The city has enriched its prison tradition in the 21st century by becoming a repository for immigrants held by ICE as their cases to remain in the United States are adjudicated.
Immigrants with cases before
immigration courts are detained at five long-term detention centers in Arizona,
four of them in Florence and one in Eloy. Pinal County contracts with
the federal government to incarcerate immigrants, as does prison giant Corrections
Corporation of America, which holds
detainees at Florence
Correctional and the
Central Arizona Detention Center, next to the county jail. CCA, a
billion-dollar-a-year business that got its start in 1983 detaining immigrants
in Houston, also owns the Eloy
Detention Center. The Pinal County Jail was
built in April 1996 to hold 472 prisoners. In 2006, the building was expanded
to include 1,032 new beds. To help fund the incarceration
complex, Pinal County signed a contract with the federal government to hold
more than 600 immigrants at any given time. The jail is the second-largest
detention center for immigrants in the state. Only the Eloy center is larger,
with 1,500 detainees.
Pinal County makes $59 a day per detainee, meaning its contract is worth $36,000 a night — $13 million a year.
FIGHTING FOR-PROFIT PRISONS
IN TEXAS AND BEYOND: GRASSROOTS
LEADERSHIP
For over 30 years, Grassroots Leadership has
helped organize people on the ground to fight injustice. Based in the south and
southwest, Grassroots Leadership works to abolish for-profit private prisons
and reduce reliance on detention and criminalization.
Grassroots Leadership’s victories
include a campaign that successfully stopped Shelby County, Tennessee (the
county that includes Memphis) from privatizing its massive county jail and
doubling its size. Grassroots Leadership also played a pivotal role in the
movement that successfully ended immigrant family detention at Corrections
Corporation of America’s T. Don Hutto
Prison in Taylor, Texas. In 2007, a campaign to prohibit the construction of a
private prison in Pike County, Mississippi resulted in the plans being defeated
in a special election, the first time that had ever happened in Mississippi.
“In the south and southwest, the private prison industry has
consistently targeted poor communities. We believe that it’s important to fight in these places to end for-profit
incarceration and reduce reliance on criminalization and detention, and ultimately build lasting
movements for social justice,” said Bob Libal, Texas Campaigns Coordinator for Grassroots Leadership.
For
more information on Grassroots Leadership, please visit: www.grassrootsleadership.org.
Kopper Kotton, and Korruption
Why, 140 years after the “Klan Act” was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant, Arizona’s Pinal County, may now be leading the nation in the violation of its citizen’s basic Civil Rights.
With the present challenges we currently face due to the failing economy, most of us take solace in the belief that no matter how bad things get, we still live in a country that will protect and uphold our basic rights and freedom. English Philosopher, and inspirer of the Declaration of Independence, John Locke wrote, “Property rights are an extension to the right to life. In order to support yourself through reason and stay alive, you must be able to own and use the product of your labor. If the tools of your survival are subject to random confiscation, then your life is subject to random destruction.”
The cliché that “those who fail to learn the lessons taught by history are doomed to repeat it,” is a grotesque understatement given the recent prejudicial order authorizing the use of “LETHAL FORCE,” issued by suspected White Supremacist Paul Babeu, in his official capacity as Pinal County Sheriff. Justifiably the time is now ripe for the people of Pinal County to learn the real reason why the Pinal County coffers are nearly empty, despite the fact that the Pinal County Assessor continues to collect property taxes based on artificially inflated, “boom time,” property values, and anyone desiring to build a home in Pinal County, must first pay an exorbitant “impact fee” earmarked to provide funding for “law enforcement.”
Background, History and Implementation of the “Klan Act”
Why, 140 years after the “Klan Act” was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant, Arizona’s Pinal County, may now be leading the nation in the violation of its citizen’s basic Civil Rights.
With the present challenges we currently face due to the failing economy, most of us take solace in the belief that no matter how bad things get, we still live in a country that will protect and uphold our basic rights and freedom. English Philosopher, and inspirer of the Declaration of Independence, John Locke wrote, “Property rights are an extension to the right to life. In order to support yourself through reason and stay alive, you must be able to own and use the product of your labor. If the tools of your survival are subject to random confiscation, then your life is subject to random destruction.”
