This week, I (and presumably, most of the other households in south Scottsdale and north Tempe) received a notice from the EPA announcing the start of a Five-Year Review (FYR) of the remediation efforts in the Indian Bend Wash Superfund Site. For most purposes, that areas has been divided into the North Indian Bend Wash (NIBW) site and the South Indian Bend Wash Site (SIBW).
A .pdf version of the FYR announcement is here.
The history of the site began with the discovery of groundwater and soil contamination in 1981, mostly of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) attributed to the disposal of industrial waste. (more info available at the EPA's pages on the site, linked above).
The entire site covers approximately 13 square miles of Tempe and South Scottsdale, with Pima/Price Road serving as the eastern border, Scottsdale/Rural Road as the western border, Apache Boulevard as the southern border, and Chaparral Road as the northern border. The NIBW/SIBW split occurs at the Salt River, north of Rio Salado Parkway in Tempe.
Anyway, the purpose of the FYR is to evaluate the effectiveness of the remediation efforts in the Indian Bend Wash site. It is expected to be completed by September of next year (2011), and the EPA is looking for input from both people who have knowledge of the cleanup operations and members of the general public who have information and/or concerns regarding cleanup activities in the area.
If you are interested in participating in this process, contact the EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator for the site, Vicki Rosen, at 415-972-3244 or toll-free at 1-800-231-3075. Her email is Rosen.Vicki@epamail.epa.gov.
Another point of contact regarding this site (for those who are interested) is Felicia Calderon, State Community Involvement Coordinator, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. She can be reached at 602-771-4167 or calderon.felicia@azdeq.gov.
More information on both the NIBW and SIBW can be found locally at Tempe Public Library, 3500 South Rural Road, Tempe, AZ 85282 (SIBW) and Scottsdale Public Library Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (NIBW).
Have a good weekend!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Jan Brewer wants to tweak
...and no matter what one might think after watching the Capitol for the year-and-a-half that she's been ensconced on the 9th floor, it's not the "tweaking" of the crystal meth-induced hallucinatory variety*.
We think not, anyway.
From the AZ Rep's Political Insider -
Jan Brewer has spent her time in office fighting for bigotry and nativists, whether working her way into the good graces of nativists by demonizing immigrants or by protecting the interests of private prisons and their lobbyists populating her senior staff.
And that will be Arizona's choice come November -
Goddard's lifetime of professionalism and public service, or Brewer's grandstanding and abuse of office.
* = Though I must say that after nearly four years of watching and writing about the likes of Pearce, Gould, Harper, et. al. in action, mandatory drug testing for Arizona's elected officials might be in order.
Just sayin'...
We think not, anyway.
From the AZ Rep's Political Insider -
With Judge Susan Bolton's injunction Wednesday against several key sections of Senate Bill 1070, some legal experts are predicting the law's most controversial provisions will never go into effect.Terry Goddard has spent his time in office fighting for Arizona and Arizonans, whether working to undermine smuggling cartels' finances or by protecting Luke Air Force Base and the jobs associated with it. (Successfully, I might add.)
Appearing on "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" Thursday night, Gov. Jan Brewer said she had been in contact with legislative leaders Thursday to discuss making changes to the bill...
{snip}
"And there is a possibility that we might have to do a little tweaking. And I have been in contact today with the president of the Senate, President (Bob) Burns, and the speaker of the House, Speaker Kirk Adams, to get together and determine just exactly what it is maybe we might be able to do to tweak the bill to give them a little bit more satisfaction so that it would weigh more favorably on behalf of the state of Arizona."
Jan Brewer has spent her time in office fighting for bigotry and nativists, whether working her way into the good graces of nativists by demonizing immigrants or by protecting the interests of private prisons and their lobbyists populating her senior staff.
And that will be Arizona's choice come November -
Goddard's lifetime of professionalism and public service, or Brewer's grandstanding and abuse of office.
* = Though I must say that after nearly four years of watching and writing about the likes of Pearce, Gould, Harper, et. al. in action, mandatory drug testing for Arizona's elected officials might be in order.
Just sayin'...
Billionaire fraudsters/GOP donors indicted: Will AZGOP, McCain, Kyl, and Schweikert return donations?
From ABC News -
Some of their largesse has reached into Arizona.
According to FEC records, they've given at least $5K to Jon Kyl's campaigns over the years, $3K to John McCain's Senate campaign since 1997 (and many thousands more to his PAC and presidential campaigns) and even $2300 in 2008 to David Schweikert's campaign in CD5 (that one was contributed by son Andrew, who hasn't been indicted as yet).
Also according to FEC records, Sam Wyly gave over $1100 directly to the Arizona Republican Party in 2004.
They really juicy stuff, however, was from a quick glance at the website of the Arizona Secretary of State - the Wylys gave over $700K to an Arizona-registered committee called "1648 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL STATE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE."
I'm assuming because of the name that's actually a federal soft-money committee that had to register in AZ because it expended money here, but appointed Secretary of State Ken Bennett has reduced the functionality of the SOS' website, so I wasn't able to look up the relevent reports (from 2000 and 2002).
That's still a LOT of money.
The AZGOP has been rather enthusiastic (occasionally justly so) in calling on AZ Democrats to return contributions from sources with tarnished reputations.
Now will they just as enthusiastically meet the standards that they hold Democrats to, or will they be hypocrites?
Note: that last is a rhetorical question. I don't expect them to even blink over the Wyly money, much less express any regrets over accepting it.
Later...
BTW - this info was gathered in approximately 30 minutes of search time; somebody with more time could probably find evidence that the Wylys have contributed more money and exerted more influence over AZGOP politics than that which I've outlined here.
The Securities and Exchange Commission charged billionaire Samuel Wyly and his brother Charles with fraud for reaping more than $550 million of illicit gains by trading stock in four companies while they were serving as directors.The Wyly family (the brothers, their wives, and their children) have been huge GOP supporters over the years, giving millions to Republican candidates, committees, and front groups/PACs (like Swift Boat and Club for Growth).
Samuel Wyly, 75, and Charles Wyly, 76, were accused of concocting a sham web of trusts and subsidiaries in the Isle of Man and the Cayman Islands to conceal over a 13-year period more than $750 million of stock sales in Michaels Stores Inc, Sterling Commerce Inc, Sterling Software Inc and Scottish Annuity & Life Holdings Ltd.
Some of their largesse has reached into Arizona.
According to FEC records, they've given at least $5K to Jon Kyl's campaigns over the years, $3K to John McCain's Senate campaign since 1997 (and many thousands more to his PAC and presidential campaigns) and even $2300 in 2008 to David Schweikert's campaign in CD5 (that one was contributed by son Andrew, who hasn't been indicted as yet).
Also according to FEC records, Sam Wyly gave over $1100 directly to the Arizona Republican Party in 2004.
They really juicy stuff, however, was from a quick glance at the website of the Arizona Secretary of State - the Wylys gave over $700K to an Arizona-registered committee called "1648 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL STATE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE."
I'm assuming because of the name that's actually a federal soft-money committee that had to register in AZ because it expended money here, but appointed Secretary of State Ken Bennett has reduced the functionality of the SOS' website, so I wasn't able to look up the relevent reports (from 2000 and 2002).
That's still a LOT of money.
The AZGOP has been rather enthusiastic (occasionally justly so) in calling on AZ Democrats to return contributions from sources with tarnished reputations.
Now will they just as enthusiastically meet the standards that they hold Democrats to, or will they be hypocrites?
Note: that last is a rhetorical question. I don't expect them to even blink over the Wyly money, much less express any regrets over accepting it.
Later...
BTW - this info was gathered in approximately 30 minutes of search time; somebody with more time could probably find evidence that the Wylys have contributed more money and exerted more influence over AZGOP politics than that which I've outlined here.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Protected Speech 101: Words - yes; terrorist acts - no
From website of the Arizona Republic -
Funny, but when someone disagrees with them, the first reaction of the "what part of 'illegal' don't they understand?" crowd is to break the law. (Yes, I'm making the assumption that the person on the other end of the bullet was a ticked-off nativist. The violence fits the M.O.)
Why is that? Could it be that maybe their anti-immigrant fervor is rooted less in "respect for the law" and more in "hatred for people with brown skin"?
Yuma Sun coverage here.
Later...
Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., has closed his Yuma district office for the day after staff discovered that a bullet had shattered a window earlier Thursday.This isn't the first time that one of Grijalva's offices has been targeted, though it was just with threats last time.
A news release from Adam Sarvana, Grijalva's spokesman, says police are investigating the vandalism and have not released details about a possible motive. Grijalva will re-open the office as soon as possible, his office said.
Funny, but when someone disagrees with them, the first reaction of the "what part of 'illegal' don't they understand?" crowd is to break the law. (Yes, I'm making the assumption that the person on the other end of the bullet was a ticked-off nativist. The violence fits the M.O.)
Why is that? Could it be that maybe their anti-immigrant fervor is rooted less in "respect for the law" and more in "hatred for people with brown skin"?
Yuma Sun coverage here.
Later...
More fun with signs...
Saw this one while out walking today...
I'm not questioning the whole "illegal immigration/Joe Arpaio" motif of the sign - Kavanagh is a long-time nativist, and even if he wasn't, nearly all the R candidates in the state have prostrated themselves before their twin gods of hatred and ignorance.
Nope, my question is far more basic than that (and a campaign platform of demonizing the "other" is pretty base) -
What district is he running to represent?
Now, *I* know that Kavanagh is a current state rep from LD8 and he is running for re-election there (yes, I'm a political geek), but how is the average person going to know that?
Many might logically assume that he is running to represent the district in which the sign is located. Certainly, most folks would find such an assumption to be eminently reasonable.
They would be reasonable, but utterly wrong.
The sign in the picture is located on the northwest corner of McDowell and Pima roads in Scottsdale, which is well within LD17 (south Scottsdale), not LD8 (north Scottsdale).
Besides the nativist shout outs on the sign, which is pretty much the campaign playbook for Republican candidates this cycle, the sign illustrates another point that I've been making -
Arizona Republicans consider elected office less a job representing constituents and more an opportunity to foist an extremist ideology off on everyone else.
I'm not questioning the whole "illegal immigration/Joe Arpaio" motif of the sign - Kavanagh is a long-time nativist, and even if he wasn't, nearly all the R candidates in the state have prostrated themselves before their twin gods of hatred and ignorance.
Nope, my question is far more basic than that (and a campaign platform of demonizing the "other" is pretty base) -
What district is he running to represent?
Now, *I* know that Kavanagh is a current state rep from LD8 and he is running for re-election there (yes, I'm a political geek), but how is the average person going to know that?
Many might logically assume that he is running to represent the district in which the sign is located. Certainly, most folks would find such an assumption to be eminently reasonable.
They would be reasonable, but utterly wrong.
The sign in the picture is located on the northwest corner of McDowell and Pima roads in Scottsdale, which is well within LD17 (south Scottsdale), not LD8 (north Scottsdale).
Besides the nativist shout outs on the sign, which is pretty much the campaign playbook for Republican candidates this cycle, the sign illustrates another point that I've been making -
Arizona Republicans consider elected office less a job representing constituents and more an opportunity to foist an extremist ideology off on everyone else.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Time to talk about other topics
The ruling by federal judge Susan Bolton blocking parts of the new anti-immigrant law in AZ should quiet things, at least until the case is appealed to the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. But it won't.
