Just passed and upcoming...
In floor votes -
- The House passed H. J. Res. 3, " Relating to the disapproval of obligations under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008" by a vote of 270 - 155. Among Arizona's delegation, Flake, Franks, Kirkpatrick, Mitchell, and Shadegg voted yes, Grijalva, Giffords, and Pastor voted no. (According to the CRS summary for the proposal, the resolution "Declares that Congress disapproves the obligation of any funds that exceed specified amounts authorized for the purchase of troubled assets by the Secretary of the Treasury under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.")
- The House passed H.R. 58, "Commending the University of Florida Gators for winning the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game." Normally this sort of motion is passed by voice vote or unanimously, but for this one, five Congressmen, including AZ's Jeff Flake, voted against it.
- The House passed H.R. 384, the TARP Reform and Accountability Act of 2009, by a vote of 260 - 166. AZ delegation: Giffords, Grijalva, Mitchell, and Pastor voted in favor; Flake, Franks, Kirkpatrick, and Shadegg opposed.
...In an almost unheard-of development, a Jeff Flake-sponsored amendment was actually added to H.R. 384, by voice vote of all things. The amendment clarified "that the TARP Special Inspector General has oversight power over any actions taken by Treasury under this legislation that he deems appropriate, with certain exceptions."
Floor speeches -
- Jeff Flake spoke in favor of H.J.Res. 3 and in favor of his amendment to H.R. 384 (yes, he later voted against the underlying bill, but let's not quibble - Jeff Flake got an amendment passed!
- Trent Franks was one of a number of Republican Congressmen who took 40 minutes of floor time to reminsce about the recently ended presidential administration of George W. Bush.
-Raul Grijalva participated in a "special order" speech on the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Sponsorships -
- Jeff Flake (R-CD6) sponsored H.R. 640 ( To require the President to transmit to Congress a report on every program of the Federal Government that authorizes or requires the gathering of information on United States persons in the United States, established whether in whole or in part pursuant to the "all necessary and appropriate force" clause contained in the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40) ), H.R. 641 (To limit the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land located in a State in which 25 percent or more of all land in the State is already owned by the United States, aka the No Net Loss of Private Land Act) and H.R. 642 (To provide opportunities for continued recreational shooting on certain Federal public land, aka the Recreational Shooting Protection Act ).
- Gabrielle Giffords (D-CD8) sponsored H.R. 662 (To evaluate and extend the basic pilot program for employment eligibility confirmation and to ensure the protection of Social Security beneficiaries, aka Employee Verification Amendment Act of 2009).
- Raul Grijalva (D-CD7) sponsored H.R. 644 (To withdraw the Tusayan Ranger District and Federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in the vicinity of Kanab Creek and in House Rock Valley from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, aka the Grand Canyon Watersheds Protection Act of 2009).
Upcoming week - The highlights of the coming week are the Senate version of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, S. 181, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The last vote is expected on Wednesday due to the Republican Issues Conference on Thursday and Friday. There will also be votes on creating a "National Data Privacy Day" and "Honoring the heroic actions of the pilot, crew, and rescuers of US Airways Flight 1549" (aka - The Hudson River landing folks).
Stacy at AZ Congress Watch has been doing great work on the Congresscritters' press releases/media coverage, and those who want issue-specific quotes should check it out.
Later!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Elections have consequences...
On Saturday, hundreds of AZ Democrats gathered at the Wyndham in Phoenix for the biannual reorganization meeting of the Arizona Democratic Party.
From the opening remarks of Attorney General Terry Goddard (who received a standing ovation), Congressman Harry Mitchell, and newly-minted Corporation Commissioner Sandra Kennedy, things looked like they were going to proceed as expected - some pro-forma grumbling about the performance of the state party during the last election cycle, followed by the reelection of Don Bivens, the incumbent chair of the state party, since nobody was running against him.
Paul Eckerstrom, former chair of the Pima County Democrats, threw a wrench into the works when, earlier in the day, he journeyed from caucus meeting to caucus meeting announcing his candidacy for chair of the state party.
However, an unexpected candidate doesn't mean that a change was in the offing.
That is, until it did.
Eckerstrom told the assembled state committee members of his frustration at arriving back in AZ after attending the inauguration of President Barack Obama only to find the AZ Republicans blaming Janet Napolitano for all that ails Arizona. Even more frustrating to him was the near total silence from the AZ Democratic Party as the Reps trashed former Governor Napolitano and her tremendous accomplishments over the last six years.
He hadn't been happy about the state party's failedannointed candidate "targeted district" strategy last cycle, and this was the last straw, one that galvanized him into action.
In a development that surprised almost everyone present, he defeated Don Bivens 324 votes to 255, signaling a change in the direction of the AZ Democratic Party to one that is more focused on grass roots activism and not surrendering any district or statewide race to the Reps (something tells me though that there may be an exception to that plan for State Mine Inspector. Just guessing... :)) )
In another sign of change at the state party level, Harriet Young defeated incumbent Charlene Fernandez for the position of 1st Vice Chair. Young is the former chair of the Coconino County Democratic Party. Because of Party rules that state that the chair and 1st vice chair must be from different counties, Donna Branch-Gilby withdrew and threw her support to Young.
Tedski at R-Cubed has a play-by-play of the meeting here.
Edit on 1/25 to add...
A couple of more meeting-related notes that don't rate a post of their own -
- One of the biggest cheers of the day (not the biggest, but definitely in the top five) came when it was announced that the AZ Republicans had reelected Randy Pullen as the chair of the state GOP. While the continued rightward marginalization of the AZGOP is going to lead to a *lot* of pain for the residents of Arizona over the next couple of years (their intended gutting of K - Grad School education, healthcare, infrastructure, and more will cause damage that's going to take a generation or more to repair), it will only help show that AZ's Democrats are the party of responsible governance. 2010 could be ugly for the Reps - John McCain's U.S. Senate seat and six statewide offices (seven if you count State Mine Inspector. I don't. :) ) on the ballot, and currently only one, is held by a Democrat (AG Terry Goddard).
Republican canidates all over Arizona will be in perfect position.
Perfect position to take the blame for the devastation to Arizona caused by their ideology.
- In a post-meeting note, attendees who used light rail to get to downtown actually had a slight delay in getting home.
Because the light rail was packed, even beyond SRO. The cars were so full that people were advised to walk over to the station in front of Chase Field to try to find space. There was an monster truck event at the field, and many light rail users were going there.
There *was* some room, enough for folks to board the trains, but the cars were still SRO, even heading out from Chase Field.
The light-rail naysayers must be fuming over its continued popularity.
Fume away.
