9/11 Tribute: The Healing Field in Tempe

The flag honoring the sacrifice of Rev. Mychal Judge, one of the most famous of the many victims of the 9/11 attacks.  He was a chaplain in the New York Fire Department and was killed by falling debris shortly after administering last rites to a fallen firefighter.

From the Mill Ave. bridge

The breeze ruffling the flags...


Arizona Republic coverage here.

Terry Goddard's statement on the 9th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks

Terry Goddard, Arizona's Attorney General and the Democratic nominee for Governor of Arizona, issued the following statement on the 9/11 anniversary -

"As we remember the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our country, join me in taking a moment to honor those who lost their lives on that tragic day in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. Let's also keep in our thoughts and prayers the survivors whose lives will never be the same."


"All Americans - even those of us thousands of miles away - felt pain, horror and anger over the attacks on our nation. Let us resolve that this tragedy we share will unite us as a country and continue our commitment to freedom, not drive a wedge of fear and hate between us. As proud Americans and Arizonans, we can recognize on September 11 all that we have in common - our great country and state, our love for our families and the chance to work toward a better future in a free country."

"Today, we also remember and honor our law enforcement and first responders, who perished while performing their duties. Whether we take part in commemorative events or set aside a few moments during the day, we must never forget the heroes of 9/11."

For those readers in the East Valley, take a few moments out of your day to visit the Healing Field at Tempe Beach Park.

Well, that explains the "Segway Steve" sightings

Steve May, one of the masterminds behind the faux-Green write-in candidates scandal that has gained national notice and a Republican candidate for the legislature in LD17, is regularly spotted cruising Mill Avenue in Tempe on his Segway.  Actually, he's been sighted all over Tempe on it, and was even seen arriving at the hearing on the Green candidates' ballot eligibility in U.S. District Court in Phoenix on it.

Turns out that the reason for his "green-consciousness" may be less motivated by high-minded concern for the environment and more by his more mundane legal troubles. 

From the Arizona Republic -

Steve May, a candidate for the state House of Representatives, spent 10 days in jail and is on probation for three years on a conviction for drunken driving last year.

Court documents obtained by The Arizona Republic show that May was arrested on June 26, 2009, and charged with the most extreme possible DUI while driving 83 mph on Interstate 17 in north Phoenix, where the speed limit is 55 mph.

May was charged with a "super extreme" DUI, reserved for people driving with a blood-alcohol level above 0.20 percent. A reading of 0.08 percent is considered legally drunk.

While the story goes on to say that May pled guilty to driving under the influence of liquor, court records tell a somewhat different story.

The case in question looks to be TR2009-136015, involving one Stephen Timothy May, date of birth 11/29/1971, and adjudicated in the Moon Valley Justice Court.  According to court records available online, May pled guilty to "DUI-LIQUOR/DRUGS/VAPORS/COMBO." 

A specific charge made all the curiouser given the following passage from later in the story -

A March letter from an official with the treatment center [Scottsdale Treatment Inc.] states that May, 38, was attending the program twice weekly and that a "specialist in addictive medicine has been treating Mr. May for coexisting issues."

On Friday, May said he has been honest with his supporters about the DUI conviction. Asked what the "coexisting issues" were - and whether they involved treatment for drug abuse - May declined to comment.

"I'm not going to go into detail," he said. "It's not relevant. I've been honest about the things I've done."

I admit, I *really* wonder what the "vapor" or "combo" with alcohol in the charge was.  And whether or not May's addiction "treatment" has taken.

A little light reading for a quiet Friday night

...and no, it's not all going to be about partisan politics...


...During a week filled with anti-Muslim hysteria in Florida and a summer filled with anti-Muslim rhetoric emanating from New York City, CNN brings us a story that shows that not all Muslims are plane-hijacking fanatics and not all non-Muslim Americans are hate-mongering demagogues.

From the story -

2 Muslims travel 13,000 miles across America, find an embracing nation

The blue Chevy Cobalt broke down amid the mountains of Montana in an area where there was no cell phone reception. The Muslims in the car, on a cross-country journey for the holy month of Ramadan, approached a bushy-bearded fisherman.


It would be another test of a question they wondered when they first set off from New York three weeks earlier: Is America still the accepting nation that embraced our forebears or has it reached a new level of intolerance?

