As I previously reported, Alipac's William Gheen withdrew his organization's support of the SB1070 Phoenix Rising Rally which is scheduled on June 5, 2010. His reasons include his discovery that racist groups are involved in setting up the Rally and Tancredo knows this but supports them anyway. Gheen's charges are pointed specifically towards Dan Smeriglio. As proof, Gheen pointed to Smeriglio's own Facebook pages with several well known racist groups as friends. Smeriglio charged back that with his popularity, he had no way of knowing the racist associations his "facebook friends" had.
The argument has heightened with charges flowing back and forth between Gheen's Alipac site and Digger's Realm website, a website belonging to Smeriglio's close friend and confidante Digger Dan Amato. In a recent web posting, Digger layed out a detailed analysis of why Gheen actually withdrew from the rally. Here is Digger's detailed explanation, but in brief, he said:
1. Gheen is an opportunist and out for himself
2. He is dishonest and a Liar, lying about Smeriglio
3. He takes credit for other people's work; is very lazy yet wants top credit.
4. He details how Gheen tried to sabotage the conference once he didn't get top billing. He wanted top billing to gain memberships to his site, donations and bragging rights.
5. Gheen has burned many bridges and now he is an outcast
After I read Digger's post and his assertions that Gheen is an opportunist and a Liar and Smeriglio is a Saint, I just shook my head. Anyone who has followed the Immigration debate knows about Gheen. Most believe he is an opportunist and Lies and uses his grou
p for his own agenda and fame. That's a given. But I've also followed Smeriglio. He is well known on the East Coast. His group, Voice of the People, were the faces of the East Coast protestors. It was their screaming, angry faces that stood on street corners with megaphones agitating the crowds during ANTI Immigration Reform rallies. It was their faces that supported Mayor Barletta. It was their faces that marched against the supporters of Luis Ramirez at the trial of his murderers. Smeriglio is loud and rowdy, not afraid to be in your face. One of his best friends and frequent participants at his rallies is Steve Smith (in youtube video and in picture on right), a leader of the notorious Keystone State Skinheads(KSS). Plus the attendees of the rallies were members of the KSS. Many people pointed this out, but Smeriglio only laughed at them. But as more and more people found out about Smeriglio, they disassociated themselves with him, this included Mayor Barletta. Until finally, Smeriglio disbanded his Voice of the People group. This all, of course, is public knowledge and pretty well known out East. The Keystone State Skinheads were even featured on the National Geographic Channel's documentary "American Skinheads." KSS has had several criminal charges against their members. KSS has also sponsored many "White Power" conferences in Pennsylvania. They have been designated a Racist Hate Group by the ADL. And they have close affiliations with the Hutaree militia.
While catching up on their argument today, I studied both Digger's detailed response and Gheen's discussion board on this subject. What I found most interesting was that Steve Smith commented on Gheen's site: "This is Steve Smith from Keystone United. I am going to keep this short and sweet. I am not a "neo-nazi", "racist" , or a "White supremacist." These are labels used by leftists to try to stifle debate. They can't refute my points on racial issues so they have to resort to childish name-calling. I am unapologetic in my stance in trying to preserve our European American heritage and culture. I know what I believe is right because it is backed up with truth,facts ,and logic. If William Gheen wants to debate me publicly on racial issues , just let me know." Gheen responded: "Steve Smith, Unlike Dan Smeriglio, we do not knowingly allow skin heads on our websites. Our goal is to unify Americans of all races, parties, and walks of life behind the effort to stop and reverse illegal immigration. Skinhead, neo nazi, kkk, and white nationalist groups interfere with our mission, campaigns, and legislation. Goodbye. William Gheen"
Again, I shake my head. Digger is right about Gheen and Gheen is right about Smeriglio. What I don't understand is why Gheen utilized so little proof (screenshots of Smeriglio's facebook friends' page) when there is so much evidence available. I also don't understand why he ripped Tancredo apart. This is what his own followers are angriest and confused about.
I suspect that Gheen has more dirt on Tancredo and is waiting until the June 5 rally to let it all out. That way, if he exposes Tancredo, as he did (in his own mind) to Dobbs and Lindsey Graham, he will score more credit and donations from his members and more attention for himself in the media.
The more I read about this mess, the more I am glad I am not affiliated with anyone like that crowd. If people truly believe they are supporting a worthy cause, they certainly would not behave this way. I've often said, "You reap what you sow times 10." I wonder what these folks will reap in the end.
UPDATE: Apparently Gheen went to several local AZ newspapers about this whole mess. here are 3 articles:
AZ Republic: Arizona immigration law rally loses group due to neo-Nazi links
Phoenix New Times:William Gheen's ALIPAC Withdraws from June 5 Nativist Rally at Arizona State Capitol Because of "Nazi Groups and Tom Tancredo" (w/Update)
Tucson Citizen: The Cholla Jumps (this one ANTI Gheen)
References:
. Immigration Clearinghouse: Alipac & William Ghee Exposed
. Digger's Realm: The Phoenix shall rise
. One People's Project: Daniel Smeriglio
. Keystone State Skinheads - wiki
. Voice of the People: Daniel Smeriglio
Posts
4 comments:
With all of the local newspaper coverage about Neo-Nazis and Skinheads, will anyone show up?
