Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce and his opponent in a recall election met in their first debate Thursday, sparring over illegal immigration and its financial impact on education and businesses.
Pearce faces charter school executive Jerry Lewis, a fellow Republican, in the Nov. 8 recall election that resulted from a petition drive.
Pearce is known nationally for championing tough legislation against illegal immigration, including SB1070. A federal judge has put key provisions of the law on hold, and Gov. Jan Brewer is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the law and allow it to take effect.
The law would require all immigrants to obtain or carry immigration registration papers and requires police, while enforcing other laws, to question people's immigration status if there is a reasonable suspicion they're in the country illegally.
Pearce defended Arizona's right to enforce immigration laws and argued against a moderator's statement that SB1070 has damaged the state's reputation and cost it millions of tourism dollars.
"Arizona suffers from a great reputation, not a bad reputation," he said. "We've changed the debate in Washington, D.C.
"Enough is enough. We're a nation of laws," he said. "We're a kind people, we allow more people in the U.S. legally than every other developed nation combined, but we have laws and we have a method to come here and that method must be honored and respected, and that's what I expect."
Lewis got equal amounts of boos and cheers after he criticized what he called "piecemeal" and "antiquated" immigration laws and called for a "more humane" way to address the immigration issue in a way that will work.
"Yes, we need to enforce all the laws but we need to make sure those laws are constitutionally vetted and work," he said. "We cannot be the federal government's agents in doing the job that they have to do. If we can focus our energies on first agreeing in our own state what we want, trust me, Washington will listen to us."
Another moderator asked Pearce and Lewis whether they're concerned about Arizona's agricultural industry's chances for survival without immigrant workers, pointing to Georgia and Alabama. Those states have recently passed tough immigration laws that could spell financial trouble for the state's agriculture industry, which relies on immigrant labor to harvest and process crops.
Pearce said he thinks the U.S. should redo its visa system to help meet the growing needs of farmers.
Lewis said agricultural jobs are jobs Americans won't do, but offered no solution to the matter except to generally call for immigration reform.
The organizers of the petition drive that led to the recall election have said that Pearce has been out of touch with district voters' concerns on education, health care and the economy. He denies that and says recall organizers targeted him because of his support for laws against illegal immigration.
Lewis has said he entered the race at the urging of Mesa residents who wanted more emphasis on the economy and education in the Legislature. He's also said that the 2010 law on illegal immigration was a good start toward reform and border security, but broader action on the issue is needed.
A_Rose_By_Any_Other_Name posted at 8:31 am on Mon, Oct 17, 2011.
TRUE Vetted Lewis Facts:
1) Lewis committed fraud against Arizona by falsifying the number of students at Sequoia Schools, which he used to manage until the State forced him to resign. Lewis asked Joy Christian, doesn't take public funds, to have their students log on to Sequoia to inflate the number of students.
A 2009 Audit by the State of AZ showed that Lewis defrauded taxpayers $1.9 million by Lewis falsely reporting an additional 400 Joy Christian students. Lewis was forced to resign and Sequoia had to pay back the $1.9 million to AZ. For more information, go to Sonoran News.
2) Lewis then became the manager of Pappas School, for underprivileged youths. Lewis was caught "light fingered" taking from the Homeless Donations. The lawsuit by the teacher(s) is open and pending in MC Superior Court. Click on the link at Sonoran Alliance to print the court documents.
3) Lewis at the debate equated AZ TODAY with the worst of the lynchings, KKK, and other civil rights travesties. Lewis "AZ is seen as something akin to 1964 Alabama". (AZ Rep video or Trib)
4) The article in the AZ Capital Times by a University of Phoenix lawyer(s) that Lewis' "slash and burn" tactic in the Cortes lawsuit were brutal and unconstitutional.
Quotes" The BEGINNING OF THE END OF DEMOCRACY IN ARIZONA. So let's hope no one ever brings a lawsuit like this again".
"After establishing just how far, exactly to the political Right these people can be found on the spectrum, (Lewis') Ryan executed what was probably the MOST CONSTITUTIONALLY REPUGNANT PART OF HIS LITIGATION STRATEGY -he required each to list every single political ally be name..their political beliefs and goals of their friends."
"The government has no right to pass judgment on the associations of its citizens-political, religious, ideological, or otherwise. Yet (Lewis') Ryan asked a Judge to INVENT A LAW whereby such associations can also give rise to legal and criminal liability." (AZ Capital Times article)
5) Lewis claims to be a Republican-no Democrat is running because Lewis is the "sham" Republican. The State GOP and Maricopa County GOP broker tradition of not endorsing a candidate when more than one is running because they KNOW that Lewis is a plant. Pearce has the support of the prominent Republican AZ state officers and legislators.
