Fast and Furious whistleblower cleared by ATF

Written by foxnews.com Wednesday, 16 January 2013 04:21

A key whistleblower in the Operation Fast and Furious scandal -- after being initially sidelined at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives upon coming forward -- has been cleared by his ATF bosses and is now being hailed for the "essential role" he played in exposing the program.

ATF Special Agent John Dodson was cleared of wrongdoing pertaining to two internal investigations, according to a letter from Deputy Director Tom Brandon. Excerpts of that letter were released by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/15/fast-and-furious-whistleblower-cleared-by-atf/#ixzz2I6oxkWX7

54,000 Mexicans sign petition for US gun control

Written by myfoxny.com Wednesday, 16 January 2013 00:07

AZBD News Note: It's a myth that most of the guns in Mexico come from the US, even including the guns the US Government allowed to go down to Mexico in the Fast & Furious Treason operation. Most guns in Mexico come from the Mexican military and police, and the black market. Only a small percentage of guns in Mexico are from the US. Mexico's violence problem is not a GUN problem, its a CULTURE problem.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — More than 54,000 Mexicans have signed a petition calling on the United States to take further steps to combat weapons trafficking.

Mexico says the majority of guns used by the country's violent drug cartels are smuggled over the border from the United States.

Mexico's best-known anti-violence activist and a prominent intellectual presented the petition at the U.S. embassy Monday.

http://www.myfoxny.com/story/20584439/54000-mexicans-sign-petition-for-us-gun-control#ixzz2I5n11mmG

 

Barack Obama on Gun Control Executive Order: More Gun Tracking

Last Updated on Tuesday, 15 January 2013 02:22 Written by Katie Pavlich - townhall.com Tuesday, 15 January 2013 02:21

AZBD Note: Is this more "gun tracking" like in Fast & Furious? If so, that would be fine because that means ZERO gun tracking. But for some reason we doubt that is the kind of "tracking" Obama is talking about.

 President Barack Obama just wrapped up the final press conference of his first term in which he was questioned multiple times about his plans for gun control, either through legislation or executive order. Vice President Joe Biden is expected to deliver gun control recommendations to Obama tomorrow after gathering information and ideas from various groups last week as part of his gun control task force.

"My starting point is to focus on what makes sense, what works," Obama said. "Members of Congress are going to have to come to terms with their own conscience."

When asked what specifically he would target with executive action, Obama referred back to Biden's recommendations but didn't get into detail about what exactly he's focused on. Obama did however suggest greater enforcement power through executive order, saying better tracking of guns is a way the power of his office can get something done.

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2013/01/14/barack-obama-on-gun-control-executive-order-more-gun-tracking-n1488923

"Guns Across America" rallies being organized for Saturday, Jan. 19th, 2013

Written by examiner.com Sunday, 13 January 2013 22:20

In response to all the discussion calling for more gun control legislation to be proposed, a nationwide event called, "Guns Across America" is being rapidly organized. The idea is to schedule a Pro-2nd Amendment rally at every state capitol across the nation to send a peaceful but strong message to our state legislatures that the overwhelming majority of Americans actually do not want any new gun control legislation passed in our states. The events will take place at "high noon" local time on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at your state capitol.

http://www.examiner.com/article/guns-across-america-rallies-being-organized-for-saturday-jan-19th-2013

Tucson Unified board names Grijalva president

Written by azstarnet.com Wednesday, 09 January 2013 04:40

The Tucson Unified School District Governing Board voted Tuesday to name d Adelita Grijalva to serve as its president and new board member Kristel Ann Foster to serve as clerk.

Michael Hicks voted against both selections. Mark Stegeman abstained from voting on the motion to make Grijalva president.

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/tucson-unified-board-names-grijalva-president/article_b40e5e06-5a0e-11e2-92a4-001a4bcf887a.html

We can pay for Israel's border fence but not our own

Written by examiner.com Tuesday, 08 January 2013 04:16

Last week, Israeli officials announced that 150 miles of security fencing along Israel’s border with Egypt has been completed, at a cost of $430 million.

The remaining 12 miles of fencing is expected to be completed by May, according to the Israeli Defense Ministry.

The border includes electronic surveillance equipment such as cameras and radar.

The Israeli government began construction on the fence in 2010, in an effort to stop Africans from entering the country illegally.

http://www.examiner.com/article/we-can-pay-for-israel-s-border-fence-but-not-our-own?CID=examiner_alerts_article

Founder of Raza Studies in Tucson charged with domestic violence

Written by examiner.com Tuesday, 01 January 2013 22:40

Sean Martin Arce, who lays claim to having created the Tucson Unified School District's (TUSD) Mexican American Studies program, otherwise known as Raza Studies was arrested earlier this month on domestic violence charges. Arce also reportedly broke into a neighbor's home.

