Blog For Arizona

So how's that GOP rebranding working out?

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

On Sunday, the Arizona Republic for some reason felt compelled to publish a guest opinion (and video) by the disgraced and recalled former Senate President, Russell Pearce, writing on behalf of his anti-immigrant nativist hate group, BanAmnestyNow.com.

Pearce discloses a continuing working relationship with the anti-immigrant nativist hate group,  Federation of American Immigration Reform (FAIR), whose lawyer Kris Kobach wrote SB 1070 for Pearce.

Pearce also cites the widely discredited Heritage Foundation report (.pdf) released last week, which was drafted, in part, by Jason Richwine, who subscribes to the controversial "science" of hereditarianism and eugenics. Richwine was forced to resign from the Heritage Foundation on Friday, presumably after Russell Pearce submitted his guest opinion to the Republic.

Ol' Russel writes, Immigration tug-of-war: Reform effort is a sham:

The 3-year-old Senate Bill 1070, America’s toughest anti-illegal immigration law, has had a dramatic impact on Arizona. We are a better place.

* * *

According to information from the Federation of American Immigration Reform, Arizonans pay $2.6 billion per year to educate, medicate and incarcerate illegal aliens. According to the Heritage Foundation, the billions we pay today are but one-third of our eventual tab a decade from now if the “Gang of Eight” immigration bill becomes law.

* * *

However, despite the many advances we have made, the burdens of illegal immigration still are too high. This is why I call upon my fellow citizens to join me in opposing the latest amnesty/citizenship bill. The group of eight U.S. senators’ legislation (including Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake) risks America’s financial and national security. This bill is the epitome of everything that is wrong, backward and corrupt in Washington.

Heritage Foundation jettisons white supremacist autthor of its immigration study

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Oh, like no one saw this coming. Heritage Foundation fellow Jason Richwine, who subcribes to the controversial "science" of hereditarianism and eugenics, long championed by white supremacists and segregationists, is out of a job today. Maybe the Aryan Nation or the KKK have a job opening.

Think Progress reports, Author Of Heritage Immigration Study Resigns Amid Racism Scandal:

Jason Richwine, a coauthor of the Heritage Foundation’s report on the cost of the current immigration bill, has resigned after it emerged that his graduate dissertation on immigration was premised on the idea that Latinos were less intelligent than whites.

The controversy, which began after The Washington Post’s Dylan Matthews unearthed the dissertation on Latino intelligence, forced the conservative think tank into emergency damage control for the remainder of the week, when it emerged that Richwine had ties to extreme anti-immigration groups. On Friday afternoon, Heritage announced that Richwine has resigned. Heritage’s statement:

Jason Richwine let us know he’s decided to resign from his position. He’s no longer employed by Heritage. It is our long-standing policy not to discuss internal personnel matters.

Immigration reform bill begins markup in Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will begin marking up the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, the bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill from the "Gang of Eight."

301 amendments have been filed, setting the stage for extended debate. Senate immigration bill brings flood of amendments:

About two-thirds of the 301 proposals came from Senate Republicans, including measures to grant Congress more authority over security along the border with Mexico, to require illegal immigrants to provide DNA samples before gaining legal status and to reduce the number of undocumented workers who would be eligible to pursue citizenship.

The amendments reflected the desires of many GOP lawmakers, who say that they will support only a comprehensive overhaul that puts a higher priority on law enforcement along the border and in the workplace. The Senate Judiciary Committee will begin considering the amendments Thursday, and the fate of the 844-page bill will be tested by a process that is likely to stretch through several days of hearings in coming weeks.

* * *

Although Democrats have generally been more supportive of the bill, they offered dozens of amendments, including two from Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick J. Leahy (Vt.) that would allow same-sex foreign spouses and partners of U.S. citizens to apply for visas. Republicans have said that they will not support any comprehensive bill that includes gay rights protections.

Author of Heritage Foundation report subscribes to the controversial 'science' of hereditarianism and eugenics

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

It appears that the Pioneer Fund and its support for the "study and research into the problems of heredity and eugenics in the human race" and "into the problems of race betterment with special reference to the people of the United States," still has influence in the 21st Century. For a lengthy backgrounder on this subject, see History of the race and intelligence controversy - Wikipedia.

The Heritage Foundation released its long awaited report this week for the stated purpose of defeating the "Gang of Eight" immigration reform bill (and thus it is a political document). The report was written in part by Jason Richwine. Dylan Matthews at Ezra Klein's Wonkblog introduces us to Mr. Richwine, Heritage study co-author opposed letting in immigrants with low IQs:

Jason Richwine is relatively new to the think tank world. He received his PhD in public policy from Harvard in 2009, and joined Heritage after a brief stay at the American Enterprise Institute. Richwine’s doctoral dissertation is titled “IQ and Immigration Policy”; the contents are well summarized in the dissertation abstract:

The statistical construct known as IQ can reliably estimate general mental ability, or intelligence. The average IQ of immigrants in the United States is substantially lower than that of the white native population, and the difference is likely to persist over several generations. The consequences are a lack of socioeconomic assimilation among low-IQ immigrant groups, more underclass behavior, less social trust, and an increase in the proportion of unskilled workers in the American labor market. Selecting high-IQ immigrants would ameliorate these problems in the U.S., while at the same time benefiting smart potential immigrants who lack educational access in their home countries.

Jim DeMint and the Heritage Foundation try to kill immigration reform

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Tea Party darlin', former Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), now pulling down big bucks for his conservative demagoguery at the Heritage Foundation, has an op-ed in the Washington Post (where else) this afternoon, What amnesty for illegal immigrants will cost America (note the code language to the nativist base) claiming that:

An exhaustive study by the Heritage Foundation has found that after amnesty, current unlawful immigrants would receive $9.4 trillion in government benefits and services and pay more than $3 trillion in taxes over their lifetimes. That leaves a net fiscal deficit (benefits minus taxes) of $6.3 trillion. That deficit would have to be financed by increasing the government debt or raising taxes on U.S. citizens.

* * *

Given the U.S. debt of $17 trillion, the fiscal effects detailed in our study should be at the forefront of legislators’ minds as they consider immigration reform.

Ummm, sorry, but no. By now any rational intelligent human being should know that one does not give any credence to anything produced by the Heritage Foundation. Ever. Especially now that a demagogue like Jim DeMint is at its helm.

Greg Sargent writes in The right’s last stand against immigration reform?:

The Heritage Foundation has just released its long awaited report supposedly documenting that the path to citizenship in the Gang of Eight immigration reform compromise will sock the taxpayer with a multi-trillion-dollar bill. You cannot overstate how much opponents of reform have staked on the hope that this report will be the magic bullet to kill the proposal. This is the report that’s supposed to send House conservatives running away, never to return.

