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Arizona Sheriff: Mexican Smugglers Set Fire

His comments back John McCain; he's not referring to big Wallow Fire

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 21, 2011 6:02 PM CDT

(Newser) – An Arizona sheriff has backed up John McCain and blamed Mexican drug smugglers for starting at least one of the state's raging wildfires. Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever wasn't referring to the enormous Wallow Fire but to a smaller one called the Monument Fire that has burned up 27,000 acres to date near the US-Mexico border, reports Reuters. "It wasn't the rabbits or the rattle snakes that started this fire, it was human beings, and the only human beings believed to be occupying (the area) were smugglers," he said today.

McCain drew criticism over the weekend when he cited "substantial evidence" that illegal immigrants had started some wildfires, and he stood by the remarks today. "I wouldn't take issue with the senator at all, in fact, I would support absolutely what he is suggesting," said the sheriff. As for the Wallow Fire, which has burned 800 square miles to become the biggest fire in state history, authorities suspect an unattended campire in a national forest is to blame. Two people have been questioned, but no charges have been filed.

Flames from the Monument Fire move toward Highway 92 in Sierra Vista, Ariz., on Sunday.
Flames from the Monument Fire move toward Highway 92 in Sierra Vista, Ariz., on Sunday.   (AP Photo/Sierra Vista Herald-Bisbee Daily Review, Beatrice Richardson)
The Monument Fire burns a hillside just south of Sierra Vista, Ariz., on Sunday.
The Monument Fire burns a hillside just south of Sierra Vista, Ariz., on Sunday.   (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 47 comments
illegalsleavenow
Jun 27, 2011 9:37 AM CDT
Oh, and one more thing... for those of you who come back at me with "rats spread disease"... mexicans are just as capable of spreading disease.  2 or so years ago, a virus that was labeled as a  mixture of swine, human and avian viruses was spreading like this wildfire in Az.  That's what happens when you have 30 million dirty, slimy ratty people living in cesspools of puke and feces, which is what that country is.  Let's not forget malaria, dengue fever and even leprosy!  Tuberculosis, hepatitis A thru E, ESPECIALLY chagas disease, and more!!!!  Mexico is a cesspool for filth, disease and nastiness! 
illegalsleavenow
Jun 27, 2011 9:32 AM CDT
Bottom line, mexicans are GARBAGE! I don't consider them to be human. Send them all home. Lesser value than rats! At least rats don't disrespect the country that takes them in by waving mexican flags (which I use now as my front doormat.). Imagine inviting someone into your home who rapes your daughter, sells drugs to your son, puts his feet on the coffee table and tells you to "fuck off" when you ask him nicely to please put his feet down, throws trash all over the floor, steals from your wallet, complains about his rights when you tell him to stop walking around with a shirt that has a mexican flag on it, eats all your food and doesn't contribute a nickel, throws your animals outside and goes so far as to breed your dogs for a buck and finally takes your job because your boss decides that he wants to be politically correct by hiring someone who speaks dirt language spick language... would you invite them into your home? No! Of course not! So whey do we invite these trashy scumbags into our country??? Oh, and one more thing to add to that list... someone who talks shit about the country that offered him refuge along with social programs to take care of his 3 million kids and then sends the money to his home country, mexico!!! http://www.cairco.org/econ/econ.html PS, mexicans are born pregnant! Nasty!!!!
dann0
Jun 22, 2011 9:57 AM CDT
So, now they are comparing illegal Mexican immigrants with drug smuggling Mexican terrorists.   I suppose anyone that crosses the border for the purpose of terrorism is now an immigrant.  And, since they didn't cross the boarder legally (or did they?) they can be referred to as "illegal aliens."  Since some "illegal aliens" come here to stay, they are also "illegal immigrants." Mexican drug smugglers = Illegal immigrants?  

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