Birds Of A Feather

We were curious to compare the donor lists for Jerry Lewis, Kirk Adams (running for US Congress) and Jeff Flake (running for US Senate).

Here's what we found:

Donors to Jerry Lewis who also donated to Kirk Adams for Congress

Nathan Andersen
Craig Ahlstrom (Amy)
Fred Ashby
Brent Bowden
Beth Coons
Chad Coons
Timothy Coons
Linda Crandall
Joe Farnsworth
Ross Farnsworth
Ross Farnsworth JR
Jeremy Geigle (Jill)
Broc Hiatt
David Johnson
David Palmer
Scott Perkinson
Holly Whiteman
Jeff Whiteman


(other noteable donors to Kirk Adams' Campaign include Christopher Ames, Jen Daniels, Rich Crandall, the Bidwills, Jerry Colangelo, Steve Urie)

Donors to Jerry Lewis who also donated to Jeff Flake for US Senate

Joe Farnsworth
Ross Farnsworth
Ross Farnsworth Jr
Jeremy Geigle (Jill)
Merwin Grant
Broc Hiatt
Bill Konopicki
Scott Perkinson
Yasser Sanchez
Kenneth P Smith
Holly Whiteman
Jeff Whiteman
Daryl Williams


Then, of course, there were the donors who contributed to Kevin Gibbons in 2008 who are also supporting Adams/Flake.  Looks rather familiar:

Beth/Chad Coons
Ross/Anita Farnsworth
Kenneth P. Smith
Broc Hiatt
Amy Ahlstrom
Merwin Grant
Linda Crandall


It is interesting to note that many of the names above (as well as some not listed but who donated to Jerry Lewis' campaign) are all board members for Arizona Family Council.

Hypocrisy Of The Day

One has to wonder

 if this guy even gets his own hypocrisy.

Congratulations Senator Grijalva!

Congratulations

are in order for our own Senator Raul Grijalva

 for his latest induction in the

 Progressive Honor Roll of 2011

MOST VALUABLE REPRESENTATIVE: Raúl Grijalva

Few members of the House have been so consistently progressive as Arizona Democrat Grijalva, who has a history of challenging Republican, and Democratic, administrations on issues of economic justice, civil rights, and war and peace. Grijalva made headlines when—in the face of death threats—he opposed Arizona’s draconian anti-immigrant laws. He has been just as outspoken at the federal level, working closely with his Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chair, Keith Ellison, against the GOP austerity agenda while prodding the Obama administration to support a dramatically bolder jobs agenda. Grijalva’s no-punches-pulled progressivism is all the more impressive because he represents a district where in 2010 he faced a serious re-election fight. He saw off that challenge, proving that even in the toughest years it is possible, perhaps even necessary, to run left to win.

‘Arizona Accord’ aims to change state’s illegal immigration enforcement image

http://azcapitoltimes.com
'Arizona Accord’ aims to change state’s illegal immigration enforcement image
by Luige del Puerto
Published: December 27th, 2011

A major effort is underway to get businesses, faith-based organizations and other groups to rally behind a more humane set of principles to guide how Arizona deals with illegal immigration, the complex and emotionally-draining subject that has consumed much of the state’s energy in the past few years.

Called the “Arizona Accord,” the idea borrows from the Utah Compact, which, in addition to advocating for a more humane approach, puts the onus of resolving the immigration issue on the federal government. The set of principles, which was prominently backed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is widely credited to have steered the debate in Utah and helped to soften a SB1070-like measure there.

Now, some in Arizona are hoping to replicate those successes — or to at least change the tone of the discussion here.

Those who are familiar with the Arizona Accord said its text mirrors the Utah Compact, which urges law enforcement to focus on criminal activities and on not civil violations of federal immigration laws, discourages policies that “unnecessarily separate families,” acknowledges immigrants’ economic contributions, and calls for a “humane approach” in dealing with illegal immigration.

