Mesa Leadership Training Program- Mesa's Puppetmasters

The Mesa Leadership Training Program (Mesa LTD) is a program facilitated by the Mesa Chamber Business in Education Foundation 501 c 3 through the Mesa Chamber of Commerce.  We already know about the deep pockets of Chamber of Commerce members.

Alumni of this program include:

Former Mayor Keno Hawker 1985
Councilmember Dennis Kavanaugh 1985
Councilmember Dave Richins 1997
Mayor Scott Smith 2000
Michael Cowan 2001  Mesa Unified School Superintendent
Kirk Adams 2002  Former AZ Speaker of the House
Senator Rich Crandall  2005
Councilmember Scott Somers  2005 (Mesa Chamber of Commerce Board)
Councilmember Dina Higgins 2005
Otto Shill 2006 (Mesa Chamber of Commerce Board)
Stephen Viramontes  2008
Todd Selleck  2009
Wayne Manske  2010
Diane Selleck  2010
Kit Filbey  2010 former Democrat candidate for AZ Legislature LD19
Michael Conway 2010

The Chamber Leadership Program is intended to groom candidates for leadership roles in the community. The Chamber offers assistance and referrals for placement with community boards and organizations.

Their bylaws state

The purpose of the Association shall be to develop community leadership, to enhance awareness of community concerns, and to facilitate periodic opportunities for continual LTD alumni leadership,socialization, networking and furtherance of the organizational purposes.

- Monthly classes allow class members to explore opportunities for increased participation in city affairs and provide an opportunity to interact with current agents of change within Mesa.

- Classes meet once a month with a focus on education, government, arts & culture, effective advocacy, sustainability, public services, social services and economic development.


- Graduation is based on attending classes, participating in a class project, shadowing a leader of your choice, attending several non-profit board meetings, performing a ride-along with police, fire, and park representative as well as choosing among and attending tours that meet your interest.

"The Mesa Leadership Training and Development Program

began in 1981 with the belief that every community has potential leaders

who need facts and opportunities to be effectively engaged in their community."

"FACTS"?

It is, in a word:

BRAINWASHING

TRANSLATION:

Members have the opportunity to rub shoulders and feel important with people in various government positions.  In return, the students are told how crucial the WaveYard, Earthwise Energy and light rail are to the city.  They are also given the chance to non-profit board hop, network, serve on various boards within the city government or non-profit organizations in an effort to pad their resume. These are "Stepping stones" as they call it, which also allows them the benefit of "name dropping" when they need to appear influential.  This program can potentially catapult them to higher positions within the community where they can do the bidding for those "important" people in government.  After all, discussions could "enhance not only their knowledge of current events impacting their community but the wide-spanning views that government and politicians must weigh in determining community resolutions."

     It's a "you help us, we'll help you" wink and a nod.

Just think....they want to have a YOUTH Leadership Training and Development group as well.  Might as well get them indoctrinated while they're young.


Those interested must go through an application process.  It is at this stage that many are weaned out simply based on their answers to the questions asked.  Conservatives need not apply.

1.  Describe the community or civic subject that interests you the most.

2.  What would you most like to contribute to the Mesa community?
3.  What do you expect to gain from participation in the Mesa Leadership Training and Development program?

Recent candidates who have been accepted into the program include political activists, a head Community Organizer for ACORN, President of the Police Union, Arizona Humanities Council members, SRP employees, members of the Chamber of Commerce, City of Mesa and City of Phoenix employees.

2007-2008 class
2008-2009 class
2009-2010 class
2010-2011 class

This isn't surprising especially when you look at those who are on the board of directors.

Sophia Tesch - class of 2008/ blogger/ Democracy for America
Mary Larsen - class of 2009/ Ex-Officio member of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce
Cheryl Crame - class of 2009/ Member of the World Affairs Council of Arizona
Ruthann Tryon - class of 2009/Mesa Chamber of Commerce
Leo Archer - class of 2010/ Mesa Chamber of Commerce/ VP Mesa Industrial Development Authority
Kathy Romano - class of 2006/ Former Democrat Candidate for LD19 State Representative
Diane Selleck - class of 2010/ Former LD18 Democrat Secretary/wife of Todd Selleck


We've seen the "input" of this Leadership training.  Now let's see the "output".