The cliché that “those who fail to learn the lessons taught by history are doomed to repeat it,” is a grotesque understatement given the recent prejudicial order authorizing the use of “LETHAL FORCE,” issued by suspected White Supremacist Paul Babeu, in his official capacity as Pinal County Sheriff. Justifiably the time is now ripe for the people of Pinal County to learn the real reason why the Pinal County coffers are nearly empty, despite the fact that the Pinal County Assessor continues to collect property taxes based on artificially inflated, “boom time,” property values, and anyone desiring to build a home in Pinal County, must first pay an exorbitant “impact fee” earmarked to provide funding for “law enforcement.”
Background, History and Implementation of the “Klan Act”
Like Hitler and the Nazis, whose brutal and heinous efforts to redeem Germany’s defeat in World War I resulted in the senseless murder of innocent, defenseless Jews; after the Civil War, the Ku Klux Klan also attempted to regain its tyrannical power through terrorist attacks, which came in the form of cowardly night rider lynching’s, ride by shootings, and murders of innocent and defenseless former slaves. In 1866, just three years after Abraham Lincoln signed the legislation which officially made Arizona a Territory of the United States, Congress passed the 1866 Civil Rights act designed to afford equal rights to all Americans, including former slaves. Nonetheless, the Klan continued its unrelenting reign of terror and hate against anyone who challenged its authority, with its most noted perpetrators being the very law enforcement officials whose duty it was to uphold the law.
In 1871, in its most important legislation specifically designed to put an end to the wide spread violations of Civil Rights by law enforcement officials; Congress passed the 1871 “Klan Act” also known as the “Force Act,” which placed severe penalties on state and local law enforcement officials who abuse their authority and/or fail to protect and uphold the rights of citizens, most often their right to “due process” and “equal protection,” as guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
Disturbingly, it was not until 1961, with its ruling on Monroe v Pape, that the United States Supreme Court recognized the full authority and original intent of the 1871 legislation. Supreme court Justice Douglas, in his 1961 review of the 1871 legislation noted: “Mr. Shellabarger, reporting out the bill which became the Ku Klux Act, said of the provision with which we now deal:
“The model for it will be found in the second section of the act of April 9, 1866, known as the `civil rights act.'. . . This section of this bill, on the same state of facts, not only provides a civil remedy for persons whose former condition may have been that of slaves, but also to all people where, under color of State law, they or any of them may be deprived of rights.”
Since the landmark decision brought forth by Monroe v. Pape, American citizens, through the provisions of 42 USC § 1983, which was taken directly from the 1871 legislation, have been able to stand up and fight corrupt and abusive law enforcement officials, including those hailing from Pinal County. Most often, bumbling, arrogant Deputies of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, each of them duly sworn to uphold the United States Constitution.
Beginning in 2005, the Federal District Court of Arizona began to examine a series of Civil Rights complaints originating from Pinal County that not only demonstrates the intolerable level of incompetence possessed by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, but also the level of indifference that Pinal County’s elected officials have toward the basic individual rights of its citizens.
Marlowe v Pinal County (CV-06-1347-PHX-PGR)
In Marlowe v Pinal County, Pinal County Deputy, Hunter Rankin was dispatched to the Saddle Brook community located in Southern Pinal County, in response to a domestic violence call received by the 9-1-1 operator. Rankin promptly arrived at the wrong address, woke up the elderly residents of the home from a sound sleep, and within 10 seconds of his contact with the elderly owner of the home, handcuffed the innocent man, and placed him in his patrol car. Meanwhile the dispatcher had to dispatch two additional deputies, one to go to the correct address and one to inform Rankin that he was at the wrong address. It is worthy to note that the elderly Marlowe, was not released until nearly 30 minutes after Rankin was informed by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher, that he had arrested the wrong man.
As revealed by the official court documents, Pinal County fervently defended the illegal search and seizure by its deputy, citing the fact that the elderly citizen, when asked by the deputy if he was at 65490 E. Rolling Hills Drive, to which the elderly man replied, "no, you f**king moron, it isn't, this is Canyon Drive, you are on the wrong street, you have got the wrong house and I don't know what you are doing here and why don't you just go away." The federal Judge found it necessary to remind Pinal County that such speech is protected by the Constitution through the First Amendment.
In conclusion, this case never made it to trial, however it is rumored that in 2008, Pinal County paid an estimated 1.6 million dollars to spare itself the embarrassment of having the facts of this case presented to a jury. Of course the taxpayers of Pinal County will never know how much the ignorance of this deputy cost them, because as a matter of policy Pinal County would have required the Plaintiff to sign a non-disclosure agreement to keep this information from ever being made public.