U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal of Alabama anti-immigrant law

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The ALEC model legislation for the anti-immigrant crusade of Kris Kobach, legal counsel with the Immigration Law Reform Institute, the legal arm of the anti-immigrant Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), and the author of Arizona's SB 1070, is losing in court. Federal courts have made it clear that federal law preempts the field in immigration law. Only federal gov't, not states, can enforce immigration laws, Supreme Court says:

The Supreme Court made it clear Monday that enforcing immigration laws is reserved for the federal government, not the states.

By an 8-1 vote, the justices rejected a request from Alabama to revive part of a 2011 law designed to drive out illegal immigrants. That year saw a wave of new laws in Republican-controlled states where lawmakers decried perceived federal inaction. Alabama's was deemed the toughest.

State officials said if federal authorities were not going to arrest illegal immigrants, their police would take on the task.

But the Obama administration went to court to challenge these laws, arguing that federal immigration policy trumped state efforts. The administration said it was targeting criminals, gang members and smugglers, not the millions of otherwise law-abiding but undocumented immigrants who live and work in this country.

The administration won a major victory last year when the Supreme Court struck down most of Arizona's immigration enforcement law, known as SB 1070. In a 6-3 decision, the justices agreed that Washington, not the states, gets to decide how to enforce the immigration laws. The opinion rejected the idea that states could make immigration violations a crime under state law.

Border policy myths, realities and faulty assumptions

By Karl Reiner

Gov. Brewer recently asserted that Arizona's controversial SB 1070 served as the catalyst for the creation of the immigration legislation now in Congress.  Although much of SB 1070 was set aside by the courts, the governor believes the law, costly legal fights and publicity helped start the momentum that led to the current bipartisan immigration proposal.

The governor has a point because the SB 1070 effort was not a low cost affair.  The publicity it generated saddled Arizona with a mostly negative reputation.  In far away Washington, Congress would have been aware of the SB 1070 tempest.  It could have encouraged senators to consider moving on immigration legislation.  

Sen. Jeff Flake now owns the dubious title of most disliked senator

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

In just three short months in the U.S. Senate, our boy Jeff Flake has managed to dethrone the Septegenarian Ninja Turtle, Mitch McConnell, as the most disliked senator among Americans. Getting caught lying to a grieving mother who lost her son to gun violence will do that. The Atlantic Wire reports, How Jeff Flake Became the Most Unpopular Senator in America:

Public Policy Polling, in their latest survey on the fallout of the recent vote on gun legislation, explains just how much people don't like Mr. Flake:

Just 32% of voters approve of him to 51% who disapprove and that -19 net approval rating makes him the most unpopular sitting Senator we've polled on, taking that label from Mitch McConnell.

Since December, it was hard to imagine anyone unseating McConnell because, according to PPP and despite the Kentucky Senator's internal numbers, the Senate Minority Leader was always' the old curmudgeon who represented the laughable state of America's hatred toward Congress.

* * *

So what happened to the junior Senator from Arizona? According to PPP's polling, conducted April 25-26 in the aftermath of the gun vote that killed legislation on background checks, it's blowback — Democrats and independent voters have really flaked on Flake:

Down with Drones: Protest at Ft. Huachuca Today

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Southern Arizona peace activists have organized a anti-drone protest outside of Fort Huachuca today, Monday, April 29.

Drones are a big deal in Southern Arizona. Ft. Huachuca, Davis-Monthan, Raytheon, the University of Arizona, and Cochise College-- all have a piece of the military industrial complex's drone pie, and if our esteemed US Senators have there way, more money for drones along the Arizona-Mexico border, more money for militarization of the border overall, and more money (and customers) for private prisons will be attached to "imigration reform" legislation.

Sorry for the late notice about this action, but here's the information from the organizers:

We invite you to participate in a day of peaceful  demonstration on Monday April 29^th, 2:30-4:00 PM at the Fort Huachuca Main Gate, Sierra Vista AZ   Since 2004 over 4,700 deaths are attributed to Dronestrikes, civilian deaths remain unconfirmed though unfortunately post-strike photos show many children are among the lost. We’re encouraging a coalition of community voices, faith based, political, sectarian, to express concern regarding the ethical, moral, spiritual implications of the use of drone technology in warfare and the equally problematic domestic privacy concerns.  Literature will be available but we encourage you to bring signs, share information, prayers, let your voice be heard.  Participation could make all the difference in bringing attention to this critical issue.

Help Us Make a Difference!! Thank You!  JOIN US!

May 1st Rally at the Arizona State Capitol

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Announcement from Mi Familia Vota, May 1st Rally!: International Workers Day:

Join:

AFL-CIO | Arizona Center for Empowerment | Arizona Worker Rights Center | Black and Brown Coalition | CASE | Campaign for Citizenship | La Campesina Radio Network | LUCHA | Mi Familia Vota | Promise Arizona | PUENTE | SEIU Arizona | UFW Foundation | Arizona Immigration Ministry/ Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix | Somos America | Unite Here | Arizona Dream Act Coalition | ACLU of Arizona | Organizing for Action | Border Action Network | UFCW | CWA

In a march of action for dignity and respect for all American workers through immigration reform.

It is time to stand united and fight together!

Who Is Homeland Security Watching? Off-the-grid Fertilizer Plant vs On-the-Grid Citizenry

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Last week was an outrageous news week for our country with the Boston Marathon bombings on Monday, the explosion at a Texas fertilizer plant on Wednesday, and the shoutout, manhunt, killing, and capture of the bomber brothers at the end of the week. Whew.

This Monday on MSNBC, Chris Hayes offered an interesting look back at these events. (Video link below.) During the week of the bombings, there was continuous coverage of the "terrorist attack" in Boston and continuous pundit chatter about terrorism, but relatively little coverage of the chemical plant explosion in West, Texas.

Apparently, workplace casualties caused by corporate neglect and lack of government oversight are not as sexy as pressure cooker bombers, even though, as Hayes pointed out, people are far more likely to be killed on the job than in a terror attack. Citing 2000-2010 data, Hayes reported that in that 10-year period, there were 3033 deaths from terrorist attacks, 60,394 workplace deaths, and 335,609 firearm deaths.

Given these statistics, it is ironic (and somewhat sad) to see what Congress has chosen to regulate. Not firearms and not workplace safety. They are working on further immigration regulations and further militarization of the border-- just in case some of those Mexican laborers might be terrorists.

