...that despite Russell Pearce's claims of massive support for him in LD18, his campaign finance reports from the 2010 election cycle show that he received a grand total of 7 contributions from LD18 residents, amounting to less than 2.5% of his total for the cycle? He actually received more money from Fiesta Bowl-affiliated contributors.
Even more telling was the fact that, as far as I can tell, he didn't receive any contributions from his neighbors in his home precinct, Mesa 16.
Hmmm...
...that Arizona is lagging behind most other areas in the country economically, even in this rather tepid national recovery? The folks at Brookings Mountain West, a joint effort from the DC think tank Brookings Institute and UNLV have in the most recent edition of the Mountain Monitor (Phoenix snapshot here; Tucson snapshot here; snapshots of 100 metropolitan areas available here).
Some Arizona-specific numbers, courtesy the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, dated today, here.
Simple summary of both: Arizona's economy, while showing occasional signs of growth, is basically stagnant, and it is stagnant at the bottom of the trough.
...that former Alaska governor Sarah Palin (R-Half term) has ended/suspended (depending on who you ask) her (in)famous national bus tour...brace yourselves...about halfway through?
Insert your own punchline here.
...that (allegedly) corrupt Republican former Congressman Rick Renzi (R-Mantech) failed in his gambit to block a trial on corruption charges? He argued that his corrupt activities were Constitutionally-protected and he can't be prosecuted for them. A federal appeals court disagreed.
...Not really a political topic, at least not to the average Arizonan, but the holder of the number one spot on the FBI's most wanted list (ascending there upon the death of Osama bin Laden), James J. "Whitey" Bulger was finally captured in Santa Monica, California on Wednesday night.
Bulger has numerous bodies on his tally sheet, as well as being the main force behind the near-complete corrupting of the Boston office of the FBI in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Even though by all accounts he had been maintaining a low-profile in Santa Monica, society is a safer place tonight.
Later...
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Schweikert reaching...into some deep pockets
From Huffington Post, written by Paul Blumenthal -
A "leadership" PAC to benefit freshman GOPers Schweikert, Hurt, Steve Stivers and Francisco Canseco named "Freshman Majority" was formed late April/early May and hasn't filed any reports yet. However, Schweikert's latest campaign filing shows that he has been the recipient of a lot ofbribes campaign contributions from industries that have matters before the Financial Services Committee in the US House.
He reported $166K in contributions during the three month period ending March 31; more than 25% $43,000 came directly from insurance, banking, and real estate PACs (or, in a couple of cases, lawyer/lobbying firm PACs where they firm self-identifies as working primarily for interests in those areas; other lobbyist firm contributions were not added into this total).
Another 15%, or $26K, came from individual donors who self-identified as working in the same businesses.
Think it's a coincidence that Schweikert opposes regulation of financial industry activities and supports destroying Medicare and replacing it with a corporate Vouchercare program?
Of all the ways that Congress finds to make Americans cringe, the creation of leadership political action committees (PACs) -- campaign finance vehicles that provide yet another avenue for special interest influence and test the furthest limits of the English language with unwieldy acronyms -- may induce the strongest grimaces.Interesting article. It inspired me to do a little research on the FEC's website.
{snip}
The House Financial Services Committee, a well-known feeding ground for money-hungry lawmakers, is the most represented committee among GOP freshmen with PACs and includes Reps. Robert Hurt (Va.), Dave Schweikert (Ariz.), Jim Renacci (Ohio), and Michael Grimm (N.Y.). The campaign committees of these four lawmakers have all received an inordinate amount of contributions from financial PACs. Now those financial PACs, some of the biggest donors to Congress, have another avenue to contribute to new committee members overseeing their industry. Republicans, as well as Democrats, place vulnerable members on the committee so they can raise funds from the industry the panel oversees.
A "leadership" PAC to benefit freshman GOPers Schweikert, Hurt, Steve Stivers and Francisco Canseco named "Freshman Majority" was formed late April/early May and hasn't filed any reports yet. However, Schweikert's latest campaign filing shows that he has been the recipient of a lot of
He reported $166K in contributions during the three month period ending March 31; more than 25% $43,000 came directly from insurance, banking, and real estate PACs (or, in a couple of cases, lawyer/lobbying firm PACs where they firm self-identifies as working primarily for interests in those areas; other lobbyist firm contributions were not added into this total).
Another 15%, or $26K, came from individual donors who self-identified as working in the same businesses.
Think it's a coincidence that Schweikert opposes regulation of financial industry activities and supports destroying Medicare and replacing it with a corporate Vouchercare program?
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Brewer and legislative Republicans kiss and make up: Arizonans still screwed
From the Arizona Republic, written by Ginger Rough -
Either way, Arizonans, at least those who cannot abbreviate their last names "corp", "inc", or "LLC" are seriously underrepresented at the Capitol.
Gov. Jan Brewer spent some time last week mending fences with some key Republican lawmakers, days after her hastily called special session on extending unemployment benefits ended abruptly with no action.Given that what we saw from West Washington when they got along - pension "reform" that devastates public employees, an official state gun instead of an official state jobs bill, corporate tax cuts that push more of the state's tax burden onto middle-class homeowners - could basically be summed up as "screwjobs by acts of commission", should anybody be surprised that what we saw from West Washington when they weren't getting along could be summarized as a "screwjob by act of omission"?
The Legislature's adjournment - and the governor's comments on the impasse - had prompted speculation that relations between her executive branch and legislative Republicans had turned sour.
On Thursday, Brewer and House Speaker Andy Tobin, R-Paulden, sat down for an hour to discuss the session and pledged to work on their respective communication styles.