People in AZ should now have the time to discuss Arizona's pathetic, among-the-nation's-worst K-12 education system, but they won't do it.
People in AZ should now have the time to discuss Arizona's unsafe school buildings, but they won't do it.
People in AZ should now have the time to discuss Arizona's crumbling infrastructure and transportation system, but they won't do it.
People in AZ should have the time to discuss Arizona's gaping maw of a budget deficit, and the accounting tricks and wishful thinking used to "balance" this year's budget, but they won't do it.
People in AZ should have the time to discuss the state's structural deficit and Jan Brewer et. al's plan to make it better by making it worse, but they won't do it.
People in AZ should have the time to discuss the utter dysfunctionality of Arizona's government at all levels, but they won't do it.
People in AZ should have the time to discuss the fact that too many of our elected officials do nothing more than bring ridicule and scorn upon our state, but they won't do it.
People in AZ should have the time to discuss the collapse of the Ponzi-scheme like Arizona economy (people would buy or build houses and make a profit by selling them to the people who came after them, which worked fine until fewer people arrived in AZ than there were houses to sell to them), but they won't do it.
There are a lot of things that ail Arizona that the people here could finally focus on and work to address, but they won't do it.
It's easier to be distracted by the "it's all the fault of the Brown people!" crowd than to actually participate in and discuss civic affairs.
Unless the people in this state who actually care about it and its future refuse to allow themselves to be distracted by the histrionics and insist that the public discussion cover all relevent topics, not just the ones that Brewer, Pearce, and the rest want to use to scare the public.
People in AZ should now have the time to discuss Arizona's pathetic, among-the-nation's-worst K-12 education system, but they won't do it.
People in AZ should now have the time to discuss Arizona's unsafe school buildings, but they won't do it.
People in AZ should now have the time to discuss Arizona's crumbling infrastructure and transportation system, but they won't do it.
People in AZ should have the time to discuss Arizona's gaping maw of a budget deficit, and the accounting tricks and wishful thinking used to "balance" this year's budget, but they won't do it.
People in AZ should have the time to discuss the state's structural deficit and Jan Brewer et. al's plan to make it better by making it worse, but they won't do it.
People in AZ should have the time to discuss the utter dysfunctionality of Arizona's government at all levels, but they won't do it.
People in AZ should have the time to discuss the fact that too many of our elected officials do nothing more than bring ridicule and scorn upon our state, but they won't do it.
People in AZ should have the time to discuss the collapse of the Ponzi-scheme like Arizona economy (people would buy or build houses and make a profit by selling them to the people who came after them, which worked fine until fewer people arrived in AZ than there were houses to sell to them), but they won't do it.
There are a lot of things that ail Arizona that the people here could finally focus on and work to address, but they won't do it.
It's easier to be distracted by the "it's all the fault of the Brown people!" crowd than to actually participate in and discuss civic affairs.
Unless the people in this state who actually care about it and its future refuse to allow themselves to be distracted by the histrionics and insist that the public discussion cover all relevent topics, not just the ones that Brewer, Pearce, and the rest want to use to scare the public.
Breaking: significant parts of SB1070 blocked by federal judge
This fight is hardly over, and the Republicans/nativists are sure to appeal the ruling, but this is still great news...
From the Arizona Republic -
Terry Goddard, Arizona's Attorney General and a candidate for governor issued the following statement:
Breaking news in a breaking news post: I'm not sure if it is related to the ruling, though the timing is certainly eyebrow-raising, but the Downtown Justice Court building (NOT the federal court or Maricopa County Superior Court buildings in Phoenix) has been locked down due to a suspicious package. No one is being let in or out of the building. The MCSO has been called. More info as it becomes available. (confirmed by a call to the Justice Courts administration office)
The text of the judge's ruling, courtesy the Arizona Republic, here.
Arizona Capitol Times coverage here.
CNN coverage here.
From the Arizona Republic -
U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton has issued a preliminary injunction preventing several sections of Arizona's new immigration law from becoming law, at least until the courts have a chance to hear the full case.Parts of the law will remain in effect, including provisions allowing individuals to sue law enforcement agencies/political subdivisions who don't enforce immigration law enthusiastically enough and those making it a misdemeanor to harbor or transport undocumented immigrants. Full hearings on the law will take place in the near future.
Key parts of Senate Bill 1070 that will not go into effect Thursday:
• The portion of the law that requires an officer make a reasonable attempt to determine the immigration status of a person stopped, detained or arrested if there's reasonable suspicion they're in the country illegally.
• The portion that creates a crime of failure to apply for or carry "alien-registration papers."
• The portion that makes it a crime for illegal immigrants to solicit, apply for or perform work. (This does not include the section on day laborers.)
• The portion that allows for a warrantless arrest of a person where there is probable cause to believe they have committed a public offense that makes them removable from the United States.
Terry Goddard, Arizona's Attorney General and a candidate for governor issued the following statement:
Jan Brewer played politics with immigration, and she lost.There were expected to be protests in downtown Phoenix, expressing objections to the law. Now, however, the protests are expected to be from those opposed to the ruling.
Rather than providing the leadership Arizona needs to solve the immigration problem, Jan Brewer signed a bill she could not defend in court which has led to boycotts, jeopardized our tourism industry and polarized our state.
It is time to look beyond election year grandstanding and begin to repair the damage to Arizona's image and economy.
Perhaps now we in Arizona can focus on effective steps to fight border crime and keep our families safe. Now we can focus on steps, such as the ones I have been taking, to go after border crime and cut off the cash that flows to organized criminal cartels that smuggle thousands into the U.S.
Now, we should start making smart decisions about immigration - beyond sound bites, fear mongering and political stunts.
Breaking news in a breaking news post: I'm not sure if it is related to the ruling, though the timing is certainly eyebrow-raising, but the Downtown Justice Court building (NOT the federal court or Maricopa County Superior Court buildings in Phoenix) has been locked down due to a suspicious package. No one is being let in or out of the building. The MCSO has been called. More info as it becomes available. (confirmed by a call to the Justice Courts administration office)
The text of the judge's ruling, courtesy the Arizona Republic, here.
Arizona Capitol Times coverage here.
CNN coverage here.
More candidate updates...
Edit later on 7/28 to update school board race info...
The Maricopa County Recorder's office has posted a list of candidates who have submitted petitions for non-partisan general election races. The list is incomplete as the deadline for submitting petitions for those races is August 4.
Highlights (so far):
There are 6 candidates so far for the 5 open seats on the Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD), better known as the Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project.
One candidate, Tim Bray, is a current member of the Board. The other five who have already submitted petitions are challengers. The sig requirement for the race is 200. Most of the candidates gathered 350 - 720, except for challenger Arif Kazmi, a career engineer.
He submitted over 1700.
The next highest total so far is from Frank Fairbanks, the former City Manager of Phoenix. He submitted a total of 714 sigs.
Anyway, no list of school board candidates is up yet. I'm not sure if the County Recorder will list those or if that's left to each individual district.
Updates when available.
Edit on 7/28 -
Apparently, I'm not the only one whose mind turned toward some of the down-ballot races in the last day or so. The Arizona Republic has a piece on its website regarding the high number of potential school board candidates in the Kyrene and Tempe Union High School districts.
That piece led to the website of the Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools, which contains a list of candidates who have submitted paperwork so far.
End edit...
In other news:
...There's been one *really* late withdrawal, this one from the race for the state senate seat in LD19 (East Mesa). James Molina dropped out of the Republican primary there, leaving an all but clear path to the seat for current state rep Rich Crandall (R). There is one Libertarian write-in candidate who has declared for the seat, but even if he qualifies for the November ballot, Crandall should cruise to the victory (no D is in the race).
Wouldn't it be embarrassing if Crandall lost the race to someone who wasn't even in it? It's theoretically possible, as ballots have already been printed. Even though he has dropped out of the race, Molina's name still appears on the ballot.
...The Brewer campaign is already taking a victory lap in the R gubernortorial primary, as they are refusing to participate in any debates with her lone remaining challenger in the R primary, Matthew Jette.
...On Monday, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will appoint someone to fill the seat of the ousted Doug Quelland (R-LD10) in the AZ House of Representatives. The possible choices are: Kimberly Yee, Francine Romeburg, and Henry Grosjean. I don't know anything about any of them other than Yee, who is a candidate in August's primary. According to the Arizona Guardian (subscription required), Jan Brewer is supporting Yee for the appointment, which means she is probably completely unqualified for the spot.
While Quelland has been removed from the lege, he remains a candidate for election to the next lege.
Some might think this is a meaningless appointment as the lege's session has ended, and it may yet prove to be so. However, there is a persistent rumor that there will be a special session after the elections in November to railroad through the Reps' corporate tax cuts bill.
Which may explain Brewer's push for a pet candidate.
Later...
The Maricopa County Recorder's office has posted a list of candidates who have submitted petitions for non-partisan general election races. The list is incomplete as the deadline for submitting petitions for those races is August 4.
Highlights (so far):
There are 6 candidates so far for the 5 open seats on the Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD), better known as the Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Project.
One candidate, Tim Bray, is a current member of the Board. The other five who have already submitted petitions are challengers. The sig requirement for the race is 200. Most of the candidates gathered 350 - 720, except for challenger Arif Kazmi, a career engineer.
He submitted over 1700.
The next highest total so far is from Frank Fairbanks, the former City Manager of Phoenix. He submitted a total of 714 sigs.
Anyway, no list of school board candidates is up yet. I'm not sure if the County Recorder will list those or if that's left to each individual district.
Updates when available.
Edit on 7/28 -
Apparently, I'm not the only one whose mind turned toward some of the down-ballot races in the last day or so. The Arizona Republic has a piece on its website regarding the high number of potential school board candidates in the Kyrene and Tempe Union High School districts.
That piece led to the website of the Maricopa County Superintendent of Schools, which contains a list of candidates who have submitted paperwork so far.
End edit...
In other news:
...There's been one *really* late withdrawal, this one from the race for the state senate seat in LD19 (East Mesa). James Molina dropped out of the Republican primary there, leaving an all but clear path to the seat for current state rep Rich Crandall (R). There is one Libertarian write-in candidate who has declared for the seat, but even if he qualifies for the November ballot, Crandall should cruise to the victory (no D is in the race).
Wouldn't it be embarrassing if Crandall lost the race to someone who wasn't even in it? It's theoretically possible, as ballots have already been printed. Even though he has dropped out of the race, Molina's name still appears on the ballot.
...The Brewer campaign is already taking a victory lap in the R gubernortorial primary, as they are refusing to participate in any debates with her lone remaining challenger in the R primary, Matthew Jette.
...On Monday, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will appoint someone to fill the seat of the ousted Doug Quelland (R-LD10) in the AZ House of Representatives. The possible choices are: Kimberly Yee, Francine Romeburg, and Henry Grosjean. I don't know anything about any of them other than Yee, who is a candidate in August's primary. According to the Arizona Guardian (subscription required), Jan Brewer is supporting Yee for the appointment, which means she is probably completely unqualified for the spot.
While Quelland has been removed from the lege, he remains a candidate for election to the next lege.
Some might think this is a meaningless appointment as the lege's session has ended, and it may yet prove to be so. However, there is a persistent rumor that there will be a special session after the elections in November to railroad through the Reps' corporate tax cuts bill.
