SCR-1006 Creates Vigilante Armed Force Outside of Standard Military Control

Republican State Senator Jack Harper (R-4) and his ideological counterparts Thayer Verschoor (R-22), Karen Johnson (R-18), and Doug Clark (R-6) believe the answer to Arizona’s military preparedness problem is to put before the voters SCR-1006, which create “The Homeland Security Force,” a vigilante group under the control of the legislature and manned with any living human being over the age of 18. That supposed attack coming from the Mexican Army to take over the southwestern U.S. apparently has them spooked.

This nutty and dangerous legislation provides for the following:

• The legislature decides the mission and makeup of the “Force” and plainly sets a political agenda that will compete with competent military objectives.
• The legislature, not the Governor or other duly authorized military leaders, decides who gets to be members of the “Force.”
• Member of the “Force” would not be required to undergo physical or psychological evaluation, which is required of all recruits of the National Guard or regular forces.
• Member of the “Force” would not be subject to the Code of Military Justice or be called into regular military service
• There is no age cap, which means our Republican legislators think it’s okay for 75-year-old men to be on the border with 50mm weapons.
• Violates the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policies.

How any sane person who has a remote concept of proper military or criminal service can support this is scary. What’s worse is this thing is making it’s way through the legislature VERY quickly. It has already been read twice on the floor and Harper’s committee has scheduled a hearing for THIS Monday, January 29, 2007 at 1:30PM in Senate Hearing Room 3, 1700 W. Washington Ave.

Here are the contact numbers/emails for the sponsors of this crazy legislation:

Sponsor:
Jack W. Harper jharper@azleg.gov 602-926-4178

Co-sponsors:
Karen Johnson kjohnson@azleg.gov 602-926-3160
Thayer Verschoor tverschoor@azleg.gov 602-926-4136
Doug Clark dclark@azleg.gov 602-26-3018

Here is the current text of SCR-1006:

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:

1. Article XVI, Constitution of Arizona, is proposed to be amended by adding section 4 as follows if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor:

4. Homeland security committee; force; administration

Section 4. A. The homeland security committee is established consisting of three members of the senate who are appointed by the president of the senate, three members of the house of representatives who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and three members who are appointed by the governor, with a preference for honorably discharged veterans.

B. The homeland security force is established under the direction of the committee. The committee shall regulate the membership and organization of the homeland security force.

C. After consideration of federal deployment levels of the national guard, if the governor determines that an emergency exists or that it is necessary to protect lives or property in this state, the governor may request able-bodied citizens of this state, except peace officers and fire and emergency personnel, who are at least eighteen years of age to volunteer for service in the homeland security force.

D. The homeland security force:

1. Shall be funded by legislative appropriations.
2. Shall not receive compensation, but members are eligible for reimbursement of expenses from the department of emergency and military affairs.
3. Shall have officers with prior military experience who are appointed by the governor pursuant to rules adopted by the homeland security committee.
4. Shall be under direct control of the governor and receive training from the adjutant general.
5. Shall attend required training on not more than one Saturday per month and be subject to the orders of appointed officers. Members of the national guard may assist in training.
6. Shall not be subject to federal active duty.
7. Shall be exempt from the code of military justice but are subject to the laws of this state.

2. Appropriation; homeland security force; exemption

A. The sum of $______________ is appropriated from the ___________ fund in fiscal year 2008-2009 to the governor for administration of the homeland security force.

B. The appropriation made in subsection A of this section is exempt from the provisions of section 35-190, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to lapsing of appropriations.

3. The Secretary of State shall submit these propositions to the voters at the next general election as separate ballot propositions as provided by article IV, part 1, section 1 and article XXI, Constitution of Arizona, and section 19-125, Arizona Revised Statutes.

The Hoopla Around Pizza Patron

What is it with some people in Arizona? A pizza place announces it will accept Pesos and you'd think the entire country of Mexico is moving to the U.S.

Anyone who has traveled overseas knows what a pain it is to change currency when moving from one country to the next. Many businesses like hotels and restaurants accept foreign currency from their customers for payment, often charging a premium for the convenience of exchanging the currency on the spot. I have lots of foreign currency from my travels lying around the house and if there was a way to use it up, I’d be happy to do so. Pizza Patron is doing something done in most other countries of the world by some of the world’s largest businesses: they’re making money on the sale of their pizza and on the currency exchange. That some people here find it worthy of death threats or condemnation indicates we Americans need to get out more and see what is common elsewhere poses no threat here.