Not the face of American values?

A reminder that it was this news that prompted TUSD board member Michael Hicks to run for school board when he heard about the latest census data in Arizona (his own admission at a Republican forum with Mark Stegeman present), and his own right-wing hate group, TU4SD, backed the candidate with the perfect name for their ideology.

Yesterday, the New York Times reported on new census data which showed, for the first time, that non-white births made up over 50 percent of all births in the United States last year.

It marked an important milestone, indicative of a changing United States that has long been considered the world’s melting pot. Or, if you’re the conservative, Phyllis Schlafly-backed Eagle Forum, it’s a clarion call that America is in grave danger of being overrun by uneducated, un-American brown people:

It is not a good thing. The immigrants do not share American values, so it is a good bet that they will not be voting Republican when they start voting in large numbers.

Instead, the USA is being transformed by immigrants who do not share those values, and who have high rates of illiteracy, illegitimacy, and gang crime, and they will vote Democrat when the Democrats promise them more food stamps.

Setting aside for a minute the offensive way in which the Eagle Forum dismisses all of “the immigrants” as thoughtless criminals, it’s telling that The Eagle Forum views this as simply a political problem. The Eagle Forum’s political allies have long insisted on treating immigrants as second-class citizens, and rather than pivot their policy proposals to better accommodate the nation’s shifting demographics, the group seems instead to want to curb minorities’ procreation.

The Eagle Forum doesn’t dwell on the fringes of the conservative movement either. The group still wields considerable influence in conservative circles

via Top Right-Wing Group: Minority Births Are ‘Not A Good Thing’ Because They ‘Don’t Share American Values’ | ThinkProgress.

With the Republicans the one that hate the federal government of the United States, with the Republicans wearing the American flag wanting to pass nullification of federal laws and declare their state “sovereign” from the from the US, I wonder if it is not the Republicans that lack American values, along with basic Christian values of helping the poor and sick and immigrants (remember Jesus was an immigrant also).

WWJD: Who Would Jesus Deport?

Remember when the Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett, the same guy making news today for saying Obama might not be on the Arizona ballot because he might believe the birther conspiracy…

… remember when he was the Senate president in 2006 and his son got busted for shoving “broomsticks and flashlights into the rectums of 18 boys in at least 40 incidents at a youth camp in June” and got away with it… then went off on a Mormon mission?

Ken Bennett may have wondered "The broom was how big?"

The son of Arizona’s Senate president confessed that he and another counselor shoved broomsticks and flashlights into the rectums of 18 boys in at least 40 incidents at a youth camp in June.

Now Yavapai County prosecutors say they will drop all but one assault charge and likely recommend little or no jail time if 18-year-old Clifton Bennett agrees to plead guilty.

But parents say there were signs something bad happened. In a letter home to his mom, a 12-year-old boy described his experience:

“I don’t like our counselors when their (sic) talking about shoving broomsticks up our butts,” the boy said.

In court last week, Bennett apologized for his role. “The actions that occurred there, none of us considered the consequences that would follow,” Bennett said. “The next time I saw these boys, I never expected to see them here.”

Bennett said he was “trying every way he can to rectify the situation.”

Parents of the victims described Bennett’s remarks as self-serving.

“My son was barely 13, and he was grossly abused,” the mother of a Phoenix boy said.

Bennett’s father, Senate President Ken Bennett, R-Prescott, sat behind his son in court. A Prescott native and influential businessman, he has said little publicly about the case. After his son’s arrest, he issued a brief statement expressing concern as a parent.

They described Bennett as an honor student and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, planning to go on a mission in September. “A felony conviction for assault will make his desire to complete his mission impossible,” they wrote.

Under the plea agreements Bennett and Wheeler could face a maximum two years in prison. But the court could reduce the charges to a misdemeanor and no jail time.

Prosecutors have told parents that they are going to recommend Bennett and Wheeler get five days in jail on the one count, said Lynne Cadigan, a lawyer for two victims.

“If you rape 18 women, would you only be charged with one count?” she said.

via Families outraged at legislator’s son’s plea deal.