Mohajarin v Pinal County (CV-07-01746-PNX DGC)
Mohajarin v Pinal County, documents the fact that in 2006, a husband was arrested by Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Detective, William Langan for the alleged sexual assault of his wife. In the course of his “investigation,” after arresting and incarcerating the suspect, Langan returned to the residence for the purpose of questioning the wife in conjunction with the criminal charges against her husband. Instead Langan seduced her, and engaged in sexual intercourse with her at her home on at least two separate occasions.
Despite the wife’s desire to have the charges against the father of her unborn child dropped, Pinal County continued its relentless prosecution against her husband while Langan, a married man, continued his pursuit of personal sexual gratification.
It wasn’t until the woman used a hidden tape recorder to capture the detective’s confession of his seduction of her on tape, that Pinal County dropped the charges against her husband. Said confession included the detective’s offer to finance an abortion to terminate her pregnancy.
Having been wrongfully imprisoned for nearly six months, Mr. Mahajarin then properly asserted his rights set forth by the “Klan act,” which once again landed Pinal County in front of a Federal District Court Judge. Here again, the case never made it to trial and it is unclear how much money was paid by the Pinal County taxpayers to settle this case, resulting from the unconstitutional, despicable behavior of yet another Pinal County Sheriff’s Office employee.
Lee v Pinal County (CV-09-02706-PNX-NVW)
On the night of February 6, 2009, Pinal County resident Patti Lee called 9-1-1 in an effort to get assistance from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, to prevent traffic from being routed through her property which had already resulted in injury to one of her animals. The traffic, resulting from a serious accident on nearby I-10, had been improperly routed through her property which is located on a dead-end road. In an effort to prevent further damage to her property and injury to her animals, Ms. Lee got into her Jeep and began directing the traffic away from her home. Upon the arrival of two Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputies, Ms. Lee was forcibly removed from her Jeep at gun point, by PCSO Deputy, Heath Rankin, who then forced her face-first into the gravel road, which resulted in her eyeglasses being shattered, which in turn caused her left eye to be cut as she was physically assaulted and handcuffed. Likewise she sustained back injuries resulting from Rankin planting his knee in her back after he forced her to the gravel. PCSO Deputy, Delci Randell, idly stood by as Rankin engaged in an obvious case of police brutality and assault. This matter is still pending in the Federal District Court of Arizona. It is worthy to note that after Ms. Lee had exhausted all financial means to support the Attorney representing her in the Civil Rights case, said Attorney withdrew from her case.
In April of 2010, more than a year after the incident, and after the suspicious
withdraw of her attorney; in an apparent attempt to shut her up once and for
all, the unscrupulous Office of the Pinal County Attorney indicted Ms. Lee on
charges of “assault on a police officer”. Ms. Lee has now obtained new counsel
to pursue justice in the Federal Court, and continues to defend her innocence
in the unjust criminal case brought against her in the Pinal County Superior
Court, by the Pinal County Attorney.
Dixon v Pinal County (CV-10-0325-PHX-DGC)
On December 2, 2009, Pinal County resident, Mark Dixon found himself faced with lethal force at the hands of three armed Pinal County Sheriff’s Detectives, who without the authority of an arrest warrant or search warrant demanded that the Plaintiff surrender his dog. Despite Mr. Dixon presenting Officer in charge, Philip LeBlanc with a valid dog license which provided clear proof of his ownership of the animal, LeBlanc proceeded with the illegal seizure of the Plaintiff’s property, and further threatened the Plaintiff that he would arrest him if there were any “problems”. Several days later, LeBlanc, a former PCSO Internal Affairs Investigator, after a review of the ownership documents provided by the third party to whom he improperly released the Plaintiff’s property; stated in his official report, “… It should be noted that the forms she provided showed the dog as owned by Mark Dixon… .”
After nearly a year of litigation, Pinal County continues to take a beating in Federal Court despite its efforts to withhold a damaging Internal Affairs report dated December 17, 2009, requested by Dixon in January and February of 2010, which was subsequently withheld and secreted by Pinal County until July of 2010.
In the official report performed by Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant Wayne Cashman concluded his report stating, “…This matter may have been avoided if Sgt. LeBlanc would have consulted with the County Attorney before removing the dog.” The record held by the United States District Court in this pending case clearly shows that the Pinal County Attorney actively attempted to conceal this and other evidence, proving Pinal County’s guilt and willing deprivation of Mr. Dixon’s Civil Rights.
