Arizona Boycotts Could Hurt State’s Bond Rating, Moody’s Says

[Lucky Luciano]

Source: Bloomberg

By William Selway
    May 10 (Bloomberg) -- Arizona, where a new law aimed at
cracking down on illegal immigration has drawn boycott threats,
could see its bond rating hurt if protests harm the tourism
industry, Moody’s Investors Service said.
    Travel-related spending produced $1 billion in state and
local tax revenue for Arizona in 2008, Moody’s said in its
weekly outlook published today. Nineteen conferences have been
canceled so far in Arizona as a result of the legislation
adopted last month, Moody’s said. While the cancellations will
cost the state only about $6 million in revenue, Arizona could
be hurt if the trend continues, the credit rating company said.
    “Preliminary response to the immigration legislation has
already had some impact on the state’s tourism/travel sector,”
Maria Coritsidis, a Moody’s analyst, wrote in the report. “A
serious weakening of this important sector, however, could have
a negative impact on the state’s credit, as it could lead to
further weakening of state finances that have already been
negatively affected by the recession.”

--SNIP--

No link yet.

---

Keep the pressure on folks! It is working (regardless of your opinion of Moodys and other ratings agencies).

[jody]

1. I'm heading for AZ on vacation and will have a wonderful time. n/t

[Lucky Luciano]

2. Lovely. nt

[CreekDog]

48. Boycotting is a personal choice

being jerky about *not* boycotting is also a personal choice.

[Lucky Luciano]

54. Exactly...There was no upside to the way he proclaimed he was going to AZ.

If he said, "I do not get to travel often and this is my chance to go to the Grand Canyon adn Monument Valley even though I am thoroughly disgusted by the law," then that would be one thing - some people would not like it, but it is his personal choice. Also, saying it like that would remove the "Na-Na-Nuh Na-Na!"/bragging component of the way he responded in reply #1.

[ima_sinnic]

55. he didn't have to say anything at all. the ONLY reason he posted was to announce

in a snarky way that he had no intention of boycotting, as though we should be impressed or something.

[Tempest]

4. You'll have a better time

Than the Latinos who will be pulled over and asked for their papers.

[jody]

9. Grand Canyon and Monument Valley are too beautiful to let politics interfere. n/t

[Lucky Luciano]

12. There is no shortage of beautiful places

Throughout the world to visit. The canyon will be there when sanity is restored.

[jody]

16. Sure the canyon will be there but I may not be able to travel. Have a great day. n/t

[ima_sinnic]

26. I guess it's all about her. (nt)

[Lucky Luciano]

18. Dupe

.

[ima_sinnic]

25. "politics"--yes, that's all it is, "politics"--sheesh. not the

brightest bulb on the christmas tree, are you?

[Tempest]

35. As someone who has visited most of our parks and monuments

Grand Canyon and Monument Valley are too crowded and most camping areas are overrun with garbage and inconsiderate idiots.

There are dozens of other places I enjoyed much more.

[jody]

36. You've been traveling. I've visited less than 100 of the over 300 sites managed by the National Park

Service.

[Tempest]

39. I've been to almost every park and monument west of the Mississippi

I quit my job in spring 1998, put all my stuff in storage, packed the truck and spent a year traveling to all the national parks and monuments west of the Mississippi.

When I lived in Alaska I was always bouncing in and out of parks and preserves.

[jody]

40. We are kindred spirits. I prefer the wonders wrought by nature to works of we humans. n/t

[Tempest]

62. Amen, sister

If you get the chance, go to Glacier National Park (before all the glaciers are gone) and travel north into Canada to Waterton Lakes National Park.

Of all the places I've been (outside of Alaska), Glacier/Waterton has the most breathtaking scenery.

[classysassy]

5. Stay home or go else where

we have enough imported fools.

[Xipe Totec]

6. LOL!

:thumbsup:

[jody]

8. You've convinced me you have at least one already. n/t

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

10. "I know you are but what am I?"

[ima_sinnic]

13. what's with the fake sig line?

I know, you also have a Che t-shirt.

one of those all style and no substance kind of weekend latte wannabes

[jody]

15. If you refer to my sig line it's not fake. Have a great day and I'll enjoy my visit to AZ. n/t

[ima_sinnic]

23. if everyone were like you, South Africa would still have apartheid

oh, your sig line isn't "fake," then, it's hypocritical and insincere. the sentiment behind it is totally fake.
you could give a damn about anybody's "rights," you just like a "cool-sounding" sig line. "rights" are great as long as you don't have to inconvenience yourself for them for anybody else. you're a privileged white person who couldn't care less about anybody else's lack of rights. oh, did I say a privileged selfish white person? because I meant to.
it's all about you, your trip to the Grand Canyon. how terrible to change your plans because some annoying brown people are being treated as less than human. anybody who could blithely go on vacation in a place where racism is now enshrined in law is lacking a heart and soul. I suppose you were buying krugergands when everybody else was boycotting So. Africa--never miss an opportunity to exploit the situation, do you?