-Diane and her husband Todd Selleck (class of 2009) along with fellow classmates Wayne Manske and Michael Conway were all board members of LD18 Democrats in 2010.  All were very actively involved in the recall effort against Russell Pearce.

-Wayne Manske along with alumni Ana Cadillo (2007) and Denise Heap (2010) all serve on the Mesa Human Relations Advisory Board which was the committee who reviewed the Utah Compact and approved the Mesa Compact to move forward to the City Council last year.

-The class of 2008 was able to participate in the Mesa Latino Town Hall at MCC sponsored by Mesa Public Schools (Is this really the best use of our tax dollars?), MCC  and the Mesa Association of Hispanic Citizens.  The Mesa LTD has since promoted the Latino Town Hall and encouraged its members to attend.  The goal of the MAHC is to encourage, support and advocate for public policies that address the concerns and needs of the Latino Community in Mesa and the East Valley.

David Luna (class of 2002) is the Director of Educational Television for Mesa Public Schools and and Co-chair for the annual Mesa Latino Town Hall event.  He was also a donor to Jerry Lewis' campaign.  He was recently recognized by the activist organization Valle del Sol for his role in the Hispanic community.  Luna has served on the board of directors for Mesa United Way (with Kirk Adams), United Food Bank, and Mesa Association of Hispanic Citizens.

Members of the Board for the MAHC include: 

Armando Espinoza, President (class of 2010)

John Chacon, Vice-President

Teresa Peña, Treasurer  (class of 2008)

Deanna Villanueva-Saucedo, Secretary (community liaison between Mesa Public Schools and Maricopa Community Colleges.  Donated to Jerry Lewis' campaign/ on the Board for Mesa United Way with Kirk Adams)

Phil Austin (donated to Jerry Lewis' campaign)

Francisco Ballesteros (class of 2008)

Ana Cadillo (class of 2007)

Irene Frklich

Levi Leyba

David Luna (class of 2002-donor to Jerry Lewis)

Maria Mancinas (class of 2002)

Alberto Olivas (class of 2008)

Marissa Ramirez-Ramos

Delia Salvatierra
Juanita Tarango

Denise Traves (class of 2007)

Fernando Valenzuela (class of 2002)

Personally, this program is not something I would brag about. 
If you know of someone who does, well, now you know who their allegiances might be with not to mention that they 
wasted $500 and 9 weekends of their lives. 

And they probably lean a "little" to the left.

Hey Teacher! Leave Them Kids Alone!

Channelling our inner Pink Floyd

The IAF and Teacher's unions.

All in all

 just another brick in the wall.

Breitbart posted an article about a Wisconsin Teacher's Union being trained by a well-funded Alinsky's IAF group.

This didn't come as a big shock to us.  We have a Teacher's Union in our own backyard that is an actual AFFILIATE of the Alinsky IAF.  And the teachers in this union are

TEACHING OUR OWN CHILDREN.

Suppose parents in Conservative

 Mesa, AZ even realize this?

A little refresher course:

Two of the groups in the IAF Valley Interfaith Project include:

Mesa Education Association.

MESPA
(Mesa Education Support Personnel Association for Mesa Public Schools)

The MEA website homepage gives the impression that they have nothing but the best interests of the children at heart.

We are a professional association advocating for quality public schools for every child.

Yet, most of what they REALLY do is for the benefit of the teachers themselves. Oh, and they are activists for liberal causes. Anything for the children, right?

President of MEA, Kathy Ray on right

-One of the members of the MEA Facebook page, Robert Unferth, was heavily involved in the Russell Pearce recall effort and recruited help from the IAF MEA organization.  He posted last June:

Robert Unferth RECALL PEARCE - NEXT STEPS: 1) Make calls to over 10,000 supporters; 2) Continue to visit voters every Saturday to sign them up; 3) Voter registration and PEVL sign-ups; & 4) Raise $5,000 by the end of June. Please let your friends and family members know that our campaign is not over! Now is the time to recruit more volunteers and stay engaged, active and vocal!
www.recallpearce.com or email to rap7power@gmail.com  (Randy Parraz's email account)

-If you are looking for ways to make your voice heard, and show your support for your fellow teachers in Wisconsin (and other states), as well as support for all public workers, here are a few things you can do.

