ICE RAIDs Update: Laurel, MS and Postville, IA

Laurel, MS Update:
The AP Reports:
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Attorney General Jim Hood's office is determining whether a new Mississippi law was violated by Howard Industries in Laurel, the site of the largest workplace immigration raid in U.S. history. "We'll look at what they've done and determine if it's a violation of state law, as well as determine if we need to enforce it," Hood told The Associated Press. The law passed by the 2008 Legislature and signed by Gov. Haley Barbour requires public and private employers in the state to use the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify system to check new workers' immigration status.
Don´t look for Billy Howard to be charged however, particularly when you consider Laurel has provided over $50M in assistance to Howard Industries. Billy Howard must be Laurel´s favorite son! Time will tell.
Laurel, MS Leader Call reports: (summary)
If the outcome (of the Attorney General´s investigation) finds criminal offenses, the question of city, county, and state incentives arises. Much of Howard Industries’ recent growth has come through local tax exemptions and state-backed financial incentives.
(Beyond previous assistance) Laurel city leaders are also in the midst of a deal to help Howard Industries expand to the old Delphi plant in the industrial park. The Laurel City Council in July approved another change order to the Howard Industries’ Delphi project. With a vote of 6-1 the council approved changes to the ongoing Howard Industries’ Delphi Building Improvement Project. The council’s vote approved a fourth change order for additional work at the Delphi building project on the condition that a letter from Howard Industries agree to pay the additional $829,946 is received. Last year, the city approved an approximately $6.7 million bid from Larry J. Sumrall Contractors, Inc. for the improvement project. In December, the city council approved Change Order No. 1 for $1.24 million. Then in February, Change Order #2 for $1,660,321. In April, the council agreed to approve change order No. 3 for an additional $333,354.
BREAKING NEWS - Laurel:
Will Howard Industries be moving to Mexico? Reports indicate they are NOT paying their contractors and if the FEDS pursue charges, will lose multi millions in financial incentives.
laurelleadercall.com Sept. 8, 2008: One of Howard Industries suppliers has filed a federal lawsuit in United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. HD Supply, Inc. filed the suit against Howard Industries August 14, claiming the local industry hasn’t paid HD Supply $72,652.53 past due more than 90 days. There was an overdue charge of $679.48 for one to 30 days past due that was paid recently, according to court documents. The overdue balance of more than $70,000 has revolved from charges made as early as November 18, 2006.

Postville Update:
Don´t expect the Rubashkins to be sanctioned any time soon. They are up to their old tricks again, continuing to stomp down on their hired illegal immigrant exploited workers when they attempt to join a union.
The Boston Globe Reports:
THE OWNERS of Agriprocessors are at it again. The infamous kosher meat company, whose Iowa plant was raided in May and found to have hundreds of illegal immigrants working in substandard conditions, now wants to challenge a vote to unionize at its Brooklyn distribution center. The reason? Many of the workers who voted to unionize are illegal immigrants.
The company argues that employees who shouldn't be in the country at all have no right to unionize. But the US Supreme Court ruled in 1984 that undocumented workers "plainly come within the broad statutory definition of employee" and that extending union protections to them is consistent with the intent of Congress when it wrote the National Labor Relations Act.

Update: Kick in the Head Hate Crime Case - Kicker´s Mommy Sues Saying It´s Not Fair to Deprive Brandon from High School

Mother of Kicker Brandon Piekarsky sued the Shenandoah Valley School saying they violated his legal rights by barring him from high school. She said her Kicker son was barred from school property based on a crime that did not relate to school activities. Even though witnesses say Piekarsky illegally drank alcohol before he inflicted the final kick in the head which resulted in Head Trauma which killed a young father, his mommy said he should be allowed to attend school, graduate and go on to college. Her lawsuit contends, "the district's refusal to let Piekarsky attend school is ''without precedent and violates virtually all of Mr. Piekarsky's legal rights, including his right to a public education, as well as due process.''
Her reactions make you curious whether she realizes her drunken son participated in a crime that resulted in a young father dying and his children will have no father this Christmas or future Christmases.
In Breaking News: The school district agreed to provide Tammy Piekarsky's son and Colin Walsh with 12 hours a week of home schooling, which will continue for the duration of the case.

In other KITH-HC News:
Prosecutors are moving forward with charging a 4th teen in the Kick in the Head Hate Crime (KITH-HC) case. This 4th teen faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation. Prosecutors are not releasing his name or age yet.

References:
Mother of teen charged in fatal beating sues school
Fourth Teen Charged in Illegal Immigrant Beating Death

Is Arpaio´s Reign of Terror About to Come to an End?

