Frugal Café Blog Zone

Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on April 28, 2010

The mayor of San Francisco has banned city workers from traveling to Arizona in response to illegal immigration law... SFGate readers respond

The president of Mexico, President Obama, Rev. Al Sharpton, and now, the mayor of San Francisco are exploding over the new Arizona illegal immigration law, which dovetails the existing federal law.

SF Mayor Gavin Newsom wants all city workers to boycott the state of Arizona.

Begs these questions… San Francisco is riddled with unemployment, debt, and crime (and its own illegal alien woes), so why does ultra-progressive Newsom grandstand and spend precious elected-official working hours on this issue and not on the gargantuan problems of the city of San Francisco? Since the AZ law mimics current federal law, why is Newsom trying to find ways to break AZ contracts (again, being paid for by SF taxpayers) and excoriate a state out of his jurisdiction for trying to protect its citizens from the ravages of illegal immigration (Lord knows, the federal government was given ample time to enforce its own federal law). And how many people will now, on gutsy principle, boycott San Francisco for the mayor’s idiocy and will purposefully travel to and purchase from Arizona?

Lastly, why are city workers traveling, on SF citizens’ dime, to Arizona in the first place? State workers, perhaps, but CITY workers? SF is nearly bankrupt… have they not heard of teleconferencing? Frivolous out-of-state travel to all states should be quashed, so having city workers not rack up unnecessary travel and lodging expenses may help San Francisco with its bleeding budget.

Despite the huffing and puffing of liberal politicians and illegal alien lobbyists (haven’t heard Sen. Babs “Call Me Senator” Boxer nor SF Nancy “I Have No Reflection” Pelosi’s take on this), a majority of Americans think the illegal immigration law should be adopted by other states. Again, liberal politicians are clueless and deaf to the majority of Americans who want secure borders, national security, and LEGAL immigration.

From San Francisco Chronicle, SFGate, City workers banned from official travel to Arizona:

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced today a moratorium on official city travel to Arizona after the state enacted a controversial new immigration law that directs local police to arrest those suspected of being in the country illegally.

The ban on city employee travel to Arizona takes effect immediately, although there are some exceptions, including for law enforcement officials investigating a crime, officials said. It’s unclear how many planned trips by city workers will be curtailed.

[...]

San Francisco’s move comes as the Board of Supervisors introduced non-binding resolutions calling for comprehensive immigration reform and a boycott of Arizona because of the new law, which requires police to try to determine the immigration status of anyone they reasonably suspect of being in the country illegally. There are also online boycott campaigns calling for everything from a boycott of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team to the Grand Canyon.

The law is popular with many in Arizona, whose border with Mexico is the site of more illegal crossings than any other in the nation. Supporters say in the wake of a failed federal immigration policy, the law will reduce crime. Opponents, including San Francisco Police Chief George Gascón, say it will have the opposite effect, deterring victims and witnesses of violent crime from coming forward out fear of being arrested as an illegal immigrant.

Supervisor David Campos and City Attorney Dennis Herrera have called for a boycott of Arizona and businesses based there. If the resolution passes, Herrera will try to identify contracts with Arizona companies that could be legally terminated.

Newsom, while blasting the Arizona law as “unacceptable,” has expressed skepticism about unintended consequences from a city-instituted boycott, including opening up San Francisco to lawsuits if it includes rescinding already-awarded contracts. He also questioned what companies it would cover.

To address those questions, the mayor today convened a taskforce that includes representatives from the City Attorney’s Office, Controller, city purchasing office and his chief of staff to look at a “smart and effective” targeted boycott, Newsom spokesman Tony Winnicker said.

The recommendations from that group will form the basis of a proposed ordinance that would be binding on the city if approved by the board and signed by the mayor, Winnicker said.

In response to the SF mayor’s declared AZ ban, the reaction has been explosive on both sides. Here are but a few comments (I gleaned these from more than 1,000 reader comments, appearing to be at least 20 to 1 in favor of AZ) from SFGate readers who don’t agree with the mayor… Mayor Newsome may have shot himself in both feet with his ban.

From Parasite_Hilton:

Good. Now the other 49 states need to enact the same laws and SF will save a BOATLOAD!

From ginger28:

Oh goody! The fact that the board of supes spent time on this must mean that all of the city’s other woes have been solved! Right? I mean, why would they waste time on something so pointless otherwise?

From guyinsf1974:

Gavinator needs to be worried about problems in SF and not Arizona; just sayin’.

From lazybones8:

Another bout of insanity by our Board of Stupidvisors. I guess that they really are just doing what their constituants want….the illegal, services draining, non tax paying, alliens. But guess what, City workers, don’t go to Arizona on City business so this is just another in a long line of empty proclamations passed by these bums.