In Retrospect
The foregoing provides a sad commentary on the state of individual rights in Pinal County. When presented with the incontrovertible facts revealed herein, one civic minded Pinal County citizen asked, “How have we arrived at such a fascist juncture in our history?” This is a valid but difficult question to answer, specifically when Article II, Section 2, of the Arizona Constitution, mirrors the United States Declaration of Independence by stating, “…All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights...”
Dixon v Pinal County (CV-10-0325-PHX-DGC)
On December 2, 2009, Pinal County resident, Mark Dixon found himself faced with lethal force at the hands of three armed Pinal County Sheriff’s Detectives, who without the authority of an arrest warrant or search warrant demanded that the Plaintiff surrender his dog. Despite Mr. Dixon presenting Officer in charge, Philip LeBlanc with a valid dog license which provided clear proof of his ownership of the animal, LeBlanc proceeded with the illegal seizure of the Plaintiff’s property, and further threatened the Plaintiff that he would arrest him if there were any “problems”. Several days later, LeBlanc, a former PCSO Internal Affairs Investigator, after a review of the ownership documents provided by the third party to whom he improperly released the Plaintiff’s property; stated in his official report, “… It should be noted that the forms she provided showed the dog as owned by Mark Dixon… .”
After nearly a year of litigation, Pinal County continues to take a beating in Federal Court despite its efforts to withhold a damaging Internal Affairs report dated December 17, 2009, requested by Dixon in January and February of 2010, which was subsequently withheld and secreted by Pinal County until July of 2010.
In the official report performed by Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant Wayne Cashman concluded his report stating, “…This matter may have been avoided if Sgt. LeBlanc would have consulted with the County Attorney before removing the dog.” The record held by the United States District Court in this pending case clearly shows that the Pinal County Attorney actively attempted to conceal this and other evidence, proving Pinal County’s guilt and willing deprivation of Mr. Dixon’s Civil Rights.
In Retrospect
The foregoing provides a sad commentary on the state of individual rights in Pinal County. When presented with the incontrovertible facts revealed herein, one civic minded Pinal County citizen asked, “How have we arrived at such a fascist juncture in our history?” This is a valid but difficult question to answer, specifically when Article II, Section 2, of the Arizona Constitution, mirrors the United States Declaration of Independence by stating, “…All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights...”
In keeping with this ideal, founding father and composer of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson warned, “…The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” Thence it follows that the citizens of Pinal County have no one to blame but themselves, if they continue to fall prey to the unconstitutional actions of the Pinal County Sheriff, or the Office of the Pinal County Attorney. Regardless the taxpayers remain on the hook for the resulting legal expenses.
What is the real motive behind SB-1070?
In the months prior to the recent 2010 midterm election, the citizens of Pinal County and Arizona witnessed its elected leaders passing laws allowing Arizona law enforcement Officers to initiate un-constitutional action against its citizens of Hispanic origin. Not unlike the Nuremberg Laws passed by the German Nazi’s in the 1930’s which brought forth the persecution and systematic murder of Europe’s Jewish Citizens; SB 1070 provides the same mechanism for atrocities to be initiated against United States Citizens, particularly those with Hispanic heritage. As shown in this article, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office is incapable of adhering to laws protecting individual rights which have existed for over 140 years, much less new laws passed by Arizona’s legislature directed specifically toward citizens of Hispanic Origin.
Proof positive of this is Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu’s call to the public
to donate to a “legal defense fund,” to provide deputies with a pool of money
enabling them to cover legal fees when they violate the Civil Rights of Pinal
County Citizens. It is equally disturbing that United States Senator John
McCain, after donating $50,000 of his own money to this fund, was successfully
re-elected to the United States Senate; and continues to do nothing to secure
the border or protect the Civil Rights of Arizona Citizens. Given
the fact that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has nearly bankrupted
neighboring Maricopa County with his department’s blatant violation of its
citizens Civil Rights; one can easily conclude given the overt rhetoric put
forth by its Sheriff, combined with the continued ignorance of the law
displayed by its County Attorney, Pinal County is destined to soon join
Maricopa County into a bottomless financial abyss.
