I don’t know how many other people got a Facebook message from Jerry Lewis, a candidate for the state Senate from Mesa’s Legislative District 18 that is currently held by Russell Pearce who has been recalled.
Lewis’ message was straight forward: Stop by my house on Saturday morning for a donut and help me kickoff my campaign.
That was it, an open invitation to those interested in Lewis’ candidacy and his goal to represent Mesa in the Legislature.
When I arrived at Lewis' house in west Mesa it was already hot and there was a crowd of 35 or 40 people in the driveway. Lewis, dressed in Dockers and long-sleeved white shirt, was meeting, greeting and answering questions. I watched the interaction between Lewis and the crowd.
It was obvious he was as interested in them as they were in him. Lewis showed great respect to those who questioned him and who’d come by for a donut in the morning sun.
Lewis fielded their questions and from what I could hear he answered their individual questions with specific answers and not the typical political mealy-mouthed response where candidates and elected officials answer the question they wish they were asked and not the one that was asked.
I thought to myself what a contrast to Pearce who often dresses for the crowds in his trademark American flag shirt and big belt buckle and whose thundering voice machine-guns responses to questions that sooner or later involve Constitutional quotes and putting blame for all of Arizona’s ills on one group or another but never the Legislature that Pearce has bulldogged for the last 11 years.
I found it interesting that while Lewis used Facebook to let the regular folks know about his gathering, Pearce hooked up with a group of powerful Phoenix lobbyists who represent labor unions, insurance companies, gambling, and the liquor industry and who are planning a bash to raise funds for Pearce and the Citizens Who Oppose the Pearce Recall. I doubt seriously if Pearce’s soiree will be held in the driveway of his Mesa home and donuts will be served for refreshments.
Last January, Pearce attended a fundraiser held in his honor with over 70 hosts, mostly lobbyists, at a multi-million dollar mansion in Paradise Valley.
The wealthy and powerful who call Paradise Valley home are a world away from the people who live in Mesa’s LD18.
Pearce has been linked to former Fiesta Bowl lobbyist Gary Husk who is reportedly under investigation for his Bowl-related activities. Pearce reportedly received nearly $40,000 in perks from the Fiesta Bowl that included first class travel, five star hotel stays and highly sought after tickets to some of the most high powered collegiate football games in the country.
Lewis told me the last football game he went to was at Mesa’s Westwood High School.
Lewis, a 30-year Mesa resident and certified public accountant, is an assistant schools superintendent for a statewide non-profit charter school system. He’s served as a Bishop and Stake President in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was the Vice President of the Grand Canyon Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Pearce, a Mesa native, is a retired Maricopa County deputy sheriff who served as chief deputy under Joe Arpaio. He’s been in the Legislature 11 years. He’s also LDS. In 1999 Pearce was reportedly fired from his position as director of Arizona’s Motor Vehicle Division after “tampering with the driving records of a woman who was convicted of driving under the influence twice within 10 months.” Politics became his next career.
Both are Republicans and very different individuals.
Come November Mesa LD18 voters will pick a state senator. With candidates Lewis and Pearce they’ll have two distinct and different candidates to pick from.
• Retired Mesa master police officer Bill Richardson lives in the East Valley and can be reached at bill.richardson@cox.net
Trans posted at 8:15 am on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
Something else that shows the difference between the two men - Mr. Lewis is approachable and inspires trust. Pearce inspires fear. I know that for a fact, because I was knocking on doors in LD 18 and spoke to many Republicans who refused to sign the recall petition because they knew it was public, and they were afraid of repercussions. If we could have assured them that Pearce would not be able to see their names, we would have had 20,000 signatures easily. But they did promise to vote against him in the recall election, no matter who the other candidate might be.
Accuracy posted at 8:25 am on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
Bill Richardson thinks, "Pearce, Lewis offer Mesa voters two distinct options"
∙ Both are Mormons of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church, colloquially known as the Mormon church).
∙ Both are Republicans in the same Mesa district.
∙ Russell Pearce famous for SB 1070 immigration bill, that made changes to laws relating to the enforcement of federal and state immigration laws.
∙ Jerry Lewis favors Utah’s HB 497 immigration law that was passed by Mormon-controlled legislature this year in Utah.
∙ Russell Pearce has focused on a wide range of issues
∙ Jerry Lewis says he will focus on a wide range of issues.
Two distinct differences?
Carolyn posted at 9:17 am on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
TWO conservative Republicans - NO WAY will I vote for either of them. However, Lewis is the better of the two.....and as for Pearce, it's time he got his "comeuppance." And - I am a MORMON and a LIBERAL Democrat - the anti-Mormon comments made by some bloggers are inappropriate. There are Mormons in Mesa who are Democrats and aren't afraid to say so, even though traditionally, Mormons have voted Republican. Anti-Mormons need to remember that the Mormons founded Mesa and have always been tolerant of other religions - and their population is NOT even "dominant" in Mesa.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 9:24 am on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
Big difference between the two. Pearce is for law and order and Lewis says" I'm not Pearce". Couldn't be a clearer choice as to who should win. lol comeuppance?
