Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

(Arizona) Some state (Republican) legislators lash out at demonstrators
Arizona Daily Star ^ | 10 April 2006 | Howard Fischer

Posted on 04/10/2006 3:31:34 PM PDT by Spiff

Some state legislators lash out at demonstrators

By Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.10.2006
advertisementPHOENIX - Some state legislators lashed out Monday at demonstrators and their cause, with one even suggesting marchers were able to do what terrorists cannot: essentially shut down state government.

In a series of floor speeches, the legislators - all Republicans - said the parade in Phoenix, one of more than 100 nationwide seeking a path to citizenship for those not here legally, is an affront to the "rule of law.''

"You cannot come here illegally and expect amnesty,'' said Sen. Thayer Verschoor, R-Gilbert. He said allowing them to stay despite the fact they have broken the law in the first place to get here sends the wrong message. "What do we expect those people to care about the rest of our laws,'' he said. "Break the law and you'll be forgiven: that's the message we're sending if we don't enforce our laws.''

Sen. Robert Blendu, R-Litchfield Park, noted both the House and Senate worked only an abbreviated schedule Monday, voting on a few items before splitting hours before marchers arrived. "They have succeeded in doing something that the terrorists have not been able to do, and that is shut our government down effectively,'' he said. "If I was a terrorist, I'd be going, 'What do I want to bother with this violence for? All you have to do is move in,' '' Blendu continued. "We have got to stand and figure out, do our laws mean anything or do they not mean something.''

But other legislators, all Democrats, objected to the characterization that everyone in the parade crossed the border illegally. Rep. Pete Rios, D-Dudleyville, said one of those who came for the march was his 82-year-old father-in-law Raul Mendoza. And the issue for him, said Rios, is civil rights.

Rios related on how Mendoza, after returning from fighting in World War II, went back to the mining town of Hayden to find he was still a second class citizen. Rios said he experience that himself. "In the theater we had what was known in the South as 'Jim Crow' laws,'' he said. "Latinos knew where they were to sit.'' And Hispanic kids got to go swimming in the community pool only on Saturday nights. "But little did we know that we got to swim there on Saturday nights because on Sunday morning they drained the water,'' Rios said.

But Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, said this has nothing to do with race but with law. "These folks have jumped to the head of the line'' in attempting to become legal U.S. residents,'' he said.

The debate even took on biblical tones, with Rep. Ed Ableser, D-Tempe, quoting from Leviticus. "When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat them.''

Gould responded that enforcing immigration laws hardly amounts to mistreatment. Anyway, he said the New Testament says Christians should obey the civil laws of the land they are in.

Several lawmakers also lashed out at workers who, when setting up a stage outside the Capitol, hung the U.S. flag upside down. One told a legislator it was a symbol of distress but subsequently opted to re-hang it correctly.

But Sen. Chuck Gray, R-Mesa, noted the worker let the flag touch the ground several times in the process. "To disrespect it in that way shows that at least some of those workers setting up for this demonstration have little or no respect for the freedoms that we enjoy,'' he said.

Sen. Linda Aguirre, D-Phoenix, said it's possible when the workers talked about "distress'' they meant they were stressed in setting up the stage and simply made a mistake, which was corrected.

One GOP lawmaker who did not flee the Capitol opted to engage in what he called his one-man counter-demonstration. Rep. John Allen, R-Scottsdale, put together a home-made sign in his office. One side protested federal legislation which he said grants amnesty to illegal border crossers; the other said he would hold off marchers if Gov. Janet Napolitano would call the National Guard. "This is a march for illegals,'' he said. "We have a population of people whose interest is not so much the same as the rest of us and now they're demanding rights to which they're not entitled.''

And Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, said he was glad that U.S. senators have stalled legislation in Congress which would have provided a path to legalization. He dubbed it ''The Amnesty-ville Horror.''

He lashed out at congressional Democrats who did not want to allow Republican amendments to the measure, including one by Jon Kyl, Arizona's junior U.S. senator, to bar those with criminal records from becoming citizens. He said that amounted to a stance by Democrats to "let those murderers, child molesters and rapists be U.S. citizens.''


