Pullen for the Party

Sound Strike Rings Hollow

As various artists, musicians and entertainers jump on the boycott bandwagon to protest Arizona's new immigration law, I'm curious of the motives behind an industry who also suffers from those who ignore the laws of the land.

So often we hear celebrities weigh in on political issues of which they lack a fundamental understanding of the issue. While they are certainly entitled to express their opinion, I would expect that they would at least have one that is consistent. Musicians and artists justifiably complain about copyright infringement and those who willfully ignore the law when it comes to stealing intellectual property. Is it beyond reason to expect citizens and foreign visitors to abide by federal law when it comes to immigration policy?

According to various news reports, a group of entertainers have joined together to boycott Arizona in protest of SB 1070. Whether or not the artists actually had scheduled shows in Arizona remains unclear and unreported.

It's surprising that these people are so out of touch with the overwhelming numbers of Americans that support the bill. With such high-profile acts such as the Jesus Chainsaw Massacre, Los Faggots and Anti-Flag, I'll be surprised if all our concert halls and entertainment venues don't immediately close their doors.

I would argue that our situation is similar to having someone sneak into their concert without a ticket. I'm curious if these artists sing a different tune when it comes to security at their shows. Nowadays, concert security search people more thoroughly than Border Patrol. Seems a bit hypocritical to me.

I respect their right to oppose the federal law that will now be enforced in Arizona. But with nearly two dozen of other states considering implementing the measure, where they are going to play? Canceling non-existent shows in Arizona is one thing, but backing out of real gigs? Now that would be sending a message to the fans who support your livelihood.

Flag Day

On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first flag act. And for the last 233 years, Americans have pledged allegiance to the flag that reminds us of our past and gives us hope for the future.

The flag is a symbol of our national unity, national endeavor, and national aspiration.

The flag tells of the struggle for independence, of union preserved, of the sacrifices of brave men and women to whom the ideals and honor of this nation have been dearer than life.

Our flag honors those who have fought to protect it, and is should stand as a reminder of the sacrifice of our nation's founders and heroes. As the ultimate icon of America's storied history, the Stars and Stripes represent the very best of this nation.

In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated every June 14 and it commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that on that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

Today, let us take a moment to reflect upon our flag and recognize the sacrifices of those who have fought to protect it.

To learn more on when to display the flag, salute the flag and how to dispose of the flag click the link below.

Sincerely,

Randy Pullen
Chairman, Arizona Republican Party

http://bit.ly/cpNdj2

Rep. Connie Mack is Wrong on Arizona Law

Republican Rep. Connie Mack of Florida recently laid out his concerns about Arizona’s new immigration law in a Washington Post article column titled, “Why Conservatives Should Oppose Arizona’s Immigration law.” In fact, conservatives need to continue to support that law.

The national debate over Arizona’s most recent effort to assist the federal government in its continuing failure to fulfill its constitutional responsibility of protecting our borders is all but over. Americans have overwhelming come down, once again, on the side of Arizona and its new law aimed at enforcing federal immigration laws. Clear acknowledgement of this came from President Obama himself when he announced that 1,200 National Guardsmen were being sent to the border.

That is a start, but is nowhere near what is needed to bring stability to our Southern border with Mexico. Now it is more important than ever for conservatives to continue supporting Arizona’s law. We must remain vigilant, or this latest effort at securing our borders and controlling illegal immigration will fall by the wayside, as have all other past efforts by the federal government. The open-borders (pro-illegal immigration) lobby in Washington, D.C., is alive, angry and relentless in its efforts to destroy the foundations of our country.

The pro-illegal immigration crowd would have you believe that defending our borders is the equivalent of apartheid. Lately, some politicians and bureaucrats have tried to compare an Arizona police officer asking someone to provide identification when that officer has probable cause that a crime is or has been committed to China’s record of human rights violations, to the moral equivalent of slavery or to incarcerating American citizens of Japanese decent in detention camps during World War II. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Some politicians would have you believe that it is inhumane and illegal to ask someone for their identification. Apparently, every time I am asked by the clerk at the grocery store or the cleaners for my official identification is a violation of my human rights. No doubt, the next time I am traveling and scold the airport security about violating my human rights multiple times before getting on the flight from Phoenix to Washington, D.C., I can be sure of getting that extra special attention in the examination room we all grave.

The point is we are a nation, and like all other nations we have the right to protect our borders and to establish immigration laws. We have further the duty to enforce those laws and that is what Arizona is doing. It is not racist and certainly not profiling any more than airport security is. Illegal aliens come in all colors, sizes, ages and sexes. We here in Arizona treat all illegal aliens equally, we report them to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

For freedom-loving conservatives, the immigration fiasco is just another example of the inability of the Washington elites to govern. Bailouts, takeover of healthcare, student loans, the auto industry, Fannie and Freddie failures, massive unemployment, trillion-dollar debts greater than the mind can imagine, just to name a few of their latest efforts. No wonder Tea Parties are becoming so popular with the American people all over the country. As Ronald Reagan remarked, “The most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I'm from the government and I'm here to help.’”