...Gerald Richard, former candidate for Maricopa County Attorney, ran for Affirmative Action Coordinator and won handily. Most people that I spoke to thought his interest in the job was two-fold - to help bring involve more African-American activists and candidates with the Party and also to keep his profile up in preparation for another run at a public office. I like him for County Sheriff, but with his background and energy as a candidate, he could end up going much higher than that.
...The Arizona Guardian has more coverage of the election of Eckerstrom here.
Later!
End edit...
From the opening remarks of Attorney General Terry Goddard (who received a standing ovation), Congressman Harry Mitchell, and newly-minted Corporation Commissioner Sandra Kennedy, things looked like they were going to proceed as expected - some pro-forma grumbling about the performance of the state party during the last election cycle, followed by the reelection of Don Bivens, the incumbent chair of the state party, since nobody was running against him.
Paul Eckerstrom, former chair of the Pima County Democrats, threw a wrench into the works when, earlier in the day, he journeyed from caucus meeting to caucus meeting announcing his candidacy for chair of the state party.
However, an unexpected candidate doesn't mean that a change was in the offing.
That is, until it did.
Eckerstrom told the assembled state committee members of his frustration at arriving back in AZ after attending the inauguration of President Barack Obama only to find the AZ Republicans blaming Janet Napolitano for all that ails Arizona. Even more frustrating to him was the near total silence from the AZ Democratic Party as the Reps trashed former Governor Napolitano and her tremendous accomplishments over the last six years.
He hadn't been happy about the state party's failed
In a development that surprised almost everyone present, he defeated Don Bivens 324 votes to 255, signaling a change in the direction of the AZ Democratic Party to one that is more focused on grass roots activism and not surrendering any district or statewide race to the Reps (something tells me though that there may be an exception to that plan for State Mine Inspector. Just guessing... :)) )
In another sign of change at the state party level, Harriet Young defeated incumbent Charlene Fernandez for the position of 1st Vice Chair. Young is the former chair of the Coconino County Democratic Party. Because of Party rules that state that the chair and 1st vice chair must be from different counties, Donna Branch-Gilby withdrew and threw her support to Young.
Tedski at R-Cubed has a play-by-play of the meeting here.
Edit on 1/25 to add...
A couple of more meeting-related notes that don't rate a post of their own -
- One of the biggest cheers of the day (not the biggest, but definitely in the top five) came when it was announced that the AZ Republicans had reelected Randy Pullen as the chair of the state GOP. While the continued rightward marginalization of the AZGOP is going to lead to a *lot* of pain for the residents of Arizona over the next couple of years (their intended gutting of K - Grad School education, healthcare, infrastructure, and more will cause damage that's going to take a generation or more to repair), it will only help show that AZ's Democrats are the party of responsible governance. 2010 could be ugly for the Reps - John McCain's U.S. Senate seat and six statewide offices (seven if you count State Mine Inspector. I don't. :) ) on the ballot, and currently only one, is held by a Democrat (AG Terry Goddard).
Republican canidates all over Arizona will be in perfect position.
Perfect position to take the blame for the devastation to Arizona caused by their ideology.
- In a post-meeting note, attendees who used light rail to get to downtown actually had a slight delay in getting home.
Because the light rail was packed, even beyond SRO. The cars were so full that people were advised to walk over to the station in front of Chase Field to try to find space. There was an monster truck event at the field, and many light rail users were going there.
There *was* some room, enough for folks to board the trains, but the cars were still SRO, even heading out from Chase Field.
The light-rail naysayers must be fuming over its continued popularity.
Fume away.
...Gerald Richard, former candidate for Maricopa County Attorney, ran for Affirmative Action Coordinator and won handily. Most people that I spoke to thought his interest in the job was two-fold - to help bring involve more African-American activists and candidates with the Party and also to keep his profile up in preparation for another run at a public office. I like him for County Sheriff, but with his background and energy as a candidate, he could end up going much higher than that.
...The Arizona Guardian has more coverage of the election of Eckerstrom here.
Later!
End edit...
Thursday, January 22, 2009
A good set of questions...
...so good that I wish I'd thought of them.
I'm shamelessly stealing this from a Massachusetts blog, "Speak Out Southbridge!" (a conservative/Republican blog, BTW).
The questions asked in this post are extremely timely, given that both the AZ Democrats and the AZ Republicans are holding their biannual reorganization meetings this weekend.
From Speak Out Southbridge! -
Like Mr. O'Brien, I'm not confused - I'm a liberal and proud of it. I'm curious, though, about why other people are liberals/conservatives/whatevers. Please feel free to respond in a comment. It doesn't have to be a complete answer, in fact, a complete and honest answer would probably be too nuanced and long to fit in this forum.
And even if you the reader don't respond in writing, this sort of question and the introspection it provokes is wholly appropriate as our state parties and indeed, our country, try to chart a new course as we enter the Age of Obama.
Oh yeah - and as we enter the 2010 election cycle. :))
Oh yeah2, try to keep it civil. :)
Later!
I'm shamelessly stealing this from a Massachusetts blog, "Speak Out Southbridge!" (a conservative/Republican blog, BTW).
The questions asked in this post are extremely timely, given that both the AZ Democrats and the AZ Republicans are holding their biannual reorganization meetings this weekend.
From Speak Out Southbridge! -
Conservative or Liberal
These are honest questions, because I am sincerely past the point of being confused. I hope that those who respond will speak from their hearts.
Do you consider yourself a liberal or a conservative? Why? What do you think defines you as a conservative/liberal?
To what do you most object about those who identify themselves as liberals if you are a conservative or about conservatives if you are a liberal?
Again, to both sides, what could the other side say that would make you listen to them and open a real conversation?
I hope that we can, indeed, “put away childish things” and start a conversation. Perhaps our differences are not as great as our aspirations.
Kenneth M. O'Brien
Like Mr. O'Brien, I'm not confused - I'm a liberal and proud of it. I'm curious, though, about why other people are liberals/conservatives/whatevers. Please feel free to respond in a comment. It doesn't have to be a complete answer, in fact, a complete and honest answer would probably be too nuanced and long to fit in this forum.
And even if you the reader don't respond in writing, this sort of question and the introspection it provokes is wholly appropriate as our state parties and indeed, our country, try to chart a new course as we enter the Age of Obama.
Oh yeah - and as we enter the 2010 election cycle. :))
Oh yeah2, try to keep it civil. :)
Later!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The George W. Bush Presidential Library
I don't normally post email jokes here, but this one was just to pointed and too funny to resist...
Later!
Dear George W. Bush supporter:
Please contribute to the Presidential library for George W... they need the money!
The George W Bush Presidential Library is now in the planning stages and accepting donations.
The Library will include:
The Hurricane Katrina Room, which is still under construction.
