the Senate floor next week.
Included in the DHS memo are details about political ramifications of a backdoor amnesty push. The memo outlines a beginning phase that would legalize illegal immigrants through DHS without comprehensive immigration legislation. The DHS memo also reads that by "using administrative measures to sidestep the current state of Congressional gridlock and inertia," would move the new policy forward by documenting those here illegally.
Measures DHS would implement include registering, fingerprinting, and screening the illegal immigrant population-excluding those illegal aliens who have committed a felony- but DHS envisions handing out eligible illegal immigrants work permits, a process that would lead to their legal status.
However, the memo acknowledges that sometime down the road Congress would have to pass legislation to extend permanent legal residence.
This newly recovered memo is consistent with inside memos from the USCIS and ICE, a key difference is the concern about Congress’ reaction to being circumvented. “The Secretary would face criticism that she is abdicating her charge to enforce the immigration laws. Internal complaints of this type from career DHS officers are likely and may also be used in the press to bolster the criticism.”
In fact the USCIS has been looking for ways to grant amnesty without Congress for sometime and their memo outlined the method of skirting lawmakers. According to USCIS some illegal aliens would be granted resident status by simply handing them “green cards.”
“In the absence of Comprehensive Immigration Reform, CIS can extend benefits and/or protections to many individuals and groups by issuing new guidance and regulations,” the memo read, two of the four who wrote the controversial memo were President Obama appointees including the head of USCIS Alejandro N. Mayorkas.
For more stories;http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
This is the third inside memo to be leaked to the media regarding the Obama Administration’s intent to legalize 20 million illegal aliens currently residing in America unlawfully. The first memos came out of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agencies- both put together likely tools that could be used to make an amnesty end run around lawmakers.
The American Spectator recovered the latest document from DHS and reports some dubious plans that insiders say went all the way up to the DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano.
“If going forward with a larger registration program is not possible,” the memo reads, “we could propose a narrowly-tailored registration program for individuals eligible for relief under the DREAM Act, AgJOBS, or other specifically designed subcategories.”
For those who don’t believe the Obama Administration’s intensions about back-door amnesty language contained in the DREAM Act asks for targeted amnesty for children under the age of 35 who attend college or join the armed services. The kicker with the DREAM Act is the Democratic leadership is placing this legislation inside a defense spending bill set to hit the Senate floor next week.
Included in the DHS memo are details about political ramifications of a backdoor amnesty push. The memo outlines a beginning phase that would legalize illegal immigrants through DHS without comprehensive immigration legislation. The DHS memo also reads that by "using administrative measures to sidestep the current state of Congressional gridlock and inertia," would move the new policy forward by documenting those here illegally.
Measures DHS would implement include registering, fingerprinting, and screening the illegal immigrant population-excluding those illegal aliens who have committed a felony- but DHS envisions handing out eligible illegal immigrants work permits, a process that would lead to their legal status.
However, the memo acknowledges that sometime down the road Congress would have to pass legislation to extend permanent legal residence.
This newly recovered memo is consistent with inside memos from the USCIS and ICE, a key difference is the concern about Congress’ reaction to being circumvented. “The Secretary would face criticism that she is abdicating her charge to enforce the immigration laws. Internal complaints of this type from career DHS officers are likely and may also be used in the press to bolster the criticism.”
In fact the USCIS has been looking for ways to grant amnesty without Congress for sometime and their memo outlined the method of skirting lawmakers. According to USCIS some illegal aliens would be granted resident status by simply handing them “green cards.”
“In the absence of Comprehensive Immigration Reform, CIS can extend benefits and/or protections to many individuals and groups by issuing new guidance and regulations,” the memo read, two of the four who wrote the controversial memo were President Obama appointees including the head of USCIS Alejandro N. Mayorkas.
For more stories;http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
President Obama discusses amnesty with top Democratic lawmakers
In an Oval Office meeting, President Obama met with U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and U.S. Representatives Nydia Velazquez and Luis Gutierrez. During the inner-circle pow-wow the President reiterated his commitment for reaching across the aisle and bringing Republicans together and passing comprehensive immigration legislation.
Obama said in a statement from the White House that the “reform must provide lasting and dedicated resources for border security, while also requiring accountability from both individuals in the U.S. illegally and unscrupulous employers who game the system for their own economic advantage.”
The President also expressed his support for the DREAM Act that Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s has attached to a defense spending bill. During the meeting Obama said he looked forward to signing the DRWAM Act into law. During the President’s tenure in the Senate he cosponsored the DREAM Act as a stand alone piece of legislation.
“The President noted that it is time to stop punishing innocent young people for the actions of their parents, especially when those youth grew up in America and want to serve this country in the military or pursue a higher education they have earned through academic excellence,” the statement read.
Technically 35-year-old people are not considered children and the current language in the DREAM Act would grant a form of amnesty to more than two million illegal aliens who meet the bill’s requirements.
Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) discussed with the president his ideas for a comprehensive immigration reform bill he plans to bring up in a few weeks. “The President told Senator Menendez that he looks forward to reviewing the bill, noting that he strongly supported the proposal that Senate Democrats outlined earlier this year. The President reiterated that the strength of that proposal was that it was based on the bipartisan framework developed by Senators Schumer and Graham.”
However, after a breakdown in communications and bitter partisan tactics used during the health care debate and the failed stimulus package negotiations the Democrats in the upper and lower houses may have lost any chance of a bipartisan immigration bill. It appears that with less than two months until the heated midterm elections, the president’s partisan politics over the past month will come back to haunt him as Republicans have voiced their unison support for not passing comprehensive immigration reform.
Meanwhile at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute gala dinner the president wanted those in attendance to understand; “I will not walk away from this fight. My commitment is getting this done as soon as we can. We can't keep kicking this challenge down the road."
The president also wanted Hispanics to remember something on November 2; "Don't forget who is standing with you, and who is standing against you. Don't ever believe that this election coming up doesn't matter. ... Don't forget who your friends are."
Those are dramatic words coming from the president who stands to lose both houses in November.
It is unclear if the Democrats in the House and Senate have the votes necessary to withstand a filibuster.
However after the Oval Office meeting Rep. Gutierrez says they have 218 votes to get the job done
"I think the White House, the Democrats, and the allies that support serious immigration reform are going on offense and the President is our quarterback," Gutierrez said. "I have been pushing hard to get us all pointing in the same direction on this issue and now with the White House standing with us and the Senate poised to act, I think we are seeing that effort begin to bear fruit. There are at least 218 votes in the House to pass the DREAM Act. The House is ready to act. We call on the Senate to pass the bill."
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), who is in the fight for his political life said on Tuesday “that there would be a clean up or down vote on the DREAM Act in the Senate as part of the Defense Department reauthorization bill in the coming week or two.”
Another topic of discussion at the White House included the 400,000 deportations taking place this year and the Democratic lawmakers encouraged the president to concentrate on only serious violent criminals because they felt deportations were tearing families apart.
"This was a big day, a big week and the next couple of weeks will be a turning point for immigration reform," Rep. Gutierrez said. "We know the clock is ticking, we know Republicans are being pressured to say 'no' to everything - including sensible Democratic solutions that solve big national problems - but we also know the country wants and needs a secure, legal, and fair immigration system that protects and serves the American people and strengthens the economy. Getting a vote on the DREAM Act is a step in that process that could help a lot of very talented young people achieve their American Dream."
Former presidential candidate and current Arizona Senator John McCain said in an interview with Greta Van Susteren, that he objected to the DREAM Act being placed in a war-spending bill. "It may have merits or demerits depending on how you look at it. But to put it on a defense bill? And so it's really his effort to get re-elected," he said. "And he's doing that at the expense of this legislation, which is about the men and women who are serving in the military. It's really remarkable."
Agreeing with embattled Senator McCain was Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX). “The American people want immediate border security and meaningful reform, not amnesty. They are sick and tired of the backroom deals and scheming in Washington - and that’s exactly what this is. Attaching this non-related bill to the Defense Appropriations bill is the oldest trick in the book. If you can’t pass it on its own, then attach it to something that will. This is an insult to democracy and the American public will not be fooled. Bring the bill before Congress as a stand-alone bill and let’s debate it. This issue is too important to be playing procedural tricks.”
One thing is certain the “summer of recovery” fell flat and the American people are voicing their concerns at the ballot box. Incumbent has become a scarlet letter and politicians who have spent decades in Washington are being show the door. The cynicism that plays out in both houses of the legislative body has finally met its match- the American voter.
With 46 days until the midterm election one thing is certain- career politicians beware.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/amnesty-debate-heats-up-with-the-dream-act
Obama said in a statement from the White House that the “reform must provide lasting and dedicated resources for border security, while also requiring accountability from both individuals in the U.S. illegally and unscrupulous employers who game the system for their own economic advantage.”
The President also expressed his support for the DREAM Act that Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s has attached to a defense spending bill. During the meeting Obama said he looked forward to signing the DRWAM Act into law. During the President’s tenure in the Senate he cosponsored the DREAM Act as a stand alone piece of legislation.
“The President noted that it is time to stop punishing innocent young people for the actions of their parents, especially when those youth grew up in America and want to serve this country in the military or pursue a higher education they have earned through academic excellence,” the statement read.
Technically 35-year-old people are not considered children and the current language in the DREAM Act would grant a form of amnesty to more than two million illegal aliens who meet the bill’s requirements.
Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) discussed with the president his ideas for a comprehensive immigration reform bill he plans to bring up in a few weeks. “The President told Senator Menendez that he looks forward to reviewing the bill, noting that he strongly supported the proposal that Senate Democrats outlined earlier this year. The President reiterated that the strength of that proposal was that it was based on the bipartisan framework developed by Senators Schumer and Graham.”
However, after a breakdown in communications and bitter partisan tactics used during the health care debate and the failed stimulus package negotiations the Democrats in the upper and lower houses may have lost any chance of a bipartisan immigration bill. It appears that with less than two months until the heated midterm elections, the president’s partisan politics over the past month will come back to haunt him as Republicans have voiced their unison support for not passing comprehensive immigration reform.
Meanwhile at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute gala dinner the president wanted those in attendance to understand; “I will not walk away from this fight. My commitment is getting this done as soon as we can. We can't keep kicking this challenge down the road."
The president also wanted Hispanics to remember something on November 2; "Don't forget who is standing with you, and who is standing against you. Don't ever believe that this election coming up doesn't matter. ... Don't forget who your friends are."