Kwaayesnama posted at 9:24 am on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
Jerry Lewis is not only running to represent LD 18 he will be representing the entire state of Arizona. Until sanity is restored to our states legislative system the economic problems out state faces will not improve.
Russell Pearce is directly responsible for the national perception that Arizona is loonyville.
Arizona has an official state gun but no jobs.
Arizona has a new state song and staggering foreclosures
Arizona has the worst education system in the nation and how does Russell Pearce propose fixing this? By cutting funding to education of course.
While people in Arizona were dying because Medicade would not cover transplants what was Pearce concerned about? The presidents birth certificate of course.
And of course changing federal law to deny citizenship to children born in Arizona to non-documented persons was more important than bringing more jobs to AZ.
I can go on and on but until Arizona’s legislate stops playing and starts working Arizona’s problems will not be eleviated.
I am donating to Jerry Lewis's campaign because he is a step in the right direction.
Esteboss posted at 9:25 am on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
For a former police officer you sure do have a problem with run-on sentences. I counted at least a half dozen. You must have driven your sergeant crazy.
Those opposing Pearce tend to be folks that favor open borders. Although I disagree with him on some of his gun policies, he has done more to curb illegal immigration in this state than anyone else at the capital. This will turn out to be a minor bump in the road for Pearce. He'll be re-elected easily.
Tigere posted at 9:37 am on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
Leon is absolutely correct - Lewis will entangle Mesa in an ideaological morass inherent in the Morman ideology - the lost tribe of Israel mentality - for which he will then ask all arizona to financially support - becoming unwitting de facto Mormon ...
We've already seen this with McComish and friends - who posited the position as businessmen they have some insider knowledge which "we" don't have - nothing should frighten you more than someone who precedes their remarks by" I am professional ...; or "I am businesman ...; and most frightening: " I am East Valley Tribune/ Az Republic "journalist"..." that suggests that your own experience and reality is erroneous.
Arizonans overwhelmingly expressed their concerns in the last election by sweeping margins - and have clearly championed controlled immigration, which is what this "recall" is really all about. Russell Pearce heard Arizonan's - and so spoke while local media vigorously denied and villified that voice -
Ask yourself this: are you really a racist? are you really a "red neck bigot"? I don't think so either. Repudiate the weak kneed Republicans afraid to face the beast and the La Raza inspired demogougery and the clearly yellow journalism of Valley media - donate to and RE ELECT PEARCE
Dale Whiting posted at 10:05 am on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
Hey Guys,
Pearce has been, is and always be an imbarrasment to Mesa, Maricopa County [under Sheriff Joe] and Arizona [for SB1070]. "Anybody but Pearce" but not everybody but Pearce. Too many credible challengers will only lead to the re-election of Pearce.
Bill, I'm sure Lewis is far from perfect. But how do we find Lewis' address? I can't eat donuts, but I'll bring my chilli!
/s/ A Mormon true conservative who values my ties with Mormon democrats and other thinking true conservatives of all faiths and persuaisions. On most [but not all] matters, we separate church and state just fine!
RationalHuman posted at 10:05 am on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
Carolyn wrote:
"the Mormons founded Mesa and have always been tolerant of other religions"
Carolyn, you accuse others of lying and posting "anti-Mormon" comments...how about you hold yourself to the same standard?
Quit pretending Mormons are tolerant of others...Proposition 108 ring any bells?
Any chance of a SANE candidate, one who doesn't pray to imaginary sky fairies and believe the planet is coming to an end soon?
I won't hold my breath.
chatmandu002 posted at 11:15 am on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
Bill. You forgot to tell us more about Lewis. What is his standing on illegal immigration? What is his standing on schools? What are his stand on taxes? This was simply a "hit job" against Russell Pearce.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 12:44 pm on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
Well, maybe this comment won't be erased....[sad]
This recall election gives the LD 18 voters a choice.
1. Choose to vote for Jerry Lewis, the Mormon Bishop "drafted" to run against Russell Pearce. He will serve the "powers that be" at the Temple in Utah.
or
2. You can "re-elected Russell Pearce, the man who made SB 1070 the Law of Arizona. The man who doesn't do what his religion tells him to do but what Citizens of his Arizona State Senate District..............tell him to do.
Vote for Jerry Lewis = vote for Mormon Beliefs
Vote for Russell Pearce = vote for America's Founding Father's Beliefs
Peggy 2011 posted at 2:11 pm on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
Please don't make this election about Religion. It is NOT that. It's about whether you want a more common sense, civil approach to public policy and AZ's future, or one that is perceived as hateful. I for one hope Jerry Lewis wins big to send a message to all extremist politicians that average Arizonan's are tired of it.