The Alberto Gonzales Room, where you won't be able to remember anything.
The Texas Air National Guard Room, where you don't even have to show up.
The Walter Reed Hospital Room, where they don't let you in.
The Guantanamo Bay Room, where they don't let you out.
The Weapons of Mass Destruction Room, which no one has been able to find.
The National Debt Room, which is huge and has no ceiling.
The Tax Cut Room, with entry only to the wealthy.
The Economy Room, which is in the toilet.
The Iraq War Room. (After you complete your first visit, they make you go back for a second, third, fourth, and sometimes fifth visit.)
The Dick Cheney Room, in the famous undisclosed location, complete with shotgun gallery.
The Environmental Conservation Room, still empty.
The Supreme Court Gift Shop, where you can buy an election.
The Airport Men's Room, where you can meet some of your favorite Republican Senators.
The Decider Room, complete with dart board, magic 8-ball, Ouija board, dice, coins, and straws.
The library will feature an electron microscope to help you locate and view the President's accomplishments.
The library will also include many famous quotes by George W. Bush:
'The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country."
''If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure."
''Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child."
''No senior citizen should ever have to choose between prescription drugs and medicine."
''I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy - but that could change."
''One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Governor, and tha tone word is 'to be prepared'."
''Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things."
''I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future.''
"The future will be better tomorrow.''
"We're going to have the best educated American people in the world.''
"One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures." (during an education photo-op)
"Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not having it."
''We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur.''
"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.''
"I stand by all the misstatements that I've made.'... George W. Bush to Sam Donaldson
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY !
Later!
Arizona Democratic Party Reorganization Meeting
On Saturday, January 24, the AZ Dems will be holding their reorganizational meeting at the Wyndham in Phoenix (50 E. Adams). The activities (caucus and committee meetings, etc.) start at 8 a.m. with the full meeting starting at 1 p.m.
The reorg meeting website is here. It contains the complete agenda and more, including a list of candidates who are running for the various offices.
The candidates thus far (number to be elected) -
(note: the links lead to letters from the announced candidates) -
Chair (1) - Don Bivens (incumbent)
First Vice Chair (1) - Charlene Fernandez (incumbent), Donna Branch-Gilby, and Harriet Young
Senior Vice Chair (1) - Ken Smith (incumbent)
Vice Chairman (3) - Matt Capalby, Ruben Gallego, Harold Holmes, Todd Landfried
Secretary (1) - Lois Pfau
Vice Chairwoman (3) - Josephine Kelleher (incumbent), Bree Boehlke, Mohur Sidhwa
Treasurer (1) - Rick McGuire (incumbent)
Education Coordinator (1) - Anne Greenberg (incumbent)
While these are the announced candidates thus far, other candidates can and will be nominated from the floor and some of these candidates won't go forward with their own candidacies for many reasons (not the least of which are the ADP's geographic distribution rules for Vice Chair positions).
I don't know who I'm going to vote for yet, but the candidate(s) who get my vote will utter the following words in some combination or form -
"50 State Strategy," "30 District Strategy," "No incumbent, theirs or ours, is 'safe'," and "Governor Howard Dean, Thank You!"
See you Saturday...
The reorg meeting website is here. It contains the complete agenda and more, including a list of candidates who are running for the various offices.
The candidates thus far (number to be elected) -
(note: the links lead to letters from the announced candidates) -
Chair (1) - Don Bivens (incumbent)
First Vice Chair (1) - Charlene Fernandez (incumbent), Donna Branch-Gilby, and Harriet Young
Senior Vice Chair (1) - Ken Smith (incumbent)
Vice Chairman (3) - Matt Capalby, Ruben Gallego, Harold Holmes, Todd Landfried
Secretary (1) - Lois Pfau
Vice Chairwoman (3) - Josephine Kelleher (incumbent), Bree Boehlke, Mohur Sidhwa
Treasurer (1) - Rick McGuire (incumbent)
Education Coordinator (1) - Anne Greenberg (incumbent)
While these are the announced candidates thus far, other candidates can and will be nominated from the floor and some of these candidates won't go forward with their own candidacies for many reasons (not the least of which are the ADP's geographic distribution rules for Vice Chair positions).
I don't know who I'm going to vote for yet, but the candidate(s) who get my vote will utter the following words in some combination or form -
"50 State Strategy," "30 District Strategy," "No incumbent, theirs or ours, is 'safe'," and "Governor Howard Dean, Thank You!"
See you Saturday...
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
President Barack Obama
Today when Barack Obama took the oath of office to become the 44th President of the United States, it was a moment that generations of Americans will recall vividly.
Just over seven years ago. we experienced the first 'where were you when' moment in over a generation when 19 terrorists flew commercial airlines into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania.
Today's events won't make us forget the grief and anger of the aftermath of those horrific hours, but just may add a little hope to the mix.
The text of President Obama's Inaugural Speech, courtesy AP via Yahoo! News -
More later...
Just over seven years ago. we experienced the first 'where were you when' moment in over a generation when 19 terrorists flew commercial airlines into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania.
Today's events won't make us forget the grief and anger of the aftermath of those horrific hours, but just may add a little hope to the mix.
The text of President Obama's Inaugural Speech, courtesy AP via Yahoo! News -
OBAMA: My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land — a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act — not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth.
We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them — that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our founding fathers ... our found fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations.
Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort — even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment — a moment that will define a generation — it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence — the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people: "Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)."
America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.
More later...
Monday, January 19, 2009
Glad this is coming out now...
...because if the Bush Administration had heard of this idea, most of America would be imprisoned by now.
From the Christian Science Monitor -
His book, which was virtually unknown, was, interestingly enough, contained in the collections of Thailand's National Library until recently.
It took me a few minutes to find, but here is the "offensive" passage, from the English blog 'Late Night Bohemians' -
Ummm..."Lese majeste" is definitely not a concept that fits with the American psyche (that pesky 'freedom of speech' thing :) ), but there was a period early in this decade when some might have accepted such a law in a "trading freedom for security" sort of way.
So just imagine if Bush and his "Justice" Department (with the enthusiastic aid of the lapdogs in Congress) had been able to put similar provisions into American law (like say, the USA PATRIOT Act)...
...Every non-Faux News commentator and pundit would be in jail...
...Thousands of bloggers and letter-to-the-editor writers would have joined them (including me)...
...The hundreds of thousands of readers of those blogs and letters would be in prison, too...
...As would the nearly 51 million people who voted for Al Gore in 2000...
...And so would the more than 59 million who voted for John Kerry in 2004...
...Or simply the 73 percent of the country who disapprove of the job Bush has done as president.
