I’m less concerned about who takes credit for implementing comprehensive immigration reform than I am about ensuring it gets done. But since yesterday’s announcement by the Gang of 8, which includes Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake, I’ve heard lots of complaining and very little thanks. Who cares if it’s Congress or the President …
Read MoreMuch to the chagrin of comedians, Arizona is moving away from its embarrassing headlines on immigration extremism and embracing a S.A.N.E. approach. After more than two years of work, the Real Arizona Coalition has put together a platform for federal immigration reform supported by almost 40 state organizations, which include thousands of individuals such as …
Read MoreIf this last election taught us anything, it’s that Latinos cannot be ignored. They matter. As the fastest expanding minority group in the country, they have and will continue to have an important role in this country’s elections. That means Republicans need Latinos. Democrats need Latinos. America needs Latinos. And what is it that Latinos …
Read MoreI join Robert Robb of the Arizona Republic and former candidate for Phoenix mayor, Jennifer Wright, on 12 News Sunday Square Off. This week’s topics include Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery’s moderate immigration plan, the lack of state funding for education, and the end of the criminal investigation of Sheriff Arpaio.
Read MoreIt’s thee word tea partiers use to strike fear in the hearts of fellow tea partiers… amnesty. It seems any change made to the immigration system is either backdoor amnesty or full-on amnesty, depending on which Democrat proposes the change. President Obama’s plan to give two-year work permits to DREAM act eligible individuals is being …
Read MoreTwo Americans isn’t a fairy tale. Two Americans doesn’t have a happy ending. But Two Americans may be one of the most important documentaries you’ll ever see, especially if you live in Maricopa County. The Americans in this story are 79-year-old Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and 9-year-old Katherine Figueroa. Arpaio, the obvious Goliath in …
Read More“The illegals who come here… don’t want to be American, they want to destroy our form of government.” This was part of a speech made by State Senator Sylvia Allen at a Support Russell Pearce rally in October of last year. She spoke about illegal immigration and prefaced the quote above as part of a …
Read More“Illegal immigrants chose to come here against our laws and proceeded to choose which laws they would follow and which they would ignore, demanding rights to which they are not entitled.” This was taken from a recent letter to the editor in the Arizona Republic. The woman, Alice Wilson, goes on to say, “Legal citizens …
Read MoreSB1070 was sold as a way to “do the job the federal government refused to do.” Presumably, that meant “secure the border,” a catchall phrase by Republicans that has yet to be defined as anything other than “the opposite of what Obama does.” But SB1070 doesn’t secure the border, nor does it offer any real …
Read MoreThe District 25 senate race was shaping up to be a battle between two moderates and one extremist. Incumbent Rich Crandall, a moderate Republican known for his focus on education, was joined by another moderate, Bob Worsley, a newcomer with an impressive business background and leadership role within the Mormon Church. It could have been …
Read MoreLess than two years ago, Arizona’s reputation was scarred by the signing of SB1070. Businesses, particularly those in the tourism industry, lost millions of dollars while the world listened to the harsh rhetoric of former State Senator Russell Pearce and learned of the discriminatory practices of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Many residents wondered aloud …
Read MoreI sat down with Channel 3’s Frank Camacho on his show, Politics Unplugged, to discuss civil discourse, Sheriff Arpaio and the decriminalization of marijuana. We also spoke about some of my predictions for 2012.
Read MoreIn 2012, we should “expect the unexpected.” How do I know that? Well, according to numerologists, 2012 is a number five year (this is based on the sum total of the numbers: 2+0+1+2=5). And the only thing one can predict in a number five year is that it is unpredictable. Taking that into consideration, I …
Read MoreBased upon everything I’ve read about Governor Jan Brewer’s book tour, I’m inclined to believe she’s had one too many scorpions for breakfast. Perhaps it’s time to inject a bit of antivenom into the poisonous remarks that have filled the airwaves. In an interview with NewsMax.com, Governor Brewer spoke about the cost of illegal immigration, …
Read MoreJournalists tell stories. It’s what they love. It’s what they’re paid to do. But sometimes, the journalist becomes the story and usually, it’s not a story the journalist ever wished to tell. This was how I felt after my husband was killed in September 2007. I had never imagined a day when reporters, some of …
Read MoreTuesday was a historic election in Arizona. A political giant, a powerhouse among conservatives and a leader in the anti-immigration movement was removed from office. A mayoral candidate endorsed by the unions and openly opposed to SB1070 defeated an anti-union candidate backed by Arizona’s most influential Republicans. Since Tuesday, the speculation has begun on what …
Read MoreFor as long as I’ve lived in Arizona, Republicans have dominated state politics, and though I haven’t always agreed with their policy positions, I’ve never felt threatened by their governance. Until now. From Russell Pearce to Joe Arpaio, Arizona’s Republican party is now dominated by extremist ideologues. These individuals have muscled their way onto center …
Read MoreThe enforcement-only camp has gathered momentum around the idea that a fence will keep us safe from the illegal intruders that threaten to ‘”destroy our way of life.” Because this sounds like a logical solution, this country has spent billions (yes, billions) on an enforcement policy that focuses on fence building and technologies while failing …
Read MoreIf I decide to purchase an armload of handguns tomorrow, I can. If I decide to purchase an arsenal of AK-47’s, I can do that, too. But there’s a big difference between those two purchases, and the difference isn’t just firepower. The first sale is reported to law enforcement, while the second one is not. …
Read More“Why didn’t those DREAM Act kids or their parents just apply for legal citizenship when they first got here?” This was a question posed in a recent Letter to the Editor and one that speaks to the many myths surrounding immigration, both legal and illegal. The reader felt sorry for those brought over as kids …
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