2010 February 15 « Maricopa County Republican Committee

Feb 152010

I Bet They Didn’t Mirandize Him

Great news from Afghanistan: “Secret Joint Raid Captures Taliban’s Top Commander” putting aside for today the fact that the NYT leaked a secret again…something they do quite frequently.

The Taliban’s top military commander was captured several days ago in Karachi, Pakistan, in a secret joint operation by Pakistani and American intelligence forces, according to American government officials.

The commander, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, is an Afghan described by American officials as the most significant Taliban figure to be detained since the American-led war in Afghanistan started more than eight years ago. He ranks second in influence only to Mullah Muhammad Omar, the Taliban’s founder and a close associate of Osama bin Laden before the Sept. 11 attacks.

Mullah Baradar has been in Pakistani custody for several days, with American and Pakistani intelligence officials both taking part in interrogations, according to the officials.

I frankly find this news more exciting because Pakistan was in on it than I do that this animal was captured. He’ll be replaced soon enough, but here’s hoping he gets the kind of interrogation accommodations due him based on his resume. And, given it wasn’t US that took him, it’s a safe bet we won’t be seeing him in NY any time soon standing trial.

Link

Feb 152010

Gilbert faces complaints over blocking tax talk

Gilbert did not allow residents to speak about an upcoming sales tax election during Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, a move that drew First Amendment complaints from speakers and an inquiry from a group that seeks to safeguard rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.

Speakers were told by Mayor John Lewis on Tuesday that they could not talk about the tax issue during a section of the meeting reserved for comments from the public. Lewis defends the position citing a state law that bans the use of public resources to influence the outcome of an election.

Lewis said he’d been told by Town Attorney Susan Goodwin that allowing people to advocate either for or against the town’s proposed quarter-cent sales tax hike earmarked for public safety was not allowable under state law. The vote is set for May 18.

Read the rest.

Feb 152010

State Sovereignty is About You!

by Gary Wood

Are you ready to restore state sovereignty?

It is a question all those supporting states’ rights initiatives need to ask themselves. Once answered affirmatively the struggle for educating others truly begins. It is easy to claim we support our sovereignty, to lend our voice to state resolutions, perhaps even support legislation with some teeth, yet how will we withstand the opponents who simply point to the dollars we are willingly cutting off?

Glen Warchol ran what is perhaps the shortest piece seen in the Salt Lake Tribune in recent history. In 10^th Amendment cold turkey he quickly leaves us with the truth about what we are asking for and how we must accomplish it. He describes a very brief conversation between U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Rep. Chaffetz asked what it

Feb 152010

Arizona Senate approves sweeping immigration bill

Without debate, the Senate on Monday approved a far-reaching measure designed to give police more power — and more direction — to stop and arrest those who they believe are in the country illegally.

SB 1070 would require police to make a “reasonable attempt” to determine the immigration status of anyone they come into contact with during an investigation. And it would make the mere presence of an illegal immigrant anywhere in Arizona a violation of state trespass laws.

Other provisions of the measure would:

Read the rest.

Follow all current bills on the Arizona ALIS system.

Feb 152010

McCain in Old-Fashioned Political Gun Fight

You could call it an old-fashioned political gun fight in the west. Former GOP Congressman and tv-radio personality JD Hayworth announced today he would take on veteran Senator and former Republican presidential nominee John McCain for his senate seat.

Hayworth accuses McCain of being out of touch with Arizona voters on issues like illegal immigration, taxes and a slew of other things he says are important to people in the Grand Canyon state.