Numerous critics are packing forums in Phoenix to say they have had enough of Sheriff Joe Arpaio. They are tired of his racial profiling tactics against local residents because they are "brown."
They wonder why Arpaio and his men aren´t arresting the felonious criminals whose dust covered arrest warrants pile mountainously in his offices. They wonder why he isn´t doing his real job instead of allowing these bad guys to run the streets.
Even Maricopa County Superisor Mary Rose Wilcox has charged Arpaio with violating an agreement with ICE that prohibits racial profiling. Now the Feds are launching an audit this month to finally out Arpaio for his tactics.
Scores of citizens are also signing petitions which call for the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to conduct a series of town hall meetings which will allow the public to comment on the sheriff´s practices. They request to be placed on the Board´s agenda on Sept. 17. The petitions also say Arpaio is wasting more that $42M on lawsuits, insurance costs and attorney´s fees, all due to his tactics.

More Bad News for Arpaio: Arpaio´s long time enemy, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, fended off a recall effort launched against him after Gordon challenged Arpaio's immigration-enforcement policies.
Arpaio´s chief of enforcement, Brian Sands, called one of his favorite local reporters at one of his favorite newspapers to say Gordon was lying about the racial profiling. When the reporter reminded Sands that a well respected report was on a "drive along" with one of his deputies and witnessed his deputy committing Racial Profiling, Sands responded using the tried and true excuse, "You can´t believe your lying eyes."

Not that more proof is needed of Arpaios waning popularity, several protestors continue to march outside of Wells Fargo Bank in downtown Phoenix on a daily basis. The demonstrators are demanding Wells Fargo evict Arpaio as a tenant when his extremely costly lease of luxiourious offices is up. Records indicate the existing rent for the luxurious accommodations is $43,000 a month for more than 31,000 square feet. Protestors indicate they are expanding their protests to LA and SF Wells Fargo locations.
References:
Coalition speaks out vs. Arpaio
Sheriff Arpaio's chief airs gripes and excuses
Demonstrators want MCSO evicted; Arpaio says he'll stay put

All of these signs leads one to believe that time is running short for the long tenured Sheriff. His bid for re- election is coming up soon. It sounds like the voters, public officials and the community want a change.
Arpaio fans shouldn´t worry about him however. Sources tell us his "Big Bully" Consulting Company is doing well. He is providing consultative services for prisons and detention centers in Central America, China and Australia.

National Enquirer Conducting the Palin Vetting Process McCain Failed to Complete!

The National Enquirer is conducting the Palin vetting process that McCain and his staff failed to complete. McCain´s staff has admitted Palin underwent only a brief, partial vetting just days before her selection for the next highest job in the country. McCain met with Palin just briefly twice before her selection. Many MSM outlets say this is due to McCain wanting to select Joe Lieberman as his VP candidate of choice. It was only at the last minute McCain´s campaign staff convinced him to bypass Joe for Palin.
In their latest edition, the National Enquirer has voiced their mission to complete the vetting job McCain failed to do. They have numerous "feet on the street" in Palin´s home town to get to the truth behind the gossip spread across the internet. The three top stories they are following include:
1. Palin´s Affair with her husband´s business partner.
2. Palin´s attempted cover-up of her daughter Bristol´s pregnancy and Bristol´s refusal to go along with her mother´s plan for a quickie marriage with her boyfriend.
3. Palin´s abuse of power in firing her ex brother in law´s supervisor for failing to fire her brother in law.

The AP Reports the response to the National Enquirer´s articles from the McCain campaign are as follows:
"The McCain campaign has vigorously denied a report in the National Enquirer magazine that the Republican's vice-presidential pick, Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin has had an extramarital affair with her husband's business partner. The story, which appeared just hours before Governor Palin was due to address the Republican convention, was branded " scurrilous" by the chief strategist, Steve Schmidt. He said it was totally untrue."The smearing of the Palin family must end. The allegations contained on the cover of the National Enquirer insinuating that Gov. Palin had an extramarital affair are categorically false. It is a vicious lie," said Mr Schmidt." The efforts of the media and tabloids to destroy this fine and accomplished public servant are a disgrace. The American people will reject it."
McCain and his staff probably will not get far in their attempts to try and squelch and demonize these vetting investigations. The National Enquirer is well known for their pursuit of anyone and everyone who has gained national attention. This includes many in the DNC including: John Edwards, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. (Many of these stories, in fact, have been political fodder for Fox News, McCain and the RNC´s favorite network!) Over the last few months, the National Enquirer has gained significant notoriety and a significant increase in sales in their diligent pursuit of the John Edwards affair. They are also proud of their performance in being the first to out other politicians, hollywood and media stars.
As of today, Palin refuses to talk to any media anytime anywhere.
I wonder how long she thinks she can hold out.