1. Visit the AEA website at www.arizonaea.org for more information on “Wear Red for Ed” and a link to sign NEA’s petition on Education Votes.

2. Visit moveon.org at this link: http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=112845&id= to sign up to attend the “Rally to Save the American Dream” being held TOMORROW (2/26) at the Arizona State Capitol at 12 PM.

3. Tell your friends and family, and encourage them to show their support for educators and public employees, as well as workers’ rights

-Hey teacher friends! Please support Mesa teacher, Mike Conway Monday night as he debates his opponents in Legislative District 18. HE NEEDS SUPPORTERS, so please support Mesa Education Association's own member! (We have discussed Mike Conway before)

-This month MEA has assisted several teachers with disciplinary issues as well as evaluation concerns.  (what about the kids?)

-MEA has an amazing team assembled for bargaining and we have been meeting several times to prepare for the new process, but also to plan for our interests in making our working conditions better.

-Mesa teachers and support staff members have borne the brunt of a bad economy plus a legislature that has certainly not been supportive of public education, public education teachers and support staff. Our elected "leaders" have been especially punitive toward the concept that employees have participation in the decisions that affect our profession, our careers and the student learning for which we are tasked.

-A meeting on February 28, 2012 at Mesa High School  featured Joe Rubio from the IAF Valley Interfaith Project who spoke about "Organizing for Power."

Joe Rubio is the Supervisor for the IAF Southwest Affiliates. We know what he thinks about immigration. He said, criticizing AZ lawmakers who passed SB1070, "Where do the legislators think business will find workers?"

We also know how Rubio felt about the Arizona Accord....

"The accord focuses on common sense solutions, not demagoguery, and it shows that good economics and a humane approach to immigration are not only possible but very necessary.”

So, the MEA teacher's group is hosting a meeting with the Supervisor for the IAF? SAUL ALINSKY's IAF?

It sounds EXACTLY like something that would be useful

"for the children".

Just as we're sure the strategies discussed in a leadership training meeting will help train them to be better teachers "for the children".

Like: ability to organize, we are activists, organizers, and our favorite....

"Educate so that the word ADVOCATE is seen positive"

So, we have the Mesa Education Support Personnel Association with the Mesa PUBLIC SCHOOLS who is affiliated with the IAF.

We also have the MEA (and the AEA and NEA) with Mesa Public Schools who have ties to the IAF. Suppose those teachers who work for Mesa Public schools and those who pay dues to groups like the MEA, AEA or NEA realize that they are directly supporting the IAF?

All in all it's just

 another brick in the wall.

The IAF. A Little Too Close To Home (eh, Jerry Lewis?)

Suppose Senator Jerry Lewis and those self-proclaimed "Republicans" realize that by signing on to the Arizona Accord, they were aligning themselves with the IAF and Saul Alinsky?

Whether through ignorance or purposeful intent, shame on them.

We know that Randy Parraz was trained in the Alinsky method through the Industrial Areas Foundation.  We also know that Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta were students of Saul Alinsky and his partner, Fred Ross. 

Here is the link to the IAF.

According to their website:

The IAF is non-ideological and strictly non-partisan, but proudly, publicly, and persistently political. The IAF builds a political base within society's rich and complex third sector - the sector of voluntary institutions that includes religious congregations, labor locals, homeowner groups, recovery groups, parents associations, settlement houses, immigrant societies, schools, seminaries, orders of men and women religious, and others.

And then the leaders use that base to compete at times, to confront at times,

and to cooperate at times with leaders in the public and private sectors.

The IAF develops organizations that use power - organized people and organized money - in effective ways. The secret to the IAF's success lies in its commitment to identify, recruit, train, and develop leaders

 in every corner of every community where IAF works. 

Who are these IAF Affiliates?  (note:  All of the affiliates listed below signed off on the Arizona Accord)

Arizona Interfaith Network

Valley Interfaith Project

Northern Arizona Interfaith Council

One Arizona Interfaith Leaders

Pima County Interfaith Council

Yuma County Interfaith Council

We've noted in a previous blog entry how the faith community was being used to push for a more "humane" tone towards immigration.

Two of the groups in the Valley Interfaith Project include

 Mesa Education Association.