RationalHuman posted at 2:47 pm on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
mrdocuman is a liar , a coward, and an ignorant bigot.
I defend the rights of the nonreligious against religious tyranny - he labels me an atheist.
I defend the rights of gays and lesbians - he labels me a homosexual.
I also defend the rights of women, Blacks, and the Jewish people...are you going to label me a female Black Jew as well?
Thanks for pointing out exactly what is destroying this great nation - ignorant bigots like you who would rather spew insults and slander than look at the real issues.
Always disappointed, never surprised.
Masterrogue666 posted at 7:42 pm on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
chatmandu002: Anything Bil writes is a hit job against RP or the Sheriff. I noticed that he went on and on about the donuts, but nothing about what JL stands for.
Kwaayesnama: You sure complained about a great deal of things and basically stated that ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION isn't part of the problem. To coin a phrase: "Are you really that obtuse?".
To address your points in turn:
AZ is loonyville: Actually MANY states are also trying to make laws to deal with the flood that is ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. Illinois is loonyville, because by passing a state Dream Act, they are asking for an influx of more ILLEGAL ALIENS. I wonder will they feel the same way in ten to twenty years.
Having a state gun has nothing to do with jobs. However, if all the ILLEGAL ALIENS that are currently in AZ were no longer here, then those seeking employment would find it much easier to get a job.
Staggering foreclosures: Democrats were in charge of allowing people to get loans for homes. Guess what, ILLEGAL ALIENS were permitted! Why you'd blame RP when he has NO CONTROL over whom gets a loan is beyond me.
Worst education system: Guess what, ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION is AGAIN right at the heart of this too. Imagine if all those children that were NOT US CITIZENS didn't attend classes. The student to teacher ration would be dramatically less. The entire class wouldn't have to wait for a few students that DON'T speak/understand ENGLISH. The benefits go on and on.
There's other things you mentioned that RP has no direct control over so ditto for most of the rest of the stuff you wrote.
However, when you wrote: "And of course changing federal law to deny citizenship to children born in Arizona to non-documented persons was more important than bringing more jobs to AZ." Again, it goes back to the fact that if ILLEGAL ALIENS weren't here, many of those jobs would be filled by US CITIZENS, thereby lowering unemployment.
As a Citizen of the USA, I vote for the person that looks out for MY INTERESTS, not those of millions of INVADING FOREIGN NATIONALS. Simple vote for me....
Masterrogue666 posted at 7:52 pm on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
Peggy 2011 wrote: "It's about whether you want a more common sense, civil approach to public policy and AZ's future, or one that is perceived as hateful."
I don't see your point. It sounds like you'd agree with me. Wanting people to FOLLOW THE LAW sounds "civil" to me. Passing laws that allow us to deal with the problem that ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION has become seems like "common sense" to me.
Please explain to me why you'd think otherwise? AT NO TIME/NO WHERE in the SB1070 is race mentioned except that it's NOT to be used as a determining factor. Over 80% of ILLEGAL ALIENS are Mexican. It's not racist to state that, it's factual. Will that nationally be the most affected by the law? Yes, it's called the Law of Averages. If I didn't give them ID, et al, and didn't speak English very well I'd EXPECT them to check if I was an ILLEGAL ALIEN. Some ILLEGAL ALIENS speak better English than US CITIZENS! I still don't care. They haven't EARNED THE RIGHT to be here, they stole it from others. By remaining here, they CONTINUE TO STEAL from others....
AmericanPatriot posted at 8:20 pm on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
Hey Guys,
Dale Whiting has been, is and always be an embarrassment to Mesa, Maricopa County. That's right Dale, Pearce will be reelected and that is why you and your buddies are an embarrassment. You wasted over 100,000 dollars we needed for schools and welfare organ transplants and such.
Hey Peggy 2011, lets not make this election about religion, let us instead make this election about what it is, your hatred of anyone who defends America against this invasion of illegals. That is why we will win. Love of America and what it stands for will always overpower hatred for the American people. Good luck with your racist hatred.
AmericanPatriot posted at 8:26 pm on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. --
Prince William County filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Department of Homeland Security seeking information about thousands of illegal immigrants the county has turned over to the department.
In 2007 the Prince William Board of County Supervisors passed an ordinance that requires county police officers to check the immigration status of anyone they arrest.
If police find that they have arrested someone who is in the country illegally, they turn that person over to the department for deportation.
To date the county has turned over more than 4,000 people to DHS, according to a county press release.
After Carlos Martinelly Montano, 23, was charged in August 2010 with killing a Benedictine nun while driving drunk in Prince William County, county officials became concerned that DHS was releasing illegal immigrants back into the community.
