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We Didn’t Start The Fire: John McCain Links AZ Fires To Illegal Immigration

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» 65 comments

Senator John McCain has a theory on what might be responsible for the series of fires plaguing over 700,00 acres in Arizona: Undocumented immigrants who, he informed explained in a press conference over the weekend, routinely “set fires because they want to signal other, they set fires to keep warm, and to divert law enforcement and agencies.” McCain added that there is “substantial evidence” supporting this, yet would not elaborate on what this evidence might be. Thus, he concluded, a secure border would help make America a place less plagued by the occasional bout of hellfire.

McCain’s office released a statement today regarding his statements:

The facts are clear. For years, federal, state and local officials have stated that smugglers and illegal immigrants have caused fires on our southern border. During the press conference on Saturday, Senator McCain was referring to fires on the Arizona/Mexico border, not the Wallow Fire.

A U.S. Forest Official, however, told ABC News that he is not aware of any evidence linking undocumented immigrants to the Arizona fires. Tom Berglund said that while the cause of the fire does indeed seem to be “human” – most likely a campfire that went out of control – he believes there is “no evidence that I’m aware, no evidence that’s been public” indicating immigrants are to blame.

Latino groups have taken issue with McCain’s assessment. Angelo Falcon, president of the National Institute for Latino Policy, emailed CNN saying that, with McCain’s lack of evidence, “he might as well also blame aliens from outer space for the fires.”

Listen to McCain’s statement in this clip from a local Arizona new station:

h/t The Atlantic Wire

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  • Harry Flashman

    You know, I was gonna write that McCain, barring actual physical evidence (even though it is one of the likely causes) shouldn’t make statements like that. Then I read this part:

    “Angelo Falcon, president of the National Institute for Latino Policy, emailed CNN saying that, with McCain’s lack of evidence, “he might as well also blame aliens from outer space for the fires.” ”

    Yeah, yeah, we know that the illegals come in from Mexico on gossamer wings and would never, ever do something like lighting fires in the desert at night, would they?

    His statement, if anything, is even more stupd than McCain’s.

  • TeaPartyNation

    As one of the states with the best voting record in the nation, Arizona voters didn’t go for “You Lie!” hussein in the primary (Hillary won) and didn’t go for “You Lie!” in the general. Everyone knows that “You Lie!” hussein and his imbecile AG (and Black Panther Party supporter and defender) holder have relentlessly attacked, vilified and sued Arizona because it tries to protect its citizens from ILLEGAL invader criminals (which they won’t do). Arizona has done more than any other state to fight d-cRAT socialist extremism, including blocking obozocare’s mandate, stopping forced unionization and countless other socialist atrocities. Without any doubt Arizona voters are smart enough to pass on “You Lie!” in 2012 and go with the Repub candidate – whoever that is, because they know that ANYBODY would be better than “You Lie!”

    Given all that, I would not for a second doubt that the hussein regime has had a role in INTENTIONALLY starting or allowing to burn uncontrollably the fires in Arizona. (And that includes “undocumented d-cRATS – a.k.a. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CRIMINALS) They want this state – and its patriotic American citizens – off the map and will do whatever they can to achieve that.

  • The Lantern of Truth

    We’ll trade McCain and Graham for Manchin and Webb for a bag of baseball bats .

  • THE REAL ROYAL KING

    In a related story, Senator John McCain said illegal aliens are responsible for his ED. “I’m so anxious over the fires they start, I can’t focus on the task at hand.,” he said.

  • THE REAL ROYAL KING

    The Lantern of Truth said:
    We’ll trade McCain and Graham for Manchin and Webb for a bag of baseball bats .

    Manchin’s too pro working man and woman and Webb is too bright. Neither would play for the other team.

  • BFD

    I don’t mind McCain speculating that illegal aliens and their campfires might have caused these fires but I think he goes a little too far when he says they might have been set on purpose to distract border patrol.

    Those kind of accusations are too inflammatory without concrete evidence.

  • Azarkhan

    Angelo Falcon, president of the National Institute for Latino Policy…“he might as well also blame aliens from outer space for the fires.”

    Wait. I thought Mexicans were aliens from outer space.

  • http://www.zazzle.com/talkingpoints NORBIT Jr.