A Paraphrased Warning from History
Martin Niemöller was a German pastor and theologian. Niemöller was an anti-Communist and, for that reason, supported Hitler's rise to power – at first. But when Hitler insisted on the supremacy of the state over religion, Niemöller became the leader of a group of German clergymen opposed to Hitler. Unlike Niemoller, they gave in to the Nazis' threats. Hitler personally detested Niemöller and had him arrested and confined in the concentration camps. Niemöller was released in 1945 by the Allies. His following poem, (paraphrased below) is frequently quoted, and is a popular model for describing the dangers of political apathy, as it often begins with specific and targeted fear and hatred which soon escalates out of control.
THEY CAME FIRST for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.
THEN THEY CAME for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.
THEN THEY CAME for the trade unionists,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
THEN THEY CAME for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.
THEN ARPAIO AND BABEU CAME for the Hispanics,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t Hispanic.
THEN THEY CAME for me,
and by that time no one was left to speak.
A Paraphrased Warning from History
Martin Niemöller was a German pastor and theologian. Niemöller was an anti-Communist and, for that reason, supported Hitler's rise to power – at first. But when Hitler insisted on the supremacy of the state over religion, Niemöller became the leader of a group of German clergymen opposed to Hitler. Unlike Niemoller, they gave in to the Nazis' threats. Hitler personally detested Niemöller and had him arrested and confined in the concentration camps. Niemöller was released in 1945 by the Allies. His following poem, (paraphrased below) is frequently quoted, and is a popular model for describing the dangers of political apathy, as it often begins with specific and targeted fear and hatred which soon escalates out of control.
THEY CAME FIRST for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.
THEN THEY CAME for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.
THEN THEY CAME for the trade unionists,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
THEN THEY CAME for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.
THEN ARPAIO AND BABEU CAME for the Hispanics,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t Hispanic.
THEN THEY CAME for me,
and by that time no one was left to speak.
RU Mocking Me wrote: The case of the Copper Clappers!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKyEA6Ebvlk
What a ridiculous reference in regard to a very serious problem in Pinal County. I can only assume this person is from the D.A's Office. Documentation shows they all have a "sense of humor" when violating the rights of innocent people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKyEA6Ebvlk
What a ridiculous reference in regard to a very serious problem in Pinal County. I can only assume this person is from the D.A's Office. Documentation shows they all have a "sense of humor" when violating the rights of innocent people.
Armed - I
appologize for not making this clear. I did not write this article. It is my
understanding that this article was written and sent to every legislature in
the state and U.S. Goverment, including the President. That being said it is the
opinion of the author. I personaly do not know if Sheriff Babeu is a white
supremisist or not, it does appear though that he does put a lot of emphisis on
the border issues and blames a particular class of people.
This is what I do know though. I have lived here all my life and the "border problem" is pretty much the same as it always has been. Keep in mind, every time you take a drink of mild, you can thank the Mexican workers for that drink. The Mexican people do so many jobs that are critical our daily lives, if they were not here trying to support their families our quality of life would go down dresticaly.
Read the article again and look at what is going on in our County. The emphisis to me is the lack of responsibility, the lack of integrity, and the complete injustice perpetrated by our County elected officials and employees. Something everyone should be aware of, the cases mentioned have cost the county millions of dollars just so a few people can get away with wrong doings.
No, not everyone in the sherrif's office is corrupt but there is a choice few and those few are close to the top and in leadership positions. This leadership allows and encourages an atmosphere of "we can do what we want"", "the county tax dollars will pay for it".
Keep in mind that the County Attorney, James Walsh, is the final buck stops here guy. Our County Attorneys office also encourages and supports these actions when in fact they should be upholding the law and protecting our rights. In many ways we, the people of Pinal County have become the slaves of our government and elected officials, paying for their misdeeds and personal agendas.
This is what I do know though. I have lived here all my life and the "border problem" is pretty much the same as it always has been. Keep in mind, every time you take a drink of mild, you can thank the Mexican workers for that drink. The Mexican people do so many jobs that are critical our daily lives, if they were not here trying to support their families our quality of life would go down dresticaly.
Read the article again and look at what is going on in our County. The emphisis to me is the lack of responsibility, the lack of integrity, and the complete injustice perpetrated by our County elected officials and employees. Something everyone should be aware of, the cases mentioned have cost the county millions of dollars just so a few people can get away with wrong doings.
No, not everyone in the sherrif's office is corrupt but there is a choice few and those few are close to the top and in leadership positions. This leadership allows and encourages an atmosphere of "we can do what we want"", "the county tax dollars will pay for it".