Police records show that Montano was previously convicted of drunken driving, identified as an illegal immigrant, handed over to DHS for deportation, subsequently released and was then given an employment authorization card, according to the release.
Interesting article. Apparently the Obummer administration is responsible for the murder of a nun. I wonder, will there be an indictment of DHS chief Nappy?
AmericanPatriot posted at 8:33 pm on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
While the county was seeking information on Montano, Stewart said, the department cited the Privacy Act of 1974 and said that illegal immigrants have a right to privacy. Stewart said that the department maintained that that right to privacy precluded the department from releasing information on Montano.
“It does not apply to illegal immigrants,” Stewart said of the Privacy Act. “It only applies to citizens and permanent residents of the United States.”
I'm not sure, but I think DHS thinks illegal aliens have more rights than American citizens. I'll bet money Mr. "I'm not Pearce" Lewis thinks so.
samkat posted at 8:36 pm on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
Dale is opposed to Pearce therefore, I will support him. Besides, from what I read, Lewis is pro illegal alien. :-)
AmericanPatriot posted at 8:39 pm on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
Bill Richardson, YOU ARE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO MESA, ARIZONA AND TO THE BADGE YOU WORE!
samkat posted at 8:42 pm on Thu, Aug 4, 2011.
Bill: You are not going to get me to believe that in all the years you were a police officer, you did not accept perks. Think coffee, donuts, free meals and possibly more.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 4:23 pm on Fri, Aug 5, 2011.
"who is being the unprincipled idiot, me for identifying Pearce and his accomplishments as an embarrasement, or you for picking Pearce"
Definitely you Dale.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 4:27 pm on Fri, Aug 5, 2011.
Who know's anything about Lewis, Dale? His entire campaign will be "I'm not Pearce", and you will vote for him cause "He's not Pearce", so who really is the idiot here duhduhdale? Captain "duhduhdale" neo-con
samkat posted at 3:52 pm on Sat, Aug 6, 2011.
Dale: I rather like my moniker. :-)
Now with that said, you must have Neo-con imprinted into your brain as you use the term whenever you see someone else as opposing your views.
Now, you want to call me unprincipled and highly opinionated. I am no more opinionated than you so we will call that one a draw. As to being unprincipled, check the next mirror and you will see an unprincipled person staring back at yourself. :-)
We all needle each other a little bit; however when it starts getting personal, it is time to back off.
sockratties posted at 12:12 pm on Sun, Aug 7, 2011.
Dale – don’t be so hard on your detractors. You actually are quite easy to dislike. Your puffery, self-promotion, bragging and self assumed position of elder of commenters is ridicules. You tout an education that your writing skills belie. It’s not that you may not have attended, it just didn’t take. An educated person would be able to spell “cynic” not “synic” and would know the difference between “then” and “than.” He would also not have to resort to ambiguous terms like “neo-con” or call other commenters idiots. (If they are idiots their posts make it obvious.) And what business of yours is another person's monicker?
Since you are so opinionated and certain of your positions, why don’t you run for office. Who knows, you may even get my vote.Or I might vote ABD.
Before your next pontification consider the following:
“Knowledge humbles the great man, astonishes the common man and puffs up the little man.”
sockratties posted at 5:30 am on Mon, Aug 8, 2011.
abracadabra – that’s a very interesting charge. If you have proof and are not just advancing another Pearce smear tactic, you must bring it forward. If you have proof and are not making it available you are as guilty as the perpetrator. I suspect this is some type of sour grapes; political sniping at its lowest level. You are also smearing the Mormon church.
hadenough posted at 6:30 am on Mon, Aug 8, 2011.
If Mr. Lewis got fired as a Bishop, how did he then get chosen to be a Stake President?
In_God_We_Trust posted at 8:43 am on Mon, Aug 8, 2011.
The truth will come out
AbraCadabra posted at 8:52 am on Mon, Aug 8, 2011.
How did Lewis go on to become Stake President you ask. Good question. How did he become the Mormon's choice to run against Pearce? Doesn't say much about the Mormon church does it. Run by men who many think nothing of treating women as second class objects of property, and female children as young as 12 as potential bed partners. Only thinking of boys this way is considered wrong.
AbraCadabra posted at 8:53 am on Mon, Aug 8, 2011.
The Mormon church and Islam have more in common that many would believe.
Butters posted at 10:51 am on Mon, Aug 8, 2011.
AmericanPariot is correct about Bill Richardson, he is an embarrassment to good cops everywhere. Most of you might remember Billy Bob. He's the blowhard who defended Gascan, Mesa's former police chief. The same Gascan who did nothing but portray Mesa in a bad light, especially our police department. Remember how Gascan tried to hang officers out ot dry over the fetus incident, or who defended the illegal aliens instead of our city's citizens and our police force?
