Posted on 08/16/2010 10:40:27 AM PDT by SandRat
PALOMINAS — A pair of defiant politicians — an Arizona legislator and the Maricopa County sheriff — put the federal government on notice Sunday that they and many Arizonans will not back down in seeking state authority against illegal immigration spilling over the border with Mexico.
Saying he is tired of Mexico leaders putting the onus on the United States for that nation’s problems, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, defended Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070, which he said has been emasculated by a federal judge.
And with Mexico pushing the Democratic administration of President Barack Obama to do something to stop the bill’s enforcement — which would have allowed law enforcement officers in Arizona to question whether a person is legally in the country, but only as part of an investigation after some other criminal event — the sheriff said kow-towing to another nation is not only reprehensible, it’s unconstitutional.
Mexico’s president and other leaders of that nation always point to the United States as the culprit, Arpaio said.
They tell us, “if you don’t have (drug) users, we would not have the problems,” the sheriff noted.
And the accusations continue blaming the United States for the entrance of weapons into Mexico, when they come from a number of other nations as well, he said.
What it comes down to is America is Mexico’s scapegoat, the sheriff said.
Arizona State Sen. Russell Pearce, who was a major player in the wording and adoption of the bill, said the issue of illegal immigration and drugs crossing into the state from Mexico and what SB 1070 is meant to do is not racist, as opponents claim.
But the issue continues and without action it will become worse, Pearce said.
“Folks, I don’t hate anybody. But enough is enough is enough,” the senator declared.
If the border issue is not addressed by the federal government, as well as state governments along the international boundary, the United States could be on its last legs as a country because it’s “going to destroy the republic,” Pearce said.
A small speakers’ stage was set up not far from the border fence, which was decorated with small American flags, as U.S. Border Patrol agents in vehicles monitor activity, especially when it was stated there was a small group of people on the Mexican side of the line watching the rally.
That led the emcee. on the stage to ask for a loud cheer to let the listeners know the feeling of the crowd and soon “U.S.A, U.S.A., U.S.A.,” over and over again was yelled as people waved U.S., Arizona and other flags.
Signs near the fence had pointed anti-illegal immigration messages.
One quoted late GOP President Ronald Reagan who said, “A nation without border is not a nation.” Another said “Good fences make good neighbors,” quoting American poet Robert Frost.
Since the fence has yet to be completed, there was a reminder of the intent of Congress which stated “Congress mandated 700 miles of double fence. You built 230 miles of single fence. Now finish the job.”
A small group of protesters gathered at the intersection of Highway 92 and Smith Avenue where some traffic heading to the rally saw them as they drove by. The event was held on Glenn Spencer’s property. He is the head of the American Border Patrol, a group not associated with the U.S. Border Patrol.
There was a party atmosphere. People brought chairs to sit on, while others set up open-air party tents designed to keep the sun off people.
There was a small avenue of vendors selling patriotic items and others touting a particular candidate, as people went through the crowd to ensure everyone had enough water to drink.
Warming up the crowd, the emcee said the people in the country, as well in Mexico have heard the call for border security.
“Before this day is over, Washington, D.C., will hear us,” he said to a rousing cheer of agreement.
Before Pearce, Arpaio and J.D. Hayworth, who is running to beat GOP Sen. John McCain, spoke, a number of candidates running for local, state and federal offices had microphone time.
All expressed their support of stopping illegal immigration and all promised if elected, they will ensure the issues about the border will be their prime focus.
Hayworth, who is being outspent by McCain, said his primary opponent speaks a good anti-illegal immigration program and is pushing for the federal government to secure the border, but it is just politics because the sitting senator will, as he has done in the past, move toward the middle and make pacts with liberal Democrats.
He reminded the audience of McCain becoming a partner with one of the most liberal Democrats in the U.S. Senate — the late Ted Kennedy — on a bill which included amnesty of illegal immigrants.
However, now McCain is distancing himself and has come up with a new definition of amnesty which fits his re-conversion to conservatism, Hayworth said.
It is up to the voters in Arizona as to whom they want to fight the real immigration battle in the nation’s capitol, he said.
“On Aug. 24 (primary election day) you need to say you will not be fooled again,” Hayworth said.
There was more than one anti-McCain sign at the rally, with one stating: “Stop the pain, retire McCain.”
Although there were at a number of speakers the Border Tea Party Rally, Arpaio and Pearce were the main draws, which brought more than 500 people to the event. Both are Republicans, as were all the speakers.
Pearce said many people are to blame for the nation’s border woes, but what is being forgotten in Washington, D.C., and not well known in the nation is Arizona is the front line, taking the brunt for bad policies and decisions over the years.
