Earlier this year, Texas U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz touted a bizarre conspiracy theory claiming that George Soros secretly partnered with the United Nations to eliminate the game of golf. Seriously, we aren't making this up.

Unfortunately, this fantasy isn't limited to just one unusually radical candidate for elected office. Rather, the Arizona House is expected to vote today on a bill motivated entirely by the same imaginary conspiracy, and the same bill already passed the state senate:

Arizona lawmakers appear close to sending to Gov. Jan Brewer a tea party-backed bill that proponents say would stop a United Nations takeover conspiracy but that critics claim could end state and cities' pollution-fighting efforts and even dismantle the state unemployment office.

A final legislative vote is expected Monday on a bill that would outlaw government support of any of the 27 principles contained in the 1992 United Nations Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, also sometimes referred to as Agenda 21.

Senate Bill 1507 was passed by the state Senate last month and received an initial House affirmation Wednesday. It is sponsored by state Sen. Judy Burges, R-Sun City West, who also sponsored a state birther bill that Brewer vetoed last year.

Lest there be any doubt, Agenda 21 is not a Soros plot to destroy the game of golf. It is not, as Cruz claims, a "globalist plan that tries to subvert the U.S. Constitution and the liberties we all cherish as Americans." And it is not, as Burges claims, "social engineering of our citizens" in "every aspect" of their lives. Agenda 21 is a twenty year-old non-binding resolution endorsed by 178 world leaders, including then-U.S. President George H. W. Bush.

So the Arizona bill addresses entirely imaginary concerns. Unfortunately, however, it will have very real consequences if enacted. The bill provides that every arm of the Arizona government "shall not adopt or implement the creed, doctrine, principles or any tenet of" Agenda 21. But Agenda 21 expressly lists among its "principles" essential functions such as "combating poverty," "protecting and promoting human health conditions," "protection of the atmosphere," and "safe and environmentally sound management of radioactive wastes."

In other words, if this bill becomes law, Arizona's government agencies would instantly be forbidden from doing anything to reduce poverty. Or to combat air pollution. Or to ensure that radioactive waste does not contaminate the environment. Or potentially to do anything at all to promote human health. Under this bill, Medicaid, state unemployment and welfare programs and nearly any environmental programs would need to cease, immediately.

Simply put, this is what happens when you place irresponsible Tea Partiers who lash out at paranoid fantasies in charge of government. The proposed response to Agenda 21 would be comic if it were not so potentially tragic. In response to a non-threat presented by an entirely non-binding resolution, the Arizona legislature is set to dismantle their entire system of government - and they probably don't even understand that this is what they are about to do.

Source: Think progress
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/04/30/473061/az-lawmakers-lash-out-at-imaginary-united-nations-conspiracy-with-assault-on-all-poverty-environmental-laws/

I am baffled, truly baffled. The link has more links.If I quoted every single link it would be an obscenely long post.

I was going to make a snide comment about being disappointed it was only people in Arizona lashing out, not the state itself, but I don't think that's really, really.

TBH, though, this is just another example of making laws you don't understand...any time you do that, which isn't that rare, you can get something like this.

But still, I hope they have goatee beards and black capes, Captain Planet villains must think they are unbelievable.

Arizona...
I think the heat is getting to them...

Arizona lawmakers appear close to sending to Gov. Jan Brewer a tea party-backed bill that proponents say would stop a United Nations takeover conspiracy but that critics claim could end state and cities' pollution-fighting efforts and even dismantle the state unemployment office.

Ok, how do you even write a bill like that?!

if this bill becomes law, Arizona's government agencies would instantly be forbidden from doing anything to reduce poverty. Or to combat air pollution. Or to ensure that radioactive waste does not contaminate the environment. Or potentially to do anything at all to promote human health.

Don't they have people to, I don't know, TELL them that a bill would, you know, Destroy your states government?!

After the life before conception thing I'm not that surprised at the laws coming out of Arizona anymore

I'd knock using Think Progress as a source, but this is at least believable, given Arizona's current situation.... and that's sad.

America is providing some really good entertainment this week. First there was the thing about bronies being a threat to American manhood then there was the teen girl exorcist squad that would make a cool anime and now some nutjobs in power think the UN is behind some conspiracy to take them over or something XD

This sucks for those who would be affected but it's just more hilarious entertainment for me and I presume many others who don't live in America. Also I am British so.......

If George H.W. Bush liked it, I'm reflexively against it. Worst President of my lifetime.

AZ's term "adopt" is OK, but the "implement" is troublesome. They're leaving it to the courts to smooth out their uncareful thinking. This properly pisses off a lot of judges.

Blocking "adopt" leaves them free to have an anti poverty program: they just can't be doing it because Agenda 21 thinks they should

The "implement" term is going to cause conflict of law. Of course AZ has, within its State Constitution, imperatives that co-incide with Agenda 21. A law can't state, don't follow the Constitution and be Constitutional.

