Earlier this month the same legislation cleared the Arizona House which leaves only Governor Jan Brewer’s signature before it becomes law.

While U.S. currency will continue to be accepted in the Grand Canyon State, the new bill allows gold and silver coins and bullion to be used beginning mid-2014.

Utah passed a similar law in 2011. Kansas, South Carolina and several other states are advancing similar bills.

While Utah and Arizona’s legislation is little more than symbolic, other states are eyeing infrastructure projects key to allowing precious metals to be used as legal tender.

Texas legislators are considering a measure to create the Texas Bullion Depository that would store about $1 Billion in gold currently held in a New York facility. The new facility would also function as a place for public deposits which would create a realistic medium for trade similar to blacksmiths’ and bankers’ handling of the precious metal in earlier times. Money could be deposited for one or more “depository notes” which could be traded for goods and services. The person receiving the notes in trade could then turn it in to the depository for gold. The notes would likely be backed by the State government and its gold holdings.

While the U.S. Constitution prevents states from coining money, it also says that states may not “make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts” a phrase likely opening the door for states to pass these precious metal currency bills.

The States’ moves are seen as a response to the Federal Reserve’s constant dumping of liquidity into the American economy thereby devaluing the dollar and, as many believe, leading to the collapse of the U.S. paper money.

While some states may be taking action as a symbolic nose-thumbing at the Fed, others are clearly planning for the potential downfall of the dollar.

A major argument against gun buybacks has been that they are too expensive. Arizona may have solved that problem in a most controversial way.

The Arizona state Senate voted to prohibit the destruction of firearms gathered by cities and counties. Instead, municipalities will be required to sell the firearms to recoup buyback costs.

The only thing that could prevent the bill from becoming law is gun rights proponent Governor Jan Brewer. While no comment has come from the Governor’s office, a veto is unlikely.

Democrats are feverishly attempting to sway public opinion against the bill. Democratic State Senator Steve Gillardo argued that Arizona already has “the most liberal gun laws in the nation and that has to stop.” Clearly no friend to gun rights, Sen. Gillardo had proposed numerous amendments to the gun buy back bill including one limiting magazine sizes. All of which failed.

Nationally, the gun debate has taken odd turns as liberals have even sought to make the Boston Massacre into a second amendment issue. Actor Jay Mohr tweeted on Wednesday that the bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon is reason to remove American’s rights to protect themselves.

What bothers me most about today is that we’re getting used 2 it. ENOUGH. 2nd amendment must go. Violence has 2 stop. Culture MUST change.

— Jay Mohr (@jaymohr37) April 15, 2013

Since explosives are already illegal, the logic of Mr. Mohr’s statement is difficult to defend.

Ignorance about the repercussions of gun control is becoming more evident. News reports have shown that people will move to confiscate guns even when told that criminals would still have them.

Even when authorities decide to confiscate guns, they are unable to. In California, while spending way too much time deciding which guns law-abiding citizens should have, they’ve been unable to get guns out of the hands of those clearly identified (by law) as unable to possess firearms as the state has “a backlog of nearly 20,000 people to disarm”, says Stephen Lindley, chief of the Bureau of Firearms for the state Department of Justice.

Maybe Arizona’s Republican Senators are on to something. If citizens want to turn in their guns for a tiny payout, the return on investment could be great for municipalities. It’s kind of a second hand store for guns where the original owner is willing to take next to nothing for the firearm and maybe those wanting to hang on to their second amendment rights can get a good deal. Unfortunately, criminals don’t tend to turn in guns the rest of America actually wants to buy.

All of this infrastructure — along with a 58 percent drop in the number of migrants arrested by the Border Patrol compared with five years ago — underpins Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano’s claim that the border is more secure now than it has ever been. Arizona Central

But is it?

Last week it was reported that a radar equipped drone used by the Customs Department demonstrated less than half of those illegally crossing from Mexico were stopped by border agents. Customs department officials blames the ‘Got Away’ rates on rugged terrain, lack of border agents and inability by the drone to differentiate US citizens from others.