Keep in mind that the County Attorney, James Walsh, is the final buck stops here guy. Our County Attorneys office also encourages and supports these actions when in fact they should be upholding the law and protecting our rights. In many ways we, the people of Pinal County have become the slaves of our government and elected officials, paying for their misdeeds and personal agendas.
I would like
to point out that this is a very serious issue and it appears that individuals
attempt to deflect and incite others with the motivation of changing subjects.
Look at the facts of the article, we have a severe problem in Pinal County regarding indivuals in the Sheriff's office and County Attorneys office who refuse to protect citizens rights.
A question for everyone, why must the individuals who had the intestional fortitude to sue Pinal County persue these actions. Our elected officials who are chaged with doing exactly that refuse to do their job, we are talking about a good ole boys club where they protect each other and each others misdeeds WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS. Question, what else are they doing with our tax dollars and the power of elected office for personal gain?
Look at the facts of the article, we have a severe problem in Pinal County regarding indivuals in the Sheriff's office and County Attorneys office who refuse to protect citizens rights.
A question for everyone, why must the individuals who had the intestional fortitude to sue Pinal County persue these actions. Our elected officials who are chaged with doing exactly that refuse to do their job, we are talking about a good ole boys club where they protect each other and each others misdeeds WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS. Question, what else are they doing with our tax dollars and the power of elected office for personal gain?
ARMED24SEVEN,
I find it remarkable that after the Midterm Election the "Illegal
Immigration Debate" fizzled out. Once John McCain was re-elected we heard
nothing more about the "danged fence". Therefore it follows that we
must ask ourselves what is the real issue that is being clouded by the
controversy promoted by the mass media. I will try to find an explanation for
this phenominon in the paragraphs below.
In the 1950's the threat was communism, as a nation we invested an untold amount of taxpayor dollars into anything that would protect us against communism. As a result the Corporations who constructed the defense infrasture reaped obscene profits at the expense of the American Taxpayer. The Vietnam Conflict was part of, and came at the tail-end of this era and once public sentiment ended the Vietnam war, the "cold war" also lost its ability to cloud the American Taxpayers ability to understand the true issues.
In the 1970's our attention was re-focused on the Middle East and OPEC. Amazingly the Americans Held hostage in Iran were miraculously released after Reagan won the election. But inflation steadily kept rising along with the price of gas. We needed a new distraction, so Reagan declared "war on drugs" (we seem to be losing that one as well).
By the end of the 1980's after 8 years of Reaganomics and 4 years after reading George H.W. Bush's Lips that there would be "no new taxes" we elected slick willy who managed to use Bush's tax increase to balance the Budget and leave the United States with a large Surplus.
The American People couldn't stand prosperity so they elected "W" who cut taxes and managed to lead us into war in both Afganistan and Irag "Mission Accomplished." The price of gas soared from $ .99 per gallon in 2001 and remains well above $ 3.00 a gallon today. In the past 10 years since September 11, 2001 we have witnessed Defense contractors get wealthier, oil companies get wealthier, financial companies get wealthier, all at the expence of the American People. Am I the only one that recognized that the Enron Collapse of 2001 was only a symptom of a festering wound that finally split wide open in 2008? Duh!
Armed24Seven, having read the article you refer to, I would like to give you a short history lesson in pre and post Civil war America so you can understand why the act of 1870 was dubbed the force act.
To understand the Corporate involvement in the civil war you should google Andrew Jackson and pay particular attention to his vital role in removing the Cherokee, Seminole, and Creek nations from the Southern States. Once these tribes were sent to Oklahoma the land was ripe for Obscene Profits to be made in Cotton Farming, these profits were made possible by the availability of cheap labor in the form of black slaves.
The cotton farmers stepped out of their place when they began demanding higher and higher prices for their goods. The corporations in the North whose textile factories depended on these raw materials formed the Republican Party in 1854 under the guise of "anti-slavery."
By the end of the Civil War the South was beaten into submission and to insure the South's compliance the former slaves were given the same rights as any other Citizen under the 1866 civil rights act which included the Fourteenth Amemdment. In other words the Republican Party passed laws which forced the South to compete with the former slaves, which had the overall economic effect of keeping the South from "rising again".
In protest the Southerners created groups such as the KKK to terrorize the Slaves back onto the Plantations. The 1870 "force act" forced the South to stop the lynching and so forth.