Which may explain Brewer's push for a pet candidate.
Later...
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Unseemly corporate influence doesn't just come in the form of direct contributions
Came across this press release, and since it involved both Arizona elections and Arizona American Water, it really piqued my interest...
From the press release:
And if you don't think that this kind of investment can pay off for Arizona American Water and various utilities. you should remember that the Corporation Commission is the body that approves/disapproves utility rate hike requests, requests that can generate millions of dollars per year in addition revenues and profits for the utilities and their corporate owners like Pinnacle West (APS) and American Water (Arizona American Water.)
Oh, and AZAm Water's press release boilerplate about "providing high-quality and reliable water"?
Thousands of residents in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley would beg to differ.
BTW - I'm not *entirely* down on all of the ACC candidates who are participating in the corporate sponsored forum.
Forecast high temp for Phoenix tomorrow: 101.
Forecast high temp for Flagstaff tomorrow: 78.
:)
From the press release:
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., July 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Arizona American Water will team up with members of the Arizona Investment Council, the Grand Canyon State Electric Cooperative Association (GCSECA) and the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce to sponsor a candidate forum for the six candidates running for the two vacancies at the Arizona Corporation Commission. Each candidate will give opening remarks and then answer various questions by a moderator.OK, it's not a direct contribution, nor is it even a third party expenditure on a race. What it is, however, is some "regulatees" ponying up some cash for the privilege of schmoozing with "regulators."
WHAT: ACC Candidate Forum
WHEN: Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Little America Hotel, 2515 East Butler Avenue, Flagstaff, Arizona 86004
WHY: All six candidates for the two vacancies on the Arizona Corporation Commission have expressed a commitment to participate in the forum. The candidates include: David Bradley (D-Tucson), Brenda Burns (R-Phoenix), Jorge Luis Garcia (D-Tucson), Renz Jennings (D-Phoenix), Gary Pierce (R-Mesa), and Barry Wong (R-Phoenix)
Arizona American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 350,000 people.
And if you don't think that this kind of investment can pay off for Arizona American Water and various utilities. you should remember that the Corporation Commission is the body that approves/disapproves utility rate hike requests, requests that can generate millions of dollars per year in addition revenues and profits for the utilities and their corporate owners like Pinnacle West (APS) and American Water (Arizona American Water.)
Oh, and AZAm Water's press release boilerplate about "providing high-quality and reliable water"?
Thousands of residents in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley would beg to differ.
BTW - I'm not *entirely* down on all of the ACC candidates who are participating in the corporate sponsored forum.
Forecast high temp for Phoenix tomorrow: 101.
Forecast high temp for Flagstaff tomorrow: 78.
:)
Scottsdale candidate forums
Thanks go out to the AZ Republic for the heads-up on these...
The next one will be on Monday and it will involve the Republicans running for the two House seats in LD8.
The first of those will be on Monday, September 20 in the City Hall Kiva at 6 p.m. That one is sponsored by the Brown Avenue Merchant's Association.
On Tuesday, September 21, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission will hold its LD8 general election candidate forum at the Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottdale 85253
On Monday, September 27, the Arizona Republic is sponsoring a forum to be held in the studios of CityCable11 (no room for an audience, but it will be televised.)
A week after that, October 4, the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors will hold their forum for City Council candidates, in the City Hall Kiva.
Later...
The next one will be on Monday and it will involve the Republicans running for the two House seats in LD8.
Arizona Republic Debate for State HouseThere will be a few forums in September.
Date: Monday, August 2, 2010
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: CityCable 11 Studio (cannot accommodate audience)
Broadcast LIVE on CityCable Channel 11
Also watch it LIVE online
Cost: n/a
Event Description: Arizona Republic Debate for State House
The first of those will be on Monday, September 20 in the City Hall Kiva at 6 p.m. That one is sponsored by the Brown Avenue Merchant's Association.
On Tuesday, September 21, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission will hold its LD8 general election candidate forum at the Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottdale 85253
On Monday, September 27, the Arizona Republic is sponsoring a forum to be held in the studios of CityCable11 (no room for an audience, but it will be televised.)
A week after that, October 4, the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors will hold their forum for City Council candidates, in the City Hall Kiva.
Later...
Monday, July 26, 2010
More fun with signs...
Keeping up with the theme of the last post...
It seems as if the Republicans really have their claws out for each other this year.
It seems as if the Republicans really have their claws out for each other this year.
This sign was spotted at the intersection of Rio Salado Parkway and Priest Drive in Tempe, in the heart of CD5.
Note the add-on banner in the upper left portion of the sign.
"CO-SPONSORED AND VOTED FOR SB1070"
Which would be fine in a "I'm not going to vote for him anyway, so even that doesn't lower my opinion of him" sort of way, except for one thing -
Ward has never held elected office, much less a seat in the Arizona legislature. He never had the opportunity to co-sponsor and vote for SB1070.
To be fair to Mr. Ward, I don't actually believe his campaign added the false statement to his sign. Yes, every R in the state is trying to jump on the nativist bandwagon, but even they hesitate at such a blatant lie...
...OK, they don't hesitate to lie so much as they hesitate to be *caught* lying, and that one is very easily debunked.
On the other hand, they don't hesitate to be caught lying, when they can make it look like someone else is doing the lying.
And the Schweikert campaign is also using the add-on banner gimmick on their signs, with the same white lettering on a red background.
Hmmm....
BTW - As of this afternoon anyway, the banner on the sign pictured above has been changed to "Endorsed by Congressman John Shadegg.".
BTW2 - The campaign claws are out and boy are they sharp this cycle. There are a huge number of pro-Schweikert trolls (or one pasty-complexioned one with absolutely no life) posting praise for Schweikert and criticism of Ward on all of the R blogs and many of the AZRep articles covering the CD5 primary. Given the amount of personal wealth that Schweikert, Ward, and a couple of the others have invested in the race to challenge Democratic incumbent Harry Mitchell, look for things to get even nastier than sign games and troll droppings.
Republican Primary Mudslinging: New 2nd Favorite Website
As a Democrat, I'm proud that most, if not all, of the D primary races have been run clean and on the issues. The personal and ad hominem attacks have been all but nonexistent.
As a writer, I'm bored by the Democratic races. Civility and professionalism are great qualities in elected officials and candidates; they're lousy topics for more than the occasional post.
Fortunately, the Republicans have stepped into the gap. Enthusiastically. :)
Two and a half weeks ago, I wrote about my newest favorite website, Crazy Jack Harper. That site highlights some of Harper's embarrassing behavior...at least, it's behavior that would be embarrassing to any public official who takes their responsibilities seriously. The site reads like a Republican site, if only because it doesn't criticize Harper for his political positions, only for silly,unprofessional, and (possibly) unethical acts while in office. As yet, however, no one has officially taken credit for the site.
Oopsie.
A lawyer who flouts the law (like Horne, apparently) is bad; a lawyer who doesn't know the law (like Thomas, apparently) isn't exactly better.
It's an election year, and it looks like Jan Brewer isn't the only R whose campaign motto is "Damn the facts! Full distort ahead!"
The next four weeks are going to be fun....
As a writer, I'm bored by the Democratic races. Civility and professionalism are great qualities in elected officials and candidates; they're lousy topics for more than the occasional post.
Fortunately, the Republicans have stepped into the gap. Enthusiastically. :)
Two and a half weeks ago, I wrote about my newest favorite website, Crazy Jack Harper. That site highlights some of Harper's embarrassing behavior...at least, it's behavior that would be embarrassing to any public official who takes their responsibilities seriously. The site reads like a Republican site, if only because it doesn't criticize Harper for his political positions, only for silly,unprofessional, and (possibly) unethical acts while in office. As yet, however, no one has officially taken credit for the site.
In a sign that the Republican primary season is heating up, another anti-Republican candidate website has popped up, and they aren't trying to be subtle with this one - another R campaign is taking credit for it in the "Paid for by..." boilerplate at the bottom of the page.
The pic below was emailed to me from a regular reader. It's of a sign erected at Hardy and Southern in Tempe.
The website listed at the bottom of the sign, stoptom.com, redirects a surfer to "thetomhornetruth.com."
That website lists a litany of Horne's alleged sins against Arizona Republican orthodoxy - he's had his securities trading license suspended by the SEC (I thought support for financial fraudsters *was* a primary plank on the GOP platform), he voted for sales tax increases while in the lege in the 1990s (he's hardly the only one - the only tax the Rs actually like is the ever-regressive sales tax), and so on - including one that his anti-immigrant bonafides aren't strong enough.
Most of the points raised on the website either fall into the category of "light on substance" (the SEC stuff is *40* years old) or irrelevent to the AG's race (umm,,,"sales tax"? "Abortion"? Pray tell, how is either matter germane to the AG's office?).
However, relevance and substance don't seem to matter to the authors of the website. It's all about winning the R primary.
The bottom line of the page:
PAID FOR BY THE THOMAS FOR AG COMMITTEE
Hypocrisy alert: Part of the Thomas campaign's diatribe against Horne is running down a list of Horne's speeding tickets.
From the site:
On Friday, August 21, 2009, the Arizona Republic broke a story reporting that Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne received six photo radar tickets in 18 months, including one for speeding in a school zone.
Sounds damning, doesn't it? An attorney, and a candidate for state attorney general, regularly flouting the law?
It would be damning, except for the fact that Andrew Thomas proudly and loudly refused to prosecute photo radar citations.
He also seems to have screwed up in knowledge of the law.
From the site:
Officer Mataele issued a criminal citation to Horne, charging him with violating A.R.S. 28-701.02 A2. This is a CRIMINAL charge (not civil) that subjected Horne to a maximum possible sentence of six (6) months in jail, three (3) years probation and a $2,500 fine.
According to A.R.S. 28-701.02 B, a violation of A2 is a class 3 misdemeanor.
OK, that doesn't prove Thomas' lack of knowledge of Arizona law...except that A.R.S. 13-707 sets the jail time for a class three misdemeanor at 30 days, and A.R.S. 13-802 sets the maximum fine for a class three misdemeanor at $500.
Oopsie.
A lawyer who flouts the law (like Horne, apparently) is bad; a lawyer who doesn't know the law (like Thomas, apparently) isn't exactly better.
It's an election year, and it looks like Jan Brewer isn't the only R whose campaign motto is "Damn the facts! Full distort ahead!"
The next four weeks are going to be fun....
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Short Attention Span Musing...
Haven't done one of these in a while...
...Gloating time: The Arizona Republic has published a significant number of its primary election endorsements, and as I predicted, they endorsed Susan Bitter Smith in the CD5 Republican primary.
I so love being able to say "I told ya so."
...Credit where it's due time: Republican Greg Patterson at Espresso Pundit wrote pretty eloquently on the Shirley Sherrod/"racist" comments/summary firing/apologetic rehiring mess from earlier this week. He observed unequivocally that the video clip that was originally publicized by conservative blogger Breitbart and then Fox News was grossly out of context.
Now, being a loyal Republican, Patterson didn't criticize Breitbart and Fox News for their deceptive and unethical editing of the video, but neither did he go after the White House and the U.S. Department of Agriculture over their unthinking response. He earned some slack because of that.
I'm a loyal Democrat, as strong a D as Patterson is an R. As such, *I'll* criticize the White House et. al. for their response.