For what it’s worth, the last Senate President Russell Pearce, also a Mormon, has a son that violated children also…

… and even better, if Jan Brewer does not complete her term, which some people think will be the case to help her successor win as an incumbent… birther nut Ken Bennett gets to take over!

Welcome to Arizona 2012.

I am very disappointed in this year’s sponsorship in the 50th year anniversary of the UFW by Budweiser. This logo on the front of the convention center is straight wack! First the Navy ship being named after Cesar Chavez and now this? What the hell happened to this union, makes me want to burn my UFW flag, but it is the honor of my grandfather and many unknowns that put in work, blood and tears that I will not. Very disheartening!

-Tomas Alejo

The students of Tucson are still waiting for Dolores Huerta to fulfill her promise of joining us in our struggle if Arizona banned Mexican American Studies, which it did 4 months ago…

… yet somehow she has time to take pictures with Fresno Farmers and pesticide corporate folks like Rodney Britz Glassman while Cesar Chavez used to fast against what they were making money off of.

Then the same Glassman supporters, aka Grijalvistas, in charge of the Cesar Chavez march in Tucson cower to the racists at TUSD who banned the march from its traditional starting point at Pueblo High School.

Cesar Chavez was able to march to the state capitol for justice. Today Raul Grijalva can’t even show up to TUSD to help out our community but has the time to have his own ban, getting his minion Luis Heredia to prohibit voter lists from a former Democratic Latina state senator running for US Congress.

Got Cholo Politics?

And hey, now the UFW is brought to you by Anheuser-Busch! Don’t miss the Corona-sponsored session on the importance of boycotts, and the Jose Cuervo-sponsored session on negative American stereotypes of Mexican culture.

Don’t forget to pour some drank out on the ground in honor of Cesar Chavez. It’s not pissing on his grave, it’s Budweiser (though the taste is the same)!

Facebook's lackluster first day of trading. Source: Google.

I remember watching a documentary on the dot-com bubble that had a segment on Netscape, the FREE browser that people in Silicon Valley thought was worth billions as a company…

Investors know that Facebook is FREE, right?

Photo-journal of Ana Castillo’s visit to Tucson is above.

On the heels of a Tucson controversy that hit the national media, Castillo chose the Association for the Study of Women and Mythology (ASWM) national conference to unveil the personal mythology surrounding her elevated stature as acclaimed cross-disciplinary writer of female spirituality connected to her Chicana roots.

In doing so, she seized the reigns of the female spirituality movement during her keynote address illuminating the conference theme, “Creating the Chalice: Imagination and Integrity in Goddess Studies.” ASWM was created by Sid Reger from the East Coast and Patricia Monaghan from the Midwest, with the 2012 San Francisco conference co-chaired by Reger and priestess/author/publisher Anne Key serving as both a national reunion and commemoration of the spiritual foremothers of the Bay area.

“There have been lots of scholars and artists around the country, working on topic of goddess scholarship, since the mid-’70s,” said Reger. “In the Midwest, all of us were working in isolation. But that curse was also our blessing; we recognize the need to create an organization to bring everybody together to strengthen our work. That’s why we created ASWM.”

She was in Tucson to heal, the reports said.

What was this lauded boundary-smashing Chicana writer healing?

The truth was revealed in San Francisco last weekend. The truth of why her books are so potent to be banned. The truth that only the esteemed author of Goddess of the Americas and the banned title So Far From God could spearhead a much broader mission for unity than the troubled Tucson school district.

via (R)evolution in San Francisco: Ana Castillo Seizes the Reigns of Feminist Spirituality for 2012.

Information

This is a fundraising effort to send Tucson organizer Nelda Ruiz from Tierra Y Libertad Organization to Ruckus Action Camp 2012 for Migrant Rights!

June 8th through 12th, 2012
At The Highlander Center
New Market, Tennessee

DONATE HERE!

Hello dear friends –

Hope you’re enjoying the desert blooms, just as much as I am.

As you may know, I’m a community organizer with Tierra Y Libertad Organization in the South Side of Tucson and I’m writing to you because I need your support. I have been accepted to participate at next months’ Ruckus Action Camp for Migrant Rights, partnering with NDLON (National Day Laborer Organizing Network) at the historic Highlander Research and Education Center in Tennessee. With a legacy of organizing at Highlander including early union and worker rights, training for the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and Appalachian environmental and workers’ health and safety, we will be surrounded by the spirits of victorious movements that have come before us. I look forward to bringing that spirit and new skills in organizing back to our barrio and Tierra Y Libertad!