On a positive note, with that many people imprisoned, the unemployment rate would be nearly zero.
Everybody who wasn't a prisoner would find work as a Bush Administration guard/torturer.
From the Christian Science Monitor -
In Thailand, three years in jail for ‘insulting’ royalty
Not long ago, Harry Nicolaides was another aspiring novelist toiling in obscurity. His self-published debut “Verisimilitude” sold only seven copies.
Today, he got his 15 minutes of fame. But it wasn’t exactly the publicity he might have craved.
A Thai court sentenced Mr. Nicolaides, an Australian, to three years in jail for offending the monarchy, a criminal offense in the Kingdom of Thailand.
His book, which was virtually unknown, was, interestingly enough, contained in the collections of Thailand's National Library until recently.
It took me a few minutes to find, but here is the "offensive" passage, from the English blog 'Late Night Bohemians' -
“From King Rama to the Crown Prince, the nobility was renowned for their romantic entanglements and intrigues. The Crown Prince had many wives “major and minor “with a coterie of concubines for entertainment. One of his recent wives was exiled with her entire family, including a son they conceived together, for an undisclosed indiscretion. He subsequently remarried with another woman and fathered another child. It was rumoured that if the prince fell in love with one of his minor wives and she betrayed him, she and her family would disappear with their name, familial lineage and all vestiges of their existence expunged forever.”
Ummm..."Lese majeste" is definitely not a concept that fits with the American psyche (that pesky 'freedom of speech' thing :) ), but there was a period early in this decade when some might have accepted such a law in a "trading freedom for security" sort of way.
So just imagine if Bush and his "Justice" Department (with the enthusiastic aid of the lapdogs in Congress) had been able to put similar provisions into American law (like say, the USA PATRIOT Act)...
...Every non-Faux News commentator and pundit would be in jail...
...Thousands of bloggers and letter-to-the-editor writers would have joined them (including me)...
...The hundreds of thousands of readers of those blogs and letters would be in prison, too...
...As would the nearly 51 million people who voted for Al Gore in 2000...
...And so would the more than 59 million who voted for John Kerry in 2004...
...Or simply the 73 percent of the country who disapprove of the job Bush has done as president.
On a positive note, with that many people imprisoned, the unemployment rate would be nearly zero.
Everybody who wasn't a prisoner would find work as a Bush Administration guard/torturer.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Obscure (but important) elected positions in Maricopa County
And some will even be on next year's ballots.
There are a number of elected offices on boards and commissions in Maricopa County that are important in their impact on County residents but frequently escape notice due to their unpaid, non-partisan* status.
* = "Non-partisan" in an official sense, but not always in a practical sense.
Over the next few months leading into the next election cycle, I'll try to cover those boards, emphasizing the ones that will be up for election next year. Today's post will just cover basic background and membership.
First up is the Governing Board of the Maricopa Community College District (MCCD). The board oversees the operation of MCCD.
The members of the board are elected in staggered six-year terms to represent County Supervisor districts.
Current members, District, end of current term (terms that up for election next year are bolded)-
Dr. Donald R. Campbell, SD5, 2012
Colleen Clark (Board President), SD1, 2012
Randolph Lumm (Board Secretary), SD4, 2014
Debra Pearson, SD3, 2014
Jerry Walker, SD2, 2010
This board has a prime example how partisan a member of a "non-partisan" board can be. Member Pearson is a Republican PC in LD11 and the 'public service' portion of her bio emphasizes her credentials as a Republican PC, LD officer, county and state committee member.
The Board next meets on Tuesday, January 27 at the District's offices on West 14th St. in Tempe (agenda here; minutes of previous meetings here).
Next up is the Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD). I wrote about them in 2006 here. CAWCD oversees the Central Arizona Project as it delivers water from the Colorado River throughout central AZ to as far south as Tucson.
Board members are elected by county to six-year terms.
Current members, County, term expiration (terms that up for election next year are bolded) -
Lisa Atkins, Maricopa, 2012
Susan Bitter Smith, Maricopa, 2010
Timothy Bray, Maricopa, 2010
Gayle Burns, Maricopa, 2012
Daniel Donahoe, Maricopa, 2010
Paul Hendricks, Maricopa, 2010
L.M. "Pat" Jacobs, Pima, 2014
Terri Kibler, Pinal, 2014
Mark Lewis, Maricopa, 2010
Jean McGrath, Maricopa, 2012
Sharon Megdal, PhD., Pima, 2014
Pamela Pickard, Maricopa, 2012
Warren Tenney, Pima, 2014
Janie Thom, Maricopa, 2012
Carol Zimmerman, Pima, 2014
Agendas for future meetings and minutes of past meetings can be found here.
Edit on 1/20/2009 to add -
The Maricopa County Recorder's Office has a list of offices up for election from 2010 thru 2014 here.
End edit.
There are a number of elected offices on boards and commissions in Maricopa County that are important in their impact on County residents but frequently escape notice due to their unpaid, non-partisan* status.
* = "Non-partisan" in an official sense, but not always in a practical sense.
Over the next few months leading into the next election cycle, I'll try to cover those boards, emphasizing the ones that will be up for election next year. Today's post will just cover basic background and membership.
First up is the Governing Board of the Maricopa Community College District (MCCD). The board oversees the operation of MCCD.
The members of the board are elected in staggered six-year terms to represent County Supervisor districts.
Current members, District, end of current term (terms that up for election next year are bolded)-
Dr. Donald R. Campbell, SD5, 2012
Colleen Clark (Board President), SD1, 2012
Randolph Lumm (Board Secretary), SD4, 2014
Debra Pearson, SD3, 2014
Jerry Walker, SD2, 2010
This board has a prime example how partisan a member of a "non-partisan" board can be. Member Pearson is a Republican PC in LD11 and the 'public service' portion of her bio emphasizes her credentials as a Republican PC, LD officer, county and state committee member.
The Board next meets on Tuesday, January 27 at the District's offices on West 14th St. in Tempe (agenda here; minutes of previous meetings here).
Next up is the Board of Directors of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD). I wrote about them in 2006 here. CAWCD oversees the Central Arizona Project as it delivers water from the Colorado River throughout central AZ to as far south as Tucson.
Board members are elected by county to six-year terms.
Current members, County, term expiration (terms that up for election next year are bolded) -
Lisa Atkins, Maricopa, 2012
Susan Bitter Smith, Maricopa, 2010
Timothy Bray, Maricopa, 2010
Gayle Burns, Maricopa, 2012
Daniel Donahoe, Maricopa, 2010
Paul Hendricks, Maricopa, 2010
L.M. "Pat" Jacobs, Pima, 2014
Terri Kibler, Pinal, 2014
Mark Lewis, Maricopa, 2010
Jean McGrath, Maricopa, 2012
Sharon Megdal, PhD., Pima, 2014
Pamela Pickard, Maricopa, 2012
Warren Tenney, Pima, 2014
Janie Thom, Maricopa, 2012
Carol Zimmerman, Pima, 2014
Agendas for future meetings and minutes of past meetings can be found here.