Those are dramatic words coming from the president who stands to lose both houses in November.
It is unclear if the Democrats in the House and Senate have the votes necessary to withstand a filibuster.
However after the Oval Office meeting Rep. Gutierrez says they have 218 votes to get the job done
"I think the White House, the Democrats, and the allies that support serious immigration reform are going on offense and the President is our quarterback," Gutierrez said. "I have been pushing hard to get us all pointing in the same direction on this issue and now with the White House standing with us and the Senate poised to act, I think we are seeing that effort begin to bear fruit. There are at least 218 votes in the House to pass the DREAM Act. The House is ready to act. We call on the Senate to pass the bill."
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), who is in the fight for his political life said on Tuesday “that there would be a clean up or down vote on the DREAM Act in the Senate as part of the Defense Department reauthorization bill in the coming week or two.”
Another topic of discussion at the White House included the 400,000 deportations taking place this year and the Democratic lawmakers encouraged the president to concentrate on only serious violent criminals because they felt deportations were tearing families apart.
"This was a big day, a big week and the next couple of weeks will be a turning point for immigration reform," Rep. Gutierrez said. "We know the clock is ticking, we know Republicans are being pressured to say 'no' to everything - including sensible Democratic solutions that solve big national problems - but we also know the country wants and needs a secure, legal, and fair immigration system that protects and serves the American people and strengthens the economy. Getting a vote on the DREAM Act is a step in that process that could help a lot of very talented young people achieve their American Dream."
Former presidential candidate and current Arizona Senator John McCain said in an interview with Greta Van Susteren, that he objected to the DREAM Act being placed in a war-spending bill. "It may have merits or demerits depending on how you look at it. But to put it on a defense bill? And so it's really his effort to get re-elected," he said. "And he's doing that at the expense of this legislation, which is about the men and women who are serving in the military. It's really remarkable."
Agreeing with embattled Senator McCain was Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX). “The American people want immediate border security and meaningful reform, not amnesty. They are sick and tired of the backroom deals and scheming in Washington - and that’s exactly what this is. Attaching this non-related bill to the Defense Appropriations bill is the oldest trick in the book. If you can’t pass it on its own, then attach it to something that will. This is an insult to democracy and the American public will not be fooled. Bring the bill before Congress as a stand-alone bill and let’s debate it. This issue is too important to be playing procedural tricks.”
One thing is certain the “summer of recovery” fell flat and the American people are voicing their concerns at the ballot box. Incumbent has become a scarlet letter and politicians who have spent decades in Washington are being show the door. The cynicism that plays out in both houses of the legislative body has finally met its match- the American voter.
With 46 days until the midterm election one thing is certain- career politicians beware.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/amnesty-debate-heats-up-with-the-dream-act
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Amnesty debate heats up with the DREAM Act
Senate leader Harry Reid (D-NV) will add the controversial DREAM Act legislation into a Defense Department spending bill essentially attaching amnesty for some to the weaponry and supplies needs for the wars in the Middle East.
The Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM Act) would provide a road to citizenship for young illegal aliens if their parents brought them into the country before age 16 and they attend college for at least two years or join the U.S. military.
During this six-year conditional period, immigrants would not be eligible for federal higher education grants, but they would be able to apply for scholarships, student loans and work study grants.
If the illegal alien does not meet the educational or military service requirement within the six-year time period, their temporary residence would be revoked and they would be eligible for deportation authors of the bill say.
Some of the DREAM Act provisions include; proof of arriving in the United States before age 16, proof of residence in the U.S. for a least five consecutive years, compliance with Selective Service, applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 35 at the time of bill enactment, graduate from an American high school or obtain a GED and finally be of “good moral character.”
The DREAM Act’s play on minors is misrepresentative. The age group included in its legislative language says 35-year-olds are eligible for amnesty and not many Americans consider their 35 year-old offspring -kids.
Amnesty proponents think it is a great strategy to attach the DREAM Act or amnesty for minors (to the age of 35) to the defense authorization bill.
“This is the first of many positive steps to take,” said the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National President Margaret Moran. “I think it is really important that we move forward on this legislation.”
However the chairman of the Immigration Reform Caucus Congressman Brian Bilbray (D-CA) disagrees, “When American men and women are fighting in Afghanistan and the human-trafficking cartels are murdering innocent people trying to cross the border in Northern Mexico, Harry Reid has the audacity to play politics with the Defense bill while enticing people to risk their lives with the cartels along our unsecured southern border. This is irresponsible, and the United States Senate should not stand for it.”
While adding legislative amendments to a non-related bill is not uncommon, sneaking amnesty for children who gained entry into America illegally during a highly political midterm election cycle has divided lawmakers and citizens alike.
Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX), the Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee contends; “The DREAM Act is a nightmare for the American people. It is an assault on law-abiding, taxpaying American citizens and legal immigrants.”
When many American’s are struggling to pay the bills and get their kids to college another argument presents itself. Many colleges are filled to capacity and asking American families to now compete with 2 million additional children who are not in the country legally sends the wrong message to those who continue to stream across the borders illegally.
“For every illegal immigrant admitted, an American student or legal resident would be turned away at a time when every state university is raising tuition, and many are curtailing enrollment,” Rep. Ed Royce of California said.
Yet pro-amnesty groups see things very differently. “Young people who came here as children with their parents should be allowed to contribute to the only country they have known by attending college, joining the military and continuing to be productive members of society,” Moran of LULAC says.
President Obama also welcomed the idea of the DREAM Act and suggested that this was a good first step on the long road to comprehensive immigration reform.
“I just don’t want anybody to think that if we somehow just do the DREAM Act, that solves the problem,” Obama said in an interview with La Opinion. “We’ve got a bigger problem that we have to solve. We still need comprehensive immigration reform. The DREAM Act can be an important part of that, and, as I said, I’m a big supporter of that. But I also want to make sure that we don’t somehow give up on the bigger strategy.”
Nevertheless the DREAM Act does have a price tag.
The early estimates of the DREAM Act come in the $20 billion range for the first two years alone, according to U.S. Money Talk. They claim that this is a “disaster in the making” and “comes at a time when the U.S. economy has stretched so many millions of Americans so thin.”
Lawmakers phones are already ringing off the hook from concerned constituents informing their representatives on both sides of the aisle that the midterm election is less than 50 days away and their jobs are on the line if the vote in favor of the DREAM Act.
According to NumbersUSA, a Washington D.C. think tank against amnesty, their supporters are out calling the open borders activists by a 10 to one ratio.
“Currently we are being beat by anti-immigrants 10 calls to 1. That means for every 1 call you make in support 10 people are calling against the DREAM Act,” was one message from a pro-amnesty group's alert last night.
Roy Beck, president of NumbersUSA says; “The DREAM Act leaves intact the chain migration system that will allow these 2.1 million illegal aliens to eventually send for millions more relatives. The amnestied illegal aliens would be able to get green cards for their parents. And millions of additional relatives would be able to start planning their applications and getting in line. This starts with adult siblings and moves on to aunts, uncles and cousins.”
Republicans are banking on the fact that this new attempt to pass a kinder, gentler form of amnesty will not slip past the American people.
“During these tough economic times, it is incomprehensible that Senate Democrats are planning to attach controversial legislation that has the potential to grant amnesty to over two million illegal immigrants. This would present a huge cost to the American taxpayer, as the illegal immigrants would be eligible for a wide array of federal benefits, including more educational benefits. Rather than reward those that have broken our nation’s immigration laws, Democrats should focus on fixing the economy and putting Americans back to work,” said Rep. Gary Miller (R-CA).
While the amnesty debate boils over, Democrats have failed to listen to the majority of Americans who say “it’s the economy stupid,” and continue to concentrate on other issues rather than jobs. This strategy will most certainly come at a price in the midterms. National polls already indicate the Democrat majority in Congress is set to lose power and with incumbent Republicans losing their jobs to newcomer primary challengers, it appears the winds of change are having a hurricane effect on Washington insiders.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/a-perilous-journey-to-u-s-includes-kidnapping-and-death-by-the-cartels
The Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM Act) would provide a road to citizenship for young illegal aliens if their parents brought them into the country before age 16 and they attend college for at least two years or join the U.S. military.
During this six-year conditional period, immigrants would not be eligible for federal higher education grants, but they would be able to apply for scholarships, student loans and work study grants.
If the illegal alien does not meet the educational or military service requirement within the six-year time period, their temporary residence would be revoked and they would be eligible for deportation authors of the bill say.
Some of the DREAM Act provisions include; proof of arriving in the United States before age 16, proof of residence in the U.S. for a least five consecutive years, compliance with Selective Service, applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 35 at the time of bill enactment, graduate from an American high school or obtain a GED and finally be of “good moral character.”
The DREAM Act’s play on minors is misrepresentative. The age group included in its legislative language says 35-year-olds are eligible for amnesty and not many Americans consider their 35 year-old offspring -kids.
Amnesty proponents think it is a great strategy to attach the DREAM Act or amnesty for minors (to the age of 35) to the defense authorization bill.
“This is the first of many positive steps to take,” said the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National President Margaret Moran. “I think it is really important that we move forward on this legislation.”
However the chairman of the Immigration Reform Caucus Congressman Brian Bilbray (D-CA) disagrees, “When American men and women are fighting in Afghanistan and the human-trafficking cartels are murdering innocent people trying to cross the border in Northern Mexico, Harry Reid has the audacity to play politics with the Defense bill while enticing people to risk their lives with the cartels along our unsecured southern border. This is irresponsible, and the United States Senate should not stand for it.”
While adding legislative amendments to a non-related bill is not uncommon, sneaking amnesty for children who gained entry into America illegally during a highly political midterm election cycle has divided lawmakers and citizens alike.
Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX), the Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee contends; “The DREAM Act is a nightmare for the American people. It is an assault on law-abiding, taxpaying American citizens and legal immigrants.”
When many American’s are struggling to pay the bills and get their kids to college another argument presents itself. Many colleges are filled to capacity and asking American families to now compete with 2 million additional children who are not in the country legally sends the wrong message to those who continue to stream across the borders illegally.
“For every illegal immigrant admitted, an American student or legal resident would be turned away at a time when every state university is raising tuition, and many are curtailing enrollment,” Rep. Ed Royce of California said.
Yet pro-amnesty groups see things very differently. “Young people who came here as children with their parents should be allowed to contribute to the only country they have known by attending college, joining the military and continuing to be productive members of society,” Moran of LULAC says.