“We’ve allowed this to get so bad,” the state senator said of the entire problem.
There are federal immigration laws not being enforced and the object of SB 1070 was to have an avenue to control illegal immigration issues in Arizona, he said.
“We have an inherent right to enforce these laws,” Pearce declared.
However, many unknowing and uncaring politicians disdain Arizona’s problems and efforts, he added.
Although the federal judge in Phoenix said parts of the bill could not go into effect, the remaining portions, one of which says cities in the state cannot become sanctuaries for illegal immigrants, has survived, the state senator said.
The judge’s ruling was made because federal law prohibits such actions, Pearce said.
The state senator took a slam at the Obama administration for suing Arizona over SB 1070 while not doing anything about illegal sanctuary communities in the country, he said.
Pearce, a former law enforcement officer, said he has always believed handcuffs are a good tool but now the U.S. government is constraining good law enforcement work.
“Take the handcuffs off law enforcement,” he demanded.
During his career as a federal officer, which included 14 years in Mexico, Arpaio noted the Mexican government appreciated the help the U.S. government provided, going so far to allow America to do operations in the country.
There is no reason similar operations could not be done because the security of both nations is at stake due to the illegal activities crossing the border in both directions, the sheriff said.
He suggested allowing the U.S. Border Patrol to work across the line in Mexico and, if needed, to bring in the U.S. military to help Mexico’s military.
“I’m not talking about invading Mexico,” Arpaio said, adding he is suggesting a mutual program of benefit for both countries, as has worked in the past.
On the U.S. side of the international line there is authority for non-federal government agencies to handle illegal immigration activities, he added.
In the three years is department have investigated and detained 40,000 illegal immigrants, the sheriff said, a comment that brought out loud cheers from the crowd.
After he spoke, a woman from Hawaii, who volunteered to help provide security at the rally, went on stage and presented the sheriff with a floral lei.
Annie Rupp and her husband, Tom came to the event from the farthest western part of the nation. There were a number of other people from outside Arizona, including those from the east coast, like North Carolina.
As for giving the sheriff the lei, she said she heard about the rally from the Tea Party Nation and had to attend.
Praising Arpaio, the woman from Maui said, “He’s in the front line, putting his life in jeopardy and all should appreciate what he has been doing.”
Joanne Daley, the coordinator of the 912 Project, said the rally has been in the works for about three months.
As for the 912 Project, “We are the Tea Party (locally).”
Although the issue of illegal activities coming across the border from Mexico is known in Arizona and many other places in the country, having people come to be near the border gives them a better appreciation of what people living in rural border areas face, Daley said.
By coming to the border “they see a visual aid,” she said.
What is needed is for Arizonans and others in the country concerned about the issue to keep telling the message, she said.
“We’ve heard from the politicians, now we need to hear from the voters,” Daley said.
arizona - Mexico Border Ping
Joe will make a good head of ICE in 2012
sfl
“Stop the pain, retire McCain.”
...nice to see that at least some Arizonans aren’t drinking the McLame Kool Aid.
We need to put these judges in the Sheriff’s jail.
Ping!
“Although there were at a number of speakers the Border Tea Party Rally, Arpaio and Pearce were the main draws,”
I was there. JD Hayworth was as big a draw, if not more so. In fact the timing and purpose of this event was to create more press for Hayworth. The McCain biased media doesn’t miss a beat.
bttt
Oh God, no. He’s needed HERE far more than he’s needed in Washington.
Just remember this when McCain wins: Please for God’s sake don’t blame the conservatives in AZ. We did all we could. It’s not our fault there are so many people in this state who still believe every word they read in the Arizona Repugnant or the Phoenix New Slimes.
There are just too many people in this state who grew up in an era when some politicians and journalists actually had integrity, and are damn fool enough to go on believing that they have it. “No, that’s impossible! I’ve been reading the Arizona Republic for SIXTY-TWO YEARS! Why would they lie to ME? You God damn troublemaker! Get out of here, and don’t step on my damn lawn on the way out!”
“Please for God’s sake don’t blame the conservatives in AZ”.
...of course not. I have friends in Mass and Maine that are conservative and are just victims of their environment. Can’t leave because of work etc. I’m so enthused about your state’s stance on illegals and the recent concealed weapons laws, that if I wasn’t in VA already with McDonnell and Cuccinelli, I’d consider a move there.
Your support is much appreciated. There are just too many old-school Republicans here who think that every older GOP candidate or incumbent is a Goldwater-style Elder Statesman, and they see the Hayworth types as rabble-rousers — with good intentions, no doubt, but rabble-rousers for all that.
Go get’em Sheriff Joe!
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