6) Lewis refuses to criticize/denounce his puppet master, Randy Parraz. Parraz is a union organizer and promoter of class warfare paid $117K a year by the unions (unioncheck.com) to disrupt and attack conservatives. Add in Lewis' La Raza (kill whites) and AZtlan (return AZ to Mexico) buddies-Snow, Parraz, Grijalva, Pastor, Reze- and you have a witches' brew.
As US Senator Trent Franks stated in his endorsement of State Senator President Pearce, please do not allow the "Looney Left" to take over Arizona, "flooding Million(s) into the state from outside unions , to pay for Open Border Activists to swarm Mesa's neighborhoods.
TeaPartyPatriot posted at 3:44 pm on Wed, Oct 12, 2011.
Answering a question about how to bring new businesses and jobs to the state of Arizona, he answered, “We need to improve our image. We are seen as something akin to 1964 Alabama.”
That’s right. He actually compared Mesa, Arizona of 2011 to the horrific civil rights abuses that took place in Alabama of 1964.
His comment wasn’t off the cuff. He was intentionally trying to conjure up images of African Americans being attacked by police dogs and water cannons. This is an outrage and the most despicable thing I’ve ever heard a candidate for public office utter.
In addition to insulting the very people he wishes to represent, he went on to flatly proclaim that Americans won’t do the hard work that is involved in agriculture jobs.
On top of that, he came out in support of giving away your hard-earned money to pay for tuition for illegal aliens. He is on the record saying, “I want them to feel comfortable in my home country, I don’t care if they’re legal or illegal.”
He is the choice of the Democrat Party. The Progressive Democrats of Arizona have hosted events for him. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing and he must be defeated.
Alfonso775 posted at 8:16 am on Tue, Oct 11, 2011.
What is there to "Spar" about when it comes to Illegal Immigration? There should only be one side to this debate, and both candidates should be on the same side![sad]
VictorVito posted at 12:14 pm on Mon, Oct 10, 2011.
All I can offer after viewing this debate is that Bishop Lewis reminds me very much of Mitt Romney as they are both great "storytellers". Hey, why let facts or the truth get in the way of a good story.
A_Rose_By_Any_Other_Name posted at 9:57 am on Mon, Oct 10, 2011.
Oh my, I see you stooped to censorship of my comments abi, did I hit a nerve?
A_Rose_By_Any_Other_Name posted at 9:56 am on Mon, Oct 10, 2011.
Olivia Cortes filed a voluntary withdrawal with the Arizona secretary of state's office Thursday.
She later issued a statement saying she dropped out of the race because of what she called "constant intimidation and harassment" of herself, her family, friends and neighbors.
"So for me, the dream of having a voice has died," Cortes' statement said, adding that she wanted to address economic, education and immigration concerns.
Cortes lawyer Anthony Tsontakis said earlier that his client accepted an offer by attorneys for a Pearce critic to cancel a court hearing Friday if she stepped out of the race.
Bishop Lewis supporters will stop at nothing to remove Senator Pearce. I wonder if they would stoop to murder even to get what they want?
Now that is misogyny at it's worst isn't it abi.
A_Rose_By_Any_Other_Name posted at 6:33 am on Mon, Oct 10, 2011.
abi, I am a woman. Just because I dislike you doesn't make me a misogynist.
A_Rose_By_Any_Other_Name posted at 6:31 am on Mon, Oct 10, 2011.
abi, say hi to everyone for me at the next progressive socialists meeting.
A_Rose_By_Any_Other_Name posted at 6:27 am on Mon, Oct 10, 2011.
Hum? Why are only progressive socialists backing Lewis and no prominent Republicans?
abimopectore posted at 11:43 am on Sun, Oct 9, 2011.
A_Rose_By_Any_Other_Name,
I won't do what you're doing like censoring my comments by reporting them. I see I hit a nerve with your repetitive comments. Get a web education and you'll realize you only need one comment to respond. You might have run a large corporation but economics wasn't your cup of tea or your analysis wouldn't be so shallow as you've demonstrated in your childish rantings. Nepotism is big in corporate culture, so we now know how you got your position.
"Yes abi, let the up and coming communists deal with the issues that my generation built this great nation on. We made it great and yours is killing it off. How naive of little girls with little experience and less wisdom to proclaim such nonsense."
There you go again... fabricating nonsense, lies, and innuendos that typically characterize your commentary. Some of these young folks have been dying in wars overseas and getting injured but it goes to show how much you appreciate their service. I see your a misogynist, clearly demonstrating your maturity in your comments.
"So abi do you sympathy with the radicals trying to attack wall street like your communist buddy, Obozo? Sounds like you would to me."
You have no idea of my perspective and sympathies since you're incapable of understanding the nuances of any argument and immediately label somebody who doesn't share your strabismic view of the world a communist. You couldn't be more intelligent.
And yes... keep lying about Jerry Lewis... anybody with some common sense can see through your rants and obfuscations. Have a nice Sunday!