Edit on 1/20/2009 to add -
The Maricopa County Recorder's Office has a list of offices up for election from 2010 thru 2014 here.
End edit.
'Anything possible,' Obama tells joyous crowd
The headline on AZCentral.com's main page says it all, even if that headline refers to something as mundane as the election and soon-to-be inauguration of the first African-American president in U.S. history.
The Arizona Cardinals proved all of the naysayers and doubters wrong when they mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the scrappy Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game. With that victory, the Cardinals earned their franchise-first Super Bowl berth.
That game will be held in Tampa in two weeks, against either the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Baltimore Ravens.
Last August, you could have told me that on January 19, 2009, headlines all over the country would read...
...and I would have thought any of those would be more likely to be true than...
Congratulations to the Arizona Cardinals, their players, coaches, and fans.
One more game to go...
The Arizona Cardinals proved all of the naysayers and doubters wrong when they mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the scrappy Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game. With that victory, the Cardinals earned their franchise-first Super Bowl berth.
That game will be held in Tampa in two weeks, against either the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Baltimore Ravens.
Last August, you could have told me that on January 19, 2009, headlines all over the country would read...
"McKinney/Barr/Nader prepares for inauguration"
"Phoenix digs out from monster nor'easter"
"George W. Bush appears on 'Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?' and wins"
...and I would have thought any of those would be more likely to be true than...
"Cardinals beat Eagles, clinch berth in first-ever Super Bowl"
Congratulations to the Arizona Cardinals, their players, coaches, and fans.
One more game to go...
Crash Course On School Finance - Public invited
From the sidebar of an AZ Republic article on successful traditional educational programs at public schools -
House Hearing Room 1 is accessed via the main lobby in the House building.
On a related note, over at Blog for Arizona, David Safier has been doing stellar work covering the state's budget crisis and the intention of the lege's Republican caucus (aka - the Arizona Chapter of the Flat Earth Society) to use the budget deficit as political cover to shred funding for public education...while protecting funding for things such as prisons. (Safier references an Arizona Guardian article here)
I'd just like to point out one thing to those that think that Arizonans' tax money is better invested by imprisoning people than by educating them -
Arizona spending per prisoner, FY2001 - $22476
US average for that year - $22650
No rank listed in the linked report, but you can see AZ was nearly average in this regard, so the rank was probably in the mid-20s.
Arizona spending per student, School year 2000-2001 - $5100
US average for that year -$7284
Rank: 49
Arizona crime rate rank, 2001 - 1
So could someone explain to me how solidly funding prisons while cutting, even destroying, public education funding, is cost effective in the long term?
Note: I used 2001 figures to compare apples to apples as 2001 was the most recent year that I could find reliable figures and ranks for all three areas (prison spending, education spending, crime rates)
What: Rep. David Schapira, ranking Democratic member of the House Education Committee, and Rep. Rich Crandall, House Education Committee chairman, invite the public to a Crash Course on School Finance, a presentation focused on educating legislators on the financing of Arizona schools.
When/where: 9-11 a.m. Thursday at the House of Representatives, - House Hearing Room 1, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix.
Details: The forum, hosted by Arizona Business and Education Coalition Executive Director Susan Carlson and moderated by Chuck Essigs, director of governmental relations for the Arizona Association of School Business Officials, will focus on the business side of schools and school-finance reform.
House Hearing Room 1 is accessed via the main lobby in the House building.
On a related note, over at Blog for Arizona, David Safier has been doing stellar work covering the state's budget crisis and the intention of the lege's Republican caucus (aka - the Arizona Chapter of the Flat Earth Society) to use the budget deficit as political cover to shred funding for public education...while protecting funding for things such as prisons. (Safier references an Arizona Guardian article here)
I'd just like to point out one thing to those that think that Arizonans' tax money is better invested by imprisoning people than by educating them -
Arizona spending per prisoner, FY2001 - $22476
US average for that year - $22650
No rank listed in the linked report, but you can see AZ was nearly average in this regard, so the rank was probably in the mid-20s.
Arizona spending per student, School year 2000-2001 - $5100
US average for that year -$7284
Rank: 49
Arizona crime rate rank, 2001 - 1
So could someone explain to me how solidly funding prisons while cutting, even destroying, public education funding, is cost effective in the long term?
Note: I used 2001 figures to compare apples to apples as 2001 was the most recent year that I could find reliable figures and ranks for all three areas (prison spending, education spending, crime rates)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
John Sydney McCain Memorial Crappie Award
Didn't have to look far this week to find the "winner" of this dubious award. In fact, the award, named after Arizona's senior Senator, is going to...
Arizona's junior Senator, Jon Kyl.
On Thursday, Senator Jon Kyl issued a press release touting the Senate's passage of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act.
From the presser -
He wrote or cosponsored many parts of the bill, so it wouldn't be shocking that he supported the bill, right?
So naturally, he voted *against* the bill. (Senate roll call vote 3)
Nice flip flop there, Senator.
To be fair to Senator Kyl, in his press release he actually did admit to voting against the bill, citing the cost of the non-Kyl additions to the bill, and the fact that no amendments to "improve" the bill (aka - remove the non-Kyl provisions) were allowed.
Apparently, the only worthy projects related to public lands are the ones that he supports.
On the other hand, at least he is finally doing some work for Arizona.
Even if he is voting against it when it comes before the full Senate.
Later!
Arizona's junior Senator, Jon Kyl.
On Thursday, Senator Jon Kyl issued a press release touting the Senate's passage of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act.
From the presser -
The U.S. Senate today approved S. 22, The Omnibus Public Land Management Act -- a catch-all package that consists of more than 150 separate public land, water, and resource bills, including two that were authored by U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), and several that he cosponsored.
He wrote or cosponsored many parts of the bill, so it wouldn't be shocking that he supported the bill, right?
So naturally, he voted *against* the bill. (Senate roll call vote 3)
Nice flip flop there, Senator.
To be fair to Senator Kyl, in his press release he actually did admit to voting against the bill, citing the cost of the non-Kyl additions to the bill, and the fact that no amendments to "improve" the bill (aka - remove the non-Kyl provisions) were allowed.
Apparently, the only worthy projects related to public lands are the ones that he supports.
On the other hand, at least he is finally doing some work for Arizona.
Even if he is voting against it when it comes before the full Senate.
