If ever there was a Swamp Creature, it’s Corrupticrat Charlie Rangel (D - Swamp) . . .

Via The Patriot Post.

Last year, I posted a photo of this echeveria succulent on the patio. Then, it had fewer of the colorful little flowers. I guess it likes it here. I probably got this at the local garden shop last year.

Desert Tropicals describes the echeveria genus:

Echeveria is a large genus of succulents in the Crassulaceae family. They are native from Mexico to northwestern South America. The genus Echeveria is named after the 18th century Spanish botanist Atanasio Echeverria Codoy. Several of these species are outstanding garden plants. A large number offsets heavily and are given the common name of ‘Hen and Chicks’.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Last week, Judge Susan Bolton, the judge hearing the Arizona Immigration Law case, said this:

“Why can’t Arizona be as inhospitable as they wish to people who have entered or remained in the United States?” U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton asked in a pointed exchange with Deputy Solicitor General Edwin S. Kneedler.

“How is there a preemption issue?” the judge asked. “I understand there may be other issues, but you’re arguing preemption. Where is the preemption if everybody who is arrested for some crime has their immigration status checked?”

Yet in a ruling today she noted this:

[T]he United States has demonstrated that it is likely to succeed on its claim that the mandatory immigration verification upon arrest requirement contained in Section 2(B) of S.B. 1070 is preempted by federal law. This requirement, as stated above, is likely to burden legally-present aliens, in contravention of the Supreme Court’s directive in Hines that aliens not be subject to “the possibility of inquisitorial practices and police surveillance.” 312 U.S. at 74. Further, the number of requests that will emanate from Arizona as a result of determining the status of every arrestee is likely to impermissibly burden federal resources and redirect federal agencies away from the priorities they have established.

That last part (highlighted) is a crock. Everyone knows that the Feds are NOT doing their job. How is doing the job going to overload them?

The judge, a Clinton appointee, is using judicial fiat to reinvent the law. Moreover, she invokes a 1941 SCOTUS ruling - Hines -which is an entirely unrelated decision regarding immigration. I wonder what (or who) caused her to reverse what she was saying just last week?

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer promised to appeal the decision in the Ninth Circuit court (which will probably agree and rule for the injunction) and to the Supreme Court if necessary. Governor Brewer said “It’s just a “bump in the road.” and “This is far from over.”

I got these a while back to plant in the front porch planters. Today, they were looking very, very red. Click on the image to enlarge.

As we prepare our new home in the Copper State, it is with great interest as we watch the events unfold with respect to the new Arizona Immigration Law, SB 1070. it appears that there is a trend where aliens there illegally are taking action to vacate the premises. In effect, the bill is having the desired effect.

Via Yahoo:

The U.S. government estimates 100,000 unauthorized migrants left Arizona after the state passed an employer sanctions law three years ago requiring companies to verify workers’ status using a federal computer system. There are no figures for the number who have left since the new law passed in April.

Some are heading back to Mexico or to neighboring states. Others are staying put and taking their chances.

In a sign of a gathering exodus, Mexican businesses from grocers and butcher shops to diners and beauty salons have shut their doors in recent weeks as their owners and clients leave.

Don’t get us wrong, we have nothing against foreign food, cultures and customs. We just think that if you want to enjoy the prosperity and freedoms in our country, you should obey the laws and sign the guest book on the way in. That being said, since most aliens here illegally have ignored our laws, we’re hoping that the exiting Arizona numbers jump significantly greater than the estimate since the employer sanctions went into effect. Millions, maybe?

The rest of the states need to enact the appropriate protection as well.

Last week we drove from Wickenburg, AZ. to Lake Pleasant near Peoria, AZ. Driving along AZ SR 74, you can see a lot of beautiful scenery. I took this photo of the road and the cloud topped mountains beyond the saguaro-dotted landscape. Click on the image to enlarge.

While shopping at the garden center today, I decided to take a photo of flowers on a lantana bush. Just as I was getting set to shoot the photo, a sachem skipper butterfly landed on the flower. Click on the image to enlarge.

Federal Judge Susan Bolton who is presiding over the hearing on Arizona SB 1070, the immigration enforcement law, wonders why the DOJ would ever pursue the law as a Federal preemption case.

“Why can’t Arizona be as inhospitable as they wish to people who have entered or remained in the United States?” U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton asked in a pointed exchange with Deputy Solicitor General Edwin S. Kneedler. Her comment came during a rare federal court hearing in the Justice Department’s lawsuit against Arizona and Gov. Jan Brewer (R).

Bolton, a Democratic appointee, also questioned a core part of the Justice Department’s argument that she should declare the law unconstitutional: that it is “preempted” by federal law because immigration enforcement is an exclusive federal prerogative.

“How is there a preemption issue?” the judge asked. “I understand there may be other issues, but you’re arguing preemption. Where is the preemption if everybody who is arrested for some crime has their immigration status checked?”

Captain Ed at Hot Air speculates that the Feds will get laughed out of court sooner than later.

I bought a dozen bright “Hot Princess” roses when we shopped today. I put them in the vase with the yellow “Isabel” roses from last week and the colors compliment each other perfectly. Click on the image to enlarge.

We interrupt the party to act concerned about unemployment . . .

Via The Patriot Post.

In addition to it’s old western town charm, Wickenburg has another feature which we enjoy - it’s a railroad town. The trains no longer stop in Wickenburg - they stopped operations back in 1969 but the track that runs through town is still active with trains coming through several times a day.

The old Santa Fe railroad station has been restored and currently houses the town’s visitor center and Chamber of Commerce. Behind the station is this nice old coal-burner on a siding with a tender and a caboose.

Image courtesy Damsel - Click to enlarge.

Our California residence is a quarter mile from the tracks and we rather like to hear the trains as they pass through the nearby railroad crossings. I come by my affection for trains it honestly. Both my Dad and maternal Grandfather worked for the Pacific Electric railroad in Southern California - Dad worked in the powerhouse and Granddad was a motorman for the famous Red Car.

Our new home will be about a half-mile from the track that runs through town. There is a switch northwest of town about three miles where the trains can be routed west toward California or north toward Kingman and Las Vegas.

The first (I hope not only) Golden Torch cactus flower opened up last night. I took this photo of it this morning. I say I hope not only because last year there were a half dozen of the little flower-pods by July and this year I only see the one. Click on the image to enlarge.