Oh man, my home state. ..... Love the place in terms of the beautiful vistas, but the people, ugh, they are the worst. Mostly just the older white people and youger people who had to move from California and won't STFU about how great it is.

Everytime I hear something on the news about home lately it has pretty much just been stuff like this. :( State I am disapoint.

Well, Arizona can't do that. It was a pact signed by the Federal Branch of Government. Only the Federal Branch can deal with Treaties responding to other countries. A State cannot refute a pact or a treaty the Federal Branch has agreed to, and any court will agree that the States law is not only Unconstitutional, but Illegal.

Also, 'Think Progressive' isn't a good website, but the law basically does say "We don't agree with the UN, so we're going to not fallow its laws". Didn't really read "The UN is trying to take away our Golf Courses!" in there though...

I think the most amazing part is that the OP is using Think Progress as their primary source.

I doubt George Soros is working together with the UN or even if the UN would work together with the likes of him (now Angelina Jolie and George Clooney are another story) but you don't mess with Arizona just like you dont mess with Texas...its hot out there.

DrVornoff:
Arizona seems determined to be the absolute worst state in the union, especially with all these fire-breathing Tea Party dipshits clogging up the state legislature.

Worst state by your estimation perhaps, I think other than Texas there is no best state (no I aint biased at all about my home state ^_^), every state has its own unique qualities.

DrVornoff:
Arizona seems determined to be the absolute worst state in the union, especially with all these fire-breathing Tea Party dipshits clogging up the state legislature.

would still rather live here then any of the Dakotas or Alaska.

What I find amusing is that most people on the escapist agree that the(for proper effect, imagine "War on X" to be said in Stallone's Judge Dredd voice) War on (some)Drugs is stupid, the War on Terror is a complete waste of time, but when it comes to THEIR pet noun of Poverty, suddenly the War makes sense. Even though statistics show that since the WAR has started poverty, which prior to the WAR had been steadily going down, has not gone down at all.

Speaking as an Arkansian, I say we boot Arizona out of the Union, along with Texas. America would instantly become 20% cooler.

ravenshrike:
What I find amusing is that most people on the escapist agree that the(for proper effect, imagine "War on X" to be said in Stallone's Judge Dredd voice) War on (some)Drugs is stupid, the War on Terror is a complete waste of time, but when it comes to THEIR pet noun of Poverty, suddenly the War makes sense. Even though statistics show that since the WAR has started poverty, which prior to the WAR had been steadily going down, has not gone down at all.

The War on Drugs has actually involved paramilitary conflicts, so I don't think the two are entirely comparable. Also, there have been several Congresses and presidents which have dismantled the structure of the "War on Poverty" started by LBJ. There have been significant inroads in the War on Poverty. Also, the federal government didn't start collecting data on poverty until after the War on Poverty began and have been using a measurement which has become increasingly outdated.

TheDarkEricDraven:
Speaking as an Arkansian, I say we boot Arizona out of the Union, along with Texas. America would instantly become 20% cooler.

lol i say we should also boot out Arkansas as well, the state that is never relevant ever since its just like Texas, but without the cool amusement parks.

keiskay:

TheDarkEricDraven:
Speaking as an Arkansian, I say we boot Arizona out of the Union, along with Texas. America would instantly become 20% cooler.

lol i say we should also boot out Arkansas as well, the state that is never relevant ever since its just like Texas, but without the cool amusement parks.

Hey! Hey. Hey. We are way cooler then Texas. More water, trees...our country areas are cooler.

TheDarkEricDraven:

keiskay:

TheDarkEricDraven:
Speaking as an Arkansian, I say we boot Arizona out of the Union, along with Texas. America would instantly become 20% cooler.

lol i say we should also boot out Arkansas as well, the state that is never relevant ever since its just like Texas, but without the cool amusement parks.

Hey! Hey. Hey. We are way cooler then Texas. More water, trees...our country areas are cooler.

yes but no beaches, no schlitterban, i sure as hell have not heard of six flags over Arkansas. i know hot springs has that over-rated water park, but that wont save you.

keiskay:
yes but no beaches, no schlitterban, i sure as hell have not heard of six flags over Arkansas. i know hot springs has that over-rated water park, but that wont save you.

We're not nearly as boring as Virgina or Maryland, and we aren't as crazy as Texas or Arizona. That makes us the best state ever.

TheDarkEricDraven:

keiskay:
yes but no beaches, no schlitterban, i sure as hell have not heard of six flags over Arkansas. i know hot springs has that over-rated water park, but that wont save you.

We're not nearly as boring as Virgina or Maryland, and we aren't as crazy as Texas or Arizona. That makes us the best state ever.

Dream on Arkansas, dream on. The state has pretty trees and hot springs...and thats about it.

TheDarkEricDraven:

keiskay:
yes but no beaches, no schlitterban, i sure as hell have not heard of six flags over Arkansas. i know hot springs has that over-rated water park, but that wont save you.