President Obama also welcomed the idea of the DREAM Act and suggested that this was a good first step on the long road to comprehensive immigration reform.
“I just don’t want anybody to think that if we somehow just do the DREAM Act, that solves the problem,” Obama said in an interview with La Opinion. “We’ve got a bigger problem that we have to solve. We still need comprehensive immigration reform. The DREAM Act can be an important part of that, and, as I said, I’m a big supporter of that. But I also want to make sure that we don’t somehow give up on the bigger strategy.”
Nevertheless the DREAM Act does have a price tag.
The early estimates of the DREAM Act come in the $20 billion range for the first two years alone, according to U.S. Money Talk. They claim that this is a “disaster in the making” and “comes at a time when the U.S. economy has stretched so many millions of Americans so thin.”
Lawmakers phones are already ringing off the hook from concerned constituents informing their representatives on both sides of the aisle that the midterm election is less than 50 days away and their jobs are on the line if the vote in favor of the DREAM Act.
According to NumbersUSA, a Washington D.C. think tank against amnesty, their supporters are out calling the open borders activists by a 10 to one ratio.
“Currently we are being beat by anti-immigrants 10 calls to 1. That means for every 1 call you make in support 10 people are calling against the DREAM Act,” was one message from a pro-amnesty group's alert last night.
Roy Beck, president of NumbersUSA says; “The DREAM Act leaves intact the chain migration system that will allow these 2.1 million illegal aliens to eventually send for millions more relatives. The amnestied illegal aliens would be able to get green cards for their parents. And millions of additional relatives would be able to start planning their applications and getting in line. This starts with adult siblings and moves on to aunts, uncles and cousins.”
Republicans are banking on the fact that this new attempt to pass a kinder, gentler form of amnesty will not slip past the American people.
“During these tough economic times, it is incomprehensible that Senate Democrats are planning to attach controversial legislation that has the potential to grant amnesty to over two million illegal immigrants. This would present a huge cost to the American taxpayer, as the illegal immigrants would be eligible for a wide array of federal benefits, including more educational benefits. Rather than reward those that have broken our nation’s immigration laws, Democrats should focus on fixing the economy and putting Americans back to work,” said Rep. Gary Miller (R-CA).
While the amnesty debate boils over, Democrats have failed to listen to the majority of Americans who say “it’s the economy stupid,” and continue to concentrate on other issues rather than jobs. This strategy will most certainly come at a price in the midterms. National polls already indicate the Democrat majority in Congress is set to lose power and with incumbent Republicans losing their jobs to newcomer primary challengers, it appears the winds of change are having a hurricane effect on Washington insiders.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/a-perilous-journey-to-u-s-includes-kidnapping-and-death-by-the-cartels
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
A perilous journey to U.S. includes kidnapping and death by the cartels
A perilous journey awaited a 21-year-old Managua, Nicaraguan man. His journey from Central America began with dreams of a life in America, but notorious Mexican cartel members of Los Zetas promptly ended his northbound trek and kidnapped him short of his goal.
Family members of the kidnapped man say they are unable to pay the $4,000 ransom.
The kidnapped man’s father told El Nuevo Diario that he was poor and has only raised $100.
“The man told the newspaper that a suspected member of Los Zetas, a band of Mexican special forces deserters turned hired guns and drug traffickers, called him last Thursday and allowed him to briefly speak with his son,” according to a report from Latin American Herald Tribune.
The kidnapped victim told his father ,on a demand for ransom phone call that; “they have me here, and this man says that if they get the money they’ll let me go.”
Apparently the Los Zetas kidnappers originally wanted $10,000 but reduced the ransom to $4,000, according to El Nuevo Diario.
The only property of value the victim’s family has is their house and they are now trying to sell the property but haven’t had any luck selling it yet.
The victim’s father said his son left Nicaragua in June through Mexico, hoping to cross the border illegally into America to find work in order to support his very poor family in their small Central American country.
The Nicaraguan National Police director Aminta Granera said they are working jointly with Mexican police and Interpol to learn more details about the kidnapping.
Granera said the victim’s mother filed a missing persons report on Sept. 6th with the Chinandega Police Department, but the exact date of the kidnapping remains unknown.
If the man was snatched by Los Zetas his fate may already be sealed. Authorities are pointing the finger at Los Zetas for the murder of 72 migrants last month 100 miles shy of the U.S. border.
The murdered migrants were from the Central and South American countries of Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.
The 18-year-old survivor, Luis Freddy Lala Pomavilla, told Mexican marines about the massacre and said the migrants were killed after they refused to work for the Los Zetas cartel.
The Los Zetas cartel has moved up the drug cartel ranks in the past few years after they broke away from the Gulf cartel. The Zetas began the underworld career after they received highly-specialized training from the U.S. military, joined the Mexican military, deserted the Mexican military and became known as the militant-wing of the Gulf cartel.
However, they quickly realized they were highly trained and didn’t need the Gulf cartel any longer and they struck out on their own and have quickly taken over major smuggling corridors in the high-profit world of illicit drugs.
With Mexico quickly becoming the most dangerous place on the planet, migrants who seek a new life in America must now pass through treacherous cartel territory on their way to the promise land. This tale of a kidnapping is just another reason America needs to secure its border and deal with the illegal immigration problem before the world blames the U.S. for the death of these workers who are trying to break into the U.S. illegally.
For more stories;
Family members of the kidnapped man say they are unable to pay the $4,000 ransom.
The kidnapped man’s father told El Nuevo Diario that he was poor and has only raised $100.
“The man told the newspaper that a suspected member of Los Zetas, a band of Mexican special forces deserters turned hired guns and drug traffickers, called him last Thursday and allowed him to briefly speak with his son,” according to a report from Latin American Herald Tribune.
The kidnapped victim told his father ,on a demand for ransom phone call that; “they have me here, and this man says that if they get the money they’ll let me go.”
Apparently the Los Zetas kidnappers originally wanted $10,000 but reduced the ransom to $4,000, according to El Nuevo Diario.
The only property of value the victim’s family has is their house and they are now trying to sell the property but haven’t had any luck selling it yet.
The victim’s father said his son left Nicaragua in June through Mexico, hoping to cross the border illegally into America to find work in order to support his very poor family in their small Central American country.
The Nicaraguan National Police director Aminta Granera said they are working jointly with Mexican police and Interpol to learn more details about the kidnapping.
Granera said the victim’s mother filed a missing persons report on Sept. 6th with the Chinandega Police Department, but the exact date of the kidnapping remains unknown.
If the man was snatched by Los Zetas his fate may already be sealed. Authorities are pointing the finger at Los Zetas for the murder of 72 migrants last month 100 miles shy of the U.S. border.
The murdered migrants were from the Central and South American countries of Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.
The 18-year-old survivor, Luis Freddy Lala Pomavilla, told Mexican marines about the massacre and said the migrants were killed after they refused to work for the Los Zetas cartel.
The Los Zetas cartel has moved up the drug cartel ranks in the past few years after they broke away from the Gulf cartel. The Zetas began the underworld career after they received highly-specialized training from the U.S. military, joined the Mexican military, deserted the Mexican military and became known as the militant-wing of the Gulf cartel.
However, they quickly realized they were highly trained and didn’t need the Gulf cartel any longer and they struck out on their own and have quickly taken over major smuggling corridors in the high-profit world of illicit drugs.
With Mexico quickly becoming the most dangerous place on the planet, migrants who seek a new life in America must now pass through treacherous cartel territory on their way to the promise land. This tale of a kidnapping is just another reason America needs to secure its border and deal with the illegal immigration problem before the world blames the U.S. for the death of these workers who are trying to break into the U.S. illegally.
For more stories;
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Old Glory raised Iwo Jima -style along U.S./Mexico border
During a fitting ceremony on America’s somber 9/11 ninth anniversary the Border Patrol Auxiliary raised Old Glory in the Red Rocks area of the border located in East San Diego in a manner befitting Iwo Jima.
Co-founder of the organization, Carl Braun, said this was five years in the making.
“We are happy for the 100-plus folks who turned out to watch us place the American flag along a known illegal crossing corridor. We had folks from Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland as well as Nevada and Arizona make the drive to watch the flag raise high above the border,” he said.
Braun, who works closely with Border Patrol, wanted everybody to know that his group has worked along the U.S./Mexican border for five years without any incidents. “Our group is filled with true patriots.”
Former member and current Arizona resident, Mike Schmid said; “I had to be here for history. It was worth the seven-and-a-half hour drive to see the flag raised along the U.S./Mexico border.”
Area resident who manages the property as well as 800 acres along the border, Ron Hoebeck, said he helped with the permission process to have the flag placed in the rocks above the U.S. border.
“We called the FAA is see if there were any lights required for the 38-foot flag pole and they said no, so we were able move forward with a five-year dream,” Hoebeck explained.
The end of the ceremony was marked with the “Pledge of Allegiance” and Old Glory rising high above the border.
Four Sheriff Deputies as well as two Sheriff Investigators were in attendance. The deputies said they were posted to watch for any counter protesters- none showed up. To get to the Red Rocks, Boundary Peak area along the U.S./Mexico border required a 3-4 mile drive down a rutted and dusty road.
“This organization has a very good track record and I was glad to make the trip to border. I’m surprised more media didn’t come out this was a great photo op (operation),” one of the deputies said.
Currently the San Diego Sheriff department has 15 deputies working with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) special task force called “Operation Stonegarden.” The deputies are tasked with managing border issues that arise throughout San Diego County.
According to the San Diego Sheriff Department website Operation Stonegarden Grant focuses on crime prevention, diction and suppression in areas impacted along the Mexico/U.S. border. It also provides additional resources to local law enforcement to effectively prevent border-related crimes.
“In the first twelve weeks of the grant, over 2,112 traffic stops were conducted, 843 citations were written, 73 arrests were made, 16 seizures of contraband, mostly illegal drugs, occurred and nearly $50,000 were seized,” the Sheriff’s Department reports.
BPAUX contends it’s their effort and working relationship with Border Patrol and other law enforcement agencies that has led to a more secure east county border. Braun says there is still much work to be done if America wants to truly secure the borders, but today is a good start and Old Glory will now keep watch.
For more pictures scroll down to the slideshow.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/the-nation-s-toughest-child-predator-legislation-signed-into-law-california
Co-founder of the organization, Carl Braun, said this was five years in the making.
“We are happy for the 100-plus folks who turned out to watch us place the American flag along a known illegal crossing corridor. We had folks from Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland as well as Nevada and Arizona make the drive to watch the flag raise high above the border,” he said.