Soap Opera Politics Volume 1, Issue 33

Signs Indicate Minutemen "National Movement" ALMOST OVER!

For weeks, I have been receiving emails from someone with the email id "Patriotic Minuteman." He has been sending me emails with titles including "Mountain Minutemen forced off the Border" saying "The notorious Mountain Minuteman Robert Crooks has left his position at the border, amid rumors he was removed at the request of local law enforcement. Locals have confirmed law enforcement have been looking for him and another full time member was asked to leave the immediate area by the sheriff. Another member, Leland or "bigulgyjerk" has also left the site which is reportedly vacant "most of the time."
I didn´t write an article about this right away as my email contact wanted. I was hesitant about posting more Minutemen articles since my slew of them a few months ago. I hadn´t heard too much about them in the media recently. I´ve been under the impression they have been trying to lay low or adopt a more politically correct approach.
Then today, I read an article where former MM leaders have a lawsuit against Chris Simcox and are wanting to expand the lawsuit to include angry former members from across the nation.
Coincidentally, Chris Simcox and the MCDC hosted a "National MM Rally" at Congress Park. Very few people showed up. (see bottom article)
I decided to post both articles and the email information from Patriotic Minuteman.
Article 1 summary, "Although the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps has boasted of raising $600,000 to build a fortified border fence, it has only built a few miles of a barbed-wire cattle fence. Now, some donors are calling for a criminal investigation."
Stacey O'Connell, the former Arizona state director for the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps (MCDC), has joined a Fountain Hills, Ariz., resident who donated $100,000 to the MCDC and now claims he was a victim of fraud. The two men are calling for a criminal investigation of the troubled nativist group's fundraising practices.
"The government demands that these [non-profit] organizations provide tax documents based on truth and here [the MCDC] is clearly not truthful," O'Connell told the Sierra Vista Herald. O'Connell was one of 14 MCDC state directors fired in May 2007 by MCDC founder Chris Simcox after they questioned his financial accountability and demanded that he make available the organization's financial records. That purge took place the same month that retired homebuilder and Air Force veteran Jim Campbell filed a $1.2 million lawsuit against MCDC, alleging fraud and breach of contract. The previous spring, Campbell mortgaged his home to obtain $100,000 that he donated to MCDC after receiving fundraising materials from Simcox's organization. Simcox was soliciting money for the construction of a 10-mile-long, high-tech "Israeli-style" border fence on private ranch land in Texas. One year after accepting that money, the MCDC had constructed only a few hundred yards of five-strand barbed wire cattle fence. Campbell says Simcox refused to give him back his money or account for what happened to it.
Among the evidence Campbell personally submitted to federal authorities is a 2006 IRS Form 990-EZ for the Minuteman Foundation, Inc., the MCDC subsidiary formed to raise money for the fence project. It lists only $87,500 in donations for 2006, the same year Campbell alone donated $100,000.
MCDC officials claimed in fundraising materials dated August 2006 that they had raised $600,000 for the fence project. "There is something wrong with that," says O'Connell, who is also calling for a mail fraud investigation. "There is smoke there, and we believe where there is smoke, there is fire."

Article 2: The MCDC National Rally at Congress Park in Denver (very few were there):
Congress Park in Denver: It was billed as an all-day rally—their 8-hour agenda featured speakers like Tom Tancredo, Bob Barr and Alan Keyes, but it was more like a subdued suburban picnic with lots of coded hate speech tossed around in alternating lofty and heated tones. Chris Simcox, president of the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps, called the event a “third party convention for the conservatives—the real conservatives.” The folks in the audience were nearly all white and middle aged, a relaxed crowd leaning back in their USA lawn chairs as if they were watching Independence Day fireworks.

The emails, the law suit, the tiny national rally and the limited media coverage the minutemen are now receiving lead me to believe the "National Minutemen Movement" is all but over.

Republicans BLATANT disregard for the American Public!

McCain´s blatant disregard for the American Public allowed him to select the most incompetent running mate in history.
McCain met her briefly once. Aides Say the Team Interviewed Palin Late in the Process.
McCain later spoke to her briefly once.
Pailin is an Idaho College grad running on her beauty queen, supporter of Pat Buchanan for President status.
Pailin is NOT a Harvard grad with a law degree.
McCain, clearly, is "dissing" the American Public. He is saying this hockey mom with absolutely zero credibility is Obama´s equal. What?!?
I expect ALL Barack and Hillary supporters to take this for what it is! This is an Obvious SLAP IN THE FACE by the GOP!
All of us, American People, should CALL McCain and question his decision.
She DOES NOT HAVE THE EDUCATION or EXPERIENCE TO SERVE AS VICE PRESIDENT IN SHORT LINE TO SUCCEED AS PRESIDENT!
She is currently under investigation for firing the guy who would not fire her ex brother inlaw. This investigation is charging Abuse of Power!!