In a stunning omission of oversight, Hayes also reported that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-- the same group that found the two Boston bombers in a matter of days-- didn't know the fertilizer plant in Texas existed! (Don't they know about Google Earth?)

Quoting Reuters, Hayes further reported that the plant had "1300 times the amount of amonium nitrate fertilizer that would normally alert DHS" and "100 times more than the Oklahoma City bombing."

So, who is DHS watching? Us. They're watching real people-- not corporate people. 

Watch Chris Hayes here: Willfully off the Grid

Rep. Raúl Grijalva on Senate immigration reform bill hearings

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Rep. Raúl Grijalva chastized Senate Republicans on Monday for using the Boston Marathon bombing to fight against comprehensive immigration reform. On Monday, Sen. Chuck Grasssley (R- iowa) threw a hissy fit trying to deny what he plainly said last Friday. POLITICO Tiger Beat on the Potomac reported, Terrorism enters immigration debate:

“We appreciate this opportunity to talk about immigration reform in light of all that has been happening in Massachusetts,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee Friday at an immigration reform hearing.

Raw Story reports, Rep. Raul Grijalva blasts Republicans for using Boston bombings to stall immigration reform:

“To prey on the raw emotions of the American people right now, after this tragedy in Boston, to prey on their insecurities and justifiable anger, to try to delay a bill, stall a bill so nothing is done, is nothing more than a tactic, and it’s very disappointing,” he said on MSNBC. “If you want to have security in this country, part of the package has to be comprehensive reform so the millions of undocumented people out there come forward, we know who they are, and you begin to cull who is eligible for a path to citizenship and who should not be here.”

Ted 'Calgary' Cruz to lead Tea Party opposition to 'Gang of Eight' immigration reform bill

Posted byAzBlueMeanie:

Well isn't this rich. . .

Sen. Ted "Calgary" Cruz (Tea Party-TX), was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. His mother was an American and his father was a Cuban refugee to the U.S. during the Cuban Revolution. Cruz's family moved from Canada to the U.S. when he was four years old.

Cuban refugees hold a special immigrant status under the Cuban Refugee Adjustment Act (1966). The law applies to any native or citizen of Cuba who has been inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States after January 1, 1959 and has been physically present for at least one year; and is admissible to the United States as a permanent resident.

The news media, which treats Hispanics as a homogenous and monolithic voting bloc, rarely ever reports that immigrants from Mexico, Central America and Carribean countries resent this "Castro Express Card" special immigrant status for Cubans. Cruz is unmoved by his own family's history of immigration.

Manu Raju at POLITICO Tiger Beat on the Potomac reports today that Ted "Calgary" Cruz will lead Tea Party opposition to the "Gang of Eight" immigration reform bill if it includes a pathway to citizenship. Ted Cruz v. Marco Rubio on Immigration:

The Texas freshman is sharply critical of the pathway to citizenship for the nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants, a central part of the bipartisan bill that Rubio helped write. Cruz is weighing whether to aggressively oppose the immigration overhaul, a decision that could neutralize Rubio’s outreach to conservative activists in order to minimize their opposition.

GOP anti-immigrant nativists seize on Boston bombers to oppose 'Gange of Eight' immigration reform bill

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Talk about unfortunate circumstances and timing. Today was the first congressional hearing on the "Gang of Eight" comprehensive immigration reform bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The anti-immigrant nativists of the GOP "Know Nothing Party" seized on the events in Boston as a ready excuse to oppose immigration reform.

Based upon numerous media sources (I would urge caution given the shameful performance of the media this week), the "Boston Bombers" are 26-year-old Tamerlan Tsarnaev, believed to be a permanent legal resident, and his brother, 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, a naturalized U.S. citizen.  The brothers are Muslims and ethnic Chechens. NBC news reported that the two are believed to have lived in the U.S. since 2002 or 2003 after coming to the country with their family, possibly as refugees.

That news prompted conservative critics to drag the events in Boston into the immigration debate. POLITICO Tiger Beat on the Potomac reports, Terrorism enters immigration debate:

Immigration reform faces a new hurdle — the Boston terrorist attack.

Conservative opponents pounced on news Friday that the two suspects in the case, Muslim brothers and ethnic Chechens, are believed to be legal permanent residents.

* * *

“We appreciate this opportunity to talk about immigration reform in light of all that has been happening in Massachusetts,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee Friday at an immigration reform hearing.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill Introduced Today

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., two members of the "Gang of Eight," plan to brief President Barack Obama on the group's comprehensive immigration reform biill on Tuesday. Senators had originally planned a high-profile rollout of their measure, including a Tuesday morning news conference where they would be flanked by immigration reform advocates. But the group opted to postpone the event late Monday because of bombings at the Boston Marathon. Schumer, McCain Issue Summary of Immigration Bill - Roll Call:

The bipartisan group of senators working on an immigration overhaul proposal has released a 17-page summary of its bill, which includes a provision that will exempt the children of unauthorized immigrants from a $500 penalty charged to those seeking to have their status legalized.

[A Scribd copy of the 17 page summary is available here. Outline of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 (h/t Talking Points Memo).]

Under the bill, unauthorized immigrants may apply to receive legalized status, known as Registered Provisional Immigrant Status.

In order to be eligible, an individual must have immigrated to the United States prior to Dec. 31, 2011, and maintained a continuous physical presence since then.

Comprehensive immigration reform battle lines are drawn

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Beltway media villager meme for months now has been that the GOP will agree to comprehensive immigration reform after losing three-fourths of the Hispanic vote in 2012. The GOP allegedly has learned its lesson and now realizes that its ability to win national elections in the future depends upon appealing to Hispanic voters and understands the changing demographics of America.

Silly reporters, you don't understand how deep nativism and racism runs in America. it is America's original sin.

The only reason there has not been hysterical anti-immigrant opposition to comprehensive immigration reform up to now is because there has not been an actual bill around which to rally the opposition of the nativists and racists -- timing is everything in politics.

That is about to change this week. The Senate's "Gang of Eight" is expected to unveil its comprehensive immigration reform bill this week.

The "Know Nothing Party" anti-immigrant nativists and the Dixiecrats-cum-"solid Republican South" racists are now gearing up for battle. Time to fire up the anti-immigrant hysteria of hate radio demagogues and FAUX News Fraudcasting.

Sen. Marco 'Big Gulp' Rubio and poison pills

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The darling of the Tea Party -- and Beltway media villagers -- Sen. Marco "Big Gulp" Rubio (R-FL), did the "full Ginsburg," er "full Rubio" to his Beltway media villager sycophants, on the Sunday bobblehead shows today. Have water handy! Out: Full Ginsburg. In: Full Rubio.

