Enough

Remember the names, because while Gabrielle Giffords was the highest-profile victim of yesterday's shooting, she wasn't the only one.

John Roll, 63

Dorothy Morris, 76

Dorwin Stoddard, 76

Christina Greene, 9

Phyllis Scheck, 79

Gabe Zimmerman, 30

Yesterday in Tucson, six people were murdered, 14 more were injured, and hundreds, no thousands, of people went to sleep with a deep void in their lives that wasn't there when they woke up in the morning.

People all over Tucson, Arizona, and the country, in their pain, grief, anger, and stunned bewilderment, searched for understanding, for answers to the question "why?".

One of the first places that most folks focused on was the rhetoric of hate and violence that has permeated political discourse on the Right.

Whether it was the threats to members of Congress during town halls during 2009, Sharon Angle's "2nd Amendment remedies," Sarah Palin's crosshairs on 20 Congressional districts, including Giffords', or the campaign rhetoric of Jesse Kelly, Giffords' 2010 challenger - "Help remove Gabrielle Giffords from office.  Shoot a fully automatic M16 with Jesse Kelly" (pics below, courtesy Blog for Arizona as the original web pages have been taken down or scrubbed), demonization and threats of violence have become the standard campaign talking points for the Right.

Now, Right-wing politicians and talking heads are seeking out cameras and reporters to decry the "politicizing" of a "senseless" act of violence.

Whether it is David Schweikert, the recently elected U.S. Rep for AZ5, saying that it isn't time to "play politics," Congressman Trent Franks (R - AZ3) going on MSNBC to protest any implication that politics could be behind the shooting (no link, but it was stated during an interview on Saturday), State Rep. Carl Seel (R - LD6), a former/current? Minuteman going on camera to say that while the violent actions were deplorable, it's no reason for 'leaders' like him to "dial down their passion," or any of dozens of other talking heads on Fox News and elsewhere, they're all declaring that violence shouldn't be politicized* and that this act was perpetrated by a single crazed individual.

Of course, none of them are noting that most suicide bombers in the Middle East could be considered "crazed individuals."

That's different after all - violence committed by people who have brown skin, a funny accent, and a live in a different country, well, that's terrorism. 

Violence committed by people who have white skin, an American accent, and live in a reasonably affluent section of Tucson, well, that's just insanity.

Enough.

It's time for the gloves to come off.

No more giving a free pass to the likes of Seel, Russell Pearce, Jack Harper, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, or the rest.

No more listening to their rantings and just chuckling and saying "that's our _____" before going off to something else.

No more ignoring their ravings in favor of  working up detailed, rational, well though-out policy positions.  Civility and rationality only work if both sides in a political discussion are civil and rational.

It's time to call them on *every* hate-filled or violence-laden piece of rhetorical bile spewed by them, electeds, candidates, and talking heads alike.

It's time to shine the harsh light of public scrutiny of their ties to hate groups (yes, that's you Russell Pearce) and their acts to further the agenda of hatred and fear.

* = Fox News really pisses away any of its remaining journalistic credibility when it has the likes of former Congressman/current radio talk show host/perpetual hatemonger JD Hayworth on to whine about the "politicization" of yesterday's murders, and then equate those killings with the unsolved murder of Arizona rancher Robert Krentz, whose death has been co-opted by the Right to buttress their anti-immigrant efforts.

Note:  While I still can't stand her politically, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer may have come off as the best of AZ's Republicans in the aftermath of yesterday's tragedy.  She seemed genuinely upset during her press conference at the Capitol yesterday.  That's far different than the likes of Franks, Schweikert, et. al., who seemed more concerned about the politics than the victims.

Some may believe she was just performing for the cameras, but anyone who saw the debate this past fall knows that Brewer just isn't that skilled a performer.

Note2:  According to reports from the Arizona Guardian and elsewhere that confirm something that I heard at last night's candlelight vigil at the AZ Capitol, Monday's scheduled State of the State address by Brewer before a joint session of the legislature will be postponed, though she will offer a brief, somber, address on Monday.  Attendees should expect heightened security and should plan for delays (in other words, don't show up at 1:40 p.m for the scheduled 1:45 p.m. address).

Note3:  Stunned is the still the best word to describe how I am feeling right now, more than a day after the massacre.  Based on what I've heard from others, that's a pretty common state right now. 

I expect it will be for a while.

Later...



The victims of the shooting identified

The Pima County Sheriff's Office has released the names of the six victims of today's fatal shooting in Tucson.

