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Mayor Parker Announces Tempe Mayor Hallman as Chair of Governor Campaign Committee

October 7, 2009 By 7 Comments

Hugh Hallman, the well-known and well-regarded Republican Mayor of Tempe, has taken on another leadership position:  Chairman of Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker’s Exploratory Campaign for Governor.

The two recently joined Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane in a guest column opposing a $100 million sales tax subsidy for a north Phoenix shopping center.

“Vernon Parker is the fresh new voice our party and state needs right now,” said Hallman.  “He has an innovative agenda and the right temperament to lead Arizona.  Every now and then you get particularly excited about someone running for office.  That’s the way I feel about Mayor Parker, should he choose to run,” Hallman said.

Now in his second term as Mayor of Tempe, Hallman is viewed by many to be a formidable future candidate for federal or statewide office.  Known for being whip smart and a tenacious advocate, Hallman’s organization would be a real boost for Parker.  Hallman recently took over as Headmaster at Tempe Prep, one of the best charter schools in the state.
“Hugh is one of the most thoughtful and brightest individuals I have ever met, and I am humbled that he believes in me enough to chair my campaign.  I know his support will give me every chance to win.  Mayor Hallman has fought for effective change in Tempe.  And I look forward to his counsel for doing the same on a statewide level,” said Parker.

Parker, 49, is the current mayor of Paradise Valley, Arizona.  He has previously served the administrations of George H.W. Bush, George Bush, as an Assistant Secretary for the $90 billion United States Department of Agriculture, small businessman, and as a pastor for two years at a small non-denominational church in Paradise Valley.
Parker has the most compelling life story of any candidate emerging for Governor.  Raised by his grandmother in a severely underprivileged neighborhood in Long Beach, California, Parker was able to escape the drugs and violence through love, education and the commitment of family.  Noted rap star Snoop Dogg was one of Parker’s neighbors.
“I truly believe it’s going to take someone who has defied the odds to help Arizona overcome the odds now facing it,” Parker said.

For more information contact Jason Rose or go to www.Parker2010.com.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release

To Islam: What is Hate Speech?

October 7, 2009 By 1 Comment
Often we are unaware of events happening on the other side of the Atlantic.  This has been posted, so that you may consider the issue of “Defamation of Religions” as viewed by the Islamic world.

Of course, little thought is given by them to reciprocity in regards to Christians…

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http://www.eclj.org/
(Geneva, Switzerland) – The European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ), the international affiliate of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), has told the United Nations Human Rights Council that it is pleased that the “Defamation of Religions” concept being promoted by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is continuing to lose support.

It became clear that the OIC countries – lead by Egypt and Pakistan – continue to see an erosion of support which became evident during a public discussion before the U.N. Human Rights Council on September 30th.  During that session, discussion focused on the most recent report “on the manifestations of defamation of religions, and in particular on the serious implications of Islamophobia, on the enjoyment of all rights by their followers.” (Document A/HRC/12/38)

This report, presented by Githu Muigai, the new Special Rapporteur “on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance” advocates for a “change of paradigm” – has shifted the debate from the “sociological notion of the defamation of religions to the human rights and legal concept of incitement to racial and religious hatred.”  This legal concept is grounded in relevant international, regional and national instruments, in particular references are made to article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and to articles 19 and 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which proscribe incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.

The ECLJ, in its oral presentation before the Human Right Council, expressed its satisfaction to see the gradual abandonment of the concept of “defamation of religion” and the shift toward a legal approach. The ECLJ has been advocating for two years in favor of this legal approach and considers this change as very positive. The ECLJ representative recalled that anti-blasphemy laws are very often implemented in a totally arbitrary way and serve as a pretext for persecution of religious minorities – mostly Christians – in countries like Pakistan, for example.

“It is clear that the continuing push to protect Islam with this ‘defamation of religions’ concept amounts to a dangerous effort to eradicate current international standards on freedom of expression, said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ECLJ and ACLJ.  “We’re already getting ready for the next phase in the challenge over the ‘defamation of religions’ which will intensify at the end of October at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, when the OIC is expected to once again introduce its ‘defamation of religions’ resolution.  We will continue to educate member nations about the dangers of this concept.”

During the discussion, the OIC countries strongly opposed this shift away from the concept of defamation of religions, explaining that the issue is “too complex” to be addressed by the legal norm of non-incitement to national, racial or religious hatred. In fact, it’s clear that the goal of the Islamic countries is nothing less that to internationally defend and safeguard the “name of Mohamed” and the religion of Islam against any form of irreverence or criticism, by limiting the freedom of expression actually protected in international human rights laws.  That places current international legal standards on freedom of expression at risk.

The ECLJ has been working to educate and inform member nations about the dangers of the concept of “defamation of religion”, a concept often used to silence religious minorities – including Christianity in many countries. A growing number of organizations and legal experts recognize now the threat of this notion to religious freedom.

