FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Bob Haran, May 2, 2008
bobharan2003@aol.com
www.Bob-Haran.info
Statement by Bob Haran, former President, American Citizens United.
As the President and the person that came up with the name, American Citizens United, and the author of it's mission statement, I do hereby sever any connection with the group of people attempting to recall Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, calling themselves "American Citizens United."
The original name of the organization was, "Arizona Patriots Supporting Enforcement of Immigration Laws," and was founded by Anna Gaines and the web site was http://www.azpseil.cloverpad.org/
While the organization was still using the name "Arizona Patriots Supporting Enforcement of Immigration Laws," it was agreed that Anna Gaines would be the Chair and Chief Executive Officer and I would be the President and Chief Operating Officer.
I came up with the name "American Citizens United" on April 19, 2008 and Anna Gaines, as chairperson, approved the name change on April 20, 2008, I wrote the organizations mission statement, which Gaines approved after minor changes on April 21, 2008.
The mission statement was published under "about us" by Gaines on the azpseil web site the next day and listed me as President of the American Citizens United. Shortly after agreeing on the name change and mission statement, Ms. Gaines first touched on the subject of recalling Phoenix Mayor Gordon. I explained to her that it was more important for the American Citizens United to get organized and build a strong foundation and write a set of by-laws to govern ourselves before we attempted any project as large as recalling the mayor of Phoenix.
I didn't see any point in resorting to a recall that not only would be extremely difficult to get on the ballot and close to impossible to win, given the fact that Gordon had just been re-elected with 77% of the vote and would be sure to be well financed in a recall election. In short I thought the idea of a recall was ill conceived and a waste of time and effort with little chance of success.
I'm no supporter of Phil Gordon, I think he
has been trying to pander to some extent to both sides of the immigration issue.
He doesn't want to look like a supporter of illegal immigration but he also
doesn't want to alienate Hispanic voters and therefore he has really done
nothing but attempt to obstruct the enforcement of immigration laws by the
Sheriffs Office.
Would that be a cause for a recall, maybe.
Would a recall at this time be beneficial to the people of Phoenix or to the immigration control movement, absolutely not. To have a recall election centered on the immigration issue in a city that is over one third Hispanic is dangerously divisive to the community at large and irresponsible to say the least.
One of the reasons American Citizens United was formed was to turn the immigration debate around from becoming an issue of race. Both Anna Gains and myself have been disturbed by those opposed to enforcement of our immigration laws attempting to label anyone who is pro-enforcement as racist, and we have also been troubled by white racist trying to hitch-hike on the immigration issue to advance their racist agenda.
We wanted to form an organization that not
only advocated illegal immigration control but also opposed racism and turning
the immigration issue into a brown versus white issue. I fear that if this
recall makes it to the ballot based on the issue of immigration it will be like
pouring gasoline on a fire that is already dividing people by their skin color
and I want no part of it.
The effort to recall Mayor Gordon by Anna Gaines and her fellow travelers has not been well thought out and is just an impulsive action that cannot lead to anything positive and at best would just be a wasted effort and at worst it would further divide the people of Phoenix over the issue of immigration based on a their ancestry.
With all due respect for Anna Gaines' patriotism and courage, recalling the mayor of Phoenix is a bad idea. The mayor of Phoenix may be showing a lack of leadership on the immigration issue, but those calling for his recall are showing even less.
BOB HARAN
CLICK HERE to Read the article from the 'Feathered Bastard' Blog on this story
3 comments:
This man has a history of quiting before things get busy. Check his record with proposition 300, his job with the New York Police Dept. His work as a student when a Judge threw
him out and terminated the court appearances by novices like him trying to represent clients with a one year of law school which he didn't finish. He never graduated from any University,only "attended"
He is walking the pavement trying to get the position of Precint Committeeman for his area. He failed to get enough votes for the house of Representatives before.
He is persona non grata of his party. He thinks he is in Brooklyn
N.Y. He hasn't adapted to Arizona.
Dear Juan/Anna,
Your recolections of Bob Haran are completely wrong. Bob never had ANYTHING to do with Prop 300. It was Prop 200 that he helped pass. Bob never claimed to be a laaaaawwwwyyyyer! And he has never claimed to graduate from college either. As far as a Republican PC, Bob Haran was the 1st Preceinct Commiteeman of either Party to turn in his signatures. He has been a PC for almost 20 years. When Bob ran for the State House, he ran in a totally democrat district and came close to defeating an Incumbent. He is NOT the personna non grata of the party, he is a well respected member of the AZ GOP, unlike you who is a Juanny-Come-Lately to these issues like Illegal Immigration. Bob Haran has been there from Day 1 of this issue and has been a leader in this ongoing battle. You are just sorry that he left your lame "organization" because you brought in racists and undesirables to 'your' effort. Nice try, back to the drawing board Juan/Anna!
In response to Juan/Anna's remarks.
I refer to Proverbs 23:9,
"Do not talk to a fool, for he/she will scorn the wisdom or your word."
I have nothing more to say to Juan/Anna
Bob Haran,
Phoenix
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