    Can the title of this article be any more DISINGENUOUS?

    He didn’t link the ISSUE of illegal immigration to the fires; only the OUTCOME.

  • BFD

    McCain is already backtracking.

    ____________________________________________________________________

    Old statement….

    “there is substantial evidence that some of these fires have been caused by people who have crossed our border illegally.”

    New statement…

    The facts are clear. For years, federal, state and local officials have stated that smugglers and illegal immigrants have caused fires on our southern border,” Buchanan said. “During the press conference on Saturday, Senator McCain was referring to fires on the Arizona/Mexico border, not the Wallow Fire.”
    __________________________________________________________________________________

    You see, he said “these” but he really meant “those”. lol

  • Jaurez

    BFDummie said:
    but I think he goes a little too far when he says they might have been set on purpose to distract border patrol.

    I don’t. I think he’s spot on and I almost never agree with McKennedy.

  • Fokker News

    No need to apologize Senator. Conservatives love a good illegal alien smear, no matter its veracity.

  • Jaurez

    Fokker News said:
    No need to apologize Senator. Conservatives love a good illegal alien smear, no matter its veracity.

    Olbyloon Ed
    Todays Student: Fokker

    illegal alien

    –noun
    1.
    a foreigner who has entered or resides in a country unlawfully or without the country’s authorization.
    2.
    a foreigner who enters the U.S. without an entry or immigrant visa, especially a person who crosses the border by avoiding inspection or who overstays the period of time allowed as a visitor, tourist, or businessperson.

  • The Lantern of Truth

    THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
    Neither would play for the other team.

    i don’t mean the team you and BFD play for .

  • Latin2

    Illegal alien starts massive fire in San Diego in 2010;

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2turHZR8OLQ

    Illegal Alien starts fire in National Forest in Santa Barbara;

    http://www.topix.com/forum/city/long-beach-ca/TKDF0LHR5I8J8UVSK

    Illegal Aliens start fire in San Diego in 2006

    http://ezinearticles.com/?Illegal-Aliens-Start-Wild-Fire-By-San-Diego&id=252247

    Illegal campfire in mountains along the border of San Diego causes massive fire in 2007;

    http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070914-9999-1m14firefol.html

    Arizona border patrol agents and authorities; Illegal Aliens have been behind ELEVEN fires in the last three years;

    http://politicons.net/illegals-have-set-11-fires-in-the-last-3-years-in-arizona/

    Notice that Alex didn’t do a SIMPLE google search before she wrote this story.

    My brother-in-law is a fire fighter in the area and has mentioned that many of the fires started are by Illegal Aliens who accidentally start fires when they are camping as they enter the U.S.

    So YES, Illegal Aliens start fires in the area.

  • Latin2

    All you have to do is do a simple Google search and you can see that many of the fires along the border are started by Illegal aliens…to say different IS INSANE and plain stupid.

    When Illegals cross into the border states they are in a rush and leave campfires behind and unattended which causes fires.

  • Latin2

    Notice that if a Conservative says that many fires are started along the border by Illegal aliens, WHICH IS FACTUAL in many cases…Liberals see it as an attack on people. YET IT IS TRUE.

    Illegal aliens cause many of the fires along the border as they cross.

    Proving Liberals are INSANE and stupid.

  • AmericaSucks

    Latin2 said:
    Notice that if a Conservative says that many fires are started along the border by Illegal aliens, WHICH IS FACTUAL in many cases…Liberals see it as an attack on people. YET IT IS TRUE.

    Illegal aliens cause many of the fires along the border as they cross.

    Proving Liberals are INSANE and stupid.

    Show us those “facts,” please.

  • Jaurez

    Fock off.

  • BFD

    Latin2 said:
    Notice that if a Conservative says that many fires are started along the border by Illegal aliens, WHICH IS FACTUAL in many cases…Liberals see it as an attack on people.

    But he didn’t say “many fires” did he ,Spanky? He said “these fires”.

    That is until he issued his clarification to reflect what you are saying now.

    It sucks when you screw it up the first time, huh?

  • AmericaSucks

    Latin2 said:
    Notice that if a Conservative says that many fires are started along the border by Illegal aliens, WHICH IS FACTUAL in many cases…Liberals see it as an attack on people. YET IT IS TRUE.