Yep, the same Bill Richardson who also doesn't like our city's choice of our new police chief, even though our new chief has been concentrating on running the police department and NOT feeding his ego at the expense of the safety of our city's citizens, much like Gascan did to further pad is resume. Funny how quickly the bad press and showboating stopped once our new chief assumed command. That's the difference between having a REAL COP like our current chief, instead of a corrupt one like Gascan. Hey, Billy Bob, why were you mysteriosly absent when Gascan got CAUGHT accepting that HUGE gratuity in the form of paid travel, lodging and meals by the group who represents ILLEGAL ALIENS? Not a single word out of your mouth about it. Any other officer on the department could have and would have been fired for it, as it's a CLEAR and HUGE violation of city policy and procedures. Gascan was nothing more than a cop on the take, the worst of the worst, but all you ever did was to defend that outsider who NEVER cared about Mesa's LEGAL CITIZENS.
Yep, the same Bill Richardson who, while on the job, stabbed his fellow police officers in the back time and time again,all to make himself look like a real hero. Didn't work, did it, Billy Boy?
Yep, the same Bill Richardson who thinks he knows how to run our police department, our city, and now our state legislature. You know, Billy Boy sounds an awful lot like a progressive socialist, who cares more about the rights of illegals than the rights of AMERICAN CITIZENS, especially MESA'S AMERICAN CITIZENS.
Spend a little time talking with Billy Boy Bucketmouth Richardson, and you'll soon discover why he is NOT respected by many former and current police officers, especially the many fine officers who have or are currently serving on our city's police department. The job is tough enough without a know nothing constantly taking cheap shots at the leaders we do respect, or the officers who put their lives on the line each and every day to protect and serve us, just so Billy Bob can feed his ego.
In closing, let me say to Billy Bob Bucketmouth Richardson, you are a joke. Please go fishing or go enjoy some other form of leisure in your retirement, fade into the background, so, we, who live in Mesa and are LEGAL AMERICAN CITIZENS, can run our lives and vote for who, WE, THE PEOPLE, want to represent us, not you.
Butters posted at 10:56 am on Mon, Aug 8, 2011.
Dale Whiting said: "Hey Guys, Pearce has been, is and always be an imbarrasment to Mesa, Maricopa County [under Sheriff Joe] and Arizona [for SB1070]. "
Yes, he is such a huge embarrassment and yet that's why, WE, THE PEOPLE, keep reelecting him.
Dale, you're an embarrassment to good LEGAL AMERICAN CITIZENS everywhere.
Butters posted at 11:03 am on Mon, Aug 8, 2011.
As for some of the people supporting Mr. Lewis, well, let's just say some of them are a real joke. Don Stapley? Give me a break. Real nice of him to play games with the Sheriff and keep BRAND NEW POLICE VEHICLES in STORAGE for YEARS, while making the Sheriff pay for expensive repairs to vehilces long overdue for retirement from the fleet. OUR Tax Dollars being WASTED by a board of supervisors OUT OF TOUCH with the county's LEGAL AMERICAN CITIZENS. Look into Stapley's closet, it's full of a lot of skeletons.
Mr. Farnsworth? Some little birdies told me that if the Sheriff's Department and ICE ever raided some of his businesses, they might just fiind some workers who......
Butters posted at 11:15 am on Mon, Aug 8, 2011.
What's both sad and funny, is how you left wing sheep let yourselves be PLAYED by Lewis and his big supporters. It has NOTHING to do with the state getting a black eye because our state is actually doing somehting about illegal immigration into our state. It has EVERYTHING to do with our state taking action AGAINT illegal immigration into our state, and DRYING UP the ILLEGAL ALIEN CHEAP LABOR POOL for many of Lewis's big supporters. That's it.
Butters posted at 11:18 am on Mon, Aug 8, 2011.
Is there anyone here who can tell me WHEN the founder of the recall drive will report who financially back his recall drive? Senator Pearce has been very transparent about who is backing him and where the money is coming from. Why the lack of transparency and foot dragging by the recall team's financial backing? Hmmm, I wonder if one fo the big backers was that Born Again Hitler Nazi Party known as La Raza(The Race).
AbraCadabra posted at 1:21 pm on Mon, Aug 8, 2011.
God will judge you Jerry Lewis even if you do fool the good people of Arizona.
evtrib posted at 4:56 pm on Mon, Aug 8, 2011.
Comments about moderation are off topic and will be deleted, as will personal attacks. Any user that is unfamiliar with the User Agreement should refer to that document, linked at the bottom of ever page on this site.
Wild Bill posted at 6:04 pm on Mon, Aug 8, 2011.
