February
21, 2005
"Terrorism
is a political act to achieve a political goal – to engage
in political speech in a lot of ways." (Lobbyist for
Home Builders Association, testifying in favor of Animal Terrorist
Bill)
Highlights
from the Animal Terrorist Bill Hearing
The
following quotes were obtained from a tape of the House Judiciary
Committee Hearing on HB 2295:
Rep.
Ben Miranda, addressing Rep. Andy Biggs, Terrorist Bill Sponsor:
"I
have some serious questions about how you drafted this bill
and who you’re going catch in this big net."
"Last
year we had this vetoed by the governor and I think she was
right to do that. Attorney General Goddard concluded that
it has unintended consequences and there’s already existing
laws that cover this."
Rep. Ted Downing, addressing Rep. Andy Biggs, Animal Terrorist
Bill Sponsor:
"Terrorism
is an extremely serious threat … Does your bill trivialize
something that is so critical to the security of this country
as terrorism by playing with the word, toying with the concept
(you’re talking about a few mountain lions and issues
like that)? Don’t we owe it to the victims of 9-11 and
the people of this country that are seriously fighting Iraq
not to trivialize the concept of terrorism in the House of
Representatives today?"
"The
people that are fighting the war on terrorism are in Iraq
– they’re not state legislatures after some animal
crimes that take place in Tucson."
Spencer
Kamps, lobbyist for Home Builders Association of Central AZ,
testifying in favor of HB 2295:
"The
Federal Homelands Security Act focused new laws and persecution
[sic] of terrorism based at the overthrow of the government.
Environmental terrorism was specifically left out of the federal
legislation."
Rep.
Downey's response:
"Are
the animal terrorist groups engaged in an activity to overthrow
the US Government or the Constitution of Arizona?"
Rep.
Miranda's question to Mr. Kamps:
"You
represent the Home Builders Assoc. of Central Arizona. From
that perspective, what sort of incidents or situations have
you observed or encountered in the last two or three years
that this bill would specifically address?"
Home
Builders Association Lobbyist response:
"None
to my knowledge."
More
statements from the Home Builders Lobbyist testimony in favor
of HB 2295:
"Terrorism
is a political act to achieve a political goal – to engage
in political speech in a lot of ways. It’s based on fear."
"We’ve
heard a lot about how individuals can be persecuted [sic],
and that’s a good thing."
Sandy
Bahr, Sierra Club Lobbyist, testifying against HB 2295:
"The
racketeering statutes were intended to go after organized
crime. There are any number of organizations that could be
included - anti-abortion, militias, and others where there
are fringe elements. We don’t think it’s appropriate
to add in those groups or environmental or ecological entities.
"
Eleanor
Eisenberg, ACLU Lobbyist, testifying against HB 2295:
"Under
the definition you are adopting here and the activity you
are describing as terrorism, the Civil Rights Movement would
have been a terrorist activity."
ADLA's
comments in opposition to HB 2295:
"One
year ago this month, White Supremacists held the Aryan Fest
Concert near Fountain Hills. Three weeks later, there was
a mail bomb attack at Scottsdale's Office of Diversity and
Dialogue that injured three people, including Director Don
Logan, who is black. The case was investigated as a hate crime,
but the bombers have not yet been apprehended. If the sponsors
of this bill were really concerned about protecting Arizonans,
why do they ignore legitimate threats such as hate groups
and instead focus on predominately law-abiding advocates involved
in animal and environmental protection?"
Rep.
Downing's statements opposing HB 2295:
"It’s
a great threat to our civil liberties if we start redefining
every crime and action, from speeding through photo radars
* to God knows what, as being terrorism. We’ve trivialized
the very thing we’re trying to protect ourselves from,
and people will make fun of us – that’s why I’m
worried about this particular act of legislation."
( * Rep. Andy Biggs presented his bill to ban photo radar
on freeways later in the hearing )
Rep.
Doug Quelland, explaining his vote in favor of HB 2295:
"One
of the people testified that they had a great belief in the
legal system of this state to protect and defend, and I think
I have about as much faith in the legal system as they have
in us."
Other
Comments:
Mr.
Biggs said there is still some concern that law enforcement
may be reticent to enforce this new provision but said it
is necessary because many people are intimidated by animal
and ecological terror organizations and are reluctant to come
forward.
“We’re
hoping that with this bill in place,” he said, “you
will get people more confident in reporting and allowing law
enforcement to proceed in these areas.” —
Terrorist Bill Sponsor Andy Biggs, explaining how SB 1166
will help the many frightened victims of animal and ecoterrorists
in Arizona. (Arizona Capitol Times)
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