Either way, Arizonans, at least those who cannot abbreviate their last names "corp", "inc", or "LLC" are seriously underrepresented at the Capitol.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Clarence Clemons passes away
Clarence Clemons, the physically imposing (6' 5", 270 lbs) saxophone player with a smile and personality that could brighten the darkest corners of any club, arena, or stadium, has passed away due to complications from a stroke he suffered a week ago.
While a noted and in-demand musician in his own right, he is easily best known for his decades of work with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, where his soaring solos became the hallmark of Springsteen's sound.
Many people have something to say on Clemons' passing -
USA Today has an obit/story here.
Rolling Stone has a story here.
From Bruce Springsteen's website -
Damn.
My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and many, many fans.
While a noted and in-demand musician in his own right, he is easily best known for his decades of work with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, where his soaring solos became the hallmark of Springsteen's sound.
Many people have something to say on Clemons' passing -
USA Today has an obit/story here.
Rolling Stone has a story here.
From Bruce Springsteen's website -
It is with overwhelming sadness that we inform our friends and fans that at 7:00 tonight, Saturday, June 18, our beloved friend and bandmate, Clarence Clemons passed away. The cause was complications from his stroke of last Sunday, June 12th.All I can say is -
Bruce Springsteen said of Clarence: Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years. He was my great friend, my partner, and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band.
Damn.
My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and many, many fans.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Short Attention Span Musing
...Is Frank Antenori angling for a promotion...or just another electoral beat-down?
H/T to The Range at the Tucson Citizen (Mari Herreras and Dan Gibson) , AZBlueMeanie at Blog for Arizona and Tedski at Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion for spotting this...
State Sen. Frank Antenori (R-Tucson) has all but announced that he will run for Congress next year by posting a faux-poll on his Facebook page asking for "advice" from readers.
He wanted to know if they thought he should run for Congress or stay in the Arizona Legislature. Maybe someone should remind him what happened the last time he ran for Congress.
In 2006, he came in fourth in a five-way R primary in CD8, looking to replace the retiring Jim Kolbe, a spot eventually won by Democrat Gabrielle Giffords.
He received 4.12% of the vote.
...It looks as if Hugh Hallman is getting out of Tempe while the getting is good...
From the East Valley Tribune, written by Garin Groff -
Note: Neither Hallman nor Antenori has an active campaign committee at the federal, state, or county levels that I can find, as of this writing.
...Russell Pearce may not be toast yet, he's definitely feeling the heat.
Word has gotten out that the Maricopa County Recorder's Office has unofficially validated more than enough petition signatures to force a recall election. Most electeds in his position would at least pretend to care about their images, but not Pearce.
Nope. He went on KAET's Horizon on Thursday and started spouting outrageous, and more importantly for the people who have united to unseat him, easily disproven lies about those people.
This on top of a week spend dealing with criticisms over his handling of the "special session to nowhere," the special session called to change a single word in Arizona law that would have allowed 15,000 Arizonans to continue receiving federally-funded unemployment benefits?
The "special" session where the Republicans in the legislature refused to act to help average Arizonans who need the help, unless the corporate benefactors of those Republicans got another big tax cut?
Not a good week for Pearce.
...Not a good week for John Huppenthal, either.
To great fanfare, the man who is Arizona's Superintendent of Public Instruction pronounced that Tucson's Mexican American Studies program is illegal and must be changed or shut down.
As part of his supporting "evidence" he cited an audit conducted by a private firm.
The problem? The audit he cited actually found that the program didn't violate the law.
Though as Huffington Post's Jeff Biggers points out here, Huppenthal may have done so himself.
Oopsie.
Later...
H/T to The Range at the Tucson Citizen (Mari Herreras and Dan Gibson) , AZBlueMeanie at Blog for Arizona and Tedski at Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion for spotting this...
State Sen. Frank Antenori (R-Tucson) has all but announced that he will run for Congress next year by posting a faux-poll on his Facebook page asking for "advice" from readers.
He wanted to know if they thought he should run for Congress or stay in the Arizona Legislature. Maybe someone should remind him what happened the last time he ran for Congress.
In 2006, he came in fourth in a five-way R primary in CD8, looking to replace the retiring Jim Kolbe, a spot eventually won by Democrat Gabrielle Giffords.
He received 4.12% of the vote.
...It looks as if Hugh Hallman is getting out of Tempe while the getting is good...
From the East Valley Tribune, written by Garin Groff -
Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman said he’ll stay involved in civic issues and is open to seeking another office after stepping down next June.It's long been rumored that Hallman has his eye on higher office. It appears as if he is setting up a statewide run for 2014, though run for Congress or Fulton Brock's seat as a Maricopa County supervisor next year isn't out of the realm of possibility.
Hallman announced he won’t seek a third term while decrying the state of politics in Arizona. He’d like to address challenges he sees at the state and federal levels, though he hasn’t decided just how yet.
Note: Neither Hallman nor Antenori has an active campaign committee at the federal, state, or county levels that I can find, as of this writing.
...Russell Pearce may not be toast yet, he's definitely feeling the heat.
Word has gotten out that the Maricopa County Recorder's Office has unofficially validated more than enough petition signatures to force a recall election. Most electeds in his position would at least pretend to care about their images, but not Pearce.
Nope. He went on KAET's Horizon on Thursday and started spouting outrageous, and more importantly for the people who have united to unseat him, easily disproven lies about those people.
This on top of a week spend dealing with criticisms over his handling of the "special session to nowhere," the special session called to change a single word in Arizona law that would have allowed 15,000 Arizonans to continue receiving federally-funded unemployment benefits?