“I like what it says. What it says is what we’ve been talking about,” said Todd Sanders, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, which is one of the groups being courted to support the effort. Supporters believe the Arizona Accord will help to mend the state’s supposed anti-immigrant image. And while it is non-binding, they hope it would also lead policymakers to steer clear of confronting the issue through enforcement-only measures.

The idea is to show there’s a more pragmatic and comprehensive alternative to SB1070-type legislation.

Sen. Jerry Lewis, a Mesa Republican who defeated Russell Pearce, the author of SB1070, in a recall election last month, said, “I think what it signals to the rest of the world is that hey, Arizona really is a great place to live. It’s a great place to bring your business. It’s a great place to bring your tourism (and) your conventions.

“We want a solution, but we want that solution to be a solution that will work and that will not have so many unintended consequences involved (so) that it makes the solution itself worse than the problem,” Lewis added.

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said by offering an alternative to a strict-enforcement approach, the Utah Compact helped to turn the tide of public opinion in favor of a more comprehensive solution.

“That gave courage to Republican legislators, mostly senators, to say, OK, we’re going to take a hit from the right-wing on this, but we’re going to have the support of law enforcement and religious groups and business leaders, and people (in) polls showing that they supported that,” he told the Arizona Capitol Times.

Shurtleff said the politicians who supported more comprehensive legislation based on principles espoused by the Utah Compact made themselves a target.

“(But) I’ll tell you right now, they’re all going to survive. They’re all going to be re-elected and the message is going to be then, see, you can do what’s right. You can do something on immigration (that is) comprehensive and you’re still going to be re-elected. You don’t have to worry about these loud, shrill voices out there that you think are the majority, but they really aren’t,” he said.

Whether the Arizona Accord gains traction depends on many factors, such as who signs it and the amount of media attention it generates.

For one, its supporters will need to compensate for elements that were crucial to success of the Utah Compact but are missing in Arizona, such as the outsized influence of a single entity. In Utah, it’s the LDS church.

They’ll also have to take into account other differences. The Utah Compact is a response to efforts to pass a SB1070-like measure there while in Arizona, SB1070 is already the law.
Arizona is a border state but Utah is not, which means the financial and social costs of illegal immigration are much more pronounced here. In fact, Arizonans have shown their support for SB1070. (A recent poll showed that immigration, even given today’s sagging economy, continues to be Arizonans’ No. 1 concern.)

But supporters of the Arizona Accord can learn from what worked in the past.

For example, a direct appeal by business leaders in response to specific legislation appears to be more effective in Arizona. The open letter by about 60 CEOs early this year played a key role in stopping five controversial immigration bills, including a proposal that was meant to trigger a lawsuit over the automatic citizenship of children born to illegal immigrants.

Still, such a “compact” is unlikely to change the minds of Pearce’s closest allies in the Legislature and those who prefer a strict-enforcement approach. Sen. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa, noted that voters here have approved measures that cracked down on illegal immigration.

“I know what the people of Arizona want. They’ve said it time and again at the ballot box,” he said.

In addition to a statewide effort to get businesses and other groups to sign the Arizona Accord, a parallel track is underway to get local governments to adopt a similar set of principles when dealing with illegal immigration.

A group called the East Valley Patriots, which was formed in response to the SB1070 fight, has been lobbying cities to take a stand by endorsing a municipal level compact.

“We felt that we needed to do something to kind of counter that whole tone of legislation and thinking that is, you know, anti-immigrant,” said Daniel Martinez, a retired college instructor and one of the group’s leaders.

“If we stop spending so much time on immigration, then our Legislature can concentrate on creating jobs, improving education and health care — that sort of thing. That’s really what this state needs, rather than more scare tactics, and fear and anger,” he added.

The group has already persuaded the city of Tolleson to adopt it. The group is working to get cities in the East Valley to do the same.

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith told the Arizona Capitol Times if it’s simply a rewrite of the Utah Compact, he’d be reluctant to jump on board for several reasons.