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: aliens; criminals; illegalaliens; mexico; mmp
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last

1 posted on 04/10/2006 3:31:39 PM PDT by Spiff
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Spiff

you mean we can put men on the moon, but
can't put illegals on the other side of our border from AZ?

I can take a bus from Chicago to Detriot for $1.00.
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=52366


2 posted on 04/10/2006 3:36:05 PM PDT by Rakkasan1 (they love you in Mexico until you pay in pesos.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Spiff
"You cannot come here illegally and expect amnesty,'' said Sen. Thayer Verschoor, R-Gilbert. He said allowing them to stay despite the fact they have broken the law in the first place to get here sends the wrong message. "What do we expect those people to care about the rest of our laws,'' he said. "Break the law and you'll be forgiven: that's the message we're sending if we don't enforce our laws.''

Never heard of Verschoor, but I like him. One thing wrong though, they don't expect amnesty, they demand it.

"If I was a terrorist, I'd be going, 'What do I want to bother with this violence for? All you have to do is move in,' '' Blendu continued

Hmm, they have already including cells and mosques and taken over universities.

"Latinos knew where they were to sit.''

Grow up. Get to the back of the reparations line.

But Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, said this has nothing to do with race but with law. "These folks have jumped to the head of the line'' in attempting to become legal U.S. residents,''

Agreed.

Rep. Ed Ableser, D-Tempe, quoting from Leviticus. "When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat them.''

Lemme guess, you turn the other 3 cheeks when they mistreat you?

Sen. Chuck Gray, R-Mesa, noted the worker let the flag touch the ground several times in the process. "To disrespect it in that way shows that at least some of those workers setting up for this demonstration have little or no respect for the freedoms that we enjoy,'' he said.

Ya think? Last week they were waving Mexican flags and yelling "Viva la Mexico!"

"We have a population of people whose interest is not so much the same as the rest of us and now they're demanding rights to which they're not entitled.''

And whose fault is that Senator? Could it be yours and the rest of your cronies?

''The Amnesty-ville Horror.''

That about sums it up.

3 posted on 04/10/2006 3:49:34 PM PDT by mtbopfuyn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Spiff
""You cannot come here illegally and expect amnesty,'' said Sen. Thayer Verschoor, R-Gilbert

Thank you! God Bless Republicans like this! AZ you have some fantastic Senators!

Everything I heard on TV about the taking over of our cities and streets by the extreme demonstrating were saying our elected officials that were voted in by US had better decide toward amnesty!

The extreme demonstrators said they are DEMANDING OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS give them amnesty. THEY are DEMANDING!!

Will our politicians cave?

The liberal dems that went out and spoke at the demonstrations went beyond outrageous. The usual suspects, kennedy and hillary.

YOU GET WHAT YOU VOTE FOR!!!!

4 posted on 04/10/2006 3:55:46 PM PDT by stopem (Allow me to make this simple NO AMNESTY !! Secure the border with armed guards.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Spiff

I think the largest unit of measure would be from the protestors to McCain.


5 posted on 04/10/2006 3:56:40 PM PDT by edcoil (Reality doesn't say much - doesn't need too)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rakkasan1

Someone needs to give all those aliens demonstrating and attempting to take over our cities and states who are obviously lost, need a one way map to mexico and let them demonstrate, demand and attack THEIR MEXICAN POLITICIANS!!


6 posted on 04/10/2006 3:58:41 PM PDT by stopem (Allow me to make this simple NO AMNESTY !! Secure the border with armed guards.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Spiff

The more pressure we keep on Mexico, immigration-wise, the more reformers
inside of Mexico can be emboldened and empowered to scale back monopolists'
abuses down there which keep our own country flooded with economic refugees.
Here's an interesting new thread on new legal reform progress that finally
emerged in Mexico I think as a result of immigration reform's failure:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1611677/posts

We can make a difference for our sake, and their's as well. Isn't it the
neighborly thing to do?


7 posted on 04/10/2006 4:07:16 PM PDT by Shuttle Shucker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Spiff

They should have let them fly that flag upside down and broadcast that to the world. If anything is going to turn some Senators in the right direction, it's that.