I really don't get why this freshman back bencher and intellectual lightweight garners so much fawning by the Beltway media villagers. Maybe it is because he is as shallow and vacuous as they are, kindred spirits of sorts. Talk about the "dumbing down" od America.

Sen. "Big Gulp," a member of the Gang of Eight (what is it with senators and their need for gang membership?), decried the use of "poison pill" amendments he expects from his fellow Tea-Publicans on immigration reform.Then turning on hs heel, Sen. "Big Gulp" endorsed the NRA "poison pill" amendment to kill the bipartisan background checks agreement reached by Sens. Manchin and Toomey.

The only principle that Sen. "big Gulp" believes in is his own self promotion for consideration as a presidential candidate in 2016. This Tea Party punk should focus on how to be a senator first. He is definitely not ready for prime time.

The Dream is Now

by David Safier

I just watched the documentary, The Dream is Now, on MSNBC. Incredibly moving, filled with hope, sorrow and despair. I wasn't planning to watch it, but two minutes in, I couldn't tear myself away. The lives of the Dreamers followed by the film captured the human drama, and the waste of human potential, that's part of this whole "undocumented immigrant" fiasco.

I'm going to have to forgive the filmmaker, David Guggenheim, for his wrongheaded film, Waiting for Superman, which trashed traditional public schools and overpraised charters. He also made An Inconvenient Truth. Two out of three ain't bad, I guess, though I'd love to see him take a second, and better, pass at the story of education in this country. He's a skilled documentarian.

Watch for The Dream is Now when it's reshown on MSNBC or elsewhere. Even if you're solidly for the Dreamers and immigration reform, you should hear these voices and see these faces.

Go to thedreamisnow.org and sign the petition.

'Gang of Eight' reaches immigration reform deal

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Jamelle Bouie reports at the Washington Post, “Gang of Eight” reaches immigration deal. But will GOP take it?:

According to the New York Times, the bipartisan “Gang of Eight” has reached an agreement on a comprehensive immigration reform plan.

By and large, the bill doesn’t depart from the framework established by President Obama and seconded by Marco Rubio, among others. It establishes a provisional status for unauthorized immigrants who who pass background checks and fulfill other requirements, such as paying fines and back taxes to the federal government. It also requires them to wait ten years before they can apply for green cards, a change from Obama’s plan, which proposed an eight year wait.

This is broadly in line with public opinion. According to the latest poll from NBC News and the Wall Street Journal, 64 percent of Americans support a path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants, a number that jumps to 76 percent when a proposed pathway includes fines, penalties, and a background check. It should be said, however, that few Americans support the long timeline for citizenship —18 percent say unauthorized immigrants should be immediately eligible for citizenship if they have jobs, while 51 percent say they should be eligible have jobs and have been in the country for five years. Only 12 percent agree with the “Gang of Eight” that ten years is necessary before citizenship can become an option.

UPDATED with New Events: Progressives, Mark Your Calendars for April Events!

April3 Update: New events have been added for April 6 and 9.

It’s only April 1, but already there is an impressive line-up of progressive events taking shape this month. In addition to these educational events, there are multiple fund-raisers for candidates, parties, and causes in April.  The list below is not meant to be all-inclusive. (Check out Facebook and the Pima County Democratic Party calendar or the calendar on Blog for Arizona for other events-- including multiple opportunities to donate.) The Tucson events included here are all free and are related to one or more Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) core policy issues: economic and social justice, universal healthcare, clean elections, ending corporate personhood, clean environment, or ending the wars.

April 2: Community Vision for the Ronstadt Bus Center

The Tucson Bus Riders Union and the Primavera Foundation are sponsoring a community forum to gather Tucsonans’ ideas on what should be done with the Ronstadt Transit Center on Congress Street. For several years, developers have been eyeing the Ronstadt Center for demolition and relocation out of downtown. If you believe that it is important for a sustainable city to have a bus terminal downtown—near restaurants, retail shops, major employers, and the new street car line—come to this meeting at the Rialto Theater, beginning at 5:30. For more information, call 624-0312 or email busriders@tucsonbusridersunion.com or go to the event’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/events/496939023698809/.

April 3: Solar Energy Efficiency vs the Status Quo

The Tucson Chapter of Drinking Liberally is sponsoring a joint presentation by Bruce Plenk, City of Tucson Solar Energy Coordinator, and Russell Lowes, Sierra Club Rincon Group Energy Chair and Research Director forwww.SafeEnergyAnalyst.org. The DL social hour begins at 6 p.m., with the speakers beginning around 7 p.m. on the patio of The Shanty. For more information, check out DL’s Facebook event http://www.facebook.com/events/104680899727634/.

More events after the jump.

The 'It's all about Marco' meme of the Beltway media villagers

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

You may have noticed in recent days an "It's all about Marco" meme emerge from the Beltway media villagers. Apparently we are to believe that comprehensive immigration reform rests solely in the the hands of this freshman Tea Party prima donna, Sen. Marco "Big Gulp" Rubio (R-FL), who already harbors fantasies about running for president (even after his universally panned response to the State of The Union Address).

So where did this sudden "It's all about Marco" meme come from? I bet you can guess, but Ed Kilgore at the Political Animal blog explains in All About Marco:

One of today’s more interesting items of Beltway gabbery comes from deep within the relentlessly beating heart of Tiger Beat on the Potomac (as Charles Pierce has unforgettably dubbed Politico). Yes, it’s an installment of Mike Allen and Jim VanderHei’s ultra-insidery column “Behind the Curtain,” and the subject du jour is Marco Rubio’s role in the development of immigration legislation.

Gerrymandered GOP Ghettos

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The gated country club communities of old white people occurs on a larger scale as well, the gerrymandered "GOP ghettos" of old white people in congressional districts. The New York Times' Charles Blow has an interesting commentary on this demographic problem. The G.O.P.’s Diversity Deserts:

Just a week ago, the Republicans issued their much-ballyhooed “autopsy” on why they lost the presidential election last year and how they might remedy their problems.

They concluded that their principles were fine; the problem was how they presented communicated those principles. Their witless wisdom is simply to tone down their rhetoric. They want to turn Teddy Roosevelt’s famous saying on its side: Talk softly but carry a big stigma.

The establishment Republicans’ push for a softer tone, however, is pure political scheming and has nothing to do with what most Republicans seem to fundamentally believe.

And many rank-and-file Republicans are adopting this two-faced tactic. A Pew Research Center report issued Thursday found that although most Republicans say that “illegal immigrants” should be allowed to stay in this country legally, most also believe that immigrants are a burden because they take jobs and health care, and they threaten American values.

