“Rule o’ Law Russell” becomes “I’m the Law Pearce”

by David Safier

Rule o' Law Russell can find neither the rule nor the law saying he can ban someone from the state Senate Building. Yet he says he has banned Sal Reza, and when Reza, who claims he hadn't heard of the ban, entered the building Thursday, he was arrested for misdemeanor tresspass.

Under what authority did Pearce ban Reza? You won't find it in the state constitution or any laws on the books.

In Pearce’s statement, he claims the state Constitution gives the president control over the Senate building.

So, according to Pearce, Presidential control means he can make any rules he damn well pleases. Because he's the law. Can he also banish Democratic lawmakers he disagrees with? Given his claim to presidential control over the Senate building, I can't see what would stop him.

Welcome to Russell Pearce's I'm-the-law Arizona.

ANYONE WANT TO CHOOSE THE DATE? It's prediction time. On what date will a law be passed by the legislature and signed by Brewer giving the Senate president the authority to ban people from the building? Anyone?

UPDATE: For a thorough discussion of Reza's ban and arrest, as well as Pearce's fact-challenged assertions about its causes, read the Phoenix New Times' Russell Pearce, Bald-Faced Liar? You Decide.