    Illegal aliens cause many of the fires along the border as they cross.

    Proving Liberals are INSANE and stupid.

    You’re really not very good at this. Move along, please.

  • Thelonious Funk

    It’s often the case that people who want jobs and a new homeland like to burn that very homeland and destroy any available jobs.

  • BFD

    Thelonious Funk said:
    It’s often the case that people who want jobs and a new homeland like to burn that very homeland and destroy any available jobs.

    I’m going out job burning tomorrow morning.

    Wish me luck!

  • m_mayhem

    Bless his racist little heart, he can’t help himself.

  • http://justplaythegame.us JustPlayTheGame

    Could it not just been as easy to say

    “Due to Obama’s fight on unemployment losing and with people losing their jobs and homes, more are living in the woods today.”

    Then throw in some smugglers and illegals from different country and/or planet, possibly a cigar thrown from a passing car from a liberal, a backfire from a untuned engine while cultivating an illegal crop of pot, backpackers no-trace camping failing while destroying our woods with alcohol stoves or/and mother nature using bolts of light from the sky.

    sooner or later, one of those statements would/could be right and make him more credible.

  • Liberal Tormentor – tormenting liberals with logic and facts since 1972

    BFD said:
    I don’t mind McCain speculating that illegal aliens and their campfires might have caused these fires but I think he goes a little too far when he says they might have been set on purpose to distract border patrol. Those kind of accusations are too inflammatory without concrete evidence.

    Says the the side that accuses people of being murders. Are you being intentionally funny here?

  • BFD

    Liberal Tormentor - tormenting liberals with logic and facts since 1972 said:
    Says the the side that accuses people of being murders.

    You’re a murder.

  • BFD

    Liberal Tormentor - tormenting liberals with logic and facts since 1972 said:
    Says the the side that accuses people of being murders.

    When the teabloggers start pointing fingers instead of defending their man you know they screwed up somewhere.

  • Jaurez

    BFDummie, why do you hate America? I noticed you voted up “America sucks.” Nice.

  • BFD

    Jaurez said:
    BFDummie, why do you hate America? I noticed you voted up “America sucks.” Nice.

    You didn’t notice sh!t, fool. lol

  • Jaurez

    Thelonious Funk said:
    It’s often the case that people who want jobs and a new homeland like to burn that very homeland and destroy any available jobs.

    Nobody said those people you’re referring to are intelligent. After all, they’re breaking our laws.

  • david r

    TeaPartyNation said:
    As one of the states with the best voting record in the nation. . . (diatribe)

    Obama has been using all his Chicago political skills on Arizona. We in Texas got a little shaft when he gave one of the three space shuttles to go on display to NYC instead of Houston. This is the way he does things. If you aren’t one of his states, to hell with you. Obama wants all those illegals to be able to vote, ahora mismo.

  • purveyor

    To FOKKER NEWS,

    That is the old Anthony Fokker Aircraft Company Logo? Very cool! Good Choice. I receive Air Classics Magazine and have always been a fan of War Birds and the Pilots.

    They just lost a B17 in a field somewhere. What goes up, must come down. Chuck Yeager thinks we ground those old Birds, maybe he’s right? Though, I do love to see them fly. I grew up in Oshkosh Wisc. I am sure you know the significance of Oshkosh?

    Anyway, very cool!!

  • Jaurez

    purveyor said:
    To FOKKER NEWS,

    That is the old Anthony Fokker Aircraft Company Logo? Very cool! Good Choice. I receive Air Classics Magazine and have always been a fan of War Birds and the Pilots.

    They just lost a B17 in a field somewhere. What goes up, must come down. Chuck Yeager thinks we ground those old Birds, maybe he’s right? Though, I do love to see them fly. I grew up in Oshkosh Wisc. I am sure you know the significance of Oshkosh?

    Anyway, very cool!!

    He has no idea the origin of his avatar. He’s an olbyloon aka “fokker” = friends of keith olbermann.

  • Jaurez

    Patsy said:
    You didn’t notice sh!t, fool. lol

    Actually, I did.

  • BFD

    Jaurez said:
    Actually, I did.

    Oh no you dint!