For one, he feels that the discussion needs to happen in the community — not through a political entity like the city council, which would immediately make it a “political question.” Smith also said any “compact” would have to take into account the nuances in Arizona, such as being a border state.

But the mayor said he’s all for changing the tone and substance of the immigration discussion.
“There’s too much hype, there’s too much extreme discussion and there’s too much blatant partnership for a problem that can and should be resolved, but it will take people from both sides sitting down and having a reasonable, rational discussion on real solutions,” he said.

The Arizona Compact

Introduced April 2011

Before learning they needed to start on a smaller scale:

Merry Christmas

 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a

decree from Cæsar Augustus,

that all the world should be taxed.

 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa,

unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; 

(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

 And so it was, that, while they were there,

the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,

and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,

and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,

 which is Christ the Lord.

 And this shall be a sign unto you;

 Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 And suddenly there was with the angel a

multitude of the heavenly host praising God,

and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,

 the shepherds said one to another,

Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass,

which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph,

and the babe lying in a manger.

 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying

 which was told them concerning this child.

 And all they that heard it wondered at those things

which were told them by the shepherds.

 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God

for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Exposing the Strategy: Twisting Faith, Family And Love

(Who is ReformImmigrationFORAmerica.ORG?  Just text "Justice". 

Raquel Teran discussed "Text Justice" at the 2010 AZ Advocacy Network immigration forum.  You will see more of their signs further down)

2 Corinthians 11:13-14

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers,

 transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

And no marvel; for Satan himself

is transformed into an angel of light.

Exposing the Claims: The LDS Church Wasn't Used During the Recall

Soliciting Signatures and passing out fliers

for Daryl Williams' Firesides on Immigration

"We just flyered russell pearce's church announcing daryl william's lectures regarding 'a fireside on immigration' "  --- J.A.

"Meet Victoria. She used to be a Republican but switched to the Independent Party due to the anti-immigrant sentiment that was turning her off. Guess what? She drove all the way to Mesa, AZ, just to participate in the recall efforts against Russell Pearce.

We targeted three LDS churches and put our FIRESIDE on IMMMIGRATION lecture information on the cars in the LDS parking lots.... We went for the heart.....we know that in order for real change to happen....it has to happen within the LDS community. " D.D. Blase

Worth repeating,

As the final results of the Nov. 8 recall election became clear, Tyler Montague, an integral campaign insider for Lewis, revealed how vital early support was among members

of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“Yes. I can finally say it. From the beginning, we went to stake presidents and bishops

to get their support,” Montague said of high-ranking Mormon members.
“I heard someone call it the ‘Mormon Fall,’ and I think that totally fits,” he said,

comparing the recall election to the mass protests in North Africa

 and the Middle East known as the “Arab Spring.”
Their approach: Offer a simple choice to the most influential Mormons in Mesa.

We said, ‘Here’s what the Mormon Church says about immigration,

and here’s what Russell Pearce says about it. Where do you come down?’” Montague said.
...Daryl M. Williams, a member of the Paradise Valley Stake High Council

and a trial attorney, said he could see the way the Mormon community

 responded to the church’s stance, and that he believes it played heavily in Lewis’ success.
“It was more than just a useful tool.

It was a critical turning point in Mr. Lewis’ campaign,” Williams said. 

The Recall: Exposing the Donor Lists

There was an interesting statement made by Tyler Montague regarding the recall runoff election in LD18 last month.  The title itself, "Lewis Won a Republican Primary", is a false assertion.  Mr. Montague's long-winded statement was in response to comments made by Senator Steve Smith. 

Smith said,

“We just witnessed how the radical left has used the recall system

 to defeat an opponent they could not and would

 not have been able to defeat in a standard election.”

Let's look at the claim by Mr. Montague that states:

 If donations were an indication of support,
 Lewis did a good job getting people

 in his district to invest in his campaign,
and a review of Lewis’s donor list,

debunks the “outside leftist radicals”
story very nicely. 