A_Rose_By_Any_Other_Name posted at 11:10 am on Sun, Oct 9, 2011.
A Legislative candidate is an executive at a charter school that serves under-privileged kids. Each year the school has a major charity drive to get clothing and supplies for the kids. The drives are huge events in which members of the community are asked to donate enough book bags to fill an entire school bus. But there's problem. The Assistant Principal notices that the Principal, our legislative candidate, oftentimes dispenses the supplies in ways that don't benefit children and weren't part of the purpose of the drive. For example, he gave some of the supplies to a friend of his who then sold them at a yard sale. Meanwhile, our candidate continues to solicit donations, claiming that the kids need more supplies.
The Assistant Principal complains that giving some of the supplies to a private party who then keeps the proceeds is inappropriate and she also complains that soliciting additional donations while giving away existing donation to non-intended recipients is even more inappropriate. In fact, the the Assistant Principal raises the issue on numerous occasions, claiming that the donations are not being used for the benefit of the children, or for their intended purpose.
This administrator goes on vacation and when she returns, she discovers that she has been terminated. Since she has a contract, she sues for wrongful termination and alleges that she was fired because she complained about our candidate's behavior.
The candidate is Jerry Lewis and no one in the media is willing to print a story that might upset his chances of defeating Russell Pearce. Managed news is not news, it's propaganda.
Jerry Lewis is just another clown looking to line his own pockets. I'd rather have a professional politician than a Bishop as my leader.
A_Rose_By_Any_Other_Name posted at 10:19 am on Sun, Oct 9, 2011.
So abi do you sympathy with the radicals trying to attack wall street like your communist buddy, Obozo? Sounds like you would to me.
A_Rose_By_Any_Other_Name posted at 10:17 am on Sun, Oct 9, 2011.
Yes abi, let the up and coming communists deal with the issues that my generation built this great nation on. We made it great and yours is killing it off. How naive of little girls with little experience and less wisdom to proclaim such nonsense.
abimopectore posted at 10:44 pm on Sat, Oct 8, 2011.
A_Rose_By_Any_Other_Name,
"I ran a large corporation in my working days..."
You're not in the job market anymore which would explain your lack of understanding.
"As far as SB1070 is concerned, the liberal 9th Circuit is overturned more often than any other court and it will be again when the US Supreme Court finally hears our case."
You haven't researched this enough because this court as well as others have been overturned as often throughout the history of ALL appellate courts. Search the web history on court cases from the different circuits and you'll confirm this fact; and don't search someone opinion about it because most are lying to justify their position. I'll give you a hint: The Supreme Court for the most part usually doesn't take cases that aren't going to be necessarily overturned unless there's a burning question that needs to be settled at their level. This is a question that will be definitely settled and I'm betting that it won't satisfy ALL the parties involved as I've indicated in my previous comments that you apparently didn't understand. I won't go as far as you to tell the future since I'm not as wise an old person as you are.
"What exactly did Lewis suggest was a truly effective solution?"
Actually, neither Jerry Lewis nor Russell Pearce offer a solution since it's apparent that it's a solution that goes beyond what one state senator could possibly do. This rancor is being produced by BOTH sides and it's not only "La Ratzas" as you so inaccurately describe. But then again, I'm not speaking with someone who has the ability to analyze the nuances of argument but only appeals to lies, distortions, innuendo and a reality that is disappearing as the youth of this country continue to change the demographic dynamics of this nation. You apparently can't deal with the changes that are coming to this country because you're locked up in a myopic fantasy of what is not truly occurring. Enjoy your retirement and let the generation that's up and coming deal with the issues that your generation never truly addressed.
A_Rose_By_Any_Other_Name posted at 9:16 pm on Sat, Oct 8, 2011.
First of all, I ran a large corporation in my working days, so I really don't think I need a beginning economics course, abi expectorant. As far as SB1070 is concerned, the liberal 9th Circuit is overturned more often than any other court and it will be again when the US Supreme Court finally hears our case. SB1070 has created more rancor because of the liberals that seek amnesty and the La Ratzas that seek reconquista of the American southwest via the invasion from south of the border. They sued Arizona and other states along with this socialistic presidency. That has created the rancor you speak of, not the constitutionally sound law itself.
"The issue Jerry Lewis was making is that we don't need to promote legislation that takes us toward a litigious route instead of creating policy that can be truly effective" Really? What exactly did Lewis suggest was a truly effective solution? Amnesty is all he has. Give it back to them and let them steal it after all we stole it from them. That is the real Bishop Lewis. Get a clue abi or stop the lies. You are stinking up the place with your pro illegal immigration sewage. So will Lewis if he gets the chance. Stop wiping your rear end on our bill of rights and constitution dear.
abimopectore posted at 1:11 pm on Sat, Oct 8, 2011.