On Thursday, the Arizona Daily Independent reported:

    According to police reports, the string of violence began at La Cocina, in the 200 block of North Court when Arce approached his ex-wife; Essence Arce. Witnesses reported that Arce had grabbed Ms. Arce’s elbow, hyper extending her elbow. Arce was “forcibly pulling her away from her friend….. Unknown bar patrons intervened and separated” Arce from his ex-wife.” Once Ms. Arce “was free” of Arce, “the two (women) fled.” They drove to Ms. Arce’s home.

http://www.examiner.com/article/founder-of-raza-studies-tucson-charged-with-domestic-violence?CID=examiner_alerts_article

Communist Chinese Government Calls For Americans to be Disarmed

Written by infowars.com Sunday, 23 December 2012 05:26

China can keep its draconian police state, Americans will keep their guns

The Communist Chinese government, via its state-run media front Xinhua, has called for Americans to be disarmed, arguing that the Sandy Hook school massacre demands “no delay for U.S. gun control.”

Xinhua is virtually the press agency for the Communist Chinese government. The organization, “is subordinate to the State Council and reports to the Communist Party of China’s Propaganda and Public Information Departments.”

In other words, Xinhua represents the pinnacle of Chinese state-run media. Whatever is printed in its editorial pages represents the opinion of the ruling Communist Party leaders.

http://www.infowars.com/communist-chinese-government-calls-for-americans-to-be-disarmed/

Ex-Marine Jon Hammar back on US soil after release from Mexico prison

Written by foxnews.com Sunday, 23 December 2012 05:06

The ordeal for Jon Hammar Jr., who languished under deplorable conditions in a violent Mexican prison for four months, is finally over.

Jon Hammar Sr. has confirmed that his 27-year-old son, a Marine combat veteran, is back on U.S. soil and with him in a rented car in Brownsville, Texas.

Hammar Sr. said his son was released from the notorious CEDES prison at 8 p.m. local time and made it back across the bridge between Matamoros, Mexico and Brownsville, Texas by around 8:30 p.m.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/12/22/report-jon-hammar-to-be-released-from-mexican-prison-today/#ixzz2Fqfdq4BU

Reps call for national travel boycott of Mexico over jailed Marine

Written by foxnews.com Friday, 21 December 2012 03:09

Two Republican congressmen called Thursday for a national travel boycott of Mexico until the country releases imprisoned former Marine Jon Hammar, urging "all Americans" to campaign for the war veteran's freedom by turning off the tap on America's tourism dollars.

The statements from Reps. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., and Duncan Hunter, R-Calif. -- both Marine combat veterans -- came as dozens of lawmakers pressed the Obama administration to more aggressively petition for Hammar's release. Hammar, who is locked up in a notorious Mexican prison on what his family says is a trumped-up weapons charge, is increasingly gaining the attention of Congress.

Amid conflicting signals about whether U.S. officials were making progress toward his release, Grimm and Hunter called for a national effort to bring Hammar home.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/12/20/lawmakers-press-administration-on-jailed-marine-point-finger-at-us-border/?intcmp=trending#ixzz2FeVB4Y6H

Ex-ATF official's gun ends up at Mexican cartel shootout that killed beauty queen

Written by foxnews.com Friday, 21 December 2012 03:08

How did a gun belonging to a former assistant special agent in charge at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives end up at a crime scene in Mexico where five died, including a Mexican beauty queen?

That's the question being asked by congressional investigators and ATF officials in Phoenix.

A FN Five-Seven semi-automatic pistol, a high powered handgun originally
restricted to military and law enforcement customers, was recovered by Mexican police at the scene of a Nov. 23 shootout between the Sinaloa Cartel and the Mexican military.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/12/19/ex-atf-official-gun-ends-up-at-mexican-cartel-shootout-that-killed-beauty-queen/#ixzz2FeUwRtv6

Woman arrested in San Luis with 32 pounds of meth in car

Written by kvoa.com Wednesday, 19 December 2012 00:25

TUCSON - A woman from Mexico was arrested Monday at the San Luis Port for allegedly attempting to smuggle 32 pounds of methamphetamine into the United States.