Braun, who works closely with Border Patrol, wanted everybody to know that his group has worked along the U.S./Mexican border for five years without any incidents. “Our group is filled with true patriots.”
Former member and current Arizona resident, Mike Schmid said; “I had to be here for history. It was worth the seven-and-a-half hour drive to see the flag raised along the U.S./Mexico border.”
Area resident who manages the property as well as 800 acres along the border, Ron Hoebeck, said he helped with the permission process to have the flag placed in the rocks above the U.S. border.
“We called the FAA is see if there were any lights required for the 38-foot flag pole and they said no, so we were able move forward with a five-year dream,” Hoebeck explained.
The end of the ceremony was marked with the “Pledge of Allegiance” and Old Glory rising high above the border.
Four Sheriff Deputies as well as two Sheriff Investigators were in attendance. The deputies said they were posted to watch for any counter protesters- none showed up. To get to the Red Rocks, Boundary Peak area along the U.S./Mexico border required a 3-4 mile drive down a rutted and dusty road.
“This organization has a very good track record and I was glad to make the trip to border. I’m surprised more media didn’t come out this was a great photo op (operation),” one of the deputies said.
Currently the San Diego Sheriff department has 15 deputies working with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) special task force called “Operation Stonegarden.” The deputies are tasked with managing border issues that arise throughout San Diego County.
According to the San Diego Sheriff Department website Operation Stonegarden Grant focuses on crime prevention, diction and suppression in areas impacted along the Mexico/U.S. border. It also provides additional resources to local law enforcement to effectively prevent border-related crimes.
“In the first twelve weeks of the grant, over 2,112 traffic stops were conducted, 843 citations were written, 73 arrests were made, 16 seizures of contraband, mostly illegal drugs, occurred and nearly $50,000 were seized,” the Sheriff’s Department reports.
BPAUX contends it’s their effort and working relationship with Border Patrol and other law enforcement agencies that has led to a more secure east county border. Braun says there is still much work to be done if America wants to truly secure the borders, but today is a good start and Old Glory will now keep watch.
For more pictures scroll down to the slideshow.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/the-nation-s-toughest-child-predator-legislation-signed-into-law-california
Friday, September 10, 2010
The nation’s toughest child predator legislation signed into law in California
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law one of the nation’s toughest child predator legislation aptly named after teenager Chelsea King who captured the country’s attention when her life was cut short by a repeat child predator.
“My single greatest priority as governor is to protect the safety and well being of all Californians,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “When a terrible tragedy like what happened to Chelsea King and Amber Dubois occurs, we have to review the laws in place and see where improvements or changes can be made to make our state safer and make it tougher on the predators who want to create victims out of innocent Californians. I am proud to sign these bills today that will do just that.”
The ceremonial bill signing got off to a rainy start at San Diego’s Balboa Park; Gov. Schwarzenegger was joined by Chelsea's parents, Brent and Kelly King, and the bill's author, State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego), San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, Assembly Speaker John Perez, (D-Los Angeles), and Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, (R-Murrieta). Amber Dubois’ mother was also in attendance showing her support for the newly-minted sexual predator law.
Assembly Bill 1844, also known as Chelsea's Law, requires a life sentence without the possibility of parole for forcible sex acts against children. It will also strengthen sex offense parole guidelines and entail lifelong GPS tracking for some sex offenders. The law will set tough parole guidelines for officers to follow in an effort to prevent another tragedy.
The Chelsea law legislation was approved unanimously by the state Senate and Assembly in record time. All the lawmakers in attendance spoke repeatedly about the bipartisanship of this bill and expressed hope they could work together on other issues because of Chelsea’s law.
King was murdered and raped near her home in Poway at Ranchero Bernardo Park, where she often went for an afternoon jog, on Feb. 25. Her killer was registered sex offender John Albert Gardner, who buried the 17-year-old in a shallow grave along the shore of Lake Hodges inside the park.
Two time murderer, Gardner brokered a plea deal and was sentenced to two life terms without the possibility of parole for killing and sexually assaulting King and also for abducting, raping and stabbing 14-year-old Amber Dubois of Escondido the previous year.
“Because of Chelsea, everyone has joined together to solve this serious problem in our state,’’ Schwarzenegger somberly said. ``Because of Chelsea, California's children will be safer. Because of Chelsea, this never has to happen again.''
Fletcher, the author of the new law said Chelsea's Law which became law immediately, puts the state of California at the forefront when dealing with violent sex offenders.
“We are about to see signed into law a sweeping piece of legislation that will better protect our children, who are the most vulnerable, the most innocent, the most precious,” Fletcher said. “Today is a very good day for them.”
Chelsea’s law creates a “true one-strike life without the possibility of parole charge” for violent child sex offenders who stalk helpless children, Fletcher said. “If you don't believe you can rehabilitate someone that violently sex offends a child, you should not let them out, and today California will adopt this.”
Assemblyman Fletcher went on to say, “Governor Schwarzenegger was supportive of our efforts from the very beginning and we are grateful for his commitment to public safety. Today's signing would not have been possible without the tremendous bi-partisan support of legislators, the amazing strength of Brent and Kelly King, and the inspiriting dedication of the entire San Diego community.”
Fletcher also commended the community and state for their diligent strides to make sure this day was possible. “An unspeakable tragedy, a powerful voice, a community demanding action, a Legislature that responded, a governor about to make history. This is due to Chelsea King. Today is her day,” he said.
Chelsea’s father Brent started out by saying; “This is a day that marks so much in our lives, and we are honored that Governor Schwarzenegger has chosen to sign Chelsea’s Law in San Diego.”
Brent King said Chelsea's Law will fix California's “broken system and make sure that the worst of the worst violent child predators are locked up for life.”
During the highly emotional bill signing Chelsea’s mom, Kelly was visibly struggling to hold it together. “Our children look to us for guidance and understanding of how our world should be,'' Kelly King said. ``In supporting and passing Chelsea's Law, you have shown them what is good and right and sound decision-making in government.''
Standing alongside Kelly King was her daughter’s close friend, Jenna Belknap, president of peer counseling at Poway High School where Chelsea went to high school, who braved the cameras and spoke from the heart about her buddy.
“We had to find a new sense of normal without Chelsea physically in our lives,” she said. “Chelsea King is not a past-tense kind of girl.”
Recently, Governor Schwarzenegger directed the Sex Offender Management Board to determine where systemic changes or improvements can be made to better protect the public. Following their review, the Governor directed his Administration to take action on the recommendations provided by the board including the implementation of the containment model included in Chelsea’s Law, according to a statement from his office.
Moe Dubois, Amber’s father who was not in attendance, has worked on three bills that Schwarzenegger plans on signing before he leaves office at the end of the year. The new bills will establish guidelines for handling missing-persons investigations, require law enforcement to notify national databases two hours after a child abduction — instead of the current four — and create a missing-persons position within the California Department of Justice to help authorities find abducted children, according to the governor’s office.
By the end of the bill signing ceremony, the sun peaked from behind the clouds and Chelsea’s family and friends said she was happy now as the tears of rain stopped- Chelsea was now spreading sunshine and happiness for all of California’s children.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/a-showdown-with-san-diego-sheriff-s-dept-and-issuance-of-conceal-carry-permits-set-for-court
“My single greatest priority as governor is to protect the safety and well being of all Californians,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “When a terrible tragedy like what happened to Chelsea King and Amber Dubois occurs, we have to review the laws in place and see where improvements or changes can be made to make our state safer and make it tougher on the predators who want to create victims out of innocent Californians. I am proud to sign these bills today that will do just that.”
The ceremonial bill signing got off to a rainy start at San Diego’s Balboa Park; Gov. Schwarzenegger was joined by Chelsea's parents, Brent and Kelly King, and the bill's author, State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego), San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, Assembly Speaker John Perez, (D-Los Angeles), and Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, (R-Murrieta). Amber Dubois’ mother was also in attendance showing her support for the newly-minted sexual predator law.
Assembly Bill 1844, also known as Chelsea's Law, requires a life sentence without the possibility of parole for forcible sex acts against children. It will also strengthen sex offense parole guidelines and entail lifelong GPS tracking for some sex offenders. The law will set tough parole guidelines for officers to follow in an effort to prevent another tragedy.
The Chelsea law legislation was approved unanimously by the state Senate and Assembly in record time. All the lawmakers in attendance spoke repeatedly about the bipartisanship of this bill and expressed hope they could work together on other issues because of Chelsea’s law.
King was murdered and raped near her home in Poway at Ranchero Bernardo Park, where she often went for an afternoon jog, on Feb. 25. Her killer was registered sex offender John Albert Gardner, who buried the 17-year-old in a shallow grave along the shore of Lake Hodges inside the park.
Two time murderer, Gardner brokered a plea deal and was sentenced to two life terms without the possibility of parole for killing and sexually assaulting King and also for abducting, raping and stabbing 14-year-old Amber Dubois of Escondido the previous year.
“Because of Chelsea, everyone has joined together to solve this serious problem in our state,’’ Schwarzenegger somberly said. ``Because of Chelsea, California's children will be safer. Because of Chelsea, this never has to happen again.''
Fletcher, the author of the new law said Chelsea's Law which became law immediately, puts the state of California at the forefront when dealing with violent sex offenders.
“We are about to see signed into law a sweeping piece of legislation that will better protect our children, who are the most vulnerable, the most innocent, the most precious,” Fletcher said. “Today is a very good day for them.”
Chelsea’s law creates a “true one-strike life without the possibility of parole charge” for violent child sex offenders who stalk helpless children, Fletcher said. “If you don't believe you can rehabilitate someone that violently sex offends a child, you should not let them out, and today California will adopt this.”
Assemblyman Fletcher went on to say, “Governor Schwarzenegger was supportive of our efforts from the very beginning and we are grateful for his commitment to public safety. Today's signing would not have been possible without the tremendous bi-partisan support of legislators, the amazing strength of Brent and Kelly King, and the inspiriting dedication of the entire San Diego community.”
Fletcher also commended the community and state for their diligent strides to make sure this day was possible. “An unspeakable tragedy, a powerful voice, a community demanding action, a Legislature that responded, a governor about to make history. This is due to Chelsea King. Today is her day,” he said.
Chelsea’s father Brent started out by saying; “This is a day that marks so much in our lives, and we are honored that Governor Schwarzenegger has chosen to sign Chelsea’s Law in San Diego.”