It was further reported that many of those caught by the Border Patrol are no longer hiding from officers but instead are turning themselves over to officials. The word in Mexico is that those who make it into the US are going to be eligible for amnesty.  The agency’s official response is that this sudden spike in arrests and the reason for it is anecdotal but one has to wonder what message is being sent by the current administration.

The Border Patrol policy is that they do not try to stop illegal crossings at the border; instead they try to stop illegals before they get too far. This policy means that Arizona and other state residents who may own land adjacent to the Mexico border must deal with a daily influx of border crossers. They must protect themselves and their families in this ‘no man’s land’ and fear the US government if they themselves don’t follow all laws, including holding suspected illegal crossers on their private land.

Contrary to Secretary Napolitano’s confident statements about our Southern border, it still appears that we must secure it before trying to enact an amnesty program.

In an interview with a Phoenix news channel the younger Salmon explained his experience.

Where is the tolerance, the acceptance, of diverse ideas? Must one completely follow the line of the far left to be accepted for a news interview?

The following is from Representative Chaffetz’  public Twitter account. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Most residents of the US have never seen the arid border that is constantly under discussion due to its lack of security. This photo essay helps demonstrate more clearly the situation Border Patrol and Sheriffs in the area have to deal with daily.
Image 1: A visit to the Eloy ICE Detention Center. Of the 1493 inmates over 900 are classified as OTM (Other Than Mexican).  Images 2,3,4: Border ‘fences’ near Yuma.

Images 5,6: Agents use ATV’s to patrol the rugged sand dune area. Note the lack of shielding for the agents. During the visit 9 Romanians were caught trying to enter the US illegally.
Images 7,8: At the remote San Luis 1 station 16-20,000 passengers per day cross into the US. Agents use dogs and behavior profiling in their search for illegal contraband.

Image: 9 Why doesn’t the TSA use dogs and behavior profiling as effectively as the Border Patrol? Image 10: Another stretch of border ‘fence’. Images 11,12: A US elementary school just North of the border has 60 minor children who walk across the border each day to and from school. No paperwork. No questions asked.

Images 13,14: Just two of the vehicles stopped during the congressmen’s visit with hidden marijuana and meth.

You can read more about the trip at the SLC Tribune.

Initially, the Obama administration had insisted only a “few hundred” immigrants were released for budgetary reasons in February with reported plans to release more than 3,000 others this month. Under scrutiny ICE admitted that they had released 2,800 individuals. Following intense criticism from border state governors and conservative congressmen as well as public outcry the department opted for a temporary shutdown of the plan.

Governor Jan Brewer from Arizona, sent a memo last week repeating her request for the Obama administration to release information pertaining to the release of these individuals which reads, in part:

Among those released, according to Director Morton, were at least 10 individuals classified among the highest-risk offenders. Others released included repeat drunken-driving offenders who, in addition to being in our country illegally, have exhibited behavior that places at-risk every Arizonan innocently sharing our roadways.

Yesterday’s ICE testimony directly contradicts repeated assurances and explanations peddled by the Obama administration in the days after the mass release of illegal aliens became public knowledge. The American people were initially told there were hundreds, not thousands, of individuals released. We were assured they were low-level detainees of little public risk. As we now know, neither of these claims was accurate.

Today Director Morton was called before the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee hearing on Immigration Enforcement to testify regarding his department’s actions. You can read ICE Director Morton’s prepared statement here.

You can watch the entire day’s hearing here. Chairman of the committee, Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) gives a six minute rebuke of ICE and the department.

But you might prefer Representative Trey Gowdy, (R-SC), former state prosecutor (begins at 47 minutes) as he spends his five minutes grilling the director with questions demonstrating his strong experience in court.

You can watch a few minutes of Gowdy’s Exchange below:

All this leads to the question: Were these released individuals really ‘the worst of the worst’ as stated numerous times by DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano or are they just a bunch of guys who happened to be imprisoned by ICE and used as political pawns?