Lewis got 67% of his money from Mesa,

 43% came from LD18, and only 2% from outside the state.

  Even though he massively outspent Lewis,

 Pearce only got 4% of his money from LD18.

It doesn’t matter as much how popular

 you are beyond your constituency—they can’t vote for you.

We've heard this claim before.  What they choose to conveniently leave out is that on one hand, they are including ALL of the organizations that donated to Senator Pearce (PACs etc) while on the other hand, only including those donations made to "Jerry Lewis for Senate".

Missing from the assessment are the donations made to Citizens for a Better Arizona, Promise Arizona en Accion, and Campaign Money Watch whose one group alone spent upwards of $50,000 in mailers on Lewis' behalf.  In all, the contributions total $280,000.  And that's only those groups which we know about.

Another point that is conveniently glossed over is that a majority of the donations made by those within LD18 were maximum contributions made by members of the same family.  Most of which are from a large, LDS conglomerate. By a rough estimate, there are less than 50 families and their extended families who contributed the most within LD18.  Hardly a referendum of those within the district.  Those $848 per household donations add up a lot faster than small, individual contributions. 

If, according to Mr. Montague, 43% of the total contributions to Jerry Lewis for Senate ($67,000) came from those within LD18, that would put the total donations around $28,000.  Adding just those contributions over $300 made by those within LD18, one would discover that in all, it totalled apx. $18,000.  That is about 65% of the contributions from just within LD18.  Add to this, the numerous maximum contributions from those OUTSIDE LD18, one can easily see that there wasn't a lot of INDIVIDUAL support.  Just a lot of big money from a bunch of lawyers and wealthy LDS members of the church.

If we included ALL of those groups which donated on Jerry Lewis' behalf, the $28,000 in donations from those within LD18 would equate to about 10%.  To use the words of Mr. Montague,

It doesn’t matter as much how popular

you are beyond your constituency—they can’t vote for you.

Let's look a little closer at those donors to Jerry Lewis.  Rather peculiar, indeed.  The donation in white represents the contribution to Jerry Lewis for Senate.  The bold red refers to their donation made to Citizens for a Better Arizona.  Donations in yellow represent contributions they made to Kevin Gibbons' campaign against Russell Pearce in 2008. 

(On a side note: Chad and Rachel Snow donated $780 to Kevin Gibbons' campaign back in 2008):


Peggy Wright  $399  in-kind for the use of the Wright House
Michael Wright  (registered Democrat and PC/lawyer) $424   $250
Jeffrey Wright         $100
Gary Wright            $200
Stephanie Wright     $50
Thomas Wright        $50
Jane/John Wright         $848
Jim Wright (lawyer)     $424
Linda/Rex Crandall   $848     $780
Marcia/Mary/Wallace (lawyer) /Trent Montague  $1622
Jenny/Randy Richardson  $848
William Richardson     $424
Glenn/Susan Nelson    $848
Beth/Chad Coons      $848     $780
Timothy Coons (in law school)    $424
Anita/Ross Farnsworth   $848   $780
Ross Farnsworth JR    $424
Joe Farnsworth           $424
Amy/Craig Ahlstrom  $848    $390
Cameron/Julie McKay    $848
Liana/Steven Clarkson      $848   $100     $780
Anson/Adam/Nathaniel/EdaMarie Clarkson    $980
Kathy/Mark Dangerfield     $848
Colleen/Damon Wheeler     $848    $780
Martin/Mary Jo Whalen    $300   $200   $100
Michael/Susan Fleming  $848
Don/Hansi Hobbs            $300
Adele/Larry Lesueur        $848
Michael/Alice/Dixon Crowley  $1272
Darissa/Roark Perry        $400
Gunn/Jana McKay (lawyer)    $200
Dale/Nancy Robinson (lawyer)    $500
Holly/Jeff Whiteman    $848
Don/Lynette Kenney    $848
Daniel/Michelle King   $500
Pamela/Patrick Mack    $424
Wayne Pomeroy           $400
Cecil Pomeroy              $100
Jared/Shael Winsor      $450
Kenneth/Rebecca Boren  $848
Dave/Ruth Collins        $848    $780
David Palmer                $424
Kathy Palmer                $400
Broc Hiatt                     $424    $390
Michael Norberg          $424
Chris Zaharis                $424
Steven Walters             $400
Lance Wells (lawyer)  $300
Ron Lewis                   $424
David Perkinson          $424
Fred Ashby                  $424
Minyon Smith              $424
Brent Bowden              $424
Dennis Kavanaugh (lawyer) $100   $100
Chet Arnett      in-kind $326
Norman Johnson          $424
Al/Kathleen Gardner   $848
Neil Jones                    $424
Yasser Sanchez (lawyer)  $424
Don Stapley                 $250  $100
David/Iris Shumway    $848
Tommy Cattey             $424
John/Mila Linton         $500
Clint (lawyer)/Kathy Smith       $424