The "special" session where the Republicans in the legislature refused to act to help average Arizonans who need the help, unless the corporate benefactors of those Republicans got another big tax cut?
Not a good week for Pearce.
...Not a good week for John Huppenthal, either.
To great fanfare, the man who is Arizona's Superintendent of Public Instruction pronounced that Tucson's Mexican American Studies program is illegal and must be changed or shut down.
As part of his supporting "evidence" he cited an audit conducted by a private firm.
The problem? The audit he cited actually found that the program didn't violate the law.
Though as Huffington Post's Jeff Biggers points out here, Huppenthal may have done so himself.
Oopsie.
Later...
Monday, June 13, 2011
Arizona Legislature abandons unemployed Arizonans
On Friday, we know this was coming, but there was always a spark of hope that someone would sit them down this weekend an gently explain to them the PR benefits of making a one word change to Arizona law so that 15,000 of Arizona's long-term unemployed could collect extended unemployment benefits.
Or maybe someone would explain to the legislative types how the money wouldn't come from the state but would add more than $3 million per week to Arizona's cratered economy.
Note that I'm not mentioning the fact that it was simply the right thing to do, because that's a moral and ethical argument, and those hold no sway at 1700 West Washington.
From the Phoenix New Times, written by Stephen Lemons -
The vote to adjourn the special session was along party lines, with 16 Republicans voting to go home without working to help their constituents, 5 Democrats voting to stay at work until the job was done right, and 9 members from both sides of the aisle absent for one reason or another.
I wonder if the 45,000 Arizonans thrown under the ideological bus by the Republicans in the legislature (15K now, and another 30K by the end of the year) will remember this when they have a ballot in their hands next year?
Bonus "I wonder":
I wonder who's going to break the news to Rep. Farnsworth that he's part of the *Arizona Legislature,* not the *U.S. Congress*?
Later...
Or maybe someone would explain to the legislative types how the money wouldn't come from the state but would add more than $3 million per week to Arizona's cratered economy.
Note that I'm not mentioning the fact that it was simply the right thing to do, because that's a moral and ethical argument, and those hold no sway at 1700 West Washington.
From the Phoenix New Times, written by Stephen Lemons -
The state Legislature recessed indefinitely today from its special session without making a minor change in state law that would allow some 45,000 unemployed Arizonans to continue to receive unemployment checks.From the Arizona Capitol Times, written by Luige del Puerto -
Around 15,000 out-of-work Sand Landers will receive a check this week, and then no more. The Arizona Department of Economic Security estimates that another 30,000 would qualify for the federal extension by the end of the year.
...Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, was even harsher in criticizing the governor.
“She did it just to spite us,” he said. “She’s created a bunch of grief for us by calling us into a special session that had no deal, on 24 hours’ notice, (on) the day before the deadline, so she could throw us under the bus on Saturday morning.”
{snip}
But Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, said it would be disingenuous for legislators to complain about federal overspending but take every dollar offered to the state.
“Almost every day we’re here, we complain about the federal government spending,” he said. “But when they’re willing to give us some of that money, we say, ‘Oh, we’ll take it.’”
The vote to adjourn the special session was along party lines, with 16 Republicans voting to go home without working to help their constituents, 5 Democrats voting to stay at work until the job was done right, and 9 members from both sides of the aisle absent for one reason or another.
I wonder if the 45,000 Arizonans thrown under the ideological bus by the Republicans in the legislature (15K now, and another 30K by the end of the year) will remember this when they have a ballot in their hands next year?
Bonus "I wonder":
I wonder who's going to break the news to Rep. Farnsworth that he's part of the *Arizona Legislature,* not the *U.S. Congress*?
Later...
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Sylvia Allen: shilling for Big Business by blaming environmentalists and other scientists for wildfires
From KTAR -
This is the same Sylvia Allen who calmly proclaimed that it OK to strip mine uranium because the Earth is 6000 years old and doing fine.
This is the same Sylvia Allen who called for destroying trees because they "suck water" out of Arizona's water supply.
This is the same Sylvia Allen who argued during a committee hearing that the legislature and the people should focus on helping the wealthy.
Something tells me that Allen's plan to end the existence of forest fires would include paying lots of taxpayer money to Big Business to end the existence of forests themselves.
Environmentalists are the target of a blame game as wildfires rage through Arizona forests.An interview with Allen is part of this segment of (Phoenix) Channel 12's Sunday Squareoff -
State Sen. Sylvia Allen, a Republican from Snowflake -- a town in the White Mountains not too far from the huge Wallow fire -- says misinformation, lawsuits and lies have been used to promote unhealthy forest environments and those philosophies have made their way into federal policies.
This is the same Sylvia Allen who calmly proclaimed that it OK to strip mine uranium because the Earth is 6000 years old and doing fine.
This is the same Sylvia Allen who called for destroying trees because they "suck water" out of Arizona's water supply.
This is the same Sylvia Allen who argued during a committee hearing that the legislature and the people should focus on helping the wealthy.
Something tells me that Allen's plan to end the existence of forest fires would include paying lots of taxpayer money to Big Business to end the existence of forests themselves.
Pictures of a smiling Gabrielle Giffords released
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Update: Campaign Committees
Things continue to be quiet on the new candidate front, as most potential candidates seem to be waiting for the redistricting process to finish.
However, there have been a few new committees formed at the legislative level. While all list their current district for the office that they are seeking, that will change after the new districts are laid out later this year.
New committees:
James Bearup, Republican for LD6 House
Pat Fleming, Democrat for LD25 Senate. Fleming is a former member of the House. The current LD25 Senate seat is held by Republican Gail Griffin.