Butters,
"That is an untruthful statement as not all of the provisions in the law were blocked by the lower court."
You're kidding yourself if you think SB1070 is if anything in its current form at all applicable less enforceable in most of its KEY provisions. I stated nothing else and also it is TRUE that's its constitutionality is WHY it's been enjoined.
I'm not playing word games and I can't help you and others who promote "beliefs" in your factual statements than what the current reality is.
I made no statement about whether I'm for SB1070 or not; I was stating a factual statement. The issue Jerry Lewis was making is that we don't need to promote legislation that takes us toward a litigious route instead of creating policy that can be truly effective because SB1070 has created more rancor than actually create a better immigration reality. The damage being done are folks who don't want to face this reality and instead will settle for the court making a decision that will most likely NOT satisfy EITHER side but just kick the can further down the road.
Again your last paragraph is a non sequitur indicative of the single digit IQ that typify responses that introduce concepts and ideas that have nothing to do with the current discussion. Your insulting attitude regarding serving is classic of not knowing who you are talking with. I will make this my last statement because talking to people who have rocks for brains is the reason why we keep electing people like Russell Pearce.
Butters posted at 10:44 am on Sat, Oct 8, 2011.
Abimopectore, or is it "Randy?", having a hard time with reading comprehension? In your own words you stated and I quote you, "As for SB1070, currently is not constitutional as per previous rulings." That is an untruthful statement as not all of the provisions in the law were blocked by the lower court. You should have clarified that in your initial statement, rather than to give the false appearance that all of the provisions in the law were blocked. That's it, nothing more.
Stop playing the word games, grow up, and accept the fact that you're indicactive of a minority of voters whose desire is to force your warped beliefs down the throats of we, the majority of voters, who not only back SB1070 and the polls support this, but are sick and tired of the damage people like yourself are doing to this country. You can't win fairly in the voting booth or in the court of public opinion with a majority of voters. so you resort to costly litigation at the expense of the taxpayers, in an often vain attempt to force your hand.
Channel your energy into defending the rights of U.S. American Citizens, rather than wasting your very misguided efforts on defending illegal aliens. Get use to the fact that this is not the former NAZI Germany, China, or even the former U.S.S.R.. This is the United States of America. Read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Maybe then you'll understand why so many of us have and will continue to defend what they stand for. Those of us who have served and are servinig, have taken an oath to protect them and this country, from ALL enemies, foreign and domestic, including the illegal invaders overrunning this country and overburdening our precious resources meant for those of us who are legal citizens.
abimopectore posted at 10:44 pm on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
Butters,
Your ignorance and reading comprehension is appalling. Here's a link where it explains some of the issues regarding immigration that the Supreme Court could possibly be facing this fall term:
http://multiamerican.scpr.org/2011/10/the-alabama-ruling-sb-1070-and-the-supreme-court-whats-next/
I concur that the Supreme Court WILL eventually decide this and I did not contradict this point. On the other hand, as the link above describes, SB1070's key provisions are enjoined because of the lower court's ruling (i.e., the trial judge's ruling) and the appellate ruling that followed because of these courts' belief that they will be found eventually unconstitutional. How you can read the future is beyond me, but it does show that the facts don't get in the way of your confabulations.
Butters posted at 6:48 pm on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
abimopectore said: As for SB1070, currently is not constitutional as per previous rulings.
I think it is YOU who not only doesn't understand the legal process, but you also have a hard time telling the truth. Only certain parts of SB1070 were blocked from taking effect by a Phoenix Federal judge. As Rose stated, it is working it's way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, where most likely the SB1070 parts that were blocked by the lower court will be ruled legal, just like our Employer Sanctions Law was.
abimopectore posted at 6:21 pm on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
A_Rose_By_Any_Other_Name,
Lewis told the truth about these jobs. Take a beginning economics course and maybe you'll start understanding why this is so. The solution is obvious except for folks who don't understand the dynamics of economic production systems in the different areas of the economy.
As for SB1070, currently is not constitutional as per previous rulings. Yes, I know the Supreme Court will eventually decide it; but at the current moment, it is not. This is something you would know if you understood the legal process as well as the facts.
A_Rose_By_Any_Other_Name posted at 5:38 pm on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
Who are you talking to abi expectorant? Oh, yourself, as usual.
A_Rose_By_Any_Other_Name posted at 5:31 pm on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
Lewis said agricultural jobs are jobs Americans won't do, but offered no solution. Not surprising. He's also said that the 2010 law on illegal immigration was a good start, but also said "Yes, we need to enforce all the laws but we need to make sure those laws are constitutionally vetted and work." They are constitutional but La Ratza and the socialistas are fighting it. The invaders are using our own democracy to thwart justice. Obozo allows this as he is one of them. Lets let the US Supreme Court decide sb1070 just like they decided the last one that was found to be constitutional, Legal Arizona Workers Act 101. When we get to court we will prevail.
abimopectore posted at 5:06 pm on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
Russell is that you? I can see you and your attack dogs are out in force spewing lies and innuendo.