Brent King said Chelsea's Law will fix California's “broken system and make sure that the worst of the worst violent child predators are locked up for life.”
During the highly emotional bill signing Chelsea’s mom, Kelly was visibly struggling to hold it together. “Our children look to us for guidance and understanding of how our world should be,'' Kelly King said. ``In supporting and passing Chelsea's Law, you have shown them what is good and right and sound decision-making in government.''
Standing alongside Kelly King was her daughter’s close friend, Jenna Belknap, president of peer counseling at Poway High School where Chelsea went to high school, who braved the cameras and spoke from the heart about her buddy.
“We had to find a new sense of normal without Chelsea physically in our lives,” she said. “Chelsea King is not a past-tense kind of girl.”
Recently, Governor Schwarzenegger directed the Sex Offender Management Board to determine where systemic changes or improvements can be made to better protect the public. Following their review, the Governor directed his Administration to take action on the recommendations provided by the board including the implementation of the containment model included in Chelsea’s Law, according to a statement from his office.
Moe Dubois, Amber’s father who was not in attendance, has worked on three bills that Schwarzenegger plans on signing before he leaves office at the end of the year. The new bills will establish guidelines for handling missing-persons investigations, require law enforcement to notify national databases two hours after a child abduction — instead of the current four — and create a missing-persons position within the California Department of Justice to help authorities find abducted children, according to the governor’s office.
By the end of the bill signing ceremony, the sun peaked from behind the clouds and Chelsea’s family and friends said she was happy now as the tears of rain stopped- Chelsea was now spreading sunshine and happiness for all of California’s children.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/a-showdown-with-san-diego-sheriff-s-dept-and-issuance-of-conceal-carry-permits-set-for-court
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Slowing the tide of drugs entering the U.S. – drug cartels continue violence
Armed cartel members standing post.
Photo: File
Everyday drugs enter the U.S. through the major ports of entry, San Diego, El Paso, Nogales and other smaller ports. The majority of American’s may not be able to comprehend just how much methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, and cash enter the country through ports and not across the desert.
“El Paso may be the busiest city in the world in terms of the flow of drugs,” said Special Agent Mike Cordero, a member of the FBI/DEA Strike Force, and drug team established in 2007 to target “the biggest of the big” drug trafficking organizations.
“If they are major players,” Agent Cordero explained, “we’re going after them. Our mission is to disrupt and dismantle these organizations.”
According to the FBI and DEA it is estimated that 40-60 percent of all illegal drugs that enter the U.S. come through the border regions surrounding the El Paso, Texas Field Office.
The drugs pour across the border from Juarez, Mexico and U.S. dollars stream back into Mexico completing the drug cycle of life. It is estimated that each month, tens of millions of U.S. dollars head south into Juarez, enabling the cartels to pay off corrupt public officials, procure weapons and engage in other criminal activity like human trafficking or kidnapping.
The targeted law enforcement team in El Paso is one of several located along the Southwest border. FBI and DEA agents are trained to fight the crime and violence associated with the drug cartels.
The program is funded by the “Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a longstanding Department of Justice initiative that combines federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts to fight organized crime and drug traffickers. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI have lead roles in operating the strike force,” according to the FBI.
By working with undercover operatives, sources, and Mexican law enforcement, the FBI/DEA team uses an intelligence-driven approach in apprehending drug-related criminals. “Besides orchestrating large drug buys, agents pay close attention to the money laundering aspects of drug trafficking. The actionable intelligence gathered by the strike force benefits many other investigations and law enforcement agencies both domestically and internationally,” the FBI said.
In El Paso, the strike force consists of “10 FBI agents and 10 DEA agents.” The specialized team also coordinates with representatives from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
“We are a badge-less operation,” Agent Cordero said. “When you walk in our office, you can’t tell who is FBI and who is DEA. There is a concerted effort to put the cases first and not to worry about who gets the credit,” he added. “It’s a win is a win for everybody.”
The joint-team effort recently participated in a takedown called “Project Deliverance.” The team agents apprehended 133 people on drug charges and seized 800 pounds of marijuana, 11 kilos of cocaine, and nearly $140,000 in cash.
The operation also collected international intelligence for numerous other investigations around the country. “Because El Paso is a pivotal location for the Mexican drug trade,” said Special Agent Raul Bujanda, another member of the strike force, “the intelligence we gather allows us to spin off a lot of cases to other offices.”
However there are those who believe we may be better served to decriminalize drugs in the U.S. and ramp up rehabilitation centers to treat the real addiction problem.
Ryan Hoskins wrote a paper for George Mason University regarding this very issue (Mexico Drug Violence: Why the Merida Initiative, gun bans and border controls will fail and drug reform is the solution).
“It would be great if President Obama would reallocate the money currently set aside for drug interdiction and make an effort to fix the drug addiction problems American’s face each day,” Hoskins proposed.
“During my research (on the drug problems America faces) I came across Portugal’s recent legalization of drugs and I realized we (U.S.) are going about this problem all wrong.”
Hoskins contends that drug usage didn’t increase in Portugal as many expected and police actually handed out more “fix-it” type tickets if you will. “By de-stigmatizing drugs, users were more likely to get treatment,” Hoskins explains.
While America may be a long way from legalizing drugs, states like California are moving forward with adding Marijuana to the okay list. In November, the Golden State’s voters will mark “yes or no” on proposition 19, a ballot initiative legalizing Mexican drug cartel’s biggest money maker- pot.
If the voters approve the measure by large margins, other states in the union are sure to follow suit hoping to earn more taxpayer money. This plays into Hoskins’ hope. “First we need to decriminalize drugs, gain control of the drug problem and then perhaps we can eventually get rid of the black market by legalizing drugs altogether.”
The latter, legalizing drugs would certainly bring an end to most black-market sales, but the notion drugs would be legalized in a country in which excess is the norm, may take a little getting used to.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/mexican-marines-arrest-seven-zeta-cartel-members-for-the-murder-of-72-migrants
Photo: File
Everyday drugs enter the U.S. through the major ports of entry, San Diego, El Paso, Nogales and other smaller ports. The majority of American’s may not be able to comprehend just how much methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, and cash enter the country through ports and not across the desert.
“El Paso may be the busiest city in the world in terms of the flow of drugs,” said Special Agent Mike Cordero, a member of the FBI/DEA Strike Force, and drug team established in 2007 to target “the biggest of the big” drug trafficking organizations.
“If they are major players,” Agent Cordero explained, “we’re going after them. Our mission is to disrupt and dismantle these organizations.”
According to the FBI and DEA it is estimated that 40-60 percent of all illegal drugs that enter the U.S. come through the border regions surrounding the El Paso, Texas Field Office.
The drugs pour across the border from Juarez, Mexico and U.S. dollars stream back into Mexico completing the drug cycle of life. It is estimated that each month, tens of millions of U.S. dollars head south into Juarez, enabling the cartels to pay off corrupt public officials, procure weapons and engage in other criminal activity like human trafficking or kidnapping.
The targeted law enforcement team in El Paso is one of several located along the Southwest border. FBI and DEA agents are trained to fight the crime and violence associated with the drug cartels.
The program is funded by the “Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a longstanding Department of Justice initiative that combines federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts to fight organized crime and drug traffickers. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI have lead roles in operating the strike force,” according to the FBI.
By working with undercover operatives, sources, and Mexican law enforcement, the FBI/DEA team uses an intelligence-driven approach in apprehending drug-related criminals. “Besides orchestrating large drug buys, agents pay close attention to the money laundering aspects of drug trafficking. The actionable intelligence gathered by the strike force benefits many other investigations and law enforcement agencies both domestically and internationally,” the FBI said.
In El Paso, the strike force consists of “10 FBI agents and 10 DEA agents.” The specialized team also coordinates with representatives from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
“We are a badge-less operation,” Agent Cordero said. “When you walk in our office, you can’t tell who is FBI and who is DEA. There is a concerted effort to put the cases first and not to worry about who gets the credit,” he added. “It’s a win is a win for everybody.”
The joint-team effort recently participated in a takedown called “Project Deliverance.” The team agents apprehended 133 people on drug charges and seized 800 pounds of marijuana, 11 kilos of cocaine, and nearly $140,000 in cash.
The operation also collected international intelligence for numerous other investigations around the country. “Because El Paso is a pivotal location for the Mexican drug trade,” said Special Agent Raul Bujanda, another member of the strike force, “the intelligence we gather allows us to spin off a lot of cases to other offices.”
However there are those who believe we may be better served to decriminalize drugs in the U.S. and ramp up rehabilitation centers to treat the real addiction problem.
Ryan Hoskins wrote a paper for George Mason University regarding this very issue (Mexico Drug Violence: Why the Merida Initiative, gun bans and border controls will fail and drug reform is the solution).
“It would be great if President Obama would reallocate the money currently set aside for drug interdiction and make an effort to fix the drug addiction problems American’s face each day,” Hoskins proposed.
“During my research (on the drug problems America faces) I came across Portugal’s recent legalization of drugs and I realized we (U.S.) are going about this problem all wrong.”
Hoskins contends that drug usage didn’t increase in Portugal as many expected and police actually handed out more “fix-it” type tickets if you will. “By de-stigmatizing drugs, users were more likely to get treatment,” Hoskins explains.
While America may be a long way from legalizing drugs, states like California are moving forward with adding Marijuana to the okay list. In November, the Golden State’s voters will mark “yes or no” on proposition 19, a ballot initiative legalizing Mexican drug cartel’s biggest money maker- pot.
If the voters approve the measure by large margins, other states in the union are sure to follow suit hoping to earn more taxpayer money. This plays into Hoskins’ hope. “First we need to decriminalize drugs, gain control of the drug problem and then perhaps we can eventually get rid of the black market by legalizing drugs altogether.”
The latter, legalizing drugs would certainly bring an end to most black-market sales, but the notion drugs would be legalized in a country in which excess is the norm, may take a little getting used to.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/mexican-marines-arrest-seven-zeta-cartel-members-for-the-murder-of-72-migrants
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Mexican Marines arrest seven Zeta cartel members for the murder of 72 migrants
The Associated Press is reporting that Mexican Military soldiers arrested seven Los Zetas cartel gunmen who shot and killed 72 Central and South American migrants who were headed to the United States.