8 posted on 04/10/2006 4:12:44 PM PDT by CheyennePress
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Spiff
The debate even took on biblical tones, with Rep. Ed Ableser, D-Tempe, quoting from Leviticus. "When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat them.''

Oh don't even go there, Rep. Ableser. Don't even try to twist scripture to push your illegal agenda:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber![1] John 10:1

Proverbs 17:15 15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the LORD detests them both.

Typical hypocrite. Try again.

9 posted on 04/10/2006 4:18:30 PM PDT by kstewskis (The Gospel of McPain: thugs, murderers, and terrorists doing the jobs Americans just won't do!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Spiff
Earth to commie demonstrators - if laws are purely optional, there are plenty I'd enjoy not obeying at your expense. Shall I?
10 posted on 04/10/2006 4:21:01 PM PDT by JasonC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JasonC
We really got to know our Congress, last month.......time to let them get to know US,THE PEOPLE
11 posted on 04/10/2006 4:38:17 PM PDT by katya8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Rakkasan1

Many Americans are now, possibly for the first time, learning one of the basic laws of nature: A man can keep his life only if he, or someone else, is willing and able to defend him from those who would take his life. A man can keep his family safe and secure only if he, or someone else, is willing and able to defend his family from those who would do them harm. A man can have a country only if he, or someone better than he, will defend his country from those who would readily take it from him.

The basic law of nature, simply put, is that a man can only keep what he is able and willing defend, and any man who is not willing to defend what he has does not deserve to have it. Our country was invaded, and we did nothing. Maybe we no longer deserve to have a country.


12 posted on 04/10/2006 4:41:09 PM PDT by DJ Taylor (Once again our country is at war, and once again the Democrats have sided with our enemy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: everyone

"Lash out" -- translation: A Republican, especially a Republican leader of some kind, spoke candidly for once.


13 posted on 04/10/2006 5:15:45 PM PDT by California Patriot ("That's not Charlie the Tuna out there. It's Jaws.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: kstewskis

I have a biblical quote for Rep. Ableser that's about as contextually sound as his from Leviticus. Mine is from Deuteronomy 23:1 (Jerusalem Bible) - "Whoever has crushed testacles cannot enter the Tabernacle of the Lord." However, on second thought, this may apply to our congressmen who are proposing amnesty!!


14 posted on 04/10/2006 6:12:46 PM PDT by T.L.Sink (stopew)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: T.L.Sink
LOL!!

I love it!!

15 posted on 04/10/2006 6:17:34 PM PDT by kstewskis (The Gospel of McPain: thugs, murderers, and terrorists doing the jobs Americans just won't do!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Spiff; 1_Inch_Group; 2sheep; 2Trievers; 3AngelaD; 3pools; 3rdcanyon; 4Freedom; 4ourprogeny; ...


Dhimmy Pete Rios Ping!

16 posted on 04/10/2006 7:33:13 PM PDT by HiJinx (~ www.proudpatriots.org ~ Serving Those Who Serve Us ~ Operation Easter/Passover ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Spiff

I think it's too late. If the President of the United States doesn't think illegal immigration is such a big deal, we are doomed.


17 posted on 04/10/2006 7:34:20 PM PDT by Saundra Duffy ( For victory & freedom!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Spiff

Too bad Republicans in Arizona are heading for the minority. Once Bush and his golf buddies at the Chamber of Commerce get their way on amnesty, Arizona is going to have a whole new batch of Democrat voters.


18 posted on 04/10/2006 8:50:22 PM PDT by Holden Magroin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kstewskis
And don't forget this scripture:

Passage Leviticus 19:34: 34 The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Bottom line: Treat aliens the way you treat your own.

When one of our own breaks the law, they get punished for it. Treat the illegals the same way.

19 posted on 04/10/2006 9:59:41 PM PDT by SealSeven (Moving at the speed of dark.... Even "nothing" takes up space.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: JasonC

Earth to commie demonstrators - if laws are purely optional, there are plenty I'd enjoy not obeying at your expense. Shall I?



I'm not gonna pay no more taxes!!


20 posted on 04/10/2006 10:43:16 PM PDT by bobwilgo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-23 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson