Category Archives: News

Mexican Drug Cartels’ Stake in the U.S.: One Trillion Dollars

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New America Media—Editor’s Note: Recent media reports of money laundering activities involving U.S. banks and Mexico’s drug cartels point to a disturbing trend. NAM contributor Louis Nevaer says that everything taken into account, the amounts involved rival investments made by some of the U.S.’s largest trade partners.

The six-year War on Drugs that Mexican president Felipe Calderon has waged since 2007 has resulted in one consequence no one anticipated: Mexican drug cartels have sent upwards of $1 trillion to the U.S.

This staggering sum of money has been funneled through U.S. financial institutions, almost always in violation of U.S. laws, and at times even with the cooperation of American federal agencies.

In fact, if the Mexican drug cartels were a sovereign nation, they would qualify to be part of the G-20, ahead of Indonesia (GNP: $845 billion) and behind South Korea (GNP: $1.1 trillion). Yet, this is the cumulative sum of money that Mexican drug cartels have funneled through the U.S. economy.

A New York Times story published last month reporting that federal authorities busted a cartel boss accused of laundering $1 million a month pales in comparison to the hundreds of billions of dollars that drug organizations have moved through U.S. banks.

Closure of Border Patrol stations across four states triggers alarm

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FOX NEWS—The Obama administration is moving to shut down nine Border Patrol stations across four states, triggering a backlash from local law enforcement, members of Congress and Border Patrol agents themselves.

Critics of the move warn the closures will undercut efforts to intercept drug and human traffickers in well-traveled corridors north of the U.S.-Mexico border. Though the affected stations are scattered throughout northern and central Texas, and three other states, the coverage areas still see plenty of illegal immigrant activity — one soon-to-be-shuttered station in Amarillo, Texas, is right in the middle of the I-40 corridor; another in Riverside, Calif., is outside Los Angeles.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it’s closing the stations in order to reassign agents to high-priority areas closer to the border.

“These deactivations are consistent with the strategic goal of securing America’s borders, and our objective of increasing and sustaining the certainty of arrest of those trying to enter our country illegally,” CBP spokesman Bill Brooks said in a statement. “By redeploying and reallocating resources at or near the border, CBP will maximize the effectiveness of its enforcement mandate and align our investments with our mission.”

Read more at FOX News

State Soverignty initiative generates buzz

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Open primaries may drive Legislature to special session

PHOENIX—The media is a-buzz with the initiative filed by Jack Biltis—with more than 320,000 signatures—which would allow Arizona citizens to, “to reject any federal action that they determine violates the United States Constitution.” This initiative comes on the heels of a referendum from the Legislature where we may see Arizona voters proclaim, “SOVEREIGN AND EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY AND JURISDICTION OVER THE AIR, WATER, PUBLIC LANDS, MINERALS, WILDLIFE AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN ITS BOUNDARIES”

According to the Arizona Daily Sun, the measure submitted by Jack Biltis is not just in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling on the takeover of the health care industry by the Obama administration, but the Bush PATRIOT act, as well.

“The only portion of government that has unlimited powers are the state governments and the people themselves,” Biltis is quoted as saying.

A referendum that was submitted to the Secretary of State by Republican members of the House and Senate is now Proposition 120. The bill is a response to Governor Jan Brewer vetoing several State sovereignty bills.
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I Scream!

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Ice cream truck back in Williams.

WILLIAMS—I did something today that I have not done in a long time. Bought an ice cream off of an old-fashioned ice cream truck in Williams.

An ice cream truck used to travel from Flagstaff to Williams, but ceased several years ago. Now Tracy Ross has filled the void after a six-month renovation and the musical sound of the ice cream truck can once again be heard. The Four Kids Ice Cream truck was introduced at the Independence Day parade in Williams. They are working out a schedule to find the best time to travel through Williams. If you have suggestions or would like to have the truck at your birthday party or special event, you can call 928-499-8339.

The truck evokes nostalgic memories of the days of kids waiting roadside to listen for the musical sound of the approaching ice cream truck. At least that is what older people tell me. I’m not old enough to have such memories.

New Hampshire Adopts Jury Nullification

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By US~Observer Staff

Jurors Can Question Law


Jury nullification, in which jurors refuse to convict defendants under laws they find objectionable or inappropriately applied, is a favored tactic of many libertarians who, rightly or wrongly perceive individual liberty as, at best, a minority taste among their neighbors. They like the idea of a tool that can be wielded on the spot to shield people from powerful control freaks without first having to win a popularity contest. But nullification is useful only if people know about it. And last week, New Hampshire’s governor signed a law requiring the state’s judges to permit defense attorneys to inform jurors of their right to nullify the law. –J.D. Tuccille, Reason.com

New Hampshire Governor John Lynch signed HB 146 on June 18, 2012 – which reads:

“A right of accused. In all criminal proceedings the court shall permit the defense to inform the jury of its right to judge the facts and the application of the law in relation to the facts in controversy.”

Short, simple and to the point. Nullification advocate Tim Lynch of the Cato Institute thinks it may not be a game changer, but it’s a step in the right direction. Lynch says:

“This is definitely a step forward for advocates of jury trial. Allowing counsel to speak directly to the jury about this subject is something that is not allowed in all the courthouses outside of New Hampshire–so, again, this is good. I am concerned, however, that this language does not go far enough. We don’t know how much pressure trial judges will exert on defense counsel. As noted above, if the attorney’s argument is ‘too strenuous,’ the judge may reprimand the attorney in some way or deliver his own strenuous instruction about how the jurors must ultimately accept the law as described by the court, not the defense. I’m also afraid what the jurors hear will too often depend on the particular judge and, then, what that judge wants to do in a particular case.”

Read more at the US~Observer

Williams Independence Day parade takes over Route 66

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Crowd lines Route 66 in Williams waiting for the parade.


WILLIAMS—Dark clouds cooled off the small City of Williams, but did not damper one of the best parades in a number of years. The American Legion Cordova Post #13 led the parade which included local groups, the 108th Army Band and—it must be an election year—politicians. Smokey made an appearance and the Williams Fire Department brought out their fire trucks.

The American Legion Cordova Post #13 carries the colors to begin the parade.


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Baconomics

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FEUDALISM: You have bacon. The lord comes and takes the bacon. And your last pig. You get a potato.

PURE SOCIALISM: You have some bacon. Your neighbor does not. The government takes your bacon and gives it to the neighbor. You have to take a second job to bring home the bacon so you can continue to supply the non working neighbor with your bacon.

BUREAUCRATIC SOCIALISM: You have some bacon. The government takes half of it to give to the neighbor with none. The bacon is then managed by a Bacon Czar with a large staff. The Bacon Czar is a vegan. With the ensuing paperwork, and the latent inability of the Bacon Czar to actually handle the bacon, the bacon goes bad and is thrown out.

FASCISM: You have a little bit of bacon. The government takes it, and offers to sell you the oink.

PURE COMMUNISM: You have bacon. Your neighbor works to help you get more bacon and you share in it, even though he eats twice as much as you and does half the amount of work.

RUSSIAN COMMUNISM: You have bacon. The government takes it and gives you a potato.

DICTATORSHIP: You have bacon. The government takes it and drafts you. You get MRE’s. They do not contain bacon.

PURE DEMOCRACY: You have bacon. You vote with your neighbors as to how your bacon should be protected.

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY: You have some bacon. You elect someone to vote on how best to ensure you get more bacon.

Grieving for Freedom

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By Van Irion

Whether you realize it or not, all freedom-loving people are grieving our lost freedom this Independence Day. Psychologists teach that the first reaction to devastating loss is denial. When we lose something that we love, our minds initially deny the event in order to survive the shock. After denial comes bargaining, anger, depression, and finally acceptance. Each stage of grief allows our minds to absorb the new reality and grieve the loss of something cherished.

Last week’s devastating Supreme Court rulings have caused various reactions. Many insist upon explaining Roberts’ ruling as political genius. Some search for a silver lining in the ruling. Others focus on the upcoming election. All of these reactions reflect the first two stages of grief. Most Americans are still in denial or are attempting to bargain-away the shocking loss of freedom inflicted by those that were supposed to defend our freedom.

Some of us have already moved on to anger. Please join us. Anger is a gift.

Unlike people, freedom can be restored. No matter how much freedom is taken away, it can always be taken back. But it will not be given. Those that enslave do not give back freedom willingly. We must fight them for it. So, anger is a useful emotion when grieving for freedom. Anger will motivate us to act.

Stop denying our loss of freedom by imagining genius in Justice Roberts’ treasonous act. Killing constitutional principals in the name of short-term political payback is not genius. It’s an insult to every man or woman that ever died defending freedom.

Stop claiming that Roberts’ ruling is a victory because it created a limit on the commerce clause. The commerce clause is no more limited than it was before the ruling. Prior to Obamacare no one would have imagined that the commerce clause could possibly justify regulation of lack-of-commerce. Last week’s ruling simply confirmed what we already knew. But it left the commerce clause exactly where it has been since Wickard v. Filburn. In fact, the ruling explicitly acknowledged that the rule from Wickard is still the accepted commerce clause rule. This is the rule that got us to where we are today. Why is anyone celebrating this? The answer is: DENIAL.
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First Baptist Church movie night Saturday

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WILLIAMS—The First Baptist Church at 7th and Grant is having a movie night on Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. The movie night is being conducted to raise funds for a youth rafting trip later this summer.

This Saturday, July 7 is the 2008 drama The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry. The movie stars Gavin MacLeod as Jonathan Sperry, Jansen Panettiere and Robert Guillaume.

The movie includes a meal and a donation of $10 is requested. The movie is open to tourist as well as locals.

Residents reminded about County Fire, Fireworks Ban

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FLAGSTAFF—As we head into the Fourth of July holiday, Coconino County reminds residents and visitors that while the sale of consumer fireworks is legal in Arizona, the County’s current fire ban prohibits their use.

On May 16, the County Board of Supervisors imposed a ban on open burning in unincorporated areas of the County – including on private property – until extreme fire conditions improve. Included in that ban is the use of fireworks, other pyrotechnic displays, all open fires and campfires (in both developed and undeveloped campgrounds).

“The continued lack of any measurable rainfall has resulted in extremely dangerous fire conditions throughout our county and the state,” said County Board of Supervisors Chairman Carl Taylor. “It’s prudent for everyone to use the strictest caution when using anything that could spark a fire. A wildfire can burn for weeks, but their impact is felt for decades.”

While the fire ban may not specifically ban every type of fire-causing activity, residents and visitors are asked to use their best judgment when considering whether to engage in any activity that could spark a fire. Residents and visitors are reminded that they can be held legally responsible for causing any wildfire.

County Sheriff’s deputies have been patrolling the region looking for those violating the County and US Forest Service fire bans. Those caught violating the County’s fire ban by using fireworks face up to 30 days in jail, one year probation or a fine of up to $500. Citizens are encouraged to check with other jurisdictions before using any fireworks. State law allows counties to restrict the use of fireworks when there is a risk of wildfire, but counties are unable to restrict the sale of fireworks.

In addition to the countywide fire ban, the following restrictions have been placed at all public County parks:

• Camping is permitted only in designated campgrounds at Fort Tuthill County Park;
• Smoking is strictly prohibited outdoors and only allowed in designated areas and/or in enclosed vehicles;
• Parking is prohibited on grassy forested areas and allowed in designated parking areas;
• Open fires are prohibited. This includes campfires, charcoal grills, torches, fireworks and candles. Only liquid gas stoves are permitted in improved areas (cleared of all vegetation, typically on a cinder or gravel surface).

Residents and visitors countywide are allowed to use (with caution) petroleum-fueled stoves or lanterns, and charcoal barbeque grills (with a lid that covers the entire grilling surface) operated in residential yards. Special events may be allowed, with the approval of the County Board of Supervisors.
Coconino and Kaibab National Forests also remain in Stage 2 fire restrictions. The fire ban in both forests includes:

• Open fires, including all campfires; charcoal, coal or wood stoves, including in developed campgrounds.
• The use of explosives.
• The use of any internal or external combustion engine without a spark-arresting device.
• Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• The use of chainsaws between 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• The discharge of firearms.