Nevermind the gossip. Her husband had a DUI a few years back. Her 17 year old daughter is pregnant. The gossipers say her own Downs Syndrome baby is really her daughters baby.
I dont care about their soap operas!! I am embarrassed for the American Public!!
McCain´s poor decision is an Embarrassment to the American Public!!!
We need to get the Republicans out of Power! They have ABUSED their POWER long enough!

Do you know what else bothers me?
The media is treating this with kid gloves!
Lest we FORGET the blatant attacks with NO CAUSE against Hillary by the Media!

Question One: Do you think McCain purposely put up Pailin so she will withdraw, on her own, due to family reasons? Will he then put in his REAL Candidate for VP?

Question Two: Do you think the Republicans put up TWO Sock Pockets for Prez and VP because it really doesn´t make any difference since the Right Wing Conspiracy will rule government if they win, as they have in the past?


Soap Opera Politics Volume 1, Issue 32

"Kick in the Head" HATE Crime Update: Peace Rally vs Racist HATE Rally!

Two rallies were conducted this weekend in Pottsville.
WFMZ TV reports:
Racial tensions escalated in the Schuylkill County borough of Shenandoah yesterday. Protestors gathered at an anti illegal immigration rally, while across town, a unity counter protest was held at the same time.
1. Unity Fest at the Kahillat Isreal Non-Denominational Christian Church
Families and Friends gathered to remember Ramirez and his family and to Pray for Unity and Peace in Pottsville. People gathered at the unity rally. Preaching a message of healing and hope. Pastor John Navarro/Kehillat Israel Church: "We opened the door to this - because this is a positive thing - we want not to see hatred, we want love." Dr. Agapito Lopez/unity organizer: "I think the way this community can get together and heal is to understand each other, to be in the shoes of other people."
The fliers said, "Bring your musical talents, instruments (kazoos are good!), food to share and your peaceful, positive, uplifting spirit! We will have fun stuff for the kids, music, food, movies and a message of hope, inclusivity, and peace within ourselves and our town." As advertised, the gathering was peaceful and harmonious. The community attended and Prayed together!
2. Voice of the People Demonstration sponsored by PA Pundits
The Melanie News Blog reported: "This weekend, a group called Voice of the PeopleUSA/PAPundits plans an ‘anti-immigration’ rally in Shenandoah. Although they claim not to be a white supremacist group, they have a very strong following of neo-Nazis, skinheads, white supremacists, and other such hate groups who will be here with them. This is already drawing national press attention whether we want it or not, and our image to world will be unfairly associated with a swastika."
A commenter added: "Actually the guy draped in the Nazi flag and other white supremacists that attended the Voice of the People USA rally were racists. I’ve never heard anyone call out these guys and gals at any rally. You count them for support just like everyone else in the crowd.
The Unity Festival was the truly peaceful and positive event. Thanks so much for having it. I think it was great that the mayor chose to attend your positive event and not the negative one across town."
The heinous Wendi M. from PA Pundits reported: "This speech was interrupted by none other than Crystal Dillman, the fiancee of Luis Ramirez. (Wendi M. said) Dillman and a few of her friends were holding a Mexican flag and had been standing in the back for some time. They got NO attention from anyone, so they moved into the crowd of patriots, flashing the middle finger along the way.
The crowd got upset, and started to swarm towards her. Smeriglio kept talking, even saying “I guess they don’t care about 9/11″ referring to Dillman and her co-traitors."

OTHER UPDATES: WHP Reports: School for the Charged- POTTSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - School officials say two teenagers charged in the beating death of a Mexican man in an eastern Pennsylvania town won't be returning to the classroom. Sixteen-year-old Brandon Piekarsky and 17-year-old Colin Walsh are charged as adults with third-degree murder and other counts in the July 12 beating of 24-year-old illegal immigrant Luis Ramirez. The two are seniors at Shenandoah Valley High School. Superintendent Stanley Rakowsky says their parents will have three options. The two may receive instruction at home from a certified professional staff member and earn a Shenandoah Valley diploma. They may be taught at home by someone with a high school disploma and take the General Educational Development test. Or they may enroll in a cyber school and take classes via computer.