From wow:

Gay marriage, sex with your friend’s wife=good. Arizona passing laws to control illegal aliens=bad. Gavin is the pompadour dimwit gift that keeps on giving

From downunder22:

Excellent, this Arizona law will force all their illegals to beautiful California. We will welcome our new amigos with free healthcare, food stamps, and rent assistance. Viva la California!

From funnyman:

It’s time to start boycotting cities that enable & coddle ILLEGAL aliens. Not documented immigrants, etc. ILLEGAL ALIENS–regardless of the country they’re from. ILLEGAL means ILLEGAL!

From skupago:

What a joke, so this is there way to protest. The rest of the country ought to boycott SF because of the lunatics running this city. Sanctuary city, meatless Monday’s, protecting criminals over hard working tax paying citizens, the list goes on. If I didn’t live here I’d boycott this dump.

From Grumpy_Jay:

Hey, remember that illegal immigrant who murdered a father and his two sons because they wouldn’t move fast enough at a red light?

http://articles.sfgate.com/2008-06-27/news/17164895_1_death-penalty-officer-isaac-espinoza-gang-member

Sure would be a shame if we didn’t have fine folks like that living in San Francisco any more, huh? Sure is awful of Arizona to want to keep people like that out of their state, huh?

From OUTA_HERE:

San Francisco is on the way out. It is so nuts, so crazy, so full of itself, that no one will want to come here but illegal aliens. I predict the next mayor will be from Tiajuana. Perhaps the current mayor is from Tiajuana.

Give us a break. Arizona is making an effort to curb an ongoing problem. Perhaps in the wrong way. But they are trying. San Francisco is trying too. Very trying.

From joeaviator:

I don’t have a problem with the law. If someone is acting drunk, cops are supposed to investigate. Why is this any different? Because it might offend someone? If there is a reasonable concern their citizenship is in question (a crime) then investigate. Newsom and the other tools in SF are losers.

From kovnl:

I can’t believe they’ve formed a Herrera’s office will spend so much time (and taxpayer money) on this issue. If there’s a contract with an Arizona company, it’s probably not breakable without costing the city a ton of money in lawsuits. SF will lose more money than Arizona.

From conperatives:

Yeah but Newsom pays employees like himself to go to China twice with his girlfriend on shopping tours while signing steel contracts with shoddy Chinese companies for faux bay bridge steel/sheetrock.

From local1:

Get off your high horse. It is nice to see a place that actually believes in ENFORCING the law rather than turning a blind eye & giving handouts for ignoring the laws of our land. It is the lack of enforcement of the immigration laws that can & has lead to issues of national security. Several people from other countries set up in Mexico & then illegally cross into this country so there is no paper trail exposing expired VISAs & such. Proper enforcement & actual deportation are the only way we can keep OURSELVES safe. Cheers to Arizona! End the sanctuary policy now !!!!!!!

From dfdanville:

I can’t wait for California to wake up and do the same thing that Arizona is doing. Then the word ILLEGAL actually might mean something.

From dumas:

Um, what legitimate business would city workers have in Arizona exactly???

From xab3000:

The SF City Govt is concerned that it’s workforce will end up being deported if it travels to AZ. hahahaha

OK, seriously here is another one that will make SF again the laughing stock of the nation. You can bet there will be retaliation from people around the country not to travel or do business with SF and Bay Area firms.

From billythekid1:

San Francisco has an image of utter disconnection from reality it must uphold… This place is a modern Sodom and Gomorrah, totally bankrupt of morals, values or testicular fortitude to stand up for what is LEGAL and RIGHT.

From sfgatefan411:

More time wasting by the Board of Supercisors. All of you that are outraged, what is your elected Supervisor doing in all of this?

From sakisemo415:

Again- wasting tax-payer money on head-lines that don’t matter…. I am sure if NY passed a law like that, it would be ok…. And remember Super G- there are some very big tech friends in AZ that have roots here in SF/Area….. tool……

From rickinsf:

Tired of this nonsense? Whether or not you’re a Democrat, you need to get involved in the upcoming DCCC elections. Register yourself temporarily if you need to, but it’s the city’s Democratic County Central Committee that is ruining San Francisco with nonsense such as this. If you want moderates in office instead of these self-important dilettantes, then you have to vote out the current leadership in the DCCC to ensure that the right candidates receive their endorsement.

From takebacksfnow:

This is unbelievable!

All of the problems that need to be focused on are never addressed but all of these non-binding resolutions keep getting passed with tax payer money.

Vote these people out!

They are useless, pandering, self-serving and could get a rat’s butt about what anyone who actually lives in SF thinks.