Customs and Border Protection officers referred 38-year-old Amy Jean Diaz of San Luis, Mexico, for additional inspection as she drove into the port, CBP officials state in a news release.

http://www.kvoa.com/news/woman-arrested-in-san-luis-with-32-pounds-of-meth-in-car/

Porous Border December 2012

Last Updated on Friday, 14 December 2012 03:18 Written by secureborderintel.org Friday, 14 December 2012 03:17

From secureborderintel.org:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u_yoqbCvjM&list=UUNtn6C3JWf8XeZgYbAq4Gng&index=1

HSBC to pay record fine for cartel money-laundering

Written by examiner.com Friday, 14 December 2012 03:15

HSBC, Europe's largest bank, is expected to announce today they have agreed to pay more than $1.8 billion in fines over charges that the bank laundered billions for Mexican drug cartels, according to Reuters.

HSBC will pay $1.25 billion in forfeitures as well as an additional $665 million in civil penalties.

The record settlement will include a so-called deferred prosecution agreement between HSBC and banking regulators.

http://www.examiner.com/article/hsbc-to-pay-record-fine-for-cartel-money-laundering?CID=examiner_alerts_article

Bush calls for debating immigration reform "with a benevolent spirit"

Written by news.yahoo.com Wednesday, 05 December 2012 05:10

DALLAS (Reuters) - Former President George W. Bush on Tuesday called on lawmakers to debate immigration reform "with a benevolent spirit" and bear in mind the contribution of immigrants in building the country.

Bush's comments came at the opening of a daylong conference on immigration and economic growth sponsored by his namesake George W. Bush Institute and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

"As our nation debates the proper course of action relating to immigration, I hope we will do so with a benevolent spirit and keep in mind the contribution of immigrants," he said.

http://news.yahoo.com/bush-calls-debating-immigration-reform-benevolent-spirit-000231397.html

Border crossing operates on honor system, Border Patrol hundreds of miles away

Written by humanevents.com Thursday, 29 November 2012 05:31

The Obama administration is set to reopen a crossing station at the Texas and Mexico border that was closed after the September 11 terrorist attack for security concerns, yet is newly constructed to be monitored by Border agents stationed hundreds of miles away.

Federal officials estimate the Boquillas crossing located in the Big Bend National Park will accommodate 20,000 visitors a year, whose entry into the U.S. will by monitored by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers 300 miles away in El Paso through surveillance cameras that will observe kiosks where identification cards are scanned for access.

“Remote technology would assist CBP in maintaining security and verifying the identity of those entering the United States, while also ensuring that they possess proper documentation to do so,” said the Federal Register notice announcing the project.

http://www.humanevents.com/2012/11/28/mexico-border-crossing-to-operate-on-honor-system-border-patrol-stationed-hundreds-of-miles-away/

Border activity has hunters avoiding Southern AZ

Last Updated on Thursday, 22 November 2012 03:01 Written by tucsonnewsnow.com Thursday, 22 November 2012 03:01

The below video features some trail camera video from AZ Border Defenders:

http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/category/240196/new-video-landing-page?clipId=7984546&autostart=true

Is Demography Destiny?

Written by Thomas Sowell Tuesday, 20 November 2012 01:29

Some media pundits see in the growing proportion of non-white groups in the population a growing opposition to the Republican Party that will sooner or later make it virtually impossible for Republicans to win presidential elections or even to control either house of Congress. But is demography destiny?

Conventional wisdom in the Republican establishment is that what the GOP needs to do, in order to win black votes or Hispanic votes, is to craft policies specifically targeting these groups. In other words, Republicans need to become more like Democrats.

Whether in a racial context or in other contexts, the supposed need for Republicans to become more like Democrats has long been a recurring theme of the moderate Republican establishment, going back more than half a century.

http://townhall.com/columnists/thomassowell/2012/11/14/creators_oped/page/full/

Republicans start illegal alien amnesty Super PAC

Written by examiner.com Tuesday, 20 November 2012 01:09

On Sunday, former Hispanic outreach director to the Romney campaign, Carlos Gutierrez, appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" and criticized not only the former Massachusetts governor, but the Republican Party's conservative base, as well for Obama's re-election.

Specifically, conservatives' belief that our border should be protected and that immigration laws should actually be enforced.

http://www.examiner.com/article/republicans-start-illegal-alien-amnesty-super-pac?CID=examiner_alerts_article

Proof that the Border IS NOT Secure - Oct. 22, 2012

Last Updated on Monday, 19 November 2012 04:44 Written by APReport Monday, 19 November 2012 04:43

Good video with real US Border Patrol radio traffic from Secure Border Intel (www.secureborderintel.org):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7Ojgi34K0A