From KVOA (Tucson) -

The Pima County Sheriff's Office has released the identities of the six people killed in this morning's tragic shooting.


-John Roll, 63, a federal district court judge.

-Gabriel Zimmerman, 30, Giffords' director of community outreach

-Dorwin Stoddard, 76, a pastor at Mountain Ave. Church of Christ.

-Christina Greene, 9, a student at Mesa Verde Elementary

-Dorthy Murray, 76

-Phyllis Scheck, 79

My condolences go out to the families and friends of all of the victims of today's tragedy.

Statement from Sens. David Schapira and Russell Pearce

Schapira and Pearce are the Arizona Senate's Democratic Leader-elect and President-elect, respectively.

From the Arizona State Senate Democratic Caucus -

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Congresswoman Giffords and those attending her event in Tucson who were attacked this morning. This is such a senseless tragedy and tough to comprehend. Elected leaders should have the ability to speak their minds and stand up for their constituents without threat of physical violence. Please join us in prayer for Congresswoman Giffords and the others who have lost or are fighting for their lives.”

Candlelight vigil for today's shooting victims

From the Arizona State Capitol tonight...

Harry Mitchell, one of Giffords colleagues in both the US House and the AZ Senate, speaking briefly at the vigil.

Impromptu memorial for Judge John Roll, one of the victims fatally shot today

Flags at the AZ Capitol at half staff as the sun goes down

The crowd at the vigil, more than 250 strong, sharing their grief and prayers

Don Bivens' statement on today's shootings

From Don Bivens, chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, via email -

"Words cannot express the shock and devastation we feel about today's senseless attack. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of those who were slain, and our prayers continue for Congresswoman Giffords and the others who are struggling for their lives. We remain hopeful that their conditions will stabilize and this tragedy will not claim any further victims. Gabrielle Giffords is more than a member of Congress -- she is a wife and daughter, a native of Tucson, and a dear friend. She is also one of the brightest and most dedicated public servants in our state and nation. Our thoughts remain with her and family."

Harry Mitchell's statement on today's shootings

From his Facebook page -

"This is a sad and dark day for our country, and an absolute tragedy that I don’t want to believe could happen here. My heart is shattered for the family of Gabrielle Giffords and for all the innocent people who were killed or hurt today. Gabrielle is a model Congresswoman – young, brilliant with a tremendous future – who absolutely loves her community and her constituents. She has also been a true and unwavering friend since our days serving together in the Arizona State Senate, and she is the hardest working and most dedicated public servant I have ever known. I just can’t believe this has happened."

Chief Justice Berch's statement on today's shootings in Tucson

Statement from Arizona Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch (via email) -

"This is a sad and tragic day for the judiciary, our state, and our country. The shocking events that took place this morning deeply grieve those of us in the Arizona Judiciary. Initial reports indicate that, along with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and many members of her staff, Chief Judge John M. Roll of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona is a victim of this tragedy and we are deeply saddened that a member of our sister judicial system, a kind man, a wise and fair jurist, and a friend to many within the legal community, has been harmed by this senseless act of violence. Our thoughts and prayers go to all of those affected by today’s shooting."

More statements later...

Candlelight vigil at the AZ State Capitol tonight

Details are still unfolding, but there will be a candlelight vigil for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the other victims of today's shooting in Tucson.

Right now it is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Arizona State Capitol, 1700 W. Washington in Phoenix.

More details later...

Congresswoman Giffords is alive, but in critical condition and in surgery

Multiple sources are reporting this now, some MSM (CNN just had a spokeswoman from University Hospital in Tucson), and some back channel (email and Facebook).

A call to the Pima County Sheriff's Office PIO (or whoever is acting as one on the weekend) for info on the suspected shooter (apparently in custody) found a full voicemail box.  Will try again later...

Keep praying for those who are still alive, and for the loved ones of those who have died...

More later....

NPR is reporting that Congresswoman Giffords has died

From NPR -

Congresswoman, 6 Others, Killed By Gunman

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and six others died after a gunman opened fire at a public event on Saturday, the Pima County, Ariz., sheriff's office confirms.


The 40-year-old Democrat, who was re-elected to her third term in November, was hosting a "Congress on Your Corner" event at a Safeway in northwest Tucson when a gunman ran up and started shooting, according to Peter Michaels, news director of Arizona Public Media.

A tragic day...