MESPA
(Mesa Education Support Personnel Association for Mesa Public Schools)

The MEA website homepage gives the impression that they have nothing but the best interests of the children at heart.

We are a professional association advocating for
 quality public schools for every child. 

Yet, most of what they REALLY do is for the benefit of the teachers themselves.  Oh, and they are activists for liberal causes.  Anything for the children, right?

President of MEA, Kathy Ray on right

-One of the members of the MEA Facebook page, Robert Unferth, who was also heavily involved in the Russell Pearce recall effort, posted last June: 

Robert Unferth  RECALL PEARCE - NEXT STEPS: 1) Make calls to over 10,000 supporters; 2) Continue to visit voters every Saturday to sign them up; 3) Voter registration and PEVL sign-ups; & 4) Raise $5,000 by the end of June. Please let your friends and family members know that our campaign is not over! Now is the time to recruit more volunteers and stay engaged, active and vocal!

www.recallpearce.com or email to rap7power@gmail.com 

-If you are looking for ways to make your voice heard, and show your support for your fellow teachers in Wisconsin (and other states), as well as support for all public workers, here are a few things you can do.

 1. Visit the AEA website at www.arizonaea.org for more information on “Wear Red for Ed” and a link to sign NEA’s petition on Education Votes.

2. Visit moveon.org at this link: http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=112845&id= to sign up to attend the “Rally to Save the American Dream” being held TOMORROW (2/26) at the Arizona State Capitol at 12 PM. 

3. Tell your friends and family, and encourage them to show their support for educators and public employees, as well as workers’ rights

-Hey teacher friends! Please support Mesa teacher, Mike Conway Monday night as he debates his opponents in Legislative District 18.  HE NEEDS SUPPORTERS, so please support Mesa Education Association's own member! (We have discussed Mike Conway before) 

-This month MEA has assisted several teachers with disciplinary issues as well as evaluation concerns.

 -MEA has an amazing team assembled for bargaining and we have been meeting several times to prepare for the new process, but also to plan for our interests in making our working conditions better.

-Mesa teachers and support staff members have borne the brunt of a bad economy plus a legislature that has certain-ly not been supportive of public education, public educa-tion teachers and support staff. Our elected "leaders" have been especially punitive toward the concept that employees have participation in the decisions that affect our profession, our careers and the student learning for which we are tasked.

  

-Their upcoming meeting on February 28, 2012 at Mesa High School at 4:30pm will be featuring Joe Rubio from Valley Interfaith Project who will speak about "Organizing for Power."

Joe Rubio is the Supervisor for the IAF Southwest Affiliates.  We know what he thinks about immigration.  He said, criticizing AZ lawmakers who passed SB1070, "Where do the legislators think business will find workers?"

We also know how Rubio felt about the Arizona Accord....

"The accord focuses on common sense solutions, not demagoguery, and it shows that good economics and a humane approach to immigration are not only possible but very necessary.”

So, the MEA teacher's group is hosting a meeting with the Supervisor for the IAF? 
SAUL ALINSKY's IAF?

It sounds EXACTLY like something that would be useful 

"for the children".

Just as I'm sure the strategies discussed in a leadership training meeting will help train them to be better teachers "for the children".

Like:  ability to organize, we are activists, organizers, and my favorite....

"Educate so that the word ADVOCATE is seen positive"

So, we have the Mesa Education Support Personnel Association with the Mesa PUBLIC SCHOOLS who is affiliated with the IAF.

We also have the MEA (and the AEA and NEA) with Mesa Public Schools who have ties to the IAF.  Suppose those teachers who work for Mesa Public schools and those who pay dues to groups like the MEA, AEA or NEA realize that they are directly supporting the IAF?

Former MEA President Kirk Hinsey and current President Kathy Ray (on right):

Phoenix Human Relations Commission

What a surprise to discover that at least two members of the Phoenix Human Relations Commission are directly involved with Randy Parraz.

Well, not really.

They have recently called to have the 17 member commission force Joe Arpaio to step down.  Thirteen voted for the measure.  What happened to the other 4?

This is probably what Carlos Galindo meant when he said, "working their way AROUND the electoral process" .

Gilbert Watch has exposed who some of these Commissioners really are.  Of course, knowing that they are appointed by the Phoenix Mayor and City Council will give you an idea about how far left they might lean.