Too bad you were caught red-handed in the Olivia Cortes scandal! All the voters know this already. Get ready for retirement.
Chip's Mom posted at 3:29 pm on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
I have never posted a comment before, but I cannot let this go unspoken. Several people have questioned Mr. Lewis' stand on immigration. Several years ago he told the Tribune that "I don't care if they [Hispanics] are legal or illegal. I want them to feel welcome in my country." No real Conservative would have made such a statement. Also, he has been fired from at least two jobs he had. The CPA firm and also the construction company of which he was the CEO. He nearly ran it into the ground before he was axed.The owner of this company was one of the bishops in his stake. He was in the uncomfortable position of firing his stake president! He passes himself off as an educator, but he has no education credentials. No public school would hire him because of that. This is why he went to work for a charter school with Mormon connections. His experience that he claims to have in secondary and college levels is religious instruction at the LDS Seminaries (secondary) and LDS Institute (college). Now he is accused of allowing donations for homeless children to be sold to benefit a personal friend. He is not the humble, honest person that he pretends to be. He has dirt on him, also. He loves power and authority. Previous to this recall, he showed no interest in politics. I don't think he ever appeared at a LD 18 meeting. I can't see him rushing in to help someone in his district as Russell Pearce did when the city tried to seize Randy Bailey's Brake Shop through eminent domain. Just beware!
Accuracy posted at 1:23 pm on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
Candidate Olivia Cortes attorney Anthony Tsontakis said Cortes' decision to voluntarily withdraw from the Legislative District 18 recall election race was a deal with the opposing party – recall supporter Mary Lou Boettcher.
Halting Jerry Lewis from saying (during the debate with Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce) she was a fraudulent candidate meant to siphon votes from him.
So now, Randy Parraz, who organized the recall effort, said Citizens for a Better Arizona will go out into the Legislative District 18 community and call voters to let people know Cortes is no longer a candidate.
Butters posted at 12:11 pm on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
Jerry Lewis reminds me of Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign. Obama had one of the best Public Relations team that money could buy and he got real good at using that teleprompter so he could spew all the fluff his handlers wrote for him. As America has come to realize, it takes a whole lot more than well scripted words to run a country.
There was a lot of information available back in 2008, about Obama's questionable background, including his lack of business experience. In short, he was nothing more than an overpaid community organizer and for a socialist progressive organization. A year after Obama became president, America started to wake up and realize that they were suckered into voting for a president whose only purpose in the White House, is to cater to a minority backed socialist progressive agenda. Many of his appointees were either not confirmed due to shady backgrounds, forced to resign when their criminal backgrounds were exposed,, or in the case of US AG Eric Holder, is either going to resign or face possible criminal action by Congress for lying under oath, and especially contributing to the death of a US Border Patrol Agent for allowing Operation Fast & Furious to supply guns and ammo to the Mexican drug cartels.
Now we have Jerry Lewis, a virtual unknown, who talks a not so good game from scripts prepared by his handler, Randy Parraz, along with the money that Parraz's leftist buddies bring to Lewis's campaign. I find it hard to believe, that US Citizens who live in District 18, are that naive as to not question why Parraz, who lives in North Scottsdale and NOT in district 18, would be so concerned about the wellbeing of those of us who do live in district 18. Could it be that Parraz really doesn't give a darn about those of us who do live in district 18, who have had to deal with the vast amount of problems that the illegal aliens brought to our neck of the woods? Real problems, such as a high number of accidents by uninsured illegal alien drivers, DUI's, domestic violence, buglaries, thefts, robberies, home invasions, kidnappings, extortion and car thefts. Let's also not forget how they overloaded our school system, resulting in bond override after bond override, to educate illegal alien school children. Then there's a problem with identity theft and credit fraud, in addition to the inability of illegal aliens to maintain the properties they either rented, or bought illegally by using someone elses stolen identity.
Here's an example of just how costly identity theft and credit fraud can be. Yes, committed right here in good, old, Mesa, Arizona. This is the same type of person that Jerry Lewis wants to hold hands with at one of his stake meetings, while sitting around a campfire, singing Kum Bah Ya.
