State senators voted Wednesday to name Jay Heiler as the newest member of the Board of Regents, saying he is a far different man than the one who wrote offensive comments about gays and immigrants three decades ago as editor of the State Press at Arizona State University.
"I hope that people do not judge me on things that I said 30 years ago,'' said Sen. Rich Crandall, R-Mesa, in championing the decision by Gov. Jan Brewer to name Heiler to the board that oversees the state's three public universities. "The same is true for Mr. Heiler.''
And Crandall said the work that Heiler, who was chief of staff for former Gov. Fife Symington, has done since, including his current stint as chairman of a network of charter schools, shows he is more than qualified for the job.
But several Democrats said even if Heiler is a changed man -- something they are not necessarily conceding -- they do not believe he has properly apologized for what he said.
Two specific Heiler comments in print are at the center of the debate.
In one, discussing homosexuals "coming out of the closet,'' he said that being gay "is most definitely an aberration.''
Sen. Linda Gray, R-Glendale, said Heiler has since said that word is not one he would use today to describe gays.
But Sen. Steve Gallardo, D-Phoenix, said Heiler's comments did not stop there.
Writing about illegal immigrants, he wrote that they come here to start a new life and then try to cling to their own language and customs.
"This tendency leads to all sorts of societal problems, ranging from interracial unrest to unexplained disappearances of dogs,'' Heiler wrote. Gallardo said that not only offends Hispanics but is untrue.
What Gallardo did not read, though, was the rest of the paragraph where Heiler clarified his statement a bit, saying, "the former difficulty crops up wherever aliens are to be found; the latter arose in California when the Vietnamese arrived.''
Sen. David Schapira, D-Tempe, acknowledged that while Heiler told lawmakers he regretted his comments and no longer feels that way, "he fell short in not apologizing.''
But Heiler's comments were not limited to what he did as an ASU student.
In a 1994 incident, while Symington's chief of staff, he was reported using the word "queer'' while talking to reporters in the press room about the issue of gay marriage that arose in the gubernatorial race.
Heiler later issued a letter of apology several days later, saying he did not recall using that word. On Wednesday, though, Heiler said he never used the word.
Schapira's objections to Heiler, however, also go to his current stance on some items.
For example, Heiler said he was concerned about rising tuition costs. And he acknowledged that the Arizona Constitution requires instruction at the universities be "as nearly free as possible.''
"But he doesn't believe the court should step in there,'' Schapira said.
And Schapira also said he objects to Heiler's refusal that the Regents should adopt policies that prohibit speech on campus that creates a hostile learning environment.
That complaint brought a sharp retort from Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs. He said language should not be banned unless it is defamatory or inciting violence, "the kind of limitations the U.S. Supreme Court has put on speech.''
hamguy posted at 9:32 am on Tue, Feb 14, 2012.
What he said 30 years ago is still true today. Many of the "New Americans" want the benefits of the" American way" without change. Has anyone noticed "China Town" in San Francisco, Little Germany in Denver Co etc, etc. When you take the Oath of Allegiance when becoming a new citizen you swear to renounce your old and defend your new country even in a war. I witnessed one man walk out rather than take that oath. He was honorable and truthful IMO.
Regarding the Homosexual, I think it only matters to a Christian as in the King James Bible, we read that such action is an abomination to God. Therefore, IMO if your non-Christian and none God fearing, it really doesn't matter. You will soon enough see if your opinion is right or wrong.
JMJ posted at 12:14 pm on Thu, Feb 9, 2012.
"I hope that people do not judge me on things that I said 30 years ago,'' said Sen. Rich Crandall, R-Mesa.
Don't worry, Rich, we only judge you on the things you say and do, today.
chatmandu002 posted at 10:25 am on Thu, Feb 9, 2012.
I wonder if Rupert would approve of a bigoted pro-illegal advocate?
Masterrogue666 posted at 8:59 am on Thu, Feb 9, 2012.
They had to dig back 30 years to find "dirt". Whom among us is exactly the same person as 30 years ago? Whom among us hasn't learned, or changed their mind on an issue(s) since then?
Rupert posted at 8:25 am on Thu, Feb 9, 2012.
Commentators decry the low expectations set for our students. What about the low expectations the Governor sets for her Regent appointments? Is Jay Heiler, a bigoted man who shows a fundamental disregard for civil rights and civility, worthy of appointment to the Board of Regents? Another embarrassment for the state of Arizona.