Other noteable contributors who live outside LD18 and donated large contributions to Lewis for Senate:

Kenneth P. Smith (lawyer) $424    $300    $390
Scott Perkinson           $424
Bill/Cathy Konopnicki $848
John/Dawn Giles (lawyer) $848
David Johnson              $424
Tom Stapley                 $424
Jill Geigle                     $424
Merwin Grant (lawyer)$424     $250
Daryl/Carleen Williams (lawyer)$848
Andrea/Todd Wood     $848
Sarver               $424
Joelle/Richard Provenzano  $820
Scott Perkinson            $424
Jeri Kishiyama (lawyer)  $424
Raymond Kizer (lawyer)  $300
Roger Hall (lawyer)        $424
Reed Tolman (lawyer)    $200
Scott Cooley (lawyer)     $200


Here is a list of those "outside leftist radicals" who donated to Lewis for Senate and were a part of the recall process from the beginning.  (And from "beginning" we mean CBA BEFORE they met with the "Mormon Lawyers").  Many of these donors also contributed to CBA (noted in bold red).

Fred Barlam   $25 
Saul/Lupe Solis   $50   $400
Brian Barabe   $25   $125
Robert/Nancy Unferth  $25   $1320
Brenda Rascon  $40  $85
Robert Haasch   $150 
Amanda Zill      $65  $152.50
Julie Jorgensen  $100  $110
Elizabeth and Donald Savino   $800  $575.00
Mary Lou Boettcher  $25   $85
Roberto Reveles (ACLU)    $100  $1600

Seems a bit disingenuous and misleading to claim that Pearce suddenly became too extreme.   Especially when we can see that four years ago, even before most of the immigration bills even came to light, many of these same people who voiced their disdain for Pearce this year were opposed to him back then as well. 

Colleen Wheeler warned,

 "I hope others in positions of leadership within the GOP

will see the election for what it was: a referendum on extremism."

Sounds familiar.

“This whole movement shows there’s now going to be

consequences for this type of extreme,

ultraconservative agenda..." 

Randy Parraz

Faces Behind Immigration Reform: Martin Quezada

Another attorney.

What a surprise.

Before starting his private law practice, Quezada was a research analyst for the Democratic caucuses of the state House and Senate and was a judicial law clerk in the Arizona Court of Appeals.

He was also a Democratic candidate for State Representative in District 13.

This symbol, printed on his campaign signs, according to Quezada,

 meant that he supports union labor.  Who knew they had a "sign"?

Quezada with Raquel Teran who donated to his campaign:

He was seen at multiple events involving Citizens for a Better Arizona

including the election of Jerry Lewis.

Lydia Guzman, Martin Quezada

Quezada, Blase, Penalosa 

It seems that it would be a bit of a drive from West Phoenix in order to attend
an election night party for a Republican candidate.

Strange bed fellows, indeed.