Beginning in the 1880's because of the extreme number of Americans killed during the Civil War this country saw an unprecidented number of immigrants being brought into this country to provide skilled labor for the westward expansion. Unfortunately by the 1890's America had more people than they had jobs, as a result the People who did have jobs demanded more for there labor but the Corporations backed by the GOP refused. As a result the workers formed labor unions, it being the only way they could prevail against the powerful corporations. Over the next 20 to 30 years this movement resulted in the 40 hr. work week, the abolishment of child labor and many of the things that we as Americans take for granted.
Now lets fast forward to the present and ask ourselves what is the agenda? How is it that with NAFTA, American Corporations were allowed to set up factories in Mexico to produce the same goods previously produced in the U.S. and then import the goods back into to this country to be marketed to the American People at a greater profit because the goods were produced with cheaper labor? How is it that American Jobs went to Mexico, but the Mexican people are willing to brave the Arizona Desert to escape the working conditions in Mexico?
The answers to all of these questions including the motive behind SB 1070 is that the Corporate Supremacists,(AKA Republicans) must insure that Mexico doesn't run out of cheap labor which treatens the profit margins of American Corporations. Now you know why McCain and Babeu want the Federal Government to build the danged fence. It is not to keep the illegal immigrants out of the U.S. because they threaten American Jobs. It is to keep the cheap labor force in Mexico to protect the bottom line of American Corporations.
Don't get me wrong I am against illegal immigration and free handouts to foreigners as much as the next guy. That is why I found it necessary to sort through the rhetoric and point out that the issue is not with White Supremacists but rather with Corporate Supremacists.
The way I see it there are two classes of people in America Today. Those who have lost their jobs and those who are afraid they are about to lose their jobs. Which one are you?
In the 1950's the threat was communism, as a nation we invested an untold amount of taxpayor dollars into anything that would protect us against communism. As a result the Corporations who constructed the defense infrasture reaped obscene profits at the expense of the American Taxpayer. The Vietnam Conflict was part of, and came at the tail-end of this era and once public sentiment ended the Vietnam war, the "cold war" also lost its ability to cloud the American Taxpayers ability to understand the true issues.
In the 1970's our attention was re-focused on the Middle East and OPEC. Amazingly the Americans Held hostage in Iran were miraculously released after Reagan won the election. But inflation steadily kept rising along with the price of gas. We needed a new distraction, so Reagan declared "war on drugs" (we seem to be losing that one as well).
By the end of the 1980's after 8 years of Reaganomics and 4 years after reading George H.W. Bush's Lips that there would be "no new taxes" we elected slick willy who managed to use Bush's tax increase to balance the Budget and leave the United States with a large Surplus.
The American People couldn't stand prosperity so they elected "W" who cut taxes and managed to lead us into war in both Afganistan and Irag "Mission Accomplished." The price of gas soared from $ .99 per gallon in 2001 and remains well above $ 3.00 a gallon today. In the past 10 years since September 11, 2001 we have witnessed Defense contractors get wealthier, oil companies get wealthier, financial companies get wealthier, all at the expence of the American People. Am I the only one that recognized that the Enron Collapse of 2001 was only a symptom of a festering wound that finally split wide open in 2008? Duh!
Armed24Seven, having read the article you refer to, I would like to give you a short history lesson in pre and post Civil war America so you can understand why the act of 1870 was dubbed the force act.
To understand the Corporate involvement in the civil war you should google Andrew Jackson and pay particular attention to his vital role in removing the Cherokee, Seminole, and Creek nations from the Southern States. Once these tribes were sent to Oklahoma the land was ripe for Obscene Profits to be made in Cotton Farming, these profits were made possible by the availability of cheap labor in the form of black slaves.
The cotton farmers stepped out of their place when they began demanding higher and higher prices for their goods. The corporations in the North whose textile factories depended on these raw materials formed the Republican Party in 1854 under the guise of "anti-slavery."
By the end of the Civil War the South was beaten into submission and to insure the South's compliance the former slaves were given the same rights as any other Citizen under the 1866 civil rights act which included the Fourteenth Amemdment. In other words the Republican Party passed laws which forced the South to compete with the former slaves, which had the overall economic effect of keeping the South from "rising again".
In protest the Southerners created groups such as the KKK to terrorize the Slaves back onto the Plantations. The 1870 "force act" forced the South to stop the lynching and so forth.
Beginning in the 1880's because of the extreme number of Americans killed during the Civil War this country saw an unprecidented number of immigrants being brought into this country to provide skilled labor for the westward expansion. Unfortunately by the 1890's America had more people than they had jobs, as a result the People who did have jobs demanded more for there labor but the Corporations backed by the GOP refused. As a result the workers formed labor unions, it being the only way they could prevail against the powerful corporations. Over the next 20 to 30 years this movement resulted in the 40 hr. work week, the abolishment of child labor and many of the things that we as Americans take for granted.
