Hello all,
Yesterday, I attended a morning session chaired by Senator Pearce and attended by several guest speakers, including Sheriff Arpaio and County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
First, I observed the meeting itself and came up with suggestions to help ours:
1. Early on, have everyone turn off their cell phones.
2. Pre-check audio for speakers, any projection/video, etc.
3. Keep speaker and video presentations to at or under 20 minutes.
4. Interject levity. (Sheriff Joe was terrific in being able to address very serious issues one minute, then have the audience bursting with laughter and applause the next, this even despite admonitions from the chair to the audience that such outbursts were against decorum. The audience politely disregarded the advice and several more times applauded to which the chair half-smiled in seeming resignation. [I suspect the chair would have liked to applaud too.])
Regarding specific comments (mostly in their own words, writing as fast as my fingers could scramble):
Chair, Senator Russell Pierce key points:
1. We don’t need a permission slip from the federal government to enforce Arizona law.
2. This was the first panel to hold public officials accountable when they fail to uphold the law.
3. Those that defend lawbreakers aught to be removed from office.
4. Angered that the good guys today are depicted as the bad guys.
5. Arizona is the frontline of defense for our nation (re. border).
6. Illegal immigration problem costs our state over 3 billion per year, our state’s deficit.
Video Presentation:
1. 10% of illegal aliens have criminal records involving violation of laws other than immigration laws.
2. Illegal aliens account for approximately 90 billion dollars in welfare and services.
3. Over 1000 assaults against border patrol agents per year.
4. Big business won out because big business wanted cheap labor.
Andrew Thomas:
1. Enforcing Human Smuggling Law a priority. In 2008 there were 49 convictions and 288 conspiracy to smuggle.
2. ID theft and forgery go hand in hand with illegal immigration.
3. Kidnapping is very serious, now have three prosecutors assigned to handle home invasions due to dramatic increase in cases.
4. While home invasions are now mostly confined to involvement with illegal aliens, it could spread.
5. Sent approximately 1000 illegal aliens to dept. of corrections.
Senator Al Melvin:
1. Noted that Andrew Thomas and President Obama attended Harvard law school at same time. (Sheriff Joe later noted that he did not go to Harvard but worked in Massachusetts and knew where it was—crowd erupted in laughter.)
2. Founders expected each state to stand on their hind legs and take care of business. There is much we can do to control our destiny.
3. Important to have leadership, vision, and integrity. [If you look back at my previous emails, you will not that the senator and I agree precisely. Plug. :)]
Sheriff Joe Arpaio:
1. Expressed he was sure Sen. Pearce would get criticism for holding the meeting.
2. We have enforceable state laws so we can’t always blame federal government.
3. Expressed dismay that a mayor [of Phoenix, did not mention name?] and attorney general failed to attend meeting.
4. We have 100 illegal aliens in jail for murder.
5. Only sheriff to enforce human smuggling law.
6. Adamant that we should never use military to fight crime. If we need “tanks and machine guns,” give them to border patrol.
7. Would support a border fence on one condition . . . wants to hear from Feds, specifically White House as to what would happen to offenders.
8. Resented any mayor that calls sheriff and deputies racist and compares them with Alabama. That crossed the line and was dangerous. (Senator Pearce then stated it was more than dangerous, it invited violence.)
Sheriff Paul Babeu:
1. Pinal county 2nd fastest growing in nation.
2. “We are a sovereign nation and we should and shall secure our borders.”
3. Drug smugglers often outgun our officers.
Thanks for taking the time to read this report.
For Liberty and Law,
Mike Braunberger
Secretary, Constitution Party of Arizona
Tags: Immigration, legislative action
Excellent job of taking notes. I also attended subject meeting until 3:30. I asked Senator Pearce “what is next?” and he suggested to me that he is considering trying to get citizens initiatives to undo the sanctuary status of certain cities in Arizona, and to persuade local law enforcement agencies to enforce immigration laws.
With other attendees I discussed the considerable sympathy for illegals on the part of many Arizona citizens. In an earlier discussion, I suggested to Senator Pearce that certain churches may be at least coming close to assisting illegals with welfare help and handy-man work opportunities, and otherwise encouraging them to remain in country illegally due to personal convictions. He does not seem ready to address this issue, if he is even in a position to do so.
Way to go guys, I support the plan of action that you have outlined.
Not attending the meeting is, hMMMMMM, like stating I support law breaking. Maybe we can not support these people.
I support and vote for you Sheriff Joe.
DAve
Of the state senators in attendance in the morning, IMO only Senators Russell Pearce, Al Melvin, and Silvia Allen clearly demonstrated to me genuine, outspoken concern about the illegal immigration issues being discussed. These senators were among the few who returned after lunch break. Some were in and out, and 2-3 never did return while I was there until 3:30.
We are all so appreciative of having Joe Goodale for such a wonderful internet guru. Thanks Ralph, for being at the meeting (I thought I recognized you.) I was pleasantly surprised my informal email was posted on the internet and in the future I’ll be more careful regarding attention to detail. To note (not not, ha!), Senator Pearce was mispelled once and I should have referenced the title County Attorney as a preface to our outstanding public servant, Andrew Thomas. The hearing was the first one I had ever been to and it reminded me of civics lessons I had as a youngster some 40 years ago. I am so thankful we have people that clearly still care about our country. Thanks to all you readers too because you obviously care! We’ve got a lot of work to do to restore our great nation.
Hi, cool post. I have been wondering about this topic,so thanks for writing.