The Blame Game

That doesn’t end Gheen’s blaming of Tancredo though. He goes on to bash Tancredo in the press release for everything that went wrong with ALIPAC not being given "leader billing" for June 5th and for their failure at organizing the 12th. The press release continued:

"We must point out here that Tom Tancredo had nothing to do with helping pass SB 1070 or circulate it to other states to our knowledge although the three largest national groups fighting illegal immigration have."

"Some fine folks in Arizona took action at the end of last week and assured us that Dan Smeriglio's involvement was being completely removed from the June 5 rally and that we would have no more difficulties from Tom Tancredo."

"Unfortunately, we found out yesterday that Dan Smeriglio is still involved … Tom Tancredo is continuing to try and persuade leaders to abandon the June 12 event for the 5th event."

The reason Tancredo was probably trying to persuade people away from June 12th – if that is even true, which I doubt it is – is because he was leery of Gheen after realizing the tactics he was using to destroy events in Arizona.

"We do not feel comfortable asking our national network to travel into Arizona at great expense to attend an event that Tom Tancredo is attempting to undermine."

"We have spent a great deal of time, effort, and energy trying to get these events into place for the people of Arizona and America."

As I have made clear in this report, the only time, effort and energy Mr. William Gheen has made with these events is to try to take them over - and upon failing - to attempt to destroy them and all those who are putting them together and participating in them.

"We will have no future dealings with Dan Smeriglio or retired Congressman Tom Tancredo due to the neo-Nazi connections and this disaster they have cooked up in Arizona that puts our issue at risk."

Gheen links to the "evidence" that he had shoddily put together on a web page. You’d swear he was working for the SPLC. In fact maybe he is. These antics smell of saboteur.

All of this ranting and raving though was pre-empted by Dan Smeriglio in a statement which he released prior to the ALIPAC press release above. He has maintained incredible composure and integrity through all of this and has still managed to bring the June 5th Phoenix Rising Rally to fruition.

Portion of statement by Dan Smeriglio:

"First, it was brought to my attention over the last week that some people were concerned about allegations made against me with regards to Facebook friends and a band that appeared on my Facebook profile. Out of the 2,200 friends on my Facebook page, two apparently had or have some association with groups that do NOT represent my beliefs, particularly regarding illegal immigration.

"When this was brought to my attention I immediately removed and blocked the two individuals in question, because I stand against illegal immigration with no hatred in my heart for any person, race or religion. I support LEGAL immigration and always pay homage to the millions of hardworking immigrants that have made our nation the beautiful place that it is today. I believe that "illegal" has no race and has no social standing. I am opposed to lawbreakers that damage the good and noble name of all those whom migrate to this country legally every year.

"When I learned that these two individuals were connected to my Facebook account I was outraged, disgusted and angry. I am a person from a culturally diverse family and I am extremely proud of that.

"Secondly, apparently there was a band that has some form of hatred in their lyrics on my Facebook profile. I assure you that I had never heard the lyrics of this band - which I shall not name because I refuse to advertise for them. I do not have the ability to do a background check on every person or band out of thousands that I come into contact with on Facebook. To link me with this band is absurd and was done with malicious intent. I will have no part of it."

And Tom Tancredo released this statement on May 18, 2010, not naming any names, but as you can tell it is quite clear what he was addressing at the time.

"I am proud to be participating in the June 5 rally at the Arizona state capitol in support of Arizona’s new law aimed at illegal immigration, SB1070. The allegations against one of the rally’s organizers, Daniel Smeriglio, have been examined and are not only without merit, they are the worst kind of character assassination that no decent person in politics, left, right or center, should condone.

"One can only speculate about the motives behind this transparent smear campaign. But I do know that good citizens of Arizona and across the nation will not be deterred from expressing their support for Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce and the citizens of Arizona who have taken this bold step to control illegal immigration. The June 5 rally is going forward and information is available at www.phoenixrally.com."

TOM TANCREDO,
Lakewood, Colorado

Next: The Phoenix Shall Rise