Identity theft suspect racked up $787,000 in debt
http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2008/06/04/20080604abrk-identity.html
As a concerned, legal, taxpaying, registered voter, Veteran, U.S. Citizen, who lives in District 18, I'm not willing to gamble with not only my future, but that of my grown children and young grandchildren, by voting for someone lacking in the necessary background to properly represent us at the state capitol, and one who is aligned with a socialist progressive racist, La Raza backed screwball who doesn't even live in our district. I know Senator Pearce will do as he says, as he has a proven and solid track record of working for the U.S. Citizens of District 18. Senator Pearce also does NOT mix church with state. Apparently Jerry Lewis wants to do just that, by following the Utah way of doing things, and by holding stake meetings. I'm not a Mormon hater as many of you already know, and I've defended many a Mormon. However, I'm not a Mormon, so excuse me for feeling that I would be a disenfranchised U.S. citizen of District 18, if Lewis were to be elected and ran his office like a Mormon Bishop rather than as a State Senator. The Mormon Church, just like every other religious house of worship, has the legal right to NOT have government intrude on their religious practices. That same holds true for those of us who expect and demand that a church, any church of any faith, NOT infuse, mix, or otherwise allow their church doctrines to replace what many of us hold so dear and even fought to defend, OUR U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
As for you shady business people wanting cheap labor, who you often abuse and underpay your illegal alien laborers, either get with the program by supporting our laws and our U.S. American Citizens, or go out of business. Even better, get out of our state. We've had enough of your underhanded and extremely dishonest business practices. If you want to do business in a cesspool environment, then Los Angeles is just the place you ought to be.
God Bless America, Land That I Love. God Bless Senator Pearce, for having the integrity, pride, and especially the courage, to stand up against the few malcontent detractors, so that he may protect and serve the many. He's got my vote...again.
Diogenes Lantern posted at 10:44 am on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
Mopcambm: More lies from Lewis. Read the lawsuit! Lewis repeatedly-many, many times, took from the Homelss Fund and he has been doing this for years! The teachers finally united and said this is so wrong and one risked her job by going to the authorities. So vindicative Lewis fired her and the lawsuits started.
Check out my words...four teachers saying that Lewis is a theft, nasty, liar, and a horrible teacher/administrator. All know he wants to bring down #1 Conservative in Az whose only fault is helping other states using AZ's cutting edge legislative bills.
Lewis is a fraud. No Republican or Conservative will back him. Lewis takes all the money and work of the most leftist marxist retreads.
You need to do your own typing, mopcambm, rather than do a cut and paste from Lewis' comments.
mopcambm posted at 9:46 am on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
In response to Dio Lantern:
For Immediate Release: October 5, 2011
Contact: John Giles
In response, to accusation made by anonymous bloggers and by Sunday Square Off contributor Greg Patterson, the Lewis campaign is releasing a statement by Ron Neil the superintendent named in a lawsuit. Mr. Neil sets the record straight on the false claims being made about Jerry Lewis.
“Choice Education and Development Corporation and Edkey, Inc., have been named defendants in a lawsuit in which the plaintiff’s main arguments are that she was wrongfully terminated. While the case will be debated in the legal realm, where we will assert the merits of what we believe to be a sound position, it appears that a tangent to the case is the plaintiff’s inclusion of Jerry Lewis’s name. At the time the events described in the suit occurred, Jerry Lewis was employed by Choice Education and Development Corporation. Jerry Lewis is NOT a named defendant in the lawsuit. He had nothing to do with her termination and in fact offered some creative options to save her job. It was my sole decision to terminate the plaintiff and eliminate her position due to budgetary issues. The plaintiff’s claims that Jerry Lewis misappropriated donated items are absolutely not true. In the process of collecting donations for the school, we routinely receive a large number of unusable items of little or no value, which are normally discarded or donated to other charitable organizations such as Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, etc. In the instance the plaintiff cites in her lawsuit, the items in question were not sold at any yard sale and most were donated to a local thrift store. Contrary to the plaintiff’s assertion, not even 1 cent was raised from any yard sale of items donated to our school. We find it disingenuous that someone would try to use this incident to harm Jerry Lewis’s reputation. We feel the need to set the record straight. In our experience, Jerry Lewis displays the highest degree of integrity in carrying out his duties and we have faith and confidence in his character.
“Choice Education and Development Corporation is quite concerned that untrue, irresponsible, and vengeful comments directed at Jerry Lewis could harm the wonderful students at our schools. The majority of the students at the school in question are homeless. They depend greatly on the generous donations of food, clothing and school supplies from a number of individuals. It is sad that people who make such irresponsible comments do not think how their words and accusations could harm children who are most in need.â€
Ron Neil
Superintendent,
Choice Education & Development Corporation
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2011/10/06/20111006mesa-pearce-lewis-split-on-immigration-enforcement.html#comments#ixzz1a72WSUA3
Cerulean posted at 9:26 am on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
It seemed to me that NEITHER candidate answered the questions.
However, IMHO, Pearce has been in the Arizona legislature for over TEN YEARS, he should have been able to defend his record! Pearce was not able to speak to the well-being of the State of Arizona, but rather only to his achievements dedicated to a small group of private school, gun advocates. If that is what gives Arizona a “good image” then this state is in trouble!! Lewis gave the impression of optimism and Pearce was all mumbo jumbo nonsense.
