AZ Set to Ban the 1992 UN Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (Known as Agenda 21 to Conspiracy Theorists)

The proud and deeply disturbed state of Arizona is set to become, I believe, the first state in the country to ban the 1992 United Nations Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (otherwise known as Agenda 21 to conspiracy theorists).

According to the story on MSNBC, the bill's sponsor, state Sen. Judy Burges (R-Sun City West), claims:

"The bill is designed to protect the rights of Arizona citizens and prevent encroachment on those rights by international institutions. We have three branches of government and when one branch preempts the process through executive orders, the balance of power is lost in the process. It is that simple -- no more, no less."

More to the point:

About the Rio declaration, SB1507 says “the United Nations has enlisted the support of numerous independent, shadow organizations to surreptitiously implement this agenda around the world.”

Rep. Terri Proud, R-Tucson, told supporters in an email that the U.N. declaration “will take away our rights as Americans by allowing the United Nations to mandate laws on our soil,” the AzCapitolTimes.com reported. “It’s very real and it is happening.”

The Times also reported that during House debate Wednesday, Rep. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, said the declaration is connected to the “occult” of sustainability.

The Daily Kos is covering this story with the decidedly snide and dismissive tone it deserves - it's worth checking out for the laugh-factor.

On a more serious note, if the law is implemented, many of the functions of government would be in jeopardy of violating the new law.

The state of Arizona and all political subdivisions of this state shall not adopt or implement the creed, doctrine, principles or any tenet of the United Nations Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and the Statement of Principles for Sustainable Development adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June, 1992 or any other international law that contravenes the United States Constitution or the Constitution of Arizona.

According to one of the bill's opponents, this is a partial list of possible violations:

Among the U.N. declaration’s non-binding principles are calls for sustainable development, environmental protection, eradicating poverty, eliminating unsustainable production and consumption patterns, economic growth and the participation of women in government decisions.

“We wouldn’t be able to use CFL light bulbs in state buildings because that would be considered energy efficiency,” Campbell said.

Campbell also said that the state’s Economic Security Department, which handles unemployment and welfare benefits, could be outlawed because it has to do with eradicating poverty.

Also, Arizona universities have sustainability programs that could be banned if the bill becomes law, Campbell warned.

Arizona State University has a School of Sustainability, Northern Arizona University offers a master's in sustainable communities, and the University of Arizona has an environment and sustainability portal.

For more information on the U.N. plot to control our light bulbs, check out these fine news sources:

World News Daily
Salon
Wikipedia