Bryan Kilgore Sr., Democrat for LD12 House.
Other committees -
Patriots for Pearce, supporting Russell Pearce/opposing the recall of Pearce
City of Scottsdale/City of Tempe -
No new committees that I could find. That should change in Tempe first because their election is in March and May, while Scottsdale's in August and November.
City of Phoenix update:
The following candidates have been certified for the ballot -
For Mayor
Anna Brennan
Wes Gullett
Claude Mattox
Peggy Neely
Greg Stanton
Jennifer Wright
City Council, District 1
Bill Barker
Eric Frederick
Gary Whalen
Thelda Williams
City Council, District 2
Bryan Jeffries
David Jones
Jim Waring
City Council, District 3
Bill S. Gates
Steven Gross
City Council, District 5
Charlie Ellis
Eric Sloan
Brenda Sperduti
Daniel Valenzuela
City Council, District 7
Janet Contreras
Michael Nowakowski
Arthur Olivas Jr.
Later...
However, there have been a few new committees formed at the legislative level. While all list their current district for the office that they are seeking, that will change after the new districts are laid out later this year.
New committees:
James Bearup, Republican for LD6 House
Pat Fleming, Democrat for LD25 Senate. Fleming is a former member of the House. The current LD25 Senate seat is held by Republican Gail Griffin.
Bryan Kilgore Sr., Democrat for LD12 House.
Other committees -
Patriots for Pearce, supporting Russell Pearce/opposing the recall of Pearce
City of Scottsdale/City of Tempe -
No new committees that I could find. That should change in Tempe first because their election is in March and May, while Scottsdale's in August and November.
City of Phoenix update:
The following candidates have been certified for the ballot -
For Mayor
Anna Brennan
Wes Gullett
Claude Mattox
Peggy Neely
Greg Stanton
Jennifer Wright
City Council, District 1
Bill Barker
Eric Frederick
Gary Whalen
Thelda Williams
City Council, District 2
Bryan Jeffries
David Jones
Jim Waring
City Council, District 3
Bill S. Gates
Steven Gross
City Council, District 5
Charlie Ellis
Eric Sloan
Brenda Sperduti
Daniel Valenzuela
City Council, District 7
Janet Contreras
Michael Nowakowski
Arthur Olivas Jr.
Later...
Howard Fischer goes after David Schapira, and blurs the line between professionalism and partisanship
Last night, I put up a post that quoted from a story written by Howard Fischer of Capital Media Services.
Actually, I should just say "written by Howard Fischer" because he *is* Capitol Media Services. It's a one-man operation where he is reporter, photographer, editor, business manager, chief cook, and bottle washer.
He is called the "Dean of the Capitol press corps" for a good reason. He's earned it with decades of tireless coverage of the Arizona Capitol. He's good at the job, and most of the state's media outlets use his stories.
He's a Republican (I think so anyway, based on some of the things that I've heard him say at the Capitol), but he is willing to grill electeds regardless of their party affiliation.
If most of his stories seem to be a little R-centric, well, there are a LOT of Rs in and around the Capitol.
However, on occasion, his partisan preferences burst into view in one of his stories, and yesterday's coverage of the "special" session was one of those occasions.
Professional journalists aren't supposed to editorialize in "news" pieces, and they are supposed to be even-handed.
From his story on the special session, published by YourWestValley.com -
This is meant to point out that he took the time to refute a statement from one of the subjects of his story, something that professional journalists aren't supposed to do. It's not an absolute prohibition, but when a journalist does, he has to be right when he calls out someone as wrong.
He also unfairly took pains to specifically criticize a Democrat, while allowing statements from Republicans to go unchallenged.
Also from his story -
The problem is that he ignored the standards of his profession when he went after Schapira's statement, and he compounded the problem when he gave the Republican subjects of his piece a free pass.
Now, an amateur journalist (like me!) would have pointed out to Sylvia Allen that over the last 20 years, the Republicans have controlled one or both chambers of the US Congress for more the 12 out of the 20 years, the White House for approximately 1/2 of that period, and the Arizona Legislature for ALL of that time (no room for "progressive socialist principles" there) or that Andy Biggs didn't produce the unnamed studies that he cited (or the unmitigated arrogance of someone who literally made a fortune by opening his mail one day having nothing but contempt for Arizonan who work, or want to work, for a living).
Amateurs, such as those at Sonoran Alliance, can take an op-ed piece written by Schapira and published in the East Valley Tribune and give failed 2010 state senate candidate Wendy Rogers a platform to refute Schapira's statements (even more incorrectly than Fischer did, but that's my opinion, which I'm free to express here :) ).
Amateurs, such as me, Ted Prezelski at Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion, the team at Blog for Arizona, Greg Patterson at Espresso Pundit, the folks at Sonoran Alliance and the rest aren't professional journalists who aren't held to the same standards. In addition, we are open about our partisanship.
Note my own partisanship expressed in the above paragraphs - links to the Democratic-leaning blogs, but none for the Republican-leaning ones. Not trying to be subtle here. :)
Generally speaking, Fischer doesn't cross the line.
Yesterday however, he crossed it, and it wasn't by a baby step. He took a running start before long jumping over it.
On the other hand, at his age (and mine!), "long jumps" aren't so long anymore. He's not going to need binoculars and a GPS unit to find the line again. :))
Actually, I should just say "written by Howard Fischer" because he *is* Capitol Media Services. It's a one-man operation where he is reporter, photographer, editor, business manager, chief cook, and bottle washer.