More Faces behind Immigration Reform: Jose Penalosa

 We found Jose "Joe"  Penalosa, immigration lawyer, helping Dee Dee Blase and her organization, Arizonans for a Better Government, training volunteers who would go out and gather signatures to recall Senator Pearce back in early February 2011.

Mr. Penalosa attempted to run as a "moderate Republican" (yes.  Republican) for the US Congress representing CD4 back in 2010. 

He donated to Randy Parraz's organization, Citizens for a Better Arizona.  He also was apparently pleased to see Mr. Lewis win the recall election.  Pleased enough that he attended the Lewis party on election night along with his friend, Dee Dee Blase.

More recently, he has been sending out press releases on immigration reform.  He has also called for the resignation of Sheriff Arpaio.

Arizona Immigration Lawyer Responds to U.S. Supreme

 Court's Certiorari Grant On SB1070's Constitutionality

Immigration Lawyer Jose Peñalosa Praises Department of Homeland Security's

Removal of Sheriff Joe's Authority on the Secure Communities Program

What was that about lawyers lurking in the shadows of immigration reform?

Quotes From A State Party Vice-Chair Candidate

Someone has recently announced their intentions to run for the 2nd Vice-Chair position
within the Arizona Republican Party Leadership.
SHIELD believes it is important to research and study those who
 intend to run for any office representing the party prior to casting a vote.

The following quotes should give some insight as to

where this particular candidate stands.

As you read them, remember these words:

Rules for Radicals #5

"Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counteract ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage.” – Saul Alinsky

October 5, 2010
"The Tea Party did a great job throwing tea in the Boston Harbor in the 1700s, now in the 2000's they do a better job throwing Mexicans back in the Rio Grande. Sentiments similar to those expressed by some who call themselves tea party members prevailed to drive members of a disfavored group (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who were US citizens) from their homes in the dead of winter in Missouri under the auspices of the so-called extermination order signed by Governor Boggs. Simplistic solutions to complex problems often lead to decisions that fail to consider the long-term impact of those decisions."


November 23, 2010
"Your (sic) right, I dont (sic) give the average citizen enough credit. They dont (sic) know a US Senator from a State Senator. Political campaigns is what I do for a living. People dont (sic) care about let alone understand them. They go with what looks good and sounds good. I say focus on winning the Senate back because its (sic) not looking good for any GOP candidate to being occupying the oval office come next November. They are having to cater too far right to win the nomination and thereby leave those in the middle for Obama, in essence handing him another term."


December 6, 2010
"Simply stated, the vast majority of the TEA Party have no organic deliberation. And they allow the likes of Glenn Beck and Cleon Skousen to dictate their thought process. I can't put this next bit simply because the encroached messaging and positions of the TEA Party are synthetic with an abrasive tenor. The lack of harmony found in the rhetoric makes any discussions premised on logic and reason impractical. Therefore resulting in Conservative segregation on the basis of communication, not foundation."


History of the Tea Party February 3, 2011
"The original Tea Party was started by Ron Paul in 2007. Since then an organization of political infants have since hijacked the movement and allowed neo-cons to take the helm of a leaderless organization. The original Tea Party still lives in the Ron Paul R3VOLUTION!!!"


Posted link to video mocking the TEA Party saying "Had to share this one":



February 10, 2011
Regarding thoughts of Pearce running against Jeff Flake for US Senate:
"Pearce is too far out on the right fringe. Plus he is too chicken to run against Flake."

and

"All these one issue (not even an issue if they did their own research and formulated their own ideas) voters. Life must be miserable for you. Immigration is an issue, but it is so far down the todampole (sic) of importance it makes me question some's (sic) knowledge of what problems our nation really faces."

and

"Can you name one viable piece of legislation that Sen. Pearce has sponsored that is not immigration related? Tying every issue to immigration is naive, ignorant and extreme. Case and point."


February 22, 2011
"The reason most voters don't grasp these concepts usually encompass three reasons:
1-Political infancy
2-Voter amnesia
3-Rhetoric saturation"


March 2011
Regarding attendance at the Lincoln Day Dinner/Fundraiser:
"I'd love to come but I refuse to attend any event that includes Russell Pearce."