My guess is we will see a number of cancellations over the next 2 weeks.
The Phoenix New Times article is making a good point. Many of those attending already have close ties to racist groups.
Russell Pearce is a close friend of JT Ready, a well known NSM (neo nazi) leader who has often appeared in his gestapo outfit at various events.
Arpaio and his masked goons.
Barbara Coe.
Jeff (bikini boy) Schwilk
United for a Sovereign America.
Also: Gheen is right. the Senate Lawn where the event is supposed to take place is RESERVED by House Rep Kyrsten Sinema for a pro humanitarian rally. (ANTI sb1070)
Baseball : Chicago Cubs Spring Training In Mesa? - Arizona's Dry Air is bad for pitcher's shoulders - Many Chicago Cubs fans look suspiciously non-White - Restaurants and Hotels are desperate near Arizona Baseball training facilities in Mesa AZ
The possibility of Baseball Boycotts to Arizona hangs like the Sword of Damocles over Arizona's neck. Even Spring Training Boycotts are a grave danger for the Economy of certain towns, close to Baseball facilities in Arizona.
Spring Training Facilities in Mesa Arizona, locals are extremely worried of losing thousands of baseball fans and tourists.
Arizona Hotels and Restaurants for Mexican Tourists and Visitors, and for Latinos and Minorities, owners or these businesses are desperate, officials and managers are pessimistic about economic outlooks.
"• Arizona's law discriminates on the basis of "reasonable suspicion." Us Cubs fans look suspicious enough without legalizing racial profiling."
Chicago Sun Times
BY DAVE HOEKSTRA Staff Reporter
May 23, 2010
Arizona law has diminishing returns for tourism
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/travel/2300966,hoekstra-arizona-immigration-chavez-052310.article
Some excerpts :
When I was in Mesa, Ariz., earlier this year on a spring training assignment, I wrote about Julio Cesar Chavez Campeones, a $4.5 million restaurant/entertainment venue named for the world champion boxer and national hero in Mexico.
The establishment opened in November and represented the changing face of the valley. The Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau told me the city's emerging Hispanic community had grown to 26.3 percent. The Chavez dispatch hit a note of pride with my Latino readers in Chicago.
Things were on the move in Mesa during my February trip. Business was up at Campeones. Mesa Mayor Scott Smith was promoting the proposed $84 million Wrigleyville West complex to keep the Chicago Cubs from relocating to South Florida.
There couldn't have been a worse time for the Cubs and Mesa to hatch that plan. Phoenix tourism had a worse year than the Cubs. And both are off to a very bad start in 2010.
The state's sports tourism industry has been dealt a blow by Arizona's new immigration law, which makes failure to carry immigration documents a crime and encourages police to detain anyone suspected of being in Arizona illegally.
Chicago Sun Times
Matt York - AP
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
What's Next For Cubs Spring Training In Mesa?
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/travel/blogentries/index.html?bbPostId=BC2rvBO5LEk6B3gUWoQgObNcCzCLxCGWYZC2EBCitBvPeBh45&bbParentWidgetId=B8CdrBf7xB0dzld5PwWoEgt
Raciality.com
Vicente Duque
The Bellingham Herald : Baseball : major league Commissioner Bud Selig : He already has his bat on his shoulder. Will he honor the History of Baseball as Integrator of Races ??
The pressure will increase enormously before the All-Star Game, and there will be many small Boycotts in baseball before the Big Date arrives. The pressure pot may explode.
Baseball was an integrator game, Jackie Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, this gives a lot of honor to the history of New York City. As the first black man to openly play in the major leagues since the 1880s, Jackie Robinson was instrumental in bringing an end to racial segregation in professional baseball, which had relegated African-Americans to the Negro leagues for six decades.
Can Bud Selig betray the History of Baseball ??
The Bellingham Herald
Is Bud Selig Judge Landis or Branch Rickey?
By ADRIAN BURGOS JR.
May. 21, 2010
Is Bud Selig Judge Landis or Branch Rickey?
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/05/21/1442056/is-bud-selig-judge-landis-or-branch.html
Some excerpts :
There is much more involved here than the league's hiring record and the sheer number of minorities working in its offices. Inclusion is just the start in the march toward civil rights. This is what many across the country are trying to demonstrate to Selig in their protests outside big league ballparks and in their various petition drives to have major league move the All Star Game.
It's also an insult to Latino celebrities Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez and Mariano Rivera and to emerging stars such as Adrian Gonzalez, Yadier Molina, and Hanley Ramirez. The San Diego Padres' Gonzalez immediately threatened to boycott next year's All Star Game, telling journalist Tom Krasovic, "If they leave it up to the players and the law is still there, I'll probably not play in the All Star Game. Because it's a discriminating law."
Baseball has a responsibility not to sit idly by. Foreign-born Latinos make up about 50 percent of all minor leaguers; together, U.S.-born and foreign-born Latinos represent well over a quarter of the players in the majors.
So the choice is yours, Commissioner Selig: Landis or Rickey? Choose wisely.
Youth, Minorities, Demography and Politics :
Milenials.com
Vicente Duque
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