The Mexican government announced that four of the suspects were apprehended after a Sept. 3rd shootout with Mexican military and three more were captured a few days later. The Marines were alerted by a survivor who somehow escaped the mass slaughter, authorities found the bodies of 72 migrants on Aug. 24 at a ranch in the northern state of Tamaulipas, spokesman Alejandro Poire said earlier at a news conference.
It is alleged that all seven arrested belong to the ultra-violent Los Zetas organization, but Poire gave no further details on their identities.
It has been reported that the 72 migrants were killed because they refused to work for the Zetas or haul illegal drugs across the border to U.S. consumers.
If this account is true, it will be the worst drug cartel massacre in Mexico so far, adding another glib record to the country’s battle with drug warlords.
Recently, the two police officers charged with leading the investigation on the murders went missing; they have now been recovered- dead.
The Tamaulipas state Attorney General's Office said on Tuesday that identification was found on the police officers bodies and it matched those of the missing officials; state detective Roberto Suarez Vazquez and Juan Carlos Suarez Sanchez, who lead the Public Safety dept. of San Fernando were the latest victims of the bloodthirsty cartels.
The drug-related bloodshed in Mexico increasingly has the hallmarks of an insurgency, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said in a BBC report. "It's looking more and more like Colombia looked 20 years ago, when the narco-traffickers controlled certain parts of the country," she said.
As the killings continue south of the border Americans and Mexicans will be forced to deal with ugly truth that the cartels are still in control and they use fear as a major tool in their violent arsenal.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/congressional-membership-has-its-privileges
The Mexican government announced that four of the suspects were apprehended after a Sept. 3rd shootout with Mexican military and three more were captured a few days later. The Marines were alerted by a survivor who somehow escaped the mass slaughter, authorities found the bodies of 72 migrants on Aug. 24 at a ranch in the northern state of Tamaulipas, spokesman Alejandro Poire said earlier at a news conference.
It is alleged that all seven arrested belong to the ultra-violent Los Zetas organization, but Poire gave no further details on their identities.
It has been reported that the 72 migrants were killed because they refused to work for the Zetas or haul illegal drugs across the border to U.S. consumers.
If this account is true, it will be the worst drug cartel massacre in Mexico so far, adding another glib record to the country’s battle with drug warlords.
Recently, the two police officers charged with leading the investigation on the murders went missing; they have now been recovered- dead.
The Tamaulipas state Attorney General's Office said on Tuesday that identification was found on the police officers bodies and it matched those of the missing officials; state detective Roberto Suarez Vazquez and Juan Carlos Suarez Sanchez, who lead the Public Safety dept. of San Fernando were the latest victims of the bloodthirsty cartels.
The drug-related bloodshed in Mexico increasingly has the hallmarks of an insurgency, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said in a BBC report. "It's looking more and more like Colombia looked 20 years ago, when the narco-traffickers controlled certain parts of the country," she said.
As the killings continue south of the border Americans and Mexicans will be forced to deal with ugly truth that the cartels are still in control and they use fear as a major tool in their violent arsenal.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/congressional-membership-has-its-privileges
Congressional membership has its privileges
While the economy remains unstable, foreclosures skyrocket upwards, unemployment hovers near double-digits and economic indicators yield little inspiration, members of Congress enjoy growing personal bank accounts.
In its annual report on the wealthiest members of Congress, The Hill found lawmakers haven’t struggled with a lagging economy at all in fact they got even richer.
According to the report, the 50 richest members of Congresses’ portfolio were worth about $1.4 billion in 2009, this figure is up about $85.1 million the year before. The Hill’s annual review of lawmakers used financial disclosure forms as their marker to measure Congressional personal wealth.
It was Democrat Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts who topped the list for a second year in a row. His net worth increased more than $20 million the past year and now stands somewhere in the $188 million range.
A new face in the top 50 list has a familiar last name. Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), received his inheritance from his late father, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), which catapulted him to the number 47th richest spot.
The top ten richest lawmakers skewed towards the Democrats as they claimed seven of the first ten slots. (#1 John Kerry (MA), #3 Jane Harman (CA), #4 Jay Rockefeller (W. VA), #6 Mark Warner (VA), #7 Jared Polis (CO), #9 Frank Lautenberg (N.J.) and #10 Diane Feinstein (CA).
While only three Republicans made the top ten list, it was Rep. Darrell Issa of California who claimed the second wealthiest member for the second year in a row. His was followed by Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas in fifth and Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida in eighth.
In total there were 27 Democrats along with 23 Republicans who made up the 50 richest in Congress.
According to The Hill, Lawmakers are only required to report their earnings in broad ranges. “For example, a $2.5 million vacation home in Aspen, Colo., would be reported as being valued at between $1 and $5 million on a congressional financial disclosure form,” the article read.
By using the most conservative estimate for each lawmaker’s wealth, researchers used the lowest number of valued assets in each range reported. This calculation method showed only the minimum net worth for each Congressional member and the total of their liabilities were subtracted from their assets to get an average net worth.
By using this methodology, The Hill says it may miss some of the richest lawmakers inside the beltway.
All said and done annual top 50 wealthiest list proves that membership does indeed have its privileges.
To read the entire top 50 list; http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/116491-the-hills-50-wealthiest-list-slideshow
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
In its annual report on the wealthiest members of Congress, The Hill found lawmakers haven’t struggled with a lagging economy at all in fact they got even richer.
According to the report, the 50 richest members of Congresses’ portfolio were worth about $1.4 billion in 2009, this figure is up about $85.1 million the year before. The Hill’s annual review of lawmakers used financial disclosure forms as their marker to measure Congressional personal wealth.
It was Democrat Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts who topped the list for a second year in a row. His net worth increased more than $20 million the past year and now stands somewhere in the $188 million range.
A new face in the top 50 list has a familiar last name. Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), received his inheritance from his late father, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), which catapulted him to the number 47th richest spot.
The top ten richest lawmakers skewed towards the Democrats as they claimed seven of the first ten slots. (#1 John Kerry (MA), #3 Jane Harman (CA), #4 Jay Rockefeller (W. VA), #6 Mark Warner (VA), #7 Jared Polis (CO), #9 Frank Lautenberg (N.J.) and #10 Diane Feinstein (CA).
While only three Republicans made the top ten list, it was Rep. Darrell Issa of California who claimed the second wealthiest member for the second year in a row. His was followed by Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas in fifth and Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida in eighth.
In total there were 27 Democrats along with 23 Republicans who made up the 50 richest in Congress.
According to The Hill, Lawmakers are only required to report their earnings in broad ranges. “For example, a $2.5 million vacation home in Aspen, Colo., would be reported as being valued at between $1 and $5 million on a congressional financial disclosure form,” the article read.
By using the most conservative estimate for each lawmaker’s wealth, researchers used the lowest number of valued assets in each range reported. This calculation method showed only the minimum net worth for each Congressional member and the total of their liabilities were subtracted from their assets to get an average net worth.
By using this methodology, The Hill says it may miss some of the richest lawmakers inside the beltway.
All said and done annual top 50 wealthiest list proves that membership does indeed have its privileges.
To read the entire top 50 list; http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/116491-the-hills-50-wealthiest-list-slideshow
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Arizona Border Patrol engaged in a shoot out on Sunday- Also man shot and set on fire
Nogales Border Patrol agents were involved in a shoot out on Sunday North West of the city. The BP agents responded to a sensor that was tripped near the U.S./Mexico border and were greeted with fire from alleged illegal aliens.
Inside sources say the illegal aliens were smuggling drugs and were armed with AK-47s. Once the Border Patrol arrived on the scene the illegals fired their weapons and BP agents returned fire. There were no injuries reported.
Nogales Border Patrol agent, Mario Escalante said the incident is under investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) is looking into the confrontation. “The shooting incident happened, but it is still part of an ongoing investigation so I can not provided further details that could hinder our inquiry into the matter,” Escalante said.
In a separate incident outside Tucson, Arizona, a man’s body was found with an apparent gun shot wound and his body set on fire in a known drug smuggling corridor.
A spokesman from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Jason Ogan said they received a phone call from Border Patrol agents who saw a vehicle drive into Ironwood Forest National Monument area near the location of the body. The BP agents said the truck looked suspicious and it didn't have any lights on in the early morning hours.
"They heard what sounded like a gunshot and then saw flames originating from the area. The vehicle left at a high rate of speed on Reservation Road. Border Patrol followed (the truck) but eventually lost sight of the vehicle,” according to Ogan.
The deceased and burned body was identified by Pima County Sheriff’s Homicide team as Nael Alfredo Garcia-Moreno.
So far there are no suspects in the case. “The investigation remains in the preliminary stages and it’s too early for forensics details to be processed,” Ogan reported Tuesday morning.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/a-showdown-with-san-diego-sheriff-s-dept-and-issuance-of-conceal-carry-permits-set-for-court
Inside sources say the illegal aliens were smuggling drugs and were armed with AK-47s. Once the Border Patrol arrived on the scene the illegals fired their weapons and BP agents returned fire. There were no injuries reported.
Nogales Border Patrol agent, Mario Escalante said the incident is under investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) is looking into the confrontation. “The shooting incident happened, but it is still part of an ongoing investigation so I can not provided further details that could hinder our inquiry into the matter,” Escalante said.
In a separate incident outside Tucson, Arizona, a man’s body was found with an apparent gun shot wound and his body set on fire in a known drug smuggling corridor.
A spokesman from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Jason Ogan said they received a phone call from Border Patrol agents who saw a vehicle drive into Ironwood Forest National Monument area near the location of the body. The BP agents said the truck looked suspicious and it didn't have any lights on in the early morning hours.
"They heard what sounded like a gunshot and then saw flames originating from the area. The vehicle left at a high rate of speed on Reservation Road. Border Patrol followed (the truck) but eventually lost sight of the vehicle,” according to Ogan.
The deceased and burned body was identified by Pima County Sheriff’s Homicide team as Nael Alfredo Garcia-Moreno.
So far there are no suspects in the case. “The investigation remains in the preliminary stages and it’s too early for forensics details to be processed,” Ogan reported Tuesday morning.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/a-showdown-with-san-diego-sheriff-s-dept-and-issuance-of-conceal-carry-permits-set-for-court
San Diego Sheriff’s Dept. sued over conceal carry gun permits
Late Friday night court documents were released outlining plaintiffs’ undisputed facts and statements regarding the right of qualified individuals to carry a concealed firearm in San Diego County.
The lawsuit was filed last year is finally making its way through the federal court system and the November 1st trial date sets up a showdown with gun right’s advocates and San Diego Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff William Gore and San Diego County.
