Legislators to quit early for march [AZ govt. shut-down]

The Arizona Daily Star/Capitol Media Services ^ | 04.07.2006 | Howard Fischer

[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.

[DesScorp]

Call out the Army....NOW. Have massive INS teams standing by for arrests.

[Paul C. Jesup]

That, perhaps, should be hammered out in bronze and mounted on the state capitol?

That's not a bad idea, but I live in Georgia, I don't have the gas money to get to AZ, let alone the money to commission such a bronze seal.

[freema]

: )

[Penny]

Penny wrote, "Did you catch the CNN interview of the 25-year-old UT-educated female who said she cannot find a job now that she has earned a nursing degree? The interviewer asked whether the nurse would return to Mexico and find work there. Instead of thanking the taxpayers for her education, she said she hadn't been her country since she was 11 years old and needed to stay here with her friends and family."

You responded, "OMG, she earned a degree in Nursing and the US is suffering a nursing shortage and you want her to go back to Mexico.
"BTW, I guess you would rather her be a crack whore or even worse she could be going to law school."

TO DANE: I believe this reply may be my first one to you because I have yet to read anything but vacuous drippings from your pathetically inadequate mind. When you can grow a brain and accompanying logic, I'll pay attention to your viewpoint. Till then, do not waste your underwhelming drivel on me.

Most sincerely intended, Penny

[LibertarianInExile]

You don't understand...that post IS logic from the OBL crowd.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thanks for the ping, I almost missed it.

Proof of an invasion and no one willing to fight back.

Cowards hiding under the table.

[nw_arizona_granny]

There was a caller to the Jim Dallas show last night, on KDWN radio.

Who suggested that instead of going to the parades and taking photos of the protesters, that the photos should be taken at the immigration offices, as proof that they were not doing their jobs.

Makes good sense, why not find out what is really going on and why we allow people who are illegal, to hold a protest in our country, while we are hiding in fear.

[Marine Inspector]

Are all the protesters illegal?

How does ICE pick out the illegals from the citizens?

[janetgreen]

I assume that "Senator" John McCain will be marching with the illegals...maybe his buddy Teddy the lifeguard will march with him.

[jordan8]

And people talk about the French surrendering to the street, at least the French require you to burn a few cars.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

They've caved completely here. The Legislature, the major newspaper, everything . . .

As the Mayor on The Simpsons put it, "I'd like to be the first to welcome our new Alien overlords."

[Czar]

Just lovely...

[Hardastarboard]

they have legislators actuall running from them in fear.

Note that the legislators fear the illegals, not the citizen voters. Disgusting.

[sasafras]

"We need a civilian militia. Once these are authorized by the states, the local law enforcement mechanism will not be able to ensnare the defending citizen."

I agree - now we need to get conservatives in office to enact this.

Let us never forget what Bush, McCain and Spector are doing to the American people. Their hate for the law and our freedoms should never ever be forgotten.

If anyone thinks that Bush cares about homeland security you have to wonder why does he allow the border to be so porous? It was sealed after 911 - absolutely no one crossed - it can be done w/o congress approval. But Bush allows it stay open - remember this when things get worse because unfortunately, they are just starting to get worse.

[Zack Nguyen]

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.

Pathetic! They shouldn't allow themselves to be intimidated. They should choose their sides and stand for what they believe.