Also, as I scroll down through the Pearce spam on this comment section (no-doubt all written by one person), I’m reminded of the obnoxious few who attended the debate that felt it necessary to demonstrate their vocal skills after every Pearce response. something.
OneSoldiersView posted at 8:54 am on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
As to CooperG’s rationale, I guess I am to think that because he “sat in the room and watched” his view has more validity than anyone else. I heard the same words that he heard. I encourage people to use the East Valley Tribune link to watch the entire recorded debate and judge for themselves. Russell Pearce answered with specific positions, policies, and historical actions he has taken to address a wide range of issues. Mr. Lewis gave platitudes about how stakeholders must meet and listen to each other. It is common sense that people must meet to work out solutions but Mr. Lewis’ Kum ba yah approach is designed to make it appear that the President of the Arizona Senate does not meet with people. This is silly and illogical on its face. This approach also fails to acknowledge that some issues will never be resolved to suit all sides so there will always be a group that is unwilling to accept any reasoning other than their own. . For example, Mr. Lewis doesn’t seem to accept the wisdom of many of Mr. Pearce’s actions even though they are supported by a huge majority of Arizonans.
In response to Leon Ceniceros, evidently you did not get the memo that Russell Pearce is also a Mormon. There are no church marching orders on these issues and there is a wide range of views within the Mormon Church on immigration policies. I don’t think your hostility toward Mormons serves this debate very well.
Diogenes Lantern posted at 8:19 am on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
Response to Copper G: Pray tell me what awards Lewis has gotten from the business community? Pearce consistently is awarded by the FISB (believe correct-the Small Business Association). Pearce is #1 by Am for Tax Reform and Hero to Taxpayer by Am for Prosperity. Am Tax Payer-Pearce #1 Friend of the Tax Payer. Goldwater Inst and Pachyderm Coalitions: #1 Legislator.
Pearce also sponsored the LARGEST TAX RELIEF package in the state's history. Pearce and crews balanced the state's budget after Big Sis Napolitano left AZ in one of the worst financial condition (debt per citizen) in the USA-$1.2 Billion deficit.
Lewis even lost his job at the big CPA firm and turned to teaching without teacher's credentials. His great big business experience now? Managing a charter school . Yippee! Meanwhile, Pearce works on a HUGE budget daily trying to lower taxes, only 1.5% cut to education (more lies from Lewis), smaller government, and Balanced Budget (more lies from Lewis).
We shudder to think what Lewis' puppetmaster, Randy Parraz, will require for raising the money for the Recall and then Lewis campaign. Why does a so-called Republican allow these marxist retreads to do everything for him-from start of recall to now? Why is not a SINGLE Republican leader backing Lewis?
Lewis is such an unknown (manager charter school and Pres LDS Stake-that's it!) that I wondered what reason he could be running now rather than the General Election? Just to humiliate Pearce -a fellow Mormon? To break up the Mormon churches in Mesa? #1 vocal Mormon Hater-Kysten Sinema is one of Lewis' top 5 backers. Hum?
Lewis knows that he can not win in a General Election. Pearce's supporters would have time to raise money to counter the millions pouring in from La Raza (kill whites), AZtlan (return AZ to Mexico), Move on and SEIU , and the other mob-controlled unions OCCUPYING WALL STREET and the Wisconsin/Walker failed recall. Lewis' puppet master, Parraz, was for 9 years the President of the IAF, Saul Alinsky's commie training camp (Obama, Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez (Ven), Ceasar Chavez).
Interesting man Lewis! A nothing all his life and then gets sucked into the progressive/socialist/marxist camp by Greed and Ambition...or its it purely out to destroy and humiliate a USA Cultural Icon?
Diogenes Lantern posted at 7:59 am on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
LEWIS SUED BY TEACHER(s) OVER THEFT FROM HOMELESS DONATIONS
Teacher(s) at Jerry Lewis' charter school filed a lawsuit charging Lewis with theft from the Homeless Children donations.Go to Sonoran Alliance and check out the legal documents.The legal documents also shows the Facebook entry made by the teacher friend in which she discloses that she obtained nearly $1,000 from the sale of the donated items Lewis gave her.
Negative Comments (3) from Lewis' Fellow Teachers:
Jerry Lewis made himself principal of the school (even though he did not have the training or state certificate to be one) while he was also the assistant superintendent. The morale and academics plummeted under him
In the two years I worked while Jerry was principal I saw favoritism, heavy-handed tactics, and a decline in academics. The behavior of Jerry is far worse than Dr. Dowling was accused of.
Crazy thing is that through her contacts she brought in more funds for the school than what they paid her. Jerry did not like her constantly catching him spending donated funds incorrectly
We will see if the Tribune is fair and balanced IF they run this news.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 7:47 am on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
Well we all finally got to see Mormon Bishop (and Boy Scout Leader), Jerry Lewis in action.
