color: SOME SOLDIER'S MOM: May 2010

Friday, May 28, 2010

Memorial Day 2010

Because the current President is too busy vacationing to pay respect to this country's war dead at Arlington National Cemetary... you know, the ones who died for him, and you, and me, and mine. Personally. So I give thanks and honor those who gave their lives to honor, defend, and protect me.

Memorial Day

"And today we remember all who have died, all who are still missing and all who mourn. And on this day, especially, our nation is grateful to the brave and fallen defenders of freedom. In every generation of Americans we have found courage equal to the tasks of our country.

The farms and small towns and city streets of this land have always produced free citizens who assume the discipline and duty of military life. And time after time, they have proven that the moral force of democracy is mightier than the will and cunning of any tyrant."

-President George W. Bush

Learn more about United States National Cemeteries

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Monday, May 17, 2010

Medal of Honor: Speak Out! Against Suicide


As part of their commitment to serve their country, more than 30 of the 91 living Medal of Honor recipients have joined in a public service campaign designed to help stem the rising tide of suicides among military service members today.

These recipients, who have survived some of the most harrowing experiences in combat, including years as POWs, physical wounds and emotional trauma, felt compelled to speak out to America's military, share their experiences and encourage them to seek help for behavioral health issues that are often a result of deployment and combat. Their message is simple: Don't let the enemy defeat you at home!

In their own words, Medal of Honor recipients encourage America’s military by reminding them that seeking care is indeed a courageous act. One that shows they recognize the need to stay strong in mind and body.




Listen up, men & women!! Active duty, Guard, Reserve, Veterans.  Never give up! There is help... there is HOPE.

Need help? Need to find help??



If you are in crisis, please call 911, go to your nearest Emergency Room, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273- 8255 Veterans press “1” after you call.


You can also go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline webpage to chat live with a crisis counselor at any time of day or night.

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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Arizona SB1070: Arizona did not make illegal, illegal.

From the (AZ) Daily Courier. (My emphasis)

5/11/2010 9:56:00 PM


By RUSSELL PEARCE
Special to the Courier

I am the author of Senate Bill 1070, signed by Gov. Jan Brewer.

Maybe liberals ought to read the Constitution, case law or even just the bill itself before citing incorrect information. Fear-mongering and misinformation are the opponents' only tool against this common sense legislation.

"Illegal" is not a race, it is a crime. SB1070 simply codifies federal law into state law, removes excuses and concerns about states' inherent authority to enforce these laws and removes all illegal "sanctuary" policies.

When do we stand up for Americans and the rule of law? If not now, when? We are a nation of laws, a Constitutional Republic.

Arizona did not make illegal, illegal. Illegal was already illegal. It is a crime to enter or remain in the U.S. in violation of federal law. States have had inherent authority to enforce immigration laws and have failed or refused to do so. Sanctuary policies are illegal under federal law (8 USC 1644 & 1373) yet we have them all over the United States.

Paul Kantner of the 1960s rock band Jefferson Airplane once remarked, "San Francisco is 49 square miles surrounded by reality." When I first heard that San Francisco was planning to boycott Arizona over the SB1070 legislation that I introduced, this description seemed fitting.

However, when neighboring Oakland's city council voted 7-0 to boycott Arizona last Tuesday, and President Pro Tem of the California State Senate Derrell Steinberg announced a campaign in the legislature to boycott us, it became clear that San Francisco is merely ahead of the California crazy curve.

Why did I propose SB1070? I saw the enormous fiscal and social costs that illegal immigration was imposing on my state. I saw Americans out of work, hospitals and schools overflowing, and budgets strained. Most disturbingly, I saw my fellow citizens victimized by illegal alien criminals. The murder of Robert Krentz - whose family had been ranching in Arizona since 1907 - by illegal alien drug dealers was the final straw for many Arizonans.

Illegal aliens have murdered dozens of other citizens of our state. Currently, 95 illegal aliens are in Maricopa County jail on murder charges.

Most of the hysterical critics of the bill do not even know what is in it. All SB1070 does is allow Arizona law enforcement officials to detain illegal aliens under state law. The law does not allow police to stop suspected illegal aliens unless they have already come across them through normal "lawful conduct" such as a traffic stop, and explicitly prohibits racial profiling.

Aside from the unfounded accusation of racial profiling, the chief complaint about the bill is that it infringes on federal jurisdiction by enforcing laws. However, a long legal precedent going back to 1976 allows states to enact legislation to discourage illegal immigration so long as it does not conflict with federal law. We specifically designed SB1070 to mirror federal immigration law to avoid such a conflict.