Butters, I worked with Bill Richardson back in the day when he had a large red Afro and assumed the name "Wild Bill". Some of us old folk that worked with Richardson know that he hasn't changed on bit! Know it all, hard time telling the truth, bragger,,,,,One thing Butters, you don't realize who you are dealing with. Be careful crossing WILD BILL, he will eat your lunch. Richardson didn't mention that he attended two fund raisers for Russ Pearce and even had lunch with him a few years ago. When Richardson's daughter needed a job, he asked Russ Pearce to write a letter of reference for her. Now, when the cards are down, he smells blood in the water and attacks Russ. Hey "Wild Bill " which way is the wind blowing blowing ?
billrichardson posted at 5:05 am on Tue, Aug 9, 2011.
Wild Bill,
Thanks for taking the time to read my column.
First I have never been to a fund raiser for Russell Pearce. Secondly I haven't been to lunch with Russell. Thirdly I have never asked Russell for help with one of my children getting a job.
As for you having worked with me, I'd have to know your real name to say yes or no to that.
Again thanks for taking an interest in my column and sharing your thoughts.
billrichardson posted at 5:47 am on Tue, Aug 9, 2011.
Butters,
Butters-
Thanks for reading my column.
I think you might be mistaken about whether or not my position of Mesa Police Chief Frank Milstead. Please follow the link below to the column I wrote about Milstead on March 18. I think you'll a very positive column about the chief.
Again, thanks for taking the time to read my column and share your thoughts with me and the other readers.
Milstead proving risk was worth taking for Mesa
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/opinion/article_52b8f14e-51d6-11e0-8ba0-001cc4c03286.html
billrichardson posted at 7:00 am on Tue, Aug 9, 2011.
Samkat,
Thanks for taking the time to read my column and comment.
As for freebies and perks, I always left enough money on the table to cover the cost of the meal or coffee if the a business owner insisted on trying to give food and drink to cops otherwise I paid my bill at the cash register like everyone else.. We weren't allowed to take freebies like the legislature. No free football tickets to bowl games, no first class accommodations in five star hotels and no high end cocktail parties where people gave money to hang out with you. The closest I ever got to a Fiesta Bowl was a bag of Doritos.
Again, thanks for reading my column and share your thoughts with me and the other readers.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 9:54 am on Tue, Aug 9, 2011.
Bill Richardson, you are a disgrace to the rule of law, the badge you wore, and to the people you swore to protect. You support Lewis for one reason and one reason only. Lewis is for allowing illegal aliens not only to stay in our state but to work here as well all the while knowing over 800,000 Arizonans are without work. You don't like Pearce because he wrote SB1070 and refuses to kowtow to the open border, pro illegal alien advocacy groups. You sir are a despicable example of what is very wrong with America today. Why don't you move to California where they treat the illegals better than your own children?
NothingButTheTruth posted at 11:11 am on Tue, Aug 9, 2011.
Bill Richardson, you are a disgrace to the rule of law, the badge you wore, and to the people you swore to protect. You support Lewis for one reason and one reason only. Lewis is for allowing illegal aliens not only to stay in our state but to work here as well all the while knowing over 800,000 Arizonans are without work. You don't like Pearce because he wrote SB1070 and refuses to kowtow to the open border, pro illegal alien advocacy groups. You sir are a despicable example of what is very wrong with America today. Why don't you move to California where they treat the illegals better than your own children?
Butters posted at 1:18 pm on Tue, Aug 9, 2011.
Billy Boy, let you refresh YOUR memory as to what you wrote about Gascan.
In YOUR own words: "Mesa needs another superstar like Gascon"
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/article_99b5b83e-1b00-5716-b783-05256551ca22.html
Apparently, Billy Boy, you're as morally bankrupt as Gascan is. You worked for The City of Mesa, specifically, the Mesa Police Department. You KNOW that the city has a policy against employees, especially police officers, accepting a gratuity, including and especially the LARGE one that Gascon did from the pro-illegal group. Gascan not only accepted it, he did NOT report it and the city manager only became aware of it because a sharp politician in Washington outed Gascan about it one of the congressional hearings he was attending. Gascan was told by his superior, the city manager, to keep his mouth shut about Sheriff Arpaio at the hearings, which he did not, and yet you think he was a great leader, one who himself couldn't follow orders from his superiors.
There is no doubt that Gascan came to Mesa for one reason only, to further pad his resume, even if that meant needlessly harming the reputation of a number of Mesa's own police officers, To wit, the ones he trie to humilate in a press conference over that fetus incident, one in which neither the police of fird department had a policy over what to do in a sitiuation like that. Let me also state more FACT about that incident, the officers were FOLLOWING the orders given to them by their LT., unlike Gascan, who DID violate city and department policy over the gratuity incident and failure to obey a direct order to keep his mouth shut about the Sheriff while in D.C..