  • Jaurez

    You’re ip spoofer gives you away, everytime. lol Also, they don’t work! lol

  • BFD

    Jaurez said:
    You’re ip spoofer gives you away, everytime. lol Also, they don’t work! lol

    lie much?

  • Glackin

    AmericaSucks said:
    Illegal aliens cause many of the fires along the border as they cross.

    That’s SUCH a great stealth technique!
    Here I am, sneaking through a desert in the night, hiding from La Migra.
    I know! I’LL LIGHT A FIRE!
    Nobody will notice a fire out in the middle of nowhere, where you can see fifty miles or more at night.
    Any body who buys that thinks Paul Revere rode out from Boston ringing bells and firing his musket to……NEVER MIND!

  • Jaurez

    Patsy said:
    lie much?

    Lack originality much? Rhetorical question of course…

  • purveyor

    Jaurez said:
    He has no idea the origin of his avatar. He’s an olbyloon aka “fokker” = friends of keith olbermann.

    What a shame. I have not read his Posts, so I don’t know his pursuasion.

    BUT, That emblem would make a great T-shirt along with my DeHavilland Beaver, Float Plane and North American, Mustang shirts!

    Anyway, thank you for the info Juarez

  • david r

    BFD said:
    I don’t mind McCain speculating that illegal aliens and their campfires might have caused these fires but I think he goes a little too far when he says they might have been set on purpose to distract border patrol.

    Those kind of accusations are too inflammatory without concrete evidence.

    I agree. And I think the “coyotes” do their best to avoid detection. Setting a fire seems odd under those circumstances. McCain needs to hang ‘em up. He has had his day.

  • Jaurez

    lackin said:
    That’s SUCH a great stealth technique!

    Again, nobody is accusing the illegals of being intelligent. Also, the fires are diversionary tactics, einstein.

  • Jaurez

    Patsy, watch the show called “Border Wars.” You might learn sumpin. ;)

    http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/border-wars/all/Overview

  • purveyor

    Quote:

    “One summer night while driving through the desert with my Mother and Father, we cam across a truckload of indian workers, that had either hit another car, or I don’t know what happened, but, there were Indians, scattered all over the highway, bleeding to death, man.

    So the car pulls up, and stops…

    It was the first time I tasted fear. The reaction I get now, thinking about looking back, is, that the souls of the ghosts of those dead Indians, were just running around freaking out and just leaped into my soul, man.

    And they are still there”…

  • Latin2

    m_mayhem said:
    Bless his racist little heart, he can’t help himself.

    uh…Illegal alien is not a race.

  • purveyor

    NO, its an ILLEGAL Alien. That should be easy to understand?

  • purveyor

    GLACKIN,

    I do hope you get back to me about that response you made?

    I haven’t yet decided whether to expose you to my rapier wit and intellect.

  • Glackin

    Jaurez said:
    Again, nobody is accusing the illegals of being intelligent. Also, the fires are diversionary tactics, einstein.

    Right, I’m walking across a desert at MAYBE 4 miles an hour. So, I light a beacon for every plane, chopper, drone, and truck within 100 miles to see. as a diversion? STFU!
    And, if they are so damned dumb, how do they keep beating the Border Patrol? Are we spending all those millions to hire people stupider than the aliens?

  • fghcpl

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  • BatBoy

    Glackin said:
    Right, I’m walking across a desert at MAYBE 4 miles an hour. So, I light a beacon for every plane, chopper, drone, and truck within 100 miles to see. as a diversion? STFU!And, if they are so damned dumb, how do they keep beating the Border Patrol? Are we spending all those millions to hire people stupider than the aliens?

    You have never been in the south Arizona Desert now have you.

    The ILLEGAL’S start fires all the time. The reason is that it gets cold in the desert at night and they do have to eat. Cold burritos morning noon and night won’t get you too far, Amigo!

  • Glackin

    BatBoy said:
    You have never been in the south Arizona Desert now have you.

    Yes I have. 1971/72 Apache Junction.

  • Glackin

    Why does it look like McCain is adjusting his Depends?

  • purveyor

    Kurt Tank- Bavarian Motor works–designed the Focke Wulf

  • purveyor

    BatBoy said:
    You have never been in the south Arizona Desert now have you.