[roguevalley]

29. you will enjoy yourself just like everyone enjoyed the 1936 Olympics

and Sun City and all the other places that decent people wouldn't be caught dead in. you posted to pick a fight. yawn. buh-bye.

[jody]

42. My college track coach won a gold medal in the 36 Olympics and later fought in the US Army in WWII.

Perhaps there are other ways to look at the 1936 Olympics than your way.

[roguevalley]

53. given that people were being tormented in concentration camps

down the road, a medal for the country is something easily forgone. but then, scruples cost.

[Toots]

33. The irony flies right over the head..

:shrug:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

47. not even a close shave.

Methinks they are in separate universes. and not necessarily parallel ones.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

7. There's a sharp dissonance between your enthusiasm with the Papers Please Law and your sig line.

Oh, I forgot. The only "rights" that actually exist are gun rights. My bad.

[tomm2thumbs]

11. I was thinking the same thing - kinda acts like a permanent 'sarcasm' tag

Guess it is better left to that function, because it's hard to take seriously when that bright red 'opposite' is flashing in the post along with those comments

[Soylent Brice]

14. lol

[jillan]

19. Hope you make it to Sedona.

[SoapBox]

20. I will simply say, you just don't get it.

For those that brag about going to Arizona and spending bucks on Arizona stuff...

I doubt that they will ever "get it"...The law was driven by out of staters that are simply haters
of anyone other than whites. Now we find out about this creep,

"Kris Kobach, Architect Of Arizona Immigration Law SB1070, Is Behind Other Controversial Laws"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/10/kris-kobach-architect-of_n_570662.html

And it's all out there...don't try to tell us how the state is being bled dry by half a million
illegal Mexycans, sitt'n around, draining all the money out of the state and giving nada back.

Not true. Period.

They work (in crappy jobs that no Americans want)...they spend money...they pay taxes...period.

But in the end...the haters will not stop hating. It will be up to the rest of us, with open minds,
to keep the haters from driving America straight off of a cliff.

[jody]

21. Perhaps you don't get it. AZ businesses and citizens have to live each day and you want to hold them

hostage for a dispute between AZ government and the US government.

I fail to see how bankrupting small businesses in the Navajo Nation and the Navajo Tribal park at Monument Valley will resolve that dispute.

OK, we've exchanged opinions.

Have a great evening. :hi:

[pinboy3niner]

27. Thankyou. At least, you finally shared some thoughts . . .

about your perspective. Repeated n/t's can only be taken as dismissive and condescending.

I may disagree with you, but I'm prepared to respect your opinion--IF you engage, and share your perspective. At least now I can see that you have a valid point of view that I can respect.

In rebuttal, I'll simply offer that the South Africa apartheid analogy cited upthread is apt.

I'll decline to toss off a "Have a nice day" as an insult . . .

The snark and BS only distracts from genuine discussion.

[jody]

28. Understand but my "Have a nice day" is sincerely given. I died a few years back and was brought back

to life.

I treasure each day and truly hope all those I encounter do the same.

[pinboy3niner]

30. Thanks, sincerely, for your reply

It sounds like you have quite a story to tell.

Long ago, I nearly died in Vietnam. It wasn't a near-death or revival experience, so it's not the same as walking in your shoes. But afterward, I didn't think I'd live to see 30. Something about so many friends dying, and being surrounded by death, affected my outlook. Not something I'd wish on my worst enemies.

Yes, we treasure our days. And many of us here--not all--are willing to hear what you have to say, and to respect your views, even when we disagree--when you give us a chance.

For some of us, AZ is a hot issue, and we look forward to further developments and further discussion. Your contribution would be most welcome.

Love & Peace,
pinboy3niner

[dflprincess]

37. This is not a dispute between the state and federal governments

If it were Arizona could have found a reason to sue the federal government for not enforcing immigration law.

This is purely a racist move designed to intimidate anyone who is or who even looks Hispanic (citizen or otherwise, Navajo or Mexican).

[jody]

41. We have different opinions. If you're correct then federal courts will refuse cases on the issue.

If federal courts hear the case then I'm right. :shrug:

Thanks for exchanging opinions with me.

[dflprincess]

43. If I'm right, the Federal Courts will indeed take cases challenging this law

as it certainly appears to violate federal civil rights laws as well as the equal protection clause of the Constituion. Sadly, there won't be any cases brought until people have been harassed or a citizen denied their voting or other rights.

My point was Arizona could have tried to sue the Feds for not enforcing existing federal immigration law if immigration was really the concern.

I bet you would have enjoyed a lovely vacation in Neshoba County Mississippi in 1964 - as boycotting it might have hurt the Indians in the area (and yes, there are Indians in that area).

[jody]

44. You lay out a case for state v. federal that would be resolved by the court. That's precisely what I

said, a "dispute between AZ government and the US government".

[dflprincess]

49. I also said IF Arizona could find a reason to sue the feds

for not enforcing immigration, that would have been the logical way to go. But it is clear that Arizona is not really interested in immigration law it is interested in harassing people whose skin isn't white regardless of whether or not those people are citizens or documented immigrants.

