Posted on 04/07/2006 12:40:50 PM PDT by Borax Queen
PHOENIX — Fearing traffic jams and concerned about their personal safety, legislative leaders have decided to shut down their Monday session early to let legislators and staff flee the Capitol before 100,000 marchers show up.
The decision to adjourn by noon came as lawmakers engaged in a war of words over the merits of the march, one of several around the nation pushing for Congress to enact immigration legislation that provides people here illegally a path to citizenship — and whether the event is a slap at this country.
Sen. Barbara Leff, R-Paradise Valley, said the march amounts to 100,000 people "admitting that they're here illegally … bragging that they're breaking the laws of this country."
Rep. Pam Gorman, R-Anthem, questioned whether federal authorities have been notified.
"At what point do we consider an invasion is going on when government is shut down due to foreign marching on our soil?" she asked.
House Speaker Jim Weiers said the decision to adjourn by noon Monday came after a closed-door briefing with officials from Phoenix police, the state Department of Public Safety and other agencies charged with providing security.
"We were told that they can't guarantee anything," Weiers said. "Why would I take the risk?" Weiers also accused a top state administrative official of encouraging state employees to take the day off to participate in the march.
Sen. Jorge Garcia, D-Tucson, reacted angrily to the accusation that marchers will all be people who entered this country illegally. Garcia said he will be in the march with his granddaughter to march for human rights — and against the kind of discrimination that Hispanics face.
"It's difficult to recognize and to accept the humiliation just because someone has brown skin, listens to Mexican music or speaks Spanish or reads a Spanish newspaper is illegal," he said.
Sen. Linda Aguirre, D-Phoenix, acknowledged some percentage of the marchers will be illegal immigrants. But she said they essentially were invited into this country by employers looking for inexpensive labor and offering them jobs.
"Give them a chance," she said. "They want to be citizens of our state, of our country. They want to contribute legally."
Sen. Linda Gray, R-Glendale, said she believes discrimination is wrong and all people should be treated equally. But Gray said that is predicated on every person "becoming in every facet an American."
Quoting from a 1907 speech by President Theodore Roosevelt, Gray said there can be no divided allegiance. "We have room but for one flag and that's the American flag," Gray said. "We have room but for one language here and that's the English language."
Weiers was particularly unhappy with Bill Bell, head of the state Department of Administration. He issued a memo to all agency directors telling them to urge employees to carpool, telecommute and use alternate work schedules.
The memo also spelled out that employees who want to participate in the march "may do so using annual leave with their supervisor's approval."
Weiers acknowledged that simply repeats what already is state personnel policy. But he said that "when put in writing, it is encouraging it," if for no other reason than that it makes reference to a specific event on a specific day.
Lawmakers were divided about the decision to come into session but only for a short time.
"I think we should shut government down and blame the people that are creating the problem where nobody's going to be able to do their work, no one's going to be able to get to their places of business, nobody's going to be able to go home and get their children." said Leff.
But Sen. Thayer Verschoor, R-Gilbert, said he is glad the Legislature will be in session at least part of the day.
"We absolutely should be here to show that we're not going to close down business," he said, saying shutting down government is probably part of the purpose of having people march to the Capitol.
Because this is OUR country and OUR state! Put snipers on the rooftop of the capitol building, double the armed guard, and lock the doors. Anyone stupid enough to try anything deserves what they get.
Courage under fire? Disgusting cowards, both parties.
"Sen. Linda Aguirre, D-Phoenix, acknowledged some percentage of the marchers will be illegal immigrants. But she said they essentially were invited into this country by employers looking for inexpensive labor and offering them jobs."
You can rationalize anything I guess.
Invasion Ping.
Good grief, now they have legislators actuall running from them in fear. What about all the folks that can't get away?
"At what point do we consider an invasion is going on when government is shut down due to foreign marching on our soil?" she asked.
Dunno, ask your governor why she hasn't called out the Guard.
Exactly!! Where are we supposed to go?
The immigration question once raised is tough to put to bed.
It's difficult to recognize and to accept the humiliation just because someone has brown skin, listens to Mexican music or speaks Spanish or reads a Spanish newspaper is illegal," he said.
Then protest AGAINST the illegal immigrants, you maroon. Don't join in WITH them.
"But she said they essentially were invited into this country by employers looking for inexpensive labor and offering them jobs."
Let's ask to see the invitation, at the border.
Sorry if I missed anyone or if you get a double ping.
They're just taking the inconvenience the American legislators won't take.
Where are we supposed to go?
To your nearest gun store.
So, Babs, did you bother calling in ICE to bring handcuffs and a couple hundred buses?
"Rep. Pam Gorman, R-Anthem, questioned whether federal authorities have been notified.
"At what point do we consider an invasion is going on when government is shut down due to foreign marching on our soil?" she asked. "
Oh no the Bushbots are going to get her. Ol Bush says we should just trust him - he will take care of everything. Lets just keep voting these RINOs in, like Bush and McCain, cant you see that they know what they are doing. Its all coming up roses - illegal mexicans calling for the death of whites while the Bush clan call us vigilantes.
Yes we elected a real hero in Bush - he has almost enough mexicans here now to enact his open border plans with our without are approval.
Lets keep voting the RINOs in. sarcasm
"Rep. Pam Gorman, R-Anthem,... "At what point do we consider an invasion is going on when government is shut down due to foreign marching on our soil?" she asked. "
Good question
They should have taken away any permit to demonstrate, they aren't citizens. Send IRS agents there to collect back taxes, make a example of showing federal muscle, get ICE out there to arrest them for their acts of defiance! 100,000 are way to many people especially non-Americans! For showing disrespect and defiance they should never be allowed to be American citizens!
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