If you want to see Gascan, the drama queen in action today, go to www.sfexaminer.com and type in Gascan's name in their search engine. The drama Gascan brought to Mesa, thankfully went with him and is alive and thriving in San Francisco. It's no coincidence that the recently retired chief of the LAPD waited to annnounce his retirement until AFTER Gascan took the job as SFPD's chief.
Bill Richardson wrote in the article that I provided a link above, "“Cops are only as good as their leaders." NOT TRUE, Billy Boy. In the case of Gascan, Mesa Police Department's police officers were and are so much better than Gascan, his leadership and even some of his hand picked upper management team. None of Gascan's team made the cut to become the new chief. Good leaders lead by setting a good example. If your idea of setting a good example is one of constantly bringing negative press upon the very department you are charged with overseeing, INCLUDING denying those officers involved in that incident of their DUE PROCESS RIGHTS(they were CLEARED, by the way), being corrupt enough to accept payola from an outside special interest group when you know it's morally wrong and against policy, wel then, Billy Boy, one doesn't need to look far to see how much you are lacking in integrity. I am GLAD that you are no longer with the Mesa Police Department, and I know I'm not alone when I make that statement, as there are many others who feel the same way, some of whom you probably know.
The power of the pen is a powerful tool, but in the hands of a tool by the name of Bill Richardson, it not only is unprofessional journalism, it has become inciteful.
evtrib posted at 4:00 pm on Tue, Aug 9, 2011.
AbraCadabra: In response to your (deleted) comment, you are indeed working on getting banned (again) by continuing to post off-topic. The topic of this article is the differences between Russell Pearce and Jerry Lewis, NOT the moderation of comments on this site. Thanks.
Edited by staff.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 1:51 am on Wed, Aug 10, 2011.
I think the main difference between the two Mormon politicians is that Pearce will do his job without allowing his church affiliation to dictate his policies which is how the founding fathers envisioned it should be. On the other hand, Bishop Lewis, who no doubt believes all the horse manure that flowed from John Smith's lips as holy gospel and will do as his church instructs him to do. It's your choice, do you want to be governed by a man who believes in the rule of law, or do you want to be ruled by a religious cult that is no better than L. Ron Hubbard's Scientology or the Black Muslims under Louis Farrakhan.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 2:07 am on Wed, Aug 10, 2011.
This is what Lewis actually believes as gospel: During the early 1820s, Smith was paid to search for buried treasure with a seer stone. Later in the decade, Smith said that an angel had directed him to a buried book of golden plates inscribed with a religious history of ancient American peoples. After publishing what he said was an English translation of the plates as the Book of Mormon, he organized branches of the Church of Christ, a church whose adherents were later called Latter-day Saints, Saints, or Mormons and were polygamists until the federal government came down hard enough on them that they abandoned the practice.
Do you really want a man who believes such nonsense to lead your district?
Smith's followers regard many of his publications as scripture. His teachings include unique views about the nature of God, cosmology, family structures, POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS (they are tax free), and religious collectivism. Collectivism is a term used to describe any philosophic, political, economic or social outlook that emphasizes the interdependence of every human in some collective group and the priority of group goals over individual goals. Collectivists usually focus on community, society or nation. Collectivism has been widely used to refer to a number of different political and economic philosophies, ranging from communism and to totalitarian nationalism. His legacy includes a number of religious denominations, which collectively claim a growing membership of over 14 million worldwide.
Warren Steed Jeffs is the president of on of these offshoots called the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I don't need to tell you who Jeffs is.
Jerry Lewis is a Mormon who will rule as a Mormon first and an Arizonan second. Not all of us are Mormons nor do we wish to be ruled by them.
k33j88 posted at 4:55 am on Wed, Aug 10, 2011.
Both Pearce and Lewis are afiliated with the same church doctrine. It would be refreshing to see a candidate of some other religious faith. Maybe a new perspective would be embraced and an uplifting path would be blazed. Separation of church and state? Don't believe it for a moment, ones' religious beliefs do influence political motives.
RationalHuman posted at 7:22 am on Wed, Aug 10, 2011.
"...getting banned (again) by continuing to post off-topic. The topic of this article is the differences between Russell Pearce and Jerry Lewis,"
Pardon me, evtrib.
Now, I am not defending the commenter you are addressing, but using your system, are you going to ban the article itself? It doesn't even TRY to cover the topic...heck, after reading the article one knows more about the free donuts than Lewis' position on ANYTHING.
RationalHuman posted at 7:33 am on Wed, Aug 10, 2011.
k33j88 wrote:
"It would be refreshing to see a candidate of some other religious faith. Maybe a new perspective would be embraced and an uplifting path would be blazed. Separation of church and state? Don't believe it for a moment, ones' religious beliefs do influence political motives."
Sad, but ultimately true.