He is called the "Dean of the Capitol press corps" for a good reason. He's earned it with decades of tireless coverage of the Arizona Capitol. He's good at the job, and most of the state's media outlets use his stories.
He's a Republican (I think so anyway, based on some of the things that I've heard him say at the Capitol), but he is willing to grill electeds regardless of their party affiliation.
If most of his stories seem to be a little R-centric, well, there are a LOT of Rs in and around the Capitol.
However, on occasion, his partisan preferences burst into view in one of his stories, and yesterday's coverage of the "special" session was one of those occasions.
Professional journalists aren't supposed to editorialize in "news" pieces, and they are supposed to be even-handed.
From his story on the special session, published by YourWestValley.com -
Senate Minority Leader David Schapira, D-Tempe, said those who have been out of work for more than 79 weeks need help now.This post isn't meant to point out that the last two paragraphs in the quote point out that his point about Schapira being wrong is wrong itself (you can tell I don't work for a "professional" media outlet like Fischer or anybody from the Arizona Capitol Times or the Arizona Republic - this sentence would never make it past an editor :) ).
"Maybe in another year a legitimate argument could be made that these folks just really need to try harder at getting jobs,'' he said. But he said Arizonans are hurting now.
More to the point, Schapira said they are entitled to the benefits.
"People who qualify for unemployment are people who have worked for years, who have paid into a system for years, who have invested in a system for years,'' he said.
"This is not simply welfare, this is not a give-away, this is not a handout,'' Schapira continued. " This is a return on investment into a system that people have paid into throughout their careers.
But Schapira is wrong on two fronts.
The first 26 weeks of jobless benefits comes from a state trust fund which is financed by a tax paid not by workers but by their employers. Premiums are based on how often companies lay off workers and vary from as little as $2 a year to as much as $378.
And all benefits beyond 26 weeks, both one program which provides another 53 weeks and the extended benefits program at issue here which covers another 20 weeks, are financed totally from federal tax dollars.
This is meant to point out that he took the time to refute a statement from one of the subjects of his story, something that professional journalists aren't supposed to do. It's not an absolute prohibition, but when a journalist does, he has to be right when he calls out someone as wrong.
He also unfairly took pains to specifically criticize a Democrat, while allowing statements from Republicans to go unchallenged.
Also from his story -
"The real issue is we have destroyed thousands of jobs in Arizona and also in America because of progressive socialist principles that have been used in the last 20 years that has changed our country,'' said Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake. "The real root of the problem is this country's in desperate need of jobs.''Fischer left those statements from Republicans unchallenged which, as a professional journalist, was the correct thing for him to do.
{snip}
Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, said there is some evidence that what the governor wants actually would hurt the economy.
"Studies have been done ... controlling all other variables found that when you do extend unemployment benefits you have an effect of increasing the overall unemployment rate,'' he said.
The problem is that he ignored the standards of his profession when he went after Schapira's statement, and he compounded the problem when he gave the Republican subjects of his piece a free pass.
Now, an amateur journalist (like me!) would have pointed out to Sylvia Allen that over the last 20 years, the Republicans have controlled one or both chambers of the US Congress for more the 12 out of the 20 years, the White House for approximately 1/2 of that period, and the Arizona Legislature for ALL of that time (no room for "progressive socialist principles" there) or that Andy Biggs didn't produce the unnamed studies that he cited (or the unmitigated arrogance of someone who literally made a fortune by opening his mail one day having nothing but contempt for Arizonan who work, or want to work, for a living).
Amateurs, such as those at Sonoran Alliance, can take an op-ed piece written by Schapira and published in the East Valley Tribune and give failed 2010 state senate candidate Wendy Rogers a platform to refute Schapira's statements (even more incorrectly than Fischer did, but that's my opinion, which I'm free to express here :) ).
Amateurs, such as me, Ted Prezelski at Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion, the team at Blog for Arizona, Greg Patterson at Espresso Pundit, the folks at Sonoran Alliance and the rest aren't professional journalists who aren't held to the same standards. In addition, we are open about our partisanship.
Note my own partisanship expressed in the above paragraphs - links to the Democratic-leaning blogs, but none for the Republican-leaning ones. Not trying to be subtle here. :)
Generally speaking, Fischer doesn't cross the line.
Yesterday however, he crossed it, and it wasn't by a baby step. He took a running start before long jumping over it.
On the other hand, at his age (and mine!), "long jumps" aren't so long anymore. He's not going to need binoculars and a GPS unit to find the line again. :))
Friday, June 10, 2011
Pearce Republicans fiddle while Arizonans burn
...not the best title ever written, but it's better than the original - "Ya gotta be [bleepin'] kiddin' me!"
On Friday, the Arizona legislature was supposed to meet to make a change to Arizona law that would allow nearly 15,000 of Arizona's long-term unemployed to collect an additional 20 weeks of jobless benefits.
They could have done this during the regular session in March or April, as asked by the Democrats, but instead chose to work on more important things, like naming an official state gun and passing a bill aimed to help a particular rancher in southern Arizona escape from paying for his abuse of some undocumented immigrants.
Still, better late than never, right?
Well, forget the "late" part - Senate President Russell Pearce, House Speaker Andy Tobin, and the rest of the Rs doubled down on "never."
From a story published in the Yuma Sun, written by Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services -
Ummm...yeahhhhh.
It wasn't just Pearce, Tobin, and Allen, either. Other Rs made their contempt for their unemployed constituents pretty clear -
- Sen. Don Shooter (R-Yuma) showed up for the session in a costume - a sombrero, serape, and a half-filled bottle of tequila in a holster.