The Co-chair of the PHRC is Dan Martinez.  We remember Dan from his visit to the Mesa City Council meeting when he tried to push for the Mesa Compact.  Dan Martinez started the East Valley Patriots for American Values along with Randy Parraz in the fall 2010.

                                              (Saul Solis -L, Dan Martinez - C, Brian Barabe - R)

Lilia Alvarez is Parraz's "left" hand gal and apparently, the two are married to each other.  She also graduated in 2010 from the Emerge Arizona Leadership training program designed to create "women leaders for a democratic future."  In 2011, she attended the Center for Progressive Leadership Fellowship program.

Also in her 2010 Emerge Arizona class was a Janice Blackmon who, coincidentally, is ALSO a member of the PHRC.  She is currently serving as the LD13 Democrat District Chairman.  Blackmon also "recently completed the Planned Parenthood's Local Progressive Candidate Leadership Program" which is another course organized by the Center for Progressive Leadership. 

This will need to be addressed in a blog entry all its own. 

Yet another graduate from the same Emerge Arizona class was Wenona Benally.  She is married to Sal Baldenegro who is running for the State House in LD2.  Wenona, on the other hand, has her sites on DC and is currently running for US Congress in CD1.  She is endorsed by the Progressive Democrats of America. 

(Carolyn Cooper - L, Virginia Haufflaire- AZ PDA leader-R)

Other members of the

Phoenix Human Relations Commission include:

Diane D'Angelo, Chair   political writer,  helps the commission get the word out to the leftist organizations of Commission meetings like the most recent regarding Arpaio.

Terry Gunnell  Arizona State leader for AmeriCorp

Mel Hannah   Director of Community Outreach for the Urban League, Co-chair of Protect Arizona's Freedom  (other members include: Former U.S. Senator Dennis DeConcini, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, Daniel R. Ortega, Jr., Kyrsten Sinema, Alessandra Soler Meetze- ACLU, Bill Straus, Anti-Defamation League and fellow PHRC member, Lindsey Walker- SEIU)

Isaac Hernandez   One of the lawyers in a lawsuit in 2008 against Joe Arpaio whose plaintiffs included Somos America, ACLU, Arizona ACLU,  MALDEF, Steptoe and Johnson.  The lawsuit was over alleged "racial profiling".  Co-chair Hispanic Law Students assoc/La Raza, expertise in counseling employers regarding discrimination, harassment, retaliation, medical leave, disability, wage and hour, wrongful termination, and non-compete issues and representing employers in state and federal court and before the National Labor Relations Board.

Nikki Hicks   community volunteer coordinator for the Cesar Chavez Foundation, Save the Family Foundation

LaShawn Jenkins   lawyer, Phoenix Urban League

Laurie Provost  Facilitator for the Anti-defamation League, GLBT educator

Bill Straus   Arizona regional director of the Anti-defamation League, called on an investigation of Arpaio back in 2008, see Mel Hannah above.


Suppose with all of these "coincidences" that there MIGHT be a conflict of interest on the Commission's part?

Kyrene Education Association. Just Another Alinsky IAF Affiliate

We previously exposed two Alinsky IAF affiliates in the Mesa Unified School District.  One is the Mesa Education Association and the other is the MESPA (Mesa Education Support Personnel for the Mesa Public Schools).

There appears to be yet another IAF affiliate in our Public education system.  This time, it is in the Kyrene School District in Tempe.

The Kyrene Education Association

The current president is Erin Kirchoff.  On her Facebook page, she is a fan of groups such as:

Moveon.org, AZ Working Families, 1 million strong against Michele Bachmann, Arizona Progress, Obama for America-Arizona, One Voice Community Center, ONE Community, Barack Obama, Terry Goddard, Kyrsten Sinema, Ed Ableser, David Schapira, NoH8 Campaign, Center for Progressive Leadership (training course that Raquel Teran and Lilia Alvarez attended.  Board members include Progressives Kyrsten Sinema and Chad Campbell), AZ Democrat party, Human Rights Campaign.

Also, according to their meeting minutes, they received a visit from the lead organizer of the IAF Valley Interfaith Project affiliate, Joe Rubio in January 2010.  He "emphasized the necessity of all people who care about education to become involved in the effort to educate the electorate on the history of Arizona's decline in education funding".