National Council of La Raza's "National Latino Advocacy Days" in DC

by David Safier

I'm visiting DC as a tourist, and I stumbled, almost literally, onto a press conference for the National Council of La Raza's "National Latino Advocacy Days." Over 400 Latinos from 31 states came to DC to advocate for a comprehensive Immigration Reform bill. Though the conference room in the House of Representatives' Rayburn Building was packed and overflowing into the hall, most of the advocates were visiting the offices of Representatives and Senators talking about the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

Janet Murguia, president and CEO of NCLR, spoke about the urgent need for immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship. "The Latino community will not accept second class status," she said.

(From left to right: Janet Murguia, Esther Reyes, Elizabeth Perez, Mauricio Calvo)

Jeb Bush: the Goldwater Institute connection

by David Safier

Jeb Bush's presidential campaign is off and running with his new book, Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution. He's doing the news and talk show circuit, saying No to a path to citizenship, unless an undocumented immigrant wants to go home and start over, and a hesitant Yes to legalized status, with a possibility of citizenship for young people brought here by their families.

The book is co-authored by Clint Bolick, Goldwater Institute's Vice President for Litigation. In the past, G.I. has been more libertarian -- more immigration-friendly -- than strictly conservative on the immigration issue. (I'll try to dig up statements made the Institute a number of years ago and post them.) G.I. stayed silent during the SB1070 debates. After the controversy died down a bit, G.I. claimed it was because there was disagreement in its ranks. I chalk it up to cowardice. G.I. lives on conservative contributions and it needs conservative legislators to carry its bills, so it decided silence was the safest way to keep its power and influence.

Jeb's connection with the Goldwater folks is nothing new. The previous Education Director, Matthew Ladner, was great friends with Jeb and now works for him at the Foundation for Excellence in Education, one of the conservative "education reform" groups pushing privatization. When he was governor, Florida and Arizona played educational leap frog, using legislation in one state to promote legislation in the other (You'll start with this bill, then I'll start with another bill, then you'll start . . .)

What does this mean? We'll see. It definitely means the Jeb/G.I. connection is worth watching to see the extent to which Jeb leans on Arizona's conservative/libertarian brain trust to craft his policies and strategies.

FLIP-FLOP-HALF-FLIP UPDATE: It looks like Jeb, who was for a path to citizenship before he was against it, is now kinda for it again, if it can be made to, you know, work without, um, encouraging, er, people to come here illegally, though we [cough] need to make sure we . . . Anybody know where I can find that bottle of water Mark Rubio left lying around?

I guess these guys didn't get the memo about how the GOP needs Latino voters

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

I keep seeing reports that the GOP has learned its lesson from the 2012 election, and that it is now prepared to abandon its nativist/racist anti-immigrant bashing ways to appeal to the growing Latino electorate for future elections, or face extinction as a viable political party.

I guess these guys didn't get the memo. Willard "Mittens" Romney aka "Mr. Self-Deport," the GOP nominee for president in 2012, has not changed his position. Mitt Romney: No path to citizenship for illegal immigrants:

Mitt Romney, who blamed much of his loss in the 2012 presidential campaign on his and his party’s failure to connect with Latino voters, said Sunday that he remains opposed to providing a path to citizenship or even permanent residency to illegal immigrants.

“People who have come here illegally should not be given a special pathway to permanent residency or citizenship in this country merely because they’ve come here illegally,” Romney said in an interview with “Fox News Sunday” in his first public comments since the 2012 election.

Brewer on Immigrant Prisoner Release: Misplaced Blame

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer is pissed off at President Obama for releasing immigration prisoners from jail. She believes that the administration is playing some sort of high school payback game to punish Arizona. Puleeezzz.

If Brewer wants to blame someone for the nationwide immigrant prisoner release, she should blame Arizona Senators Jeff Flake and John McCain who stood with all of the other Republican Senators and allowed sequestration budget cuts to move forward.

You'll note that Brewer is not complaining about the tens of thousands of jobs that will be lost in Arizona, or the $17.7 million that Arizona's primary and secondary education programs will lose, or the empoverished Arizona children who will be tossed out of Head Start. She only cares about losses to Corrections Corporation of America's bottom line. 

Immigration Prisoners Released-- Thanks to Republican Filibuster of Sequestration Vote

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Even though the majority of US Senators voted to end sequestration and stop automatic budget cuts on Thursday, February 28, there were enough Repulbican Senators to filibuster this action and trigger the accross-the-board cuts that no one said they wanted. 

One unintended consequence of allowing sequestration to go forward is the nationwide release of hundreds of immigration prisoners from federal prison.

ICE claims it is releasing prisoners around the country-- including Arizona-- in order to live within its budget constraints. According to the New York Times, before the budget-cutting sequestration release,  ICE had a $2.05 billion incarceration budget and was holding 30,773 immigration prisoners. By releasing them (but not dismissing their cases), ICE reduced its per-prisoner cost from $122-164/day to hold them in a federal prison to $0.30-$14/day to allow them to live at home with their families while their cases are processed. (Why weren't we doing this already? Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. The Corrections Corporation of America and the American Legislative Exchange Council want to make big bucks on immigratants.) 

Check out the full story in the New York Times: Mass Release of Immigrants Is Tied to Impending Cut.

Whatever comes from sequestration, I lay the consequences at the feet of those two dysfunctional Senate twins-- Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell. Reid because he didn't have the balls to change the filibuster rules a fee weeks ago when he had the chance-- even though the majority of Senators and US citizens wanted him to. (Didn't he see this fight on the horizon?) And McConnell because yet again, he put ideology and ego before the good of the people. Don't be foooled, these bastards knew what level of havoc they would wreak on the American populace with this non-step.

Dealing with the Devil: Should Maricopa County Latinos 'Play Nice' with Arpaio? (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Earlier in February, Maricopa County Latino leaders, organized by Phoenix City Councilman Michael Nowakowski, met with Sheriff Joe Arpaio and offered prayers and support-- not protest signs or recall petitions. 

Should Latinos play nice with Arpaio in hopes of winning him over, or should they work to recall the "toughest sheriff in the US", stop deportations of hard-working, law-abiding people, and push for immigration reform?

If there is any doubt in your mind that we all should fight back against the racism that Arpaio embodies, check out this video by Dennis Gilman after the jump. 