Making decisions based on information from Breitbart and Fox News? People and organizations with a documented history of taking statements out of context and even doctoring video (see: ACORN)?
The White House is supposed to be better than that. They're supposed to be smarter than that.
BTW - While Patterson was even-handed in not directly criticizing the principals involved in the dust-up, the commenters on his post were less so. Even though the White House had nothing to do with the fabrication, the commenters laid the blame squarely at the WH's feet while giving a free pass to Breitbart and Fox News.
...Arizona's fiscal plummet continues time: AKA - "More signs of the success of Jan Brewer's fiscal policies time" - In a story that, if not buried, has been downplayed by the AZ Republic, the state's debt rating has been downgraded yet again, making any future debt issued by the state (like school construction bonds) more expensive. In short, it will be even tougher in the future to balance the state's books because of ever-increasing debt-service costs.
....Later...
...Gloating time: The Arizona Republic has published a significant number of its primary election endorsements, and as I predicted, they endorsed Susan Bitter Smith in the CD5 Republican primary.
I so love being able to say "I told ya so."
...Credit where it's due time: Republican Greg Patterson at Espresso Pundit wrote pretty eloquently on the Shirley Sherrod/"racist" comments/summary firing/apologetic rehiring mess from earlier this week. He observed unequivocally that the video clip that was originally publicized by conservative blogger Breitbart and then Fox News was grossly out of context.
Now, being a loyal Republican, Patterson didn't criticize Breitbart and Fox News for their deceptive and unethical editing of the video, but neither did he go after the White House and the U.S. Department of Agriculture over their unthinking response. He earned some slack because of that.
I'm a loyal Democrat, as strong a D as Patterson is an R. As such, *I'll* criticize the White House et. al. for their response.
Making decisions based on information from Breitbart and Fox News? People and organizations with a documented history of taking statements out of context and even doctoring video (see: ACORN)?
The White House is supposed to be better than that. They're supposed to be smarter than that.
BTW - While Patterson was even-handed in not directly criticizing the principals involved in the dust-up, the commenters on his post were less so. Even though the White House had nothing to do with the fabrication, the commenters laid the blame squarely at the WH's feet while giving a free pass to Breitbart and Fox News.
...Arizona's fiscal plummet continues time: AKA - "More signs of the success of Jan Brewer's fiscal policies time" - In a story that, if not buried, has been downplayed by the AZ Republic, the state's debt rating has been downgraded yet again, making any future debt issued by the state (like school construction bonds) more expensive. In short, it will be even tougher in the future to balance the state's books because of ever-increasing debt-service costs.
....Later...
Brewer's election year economic posturing: More of the same garbage that got us in the mess that we are in...
...And it's the same garbage that has gutted the underpinnings of America's once-robust economy...
There was an interesting coincidence today - the Arizona Republic ran a piece touting the economic record and proposals of Jan Brewer while she's been governor of AZ while Business Insider ran a piece (with a related blog post from Yahoo! Finance) highlighting 22 statistics that show that America's middle class, once the envy of the world, has all but disappeared.
While minds far more perceptive than mine and voices far more eloquent than mine can parse and discuss the details, essentially the wealth of the middle class has been siphoned off to pad the wallets and bank accounts and property listings of America's wealthiest (what, you thought that the wealthy were taking from the poor? The poor don't have much worth taking. That's why they are called "poor"...)
The concentration of America's wealth into an ever-smaller segment of our society has been enacted/enabled by the corpratization/globalization policies fronted by Republicans (and yes, CorpraDems, too!) over the last 30 or so years.
And nothing in Jan Brewer's "Five Point Plan" is going to help AZ's middle class.
1. Structural Budget Reform. Possibly the least bad of her "points", but also the least meaningful. Not enacted yet, or even the subject of substantive proposals (aka - bills before the legislature)
2. Improve Proposition 105 - The Voter Protection Act. AKA - "Get rid of the Voter Protection Act." The measure was enacted to prevent legislative tinkering with things approved by a direct vote cast by the state's electorate. This has led to the lege's (and Brewer's!) inability to get rid of things like First Things First (an early childhood health and education initiative) and Growing Smarter (a program that gives Arizonans a voice in and some control over over growth in their communities and land conservation.
Things like societal infrastructure/safety net and citizen control of government and the world around them are antithetical to those Republicans (and CorpraDems) who are more concerned with protecting profit margins than with public service.
Those are things that Brewer and the Republicans running the lege have condemned since they were enacted by the voters, and the current budget crisis has provided the best hope that the Reps have had for a repeal - they hope that voters are frightened enough to roll over for them.
There are lege-initiated questions (here and here) on the ballot in November to push forward the anti-societal agenda.
3. Additional spending cuts. Well, that one *has* been enacted, mostly to the sort of spending that benefits society as a whole - education, AHCCCS, and other social safety net programs. One area set for an increase in spending is on the private prisons (and the deep-pocketed corporations that own them) that stand to benefit from Brewer's signature on SB1070, the anti-immigrant law scheduled to go into effect in less than a week.
There will be more cuts in the next budget cycle. In addition, there will be more cuts this year if one or both of the above measures aren't approved by the voters.
Not that destroying First Things First and Growing Smarter won't qualify as "cuts"...
4. Reform and modernization of Arizona's state tax structure. "Reform" and "modernization" are code words for "continue to shift Arizona's tax burden on to those who can least afford it (but also onto those who can least afford thebribes campaign contributions to the politicians who are "supposed" to represent their interests.)
5. Temporary Tax Increase – Increase state revenues by $1 billion per year. Brewer got this one. Of course, her temporary tax increase was to the incredibly regressive state sales tax, not to the already low property tax. Of course, increases to the property tax, even property taxes themselves, are considered corporate/upper class-UNfriendly, hence the lack of discussion of a more equitable tax structure in AZ.
In short, Brewer's economic "plan" is nothing more than "more of what is destroying America's future."
Giving her four years to implement her "plan" for Arizona is something that the average Arizonan cannot afford.
...Earlier this month, John McCain accused President Obama of "generational theft"; McCain should look across the table at his fellow Republicans like Brewer (as well as in a mirror) before throwing around such accusations.
There was an interesting coincidence today - the Arizona Republic ran a piece touting the economic record and proposals of Jan Brewer while she's been governor of AZ while Business Insider ran a piece (with a related blog post from Yahoo! Finance) highlighting 22 statistics that show that America's middle class, once the envy of the world, has all but disappeared.
While minds far more perceptive than mine and voices far more eloquent than mine can parse and discuss the details, essentially the wealth of the middle class has been siphoned off to pad the wallets and bank accounts and property listings of America's wealthiest (what, you thought that the wealthy were taking from the poor? The poor don't have much worth taking. That's why they are called "poor"...)
The concentration of America's wealth into an ever-smaller segment of our society has been enacted/enabled by the corpratization/globalization policies fronted by Republicans (and yes, CorpraDems, too!) over the last 30 or so years.
And nothing in Jan Brewer's "Five Point Plan" is going to help AZ's middle class.
1. Structural Budget Reform. Possibly the least bad of her "points", but also the least meaningful. Not enacted yet, or even the subject of substantive proposals (aka - bills before the legislature)
2. Improve Proposition 105 - The Voter Protection Act. AKA - "Get rid of the Voter Protection Act." The measure was enacted to prevent legislative tinkering with things approved by a direct vote cast by the state's electorate. This has led to the lege's (and Brewer's!) inability to get rid of things like First Things First (an early childhood health and education initiative) and Growing Smarter (a program that gives Arizonans a voice in and some control over over growth in their communities and land conservation.
Things like societal infrastructure/safety net and citizen control of government and the world around them are antithetical to those Republicans (and CorpraDems) who are more concerned with protecting profit margins than with public service.
Those are things that Brewer and the Republicans running the lege have condemned since they were enacted by the voters, and the current budget crisis has provided the best hope that the Reps have had for a repeal - they hope that voters are frightened enough to roll over for them.
There are lege-initiated questions (here and here) on the ballot in November to push forward the anti-societal agenda.
3. Additional spending cuts. Well, that one *has* been enacted, mostly to the sort of spending that benefits society as a whole - education, AHCCCS, and other social safety net programs. One area set for an increase in spending is on the private prisons (and the deep-pocketed corporations that own them) that stand to benefit from Brewer's signature on SB1070, the anti-immigrant law scheduled to go into effect in less than a week.
There will be more cuts in the next budget cycle. In addition, there will be more cuts this year if one or both of the above measures aren't approved by the voters.
Not that destroying First Things First and Growing Smarter won't qualify as "cuts"...
4. Reform and modernization of Arizona's state tax structure. "Reform" and "modernization" are code words for "continue to shift Arizona's tax burden on to those who can least afford it (but also onto those who can least afford the
5. Temporary Tax Increase – Increase state revenues by $1 billion per year. Brewer got this one. Of course, her temporary tax increase was to the incredibly regressive state sales tax, not to the already low property tax. Of course, increases to the property tax, even property taxes themselves, are considered corporate/upper class-UNfriendly, hence the lack of discussion of a more equitable tax structure in AZ.
In short, Brewer's economic "plan" is nothing more than "more of what is destroying America's future."
Giving her four years to implement her "plan" for Arizona is something that the average Arizonan cannot afford.
...Earlier this month, John McCain accused President Obama of "generational theft"; McCain should look across the table at his fellow Republicans like Brewer (as well as in a mirror) before throwing around such accusations.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Stopping drug smuggling cartels: Terry Goddard's testimony before Congress
Goddard's work combatting the cartels by going after their money isn't sexy (hey, anything that involves accountants tends to be pretty boring :) ), and it certainly isn't the policy of
AZRep coverage of the efforts of the Attorney General's office here; Voice of America coverage of Goddard's testimony to Congress here.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Don't bother with contacting a state agency on Friday: Furlough day tomorrow
As part of the Republicans' budget "plan", tomorrow is the first of five "furlough" days for state workers between now and the end of the year. "Furlough" is a euphemism for "unpaid day off."
Most state workers won't be in the office/at work tomorrow. The main exceptions are those in law enforcement, judicial, and public safety roles.
The complete lists of agency closures and statuses can be found here, on the website of the Arizona Department of Administration.
Most state workers won't be in the office/at work tomorrow. The main exceptions are those in law enforcement, judicial, and public safety roles.
The complete lists of agency closures and statuses can be found here, on the website of the Arizona Department of Administration.
Two candidates for Scottsdale City Council cite feud with C of C when backing out of debate
From the Arizona Republic -
-endorsed-praised candidates mostly didn't win, and those candidates who didn't gain the Chamber's favor but won anyway have been exacting a little payback. (More background on the matter here)
While incumbent Littlefield and candidate Phillips are portraying their "boycott" of the C of C's forum as a matter of principle, neither one was likely to earn the Chamber's endorsement - Littlefield has been railing against the C of C for years and Phillips is a Tea Party type who doesn't approve of public infrastructure.
Since this post is more about commentary than news, here are a few points -
1. The C of C should just shut up, pay their fines, and not do it again. Despite their protestations to the contrary, the 2008 ads *were* an attempt to influence the election. That means that campaign finance laws apply, including disclosure of donors. By not accepting responsibility for their actions in 2008, they've kept the issue alive for the 2010 election cycle.