You get the picture.

Within the KEA is a Human and Civil Rights Committee.  It is headed by Kinora Hernandez.   The mission statement says the committee is

...comprised of Kyrene teachers who are passionate about

making sure ALL students and staff in Kyrene are treated fairly

and with respect. 

The committee develops policies and activities to support our strategic objective to advance racial, economic,

and gender equity in Kyrene schools.

The committee sponsors two events each year. 

1.  National "mix it up day"

It sounds like a nice idea.  Except for the fact that it implies that our children are incapable of making friends and good choices on their own and that all children are inherently bullies.

"Mix it up day" is sponsored by Tolerance.org which was founded by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Tolerance.org sounds so...very...tolerant.  Their mission statement:

"Dedicated to reducing prejudice, improving intergroup relations,

and supporting equitable school experiences for our nation's children."

They include teaching kits for teachers which are geared towards specific grade levels.  These kits include subjects such as:

American Civil Rights Movement:  A Time for Justice

Bullied:  A Student, A School, and a Case That Made History

(a documentary film that chronicles one student's ordeal at the hands of anti-gay bullies.  It can become a cornerstone of anti-bullying efforts in middle and High School.)

Viva La Causa

(The Delano strike and grape boycott led by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta)

2.  "No Name Calling" Week

In an agenda for the KEA, they discussed ideas on how to incorporate "no name calling" into the curriculum.  Ideas they came up with included:

Do something simple:  Have students sign No Name-calling Pledge sheets or wear stickers to pledge that they will not bully (basically, teachers bully kids into pledging they won't be bullies)

Social Studies:  Have students generate a survey about bullying and administer their survey to a specific number of students in the school. (use kids to bully and pressure other kids to promote your agenda)

Math:  Create math problems.  For example, If 15% of the students in a class of 27 do not come to school because they fear they will be bullied while at school, how many students would be missing?

Language Arts:  Write poems, narratives and enter in the Creative Impressions Contest sponsored by nonamecalling.org

Art:  Create pieces that reflect feelings generated by bullying.  Enter in the Creative Impressions Contest sponsored by nonamecalling.org.

Who is nonamecalling.org?

Their sponsors include:

Amnesty International, Anti-defamation league, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Colage - Children of Lesbian and Gays Everywhere, Girl Scouts of the USA, Jewish Mosaic-the National Center for Sex and Gender Diversity, National Conference for Community and Justice, NEA, National Urban League, OUThistory.org, Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Based on the meeting minutes, the focus of the KEA is to promote Democrats in elections (like Penny Kotterman, David Schapira), encourage teachers and others to vote for every bond override proposal and education money-focused Propositions (like Prop 100), support continued funding for all day kindergarten, any legislative actions that affect teachers, teacher salaries and days off for sick time or vacations. 

What about the children? 

visit the KEA Youtube page for more insight.

A Sleeping Giant

With renewed enthusiasm and momentum on their side, we will soon see the new and improved immigration agenda begin to move forward in the next Legislative Session.

This time, it will be different.

Those interested in "immigration reform" have learned they can't do it in a radical way.  No.  They have learned they need to be moderately compassionate.  A big THANK YOU to those who opened the door for them.

Here are the reasons listed for the new push for comprehensive immigration reform:

1.  The recall of Senator Pearce
2.  A (completely biased) Morrison Institute Survey claiming that 78 percent of Arizonans would support a pathway to citizenship for longtime residents whose presence is undocumented

In their eyes, these factors are the reasons why we should push for an immediate campaign in favor of an Arizona version of the Utah Compact.  Principles for "humane" immigration reform.

According to Stephen Lemons from the Phoenix New times,

"I know there are individuals and groups working on such an effort now behind the scenes....Earlier this year, attempts at getting such a compact approved by the

Mesa City Council dissipated despite the best efforts of those involved.

But this is a different day, as has been acknowledged,

 finally, by almost every mainstream media outlet in Arizona.

Such a movement is not something I as a commentator or as a reporter can instigate, obviously.

It must be authentic, one comprised of business leaders,

Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, clergy, activists and ordinary citizens.

We've seen this strategy before.


Let us introduce you to those business leaders, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, clergy, activists and ordinary citizens.   THE REAL ARIZONA COALITION.  I suppose that would be TRAC in leftist, acronym terms.