...For those of you who need to be reminded about Tom Horne's financial "indiscretions."  Horne is the Republican nominee for Arizona Attorney General.  The Securities and Exchange Commission isn't one of his biggest fans.

...Not reading, per se, but still great entertainment to close out a Friday -





Later...

Many of the faux-Green candidates dropping

From the Arizona Capitol Times -

Less than a day after a federal judge said they had the right to stay on the ballot, three alleged “sham” Green Party candidates withdrew from their races.

 

Christopher Campbell, a Senate candidate in Legislative District 10, Clint Clement, a House candidate in Legislative District 17, and Ryan Blackman, a candidate in the 5th Congressional District, officially withdrew from their races the morning of Sept. 10, according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.

Three other faux-Greens had previously withdrawn (name and office [allegedly] sought):

• Matthew Shusta, LD23 State Senate
• Drew Blischak, LD20 State Representative
• Michelle Lochmann, Arizona Secretary of State

As near as I can tell, that leaves four suspect Green candidates still running - one each for Arizona State Treasurer and LD17 State Senator, and two for Arizona Corporation Commission.  Each has strong ties to one of the primary people behind the scheme, Steve May, a Republican candidate and operative.  In addition, they all share one PO box as a campaign committee address.

Even though the three mentioned in the Cap Times article have withdrawn from the race, the damage could be already done.  From later in the above-linked article -

Ironically, all three could still end up on the ballot. Maricopa County began printing ballots at 7 a.m., before the candidates withdrew. Depending on which district’s ballots were printed first, one or all of them could still be on the ballot, though votes for them in the November general election would not count, said Assistant Secretary of State Jim Drake.

 

“I can’t guarantee that they won’t be on the ballot,” Drake said.

Pardon my cynicism, but given the track record of Ken Bennett, I won't be surprised if the ballots of the affected districts were earmarked to be printed first, just in case one or some of the faux-Greens got cold feet.

Since I live in an area affected by the deception (LD17/CD5), I'll find out definitively in a few weeks when early ballots go out.

Either way it goes, I'll update at that time...

Rotellini skewers Horne during Attorney General debate

First, her opening statement -



The complete debate can be found here, courtesy KAET and Horizon.

My favorite line, and there were many good ones, came during Felecia Rotellini's opening statement:

"...look at our track record - I've prosecuted securities fraud, he's committed it..."

Personally, I think that sums up the choice for Arizona in the race - both are lawyers (Horne - private practice, Rotellini - assistant Attorney General in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions),  and both have headed state departments (Horne - Department of Education, Rotellini - Department of Financial Institutions). 

However, one has the tenacity, fairness, and integrity to do a job right, and one doesn't.

The whole debate is worth watching, and at a running time of a little more than 25 minutes, most folks can fit it into their schedules.

Later...

Crickets chirping

There's been a lot of bluster and name-calling from Republican candidates during this year's election season -

"Obamacare!"

"Immigrants!"

"Cut taxes!"

"Immigrants!!"

"Unions!"

"Immigrants!!!"

"Lather, Rinse, Repeat!"


Well, it turns out there is a quick and efficient way to get Republicans to shut up - challenge them to stand up and actually explain their positions civilly.


- Candidate for governor Terry Goddard has challenged Jan Brewer to a series of debates all over the state, but she has refused to participate in any more than the one that she was required to participate in as a condition of accepting Clean Elections funding.

She has refused to do so, but given her thorough faceplant of a performance in the CE debate, her reluctance in understandable.  Though not acceptable.

- Treasurer candidate Andrei Cherny has challenged Doug Ducey to a series of debates, but thus far, he has also declined to participate, perhaps out of fear that his financial misdeeds (here and here) would become a topic of discussion.

- Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick has challenged Republican nominee Paul Gosar to some debates, but the career dentist and tea party favorite is avoiding a direct confrontation with the incumbent in CD1.

- Jon Hulburd, the Democratic nominee in CD3, has challenged Ben "Dirty Scottsdale" Quayle to some debates, but apparently, the Republican nominee is hoping Daddy's name recognition and money connections will keep him from having to mount an actual campaign.

- CD2 Congressional candidate John Thrasher reports that Republican incumbent Trent Franks has agreed to a debate.  Just not to "minor" details like a place and a time...


In fact, the only R candidate who has accepted a debate challenge outside of one required by Clean Elections rules is John McCain, who will be debating Democratic challenger Rodney Glassman on September 26.