    Amigo,

    I wrote a Guest Editorial for the Post, years ago, after 911, and after that terrible Forest Fire west of Sedalia. I suggested Terrorists could simply send out teams around the US and start Forest Fires. A hot summer and the “Tangos” could cause huge problems, shut down much of the country.

    I based my assertion on the Japanese using Rice Paper Balloons in the jet stream during the Second World War. The Japanese knew damn good and well the damage they could cause.

    The editorial page Editor didn’t think it was such a good idea. Maybe give bad guys ideas?

    Anyway, there are curious similarities with the mess in Arizona

    PURVEYOR OF RHETORIC

  • Glackin

    purveyor said:
    Kurt Tank- Bavarian Motor works–designed the Focke Wulf

    That part I know . WWI, Rapp built engines. The logo is about that old.

  • BFD

    BatBoy said:
    You have never been in the south Arizona Desert now have you.

    The ILLEGAL’S start fires all the time. The reason is that it gets cold in the desert at night and they do have to eat. Cold burritos morning noon and night won’t get you too far, Amigo!

    Ummm…obviously GLACKIN was not talking about campfire for burritos but diversionary fires which is one of the charges McCain leveled without any evidence.
    You know, start a fire in one place so you can sneak in another.
    GLACKIN also mentioned walking at 4 mph. I’m not sure, but I don’t think many people start their campfires when they are walking briskly.
    Read his post again and try to keep up please.

  • purveyor

    Glackin said:
    the snark of one of our paid trolls.

    “Thou dost protest to much, me thinks”

    I don’t know who you are referring to, however, it is almost certain they have a similar opinion of you.

    The whole point of this exercise was to contact you, to apologize for the “Beneath you” comment. Like your comment to me, In cyber space, sometimes things get misspoke and misinterpreted. Unfortunately, the moment has past. I don’t respect you and I certainly don’t like you.

    Furthermore, you throw like a girl!

    PURVEYOR

  • purveyor

    BFD said:
    Read his post again and try to keep up please.

    You too have a”snotty” demeanor.

    Anyway, I posted above a reference to an article and research I did about Terrorism, Forest Fires and the Japanese Rice Paper Balloons in WWII.

    It is entirely possible this could be of nefarious origin?

    PURVEYOR OF RHETORIC

  • BFD

    purveyor said:
    ”snotty” demeanor.

    Good punk-rock name….

    Johnny Rotten
    Syd Vicious
    Snotty Demeanor

  • Glackin

    purveyor said:
    You too have a”snotty” demeanor.

    Anyway, I posted above a reference to an article and research I did about Terrorism, Forest Fires and the Japanese Rice Paper Balloons in WWII.

    I’ll see your rice paper balloons and raise you one bat-bomb.
    Incineration guaranteed.

    It is entirely possible this could be of nefarious origin?

    PURVEYOR OF RHETORIC

  • purveyor

    BFD said:
    Good punk-rock name…

    Thats clever. LOL

    Could Svelte Musculature play the drums?

  • purveyor

    GLACKIN:

    The true test of a man’s success in life, is the beauty of the women he sleeps with.

  • purveyor

    BFD,

    Have you ever seen the film “Sid and Nancy”?

  • purveyor

    A public school teacher was arrested today at JFK Airport as he attempted to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a compass, a slide rule-calculator. At a morning press conference, Attorney General Holder said he believes the man is a member of the notorious Al-Gebra movement. He did not identify the man, who has been charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of ‘math instruction.’

    Al Gebra is a problem for us, Holder said. They derive solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in search of absolute values. They use secret code names like X and Y and refer to themselves as ‘unknowns’, but we have determined that they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country. As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say, ‘There are 3 sides to every triangle.

    When asked to comment on the arrest, President Obama said, ‘If God had wanted us to us to have better weapons of ‘math destruction’, he would given us more fingers and toes.’ White House aides told reporters they could not recall a more intelligent or profound statement by the President… It is believed that another Nobel Prize will follow.

    PURVEYOR OF RHETORIC

  • Glackin

    purveyor said:
    purveyor says:
    June 21, 2011 at 1:24 am  (Quote)
    0  0

    It was funnier when it was Atty Gen Ashcroft and W.,and a lot more believable.

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