2. Littlefield and Phillips should quit the "high road" pretense. It's an election year, and part of any office holder's (or candidate's) job is to reach out to voters. Ditching the forum does nothing to help inform voters or allow them to compare candidates.
3. The Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce is *far* from perfect and God knows that I have my issues with their retail/tourism-centric vision for Scottsdale's economy. However, it is still the *Scottsdale* Chamber of Commerce. The anti-government.anti-society ideology that the likes of Littlefield, Phillips and Mayor Jim Lane are trying to foist off on the City has been crafted by Grover Norquist, Dick Armey and others to protect the interests of large interstate and international corporations. There's absolutely no room in the "ideology" for "maintain and improve Scottsdale's quality of life."
Note: the other candidates on the ballot, who are all scheduled to participate in the forum, are Linda Milhaven, Ned O'Hearn, Wayne Ecton (incumbent) and Dennis Robbins.
Two candidates running for Scottsdale City Council are boycotting an upcoming forum put on by the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce to show their discontent with the business group's campaign-finance policy.The apparent conflict stems from the 2008 campaign season when the Chamber
Councilman Bob Littlefield and Guy Phillips said they will not participate in the Aug. 11 forum until the chamber reveals donors and pays fines associated with advertisements the group circulated before the fall 2008 city election.
While incumbent Littlefield and candidate Phillips are portraying their "boycott" of the C of C's forum as a matter of principle, neither one was likely to earn the Chamber's endorsement - Littlefield has been railing against the C of C for years and Phillips is a Tea Party type who doesn't approve of public infrastructure.
Since this post is more about commentary than news, here are a few points -
1. The C of C should just shut up, pay their fines, and not do it again. Despite their protestations to the contrary, the 2008 ads *were* an attempt to influence the election. That means that campaign finance laws apply, including disclosure of donors. By not accepting responsibility for their actions in 2008, they've kept the issue alive for the 2010 election cycle.
2. Littlefield and Phillips should quit the "high road" pretense. It's an election year, and part of any office holder's (or candidate's) job is to reach out to voters. Ditching the forum does nothing to help inform voters or allow them to compare candidates.
3. The Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce is *far* from perfect and God knows that I have my issues with their retail/tourism-centric vision for Scottsdale's economy. However, it is still the *Scottsdale* Chamber of Commerce. The anti-government.anti-society ideology that the likes of Littlefield, Phillips and Mayor Jim Lane are trying to foist off on the City has been crafted by Grover Norquist, Dick Armey and others to protect the interests of large interstate and international corporations. There's absolutely no room in the "ideology" for "maintain and improve Scottsdale's quality of life."
Note: the other candidates on the ballot, who are all scheduled to participate in the forum, are Linda Milhaven, Ned O'Hearn, Wayne Ecton (incumbent) and Dennis Robbins.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Jawdropper of the day
I don't normally counter-post something that an R blogger has put up, and I certainly don't publicize R campaign events, but this one is a press release and it features a combination of performers that is so stunning that it merits a post of its own.
The press release for this event was originally published by the R blog Sonoran Alliance here.
My first thought upon seeing this was "whatthehell does Joe Arpaio have to do with education?"*
* = OK, he probably thinks that the fact that there are still people in the county who don't worship the ground he walks on is evidence that there is *too much* education in Arizona, but other than that, he doesn't appear to have any ties to the education system in Arizona.
Of course, Thursday's forum is probably less about "education" and more about "winning the Republican primary". Huppenthal spent most of the last eight years in the state senate working to weaken the state's education system, and nothing about his embrace of Arpaio indicates that he is interested in fixing what he helped to break.
Of course, I'm just a cynic...
BTW - Normally, I don't bother attending R events, but this one should be fascinating in a "train wreck" sort of way...
The press release for this event was originally published by the R blog Sonoran Alliance here.
My first thought upon seeing this was "whatthehell does Joe Arpaio have to do with education?"*
* = OK, he probably thinks that the fact that there are still people in the county who don't worship the ground he walks on is evidence that there is *too much* education in Arizona, but other than that, he doesn't appear to have any ties to the education system in Arizona.
Of course, Thursday's forum is probably less about "education" and more about "winning the Republican primary". Huppenthal spent most of the last eight years in the state senate working to weaken the state's education system, and nothing about his embrace of Arpaio indicates that he is interested in fixing what he helped to break.
Of course, I'm just a cynic...
BTW - Normally, I don't bother attending R events, but this one should be fascinating in a "train wreck" sort of way...
The two reasons that Democrats will do far better this November than anyone expects
In most mid-term elections, the party in control of the White House loses seats in Congress.
It's a truism in American politics, one that is based in fact - even the mighty Ronald Reagan experienced that in 1982.
As such, it won't be a surprise if/when the Democrats lose some seats in Congress in November's elections.
However, most Republicans are gleefully gloating over their anticipation of an electoral bloodbath this fall, one that could give control of one or both chambers of Congress to the Republicans.
That glee may be a little premature however.
The poll compiler website fivethirtyeight.com published an analysis recently on regional and demographic trends that serve to minimize (but hardly eliminate) the Democrats' vulnerability this fall. While Republican gains seem to be all but certain at this point, their window of opportunity is smaller than what they need in order to gain control of Congress.
However, fivethirtyeight's analysis is all science and demographics and research, and I'm all about the snark today.
There are two other reasons that the Rs are in trouble this fall.
1. Their campaign platform is to oppose anything President Obama and the Democrats proposed while urging a return to the good ol' days of George W. Bush's economic policies (you know, the policies that led to an economic meltdown and a bailout of Wall Street during Bush's watch).
Independent voters aren't happy with Democrats' slow progress at cleaning up the mess left by the Bushies, but they do remember who caused it.
2. The internecine skirmishing among the GOP's leadership as they jockey for increased power in a failing organization, like mobsters knocking each other off when the FBI starts closing in, is distracting them from their task of helping Republicans win elections.
It's still going to be a tough fall, but with a lot of hard work by Democrats and the Republicans' continuing self-immolation - their candidates are running on institutionalizing bigotry (every R in Arizona), protecting large corporations (i.e. - the CD5 R candidates' positions on tax credits/incentives for renewable energy), and grinding the average Americans under their bootheels - the elections this fall present a great opportunity for those candidates and voters who support professional and competent governance.
It's a truism in American politics, one that is based in fact - even the mighty Ronald Reagan experienced that in 1982.
As such, it won't be a surprise if/when the Democrats lose some seats in Congress in November's elections.
However, most Republicans are gleefully gloating over their anticipation of an electoral bloodbath this fall, one that could give control of one or both chambers of Congress to the Republicans.
That glee may be a little premature however.
The poll compiler website fivethirtyeight.com published an analysis recently on regional and demographic trends that serve to minimize (but hardly eliminate) the Democrats' vulnerability this fall. While Republican gains seem to be all but certain at this point, their window of opportunity is smaller than what they need in order to gain control of Congress.
However, fivethirtyeight's analysis is all science and demographics and research, and I'm all about the snark today.
There are two other reasons that the Rs are in trouble this fall.
1. Their campaign platform is to oppose anything President Obama and the Democrats proposed while urging a return to the good ol' days of George W. Bush's economic policies (you know, the policies that led to an economic meltdown and a bailout of Wall Street during Bush's watch).
Independent voters aren't happy with Democrats' slow progress at cleaning up the mess left by the Bushies, but they do remember who caused it.
2. The internecine skirmishing among the GOP's leadership as they jockey for increased power in a failing organization, like mobsters knocking each other off when the FBI starts closing in, is distracting them from their task of helping Republicans win elections.
It's still going to be a tough fall, but with a lot of hard work by Democrats and the Republicans' continuing self-immolation - their candidates are running on institutionalizing bigotry (every R in Arizona), protecting large corporations (i.e. - the CD5 R candidates' positions on tax credits/incentives for renewable energy), and grinding the average Americans under their bootheels - the elections this fall present a great opportunity for those candidates and voters who support professional and competent governance.
So you say you want to be a state supreme court justice?
If you've been a resident and practicing lawyer in Arizona for at least 10 years, this opportunity may be just what you have been waiting for.
Michael Ryan, Justice on the Arizona Supreme Court, is retiring on August 6, and the search is on for a replacement.
The job pays $155K per year, less than most Joe and Jane Schmoe attorneys earn in private practice, but the perks and respect accorded to "Justice Schmoe" far exceed those accorded to "Attorney Schmoe."
The nominating commission is accepting applications (which can be downloaded from this page). After they've reviewed all of the applications, they'll submit three of them to the Governor for her to consider.
According to the AZ Constitution, no more than two of the nominees submitted to the Governor can belong to the same political party.
Traditionally, this process is conducted and completed without (much) consideration to partisan politics, but given that the vacancy has occurred during an election year marked by lies and race-baiting, and the decision falls to *this* governor (less interested in facts and merit than in fostering fear), don't be surprised if she finds someone like the Louisiana JP who refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple late last year.
On the other hand, if you are a bigoted Republican lawyer (and no, not all Republicans or Republican lawyers are bigots) or are a Democratic lawyer who can keep a straight face when surrounded by nativists, you may be interested in filling out and returning an application (available above).
From the posting notice/application:
Have fun!
Michael Ryan, Justice on the Arizona Supreme Court, is retiring on August 6, and the search is on for a replacement.
The job pays $155K per year, less than most Joe and Jane Schmoe attorneys earn in private practice, but the perks and respect accorded to "Justice Schmoe" far exceed those accorded to "Attorney Schmoe."
The nominating commission is accepting applications (which can be downloaded from this page). After they've reviewed all of the applications, they'll submit three of them to the Governor for her to consider.
According to the AZ Constitution, no more than two of the nominees submitted to the Governor can belong to the same political party.
Traditionally, this process is conducted and completed without (much) consideration to partisan politics, but given that the vacancy has occurred during an election year marked by lies and race-baiting, and the decision falls to *this* governor (less interested in facts and merit than in fostering fear), don't be surprised if she finds someone like the Louisiana JP who refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple late last year.
On the other hand, if you are a bigoted Republican lawyer (and no, not all Republicans or Republican lawyers are bigots) or are a Democratic lawyer who can keep a straight face when surrounded by nativists, you may be interested in filling out and returning an application (available above).
From the posting notice/application:
An original completed application, 16 double-sided copies, and one (1) single-sided copy must be received by the Human Resources Division, Administrative Office of the Courts, 1501 W. Washington, Suite 221, Phoenix, AZ, 85007, no later than 3:00 p.m. on August 20, 2010.BTW - Environmentalists may *not* want to apply. That requirement of 18 copies of the application (1 original, 16 double-sided, 1 single-sided), an application packet that is almost 15 pages long, before answers are filled out and other paperwork is added in, mean that each applicant will have to kill multiple trees to even be considered.
Have fun!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The CD5 R forum
It wasn't as interesting as the R Senate debates this week because there were fewer direct attacks on other candidates.
Other than that, however, there wasn't any significant difference between the two forums - all of the R candidates are running against brown people and for big business.
"Highlights" in no particular order:
David Schweikert blamed his 2008 loss to Congressman Harry Mitchell on the "toxic" environment for conservative Republicans engendered by the passage of TARP and the financial sector bailouts (on the plus side, even though he probably didn't realize it at the time, the makes Schweikert one of the few Rs to admit that the blame for the economic meltdown falls upon the Republicans' failed economic ideology and upon the Rs' keepers on Wall St.)