The Coalition Includes:

• ABC Foundation
• Anti-Defamation League
• Arizona Employers for Immigration Reform  (Spokesman is Todd Landfried.  We'll expose him later)
• Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Arizona Latino Research Enterprise
• Board of Rabbis of Greater Phoenix
• Catholic Healthcare West
• Cesar Chavez Institute
• Chicanos Por La Causa
• eLatina Voices
• Exito, Inc.
• Friendly House (Immigration Services)
• Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Greater Phoenix Economic Council
• Greater Phoenix Leadership
• Greater Phoenix Urban League
• IO.INC
• Ironco Enterprises
• Native American Connections
• New Carpa Theater Co.  (Coming in December:  “American Pastorela: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Ethnic Studies But Were Afraid to Ask“. )
• One Arizona Interfaith Leaders
• Schaller Anderson, an AETNA Company (Medicaid Health Management)
• Southern Arizona Leadership Council
• St. Luke’s Health Initiatives
• Sundt Corp, Inc.
• Tucson Chamber of Commerce
• Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Tucson Regional Economical Opportunities 
• Valle del Sol
• Westcor

Since May, 2011 TRAC has sponsored Arizona Immigration Solutions Conferences held around the state along with the group Arizona Employers For Immigration Reform.  Topics of discussion include:

• The economic impacts of the Legal Arizona Workers Act, S.B. 1070 and other immigration policies on Arizona

• Find out about the Utah Compact

• Discover how other states have learned from Arizona's actions

• Discuss other solutions to the immigration problem

• Meet national leaders concerned about fixing the immigration problem

It is an attempt to "change the tone of the immigration debate."

According to the co-founder, James E Garcia,

“We can’t create an environment that (portrays) immigrants as the enemy or somehow a net drain on our economy.  We should understand them for what they overwhelmingly are: people, families and individuals who come to this country with the intent of helping build up this country. And if you look at the facts, that has ultimately been borne out...We certainly offer a moderate voice to the debate, but it is a voice that is motivated by the idea that immigrants should be treated with respect and they are a necessary part of our economy and society.”

It is rumored that this same organization will be spearheading the push for immigration reform in the next legislative session.  The plan is for the Hispanics to push a more "radical" bill so when this group comes in with their more "humane" approach, it will appear "compassionate" and "reasonable".  Because the group will be comprised of members of the Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and Interfaith organizations, it will give the appearance of a bipartisan, mainstream coalition. 

Rumor also has it that Rep. Catherine Miranda is going to be pushing some of these moderate immigration bills. She has already been out looking for co-sponsors. This is the same Rep. Miranda who made comments like this in regards to past immigration legislation daring to define an "Arizona Citizen" comparing the agenda to that of Nazi Germany,

“Today in Arizona, thousands of Arizona mothers go to work not knowing if they

will return to their families or end up in deportation centers.  Who can doubt that we are experiencing a holocaust in Arizona.”

Rep. Miranda also attended the Arizona Immigration Solutions Conference held in Mesa on September 17, 2011.   One would suspect she will be heavily involved in upcoming legislation. 

She will more than likely have the support from people like newly elected Senator, Jerry Lewis.  Within days of his election, he joined other immigration activists in a national teleconference to mark the November 11, 2010 adoption of the Utah Compact.  Even Petra Falcon went on Democracy Now! right after the election and praised Lewis' sense of humane civility and desire to keep families together.

Lewis said,

"The Utah Compact has had a tremendous influence on the state of Arizona and more particularly this recent election.  What it did was give a set of guiding principles that would help people realize that there is hope on the way.

We don't need to have knee-jerk reactions to the real issues.

We need to focus on principles to guide that discussion,

and the Utah Compact did just that."

The article states about the Utah Compact:

"The compact -- endorsed by numerous political, business and religious leaders in Utah --

says the nation must find ways other than strict enforcement to deal with people

who are here illegally but working productively."

Did you catch the wording?  "Endorsed by numerous political, business and religious leaders".

I'm sure we'll see this phrase used over, and over, and over.

Our cause had to be all shining justice, allied with the angels;

theirs had to be all evil, tied to the Devil;

in no war has the enemy or the cause ever been gray. (Alinsky 1972: 3)