The cases that will now be brought to the Federal courts will be by individuals or groups who have needlessly had their rights violated by a racist state government.

If you want to support that government by spending money in the state, go right ahead - but don't pretend you care about anyone's rights but your own.

[jody]

50. I said #21 “dispute between AZ government and the US government” and you said “37. This is not a

dispute between the state and federal governments”.

Believe as you will but federal courts will hear cases to determine whether AZ law is unconstitutional as is proper to settle a “dispute between AZ government and the US government”.

[dflprincess]

51. You really don't get it, do you?

The dispute will be individuals suing the state of Arizona for civil rights violations. The cases will be eventually get to the Federal courts just as Loving v Virigina did or Brown v the Board, but it will be individuals fighting the state, not the federal government. It will not be Arizona v U.S or U.S. v Arizona.

If the state of Arizona had thought it had a real case against the federal government over immigration, it would have brought a suit rather than passing a racist law.

You may be okay with turning the clock back 50 years and seeing Americans intimidated into not voting or denied due process because of the color of their skin, most of us are not.

[jody]

52. I understand one simple fact, any case must determine whether AZ law is unconstitutional. Goodbye.

[ima_sinnic]

38. by that reasoning, we should not boycott any business at all, b/c the employees would be

"held hostage." So by all means, don't boycott Walmart! The point of a boycott is to shame or coerce the PTB to change a law or policy TO CURTAIL or PREVENT suffering or inconvenience to everyone involved.

but I suspect you couldn't care less about anybody but yourself. you "appreciate life more" after your near-death experience, yet you have not one ounce of concern or caring for those who don't have the luxury of "appreciating life" to its full extent because they are treated as less than human simply because of the color of their skin.

If I had a business in AZ, I'd probably wonder what kind of uncaring, self-centered person would travel there anyway. here in Maine, I wish people would boycott the state in protest of the repeal of the gay marriage act. you see, I'm willing to make sacrifices for others' human rights. but that isn't anything you'd understand, b/c it's all about you.

[Hepburn]

59. Hello....

...???

They support the POS law. How did you miss that part of the equation?

[LanternWaste]

64. I imagine as Johannesburg doesn't have the Grand Canyon...

We held (well... maybe not you-- you may have been on another vacation) thousands of small South African businesses "hostage" for a dispute between human rights and racism in the eighties; but I imagine as Johannesburg doesn't have the Grand Canyon, it was fine and dandy.

But then again, I imagine some people may fail to see how "bankrupting small South African business would resolve that dispute" also.



But in the end, I imagine we all advertise the strength of our own convictions in numerous ways.

[bitchkitty]

22. Who cares? n/t

[FrenchieCat]

31. Wow.....

You get to take a vacation!

Lucky you!

[EstimatedProphet]

32. Why AZ? Couldn't you afford to go to 1964 Mississippi?

[jody]

34. Couldn't make it in 1964, was involved in fighting a growing war. n/t

[Name removed]

61. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[workinclasszero]

45. I guess you aren't worried about being pulled over and asked

to show your papers, eh?

It starts with the people who don't look like "us".

But it ends with you and your family being harassed and even worse. If you could care less about other people, at least give a damn about your own family!

BOYCOTT POLICE STATE ARIZONA!!!!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

46. Too bad. I cancelled my vacation there this summer

Heading to the UP instead.

[TerribleLarryDingle]

56. Have a great time. Consider staying there.

[jody]

57. I love GA with family roots to the 18th century. n/t

[Ilsa]

3. Ha! Now the riskier bond rating will cost them more to finance! I love it! nt

[Left Coast2020]

17. I hear Havasu Falls is nice too--at least the pics seem nice.

[fishwax]

24. wow -- k/r

:kick:

[Hepburn]

58. Good ~~ they need to repeal that POS law. n/t

[Democat]

60. Is Arizona already a welfare state?

Do they take more from government than they pay in in taxes?

http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2004/09/red_states_feed.html

[jobwithout]

63. Here is what people don't understand.

Boycotts will only hurt those on the lower end of the economic scale. If thats a victory to you then so be it. Hold your head high and let the poor suffer.

[Mojeoux]

65. Canceled conventions and vacations are big Money for some other place

the maids and service workers won't have this work, but IMO the Boycott is hurting wealthy Arizonans as well.

I'm guessing the maids and services workers are mostly Hispanic and they may have an ambivalent feelings about the boycott. They lose work, but they all are aware of how ruthless anti-immigration authorities can be.

The owners of these convention centers and hotels are losing money.

[jobwithout]

66. Will be a moot point

What will happen is the maids and other service sector employees will lose their jobs and move to either California or New Mexico. Doesn't that give the people who wanted to be rid of the hispanics their wish?

[NYC Liberal]

67. By that logic, EVERYONE who doesn't go to a place for any reason

is "hurting those on the lower end of the economic scale."