We're not nearly as boring as Virgina or Maryland, and we aren't as crazy as Texas or Arizona. That makes us the best state ever.

I dont think you've ever been to arizona, its the most bizarre state to live in, crazy ass legislation, hard right wingers, hard left wingers and a huge population of people with the most apathetic attitude towards everything, but above all a thriving metal scene with a fairly popular local folk metal band called adavant.

but nebraska is the best state to live in, no accents, fun stuff to do, and its not overly hot and humid.

Ok, can you please find a source that is a little less biased than "think progressive?"

Not saying this isn't possible, they are some really dumb people in the world, but what is the piece of legislation that the U.N. is pushing for anyway?

It sounds like it may be restrictions on water usages for golf courses in deserts, which would negatively effect Arizona's economy (it is said that all real business meetings take place on golf courses) and would warrant this reaction.

DrVornoff:

Seekster:
Worst state by your estimation perhaps, I think other than Texas there is no best state (no I aint biased at all about my home state ^_^), every state has its own unique qualities.

Quality of life can be measured. I live in Pennsylvania and while it has its problems, it's still a nicer place to live than say... Mississippi. My hometown Pittsburgh consistently rated in the 5 most livable cities in the country, thank you very much.

keiskay:
would still rather live here then any of the Dakotas or Alaska.

I'll give you Alaska. At least you have seasons other than winter.

keiskay:
but above all a thriving metal scene with a fairly popular local folk metal band called adavant.

Georgia could make a similar claim, mind. Florida, too. If the South is good for nothing else, they know how to crank out some great metal bands.

Yes all places find ways to measure themselves in a way that makes them look as good as possible. Ok you think Pennsylvania is a nicer place to live than Mississippi...thats nice...what is your point?

DrVornoff:

Seekster:
Yes all places find ways to measure themselves in a way that makes them look as good as possible.

Uh, no this was a national rating. By metrics such as cost of living, rate of poverty, access to services, and so on, my hometown is rated as a really good place to live. Point is, quality of life can be measured.

You obviously like Texas. Fine, live there. I have no reason to give anything resembling a fuck. I'm just saying that there are places in the union that have objectively better qualities than others. Like lower crime rates. And a real estate market that isn't going balls up.

Oh the standards are well standard but the importance placed on each standard isnt. For example the cost of living in Texas is low even if state services are also low. Actually the philosophy for Texas is low taxes, low government services, low cost of living. The idea being that people are better able to provide for themselves with their own money than the government can provide for an individual with their money.

DrVornoff:

Seekster:
Oh the standards are well standard but the importance placed on each standard isnt. For example the cost of living in Texas is low even if state services are also low. Actually the philosophy for Texas is low taxes, low government services, low cost of living. The idea being that people are better able to provide for themselves with their own money than the government can provide for an individual with their money.

I'm familiar with the concept, yes. Parts of it are quite appealing. I just don't like the dogmatic way some people stick to it because if I've learned nothing else, it's that no plan survives contact with the real world. Adaptation is a good skill to have when things go wrong, and boy howdy do they ever.

Adaptation is fine and yes the Texas state government by design moves slowly (seeing has how the legislature only meets for a a few months every 2 years and such) but overall people are coming to Texas and its economy is growing. No place is perfect...but then again no other place is Texas either ^_^.

I actually like this law. Nothing like helping your neighbors out by actively trying to go back to being an undeveloped economy. The US won't have to buy all their cheap shit from China anymore; they'll just have a bunch of really poor people in Arizona make it for them.

Also helps quite a bit on the climate change issue. Have trouble building nuke plants because you've got nowhere to store spent fuel (something I still find kind of hilarious because used nuclear fuel isn't actually spent)? Just drop it in AZ :D Fuck India and China. AZ has got the most favorable laws for heavy industry and cheapest labor force anywhere in the world!

Arizona, the sweatshop and garbage dump of America.

glitch double-post

DrVornoff:

Quality of life can be measured. I live in Pennsylvania and while it has its problems, it's still a nicer place to live than say... Mississippi.

Heyo! PA all the way!

My hometown Pittsburgh consistently rated in the 5 most livable cities in the country, thank you very much.

Oh wait, you're one of those....

Pittsburgh has a weird smell. It's a better smell than most cities, but still strange.

Like if I go to DC or New York or Philly or Baltimore, I expect the same gross sewery-garbagey smell. Pittsburgh has a completely different smell to it. Anyways, Go Flyers!

OT: Of course an environmentally related agenda is against golf. Do you know how much water and inorganic chemicals it takes to make perfect grass over that much space? It's the least efficient sport ever made in every aspect but the spectating facilities.

At any rate, it's a really pointless bill. "We're not going to do anything just because Agenda 21 wants us to!" Dear God, I hope you aren't in the first place. I'd like to think their legislation is done based on what is best for the people of Arizona, whether or not that agrees with an unenforced UN decision.