From go122:

“Supervisor David Campos and City Attorney Dennis Herrera have called for a boycott of Arizona and businesses based there. If the resolution passes, Herrera will try to identify contracts with Arizona companies that could be legally terminated.”

Sounds like discrimination to me.

From El_Presidente:

I embrace all people who come to this country legally. If they are here illegally, I do not embrace them.

From mmgw_is_bs:

Along with a ton of other people, in the coming weeks I’m going to be busy planning my vacation in…..Arizona. I cant wait, Sedona, Havasu, Grand Canyon….you name it, I’m going. If only San Francisco had the common sense to treat illegals they way Arizona is now: A. It probably wouldn’t have a $600 Million budget deficit. and B. More people might be planning *their* vacations here. Instead, people see how idiotic the Stupid-visors are, how dirty the city is, how much the city smells like urine, and tourism revenue goes down – instead of up. Stupid is as Stupid does stupid San Francisco city gov’t.

From iliamna:

What drama queens Newsom and the supervisors are!

Choose reality, people!

From datashark:

San Francisco’s city council needs to focus on their city and its outrageous spending and high crime. Arizona at least is doing something to protect its own residents — SF fails to do so with the frivolous spending and its safe harbor for gang violence

From lazybones8:

Gavin Newscum is actually spending taxpayer money on having various depts explore the ramifications and negative costs that breaking any existing contracts this might entail. Hey who am I to question declining MUNI services, declining quality of life in the City, businesses fleeing the City due to prohibitive costs and taxes. But hiz Honor finds money for things like this and those City issued illegal alien I/D cards that these two legged vermin use to get free healthcare and other city services while the taxpayers foot the dime.

From jericho_1:

Oh and by the way Mr. Mayor and S.F. Board of Supervisors, in light of your “sanctuary” city policy, don’t worry if an illegal alien felon fugitive from San Francisco comes to Arizona, we’ll gladly apprehend and immediately turn him over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the United States Attorney’s Office so that he can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, spend 10-20 years in federal prison, and be deported back to Mexico or whatever other Central or South American country the criminal comes from on the day he finishes his criminal sentence in the United States.

From keo10:

No wonder California is in such bad shape when the people elect someone like Newsom/Pelosi/Waxman/Fienstein to office. CA help us save out country and vote these people out!

From taxman2:

If Al Sharpton and San Francisco are against it, it must be a great idea.

From m_thomas:

This is what the sups spend their day doing? Pathetic beyond belief…

From kelsey16:

This not the first time that I can say I’m ashamed to be a native San Franciscan. Newsom is a joke and makes me ashamed to be a Democrat as well.

From CaliByeBye:

Is this Gavin’s way of rolling out the welcome mat for Arizona’s 460,000 illegals?

From bobmc7:

Under what circumstances would a City worker travel to Arizona for official business, even before this decree was passed?

This is yet another in a long line of meaningless, ineffectual “show laws” that the mayor and stupidvisors have passed to get their names in the paper.

Gavin and Supes – stop wasting your time (and our money) with these ridiculous non-binding resolutions, and start actually solving the mountain of REAL problems facing San Francisco. We still have a sky-high assault and property crime rate, a half-billion dollar budget deficit, crumbling public transit, rampant homelessness……. the list is endless. < - THESE are the problems we elected you to fix. The ones RIGHT HERE, IN SAN FRANCISCO. It is not your job to make policy in other states.

Stick to your own job descriptions, and get your @$$es back to work already.

From beez_kneez_:

Whether the AZ law is racist or not, the reality is they trying to stop the flow of ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS! If they are offended about profiling, don’t cross the border. Would we even be having this discussion if it were known members of Al Qaida ready to do us harm entering this country illegally and we had to stop and interrogate all Muslims or citizens of Middle East descent. I think not.

From sandpark:

I’m buying as much as I can from Arizona….screw these left-wing loons that are ruining SF…..

From exlrrp:

And in return, Arizona should just start shipping their illegal immigrants to San Francisco.
oops, maybe they already do.

From g7caligirl:

They shouldn’t be travelling – the city is BROKE!

From ozwest:

Read the bill that is driving the law. Then make up your own minds.

http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/summary/s.1070pshs.doc.htm

Frankly, it is time to clean up this country of trash and illegals who are blatant lawbreakers. Legal citizens want them gone as well. They give them a bad name.

Freedom isn’t free. And, those who cannot live by our laws – illegal or just plain trash – need to leave. It’s time to clean up AZ and the rest of this country. Here’s some definitions for those of you who are not welcome in this country.

1) You consume/peddle illegal drugs? Leave.
2) You think its okay to beat up or bully others? Leave.
3) You think it’s okay to abuse/molest children? Leave.
4) You think it is okay to break laws because you can? (Corporations, politicians, etc., included.) Leave.