My thoughts go out to the families and friends of Congresswoman Giffords and all of the victims of today's violence...

Breaking: Gabrielle Giffords and staff members shot in Tucson

Details are sketchy right now, but from NPR -

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot outside a grocery store in Tucson while holding a public event, Arizona Public Media reported Saturday.


The Democrat, who was re-elected to her third term in November, was hosting a "Congress on Your Corner" event at the Safeway in northwest Tucson when a gunman ran up and started shooting, according to Peter Michaels, news director of Arizona Public Media.

At least five other people, including members of her staff, were hurt. Giffords was transported to University Medical Center in Tucson. Her condition was not immediately known.

Giffords was talking to a couple when the suspect ran up firing indiscriminately and then ran off, Michaels said. According to other witnesses, he was tackled by a bystander and taken into custody.

Giffords was first elected to represent Arizona's 8th District in 2006. The "Congress on Your Corner" events allow constituents to present their concerns directly to her.

More details to come.

Right now, only Fox News seems to be covering this.  Not even the AZ Star or Republic has anything up as yet...

My thoughts and prayers are will Giffords and all of the victims of the shooting today...

David Schweikert: Health care hypocrite

To be fair to our Foreclosure Dave though, it's not like he was alone.

On Wednesday, the new Republican majority in the U.S. House passed all sorts of new rules for the 112th Congress.  Some of them are really interesting, but we'll save those for another day.

The highlight of the rules package was one that *didn't* make it into the package.

Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY) proposed a rule that would have required members of Congress to disclose whether or not they take advantage of the taxpayer-funded and government-run health care offered to members.

The proposal was defeated on a party-line vote, 191 - 238.

Huffington Post has a full report here.

Now, I could criticize all 238 Republicans who voted to defeat transparency, but they aren't the elected representatives of Arizona's 5th Congressional District.

David Schweikert is.

David Schweikert is the one, who on his website, stated "the liberal politicians in Washington continue to support government run healthcare that will effectively dismantle our healthcare system."

He's pledged to work for the repeal of health care reform and coverage for the average American...

Yet on the same day that he voted to conceal his and other members' acceptance of taxpayer-funded health insurance, he also voted to pass H. Res. 26, providing for next week's consideration of H.R. 2, the Republican scheme to repeal the health care reform and coverage for the average American.

So Schweikert is a *conservative* politician in Washington who supports "government run healthcare" for people who will "dismantle" healthcare for average Americans.

Something tells me that this won't be the last example of shameless hypocrisy coming from Schweikert.

The State Of Our State Conference

Spent the morning in downtown Phoenix with approximately 200 folks, elected officials, agency heads, and community members listening to some really smart people talk about the fundamental underpinnings of Arizona's budget deficit.

The insights were provided by people like David Stockman, formerly the Reagan Administration budget chief, George Cunningham, a former state legislator and staffer/advisor for Governors Mofford and Napolitano, economist Alan Maguire, Dr. Matt Murray of the University of Tennessee - Knoxville, Jim Rounds, an economist with Elliott D. Pollack and Company, and Craig Sullivan, executive director of the (Arizona) County Supervisors Association.

While some supported a more "cut spending" based approached and others supported a more "increase revenues" based one, all agreed that a more balanced and forward thinking approach to budgeting is needed in Arizona.

There were a large number of electeds in the audience (John McComish, Bob Burns, Chad Campbell, Eric Meyer, Carolyn Allen, Don Shooter, Ruben Gallego [all lege, current or incoming], Ken Bennett [AZ SOS], and probably more that I missed), but unfortunately, the ones who most get it are Ds (Meyer, Campbell, Gallego) or soon to retire (Allen).

This is oversimplifying (a good summary would be too complex for this outlet), but basically the combination of permanent tax cuts and spending programs enacted during economic boom years combined with the 1992 amendment to the Arizona Constitution that requires a 2/3 vote of the lege to increase revenues has rendered the state almost bankrupt and without the ability (in practical terms) to fix the problems.

The report published this week by the Morrison Institute and Brookings Mountain West is available on this page.

The meeting was recorded, and once the Institute posts the video, I'll link to it.  Also, they'll eventually post some of the Powerpoint presentations that the experts gave to help illustrate Arizona's plight.