Other than that one example, however, the only sound one hears when the R candidates are challenged to put up or shut up is the sound of

Crickets chirping.

Fun with campaign signs - lessons not learned edition

A mere few weeks after the end of the primary season, one that saw a one of the far right's fair-haired sons (J.D. Hayworth) fall far short in his challenge to one of the far right's pet targets, John McCain.

The biggest reasons for Hayworth's failure were his glaring character defects and unsavory associations (such as with the Abramoff corruption scandal, "free government money" hucksterism, etc.).

...OK, and the fact that McCain could spend $20 million telling people about Hayworth's failings.  But I digress... :)

You'd think that other candidates, especially Republicans, would have learned the lesson.

For instance, David Schweikert, the R nominee in CD5, probably shouldn't be calling attention to his unsavory, even predatory, financial dealings by associating with other predatory financial players.

But he is...

Pic taken at a car title loan operation on the east side of Scottsdale Road, between Curry/Washington and Loop 202. (note: while the link above is to an article on the predatory nature of auto title loans, it isn't meant to state or even imply that this particular business at this particular location is a bad actor.  It may, in fact, be such, but I don't know that.  What I do know is that the industry *is* predatory, and this is part of a chain that has been involved in some shady activities.)

Just in case someone claims that the above photo is an optical illusion or something - the sign is clearly on the business' property.

I truly don't know if the sign was put up by a business owner/manager who wanted to enthusiastically express his support for Schweikert, or if one of the Schweikert campaign's hired hands thought this would be a good place for a sign.

Either way, though, it illustrates the tin ear shown by Schweikert toward the economically stricken district and state.  As bad as the economy has become, as slow as it has been to recover, as much as families are hurting, Schweikert would rather support and be supported by the same sort of people who helped to crash the economy. 

And who profit from the agony that they've caused.

Obnoxious speech is also free speech

Regarding the Florida pastor (of a "flock" of 50 or so) who has grabbed nationwide and even worldwide over his plans to burn copies of the Quran this weekend:

There are worries that the planned book-burning could incite more violence against Americans abroad (both military and civilian), but let's be honest here - the sort of people who will judge all Americans by the worst example of one are the sort of people who don't really need an excuse to hate.
In other words, people who are non-American versions of this pastor.


Bottom line regarding what the pastor is threatening to do:


It's reprehensible, hateful, ignorant, spiteful and worse.

It's also free speech.

Attorney General Debate Tonight

From the Arizona Capitol Times -

A debate scheduled Wednesday evening between candidates for state attorney general is still on though it no longer is sponsored by the state’s public campaign finance system.

Since both candidates, Democrat Felecia Rotellini and Republican Tom Horne, are utilizing "traditional" campaign financing, the debate isn't sponsored by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission.  Hence the reason that I missed this one when in the post earlier this week listing debates and events (it wasn't on CE's list of debates.)

The debate will air at 7 tonight on KAET (PBS 8).

Candidate appearances this week: Mine Inspector edition

Earlier this week, I sent an email to the various Democratic campaigns for statewide offices, offering to post their candidates' appearances for the upcoming week. 

The first to respond was the campaign for Manny Cruz, Democratic nominee for State Mine Inspector.  Here's the list of public events:


Wednesday 9/8 - Yuma Democratic HQ Grand Opening - 6 to 9pm - 2450 S. 4th Ave. #15, ground level, Crescent Center, Yuma, AZ



Saturday 9/11 - Navajo Nation Parade - Window Rock, AZ - 9am to 1pm


Other stops in Manny's quest to become Arizona State Mine Inspector can be found here, on his campaign website's calendar page (caveat: some of the events listed there may not be open to the public, such as the Mine Safety Professionals' meeting).

Later...

Oopsie - Maricopa County Board of Supervisors meeting to correct "official" primary results

Given recent developments, it isn't a surprise that this involves a Green write-in candidate, but thus far this appears to be less "targeted fraud" and more "general screwup."  I'll update if that changes.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors have called an "emergency" meeting for Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m.  They've posted a one-item agenda.