He called Arizona a State living back in the days of ..."1964 Alabama"..for.."Enforcing the US Federal Illegal Alien Entry Laws tht have been on the books for generations"...but to Mormon Bishop Jerry Lewis....Arizona appears to be a.........."RACIST STATE"....because or Senator Russell Pearce's .."SB 1070 Law"
I guess Jerry Lewisis only spouting what the...."Powers That Be"...from the Mesa and the Salt Lake City Temples are .........telling him what to say....you all know that he would have been kicked out of the Mormon Church...long ago if he wasn't following the .."script".....hook, line and sinker.
When Mormon Bishop Jerry Lewis spouted...."more humane"...that was just the .."catch word of the day"...for what the other Mormon Politicians (Mitt Romney, Matt Salmon and Jeff Flake) have been spouting.
CooperG posted at 7:25 am on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
I have no idea what debate what OneSoldiersView or Diogenes Lantern watched, but it wasn't the one I sat in the room and watched. Clearly, the concept of listen, learn, debate and the act is as lost on them as it is on Russell Pearce. To me, Lewis won easily. The difference is he wasn't trying to appeal to the Pearce mouth breathers, he was appealing to the business community and he exactly that.
As for the nonsense that Lewis' own supporters booed his statement on immigration is more wishful thinking on the part of Pearce supporters. The difference is Pearce thinks his ideas ideas work while Lewis and the business community know they don't. Here's one example:
Pearce likes to claim 30 states are following Arizona's lead on immigration. That happens to be a half-truth. First, only 25 introduced 1070-like bills and only four passed them. That means 21 states decided following Arizona's "leadership" wasn't for them. If this were baseball and the manager started out 4-21, most people would be calling for him to resign. That's hardly a winning record.
OneSoldiersView posted at 11:53 pm on Thu, Oct 6, 2011.
Mr. Pearce's answers focused on solid achievements he has produced. He showed a mastery of legal, business, education, and tax payer issues across the board. Mr. Lewis' approach to virtually every area could be summed up as: Get stakeholders together, hold a meeting, listen, listen, listen and some solution will magically appear. He never bothered to note that there have been many meetings with the Federal "Stakeholder" but the current administration refuses to acknowledge the right of a state to protect its citizens when the federal government fails. The current federal agencies, at the direction of the President, then double down by working tirelessly to undermine efforts to enforce the federal laws. How will stakeholder meetings work when key parties refuse to acknowledge a problem or care about a solution?
mopcambm posted at 11:00 pm on Thu, Oct 6, 2011.
Jerry Lewis' comment said "We are seen as a very unfriendly business state. WE ARE SEEN as something akin to maybe 1964 Alabama. People do not want to move their business' here." Russell Pearce said "He said right there, he called Arizona a racist state. He owes an apology. That's the most outrageous statement that I've ever heard." Lewis said that image was 'having a terrible impact on our economy." Actually, I'm not sure Russell Pearce heard the "We are seen" comment, but assumed that Jerry Lewis was saying that these were his own ideas and didn't understand that these were the impressions of outside business. As far as that being the most outrageous statement that he has ever heard--Arizona has had a hard time with its racist image after the Martin Luthor King Day was voted down. Arizona lost a lot of business back then because people treated us as they did apartheid. It took a very long time to recover from that. Has Pearce had his head in the sand? Jerry Lewis has worked very hard with those that are homeless and poverty stricken, and he is correct when he says that these people are treated differently than everyone else.
Diogenes Lantern posted at 9:28 pm on Thu, Oct 6, 2011.
Well, I wondered how you could possibly distort the debate! Congratulations-you did it!
First, you did NOT report the incredible comment from Lewis that (current) Arizona is equal to 1964 Alabama-even his supporters booed him!
Pearce out of touch on education? Pearce wins the award every year from ASU Dept of Education for being a Hero to Education. Apple Award from Parents for Education. AZ Technology Top Tier AWard.
Economy: Ok-Why don't you quote Russell Pearce that Big Sis Napolitano fled the state leaving a $1.2 Billion Deficit (in better times). Az was ranked last in financial condition (debt/per citizen). Russell and crew just Balanced the Budget under Obama's Depression and we are now ranked top 5. And only cutting education by 1.5%.
Or that tourism increased after 1070 was enacted by 10%?
Or that Russell and others brought a steel company here bringing 200 jobs?
Or that INTEL and Boeing are expanding and hiring?
Scottsdale Tourism Rebound-Sale tax UP" AZ Republic 7/14/11
"Phoenix Tax Collections Up More than 9 Million"-AZ Republic 3/2/11
"Tourism Numbers Looking Up" Prescott News
"Arizona Boycott Impact Limited" Ohio News
Maybe it's time to do "real" reporting rather than your liberal propganda.