Later!
Arizona's week in the House in review
...Stacy over at AZ Congress Watch does a good job of keeping up with this stuff (though not this week :) ). This is just a summary.
This upcoming week will be a fairly short one, with the first half of the week being taken up with Inauguration activities and the MLK holiday and with the expectation that the House will finish its legislative business by Thursday evening.
Last week, however, had some activity of note -
Over in the House, work started on H.R. 384, a bill to reform the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). A number of amendments were heard (some passed, some didn't), and more are scheduled for this coming week. The highlight for AZ'ers in that area is a proposal by Jeff Flake (R-CD6) to expand the powers of the TARP's Special Inspector General.
That one is expected to be heard on Wednesday or Thursday.
In other business, the House passed H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 by a vote of 289 - 139. The AZ delegation voted along party lines - Democrats Giffords, Grijalva, Kirkpatrick, Mitchell, and Pastor in favor; Republicans Flake, Franks, and Shadegg against.
Bill sponsorships...
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-CD8) sponsored three bills - H.R. 551 (study of water augmentation alternatives in the Sierra Vista Subwatershed), H.R. 552 (to designate the Arizona National Scenic Trail), and H.R. 576 (a refundable investment credit, and 5-year depreciation, for property used to manufacture solar energy property). The text of the bills aren't available online yet.
Congressman Harry Mitchell sponsored H.R. 498, a bill to make permanent some capital gains and estate tax cuts.
Floor speech action...
...Giffords urged her colleagues to vote 'yes' in a 'one-minute' speech in support of H.R. 2. Her press release on the bill is here.
...During debate on H.R. 2, Congressman John Shadegg (R-CD3) spoke against passage of the bill.
...Mitchell also gave a 'one-minute' on H.R. 156, his bill to block Congress' automatic pay raise.
"Extensions of Remarks" (statements submitted for the record)...
...Mitchell gave his reasons for sponsoring H.R. 498, a bill to make permanent recent cap gains and estate tax cuts.
...Mitchell also lauded Dave Graybill and the Pink Heals Tour, an organization dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness.
Press releases (all from House websites)...
...Jeff Flake highlighted his "egregious earmark of the week" here and his bill to deport illegal immigrants convicted of DUI here.
...Trent Franks' (R-CD2) press secretary was prolific this week, producing releases on Franks' vote against H.R. 2, criticizing the New York Times' article blowing the whistle on some U.S. efforts against Iran and Israeli requests for specialized weapons to use against Iran, and commemorating the fourth anniversary of a peace agreement in Sudan.
...Raul Grijalva (D-CD7) expressed his support of the SCHIP renewal bill.
...Ann Kirkpatrick (D-CD1) may have had some press releases this week, but as a freshman Member of Congress, her House website is going to suck until spring. Possibly late spring.
This upcoming week will be a fairly short one, with the first half of the week being taken up with Inauguration activities and the MLK holiday and with the expectation that the House will finish its legislative business by Thursday evening.
Last week, however, had some activity of note -
Over in the House, work started on H.R. 384, a bill to reform the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). A number of amendments were heard (some passed, some didn't), and more are scheduled for this coming week. The highlight for AZ'ers in that area is a proposal by Jeff Flake (R-CD6) to expand the powers of the TARP's Special Inspector General.
That one is expected to be heard on Wednesday or Thursday.
In other business, the House passed H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 by a vote of 289 - 139. The AZ delegation voted along party lines - Democrats Giffords, Grijalva, Kirkpatrick, Mitchell, and Pastor in favor; Republicans Flake, Franks, and Shadegg against.
Bill sponsorships...
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-CD8) sponsored three bills - H.R. 551 (study of water augmentation alternatives in the Sierra Vista Subwatershed), H.R. 552 (to designate the Arizona National Scenic Trail), and H.R. 576 (a refundable investment credit, and 5-year depreciation, for property used to manufacture solar energy property). The text of the bills aren't available online yet.
Congressman Harry Mitchell sponsored H.R. 498, a bill to make permanent some capital gains and estate tax cuts.
Floor speech action...
...Giffords urged her colleagues to vote 'yes' in a 'one-minute' speech in support of H.R. 2. Her press release on the bill is here.
...During debate on H.R. 2, Congressman John Shadegg (R-CD3) spoke against passage of the bill.
...Mitchell also gave a 'one-minute' on H.R. 156, his bill to block Congress' automatic pay raise.
"Extensions of Remarks" (statements submitted for the record)...
...Mitchell gave his reasons for sponsoring H.R. 498, a bill to make permanent recent cap gains and estate tax cuts.
...Mitchell also lauded Dave Graybill and the Pink Heals Tour, an organization dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness.
Press releases (all from House websites)...
...Jeff Flake highlighted his "egregious earmark of the week" here and his bill to deport illegal immigrants convicted of DUI here.
...Trent Franks' (R-CD2) press secretary was prolific this week, producing releases on Franks' vote against H.R. 2, criticizing the New York Times' article blowing the whistle on some U.S. efforts against Iran and Israeli requests for specialized weapons to use against Iran, and commemorating the fourth anniversary of a peace agreement in Sudan.
...Raul Grijalva (D-CD7) expressed his support of the SCHIP renewal bill.
...Ann Kirkpatrick (D-CD1) may have had some press releases this week, but as a freshman Member of Congress, her House website is going to suck until spring. Possibly late spring.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Inauguration festivities for those of us stuck in AZ next Tuesday
Many Arizonans (but few Republicans :)) ) such as Dimitrea Sullivan, D17 Chair (and Obama Supervolunteer) Lauren Kuby, and blogger Maneegee will be in frigid D.C., witnessing history in person next Tuesday, but most of us are going to have to suffer through a sunny day with temps in the mid-70s here at home.
However, there will be a number of celebrations locally where Arizona Democrats will gather to watch Barack Obama become the 44th President of the United States.
Here's a list of some of those events, in no particular order and by no means a complete list...
...In north Scottsdale, the LD8 Democrats are inviting old and new friends to Zipps Sports Grill located at 14148 N. 100th Street in Scottsdale.
Breakfast will be served as will be a complimentary beverage while attendees watch the D.C. festivities surrounded by 21 big screen TVs.
Donation: $25
Reserve your seat here.
Check in starts at 8:45 a.m.
For more info, contact the D8 Dems at (480) 596-8350.
...In downtown Phoenix, the Nucleus Club and the Arizona Democratic Party will be celebrating at Stoudemire's Restaurant, 3 South 2nd St., Phoenix, AZ
Special guests include Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.
Starts at 9:00 a.m. Donation: $15
RSVP: 602-234-6811.