In June, the European Center for Law and Justice had already been invited to submit to the U.N. High Commissioner of Human Rights a detailed legal analysis on the same issue.

Does anyone see the irony in Defamation of Religion?

Does anyone see the irony in Defamation of Religion?
Filed Under: Culture, Demographics, Freedom of Speech, Migrants, Political Correctness, Predictions, Religion

AZGOP video of Arpaio/Thomas conference on feds taking away illegal immigration funds

October 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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Filed Under: Border, County Government, Crime and Punishment, Illegal Immigration

Congressman Franks and Ranking Member Smith Respond to DHS Decision to Cancel 287(g) Agreement with Maricopa County

October 7, 2009 By 2 Comments

In response to reports that the Department of Homeland Security will discontinue its 287(g) agreement with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department, Representatives Lamar Smith (TX-21) and Trent Franks (AZ-02), issued the following statement.  Smith is the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee and one of the authors of the legislation that created the 287(g) program.  Franks, a member of the Judiciary Committee, represents Maricopa County and has been a vocal advocate of immigration enforcement.

Ranking Member Smith and Representative Franks:

“This unbelievable move by the Obama Administration represents a politicized attempt to hinder one of our most effective illegal immigration enforcement mechanisms, the 287(g) program.

“The key to combating illegal immigration is federal, state, and local cooperation.  This is why we believe it is crucial for the federal government to continue to support individuals like Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the implementation of agreements under section 287(g), which provides for the Department of Homeland Security to delegate authority to enforce federal immigration laws to state and local officials.  To date, hundreds of local officers have been trained in enforcing U.S. immigration laws, and nowhere in the country is this more critical than in Maricopa County.  Currently, over 33% of inmates in Maricopa County Sheriff facilities are illegal, and more than 53% of violent crimes in Maricopa County are committed by illegal immigrants.

“The fact is, the 287(g) program works.  Thousands of illegal immigrants apprehended for other crimes are being identified and deported.   Claims that the program was supposed to focus only on serious crimes are false.  In fact, the program was created to let state and local law enforcement officials help enforce all immigration laws, not a select few.  We must not forget that we live in a post-9/11 world and have a profound responsibility to secure the borders of this nation to prevent another terrorist attack.  Terrorists are looking for our weakest link and will exploit such weaknesses at any cost.   Border security and national security are inextricably linked.

“Local law enforcement agencies deserve the thanks, and not punishment, of the federal government for helping to address the problem of rampant illegal immigration, especially in area like Maricopa County that see an increase in crime, drug trafficking, and other issues because of it.  Instead of launching a politicized attack against a local law official who has yielded great success with the 287(g) program, the Obama Administration should replicate the success we have experienced in Maricopa County in other areas that are desperately in need of similar solutions. It is reprehensible for DHS to bully law enforcement officials who have honorably served this nation and the state of Arizona by enforcing federal and state laws and who are continuing to work to protect the American people.”

Filed Under: Border, County Government, Crime and Punishment, Illegal Immigration

Arizona is out of budget gimmicks

October 7, 2009 By 5 Comments

by Byron Schlomach, Ph.D.
Goldwater Institute
 
Remember this number: $4 billion. That’s the current spending gap in Arizona’s budget.
 
The state was $500 million in arrears for fiscal 2009. With Governor Brewer’s vetoes and revenues continuing to plummet, the current 2010 fiscal year is estimated to be $1 billion in deficit. The Joint Legislative Budget Committee estimates the state will be $2.5 billion in the red for fiscal 2011, which the legislature will budget for this spring.

The state is gimmicked out. Buildings have already been mortgaged, payments have been delayed, and every possible fund balance has been raided. A record property tax increase has gone into effect. All of this has been done in a desperate attempt to keep spending on a par with the big-spending year of 2007 in which actual operating General Fund spending was $9.5 billion. That’s when times were good.

So how about after the economy turned sharply south? The legislature originally sent Governor Brewer a fiscal year 2010 budget of $9.7 billion. Then she used her line-item veto authority to increase spending. Now 2010 operating spending is over $10.3 billion.

Where are the spending reductions? If we keep spending at current levels, it will be impossible to close even the one-year gap for 2011. The state would have to increase taxes supporting the General Fund by a third to avoid budget cuts in 2011. 

Those who say we can’t afford to reduce spending should explain where the money will come from. The reality is we can’t afford not to make reductions. Arizona is out of gimmicks.
 
Byron Schlomach, Ph.D, is director of economic policy at the Goldwater Institute.

Filed Under: Economics, Spending, State Budget, State Government

Public Prayer cited as cause of physical illness?