That item:

Amend the official canvass of the August 24, 2010 Primary Election regarding Green Party candidate, Deborah Odowd -- candidate for State Representative, Legislative District 6. The write in vote for Deborah Odowd should be recorded in Legislative District 6, not in Legislative District 17 as initially reported. The official canvass will be amended to include the following correction: "2010 Primary Election Official Write In Results for the Green Party in Legislative District 6, State Representative: ODOWD, DEBORAH, 1 vote."

Note: I've left the incorrect spelling of O'Dowd's name intact (it's capital "O", apostrophe, capital "D", not the way that they have spelled it).

The most recent list of write-in results is here (courtesy the Maricopa County Recorder's Office).  The list reflect's O'Dowd's single write-in vote in LD6, but it was last updated on September 3.

The incorrect original canvass was approved unanimously by the Board on September 1, hence the need for Tuesday's emergency meeting.

Note2: There is a special meeting of the MCBOS scheduled for Wednesday, but no agenda has been posted as yet.

New Brewer video parody from the Arizona Democratic Party

It's based on the movie 28 Days Later, a movie characterized as "a terrifying zombie movie and a sharp political allegory."

The movie was frightening, and so is this video. 

The movie was frightening for its harrowing depiction of "what could be."

The video is frightening because it is so close "what is" the harrowing reality in Arizona.

AZGOP/Green candidate scandal coverage goes national

...It's made it all the way to the east coast now, and not in just a weekly or suburban daily that no one outside of its base market reads.

From the New York Times -

Benjamin Pearcy, a candidate for statewide office in Arizona, lists his campaign office as a Starbucks. The small business he refers to in his campaign statement is him strumming his guitar on the street. The internal debate he is having in advance of his coming televised debate is whether he ought to gel his hair into his trademark faux Mohawk.

{snip}

Mr. Pearcy and other drifters and homeless people were recruited onto the Green Party ballot by a Republican political operative who freely admits that their candidacies may siphon some support from the Democrats.

{snip}

...Steve May, the Republican operative who signed up some of the candidates along Mill Avenue, a bohemian commercial strip next to Arizona State University, insists that a real political movement has been stirred up that has nothing to do with subterfuge.


“Did I recruit candidates? Yes,” said Mr. May, who is himself a candidate for the State Legislature, on the Republican ticket. “Are they fake candidates? No way.”

Mr. May can insist from now until November that the "candidates" that he recruited are real, but they didn't even vote for themselves.

The article contains a number of pictures of May and the faux-Green candidates together along Mill Ave. in Tempe.  Here's a pic of May and one of the candidates, Anthony "Grandpa" Goshorn, from last week's LD17 Clean Elections debate.  Goshorn was scheduled to appear during the Senate half of the debate, but he declined to do so, because according to the NYT article, he felt a "bad vibe."

Pic below of Goshorn (left) and May, from the night of the debate.

Later...

When is age a factor in a candidate's viability? If you ask Republicans, only when the candidate is a Democrat

Has Greg Patterson of Espresso Pundit started working directly for the Schweikert campaign (if he has, it's not obvious from the campaign's most recent filings with the FEC)?  Or has he chosen to turn his blog into a Schweikert campaign press release outlet? 

I, and most Democratic bloggers, for that matter, happily republish campaign press releases, but when I do so, I always clearly identify them as such.

Patterson never publishes such a disclaimer.

Earlier this week, he published a post declaring the race over in CD5 based on the results of what was essentially a third party-funded internal poll.  This suspect poll declared Schweikert ahead in the race by 5 percentage points.  Patterson focused only on the percentages, not the questionable methodology of the company that conducted the poll.

He also rather blithely ignored the fact that in late October 2006, a SurveyUSA poll showed then-Congressman JD Hayworth ahead of Mitchell by three percentage points.

Mitchell ended up winning the race by slighly more than 8000 votes.

He backed that one up with a post published on Sunday.  Perhaps he was simply regurgitating Schweikert campaign's wishful thinking, or perhaps he is doing his part to add a little reality to some of the lies that the Rs spewed about health care reform last year, but he took the initiative to become a self-designated "death panel."

He placed a "Do Not Resuscitate" directive on Harry Mitchell and his political career.

His primary concern was Harry's age, 70.

Perhaps Patterson *is* correct in his insinuation, and Mitchell is too old for public service, but then that would then bring up another point -

Harry Mitchell, date of birth: July 18, 1940

John McCain, date of birth: August 29, 1936

Guess which one is running for a six-year term, and which one is running for a two-year term?