- Rep. Jack Harper (R-Surprise), always a favorite here, didn't even bother to show up, Tweeting from home that the Senate should remove Democratic Sen. Steve Gallardo, apparently for the crime of failing to kiss up to Republicans.
Harper's Twitter feed is here. Be warned: He *really* dislikes Sen. Gallardo. And apparently he believes that good spelling is a communist plot to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids.
The relevant bills are here - Senate and House - and they were written and sponsored by Democrats, because no Republican would put his or her name on any measure to help Arizonans.
Even if the measure would cost Arizona nothing.
Other takes:
Andrei Cherny, chair of the Arizona Democratic Party -
On Wednesday, I wrote a post describing the Republicans in the AZ legislature as "soulless".
At the time, I thought it may have been a little harsh, but given their long history of disdain for their constituents, I thought it was merited, at least as a metaphor..
However, even I, cynical lege-watcher of long experience that I am, didn't expect them to prove me to be understating the situation.
On Friday, the Arizona legislature was supposed to meet to make a change to Arizona law that would allow nearly 15,000 of Arizona's long-term unemployed to collect an additional 20 weeks of jobless benefits.
They could have done this during the regular session in March or April, as asked by the Democrats, but instead chose to work on more important things, like naming an official state gun and passing a bill aimed to help a particular rancher in southern Arizona escape from paying for his abuse of some undocumented immigrants.
Still, better late than never, right?
Well, forget the "late" part - Senate President Russell Pearce, House Speaker Andy Tobin, and the rest of the Rs doubled down on "never."
From a story published in the Yuma Sun, written by Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services -
Republican legislators balked Friday at a proposal by Gov. Jan Brewer to keep extended jobless benefits flowing, leaving nearly 15,000 Arizonans unsure if the unemployment checks they get this coming week will be their last.
Senate President Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said a majority of his caucus could not support making the change necessary to have the federal government continue funding benefits for those who have been out of work for more than 79 weeks. Some lawmakers said the plan by the Republican governor was little better than the liberal policies they say got the country’s economy where it is today.
Pearce said there still is a chance lawmakers could approve the plan on Monday — but only if the governor agrees to add provisions he said would prevent fraud. And House Speaker Andy Tobin, R-Paulden, wants the package to also include tax breaks for business he said are needed to stimulate job growth.
{snip}
“The real issue is we have destroyed thousands of jobs in Arizona and also in America because of progressive socialist principles that have been used in the last 20 years that has changed our country,” said Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake.
Ummm...yeahhhhh.
It wasn't just Pearce, Tobin, and Allen, either. Other Rs made their contempt for their unemployed constituents pretty clear -
- Sen. Don Shooter (R-Yuma) showed up for the session in a costume - a sombrero, serape, and a half-filled bottle of tequila in a holster.
- Rep. Jack Harper (R-Surprise), always a favorite here, didn't even bother to show up, Tweeting from home that the Senate should remove Democratic Sen. Steve Gallardo, apparently for the crime of failing to kiss up to Republicans.
Harper's Twitter feed is here. Be warned: He *really* dislikes Sen. Gallardo. And apparently he believes that good spelling is a communist plot to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids.
The relevant bills are here - Senate and House - and they were written and sponsored by Democrats, because no Republican would put his or her name on any measure to help Arizonans.
Even if the measure would cost Arizona nothing.
Other takes:
Andrei Cherny, chair of the Arizona Democratic Party -
"Today, legislative Republicans once again put an extreme ideology ahead of what was good for Arizona. To refuse to make a one-word change to statute that doesn't cost the state a dime is mean spirited, short sighted and wrong. Because of what they've done, our Arizona economy will take another hit and families will be pushed into poverty. The Russell Pearce Republicans showed once again that they are the ones driving the state -- into a ditch."Rebekah Friend, Executive Director and Secretary-Treasurer of the Arizona AFL-CIO:
"The legislature had a simple job to do today. Just a one-word change to state law would preserve unemployment benefits for 15,000 Arizonans who need a lifeline. But Republican leadership in the legislature and Governor Brewer failed to do even the most basic things we ask of our elected officials. The Governor failed to produce a proposal, and many legislators didn’t even bother to appear. After these same politicians gave away millions in tax breaks to large corporations, their adjournment of this special session without action is simply a dereliction of duty.There have been hints that the Rs may be willing to try again Monday, but those hints are likely just for show - a number of legislators from both sides of the aisle will be unable to attend next week (hence the really unusual Friday special session). Reports are that after today, it will be at least a couple of weeks before there are enough available legislators to try again.
"I thank the legislators who showed up today so that our state could extend unemployment benefits. We need more heroes for the working class, like Senator Steve Gallardo, who introduced a bill to help 15,000 families immediately; like Senator Kyrsten Sinema, who rushed back to the state to cast her vote; and like Senator David Schapira and five others who sponsored a bill to withhold pay from legislators during this special session. I hope that all of our legislators will have the heart and the common sense to extend benefits on Monday so that the lapse in this lifeline will only be brief."
On Wednesday, I wrote a post describing the Republicans in the AZ legislature as "soulless".
At the time, I thought it may have been a little harsh, but given their long history of disdain for their constituents, I thought it was merited, at least as a metaphor..
However, even I, cynical lege-watcher of long experience that I am, didn't expect them to prove me to be understating the situation.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Arizona's Republican legislators: The very definition of "soulless"
Late last month and early this month, the Republicans in the Arizona legislature refused to call a special session to enact a minor change to Arizona's law that would have allowed Arizona's long-term unemployed to collect 20 additional weeks of unemployement benefits.
Even though such a thing wouldn't have cost Arizona a dime.