And, this is just the beginning of the list.

Maybe Arizona and its governor should be given medals for courage!! If you love your country, then it is worth fighting for the principles and the laws upon which it was founded!!! If not, then please – L-E-A-V-E.

From donotdisturb:

In that case, let me make up for it and go to Arizona and spend a lot of money! And I think I will write the state Senators and congressmen, praising them on this bill. I have out of state visitors coming to stay and will not be taking them to San Fransico.

From Vampirella:

Lame!! If our city took illegal immigration as seriously as Arizona does, the family murdered by Edwin Ramos would still be intact today.

Hey supervisors, why don’t you care for your citizens’ safety more than you do for your foolish politics?

From applecore:

This boycott business is totally out of hand and just shows how San Francisco isn’t just content to thumb its nose at federal laws, it wants to be judge and jury over the practices of governments all over the world. It’s just ridiculous and people should just ignore it since they can’t do anything about it apparently.

From hiphopdeathcult:

Such an embarrassment. Really sad that a city with as much potential as San Francisco lashes out like children and looks as foolish.
Be sure to tell the folks in AZ how well SF has done in keeping illegals from murdering our citizens, Newsom. Failure!

You are an embarrassment. I have to move. This is too much.

From Kasha:

There are 49 other states that very likely would enjoy being boycotted by the SF Board of Supervisors. If only they could.

From NUVI:

Good idea gavin, boycott the US in favor of people breaking US law. What a dork.

Additional reading:
Ace of Spades HQ: Mexico Is A Dangerous Place…First In An Occasional Series
Weasel Zippers: Nazi Flags Spotted At AZ Tea Party Pro-Illegal Immigration, Anti-US Law Rally
Greg Gutfeld, Big Hollywood: Daily Gut: Hating Arizona
Mcnorman’s Weblog: Al Sharpton pledges to harass Arizona on immigration bill
Temple of Mut: “Money will come when you are doing the right thing.”
Ed Driscoll, Pajamas Media: Only 56 States to Go
Gateway Pundit: Obama Holds San Fran Fundraiser with Barbara “Ma’am” Boxer… Tea Party Breaks Out and Patriot Groups Will Kickoff National Arizona BUYcott at Winning Back America Conference and AZ Governor Brewer’s Popularity Soars After Signing Immigration Bill
Frugal Café Blog Zone: and Mexico’s Drug-Related Murders & Kidnappings Continue to Grow… People Kidnapped at Holiday Inn in Monterrey, Obama Criticizes AZ Illegal Immigration Bill (video) and Huge Raids on Mexican Human Smuggling in Arizona & Tough New Illegal Immigration Law — Avenge Robert Krentz’ Murder (video) and Violence in Mexico Escalates, Mexico Drug Gangs Turn Weapons on Mexican Army, Warning to American Tourists of Dangers
On My Watch – The Writings of SamHenry: 6 Lawmen Shot in Juarez as Arizona Immigration Law Signed. Law Throws Wrench Into Obama Legislative Blitzkrieg
Washington Post: Killing of Ariz. rancher roils immigration debate
Arizona’s KFYI: Shuttle Bus Company Raided During Human Smuggling Crackdown
Nice Deb: Bill Clinton Said Protests Might Become Violent….And He Was RIGHT
Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Gift of Eternal Life: Obama Was “Inaccurate” About AZ Law, While Left Continues to Purposely Misrepresent the Bill, and ‘Buy Arizona!’ Movement Begins
The Lonely Conservative: Obama Regime Considering Law Suit to Block Arizona from Enforcing Immigration Laws
Morgen Richmond, Big Journalism: Don’t Look To MSM For Honest Coverage of Arizona
Michelle Malkin: Cleaning up our trashed border and Update on Arizona rancher Robert Krentz murder case and Arizona acts to restore immigration sanity, open-borders lobby up in arms and “Restore our border:” Arizona ranchers to rally tomorrow; citizen border clean-up on 4/24
Conservative Pup: Mexican Drug War On Our Doorstep
Smart Girl Politics: Honoring Rob Krentz, Round Up for Border Clean Up
Are you Freaking Stupid?: Good News: Since Feds Won’t Do Their Constitutional Duty And Protect Our Borders, Arizona Protects Their Own.
Los Angeles Times: MEXICO UNDER SIEGE – Mexico drug gangs turn weapons on army
Charles Bowden, CNN: U.S.-Mexico ‘war on drugs’ a failure

Categories: Business & Economy, Government, Illegal Immigration, Law & Constitution, Social and Political Climate, Videos, Audio Files
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