Phxated

The 2010 AZ gubernatorial race to the bottom begins

… with candidate John Paul Mitchell’s announcement that he is joining the group called “Oath Keepers”:

Screen_shot_2009-12-08_at_7.42.40_a.m."I was first introduced to the Oath Keepers prior to their establishment and knew it was a honorable group that wants to uphold our Constitution. As a student and defender of the Constitution, it is only appropriate that I make my commitment personal and public.

“Though the Oath Keepers is mainly focused on reaching out to military and law enforcement, citizen members have an unique place within this association. As citizens, who can ask our military and law enforcement to remember their oath.

“Furthermore, as a candidate for public office, I have the ability to influence and remind other candidates, as well as public officials, to honor and defend the Constitution at all costs!”

Oath Keepers is a faddish group on the far right. It’s mostly military folks who mumble ominously about dark forces undermining the constitution and make noise about not following orders if they are told to do things they deem extra-constitutional.

Now, on paper it’s mostly loony; here’s an example from their list of “Ten Orders We Will Not Obey”:

6. We will NOT obey any order to blockade American cities, thus turning them into giant concentration camps.

Chances of that happening are a little remote. But it’s really just another way for the right to stir up paranoia and resentment among—let’s be honest here—people lacking some basic critical thinking skills.

And now John Paul Mitchell’s one of them.


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Another legal salvo from Andrew Thomas against county supervisors

The Arizona Republic says he’s indicting Don Stapley and Mary Rose Wilcox on separate charges:

A grand jury indicted Wilcox on allegations that include perjury, forgery and conflict of interest related to votes she made as a supervisor to fund the Hispanic non-profit group Chicanos Por La Causa, Thomas said.

Stapley’s counts include fraud, theft, perjury and forgery largely related to the use of funds Stapley received in his effort to become president of the National Association of Counties. Stapley also obtained mortgage loans under false pretenses, Thomas said.
[…]
Thomas said the counts were based on Wilcox obtaining five different loans through Prestamos, the lending arm of Chicanos Por La Causa, and continuing to approve funds for the organization in her role as supervisor without filing any type of conflict notice.


Farther down, the paper notes:
The indictments from a Maricopa County grand jury are the latest allegations Thomas and Sheriff Joe Arpaio have leveled against county elected officials and administrators, many of which have been dismissed. Despite the history of Thomas and Arpaio’s allegations against other county officials petering out as they work through the justice system, the sheriff maintained confidence in his investigations.

“Let’s wait to see what the criminal justice system does before you start criticizing my investigations,” Arpaio said.