Promise Arizona plans comprehensive immigration reform events

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Arizona Republic reported today that Immigration advocates seek new strategy after previous backlash (excerpts):

On Tuesday, the immigrant-advocacy group Promise Arizona is launching a five-day bus tour that will make stops at the offices of Arizona’s nine House members and two senators, as well as other stops in Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma, said Petra Falcon, the group’s executive director. Riding on the bus will be immigrants who will share their stories about their families being split apart by deportation, Falcon said.

The bus tour will kick off outside Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, where Ricardo Arjona, a Guatemalan rock star, will perform. Arjona’s 2005 Latin pop hit “Mojado” pays tribute to illegal immigrants.

Falcon said Promise Arizona also plans to send about 15 members to Washington, D.C., for a pro-immigration-reform demonstration at the Capitol on April 10.

The demonstration will take place on the seven-year anniversary of the single largest day of protest in U.S. history, when more than 1 million people in multiple cities marched in support of immigration reform.

"It's time to separate the Tucson Police Department from the Border Patrol."

by David Safier

I attended the 4pm rally at the Tucson Police Department to protest the arrest of Rene Meza Huertha by the TPD and the Border Patrol as well as the arrest of Raúl Alcaráz Ochoa who laid down under the Border Patrol vehicle to try and stop the arrest. Pamela Powers has  more details about the arrest in an earlier post.

The crowd numbered about 250-300 -- that's a conservative estimate -- and the media showed up to record the event. A number of people spoke, including Raúl Alcaráz Ochoa, pictured.

I spoke with City Council member Karin Uhlich after the event. She said we need "full and transparent information from the Tucson Police Department" about what happened during the arrest. "The mission of the police," she said, "is to keep the community safe. The future of the community is dependent on the relationship between the TPD and community members." She expressed concern that events like this jeopardize both the atmosphere in Tucson and the regular flow of people who come here from Mexico and elsewhere to visit and shop. "This is the kind of thing that could undermine our efforts to assure everyone that this is a safe and respectful community."

Another rally is planned for Tuesday, 12:30pm, at the Federal Courthouse.

More photos below the fold.

The GOP's 'savior' throws a hissyfit for his media villager base

Posted  by AzBlueMeanie:

This is how the "lamestream" media functions -- anytime a Republican politician has something to whine about, he or she is given a platform by the "lamestream" media to say it or they stenographically report it uncritically as "news."

Case in point over the weekend: The GOP's newly annointed "savior," Tea Party freshman Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, threw a hissyfit like a Mean Girls biotch over the weekend after USA Today published a leaked draft of an immigration reform plan being developed by the White House just in case the bipartisan negotiations in Congress fail to produce a legisaltive plan. "I"m the 'savior,' here! Didn't you see my TIME cover? It's my plan or no plan!"

Well actually, the draft plan being developed by the White House is nearly identical to Marco Rubio's plan, as one would expect because the plan Marco Rubio wishes to claim as his own is nearly identical to President Obama's immigration reform plan introduced in a May 2011 speech. "Big Gulp" Rubio is not an original thinker, as his conservative Kool-Aid response to the State of The Union Address last week made clear.

Arrests, deportations, protests: Is Tucson an immigrant-friendly city or not?

by Pamela Powers Hannley

On Sunday, Tucson Police and the Border Patrol arrested Rene Meza Huertha, in front of his wife and children, and arrested activist Raúl Alcaráz Ochoa, who was trying to prevent the arrest of Huertha. This action by TPD is in direct violation of the City Council's vote in August 2012-- making Tucson an "immigrant friendly" city. From the Arizona Daily Star...

"We don't want people to feel fear when traveling to work, to school, to the store," [City Councilwoman Regina] Romero said before the meeting. "We also don't want people to be afraid to call the police to report a crime."

She said a conversation now will begin among the city, immigrant communities, businesses, the Tucson Police Department and others about how to make the city more welcoming.

Activists are calling for a protest and press conference today, Monday, February 18 at 4 p.m., outside of TPD. 

On a related note, the American Friends Service Committee, Border Links, Derechos Humanos, and other immigrant supporters, including the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson, will hold a press conference and protest of Operation Streamline on Tuesday, February 19, at 12:30 at the Federal Courthouse. The Operation Streamline action leads up to a Congressional hearing on this policy on February 22 in DC. Details and background on both of these actions after the jump.

Asymmetrical opposition: Anti-immigrant GOP to engage in gay bashing to kill reforms

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The nativist and racist base of the GOP that is anti-immigrant and opposed to any immigration reforms that would create a pathway to citizenship has settled upon asymmetrical opposition: it will engage in gay bashing to kill any immigration reform legislation. "We're not against immigrants based upon their nationality or race -- but no gays!"

This is a strategy to divide the religious community between those who support humane treatment for immigrants, and those who are fundamentally opposed to marriage equality based upon religious doctrine. These are often one and the same groups, e.g., the Catholic Church, so this asymmetrical strategy forces religious groups to choose between competing values.

Tea-Publicans are on the wrong side of public polling on both issues with majorities of Americans favoring both marriage equality and immigration reforms with a pathway to citizenship.

It remains to be seen whether the U.S. Supreme Court will derail this asymmetrical opposition with a landmark decision on marriage equality this year before the immigration reforms come up for a final vote in Congress.

The Washington Post reports, In immigration debate, same-sex marriage comes to the fore:

President Obama is aiming to grant same-sex couples. . . equal immigration rights as their heterosexual counterparts.

But the measure has inspired fierce pushback from congressional Republicans and some religious groups, who say it could sink hopes for a comprehensive agreement aimed at providing a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants.

We have already achieved the border security metrics of the 2007 bill

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Suzy Khimm at Ezra Klein's Wonkblog has a response to the hysterical anti-immigrant nativists like Governor Jan Brewer: Want tighter border security? You’re already getting it.

Legislators have failed to pass a sweeping immigration overhaul for more than five years. But there’s one piece of the 2007 immigration reform bill that they’ve managed to accomplish: pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into border security.

Under the Senate’s new blueprint for reform, the legalization of undocumented immigrants would only happen if the government “finally commit[s] the resources needed to secure the border,” as well as strict visa enforcement for legal immigrants. It’s a provision that’s similar to Bush’s 2007 immigration bill, which also made legalization contingent on beefed-up border security.

The Senate’s language suggests that the government has held back from devoting money, equipment and personnel to border security. In fact, even though the 2007 immigration bill ultimately failed, we’ve nevertheless hit nearly all of the targets that it established for increased border security—except for achieving absolute “operational control” of the border and mandatory detention of all border-crossers who’ve been apprehended.

President Obama's immigration reform speech in Las Vegas, Nevada

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The first thing you should know is that the immigration reforms outlined today by President Obama in a speech in Las Vegas, Nevada are remarkably similar to the immigration reforms he outlined in a speech in El Paso, Texas in May 2011, a Blueprint for Building a 21st Century Immigration System (pdf).