Lee Gentry, also a 2008 candidate, attributed his somewhat lackluster showing (706 votes, fewer than his number of signatures on his nominating petitions) to "building momentum" and equated himself to Michael Jordan when he was cut from his high school hoops team but went on to greatness anyway. I kid you not...
Chris Salvino wants to address issues along the U.S./Mexico border by building a high wall topped with razor wire and closely spaced blockhouses all along the border. Sort of a 21st Century Maginot Line, something that didn't work so well for the French in 1940, but...
Susan Bitter Smith blamed Arizona's economic woes on undocumented immigrants, saying that getting rid of them will cure all.
All of them hate Health Care Reform, wanting to repeal the bill passed earlier this year and replace it with tort reform and "the free market." Most of them mentioned tort reform even before they spoke about patients.
Misspeak of the night - Gentry with "we are a nation of native Americans and legal immigrants" and everybody else should take a number. I'm pretty sure Native American groups, some of which are in CD5 (Salt River Pima/Maricopa Indian Community), might have something to say about that one...
In a series of yes/no questions, all of them opposed extending Unemployment Insurance benefits for the long-term unemployed, earmarks, the DREAM Act, tax credits/incentives for solar and renewable energy efforts (unless existing energy sources, and corporations, are protected) and favor a Constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage (except for Gentry, who pledged to fight for LGBT issues if elected. It was the only serious break with Republican orthodoxy in the hour.) One candidate, I'm not sure which, opposed a Constitution amendment, but only because he thought it would devalue Constitutional amendments, not because he supported the rights of freely consenting adults to enter the relationships that they choose.
In short, the hour was spent with each candidate swearing loyalty and obeisance to the main tenets of Republican thought, and swearing that they were more loyal and obedient that the others - brown people bad, President Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Democrats in general bad, and tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy good.
Normally, I can watch one of these things find a candidate who, if not exactly "good", is less bad than the others, but not here. Other than Gentry's support of LGBT issues (and Gentry doesn't have a snowball's chance in Phoenix of making it through the primary), this bunch is reading from the same pages of the "more conservative than thou" playbook, a playbook that doesn't allow for candidates who will do anything for the districts that they are campaigning to "represent."
One interesting thing about the forum was something that *didn't* come up, something that could have afforded the assembled candidates the ability to separate themselves - abortion rights.
I don't know about the others, but Susan Bitter Smith has a pro-choice record.
It's the sort of thing that doesn't play well in Republican primaries. Given that the Scottsdale Republic was the sponsor of the forum, that omission may be a clue as to which candidate they plan on endorsing.
They probably don't want to undercut their preferred choice, before she even has a chance to become the nominee.
Not that I'm a cynic or anything... :)
Other than that, however, there wasn't any significant difference between the two forums - all of the R candidates are running against brown people and for big business.
"Highlights" in no particular order:
David Schweikert blamed his 2008 loss to Congressman Harry Mitchell on the "toxic" environment for conservative Republicans engendered by the passage of TARP and the financial sector bailouts (on the plus side, even though he probably didn't realize it at the time, the makes Schweikert one of the few Rs to admit that the blame for the economic meltdown falls upon the Republicans' failed economic ideology and upon the Rs' keepers on Wall St.)
Lee Gentry, also a 2008 candidate, attributed his somewhat lackluster showing (706 votes, fewer than his number of signatures on his nominating petitions) to "building momentum" and equated himself to Michael Jordan when he was cut from his high school hoops team but went on to greatness anyway. I kid you not...
Chris Salvino wants to address issues along the U.S./Mexico border by building a high wall topped with razor wire and closely spaced blockhouses all along the border. Sort of a 21st Century Maginot Line, something that didn't work so well for the French in 1940, but...
Susan Bitter Smith blamed Arizona's economic woes on undocumented immigrants, saying that getting rid of them will cure all.
All of them hate Health Care Reform, wanting to repeal the bill passed earlier this year and replace it with tort reform and "the free market." Most of them mentioned tort reform even before they spoke about patients.
Misspeak of the night - Gentry with "we are a nation of native Americans and legal immigrants" and everybody else should take a number. I'm pretty sure Native American groups, some of which are in CD5 (Salt River Pima/Maricopa Indian Community), might have something to say about that one...
In a series of yes/no questions, all of them opposed extending Unemployment Insurance benefits for the long-term unemployed, earmarks, the DREAM Act, tax credits/incentives for solar and renewable energy efforts (unless existing energy sources, and corporations, are protected) and favor a Constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage (except for Gentry, who pledged to fight for LGBT issues if elected. It was the only serious break with Republican orthodoxy in the hour.) One candidate, I'm not sure which, opposed a Constitution amendment, but only because he thought it would devalue Constitutional amendments, not because he supported the rights of freely consenting adults to enter the relationships that they choose.
In short, the hour was spent with each candidate swearing loyalty and obeisance to the main tenets of Republican thought, and swearing that they were more loyal and obedient that the others - brown people bad, President Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Democrats in general bad, and tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy good.
Normally, I can watch one of these things find a candidate who, if not exactly "good", is less bad than the others, but not here. Other than Gentry's support of LGBT issues (and Gentry doesn't have a snowball's chance in Phoenix of making it through the primary), this bunch is reading from the same pages of the "more conservative than thou" playbook, a playbook that doesn't allow for candidates who will do anything for the districts that they are campaigning to "represent."
One interesting thing about the forum was something that *didn't* come up, something that could have afforded the assembled candidates the ability to separate themselves - abortion rights.
I don't know about the others, but Susan Bitter Smith has a pro-choice record.
It's the sort of thing that doesn't play well in Republican primaries. Given that the Scottsdale Republic was the sponsor of the forum, that omission may be a clue as to which candidate they plan on endorsing.
They probably don't want to undercut their preferred choice, before she even has a chance to become the nominee.
Not that I'm a cynic or anything... :)
Monday, July 19, 2010
Truth time: I want JD Hayworth to win the R nomination for U.S. Senate
It may seem, to casual readers anyway, that someone as socially liberal and politically supportive of good government would despise self-centered, loud-mouthed blowhards in public office.
And I do. Thoroughly.
However, there are two reasons that I prefer that Hayworth gain the nomination.
1. He is far more beatable in the general election than McCain. To be sure, Hayworth's candidacy has weakened McCain, but he is still a formidable opponent. Hayworth, on the other hand, lost his last election in 2006 to Harry Mitchell. His big mistake then was that he was himself - loud, annoying, and extreme, without an understanding of real issues or the needs of his constituents. All that has changed since then is that Hayworth has gotten louder, more annoying, and moved ever further to the right politically, and still has a tin ear on matters of substance.
2. In the tragic event that Hayworth wins the general, as a writer, I would have a silver lining.
I would get the chance to coin and use the term "filibluster" to describe Hayworth's primary public actions in office.
OK, I won't really be the one coining it (it's already in use to describe the various R moves to block extended UI benefits and more), but still... :)
It doesn't speak well of me, but I'm really not sure which reason is more important to me. :))
And I do. Thoroughly.
However, there are two reasons that I prefer that Hayworth gain the nomination.
1. He is far more beatable in the general election than McCain. To be sure, Hayworth's candidacy has weakened McCain, but he is still a formidable opponent. Hayworth, on the other hand, lost his last election in 2006 to Harry Mitchell. His big mistake then was that he was himself - loud, annoying, and extreme, without an understanding of real issues or the needs of his constituents. All that has changed since then is that Hayworth has gotten louder, more annoying, and moved ever further to the right politically, and still has a tin ear on matters of substance.
2. In the tragic event that Hayworth wins the general, as a writer, I would have a silver lining.
I would get the chance to coin and use the term "filibluster" to describe Hayworth's primary public actions in office.
OK, I won't really be the one coining it (it's already in use to describe the various R moves to block extended UI benefits and more), but still... :)
It doesn't speak well of me, but I'm really not sure which reason is more important to me. :))
Sunday, July 18, 2010
This week's events...
Edit on 7/20 to correct a mistake on the date of one of the events...
Most of this week's politically-focused events are candidate forums, as should be expected as we approach the day when early ballots drop for August's primary.
...The final Clean Elections primary debates will be held this week (statewide list here; legislative races here).
- Tuesday, the Republican candidates for Corporation Commission (Brenda Burns, Barry Wong, and Gary Pierce) will face off on KAET's Horizon at 7 p.m.
-Tuesday, the Republican candidates for the House in LD22 will face off from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM at ASU Polytechnic Campus, Cooley Ballroom, 7001 E Williams Field Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212
- Wednesday, the Democratic candidates for the Corporation Commission (Renz Jennings, Jorge Luis Garcia, and David Bradley) will have their debate, also at 7 p.m. on KAET's Horizon.
- Wednesday, the Republican candidates for the House in LD30 will face off from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM at Pima Community College East Campus, 8181 E Irvington Road, Tucson, AZ.
Edit to correct the date of the event below...
- On Thursday, July 29, as previously noted, the candidates (both R and D) will participate in a forum on arts education. The forum will take place from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. , Phoenix, AZ 85050. Open to the public, registration requested.
The highlight of the week, for me anyway, will be Monday's debate between the Republican candidates in CD5. It will take place at 2 p.m. in the studio of Scottsdale's CityCable11. It isn't open to the public (no room for an audience) but it will be broadcast live with a replay at 9 p.m. In addition, it will also be replayed on July 25 at 2 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m. Note: I couldn't find any indication that the forum will be broadcast on Tempe's version of CityCable11, though it wouldn't be a surprise if it eventually makes its way to that outlet.
This forum probably won't be as popcorn-riffic as Friday's Republican Senate debate (or, apparently, Saturday's), but look for front-runners (and perennial candidates) Susan Bitter Smith and David Schweikert to spend their time cutting each other down, while the other candidates spend theirs trying to elevate themselves into the top tier by clawing into the top two.
Later...
Most of this week's politically-focused events are candidate forums, as should be expected as we approach the day when early ballots drop for August's primary.
...The final Clean Elections primary debates will be held this week (statewide list here; legislative races here).
- Tuesday, the Republican candidates for Corporation Commission (Brenda Burns, Barry Wong, and Gary Pierce) will face off on KAET's Horizon at 7 p.m.
-Tuesday, the Republican candidates for the House in LD22 will face off from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM at ASU Polytechnic Campus, Cooley Ballroom, 7001 E Williams Field Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212
- Wednesday, the Democratic candidates for the Corporation Commission (Renz Jennings, Jorge Luis Garcia, and David Bradley) will have their debate, also at 7 p.m. on KAET's Horizon.
- Wednesday, the Republican candidates for the House in LD30 will face off from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM at Pima Community College East Campus, 8181 E Irvington Road, Tucson, AZ.
Edit to correct the date of the event below...
- On Thursday, July 29, as previously noted, the candidates (both R and D) will participate in a forum on arts education. The forum will take place from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. , Phoenix, AZ 85050. Open to the public, registration requested.
The highlight of the week, for me anyway, will be Monday's debate between the Republican candidates in CD5. It will take place at 2 p.m. in the studio of Scottsdale's CityCable11. It isn't open to the public (no room for an audience) but it will be broadcast live with a replay at 9 p.m. In addition, it will also be replayed on July 25 at 2 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m. Note: I couldn't find any indication that the forum will be broadcast on Tempe's version of CityCable11, though it wouldn't be a surprise if it eventually makes its way to that outlet.