Now lets fast forward to the present and ask ourselves what is the agenda? How is it that with NAFTA, American Corporations were allowed to set up factories in Mexico to produce the same goods previously produced in the U.S. and then import the goods back into to this country to be marketed to the American People at a greater profit because the goods were produced with cheaper labor? How is it that American Jobs went to Mexico, but the Mexican people are willing to brave the Arizona Desert to escape the working conditions in Mexico?
The answers to all of these questions including the motive behind SB 1070 is that the Corporate Supremacists,(AKA Republicans) must insure that Mexico doesn't run out of cheap labor which treatens the profit margins of American Corporations. Now you know why McCain and Babeu want the Federal Government to build the danged fence. It is not to keep the illegal immigrants out of the U.S. because they threaten American Jobs. It is to keep the cheap labor force in Mexico to protect the bottom line of American Corporations.
Don't get me wrong I am against illegal immigration and free handouts to foreigners as much as the next guy. That is why I found it necessary to sort through the rhetoric and point out that the issue is not with White Supremacists but rather with Corporate Supremacists.
The way I see it there are two classes of people in America Today. Those who have lost their jobs and those who are afraid they are about to lose their jobs. Which one are you?
It was once
said that the only difference between the graft and corruption in Pinal County
and Mexico, was that in Mexico it was done professionally and with courtesy.
Goes back to
BAbue's campaign and his discourse on a known supremist radio show in the
south. And then there was the white supremist that followed him around for
awhile during the Purol "shooting". So, I would say suspectec,
although he has been adamant that he is not and blamed the radio show debacle
on his PIO, Gaffney.
CCA AND THE IMMIGRATION
DEBATE IN ARIZONA
In the spring of 2011, National Public Radio
(NPR) investigated the role that CCA played in influencing Arizona legislation
that would increase one of its fastest growing revenue bases – immigration
detention. The Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act (SB 1070)
increases police power to question and detain anyone who cannot prove they are
in the country legally. It was originally conceived and drafted at an ALEC
meeting that included officials from CCA. When the legislation was brought to
the Arizona statehouse floor as a bill in January 2010, 36 legislators
co-sponsored it – two-thirds of whom either attended the meeting where the bill
was written or were members of ALEC. Over the next six months, 30 of the bill‟s co-sponsors
received campaign contributions from private prison lobbyists or companies, including
CCA and The GEO Group. While CCA played a significant role in influencing state
legislators, the connection between the private prison industry and SB 1070 did
not end on the statehouse floor. Two of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer‟s top advisers had
direct ties to the private prison industry. Prior to joining the Brewer
administration, two senior advisors both worked as lobbyists with private
prison companies as clients.
SB 1070 is expected to result in more people
being placed into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, increasing the
need for immigration detention beds and the likelihood of private prison
contracts. The events surrounding the passage of SB 1070 in Arizona demonstrates
the ability private prison companies have to influence policymakers and
legislation to increase profits. As GEO Group President
Wayne Calabrese put it, “… [Now] there‟s going to be
enhanced opportunities for what we do.” Since SB 1070 was signed into law in
April 2010, five other state legislatures have introduced similar bills, including
HB 87 in Georgia which became law on May 13, 2011. In Tennessee, home to CCA,
2011 immigration legislation may be stalled due to projected increased costs to
law enforcement.
Sources:
Laura Sullivan, “Prison Economics Help Drive Arizona Immigration Law,” NPR, October 28, 2010.
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130833741&ps=cprs;
Laura Sullivan, “Shaping State Laws with Little Scrutiny,” NPR, October 29, 2010.
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130891396&ps=cprs
Nate Rau, “Tennessee Efforts to Copy Arizona Immigration Law Bring
Fears,” The Tennessean, December
5, 2010.
www.tennessean.com/article/20101205/NEWS01/12050356/TN+efforts+to+copy+Arizona+immigration+law+bring+fears
USA Today, “Georgia governor signs
immigration bill into law,” May 14, 2011. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-05-13-georgiaimmigration-law_n.htm
Sam Stockard, “Carr‟s immigration bills appear stalled,” DJN.com, May 12, 2011.
http://www.dnj.com/article/20110512/NEWS05/105120317