The world’s toughest sheriff recruited one tough guy to assist in a training mission over the weekend.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona brought in actor and reservist Steven Seagal to help train and prepare posse members how to react in the advent of a school crisis. At a  valley school  volunteer students played themselves while deputies took the roles of both shooters and rescuers in several scenarios. Seagal worked with deputies teaching hand to hand combat techniques.

The NRA and many government officials are recommending trained officers patrol schools in the wake of the Connecticut school tragedy.

While not everyone was happy with the sheriff’s plan to monitor school grounds within the county Sheriff Joe believes this training is valuable and hopes to continue it annually.

Not surprisingly, we’re arguing semantics. More secure? Maybe. Secure? Not. As an Arizona resident, I hope those working on immigration reform press to secure the border first.  If you live on the East Coast traveling quickly from state to state it might be unimaginable the size of challenges of our Southern Border.  It’s nearly 350 miles East to West across the state. Almost 400 miles of border with Mexico.

But take a look at this CNN report with an Arizona border rancher. Does this look secure to you? How hard is it for Coyotes and drug smugglers to figure out where the fence ends? Traveling like armed ghosts in the night (and sometimes by light), the rugged terrain may slow down sightseers but those wishing to cross do so easily, continuing to endanger the lives of US residents.

The administration brags that there are fewer illegals coming into the country than before. But many would argue this reduction is due to a continued stagnant economy allowing for fewer undocumented workers to find jobs.

No one argues that fences will stop everyone from crossing. But most everyone does agree that they do significantly slow the numbers. Like plugging a leaky boat with a rag, water may still seep in but at a more manageable rate and you are no longer in danger of sinking.

KFYI: Due to the sudden increase in revenue, Sirochman tells KFYI News that Bank of America began putting his deposits on hold out of concern that they might be fraudulent. The bank told him that the deposits would be released after 48 hours.

But according to Sirochman, “48 hours turned into another 48 hours, which turned into a week, then two weeks.” He says his company was in a pinch because it needed that revenue to operate and to pay its own bills.

Sirochman called Bank of America again to complain, and ended up talking to a manager who told him the bank had concerns about his company’s product. “It’s because we sell guns and parts on the internet, and they believe we shouldn’t be selling guns and parts on the internet,” he said.

Sirochman is now in the process of moving his business to a locally owned bank.

CBS 5 – KPHO

Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ) sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security with several questions about the Casa Grande bombing suspect.

The November 30 explosion was one block from Representative Gosar’s Casa Grande office which prompted this statement to his constituents:

“The alleged bomber, Abdullatif Aldosary, is reportedly an Iraqi refugee who was given the privilege to live in our country, but has apparently repaid our generosity and kindness with repeated violence and aggression.  The FBI reports the use of a high explosive called ‘RDX’ that is often used in terrorist plots.   It is my expectation that this case will be fully investigated and the full weight of law enforcement brought to bear. The recent bombing in Casa Grande reminds us that we have to all have a responsibility to be vigilant and to alert authorities of any threats in our communities.”

After viewing the photo of the arrested suspect an aide to Gosar realized she had opened a case file in 2011 at the request of Abdullatif Aldosary, an Iraqi refugee now under arrest for the bombing at the Social Security Office in Casa Grande. At the time, Aldosary had asked about his green card status. During an inquiry by the representative’s aide the office was told that Aldosary was not eligible because DHS had him on their terrorist watch list.

In light of the Casa Grande bombing, Gosar questioned why Aldosary was not detained and processed for deportation in November 2011, after it was determined he had engaged in terrorism-related activity. KPHO has obtained a copy of the letter which can be viewed here.

Others are asking why the FBI continues to call this man a refugee and a lone bomber  rather than a terrorist.

As you watch the video note that those interviewed were quite comfortable with this intrusion of privacy. “It’s all for the betterment of society…”

But is it? According to the report the agents were just doing some educational information checks. Yet, they did arrest four people on outstanding warrants. Some may wonder what the real end goal is. There is no doubt many in the Obama administration would prefer that no citizen could own a gun. So,are they just cleaning up the desert or as second amendment advocates might question are they wanting to keep track on who has what guns?