Until those items are posted, here are a few quotes:

...This situation is a "failure in our national logic." - Dr. Michael Crow, President of ASU, referring to the national economic trend away from *building* things (manufacturing) and toward just reselling things (aka - the housing bubble)

..."Both parties are completely faking" on fiscal matters - Stockman, criticizing the Democrats for not having a fiscal plan for America, short of campaigning on "tax the rich" and "stop the wars"...and then not even doing that much, and going on to criticize the Republicans for being even worse, talking about fiscal responsibility and then actually working to undermine fiscal solvency with targeted tax cuts that weren't matched with spending cuts.  He noted that none of the Reagan-era spending cuts remains.

Other highlights from Stockman:

- The White House "rolled over and declared 'party on' " with the recent surrender on continued tax cuts for the wealthiest 2%

- The Russian state is "the most gigantic kleptocracy" in history

- Quantitative easing, or QE2, is nothing more than the Federal Reserve "printing money and monetizing debt" and that it has never worked.  Think "Weimar Republic" (my term, not his)

- " 'Deficit today' is another way of saying 'taxes tomorrow.' "

- Said that the belief/ mantra that 'tax cuts pay for themselves' is a "hoary myth."

...Dr. Murray suggested that Arizona should "broaden, balance, and diversify" its tax base and fiscal policies

...He also said that "Arizona is at a crossroads" but is only a part of a "long decay" across the country (economically)

...Maguire predicted that FY2014 will be a "very, very, ugly year" due to the expiration of the temporary sales tax increase enacted earlier this year and the expected unwillingness/inability of the feds to help any more than they already have

...Sullivan said that counties have been preparing for this mess since 2007, with mixed success, but all are subject to the vagaries and whims of the legislature.  AKA the lege has been trying to balance its budget by taking money from the counties and giving them more things to be responsible for

- Rounds favors cuts to spending first and adding revenues 2nd, but like the others, doesn't believe that cuts only will successfully address AZ's problems

- Cunningham says that tax cuts right now, such as the business tax cuts proposed/threatened by the Rs in the legislature, would be "fiscally imprudent"

- Rounds believes that while a "competitive" tax environment helps economic development, particularly in attracting businesses from out of state, but that "fiscal stability" is even more important, because instability will drive away business, no matter what the tax environment looks like

So far, I haven't found any other write ups of the event, though there were some MSM representatives there today, including Mary Jo Pitzl of the Arizona Republic.  When/if any are posted, I'll link to them here.

Also, it will be interesting on Monday to see if the Governor takes any lessons from the study or the State Of Our State conference into her State of the State speech.

I'm betting she won't, but I'm rather cynical.  (Yes, that it a surprise to most readers, I'm sure. :) )


I'm not sure exactly what to take away from this, because a lot of this was already known, but to see the actual numbers was eye-opening and jaw-dropping.

I guess the best thing would be for everybody to contact their legislators (yes, even the Rs) to remind them that blindly cutting taxes isn't being "fiscally responsible."

It's just politically lazy.  And fiscally destructive.

John Boehner: When reality and ideology conflict, ignore reality

From the Washington Post -

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Thursday defended House Republicans' efforts to repeal the national health care law, disputing the accuracy of a preliminary Congressional Budget Office estimate that a repeal of the law would add $230 billion to the national debt through 2021.
"I do not believe that repealing the job-killing health care law will increase the deficit," Boehner said at a Capitol press conference the day after the GOP formally regained the House majority. "CBO is entitled to their opinion, but they're locked within constraints of the 1974 Budget Act. Listen, even the actuaries at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid have made clear that this bill will not save the kind of money that was predicted earlier."

To summarize:  because of their ideology, the "fiscally responsible" Republicans want to block health care for Americans, even if health care reform was both beneficial to the average American *and* the federal budget deficit.

Of course, this isn't really a surprise, since the "fiscally responsible" Republicans spent more than a million dollars of the public's money today on a photo op.

John McCain hired by The Daily Show*

*OK, not really, but they did introduce a puppet that is so incredibly life-like it could be a clone...

Tedski at Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion already has this, but it's too funny not to post it here, too.

Photo courtesy TPM.

From the accompanying article, which includes video -

After the 112th Congress convened yesterday, Jon Stewart celebrated his pick for the Senate's grumpiest member: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)


"McCain's old-man crankiness has gone off the charts," Stewart said last night. "On the scale, he's clearly gone from a man of wisdom all the way to full Gran Torino."

By the way, no matter what some may think, that's not a rude gesture in the pic.  Jon Stewart asked McCain/the puppet how many homes he has.  It's not the right answer, but at least it's better than his previous answer of "I don't know".