April 12, 2011
"LIKED" a link to an Arizona Capitol Times article on Facebook titled, "Pearce recall campaign on track for signatures".

September 23, 2011
TWEET regarding supposed LDS Policy Statement by leaders of the church:
"Members can have their own opinions and not be in harmony w/LDS policy. I stand w/the church."

and

"Then why is the church against Pearce laws? Not judging but I'd question your understanding or application to the gospel."

and

"It's very clear where the church stands on immigration & its not w/Pearce & his law creations."

and

"2 bad far more LDS people will be voting for Lewis. Pearce legislation goes against LDS faith and leadership."

December 9, 2011
"I've not decided who I am going to support for the GOP POTUS nomination, but this is a good piece on Huntsman. 
My rankings based on my input:
1. Johnson
2. Huntsman
3. Paul"



September 9, 2011
Regarding the LD22 resolution to support Russell Pearce:
"As a precinct committeeman of LD22, I’m very disappointed in this resolution. Although the recall efforts in LD18 have been orchestrated by Democrats, however wrong the motives may be, it is within the rights of the people of that district to petition for a recall of an elected official. It is not the business of another GOP district to collectively pick winners or losers amongst several Republican’s now seeking the same office. It is the duty of the GOP as a whole at each level to organization to combine resources and ensure a Republican victory when faced with opposition from another political party, not pit republican vs. republican. I can not support an effort that further divides a recovering party from fragmentation.."

He preached that the party leadership and surrounding districts had no business

getting involved and endorsing one Republican candidate over

another during the recall, yet, as an elected Precinct and State Committeeman
himself, he openly supported Jerry Lewis.

  He also shamelessly used the LDS church in the process
to sway support towards Lewis.

See a video of election night that shows this State party Vice-Chair candidate

speaking to Mr. Lewis and his circle of friends prior to slinking away. (1:00)

Perhaps a qualifying question which needs to be asked
these days to those desiring to represent
 the Republican Party should be,

"Will you ever support an Immigration Compact

 in any form?"

Based on his own admissions as well as who he associates with,
 I think it is clear what his answer would be.

Standing next to the candidate for 2nd Vice Chair and author of the above quotes,
Stephen Viramontes, is Dee Dee Blase who said,

  "We have scheduled lectures that will be specifically aimed to members of the LDS community as well as the business community. We know that Mesa has a Mormon stronghold, and in order for us to have an overall effective campaign,
we must win over the Mormon community. It is imperative for them
to know that Russell Pearce (a member of the LDS community) refuses
to listen to the Mormon Prophet, and he refused to uphold the
 Constitution of the United States."

Every man who acts beyond the lien of private life, must expect to pass through two severe examinations.

First, as to his motives;

secondly, as to his conduct.

On the former of these depends his character for honesty;

on the latter for wisdom.

-Thomas Paine

The Parraz Parade

See Mr. Parraz and his ilk at the Mesa City Council Meeting held on December 5, 2011.
The exchange can be seen around 19 minutes in...


A few observations:

1.  Why was Mr. Parraz, who admittingly lives in Scottsdale, allowed to take up time from those who actually LIVE in Mesa?

2.  Notice how "civil" and calm Mr. Parraz acted throughout his speech in order to give credibility to his cause.  It was as though he was on some anxiety medication because he wasn't NEARLY as fired up as we've seen in the past.  His attempt at comedy regarding his previous time spent in Mesa during the recall and the "signs" that have finally been taken down, obviously fell flat.  His performance continued with statements regarding the Mesa Compact,

Again, it's just an idea.  It's not a legal binding contract.  It doesn't tie your hands.  It's really just a statement of values....So tonight, I don't think it's whether you support or do not support the Mesa Compact, it's whether you do support the right for this issue to come from the bottom up from actual citizens who would like you to consider it.  And if you all on an up or down vote don't believe the values that are laid out very simply do not resonate with your values or your constituents that you represent, I think these adults could accept a "no" vote on it.