October 7, 2009 By 13 Comments

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Contact: President Brad Dacus (916) 857-6900

Atheists Tell Federal Appeals Court: Public Prayer Makes Us Sick

Washington, D.C. – Briefing is nearing a close in a high-profile case challenging prayer at Presidential inaugurations, currently before the federal D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. The lawsuit, filed by hundreds of atheists and atheist groups, led by frequent litigant Michael Newdow, was thrown out by the lower federal court. The two ministers who offered prayers at President Obama’s inauguration, Dr. Rick Warren and Dr. Joseph Lowery, are named defendants in the lawsuit and are being represented by Pacific Justice Institute.

In its Opposition Brief filed last week, Pacific Justice Institute countered the legal arguments of atheists who said public prayer traumatized them to the point of illness. Among the more dire claims, one plaintiff declared, “[W]hen Chief Justice Roberts asked the President to say, ‘So help me God,’ I felt threatened and sick to my stomach.” Another plaintiff stated in court documents, “As I watched this inauguration, I cringed with disgust as I witnessed this special secular event again being poisoned with sectarian religious nonsense.”

The plaintiffs in this case include numerous individuals, and groups such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation, The American Humanist Association, Atheists United, Atheists for Human Rights, and Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers.

PJI Chief Counsel Kevin Snider, who authored the opposition brief submitted last week on behalf of Drs. Warren and Lowery, commented, “Prayers designed to solemnize public events have a long and venerable history in our nation.

Are you familiar with this symbol?

Are you familiar with this symbol?

The Constitution simply does not demand that our public institutions be amoral or atheistic.”

Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, stated, “The First Amendment cannot be divorced from common sense. While atheists, humanists and freethinkers are a tiny minority in America, they are free to express and practice their lack of faith as they please. That does not mean, however, that the vast majority of God-fearing citizens and public officials must be silenced in order to appease them.”

Filed Under: Constitutional Law, Ethics, Freedom of Speech, History, Human Condition, Liberals, Religion

A Street Car Named Nada

October 7, 2009 By 7 Comments

Big news for Tucson. We can spend even more money on yet another streetcar project.

The Tucson Modern Streetcar just got approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to go ahead and proceed with their final design.

First I must clarify.  The Tucson Modern Streetcar Project is a totally different from the the Old Pueblo Trolley Project.  The Trolley Project connects the University of Arizona campus to downtown Tucson. The NEW Streetcar Project will be much better because it will connect the University of Arizona to downtown Tucson.  See the map.

The NEW Tucson Modern Streetcar will be a 3.9 mile rail transit system connecting the Arizona Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Main Gate Square, 4th Avenue Shopping District, and much, much more. According to the Tucson Transit Study website, this economic calamity is only going to cost $150 million dollars.  According to my old-school math, IF this comes in on budget, [yeah right] that breaks down to $38.46 million per mile.

Sleepy Tucson voters approved a 1/2 cent sales tax increase back in 2006 for half the cost of the modern streetcar project.  “Federal funds” would be matching the targeted $75 million raised  from the tax increase.  Tucsonans fell for that old “shell game” once again. (Apparently these same sleepy voters forget that those federal funds come from their own wallets, but I digress…).

The FTA states Tucson can “incur costs” for rails, ties, demolition, commodities and other specialized equipment. But all is not guaranteed.  The FTA goes on to say it’s not a commitment on the part of the government that it will approve future federal funds.  The city undertakes “these activities at its own risk“.

The FTA must have seen the way Tucson’s City Council handled Rio Nuevo.

Let the fun begin with this quote from Tucson Transportation Director Jim Glock:

“We’re going to provide a modern streetcar to this community by hook or by crook” .

Looking at the track record of Tucson’s City Council,  I’m going to go with “B”, Meredith, by crook.  Confidence abounds everywhere in the Tucson leadership, first at the Federal level:

The federal government now believes that Tucson can “pull it off” and has allowed the city to enter into the final design as an exempt project.  But the construction process must still be approved and that comes next.  It could come in January. [Uh-huh].

And now at the local level:

Jimmy Glock continues “I’m cautiously optimistic that we’re going to fare well. It’s been a long road getting here to date and you never know”.

And wrapping up this trifecta recipe for disaster, our own Raul Grijalva weighs in with his expert opinion.

“The Streetcar project will help Tucsonans connect to each other and will encourage the economic vitality of our city and revitalization of our Downtown.”

Hey Raul, you forget to get in your customary “rich cultural heritage” and “Tucson’s diversity” lines in your press release.

So there you have it, yet another Street Car project coming our way.  The Old Pueblo Trolley has really helped revitalize Downtown Tucson. 4th Ave tie-dye shirt sales are up, Medusa Hookah Lounge’s business is booming and the Sharks Bar is still hanging in there.   Tucson’s city council doubled-down on development with the $47 million 4th Ave underpass. (That came in only $15 million over budget).  Now Tucson with “cautious optimism“, is going to, someday, maybe,  “pull it off” and have another $150 million streetcar that starts nowhere and ends up leaving Tucsonans with nothing.

Just remember, even the Feds understand, “The city undertakes “these activities at its own risk“”.  We’ve been warned.

Filed Under: Uncategorized