I would LOVE to see a candidate that did not have any Bronze Age superstitious beliefs whatsoever, but the fact is that such an individual has a snowball's chance in Hell (pun intended) of being elected to any major office.
The "witch hunters" have assumed control. (Do you really think people like Thomas Jefferson or John Adams would be elected today?)
NothingButTheTruth posted at 10:31 am on Wed, Aug 10, 2011.
I can't really say for certain that Senator Pearce's religion doesn't entirely influence his decisions. That would be like saying one's belief in God doesn't have an impact on one's life. But ask yourself this, who does the Mormon church want out and who do they want in, and how might that affect your life down the road. All I know for sure about Bishop Jerry Lewis is that he is in lockstep with Mormon church doctrine and will conduct himself in whatever way the church sees fit. The Mormon church will try to give the same amnesty to illegal aliens here in Arizona that they did in Utah. If you aren't familiar with the Utah law, it basically gives illegals the right to work in Utah. Utah even allows illegal aliens Utah drivers licenses. One of only 3 states still to do that. Pearce is independent of the Mormon church. I know him to be a staunch believer in the separation of church and state. Lewis will be the same as Flake, just another Mormon flunky.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 10:37 am on Wed, Aug 10, 2011.
Yes RationalHuman, after reading this article one comes away only knowing that a man I have no respect for, Bill Richardson, thinks donut handing out Lewis is better than Pearce. Donuts being the key decider. I guess ex cops have different values than the rest of us.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 12:52 pm on Thu, Aug 11, 2011.
I've yet to hear about the Bishop Jerry Lewis position on illegal immigration. Is he waiting till after the election to tell us his plan to adopt the Utah solution? Yes, lets give the illegals all green cards and drivers licenses and boy o boy that will sure create more jobs and bring in tons of money to pay for education all the other problems facing Arizona. Last I heard, Jerry said, " here, have another donut on me and remember I'm not Pearce."
NothingButTheTruth posted at 12:13 pm on Wed, Aug 17, 2011.
Look at what Bishop Jerry Lewis's religion teaches:
LDS Leaders Still Believe There Will Be Polygamy in Heaven.
Plural marriage was first introduced into Mormonism by Joseph Smith in the 1830's (see Topical Index: Joseph Smith: Polygamy). It is a common misconception to think of the practice of polygamy as starting with Brigham Young and the Mormon's trip west. Even though Joseph Smith had already married several women, he did not dictate his famous revelation on eternal marriage and polygamy until 1843 (Doctrine and Covenants, section 132). By the time he died he had been sealed to at least 33 women. 1 1 In a Salt Lake Tribune review of Todd Compton's new book on Smith's polygamy we read:
In identifying 33 well-documented wives of [Joseph] Smith — other researchers have placed the figure as high as 48 — Compton found that in the case of 11 women, Smith's polygamy was polyandrous. That is, the women were married and cohabiting with their husbands, who mostly were faithful Mormons, when Smith married them.
Yet not one divorced her "first husband" when Smith was alive. Indeed, they continued to live with their civil spouses while married to Smith.
"If one superimposes a chronological perspective, one sees that of Smith's first 12 wives, nine were polyandrous...."
Compton, a practicing Mormon...spent much of the 1990's combing pioneer records, diaries and reminiscences....
Eleven of Smith's wives were between ages 14 and 20, nine were in their 20s, eight were in Smith's own peer group of 31 to 40, two were in their 40s and three in their 50s. . . .
Toward the end of Smith's life, knowledge of his secret marriages began to leak out. William Law, Smith's second counselor ... filed suit against the church leader for living 'in an open state of adultery' with 19-year-old Maria Lawrence.
In a speech a month before his death, Smith responded by flatly denying polygamy, which was illegal under federal law. "What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can only find one," he said. (Salt Lake Tribune, December 13, 1997, p. C2. See Smith's entire speech in History of the Church, Vol. 6, pp. 408-412.)
For the next fifty years the practice of plural marriage was considered essential to attain godhood. Brigham Young, second president of the LDS Church, declared "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 11, p. 269, August 19, 1866)
In a sermon reported in the LDS Church's Deseret News, August 6, 1862, Brigham Young stated:
Monogamy, or restrictions by law to one wife, is no part of the economy of heaven among men. Such a system was commenced by the founders of the Roman empire. . . . Rome became the mistress of the world, and introduced this order of monogamy wherever her sway was acknowledged. Thus this monogamic order of marriage, so esteemed by modern Christians as a holy sacrament and divine institution, is nothing but a system established by a set of robbers. . .
Why do we believe in and practice polygamy? Because the Lord introduced it to his servants in a revelation given to Joseph Smith, and the Lord's servants have always practiced it. "And is that religion popular in heaven?" It is the only popular religion there . . . (Deseret News, August 6, 1862)
Lol, is this who we want running our government or teaching our children?