A list of boiler-plate undisputed facts, filed by plaintiffs, included items like; with few exceptions California prohibits unlicensed individuals from carrying loaded firearms; The only licensed public carrying of loaded firearms is via a "concealed carry" (i.e., with a CCW permit), except in a few sparsely populated counties where one may obtain a license to carry a loaded handgun openly; California law allows for only a Sheriff or Chief of Police to issue a permits to carry a concealed, loaded handgun in public to residents of their jurisdictions or to non-residents who spend a substantial period of time in their principal place of employment or business within that jurisdiction.
Once the attorneys agree on the undisputed facts the courts (or judge) will resolve any remaining undisputed facts between the parties- a fight, which will take place in a federal courtroom.
Among the key challenges facing the County of San Diego and Sheriff Gore will be the alleged preferential treatment for certain residents in the County. The plaintiffs who have had the opportunity to examine public records in the Sheriff’s Department as part of the litigation charge that the county as well as Sheriff Gore freely gives members of the Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association CCWs easy access to become licensed to carry firearms.
One of the Plaintiffs Dr. Leslie Buncher's denial letter from the Sheriff Department read: "The documentation you have provided does not indicate you are a specific target or that you are currently being threatened in any manner. The Sheriff's Department does not issue CCW's based on fear alone."
Buncher and other plaintiffs contend that membership in the Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association yielded different results in the CCW application process- all were issued permits.
All Plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit sought a CCW from the County for self-defense purposes, but were denied, except in the case of Plaintiffs Laxson and Dodd decided who did not to apply because they were dissuaded at their initial interview with the Sheriff’s Department and were told they didn’t satisfy the requirements of the County's policy.
Specifically, Mark Cleary describes in a sworn declaration, provided to the court under the penalty of perjury that he went to the Sheriff’s Department on April 8, 2005 to meet with the firearms licensing division and was questioned about his need for a CCW permit. Officials stated the requirements were “very strict” and encouraged Cleary to withdraw his application.
“They told me I could withdraw my application, and if I did not withdraw it, I would have a denial on my record with the Department of Justice,” Cleary explained in his declaration to the court.
However, Cleary’s application to carry a conceal weapon gets more interesting when he joined the Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association (HDSA), after many people informed Cleary that joining the HDSA would increase his chances of getting the firearm permit as well as streamline the CCW process.
“I discovered it was common knowledge among everyone who had any relation to the San Diego Sheriff’s process for issuing permits to carry a concealed handgun that certain people, including HDSA members, received preferential treatment when applying for a permit to carry a concealed handgun,” Clearly claimed.
Curiously, after becoming an HDSA member and asking then, Under-Sheriff Gore, to reconsider his application for a CCW, Gore allegedly said he would see what he could do, according to court documents. Shortly thereafter, “without warning, my first permit to carry a concealed handgun arrived in the mail.”
Just as mysteriously as Cleary’s CCW permit’s arrival was the fact that Cleary’s third renewal was denied.
“I ceased being a member of the Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association in January of 2010 because I was having financial issues and could not afford to continue paying the $175-$250 I paid annually to be a member.”
After signing onto this lawsuit Cleary says he asked for an appeal with Assistant Sheriff R. Ahern to review the denial of his CCW application and after the meeting he was given his conceal carry permit for a third time.
The plaintiffs also strongly believe the San Diego Sheriff’s Department continues its practice of preferential treatment for Honorary Sheriff’s Deputy Association members in the CCW application process. Plaintiffs’ undisputed facts Number 18 will certainly be the source of countywide heartache. It reads; “Curiously, certain HDSA members were granted CCWs by the county despite failing to provide such documentation. For example, in the ‘good cause’ section of their applications, some HDSA members merely stated ‘personal protection’ or ‘protection’ without out further explanation or supporting documentation.”
This information was discovered by the plaintiff’s attorneys and investigators who waded through hundreds of CCW applications located within the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.
The group wholly believes the strongest part of their case lies with Cleary’s statement in which he was denied, became an HDSA member, personally met with then Under-Sheriff Gore and magically got his CCW permit.
The plaintiffs also contend “the County holds HDSA members to different, much more lenient standards than the general public, including Plaintiffs, when issuing CCWs. In fact, not one single HDSA member who, while in good standing, has sought a CCW from the County from 2006 to the present has been denied, while 18 nonmembers have been denied and an unknown number of others decided not to formally apply based on their initial interview or failure to satisfy the County’s strict ‘good cause’ requirement applicable to the general public.”
Plaintiffs have lodged 23 undisputed facts and numerous exhibits, some of which are not publically available because they were provided to the court under seal, will make their way to federal court on November 1 of this year. Many 2nd Amendment advocates will be closely monitoring this case and hope that beneficial pro-gun rights benchmarks are tendered that can be used throughout the Golden State.
For those wishing to follow this case and view the documents quoted in this article, the case is titled “3:09-cv-02371-IEG-BGS Peruta v. County of San Diego et al” and available on the Federal Court’s PACER website.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
The lawsuit was filed last year is finally making its way through the federal court system and the November 1st trial date sets up a showdown with gun right’s advocates and San Diego Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff William Gore and San Diego County.
A list of boiler-plate undisputed facts, filed by plaintiffs, included items like; with few exceptions California prohibits unlicensed individuals from carrying loaded firearms; The only licensed public carrying of loaded firearms is via a "concealed carry" (i.e., with a CCW permit), except in a few sparsely populated counties where one may obtain a license to carry a loaded handgun openly; California law allows for only a Sheriff or Chief of Police to issue a permits to carry a concealed, loaded handgun in public to residents of their jurisdictions or to non-residents who spend a substantial period of time in their principal place of employment or business within that jurisdiction.
Once the attorneys agree on the undisputed facts the courts (or judge) will resolve any remaining undisputed facts between the parties- a fight, which will take place in a federal courtroom.
Among the key challenges facing the County of San Diego and Sheriff Gore will be the alleged preferential treatment for certain residents in the County. The plaintiffs who have had the opportunity to examine public records in the Sheriff’s Department as part of the litigation charge that the county as well as Sheriff Gore freely gives members of the Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association CCWs easy access to become licensed to carry firearms.
One of the Plaintiffs Dr. Leslie Buncher's denial letter from the Sheriff Department read: "The documentation you have provided does not indicate you are a specific target or that you are currently being threatened in any manner. The Sheriff's Department does not issue CCW's based on fear alone."
Buncher and other plaintiffs contend that membership in the Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association yielded different results in the CCW application process- all were issued permits.
All Plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit sought a CCW from the County for self-defense purposes, but were denied, except in the case of Plaintiffs Laxson and Dodd decided who did not to apply because they were dissuaded at their initial interview with the Sheriff’s Department and were told they didn’t satisfy the requirements of the County's policy.
Specifically, Mark Cleary describes in a sworn declaration, provided to the court under the penalty of perjury that he went to the Sheriff’s Department on April 8, 2005 to meet with the firearms licensing division and was questioned about his need for a CCW permit. Officials stated the requirements were “very strict” and encouraged Cleary to withdraw his application.
“They told me I could withdraw my application, and if I did not withdraw it, I would have a denial on my record with the Department of Justice,” Cleary explained in his declaration to the court.
However, Cleary’s application to carry a conceal weapon gets more interesting when he joined the Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association (HDSA), after many people informed Cleary that joining the HDSA would increase his chances of getting the firearm permit as well as streamline the CCW process.
“I discovered it was common knowledge among everyone who had any relation to the San Diego Sheriff’s process for issuing permits to carry a concealed handgun that certain people, including HDSA members, received preferential treatment when applying for a permit to carry a concealed handgun,” Clearly claimed.
Curiously, after becoming an HDSA member and asking then, Under-Sheriff Gore, to reconsider his application for a CCW, Gore allegedly said he would see what he could do, according to court documents. Shortly thereafter, “without warning, my first permit to carry a concealed handgun arrived in the mail.”
Just as mysteriously as Cleary’s CCW permit’s arrival was the fact that Cleary’s third renewal was denied.
“I ceased being a member of the Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association in January of 2010 because I was having financial issues and could not afford to continue paying the $175-$250 I paid annually to be a member.”
After signing onto this lawsuit Cleary says he asked for an appeal with Assistant Sheriff R. Ahern to review the denial of his CCW application and after the meeting he was given his conceal carry permit for a third time.
The plaintiffs also strongly believe the San Diego Sheriff’s Department continues its practice of preferential treatment for Honorary Sheriff’s Deputy Association members in the CCW application process. Plaintiffs’ undisputed facts Number 18 will certainly be the source of countywide heartache. It reads; “Curiously, certain HDSA members were granted CCWs by the county despite failing to provide such documentation. For example, in the ‘good cause’ section of their applications, some HDSA members merely stated ‘personal protection’ or ‘protection’ without out further explanation or supporting documentation.”
This information was discovered by the plaintiff’s attorneys and investigators who waded through hundreds of CCW applications located within the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.
The group wholly believes the strongest part of their case lies with Cleary’s statement in which he was denied, became an HDSA member, personally met with then Under-Sheriff Gore and magically got his CCW permit.
The plaintiffs also contend “the County holds HDSA members to different, much more lenient standards than the general public, including Plaintiffs, when issuing CCWs. In fact, not one single HDSA member who, while in good standing, has sought a CCW from the County from 2006 to the present has been denied, while 18 nonmembers have been denied and an unknown number of others decided not to formally apply based on their initial interview or failure to satisfy the County’s strict ‘good cause’ requirement applicable to the general public.”
Plaintiffs have lodged 23 undisputed facts and numerous exhibits, some of which are not publically available because they were provided to the court under seal, will make their way to federal court on November 1 of this year. Many 2nd Amendment advocates will be closely monitoring this case and hope that beneficial pro-gun rights benchmarks are tendered that can be used throughout the Golden State.
For those wishing to follow this case and view the documents quoted in this article, the case is titled “3:09-cv-02371-IEG-BGS Peruta v. County of San Diego et al” and available on the Federal Court’s PACER website.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Justice Dept. sues Arizona Sheriff Arpaio for not cooperation in a civil rights investigation
And the hits just keep on coming in Arizona, first the federal lawsuit against the state for cracking down on illegal immigration’s SB1070, then the Justice Department sues Arizona Maricopa County Community Colleges and now America’s toughest Sheriff Joe Arpaio is on the receiving end of a lawsuit from the federal government.