...In Tucson, the Pima County Democratic Party will be holding a free potluck celebration at the headquarters of the county party. 4639 E. 1st St., Tucson, AZ 85717
Call (520) 326-3716 for more details.
...Back in Maricopa County, DFA-MC is holding its celebration at El Penasco Restaurant in Tempe (19 E Broadway - SE corner of Broadway and Mill) between 9:00 a.m. and noon.)
If none of these events in close to you (and given the size of Arizona, they probably won't be), contact your county's Democrats for a list of events in your area.
Later!
However, there will be a number of celebrations locally where Arizona Democrats will gather to watch Barack Obama become the 44th President of the United States.
Here's a list of some of those events, in no particular order and by no means a complete list...
...In north Scottsdale, the LD8 Democrats are inviting old and new friends to Zipps Sports Grill located at 14148 N. 100th Street in Scottsdale.
Breakfast will be served as will be a complimentary beverage while attendees watch the D.C. festivities surrounded by 21 big screen TVs.
Donation: $25
Reserve your seat here.
Check in starts at 8:45 a.m.
For more info, contact the D8 Dems at (480) 596-8350.
...In downtown Phoenix, the Nucleus Club and the Arizona Democratic Party will be celebrating at Stoudemire's Restaurant, 3 South 2nd St., Phoenix, AZ
Special guests include Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.
Starts at 9:00 a.m. Donation: $15
RSVP: 602-234-6811.
...In Tucson, the Pima County Democratic Party will be holding a free potluck celebration at the headquarters of the county party. 4639 E. 1st St., Tucson, AZ 85717
Call (520) 326-3716 for more details.
...Back in Maricopa County, DFA-MC is holding its celebration at El Penasco Restaurant in Tempe (19 E Broadway - SE corner of Broadway and Mill) between 9:00 a.m. and noon.)
If none of these events in close to you (and given the size of Arizona, they probably won't be), contact your county's Democrats for a list of events in your area.
Later!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Jack Harper up to his usual mischief - Updated
Proposals like the one covered in this post won't put him over the top for the Legislative Loon Award (though it won't hurt his chances there, either! :)) ), but they will certainly help him win the Republican nomination for Secretary of State in 2010...
Now he wants to give political action committees the ability to disenfranchise voters at will.
From Howard Fischer, published in the Arizona Daily Star (emphasis mine) -
The bill in question is SB1109. The relevant section would amend ARS 41-121 thusly -
Hell, the only way to make this more perfect for Republicans looking to stem the rising tide of Democratic voter registrations would be if he wrote the bill so that only Republican candidates and committee could use it. Of course, since any reports filed under this proposal would be filtered through the Republican-run Secretary of State's office, such a provision could prove to be redundant.
As it is written, all it would take is a campaign worker knocking on a Democrat's door or calling their phone number and not getting an answer to start the disenfranchisement process.
SB1109 is sponsored or co-sponsored by a Republican rogues' gallery - State Sens. Linda Gray, Sylvia Allen, Ron Gould, John Huppenthal, Al Melvin, Jonathan Paton, John Nelson, and Thayer Vershoor.
Paton and Nelson have been known to do some professional work in the lege (though there may not be much of that from them in light of the new, harsher, Republican legislative caucus), but the rest?
As much interested in partisan gamesmanship as genuine public service.
Anyway, I've got an email out to the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice inquiring if this proposal would violate Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Under its provisions, any changes to voting in Arizona is subject to DOJ approval (a map of all such affected jurisdictions is here.)
Wouldn't it be ironic if a Secretary of State wanna-be was behind a federal civil rights violation even before his campaign officially started?
Later!
Update on 17 January -
Scot Montrey of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice emailed a reply to some of my questions concerning this proposal. He couldn't determine if this ploy has been attempted elsewhere, but he did say this regarding my query about whether voter registration/unregistration policies were subject to DOJ review -
Mr. Montrey also pointed me toward a possible resource for research here (FOIA). We'll see what's available via that route of inquiry.
End update...
Now he wants to give political action committees the ability to disenfranchise voters at will.
From Howard Fischer, published in the Arizona Daily Star (emphasis mine) -
A state lawmaker who represents an area with a lot of elderly people wants the ability to report registered voters who are dead.
The legislation by Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, would require the secretary of state to set up a place on the Web where political candidates could report when they "have reason to believe that a registered voter is deceased."
Any political action committee could file a similar report.
The bill in question is SB1109. The relevant section would amend ARS 41-121 thusly -
13. PROVIDE FOR THE RECEIPT OF INFORMATION FROM CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL COMMITTEES THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF STATE'SWEBSITE IF THOSE CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL COMMITTEES HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT A REGISTERED VOTER IS DECEASED. ON RECEIPT OF INFORMATION FROM A WEBSITE SUBMITTAL, THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL FORWARD THE INFORMATION TO THE COUNTY RECORDER FOR THE APPROPRIATE COUNTY.
Hell, the only way to make this more perfect for Republicans looking to stem the rising tide of Democratic voter registrations would be if he wrote the bill so that only Republican candidates and committee could use it. Of course, since any reports filed under this proposal would be filtered through the Republican-run Secretary of State's office, such a provision could prove to be redundant.
As it is written, all it would take is a campaign worker knocking on a Democrat's door or calling their phone number and not getting an answer to start the disenfranchisement process.
SB1109 is sponsored or co-sponsored by a Republican rogues' gallery - State Sens. Linda Gray, Sylvia Allen, Ron Gould, John Huppenthal, Al Melvin, Jonathan Paton, John Nelson, and Thayer Vershoor.
Paton and Nelson have been known to do some professional work in the lege (though there may not be much of that from them in light of the new, harsher, Republican legislative caucus), but the rest?
As much interested in partisan gamesmanship as genuine public service.
Anyway, I've got an email out to the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice inquiring if this proposal would violate Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Under its provisions, any changes to voting in Arizona is subject to DOJ approval (a map of all such affected jurisdictions is here.)
Wouldn't it be ironic if a Secretary of State wanna-be was behind a federal civil rights violation even before his campaign officially started?
Later!
Update on 17 January -
Scot Montrey of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice emailed a reply to some of my questions concerning this proposal. He couldn't determine if this ploy has been attempted elsewhere, but he did say this regarding my query about whether voter registration/unregistration policies were subject to DOJ review -
"Because the entire state of Arizona is covered under Section 5 of theVRA, any changes to systems or practices in election systems require pre-clearance."
Mr. Montrey also pointed me toward a possible resource for research here (FOIA). We'll see what's available via that route of inquiry.
End update...