Here is the Fact Sheet from today's speech. FACT SHEET: Fixing our Broken Immigration System so Everyone Plays by the Rules.

Here is the transcript of prepared Remarks by the President on Comprehensive Immigration Reform. (excerpts):

Now, during my first term, we took steps to try and patch up some of the worst cracks in the system.

First, we strengthened security at the borders so that we could finally stem the tide of illegal immigrants.  We put more boots on the ground on the southern border than at any time in our history.  And today, illegal crossings are down nearly 80 percent from their peak in 2000.  (Applause.)

Second, we focused our enforcement efforts on criminals who are here illegally and who endanger our communities.  And today, deportations of criminals is at its highest level ever.  (Applause.) 

Jan 29: Barber hosts meeting on Border Patrol Operations

by Pamela Powers Hannley

U.S. Rep. Ron Barber (D) will host a meeting to discuss the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on Border Patrol Operations-- today. Please RSVP at AZ02.RSVP@mail.house.gov.

The meeting is 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29 at Pima Communitiy College East Campus, 8181 E. Irvington Rd.

Here is a link to GAO Report on the Broder Patrol.

Here is a link to the Migration Policy Institute Report.

And some other related links regarding the Border Patrol.

Border Patrol removes blankets, water left by humanitarian aid volunteers (video)

New US immigration report reveals 'formidable' & expensive machinery to secure border

Immigration Reform Plan: The Devil Is In The Details

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

A bipartisan group of senators has agreed on a set of principles for a sweeping overhaul of the immigration system, including a pathway to American citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants that would hinge on progress in securing the borders and ensuring that foreigners leave the country when their visas expire. They will announce their blueprint on Monday, a day before President Obama announces his plan in a speech to be delivered in Las Vegas, Nevada on Tuesday. Senators Agree on Blueprint for Immigration - NYTimes.com:

According to a five-page draft of the plan obtained by The New York Times Document: Bipartisan Framework for Immigration Reform, the eight senators — including Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake, Republicans of Arizona; Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York; and Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina — have agreed to address the failings of the immigration system in one comprehensive measure, rather than in smaller pieces, and to offer a “tough, fair and practical road map” that would eventually lead to a chance at citizenship for nearly all of the immigrants here illegally.

Rep. Steve 'Secession' Smith carries Russell Pearce's anti-immigrant bills

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Rep. Steve "Secession" Smith (R-Maricopa) is determined to win the title of biggest asshole in the Arizona legislature. Dude, the title is yours! Now knock it off!

The latest bit of assholery from Little Stevie is carrying anti-immigrant bills for his buddy, disgraced former Sen. Russell Pearce, which seeks to turn hospital emergency rooms into ICE agents for deporting undocumented immigrants. (A separate Pearce bill seeks to turn schools into ICE agents for deporting undocumented immigrants). Pearce regularly pursued these bills in the Arizona legislature since 2004 without success, because it conflicts with federal laws and the Constitution.

Under federal law hospitals are required to provide emergency room care to everyone, regardless of ability to pay or immigration status. There is also physician-patient confidentiality, and federal medical records privacy laws. But Little Stevie "Secession" Smith doesn't care about federal laws and the Constitution any more than his buddy Russell Pearce did. They hates them immigrants. Ariz. lawmaker: Require hospitals to check immigration status of patients:

The proposal by Rep. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa, would require hospitals to "reasonably confirm'' that those who show up at their doors are in the country legally if they do not produce proof of valid health insurance. HB 2293 lists methods that hospital officials and employees can use to make that determination.

But the measure also says if legal status cannot be verified, someone from the hospital "must immediately contact the local federal immigration office or a local law enforcement agency to report the incident.''

Gov. Brewer's beneficence really motivated by immigrants?

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Arizona media has given Governor Jan Brewer props for her decision to support Arizona's participation in the expanded Medicaid provisions of the Affordable Care Act ("ObamaCare"). Governor Brewer was cast as a beneficent leader bestowing mercy on the unfortunate in need of medical care.

Now we learn that Brewer's beneficence may have really been motivated by immigrants (but of course). Sarah Kliff at Ezra Klein's Wonkblog writes, Arizona could make the Medicaid expansion an immigration fight:

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer’s decision to participate in the Medicaid expansion was a puzzling one: Why would one of the nation’s most conservative governors opt into an Obamacare program that most of her Republican colleagues have rejected?

New budget memos from the state provide some insight: Opting out of the Medicaid expansion had the potential to give immigrants better access to health care than American citizens.

This small quirk in the Affordable Care Act that Arizona stumbled on could significantly reshape the politics for governors weighing whether to sign up for the health law’s Medicaid expansion.

The dilemma raised by Brewer’s budget advisers is this: Turning down the Medicaid expansion would mean giving low income, legal immigrants access to private insurance subsidies unavailable to American citizens.

Mr Parraz goes to Washington (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

This past Saturday, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) sponsored the People's Inauguration in Washington, DC. 

Citizens for a Better Arizona leader Randy Parraz was one of the speakers. Thanks to Loneprotestor, you can see a video of his speech after the jump.

Immigration Reform questions for Obama from the National Day Laborer Organizing Network

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Good questions from the National Day Laborer Organizing Network...

Key Questions for the White House on Immigration Reform 

1.  It is widely reported that the Obama administration has deported unprecedented numbers of immigrants, and it is widely suspected that the Department of Homeland Security is operating under a self-imposed a deportation quota.  Is there a deportation quota?  If so, where does it come from, and will it be reduced or eliminated as part of the President’s proposal on immigration reform? [More good questions after the jump.]

ACLU/Feds smack down Brewer's drivers license stance for Dreamers

by Pamela Powers Hannley

The ACLU is claiming that, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), young people eligible for deferred deportation are  "authorized to stay and lawfully present in the country" -- not "illegal people."

Within the last year, Governor Jan Brewer had issued an executive order stating that Dreamers were not eligible to apply for Arizona drivers licenses or any state benefits because they are here "ilegally". 

According to the New Times, the DHS says:

 "An individual who has received deferred action is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to be present in the United States, and is therefore considered by DHS to be lawfully present during the period deferred action is in effect," the website says. "However, deferred action does not confer lawful status upon an individual, nor does it excuse any previous or subsequent periods of unlawful presence."

Tough luck, Jan, the Feds say Dreamers can drive... even in Arizona.

For the whole story check out this article in the New Times.