Now, however, certain legislators are now saying that they are willing to make the necessary change, one that won't cost Arizona anything.
However, they are demanding a quid pro quo - more massive tax cuts for corporations.
Even though such a thing would cost Arizona hundreds of millions of dollars.
Note: Governor Jan Brewer has called a special session of the lege to address the unemployment benefits matter. There is a business tax cut clause in her proclamation, but it's very specific, and I'm not sure yet how much it will cost us.
And in case anyone thinks this anti-Joe and Jane Average bias is something new, just harken back through the mists of time, all the way back through the eons to last August.
On Tuesday, August 3, a judge knocked an anti-union ballot measure from the legislature off of the ballot.
By Wednesday, August 4, the Republicans in the legislature were already putting together a "special session" at the behest of theirbribers "campaign contributors" from big business.
Guess who would benefit from the tax cuts that the Rs want as a condition for allowing Arizona's long-term unemployed to get a little relief?
Even though such a thing wouldn't have cost Arizona a dime.
Now, however, certain legislators are now saying that they are willing to make the necessary change, one that won't cost Arizona anything.
However, they are demanding a quid pro quo - more massive tax cuts for corporations.
Even though such a thing would cost Arizona hundreds of millions of dollars.
Note: Governor Jan Brewer has called a special session of the lege to address the unemployment benefits matter. There is a business tax cut clause in her proclamation, but it's very specific, and I'm not sure yet how much it will cost us.
And in case anyone thinks this anti-Joe and Jane Average bias is something new, just harken back through the mists of time, all the way back through the eons to last August.
On Tuesday, August 3, a judge knocked an anti-union ballot measure from the legislature off of the ballot.
By Wednesday, August 4, the Republicans in the legislature were already putting together a "special session" at the behest of their
Guess who would benefit from the tax cuts that the Rs want as a condition for allowing Arizona's long-term unemployed to get a little relief?
Helping out those affected by the Wallow Fire in eastern Arizona
This is from an email plea from Andrei Cherny, Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, but this is something that goes beyond partisanship (I'll save that stuff for the next post :) ).
The email -
The latest update on the fire from the Arizona Republic is here.
The email -
The Wallow Fire is now the second largest wildfire in state history. Residents in eastern Arizona communities are being evacuated and displaced into shelters and other areas of the state. They are losing their homes and in many cases, their livelihoods.
We may feel helpless as we watch the Wallow Fire tear through these beloved communities, but there are things we can do to help, right now. The Arizona Democratic Party is launching a donation drive for displaced residents who lack basic necessities. This week, we are extending the hours at AZ Dem state headquarters so people can drop off items during the day or in the evenings after they leave work. Items can also be dropped off at Pima County and Coconino County Democratic Party headquarters. The first delivery of donated items will be this weekend, but we will continue to collect donations throughout next week. Details below:
WHAT: Donation drive for victims of the Arizona wildfires.
WHERE TO DROP OFF ITEMS:
Phoenix -- Arizona Democratic Party headquarters, 2910 N. Central Ave.; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. today through Friday, and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon-Fri next week.
Tucson -- Pima County Democratic Party headquarters, 4639 E. First St., Tucson; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri
Flagstaff -- Coconino County Democratic Party headquarters, 201 E. Birch, Suite A (Historic Ice House); 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon-Fri.
ITEMS NEEDED:
• Gatorade (Liquid or powder)
• Bottled water
• Non-perishable snacks
• Soap
• Lip balm
• Razors
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Toothbrush covers
• Floss
• Lotion
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Baby wipes
• Breathing masks
Let's show our fellow Arizonans that they aren't alone during this challenging time. We are all in this together. Thank you for helping out.
Sincerely,
Andrei Cherny
Chair, Arizona Democratic Party
The latest update on the fire from the Arizona Republic is here.
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Pearce and Tancredo: Putting The "F" Back In Freedom
Wonder if Pearce et. al. understand that his acting as if he is above the law just reinforces the reasons that people want to recall him? He and his ilk would have everyone (especially their nativist followers) believe that it's all about immigration. They want everyone to forget the arrogance, corruption, and the simple meanness that are the hallmarks of his Senate presidency.
Moves like this one won't help him.
From the Arizona Republic, written by Mary K. Reinhart -
From ARS 16-919 -
Tedski at R-Cubed has his take, with a copy of a fundraising email from Pearce, here.
David Safier at Blog for Arizona has his take, with a tie in to the movie referenced by the title of this post, here.
BTW - That referenced movie, Team America: World Police, is perhaps the single funniest movie I've ever seen. It is also almost certainly the single filthiest mainstream movie ever made. It is from the creative minds behind the TV show South Park and showcases what they would do if they didn't have Comedy Central's censors looking over their shoulders.
I heartily recommend the movie, with one caveat - don't be fooled by the presence of marionettes in the movie. In no way, shape, or form is this a movie for the kids.
Moves like this one won't help him.
From the Arizona Republic, written by Mary K. Reinhart -
A national fundraising effort to fight the recall against Senate President Russell Pearce may be running afoul of state campaign-finance laws.Really?!? Sure Russell "The law is the LAW" Pearce and his supporters wouldn't do anything illegal, would they?
Team America, a political-action committee headed by former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., sent an e-mail blast Friday soliciting corporate and private donations for Citizens Who Oppose the Pearce Recall.
"Russell needs a quick infusion of funds to get his campaign started," said the e-mail, from Team America co-chair Bay Buchanan.
"Because it is a recall effort corporate funds are welcome and contributions are unlimited!!"