The lawsuit filed earlier today by the Justice Department accuses Maricopa County Sheriff Arpaio of stonewalling the federal government with their probe into possible policies that include discrimination against Hispanics.
The Arizona Sheriff’s office has been at odds with federal prosecutors for improperly contacting employees at the sheriff’s office instead of going through lawyers as federal law mandates.
Sheriff Joe has been pro-active when it comes to illegal immigration and often refers to illegals as “lawbreakers.”
Eric Holder, of the Justice Dept. has been gunning for Arpaio since he took over with the Obama Administration.
The new lawsuit came as especially good news to the civil-rights groups who have wanted to fire the extremely popular sheriff; who has in the last few elections grabbed approximately 70 percent of the vote.
Nevertheless the added notoriety of Sheriff Joe hasn’t hurt his support with Maricopa County residents.
One Democrat, Ruth Burke says, “I wish people would leave him alone, he is just doing his job.”
But it’s precisely his job of arresting illegal immigrants and turning them over to federal law enforcement for deportation that open-border advocates are trying to prevent.
However, according to the lawsuit filed in Phoenix federal court, Maricopa County Sheriff’s office gets millions of dollars in federal funding and is required to cooperate with federal investigators in order to keep that money.
The pettiness of the federal government’s lawsuit even cited a public statement that Arpaio made claiming he wouldn’t cooperate with the government’s fishing expedition.
Sheriff Arpaio and the Maricopa Sheriff’s office lawyer, Robert Driscoll, had no comment on the lawsuit filed today.
For more stories;http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/anchor-baby-issue-solved-a-congressional-definition-of-the-word-born
The lawsuit filed earlier today by the Justice Department accuses Maricopa County Sheriff Arpaio of stonewalling the federal government with their probe into possible policies that include discrimination against Hispanics.
The Arizona Sheriff’s office has been at odds with federal prosecutors for improperly contacting employees at the sheriff’s office instead of going through lawyers as federal law mandates.
Sheriff Joe has been pro-active when it comes to illegal immigration and often refers to illegals as “lawbreakers.”
Eric Holder, of the Justice Dept. has been gunning for Arpaio since he took over with the Obama Administration.
The new lawsuit came as especially good news to the civil-rights groups who have wanted to fire the extremely popular sheriff; who has in the last few elections grabbed approximately 70 percent of the vote.
Nevertheless the added notoriety of Sheriff Joe hasn’t hurt his support with Maricopa County residents.
One Democrat, Ruth Burke says, “I wish people would leave him alone, he is just doing his job.”
But it’s precisely his job of arresting illegal immigrants and turning them over to federal law enforcement for deportation that open-border advocates are trying to prevent.
However, according to the lawsuit filed in Phoenix federal court, Maricopa County Sheriff’s office gets millions of dollars in federal funding and is required to cooperate with federal investigators in order to keep that money.
The pettiness of the federal government’s lawsuit even cited a public statement that Arpaio made claiming he wouldn’t cooperate with the government’s fishing expedition.
Sheriff Arpaio and the Maricopa Sheriff’s office lawyer, Robert Driscoll, had no comment on the lawsuit filed today.
For more stories;http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/anchor-baby-issue-solved-a-congressional-definition-of-the-word-born
Anchor baby issue solved – a Congressional definition of the word- BORN
With the immigration issue swirling about the country, Arizona being slapped with lawsuits and Mexico drug cartel violence exploding south of the border; many are beginning to have adult conversations about the impact of illegal immigration within U.S. borders.
Every year there are approximately 300,000 to 400,000 children born in America to illegal immigrants parents. As such, the children automatically get the golden ticket – citizenship and all the benefits that come with being an American. Of course babies cannot take care of themselves so their parents must now gain some sort of legal status to care for their infant child.
The political birthright or anchor baby controversy has been debated for many years and only after the Arizona SB1070 crackdown on illegal immigration has it been brought back to the forefront.
Legislation aimed at changing the 14th Amendment and the scope of birthright citizenship has been debated in many Congressional sessions but failed to gain any real traction.
According to legal experts, when the definition of the word born (in the 14th Amendment) is challenged, aside from Justice William O'Douglas footnote, the only legislative history refers to Negro populations for purposes of counting for Congressional districts.
There has not and was not any debate during the 14th Amendment process or thereafter as to the meaning of the word “born.” The reason being was that former slaves were already considered citizens for purposes of determining Congressional districts and representation. Under the Constitution Negro slaves were considered property, but for purposes of the census were counted as three-fifths per white male.
The distinction between the freed slaves of the 14th Amendment and present day illegal immigrants is that Negroes were already considered citizens of the States in which they were born, however, present day illegal immigrants do not have that Constitutional nexus. This distinction between the Negroes of the 14th Amendment and the illegal immigrants of today would make it very difficult for the Supreme Court of the United States to overrule a narrowed Congressional definition, particularly since Congress has the exclusive power under the Constitution to determine immigration and naturalization.
If Congress is brave and bold they would provide a fail-proof solution to the 14th Amendment issue on birthright citizenship.
Since there is no definition (8USC Sec. 1101 definition reads) of the word "born” even though it is referenced several times an addition seems natural. An example of a definition would read something along these lines; "for the purposes of this chapter and wherever used in relation to immigration or naturalization, including the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the meaning of the word ‘born’ shall mean a child born in the United States, its territories or possessions, of a parent who is a natural born or nationalized citizen of the State in which the birth of the child is recorded."
Internationally, a trend has formed as countries have moved away from universal birthright citizenship including but are not limited to; England, Australia, India, Ireland, New Zealand, and the Dominican Republic.
According to NumbersUSA, a Washington D.C. immigration think tank, an overwhelming majority of the world’s countries do not offer automatic birthright citizenship.
In a new report, 'Birthright Citizenship in the United States: A Global Comparison,' the Center for Immigration Studies' legal policy analyst Jon Feere reviews “the history of the issue in American law and presents the most up-to-date research on birthright citizenship policies throughout the world. The global findings are the result of direct communication with foreign government officials and analysis of foreign law. The report concludes that Congress should promote a serious discussion about whether the United States should automatically confer the benefits and burdens of U.S. citizenship on the children of aliens whose presence is temporary or illegal.” http://www.cis.org/birthright-citizenship
The report further finds that only 30 of the 194 countries grant citizenship to babies born to illegal immigrants; the advanced economies of Canada and the United States only give citizenship to children born to illegal aliens; the global trend is moving away from birthright citizenship;14th Amendment history indicates that the Citizenship Clause was never intended to benefit illegal aliens; The U.S. Supreme Court has held that the U.S.-born children of permanent resident aliens are covered by the Citizenship Clause, but the Court has never decided whether the same rule applies to the children of aliens whose presence in the United States is temporary or illegal.
It’s time for Congress to act on the immigration problems facing America. Securing the borders alone will not be enough to fix the complexity of the issue. However, defining the meaning of the word “BORN” would be another step in the right direction.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/warlords-and-taliban-fighters-earn-money-from-u-s-the-form-of-protection
Every year there are approximately 300,000 to 400,000 children born in America to illegal immigrants parents. As such, the children automatically get the golden ticket – citizenship and all the benefits that come with being an American. Of course babies cannot take care of themselves so their parents must now gain some sort of legal status to care for their infant child.
The political birthright or anchor baby controversy has been debated for many years and only after the Arizona SB1070 crackdown on illegal immigration has it been brought back to the forefront.
Legislation aimed at changing the 14th Amendment and the scope of birthright citizenship has been debated in many Congressional sessions but failed to gain any real traction.
According to legal experts, when the definition of the word born (in the 14th Amendment) is challenged, aside from Justice William O'Douglas footnote, the only legislative history refers to Negro populations for purposes of counting for Congressional districts.
There has not and was not any debate during the 14th Amendment process or thereafter as to the meaning of the word “born.” The reason being was that former slaves were already considered citizens for purposes of determining Congressional districts and representation. Under the Constitution Negro slaves were considered property, but for purposes of the census were counted as three-fifths per white male.
The distinction between the freed slaves of the 14th Amendment and present day illegal immigrants is that Negroes were already considered citizens of the States in which they were born, however, present day illegal immigrants do not have that Constitutional nexus. This distinction between the Negroes of the 14th Amendment and the illegal immigrants of today would make it very difficult for the Supreme Court of the United States to overrule a narrowed Congressional definition, particularly since Congress has the exclusive power under the Constitution to determine immigration and naturalization.
If Congress is brave and bold they would provide a fail-proof solution to the 14th Amendment issue on birthright citizenship.
Since there is no definition (8USC Sec. 1101 definition reads) of the word "born” even though it is referenced several times an addition seems natural. An example of a definition would read something along these lines; "for the purposes of this chapter and wherever used in relation to immigration or naturalization, including the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the meaning of the word ‘born’ shall mean a child born in the United States, its territories or possessions, of a parent who is a natural born or nationalized citizen of the State in which the birth of the child is recorded."
Internationally, a trend has formed as countries have moved away from universal birthright citizenship including but are not limited to; England, Australia, India, Ireland, New Zealand, and the Dominican Republic.
According to NumbersUSA, a Washington D.C. immigration think tank, an overwhelming majority of the world’s countries do not offer automatic birthright citizenship.
In a new report, 'Birthright Citizenship in the United States: A Global Comparison,' the Center for Immigration Studies' legal policy analyst Jon Feere reviews “the history of the issue in American law and presents the most up-to-date research on birthright citizenship policies throughout the world. The global findings are the result of direct communication with foreign government officials and analysis of foreign law. The report concludes that Congress should promote a serious discussion about whether the United States should automatically confer the benefits and burdens of U.S. citizenship on the children of aliens whose presence is temporary or illegal.” http://www.cis.org/birthright-citizenship
The report further finds that only 30 of the 194 countries grant citizenship to babies born to illegal immigrants; the advanced economies of Canada and the United States only give citizenship to children born to illegal aliens; the global trend is moving away from birthright citizenship;14th Amendment history indicates that the Citizenship Clause was never intended to benefit illegal aliens; The U.S. Supreme Court has held that the U.S.-born children of permanent resident aliens are covered by the Citizenship Clause, but the Court has never decided whether the same rule applies to the children of aliens whose presence in the United States is temporary or illegal.
It’s time for Congress to act on the immigration problems facing America. Securing the borders alone will not be enough to fix the complexity of the issue. However, defining the meaning of the word “BORN” would be another step in the right direction.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/warlords-and-taliban-fighters-earn-money-from-u-s-the-form-of-protection
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