PDA People's Inauguration live-- NOW

by Pamela Powers Hannley

The People's Inauguration-- sponsored by Progressive Democrats of America (PDA)-- is live streaming now here.

Great stuff-- War on Poverty, immigration reform, organizing the unemployed, Robin Hood Tax, eminent domain for economic development.

Jesse Jackson, Randy Parraz, Congressman John Conyers, and labor leaders just spoke.

Randy Parraz: "Change is coming to Arizona."

Jesse Jackson: The US should be as tough on gun manufacturers as we are on tobacco companies.

Bill Fletcher of the government employees union: Unions should organize the unemployed. He also called for the government to use eminent domain to take over forclosures and failing factories (before they close) to save people and communities from crushing poverty. [Why not? We saved GM.]

Congressman Jim McGovern now: "Hunger is a political condition."

More coming. Tune in. Tweets at @pdacommunity, @ProgressiveCentral and @p2hannley. Photos on PDA's Facebook page. Do it. Be the change you want to see. You are not alone in this struggle.

PDA sponsors 'People's Inauguration' in DC on Jan 19: Watch live streaming

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) is hosting Progressive Central: The People's Inauguration on January 19 in Washington DC. 

Progressive pundits and politicians from around the country-- including our own Congressman Raul Grijalva-- will be there. If you're like me and will be in Tucson tomorrow, check out the live streaming of Progressive Central on the PDA home page, beginning at 8 a.m. (Eastern Time).  Bisbee's own Loneprotestor will be in DC-- so look for video from her on this blog. I attended Progressive Central in Charlotte while attending the Democratic National Convention, and it was inspiring. More details from after the jump.

Border Patrol removes blankets, water left by humanitarian aid volunteers (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Border Patrol agents have been caught on video destroying water jugs and removing clean blankets that No More Deaths humanitarian volunteers left in the Arizona desert for border crossers. 

From No More Deaths...
 

Tucson, AZ- A hidden camera video released by Tucson-based humanitarian organization No More Deaths shows an agent of the U.S. Border Patrol removing clean blankets and food intended for migrants in distress. 

Videos of Border Patrol behaving badly and more details after the jump.

Let DREAMERS drive: Protesters arrested at AZ State Capitol (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Citizens for a Better Arizona (CBA) leader Randy Parraz and others protested Governor Jan Brewer's denial of Arizona drivers' licenses to undocumented people who are eligibile for deferred deportation under President Barack Obama's executive order regarding the DREAM Act.

"These people [DREAMERS] already have clearance to work in this state. What does she [Brewer] gain by denying them a drivers' license?" Parraz asked on Monday, January 14, the first day of the new legislative session.

"We want a new level of respect and civility in this state... I'm tired of second class citizenship [for DREAMERS]," he added. "They're good enough to graduate from ASU but not good enough to apply for a drivers' license? That type of mentality has to stop in Arizona."

For more comments and footage of DREAM Act protesters being arrested at the Arizona State Capitol, check out the video by Dennis Gilman after the jump.

Ward 6 Roast: From immigration reform to potholes, politicians answer voter questions (videos)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Although gun enthusiasts threatened to disrupt last week's Ward 6 Roast, the event featuring a dozen politicians who represent midtown/downtown Tucson came off without a hitch. 

Organized by City Councilman Steve Kozachik and moderated by political cartoonist and commentator David Fitzsimmons, the roast featured local, state, and federal politicians answering questions from the audience, which numbered about 400. Rather than severely edit nearly two hours of video, I have created separate videos for candidate introductions, the immigration reform question, the gun violence question, the F35 question, and the neighborhoods/roads questions. Watch the first three videos after the jump. More to come.

For me, the biggest surprise of the evening-- besides how outnumbered former State Legislator Frank Antenori and the gun nuts were-- was Congressman Ron Barber. Check out his responses to the questions on immigration reform and gun violence; he sounds far less Republican than he has in the past on those issues. 

Geography, Roads and Consequences

By Karl Reiner

Geography and road systems influence economic and military events.  In the summer of 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee made the decision to consolidate his army in a small southern Pennsylvania town where roads intersected.  His decision had major consequences.  It resulted in a battle that changed the course of the Civil War and made Gettysburg into a national landmark. 

Infrastructure development played an important role as China became the world's second largest economy.  Its massive road building program is on track to complete over 52,000 miles of expressways by 2020.  Another 167,000 miles of rural roads will have been newly constructed or rebuilt.  The road building program is government managed and financed.  The program is years ahead of schedule, stressing domestic supplies.  China produces about 16 million tons of asphalt a year while it uses 20 million tons.  Imports have to make up the shortfall.

The lack of roads can serve sinister purposes.  The rolling desert country southwest of Tucson is sparsely populated.  Down Rt. 286, about 70 miles from Tucson, is the border port of entry at Sasabe.  The small town of El Sasabe, Sonora sits across the border.  Approximately 60 miles farther south is Altar with a population of about 8,000.

New US immigration report reveals 'formidable' & expensive machinery to secure border

by Pamela Powers Hannley

A detailed new report release by the Migration Policy Institute reveals the sophistication and cost-- both human and monetary-- of the United States' immigration policy in recent years.

According to the nearly 200-page report, the US system is based upon 6 pillars: border enforcement; visa controls and travel screening; information and interoperability of data systems; workplace enforcement; intersection between criminal justice system and immigration enforcement; and detention and removal of noncitizens. Each area is described in detail. 

The report includes a wealth of information about the intricacies of the Department of Homeland Security and how immigration enforcement intersects with the criminal justice system, the FBI, and the CIA. Probably the most dramatic finding is:

The US government spends more on its immigration enforcement agencies than on all its other principal criminal federal law enforcement agencies combined. In FY 2012, spending for CBP [Customs and Border Protection], ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], and US-VISIT reached nearly $18 billion. This amount exceeds by approximately 24 percent total spending for the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Secret Service, US Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), which stood at $14.4 billion in FY 2012.

Judging by resource levels, case volumes, and enforcement actions...immigration enforcement can thus be seen to rank as the federal government's highest criminal law enforcement priority.

Whoa. More key findings after the jump.

The Economic Ramifications of SB 1070

By Karl Reiner

Unhappy with federal efforts and unfazed by the recession, the Arizona legislature decided to get the state involved in immigration policing.  It ignored the fact that state and local enforcement of immigration laws might hinder the federal government's ability to set priorities and burden local police forces.

The state legislature crafted a broad and anti-illegal immigration measure. It was based on a model drafted by the Federation for American Immigration Reform.  Despite warnings from various groups regarding a host of unwelcome consequences, SB 1070 was signed into law in April 2010.