I am reminded of the frog in the skillet metaphor as told in The Story of B: If you drop a frog in a pot of boiling water, it will of course frantically try to clamber out. But if you place it gently in a pot of tepid water and turn the heat on low, it will float there quite placidly. As the water gradually heats up, the frog will sink into a tranquil stupor, exactly like one of us in a hot bath, and before long, with a smile on its face, it will unresistingly allow itself to be boiled to death.

Step 1. We’re trying to educate people and get their attention.
Step 2. We’ll ask to see your weapons.
Step 3…

Is the government just trying to help or are we being naive and will our acceptance of these gradual changes will allow us to be ‘boiled to death’?

A Gilbert, Arizona woman was arrested Saturday after she apparently drove over her husband. Holly Solomon believed that the family would suffer following the Obama reelection and became enraged when she discovered her husband had neglected to vote.

The victim hid behind a light pole as Solomon tried to hit him with her SUV. When he tried escaping she ran him over according to police records. The husband is hospitalized in critical condition at an area hospital.

According to police there were no drugs or alcohol involved.

This story is sure to bring left finger pointers to the forefront as they talk about the fringe right.

This week in Arizona a Muslim family was sentenced to two years probation for an ‘honor beating’.

There seems to be a discrepancy in the US. A tolerance for the intolerable. A true War on Women.

During the police investigation it was discovered that the family became upset when their teen daughter wanted out of an arranged marriage to a 38 year old man. The mother, father and another daughter beat, bound and burned the girl on her face and chest using a hot spoon. Despite the abuse the daughter defended her family to the judge, explaining it was part of their culture.

It appears that if one is beat following Sharia Law there will be little repercussion other than to slap the wrists pf the perpetrators and explain politely that such things are not done in the United States. BUT, if one tells others of the Biblical principle of ‘spare the rod; spoil the child’ that is is a crime, not defended under freedom of speech but instead punishable with jail time.

Something is wrong here. Our country is changing right before our eyes.

The men in this Jeep cleverly set up tracks on both sides of the fence from Mexico into Arizona. Unfortunately, they didn’t quite figure the angle of the track and the length of the Jeep.
Oops.
Those in the Jeep escaped back into Mexico where they will surely try again another day.

From the Republic: We believe the nation’s best opportunity to escape the compounding woes of spiraling debt and economic stagnation lies with a president who believes in the free market’s capacity to heal its own wounds.

That leader is Romney. The nation’s economy now is in desperate need of the kind of jobs-creating animal spirits that President Romney would encourage.

The economy indisputably will benefit, perhaps significantly, from a flatter, fairer system of taxation along the lines proposed by Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan.

It will benefit, too, from a regulatory environment that does not smother small businesses with punitive, anti-competitive, hoop-jumping requirements that favor their bigger competitors. We expect a Romney administration to foster that kind of growth-oriented, business-friendly environment.

But, more to the point, we expect better job growth in a Romney economy mostly because Mitt Romney does not fear or dislike a free-wheeling, growing, free-market economy.

We cannot say the same of President Obama.

The editors remind the reader that President Obama has worked diligently to promote the view government not individuals grow the economy casting aside the long held belief that small business is the backbone of the country.

The reason Obama’s infamous “You didn’t build that” comment on July 13 in Roanoke, Va., resonated among his political opponents wasn’t because it revealed some great secret.

It resonated because it validated a suspicion that the president has done little to dismiss. He has consolidated federal power and reach in health care, banking, the auto industry and energy production. He has fostered the view that all good economic things flow from Washington.

It’s an interesting review. The state of Arizona continues to struggle with the poor housing market, foreclosures, and unacceptable unemployment numbers. Most analysts put the state in the red column so perhaps the Republic is just hoping to gain approval and perhaps subscriptions among its readers. Never the less, an endorsement by the newspaper of record for the of Arizona is still a coup for the Romney-Ryan team.

You can read the entire editorial at the Republic’s website AZCentral.