For all their newfound respect for the authority of federal immigration law, the open borders advocates who oppose SB1070 have no problems with "sanctuary cities" such as San Francisco that explicitly obstruct federal immigration authorities to protect illegal aliens. In 2008, San Francisco began a campaign to encourage illegal aliens to take advantage of the city's public services.

Mayor Gavin Newsom stated, "We have worked with the Board of Supervisors, Department of Public Health, labor and immigrant rights groups to create a city government-wide public awareness campaign so that immigrants know the city won't target them for using city services."

The results were tragic. A few months after the campaign, Edwin Ramos, an illegal alien and member of the MS 13 gang, murdered San Francisco resident Tony Bologna and his two sons whom he mistook for rival gang members. Ramos had a lengthy criminal record including a felony assault on a pregnant woman. Police arrested him on gang and weapons charges and promptly released him just three months before the murder. Not once did San Francisco report him to immigration authorities.

Our law is already working. One can just scan the newspapers and see dozens of headlines like "Illegal Immigrants Leaving Arizona Over New Law: Tough, Controversial New Legislation Scares Many in Underground Workforce Out of State,"

In contrast, American citizens are leaving California. For the past four years, more Americans have left the state than have moved in.

In criticizing the SB1070, President Barack Obama said, "Our failure to act responsibly at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others." There is nothing irresponsible about enforcing our law, but President Obama is right in that this is only necessary because the federal government does not do its job.

The solution is not "comprehensive immigration reform," a euphemism for amnesty. This will only encourage more illegal immigration. Making illegal aliens legal does nothing to change the social and fiscal costs they impose on Arizona or the nation as a whole. In fact, the Heritage Foundation's research puts the cost of amnesty at more than $2.5 trillion.

The federal government simply needs to enforce its immigration laws by cracking down on employers of illegal aliens, securing our borders, and deporting illegal alien criminals. Attrition by enforcement.

If states understand states' rights and our Constitutional duty and responsibility to our citizens this legislation in Arizona will be a model for states across the nation and the federal government and it will end illegal immigration to America, but President Obama is looking toward San Francisco instead.


Russell Pearce is a member of the Arizona State Senate representing Legislative District 18 and author of SB1070.


And just a note to the (cough) esteemed Gov. Schwarzenneger who said he was afraid if he came to AZ that we'd try to deport him... Why? Are you here illegally, Aaaahnold? Or are you just opposed to the enforcement of U.S. laws? Yah.

Finally... some great t-shirts & other gear from STAND WITH ARIZONA (And Against Illegal Immigration)  HERE.

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Saturday, May 01, 2010

ATTENTION ARIZONA WOMEN VETERANS

Attention all women who have or are currently serving in the military



When: Opening ceremonies are 1 p.m. Friday afternoon 5/21/10 (with a welcome reception from 5 - 8 p.m.) and Saturday 5/22/10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Sheraton Crescent Hotel, 2620 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021

Why: You have benefits that you earned through honorable service to your country. You owe it yourself to find out more.

This year, we have great exhibitors and an excellent program. If you are interested in receiving updates as information becomes available, please send an email to gforsberg@azdvs.gov.

***** UPDATE - April 26, 2010 *****

The keynote speaker will be LTC Dawn Lake (USA, Retired) and our mistress of ceremonies will be COL Pam Rodriguez (USANG, Retired). MG Irene Trowell-Harris, R.N., Ed. D (USANG, Retired) will also provide information about the VA's Center for Women Veterans since her appointment in 2001. Each presenters is a hero who has a wealth of information to share.

You will also hear from experts on various benefits. These panelists can provide you immediate, accurate answers to your questions on various topic (such as compensation and pension, employment and small business opportunities, education, Women Veteran Coordinators, VA Eligibility and Minority Veterans, Vocational Rehab, Troops to Teachers, Education, Social Security, and medical benefits).

A mobile vets center will be available during the conference so that attendees will have the opportunity to confidentially speak with trained mental health counselors. Attendees who wish to initiate a claim will also have an opportunity to meet with professional Veterans Benefits Counselors.

We are keeping registration costs to a minimum ($30 for the conference includes lunch on Saturday). Please do not let your ability to pay keep you from attending, however. If you are having difficulty paying registration, contact the Registration Chair at (480) 833-9680 to learn about scholarships available.

DEADLINE May 5, 2010: To reserve lodging, please access the link Sheraton Crescent Hotel. The Sheraton Crescent Hotel is a beautiful pet-friendly and family-friendly hotel with great amenities. The rooms are being offered at $69 per night plus tax.

To make certain we have an accurate count on meals to serve on Saturday, we must also receive your registration no later than May 5, 2010 to ensure you will get a meal. Attendees are welcome to register at any time, however, and walk-ins are welcome at the conference.


GO HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION FORMS

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