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| Home Front: Politix |
| AZ governor follows NM's lead in playing politics |
| 2005-08-16 |
| Gov. Janet Napolitano declared an emergency along Arizona's border with Mexico on Monday, making up to $1.5 million available to beleaguered local governments. Four border counties - Pima where I live, Cochise, Santa Cruz and Yuma - will be able to use the money to bolster law enforcement along a 350-mile border that has become the nation's busiest and deadliest crossing point for illegal migrants. The state was forced to act, Napolitano said after signing the declaration, because the federal government has failed to secure the border. We won't mention that Napolitas has been fighting implementation of Prop 200 (no benefits for illegals, ID checks for voting, must report illegals to INS) every inch of the way. Napolitano's declaration comes three days after a similar move by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who made up to $1.75 million in emergency funds available to four southwestern border counties in his state. "Governor, your approval rating is so-so. You need an issue. With them has come a surge in vehicle thefts, drug smuggling and property damage - crimes Napolitano said her declaration is aimed at addressing. "The problem isn't new, but it has been growing," she said. It's been around the 2-1/2 years you've been in office, but you only take notice when the run-up to next year's election is starting. According to spokeswoman Jeanine L'Ecuyer, the emergency money can go toward a variety of purposes, such as overtime pay for law enforcement officers, repair of border fences and autopsies on migrants who never make it out of the Arizona desert. In Santa Cruz County, Sheriff Tony Estrada told the governor in a recent letter that he "could definitely use" the money to pay for equipment like night-vision goggles, satellite telephones, and computer tracking devices. Estrada called the declaration a much-needed attempt to aid cash-strapped communities bearing the brunt of illegal immigration. "We are a small, poor county and there is not much separating us from Mexico. There is no buffer zone. We are joined at the hip with Mexico," he said. Just as significant, Estrada added, is the message the emergency declaration sends to the federal government. "What the governor is doing will send the message that they need to look at us and help us," he said. "We deal with international and federal issues and the federal government should pitch in." Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry praised the state's "more aggressive role," calling it long overdue. "It recognizes the tremendous impact of border crossers on local taxpayers," he said. Some Republicans like Me, though, dismissed the declaration as little more than a political gesture. "It's Janet come lately," said Republican state Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa, a possible candidate for governor in 2006. "She could have done it This could be the issue that starts a big realignment of politics. Like slavery 150 years ago, both major parties have significant factions on both sides of the issue. While the war is going on, that will probably trump this, but if we make good progress in the ME, this could rise to the top. With the big-business Republicans wanting cheap illegal labor, and the Democrats being dependent on illegals voting, neither major party is speaking to this issue. The Republican party was ormed in 1854 because the Democrats and Whigs wouldn't take an anti-slavery position. |
| Posted by:Jackal |
| #4 I heard that scumbag MF Richardson on Hannity this afternoon and found myself thinking that he's just another lying bastard lib who couldn't be trusted if he said the sun was going to rise in the east tomorrow. Same old story: Democrat=criminal=liar. Nothing new to see here, folks. The skunks haven't changed their striping. Move along. |
| Posted by: mac 2005-08-16 22:17 |
| #3 surprise, surprise, both aspiring demoncrats. |
| Posted by: Captain America 2005-08-16 14:24 |
| #2 $1.5 Million? That's one-days' pissing-away money for her. Get serious or STFU and move outta the way for someone who will. Border states' CITIZENS are up in arms and it won't quiet down. These mooks are just trying to ease out of the way of the avalanche. W would be wise to get in front of this....listening, Karl? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-08-16 12:58 |
| #1 Up for reelection in 2006 I take it? Richardson ought to move to New York and run there. Much closer to the networks for all those interminable live shots on the news shows which I see him on for what seems like every friggin day. On every friggin issue. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2005-08-16 12:27 |