2010 candidates getting started early
The candidate picture for 2010 is already getting cluttered. A quick glance at the AZ Secretary of State's website shows the following 2010 committees have been formed (some are 'exploratory') -
Christopher Tolino, Republican, State Rep., LD20, filer ID 201000001
Michelle Reagan, Republican, exploratory - no office or district listed, filer ID 201000002
Tom Horne, Republican, exploratory - Attorney General, filer ID 201000003
David Lujan, Democrat, exploratory - Attorney General, filer ID 201000011
Chad Campbell, Democrat, State Rep., LD14, Committee to Re-elect, filer ID 201000015
Bob Burns, Republican, exploratory - no office or district listed, filer ID 201000016
Bill Konopnicki, Republican, exploratory - no office or district listed, filer ID 201000018
Bob Gilby, Democrat, exploratory - State Rep. LD27, filer ID 201000019
Katie Hobbs, Democrat, exploratory - State Rep. LD15, filer ID 201000020
Kyrsten Sinema, Democrat, exploratory - State Senate LD15, filer ID 201000021
Robert Meza, Democrat, exploratory - State Senate LD14, filer ID 201000022
Steve Gallardo, Democrat, exploratory - State Senate LD13, filer ID 201000024 (I'm not sure how his recent resignation his House seat affects this, but since the SOS still lists the committee as active, I'm including it here.)
Andy Tobin, Republican, exploratory - State Rep. LD1, re-election, filer ID 201000025
Pamela Gorman, Republican, State Senate LD6, re-election committee, filer ID 201000027
Jimmie Munoz, Jr., Democrat, State Rep. LD16, filer ID 201000029
Luis Garcia, Democrat, State Rep. LD15, filer ID 201000030
Jason Williams, Democrat, Superintendent of Public Instruction, filer ID 201000032
In addition to all of these committees that were formed after the end of the 2008 election cycle (hence the '2010' filer IDs), there's at least one exploratory committee formed in 2008 that is active for the 2010 cycle -
Jack Harper, Republican, exploratory - no office or district listed (but it's for a run at SOS), filer ID 200810288, cash on hand as of 11/24/2008 - $1835.00.
There's no guarantee that all or even any of these candidates will end up actively seeking office next year. Actually, it's a safe bet that some won't. Of course, it's a safer bet that that most will. :))
Another likely occurence is that as higher offices open up, there will be a 'trickle-up' phenomenon.
For example, if John McCain chooses not to run for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2010 (FYI - right now, he is saying that he will run for re-election), it is likely that one or two current U.S. Congressmen, Jeff Flake and/or John Shadegg will pursue the seat. Once that happens, many current state legislators will raise their sights. For example2, during the few days last year when Shadegg "retired," current State Senators Pam Gorman and Jim Waring were rumored to be interested in the job.
In addition, three somebodys will be taking runs at Democratic U.S. Representatives Gabrielle Giffords (CD8), Ann Kirkpatrick (CD1), and Harry Mitchell (CD5).
In short, there will be a reshuffling of candidates before the campaign season really starts heating up (next January or so.)
Note: Jason Williams spoke at the LD17 Dems' meeting last night. After his unsuccessful run at State Superintendent in 2006, he has remained heavily (and enthusiastically) involved in education issues, working as the founder and leader of Arizona School Works and working with other groups to ensure the future of education for our state's children. While his 2010 campaign website isn't up yet, it should be ready to go by the end of the month. Folks who are interested in volunteering for or contributing to his campaign can contact him at helpkids[at]williamsforarizona.com.
Later...
Christopher Tolino, Republican, State Rep., LD20, filer ID 201000001
Michelle Reagan, Republican, exploratory - no office or district listed, filer ID 201000002
Tom Horne, Republican, exploratory - Attorney General, filer ID 201000003
David Lujan, Democrat, exploratory - Attorney General, filer ID 201000011
Chad Campbell, Democrat, State Rep., LD14, Committee to Re-elect, filer ID 201000015
Bob Burns, Republican, exploratory - no office or district listed, filer ID 201000016
Bill Konopnicki, Republican, exploratory - no office or district listed, filer ID 201000018
Bob Gilby, Democrat, exploratory - State Rep. LD27, filer ID 201000019
Katie Hobbs, Democrat, exploratory - State Rep. LD15, filer ID 201000020
Kyrsten Sinema, Democrat, exploratory - State Senate LD15, filer ID 201000021
Robert Meza, Democrat, exploratory - State Senate LD14, filer ID 201000022
Steve Gallardo, Democrat, exploratory - State Senate LD13, filer ID 201000024 (I'm not sure how his recent resignation his House seat affects this, but since the SOS still lists the committee as active, I'm including it here.)
Andy Tobin, Republican, exploratory - State Rep. LD1, re-election, filer ID 201000025
Pamela Gorman, Republican, State Senate LD6, re-election committee, filer ID 201000027
Jimmie Munoz, Jr., Democrat, State Rep. LD16, filer ID 201000029
Luis Garcia, Democrat, State Rep. LD15, filer ID 201000030
Jason Williams, Democrat, Superintendent of Public Instruction, filer ID 201000032
In addition to all of these committees that were formed after the end of the 2008 election cycle (hence the '2010' filer IDs), there's at least one exploratory committee formed in 2008 that is active for the 2010 cycle -
Jack Harper, Republican, exploratory - no office or district listed (but it's for a run at SOS), filer ID 200810288, cash on hand as of 11/24/2008 - $1835.00.
There's no guarantee that all or even any of these candidates will end up actively seeking office next year. Actually, it's a safe bet that some won't. Of course, it's a safer bet that that most will. :))
Another likely occurence is that as higher offices open up, there will be a 'trickle-up' phenomenon.
For example, if John McCain chooses not to run for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2010 (FYI - right now, he is saying that he will run for re-election), it is likely that one or two current U.S. Congressmen, Jeff Flake and/or John Shadegg will pursue the seat. Once that happens, many current state legislators will raise their sights. For example2, during the few days last year when Shadegg "retired," current State Senators Pam Gorman and Jim Waring were rumored to be interested in the job.
In addition, three somebodys will be taking runs at Democratic U.S. Representatives Gabrielle Giffords (CD8), Ann Kirkpatrick (CD1), and Harry Mitchell (CD5).
In short, there will be a reshuffling of candidates before the campaign season really starts heating up (next January or so.)
Note: Jason Williams spoke at the LD17 Dems' meeting last night. After his unsuccessful run at State Superintendent in 2006, he has remained heavily (and enthusiastically) involved in education issues, working as the founder and leader of Arizona School Works and working with other groups to ensure the future of education for our state's children. While his 2010 campaign website isn't up yet, it should be ready to go by the end of the month. Folks who are interested in volunteering for or contributing to his campaign can contact him at helpkids[at]williamsforarizona.com.
Later...
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