This forum probably won't be as popcorn-riffic as Friday's Republican Senate debate (or, apparently, Saturday's), but look for front-runners (and perennial candidates) Susan Bitter Smith and David Schweikert to spend their time cutting each other down, while the other candidates spend theirs trying to elevate themselves into the top tier by clawing into the top two.
Later...
Army suicides up; VA outreach down. Harry Mitchell wants answers
This week, from the Stripes Central blog at Stars and Stripes -
In his opening statement, Mitchell questioned why the VA had discontinued successful public announcements, especially during a period of rising need.
He called for increased, not reduced, efforts to reach out to veterans suffering from long-term effects of their service.
From a press release -
More soldiers killed themselves last month than any other month on record. There were 21 active-duty and 11 reserve soldier suicides in June, including seven in Iraq or Afghanistan, the Army reported on Thursday.On Wednesday, Arizona Congressman Harry Mitchell chaired a hearing of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee looking into the efforts of the Veterans Administration to reach out to veterans suffering from PTSD and other service-related disorders. (Air Force Times coverage here)
The news came just weeks after Gen. Peter Chiarelli told Congress that the Army was encouraged by a 30 percent drop in suicides among active-duty soldiers this year compared to last year at this time. Although he said there was more to do, he thought the decrease showed the Army's prevention efforts were working.
But this latest data reflects more of the same. Through the first six months of 2009, 88 active-duty soldiers committed suicide. For this year, that number is 80. The trend is most troubling among reserve component soldiers; those deaths jumped from 42 to 65.
In his opening statement, Mitchell questioned why the VA had discontinued successful public announcements, especially during a period of rising need.
He called for increased, not reduced, efforts to reach out to veterans suffering from long-term effects of their service.
From a press release -
The VA can't just sit back and wait for veterans to come to them. They need to go to the veterans."
Friday, July 16, 2010
The Republican Senate Debate
Earlier this evening, the three candidates for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate appeared at a forum televised on Phoenix channel 3 (KTVK). (Video of tonight's forum, as well as last week's Democratic forum, can be found here)
I wasn't going to write about it as I figure the R bloggers in AZ will do that (figure Sonoran Alliance will annoint Hayworth the hands-down winner, Political Mafioso will do the same for McCain, and somebody will declare Deakin to be the "future of the Republican Party" or some such tripe), but I'm sitting through one of the ugliest innings that I have ever seen as the DBacks mail it in against the Padres,
As such, I have the time for a few comments.
First, the summary:
Candidate 1: You support amnesty/earmarks/big government! I'm the *real* conservative!
Candidate 2: I'm rubber and you're glue! Everything you say bounces off me and sticks to you!
Candidate 3: At least you both agree with me on that.
Seriously, this was less a candidate forum and more a remake of an 80s slasher flick - they were cutting at each other from the word go. Hayworth and McCain spent no time telling what they would do to serve Arizona and its residents. Neither did Deakin, but he was almost an afterthought as McCain and Hayworth spent the hour launching haymakers at each other.
McCain and Hayworth made it obvious from the beginning that participating in the forum wasn't one of the ir priorities.
Frequently, the answers they gave had very little or nothing to do with the questions asked and a lot to do with criticizing the other.
Hayworth dropped names, citing endorsements from Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, and other nativist individuals and organizations.
McCain didn't mention people so much as run down the list of big corporations that he will aid if he is re-elected. (trolling for campaign cash?)
Deakin tended vacillate between "stop Obama" and "restore constitutional government!" He may have dropped some names, but by the time the third question was asked I was tuning out the responses. I kept an eye on the screen waiting/hoping that one of the candidates would jump across the lectern trying to throttle one of the others.
It didn't happen, but I kept hoping for a popcorn moment. :))
Anyway, the big winner(s) of Friday's debate had to be the Democratic candidates.
They were far from perfect during their debate, but they focused on the issues facing the state and the country while avoiding personal attacks.
Whichever one is the eventual nominee can point to their performance and compare it to the Republican nominee's.
And no matter who the eventual nominees are, the D will come off as the candidate who is more professional, mature, and concerned for Arizona.
I wasn't going to write about it as I figure the R bloggers in AZ will do that (figure Sonoran Alliance will annoint Hayworth the hands-down winner, Political Mafioso will do the same for McCain, and somebody will declare Deakin to be the "future of the Republican Party" or some such tripe), but I'm sitting through one of the ugliest innings that I have ever seen as the DBacks mail it in against the Padres,
As such, I have the time for a few comments.
First, the summary:
Candidate 1: You support amnesty/earmarks/big government! I'm the *real* conservative!
Candidate 2: I'm rubber and you're glue! Everything you say bounces off me and sticks to you!
Candidate 3: At least you both agree with me on that.
Seriously, this was less a candidate forum and more a remake of an 80s slasher flick - they were cutting at each other from the word go. Hayworth and McCain spent no time telling what they would do to serve Arizona and its residents. Neither did Deakin, but he was almost an afterthought as McCain and Hayworth spent the hour launching haymakers at each other.
McCain and Hayworth made it obvious from the beginning that participating in the forum wasn't one of the ir priorities.
Frequently, the answers they gave had very little or nothing to do with the questions asked and a lot to do with criticizing the other.
Hayworth dropped names, citing endorsements from Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, and other nativist individuals and organizations.
McCain didn't mention people so much as run down the list of big corporations that he will aid if he is re-elected. (trolling for campaign cash?)
Deakin tended vacillate between "stop Obama" and "restore constitutional government!" He may have dropped some names, but by the time the third question was asked I was tuning out the responses. I kept an eye on the screen waiting/hoping that one of the candidates would jump across the lectern trying to throttle one of the others.
It didn't happen, but I kept hoping for a popcorn moment. :))
Anyway, the big winner(s) of Friday's debate had to be the Democratic candidates.
They were far from perfect during their debate, but they focused on the issues facing the state and the country while avoiding personal attacks.
Whichever one is the eventual nominee can point to their performance and compare it to the Republican nominee's.
And no matter who the eventual nominees are, the D will come off as the candidate who is more professional, mature, and concerned for Arizona.
Arts Education forum for State Superintendent candidates
The Arizona Citizens for the Arts and the Arizona Alliance for Arts Education will be presenting a forum with/for all five candidates for State Superintendent of Public Education (Ds: Penny Kotterman and Jason Williams; Rs: Beth Price, Margaret Dugan, and John Huppenthal) .
From the announcement -
Time: 5:30p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Place: Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E. Mayo Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85050
The forum is free and open to the public. Register here.
According to this AZCentral.com piece, as of yesterday, all five candidates have pledged to be there, though that is subject to change without notice.
From the announcement -
All Candidates for the post have been invited to the event where they will answer a series of questions related to the Arizona Arts Standards, development of arts education curriculum for students and their commitment to provide access to quality arts education in Arizona schools.Date: Thursday, July 29, 2010
Time: 5:30p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Place: Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E. Mayo Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85050
The forum is free and open to the public. Register here.
According to this AZCentral.com piece, as of yesterday, all five candidates have pledged to be there, though that is subject to change without notice.
Meet and greet LD1 candidates to discuss education issues
Posting, with permission, an email from a regular reader in Sedona Karen McClelland, a Sedona Oak Creek School Board member -
ATTENTION ALL EDUCATION ADVOCATESLater...
DISCUSS EDUCATION ISSUES WITH ALL THE STATE LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES
The budget news for Arizona for next year is still bleak. All of our local schools have reduced budgets for next year. Most laid off staff members and cut programs. We are hearing that we may face budgets cuts during the upcoming school year even before the budget for 2011-2012 is discussed.
It is more vital than ever that we let our state legislature know that we view Education as a TOP PRIORITY for the state. preserving and improving our public education system is vital for the future of Arizona's economy. We need to be sure sure that ALL our elected officials view education as an essential INVESTMENT in our future and NOT as an expense.
Please come and let all the candidates for State Legislature and State Senate in LD1 hear your concerns.
I am hosting informal houseparties for each candidate. These are not fundraising events and I hope that Republicans, Democrats, parents, community members, teacher and board members attend each meeting. The meetings will be at my home in the Village of Oak Creek, Sedona .
I do need RSVPs.
Please call me at 284-0001 or email me at klm@esedona.net and I will send you the directions.
The meeting dates are:
Monday, July 26 4 p.m. Lindsay Bell, Democratic Candidate for State Legislature
Wednesday, August 11 4 p.m. Noel Campbell. Republican Candidate for State Legislature
Wednesday, August 18 4 p.m. Karen Fann . Republican Candidate for State Legislature
Thursday, August 26 4p.m. Senator Steve Pierce, Republican Candidate for State Senate
Rep. Andy Tobin , Republican candidate for State Legislature will also be here in mid August and
Bob Donahue, Democratic Candidate for State Senate will be here the first week in September. We are still finalizing dates.
Karen McClelland, Vice-President Sedona Oak Creek School Board
Yavapai County Director, Arizona School Board Association
**and Candidate for re-election to Sedona Oak Creek School Board for a third term!**
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Republican mayor says U.S. in a civil war
...While the neo-Nazi Mexican hunting squads "patriotic citizen anti-immigrant patrols" may not have made it to the area around Yuma as yet, Yuma is a lot closer than Fort Sumter. Maybe MCAS-Yuma should be on alert...
From the Yuma Sun -
Krieger apparently has confused "civil actions" with "civil wars".
Civil actions - the lawyers get thousands of billable hours
Civil wars - the morgues get thousands of dead people
Guess which one is going on right now?
Of course, perhaps this all should be taken with a grain a salt.
This is the same Mayor Al Krieger who used a speech given on Memorial Day. a day to honor fallen members of America's military branches, to deride gay members of the military as "lacy-drawered" and "limp-wristed."
It could be that Krieger is just a loud-mouthed bigot looking to get attention any way that he can, and has found that spouting incendiary statements brings that attention to him.
From the Yuma Sun -
Yuma mayor at immigration forum: SB 1070 has created a civil war
America is in a civil war, said Yuma Mayor Al Krieger — and it's over SB 1070.
At an immigration forum Tuesday evening, Krieger and other panelists discussed the controversial law that will go into effect July 29. The law would make it a state crime to be in the country illegally, enforced by local law enforcement, a job currently done by federal law enforcement.
{snip}
Krieger said the definition of a civil war is when the states and federal governments differ (in opinion). “So we basically have an undeclared civil war today.”
Krieger apparently has confused "civil actions" with "civil wars".
Civil actions - the lawyers get thousands of billable hours
Civil wars - the morgues get thousands of dead people
Guess which one is going on right now?
Of course, perhaps this all should be taken with a grain a salt.
This is the same Mayor Al Krieger who used a speech given on Memorial Day. a day to honor fallen members of America's military branches, to deride gay members of the military as "lacy-drawered" and "limp-wristed."
It could be that Krieger is just a loud-mouthed bigot looking to get attention any way that he can, and has found that spouting incendiary statements brings that attention to him.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The Witch Hunt Begins...
...and apparently, Utah is trying to bump Arizona off the top of the list of "places most friendly to nativists" because the witch hunt is starting there...