How very PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE.


3.  East Valley Patriots for American Values is a "faith-based" organization?  I wonder why most of the articles written about this organization don't mention they are "faith-based".

Except for an article on AZ Central back in January. Of course, it mentions a few other interesting facts and insights into their group as well.

 
Ready for some more BUZZWORD BINGO?

In a quest to soften the tone of Arizona's immigration debate,

an East Valley group is targeting the home turf of Arizona's fiercest immigration hawk.

"Mesa is a test case because that's where Russell Pearce is from," said
  Daniel Martinez, a retired educator who has asked the Mesa City Council to endorse an immigration-policy statement adopted
by political, business and religious leaders in Utah.

The faith-based group recently changed its name from the

Coalition for Immigration Reform-East Valley. Martinez said

 the name change was a deliberate reaction to "tea party" groups that use "patriots" in their names.

"They have no monopoly on those terms," Martinez said.

"We feel we are just as entitled to espouse those kinds of values in our own way."

The group has changed its tack from last summer,

 when it asked the Chandler City Council to directly oppose SB 1070.

That request went nowhere. But Martinez said he thinks that asking

Mesa to endorse the so-called Utah Compact may get a little more traction.

Martinez said that some phrasing needs to be tweaked to make it applicable

 to Arizona but that he wants its five main points to remain intact.

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said he will meet with Martinez this month.

An AZ Central article written back in June 2010 discusses how the Coalition for Immigration Reform - East Valley approached the Chandler City Council in an attempt to get the council to pass a resolution opposing Senate Bill SB1070 and vowed to take the campaign to Mesa, Tempe and Gilbert. Remember, these groups like to change their names either to confuse or reinvent themselves.  No where in the article does it state they were a "faith-based" group.  In fact, it says,

Barabe said his organization is an informal group of about

30 longtime friends and many are supporters of local Latino arts and culture.

Apparently, they weren't very well received. 

Keep in mind, the Utah Compact made headlines in November, 2010.

This group reorganized and reinvented themselves around the same time only this time, they learned from their past mistakes.  They needed to take a softer tone and approach and cloak themselves as "faith-based" in order to shame others into accepting their cause.  By early December 2010, they had the Mesa Compact prepared, modeled after the recently signed Utah Compact, and paraded it in front of the Mesa City Council.

Clever.

4.  Dr. Carolyn O'Connor from the EVPAV claims "severe immigration laws have tarnished the image of Mesa and also the state of Arizona" yet these same members acknowledged in the article above that "they'll face a tough battle on some issues, especially since polls show Arizonans broadly support SB 1070".  I would love to know what circles she is hanging out with seeing that the reality is quite the opposite.

Poll: Support for Arizona Immigration Law Hits 57 Percent (another 17% think itdoesn’t go far enough)

Legal Immigrants Take a Stand on SB 1070

81% of Arizona voters support SB1070-New Poll reveals over 50%of SB1070 supporters are Democrats.

We know that Dennis Kavanaugh was not in attendance at the Council meeting.  We're curious to know how Kavanaugh feels about the Compact coming to his town.

Oh wait.  I think we already know.

..."if groups around Arizona supported something like the Utah Compact,

lawmakers would likely reconsider how they speak about immigration

and even which laws they would try to pass,"

 Mesa Councilman Dennis Kavanaugh said.

"Quite honestly, if local communities step up to the plate

and endorse the compact, that's an important statement for

policymakers to consider," Kavanaugh said.

 "I understand that often municipal governments don't

 find a lot of friends in the Legislature,

but when it's your

businesses groups, your faith communities, your neighborhood groups, your educational groups -

that's an important coalition that's difficult to ignore."

So, it's true that getting other policymakers to change their tone and laws in favor of illegals using the Compact as a stepping stone is really the end-game, isn't it?