DONATE HERE!

Those in power rely on divisions amongst us in order to maintain the status quo. Ruckus Camp is going to bring 100 migrant rights activists and organizers from across the country together. I decided to apply to be a part of that group, because I know that by organizing together we’re not only establishing connections between our struggles but we have infinite People Power to help make the changes we envision.

Unfortunately, I can’t throw a lavish pachanga like George Clooney did to fundraise for Obama – I like to kick it old school and reach out to all my lovely friends! If each of you could please donate at least $10, I will get so much closer to my $1,500 goal! Participation fees for each camper is up to $1,000 so I’d like to give as much as possible to Ruckus to support their hard work and purchase my airfare. I was notified of my acceptance only recently and airfare is now ranging from $400-$500 into Knoxville and keeps increasing each day.

Thank you so much for support!

With much love,
Nelda

DONATE HERE!

**Tierra Y Libertad Organization (TYLO) is a grassroots organization, based out of Tucson, Arizona, that promotes the ideals of equality, justice, and self determination. Members, supporters, and allies of the organization work for positive social change and for the respect of land, people, and culture. Since 2001 TYLO has focused on building multiple examples of positive social change and community transformation in the barrios where we live. Work of the organization is carried out through a multi-tier model of grassroots community organizing and popular education that consists of four key programs: Barrio Sustainability Project, TYLO Freedom School, MAIZ, and the Migrant Rights Organizing Campaign!

DONATE HERE!

The words below were too beautiful not to share from our beautiful academic warrior Julianna Leon, who survived the historical trauma TUSD and the state of Arizona put her through this year and she has become what they fear most; an educated Chicana.

“Leaving Acosta’s classroom was leaving behind a chunk of my beautifully imperfect life. Bitter sweet words from Acosta, saying I humble him? People like him shape who I am. I grew to love like I never thought I would. I grew to use my brain like I never thought I would. Defying stereotypes, adapting and overcoming, and appreciating to the fullest. I will see you around “Curtis” (: And even though he flipped you off during a talking circle, thanks for being the one teacher in this school that appreciates and understands my Tupac shirt ;D haha”

- Julianna Leon (Facebook post), from the last cohort of Mexican-American Studies before TUSD banned the classes in January 2012.

Leon was enrolled in Curtis Acosta’s “Latino Literature” class before TUSD came and took her books away, banning Acosta to TEACH OUT OF THEM in the classroom, converting the class to an (Anglo-) American Literature course.

You can hear what Julianna has been through in her own words in the video below starting at the 25:30 mark.

After violating federal Civil Rights laws after taking federal money, it seems John Pedicone is finally listening to the Latino community… he has to now because the Department of Justice and Office of Civil Rights is investigating.

If Jan Brewer resigns, this birther nut becomes the next governor.

The man in charge of running Arizona’s elections has gone to the birthers. Secretary of State Ken Bennett now says he’s not convinced Barack Obama was really born in the United States and so he is threatening to keep the president off the ballot in November.

Bennett’s comments came in an interview late Thursday with conservative radio talk show host Mike Broomhead on Phoenix station KFYI.

Bennett said he was following the lead of the state’s eccentric Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a fellow Republican who ordered an investigation into the president’s birth certificate last year and concluded the document released by the White House is a forgery. Bennett said he is now trying to get verification from state officials in Hawaii that the certificate is authentic.

In doing so, Bennett caved to a fringe group of activists and writers who believe in a conspiracy theory that just never seems to die no matter how much proof they get. Hawaiian officials have said time and again that Obama was born there in 1961, yet the theory persists.

Bennett, the state’s No. 2 elected official just below Gov. Jan Brewer (R), said his investigation isn’t personal. He said the reason he started looking into it is because he got more than 1,200 emails asking him to do so after Arpaio’s investigation came out.

via Arizona Secretary Of State Says It’s ‘Possible’ Obama Won’t Be On Ballot | TPMMuckraker.