But state elections officials say Arizona law bans corporate and union donations to influence an election, and that includes opposing a recall effort.
From ARS 16-919 -
A. Except as provided in section 16-914.02, it is unlawful for a corporation or a limited liability company to make an expenditure or any contribution of money or anything of value for the purpose of influencing an election, and it is unlawful for the designating individual who formed an exploratory committee, an exploratory committee, a candidate or a candidate's campaign committee to accept any contribution of money or anything of value from a corporation or a limited liability company for the purpose of influencing an election. This subsection does not apply to political committees that are incorporated pursuant to title 10, chapters 24 through 40 and political committees that are organized as limited liability companies.
B. Except as provided in section 16-914.02, it is unlawful for a labor organization to make an expenditure or any contribution of money or anything of value for the purpose of influencing an election.Seems pretty clear to me, but I don't expect Pearce and his allies will let minor details like the law get in the way of their grasping for money.
{snip}
1. "Election" means any election to any political office, any election to any political convention or caucus or any primary election held for the purpose of selecting any candidate, political committee or other person for any political office, convention or caucus.
Tedski at R-Cubed has his take, with a copy of a fundraising email from Pearce, here.
David Safier at Blog for Arizona has his take, with a tie in to the movie referenced by the title of this post, here.
BTW - That referenced movie, Team America: World Police, is perhaps the single funniest movie I've ever seen. It is also almost certainly the single filthiest mainstream movie ever made. It is from the creative minds behind the TV show South Park and showcases what they would do if they didn't have Comedy Central's censors looking over their shoulders.
I heartily recommend the movie, with one caveat - don't be fooled by the presence of marionettes in the movie. In no way, shape, or form is this a movie for the kids.
Monday, June 06, 2011
The not-so-fine line between "dumb" and "dumbass"
I was going to title this post "Well, didn't see that one coming" but we all saw "it", and that was the problem.
Today, Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) admitted that yes, he was responsible for the lewd pictures sent via his Twitter fieed to a college student in Seattle. His original story that his Twitter account was hacked, well, that story was a lie.
He also admitted that he had a number of online "relationships" with women who he has never met.
That makes him dumb. He's not the first guy to do something like that, nor is he the first to initially deny everything when caught.
However, when a high-profile public figure such as a member of Congress not only does that, but does it under his own name and with pictures and is expects to keep it a secret, that's the very definition of "dumbass".
Congressman Anthony Weiner is a dumbass.
I like him politically, and as DC scandals goes, this is pretty minor league. I hope it doesn't lead to the end of his political career.
I'm still happy that he isn't married to one of my sisters, however.
My advice to Congressman Weiner and all Democratic officeholders -
1. Nothing, not phone calls, text messages, emails, Tweets, Facebook updates or whatever, is secret. If it's embarrassing or can be spun in an embarrassing way, it *will* come out.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't use those forms of communication, but don't say, write, or send something that you wouldn't want on display in open church in front of your grandparents and fiercest rival.
2. Don't try to tell jokes. You can't do it right. Ask John Kerry. Or Barack Obama
Leave the jokes to the jokers.
My advice to Republican office-holders -
1. Say what you want; do what you want. For example (hypotheticall speaking, of course) -
- Like to hang out in airport restrooms? Go for it.
- Have a habit of sending creepy emails to underage pages? No one will care. Trust me.
- Want to abandon your official duties in favor of a booty call in Argentina? Your constituents will be cool with that.
- Want to boink the wife of a family friend, and use you parents to funnel hush money your girlfriend and her husband? Sounds brilliant.
- Sending semi-nude pictures of yourself? Not a problem.
2. Tell all the jokes that you want. The more off-color and bigoted, the better. People will appreciate it, especially if they are the target of your joke. You'll seem like "just folks."
Later...
Today, Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) admitted that yes, he was responsible for the lewd pictures sent via his Twitter fieed to a college student in Seattle. His original story that his Twitter account was hacked, well, that story was a lie.
He also admitted that he had a number of online "relationships" with women who he has never met.
That makes him dumb. He's not the first guy to do something like that, nor is he the first to initially deny everything when caught.
However, when a high-profile public figure such as a member of Congress not only does that, but does it under his own name and with pictures and is expects to keep it a secret, that's the very definition of "dumbass".
Congressman Anthony Weiner is a dumbass.
I like him politically, and as DC scandals goes, this is pretty minor league. I hope it doesn't lead to the end of his political career.
I'm still happy that he isn't married to one of my sisters, however.
My advice to Congressman Weiner and all Democratic officeholders -
1. Nothing, not phone calls, text messages, emails, Tweets, Facebook updates or whatever, is secret. If it's embarrassing or can be spun in an embarrassing way, it *will* come out.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't use those forms of communication, but don't say, write, or send something that you wouldn't want on display in open church in front of your grandparents and fiercest rival.
2. Don't try to tell jokes. You can't do it right. Ask John Kerry. Or Barack Obama
Leave the jokes to the jokers.
My advice to Republican office-holders -
1. Say what you want; do what you want. For example (hypotheticall speaking, of course) -
- Like to hang out in airport restrooms? Go for it.
- Have a habit of sending creepy emails to underage pages? No one will care. Trust me.
- Want to abandon your official duties in favor of a booty call in Argentina? Your constituents will be cool with that.
- Want to boink the wife of a family friend, and use you parents to funnel hush money your girlfriend and her husband? Sounds brilliant.
- Sending semi-nude pictures of yourself? Not a problem.
2. Tell all the jokes that you want. The more off-color and bigoted, the better. People will appreciate it, especially if they are the target of your joke. You'll seem like "just folks."
Later...
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