From the story on MSNBC.com -
However, the possibility that the list could be publicized has people of Hispanic descent in Utah, including those who are there legally (or are even citizens) absolutely terrorized.
Which was likely the idea behind the list's creation and release.
There's no doubt that crossing the border into the US without proper documentation is illegal, but this is evil.
And no matter what Russell Pearce, Jan Brewer, and their supporters say, "evil" is far worse than "illegal."
From the story on MSNBC.com -
Advocates of tougher immigration enforcement joined civil rights activists in condemning circulation this week of a list of alleged illegal immigrants to Utah state agencies and news organizations, saying it sent the wrong message to violate privacy laws in seeking to enforce immigration laws.The news isn't all bad, not yet anyway. So far, major news outlets have refused to publicize the list. (Note: I frequently pick on the MSM for many things, but on this one, they have my respect)
The 30-page document included addresses, phone numbers and birthdates for about 1,300 people it said were in the country illegally. Some of the names — almost all of which were of Latino origin — also were accompanied by Social Security numbers and medical information, such as “baby due 4/4/10.”
A cover letter demanded that the people on the list be “deported immediately” with a call to “DO YOUR JOB AND STOP MAKING EXCUSES! WE DEMAND ACTION.” It identified the senders as Concerned Citizens of the United States, a previously unknown group.
However, the possibility that the list could be publicized has people of Hispanic descent in Utah, including those who are there legally (or are even citizens) absolutely terrorized.
Which was likely the idea behind the list's creation and release.
There's no doubt that crossing the border into the US without proper documentation is illegal, but this is evil.
And no matter what Russell Pearce, Jan Brewer, and their supporters say, "evil" is far worse than "illegal."
More signs of a state education system in freefall
Republican hearts all over the state were gladdened this week with the publishing of a couple of stories related to Arizona's underfunded public education system (49th or 50th in per pupil funding, 51st if the District of Columbia is included in the stats!).
From the Cronkite News Service, via Arizona Capitol Times -
The 2010 AIMS Results can be downloaded from the website of the Arizona Department of Education. It's there as a spreadsheet, so I cannot link directly to the report.
The constant, crushing, pressure on public school funding and the academic viability from the Republicans is paying off - the system is failing to educate students, and the people who could best lead a turnaround are being forced from the state.
Welcome to Arizona in the19th 20th 21st century.
It doesn't have to be that way, though - contribute to or volunteer with the Arizona Democratic Party.
Help change the makeup of the Arizona Legislature, and help change Arizona's education system.
From the Cronkite News Service, via Arizona Capitol Times -
Arizona school districts struggle to keep superintendentsThat was followed today with this story from the Arizona Republic -
By Melanie Kiser, Cronkite News Service
Published: July 12, 2010 at 11:48 am
When Elizabeth Celania-Fagen signed on as the superintendent of Arizona’s second-largest school district in 2008, she said she planned to raise her family in Tucson and serve at least five to 10 years.
{snip}
Ann-Eve Pedersen, a TUSD parent and president of the Arizona Education Network, a nonprofit group that advocates for public school students and educates the public about education issues, said the departure points to a much bigger problem.
“If we’re a state where funding is so low that we are driving out good superintendents and good principals and good teachers and we can’t attract those folks, then that is very bad news for the overall quality of education in our state,” she said.
Superintendents in Arizona have long earned less than counterparts across the country while confronting levels of spending per student that rank among the nation’s lowest, according to a number of state and national associations and government agencies.
Deep cuts to public education funding have spread resources even thinner in recent years.
A Cronkite News Service review of 94 superintendents’ contracts in districts with about 1,000 or more students found 40 in the first two years of their superintendency. At least nine districts will get new chiefs this summer.
“This is unusually high,” said Dan Domenech, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators, or AASA.
Arizona students still lag in science on AIMS exam
Many Arizona educators are about as enthused over the state's standardized science test as the 53,300 sophomores who took them last spring.
Three years of AIMS science scores indicate that just over a third of Arizona students are learning the science concepts the state says they should by 10th grade.
The latest AIMS figures, being released today, show that only 35 percent of 10th-graders passed the AIMS science exam in the spring. That's slightly better than the 33 percent last year and the 32 percent the year before.
The 2010 AIMS Results can be downloaded from the website of the Arizona Department of Education. It's there as a spreadsheet, so I cannot link directly to the report.
The constant, crushing, pressure on public school funding and the academic viability from the Republicans is paying off - the system is failing to educate students, and the people who could best lead a turnaround are being forced from the state.
Welcome to Arizona in the
It doesn't have to be that way, though - contribute to or volunteer with the Arizona Democratic Party.
Help change the makeup of the Arizona Legislature, and help change Arizona's education system.
Buh bye, Buz
From the Arizona Capitol Times -
After spending $3.2 million of his own money on his campaign, Northern Arizona businessman Buz Mills bowed out of the governor’s race, leaving Jan Brewer virtually unopposed in the Republican primary.
{snip}
Mills said he dropped out due to the way S1070 shifted the public’s focus to illegal immigration and away from the economic and tax issues that formed the foundation of his campaign. The strict new illegal immigration law, which Brewer signed on April 23, gave Brewer a tremendous boost in the polls.
“SB 1070 has regrettably taken the focus off of job creation and fixing the state budget. So even though the chasm between Brewer’s policies and mine is dramatic, SB 1070 has politically mitigated those issues. I have therefore decided to suspend the campaign,” Mills said in a press statement.No word yet if Jan Brewer has yet thanked Russell Pearce for his clearing the Republican field for her...
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
A list to make your eyes water
I wish I could take credit for this one, but the list is from an email from Chad Campbell, Democratic State Representative from LD14 and House Democratic Whip.
The list -
The list -
For the past 18 months, Arizona’s economy has languished. Jobs have been lost, schools have been starved of funding and the budget deficit has loomed. Have the Republicans who control the Arizona State Legislature worked to fix these problems? No. But they HAVE kept themselves busy!
Here are 15 of the most outrageous things the Republicans have been spending their time (and our resources) on:
1) Cut $1.2 billion out of Arizona’s already dismally funded public education system and forced schools to loan the state government another $1 billion to help balance the state budget.
2) Voted to give a $1 billion tax cut to special interests and the rich.
3) Tried to make milk the official state drink.
4) Eliminated the need for a person to get a permit and complete training to carry a concealed weapon.
5) Passed legislation banning human-animal hybrids in Arizona. We should all be thankful that imminent threat was taken care of…
6) Voted to deny over 47,000 children access to KidsCare.
7) Allowed guns in bars.
8) Increased property taxes and asked voters to tax themselves, but refused to close tax loopholes that allow country club memberships, spas and pet grooming to be exempt from the sales tax. Clothes and school supplies are subject to the tax.
9) Voted to override renewable energy requirements created by the Arizona Corporation Commission, jeopardizing solar industry jobs and economic investments statewide.
10) Made it a crime for teachers to talk to students of color about their own history and heritage.
11) Based environmental policies on the belief that the Earth is only 6,000 years old, as cited by a state senator.
12) Cut off services to 36,500 seriously mentally ill patients, creating a public safety threat as those individuals start to wander through Arizona’s communities homeless, untreated and unmedicated.
13) Jumped on the extreme band wagon of the so-called “birther” movement that questions President Obama’s citizenship, requiring US Presidential candidates to show proof of US citizenship to be on the Arizona ballot.
14) Eliminated funding for Science Foundation Arizona, a public private partnership created to stimulate both high tech economic development and science and math education efforts to ensure Arizona has a high-tech work force. The $25 million annual state funding would have leveraged $100 million in private funding for the project over four years.
15) Passed bills that make it harder for childless couples to take advantage of infertility research to have a family.
We’ve had over 40 years of a Republican controlled legislature that has refused to address the serious issues facing our state, so this shouldn’t be surprising. These examples come from the past couple of years alone!
I would love to hear if you have any examples of the outlandish actions we’ve seen from the Republican leadership in Arizona. Reply to this email to tell me your favorites!
And more importantly, please join our fight to get our state back on track by electing representatives who understand the importance of the challenges we face. To volunteer with the Democratic Party, please visit http://www.azdem.org/action/volunteer/ or contact me via my website at http://www.chadcampbell.org/.Later...
Jon Kyl wants to drag the entire US into the same fiscal abyss that Arizona is in
Ummm...in case that anyone has forgotten (and apparently, Kyl has), blindly and irresponsibly cutting taxes for corporations and the wealthy while not addressing the issue of reduced revenue (aka - "paying for the cuts") is what has led to the generational budget deficit that is destroying Arizona's future...and present.
ThinkProgress coverage here.
Ezra Klein coverage in the Washington Post here.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
This week's upcoming events
Mostly Clean Elections debates, but there are a few others.
...On Tuesday, the CCEC will hold a debate for the Libertarian candidates for Governor. It will be televised on KAET's Horizon.
Since only one (Alvin Yount) is running Clean, there's no assurance that any of the others will attend.
In legislative races/debates...
Monday
LD21
Republican Candidates House of Representatives
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Chandler City Council Chambers
Downtown Chandler Library, 2nd Floor
22 S Delaware St
Chandler, AZ
LD28
Democrat Candidates House of Representatives
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Pima Community College District Office
Community Board Room
4905 E Broadway
Tucson, AZ
Wednesday
LD3
Republican Candidates House of Representatives
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce Conference Center
1251 Highway 95
Bullhead City, AZ 86429
LD10
Republican Candidates House of Representatives
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
ASU West Campus, La Sala Ballroom
4701 W Thunderbird Rd
Glendale, AZ 85306
Thursday
LD1
Republican Candidates House of Representatives
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Prescott City Council Chambers
201 S Cortez Street
Prescott, AZ 86303
As interesting as the debates are, the highlight of the week (for political geeks, anyway :) ) should be Tuesday's Meet the Candidates Reception sponsored by the Arizona Capitol Times.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM (Arizona Time)
Wyndham Phoenix Hotel
602-333-0000
50 East Adams Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
United States
Tickets required and available at the link above ($40?).
Later...
...On Tuesday, the CCEC will hold a debate for the Libertarian candidates for Governor. It will be televised on KAET's Horizon.
Since only one (Alvin Yount) is running Clean, there's no assurance that any of the others will attend.
In legislative races/debates...
Monday
LD21
Republican Candidates House of Representatives
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Chandler City Council Chambers
Downtown Chandler Library, 2nd Floor
22 S Delaware St
Chandler, AZ
LD28
Democrat Candidates House of Representatives
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Pima Community College District Office
Community Board Room
4905 E Broadway
Tucson, AZ
Wednesday
LD3
Republican Candidates House of Representatives
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce Conference Center
1251 Highway 95
Bullhead City, AZ 86429
LD10
Republican Candidates House of Representatives
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
ASU West Campus, La Sala Ballroom
4701 W Thunderbird Rd
Glendale, AZ 85306
Thursday
LD1
Republican Candidates House of Representatives
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Prescott City Council Chambers
201 S Cortez Street
Prescott, AZ 86303
As interesting as the debates are, the highlight of the week (for political geeks, anyway :) ) should be Tuesday's Meet the Candidates Reception sponsored by the Arizona Capitol Times.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM (Arizona Time)
Wyndham Phoenix Hotel
602-333-0000
50 East Adams Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
United States
Tickets required and available at the link above ($40?).
Later...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)